Sanwei Fextra 7 vs Stiga Carbonado 45: Which Should You Buy?
| Sanwei Fextra 7 | Stiga Carbonado 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Medium, woody and well-damped with moderate vibration; controllable offensive feel close to a Stiga Clipper but a touch crisper and not quite as stiff | Moderately stiff with deep reverberating vibrations; more wood-like dwell than typical carbon blades; high throw angle |
| handle | FL | Straight/Flared/Anatomic (coal-grey dyed wood) |
| plies | 7-ply all wood (Limba/Ayous) | 7-ply with TeXtreme carbon (5 wood + 2 carbon at 45-degree angle) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.7mm |
| type | OFF- | — |
| weight_g | 88 | 85-91g |
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Sanwei Fextra 7 (8.3) and Stiga Carbonado 45 (8.4) both favor spin-based, loop-dominant play but differ in construction and feel. Fextra 7 is excellent value—7-ply all-wood (Limba/Ayous) at 20-30 USD, rated near elite by some reviewers, with outstanding control for looping and excellent versatility with both tacky and non-tacky rubbers. However, weight varies substantially (84-94g), speed is controllable OFF- rather than explosive, and sweet spot can feel smaller with crisp sound only on centered hits. The original Fextra is discontinued, replaced by Fextra One.
Carbonado 45 is hybrid: TeXtreme carbon in a 7-ply construction yields wood-like feel with informative vibrations, wide sweet spot, excellent blocking stability, and high throw angle aiding heavy topspin loops. It delivers outstanding short-game and drop-shot control, endorsed by top Chinese women’s players. However, it’s slower than most carbon blades, requires extra effort for mid-distance power, and the fragile outer limba ply needs careful gluing. Fextra 7 excels as an affordable all-wood option for spinning, loop-oriented intermediate club players. Carbonado 45 is for advanced competitive players prioritizing control, consistency, and close-table spin-heavy styles.
FAQ
Which is faster?
Stiga Carbonado 45 rates OFF with carbon benefit. Sanwei Fextra 7 is controllable OFF-, slower and more forgiving.
Which costs less?
Sanwei Fextra 7 is priced around 20-30 USD. Stiga Carbonado 45 is premium-priced.
Which is all-wood?
Sanwei Fextra 7 is 7-ply all-wood. Stiga Carbonado 45 is hybrid with TeXtreme carbon layers.
Which has weight variability?
Sanwei Fextra 7 weight varies a lot (84-94g). Stiga Carbonado 45 is consistent at 85-91g.
Which is better for short game?
Both excel at short game control. Carbonado 45 is specifically praised for drop shots and serve control.