In April 2022, Tibhar signed with Kenta Matsudaira who is one of current Japanese top players, and have released some products those are the result of the collaboration with Kenta Matsudaira. ‘MK’ which is the initial of Kenta Matsudaira is being used as a sub-brand for those products. The blades are ‘MK Carbon’ and ‘MK 7’ those composes ‘MK’ series, and the rubbers are ‘Hybrid MK’ which is the foreside rubber of Kenta Matsudaria, and ‘Hybrid MK Pro’ which is the harder version of ‘Hybrid MK’. (For the photos & information of ‘MK Carbon’, please click to this link : ‘Tibhar MK Carbon [Photos & Information]’)

‘MK 7’ is a classic-type thick 7-plywood blade which was released in early 2023 together with ‘MK Carbon’ which is a fiber blade used by Kenta Matsudaira. In the blade range of Tibhar, there have already been classic 7-plywood blade – ‘Samsonov Force Pro’ (& its ‘Black Edition’) and ‘Bernadette Szöcs Signature 1’. But, those two are somewhat thinner, softer and less elastic than traditional thick 7-plywood blade. On the contrary ‘MK 7’ is a orthodox ‘traditional’ 7-plywood blade which is very thick, highly elastic, and extremely fast as a pure wood blade. The launching of ‘MK 7’ is following the recent trend that the interest in very fast 7-ply wood blade is increasing. Tibhar recommends ‘MK 7’ to players who want high elasticity but don’t like the feeling of fiber blades. Although ‘MK 7’ is a relatively low cost blade, it isn’t the blade for starters. Although its price is relatively low, ‘MK 7’ is also a model in ‘MK’ series that is the blade family for professional players. ‘MK 7’ is recommended for skilled players who have sufficient skill and physical strength.

The representative model of ‘MK’ series is ‘MK Carbon’ which is being used by Kenta Matsudaira. However, there are many players who don’t like the feeling of fiber blades, and ‘MK 7’ is for those players. ‘MK Carbon’ provides high power and natural feeling at the same time.

‘MK 7’ is the pure wood version of ‘MK’ series. Therefore it shares the design with fiber version – ‘MK Carbon’. The theme color of ‘MK 7’ is Sky Blue while the theme color of ‘MK Carbon’ is Light Gray.

‘MK 7’ is a classic 7-ply blade with traditional construction. Differently speaking, its construction is very similar to that of Stiga ‘Clipper Wood’ (thick 7.0mm version). But, the difference in appearance is that there isn’t any dyed layer in the construction of ‘MK 7’. Top layer is Limba, and all the other layers are Ayous. Overall thickness is around 7.1mm.

The size of head is 158mm x 152mm. It is bigger than the head of ‘MK Carbon’ (157mm x 151mm), and similar to the head of Butterfly ‘Korbel’. The average weight is 93.2g. It is somewhat heavier than many fiber blades and 5-ply wood blades. But, it isn’t especially heavy as a 7-ply wood blade.

FL (flared) handle is semi-wide type. The width is around 26~28~26.6~34.5mm from the head side to the end. The thickness is 22.5mm at thumb and 25mm at the handle end. This handle provides firm grip.

ST (straight) handle which is not shown as picture is also semi-wide type. Width is 28mm, and thickness is 23mm. It also provides very firm grip.

Aluminum panel with new Tibhar logo is applied at the end of handle.

There isn’t pad printing on the backside of head. However, there is a small aluminum plate at the backside of handle.

‘MK’ which is Kenta Matsudaira’s initial is embossed on the round aluminum panel on the backside of the handle. Both of two panels at foreside and backside are very small, and therefore don’t disturb player’s finger.

‘MK’ series is the new blade family that represents Tibhar’s blade range. It consists of two models – ‘MK Carbon’ which is a fiber blade, and ‘MK 7’ which is a 7-ply wood blade.

Blade constructions of ‘MK 7’ (left) and ‘MK Carbon’ (right) are not unique. However, the characteristics has been adjusted by the cooperation with Kenta Matsudaira. The adjustment is focused on high elasticity and the feeling of catching ball.

‘MK 7’ and ‘MK Carbon’ shares graphic design. Small squared Aluminum panel is applied on foreside of handles, and the logos of Tibhar and MK (Kenta Matsudaira) are printed on the panels.

Similar rounded Aluminum panels are applied on backside of handles. The MK mark of ‘MK 7’ is an embossed one while that of ‘MK Carbon’ is printed one.

‘MK’ is a new sub-brand that represents Tibhar of 2020’s. Not only the blades such as ‘MK 7’ and ‘MK Carbon’ but also new rubbers such as ‘Hybrid MK’ are being launched with the name of ‘MK’. And, more produces may be launched in the future.

Following is the Performance Indices of ‘MK 7’ (average weight = 93.2g) :

Ep = 2.34

Ec = 2.05 (Ec/Ep = 0.88)

Vp = 1.31

Vl = 1.36 (Vl/Vp = 1.04)

Please note that above are average values and can be updated by further measurement.

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