Stiga Rosewood NCT V Blade Review: Xu Xin's All-Wood Weapon

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-11 · blade

The Stiga Rosewood NCT V is one of the most celebrated all-wood offensive blades in modern table tennis. Built around hand-picked rosewood outer plies and treated with Stiga’s NCT (Nano Composite Technology) surface process, it achieves a level of speed and hardness unusual for a 5-ply pure wood construction. Xu Xin — one of the world’s top penhold attackers — famously competed with this blade paired with Boost TX rubber, cementing its reputation as a high-performance all-wood weapon. Now discontinued, it remains a benchmark that players compare newer all-wood OFF blades against.

Performance

The Rosewood NCT V’s performance profile is dominated by two standout qualities: an elite short game and surprising flat-hit speed. In the short game, the blade allows a uniquely passive touch — players can receive powerful loops with a relaxed wrist and return the ball very softly and close to the net. Reviewers consistently noted how easily they could surprise opponents with delicate touch despite using an offensive setup. This passive-touch characteristic is uncommon at OFF blade speeds and makes the Rosewood NCT V exceptional for receive-of-serve and short push exchanges.

On flat drives and smashes, the blade activates hard and fast. With a tense wrist and arm, the rosewood outer plies deliver a sharp, cracking pop that many reviewers compared favorably to carbon blades. Drive speed is genuinely carbon-class. Flicks are particularly impressive — faster than many composite blades — making the combination of short-game control and flick explosiveness a genuine tactical asset.

Looping requires discipline. A loose wrist and tangential brushing contact produces excellent spin and a satisfying flight arc. But even minor wrist tension converts the stroke into a flat smash, sending the ball long. Players accustomed to carbon blades or forgiving all-wood mid-range blades will need adjustment time. The higher throw angle at hard impact also requires conscious racket angle compensation.

Counterattacking and counterspin are well served by the blade. Pressing down onto topspin produces a hard, controlled counterattack pop. Revspin community ratings quantify the overall character: 8.9 for speed, 8.9 for control, 5.8 for stiffness, 6.7 for hardness, and 10.0 for consistency — a rare top consistency score that reflects how reliably the blade repeats its performance across different shot types.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

There is broad agreement that the Rosewood NCT V has an exceptional short game and surprising flat-hit speed for an all-wood blade. Reviewers consistently praise the passive-touch receive game and explosive flat drives. There is also consensus that looping demands precise technique, with errors resulting in long balls. Where players diverge is in how accessible the blade feels: some intermediate players found it immediately rewarding after a short adaptation period, while others found the hard, stiff feel challenging to control. Grip style is another point of difference — one detailed review suggested the blade is optimally suited to penhold players, where fingers centrally placed on the paddle extract maximum feel, while shakehand users reported less tactile feedback through the handle.

Who Should Buy It

The Stiga Rosewood NCT V is best suited to intermediate and advanced offensive players who prefer pure wood feel at near-carbon speeds. Players who prioritize a world-class short game, aggressive flat hitting, and explosive flicks will find this blade deeply rewarding. It is a natural fit for penhold players, particularly those using the Chinese penhold style with heavy close-to-table attack. Shakehand players who focus on counter-hitting and short exchange should also consider it. Beginners should generally avoid it — the hard, communicative feel punishes poor technique — unless they have a coach guiding their development. Rubber pairing matters greatly: medium-tension spinny rubbers such as Rakza 7, Omega IV Euro, Sigma II Euro, and DHS Hurricane 3 are frequently recommended to balance the blade’s speed and hardness.

FAQ

Is the Stiga Rosewood NCT V a carbon blade?

No. The Rosewood NCT V is a pure 5-ply all-wood blade. The NCT (Nano Composite Technology) name refers to a surface treatment applied to the outer plies that adds a degree of stiffness, but there are no carbon or composite layers inside. It remains a fully all-wood construction.

What rubbers pair best with the Rosewood NCT V?

Medium-tension spinny rubbers work best to balance the blade’s natural speed. Popular pairings include Rakza 7 (both sides), Omega IV Euro, Sigma II Euro, DHS Hurricane 3, and Calibra LT Spin. Avoid very fast tensor rubbers — the combination can become uncontrollably fast.

Did Xu Xin actually use this blade?

Yes. Xu Xin is documented to have used the Stiga Rosewood NCT V paired with Boost TX rubber at the professional level. This endorsement by one of the world’s top penhold players is a major reason for the blade’s iconic status.

Is the Rosewood NCT V still available to buy?

The blade has been discontinued by Stiga and is no longer carried by major retailers such as Megaspin. It may still be found through secondary markets, used equipment boards, and some smaller specialty retailers with remaining stock.

How does the Rosewood NCT V compare to the Stiga Intensity NCT?

The Rosewood NCT V is generally considered to have more dwell time and a softer, more forgiving feel than the Intensity NCT, which is stiffer and more demanding. The Rosewood is faster in flat hitting but rewards technique more openly with better tactile feedback.

Is this blade suitable for beginners?

Generally not recommended. The hard, stiff feel punishes poor technique and requires a developed stroke to control properly. Intermediate players making the jump to offensive equipment will get more out of it, though a short adaptation period is expected.