The Karakal T-Edge FF. This is the least expensive “T” (traditional) shaped frame in the Karakal squash rackets lineup.
Here’s the 2016 / 2017 cosmetic:
And here’s the 2015 cosmetic for the Karakal T-Edge FF:
Image via pdhsports.com
Product Notes
This is a new racket for 2015 from Karakal. Traditional head shape, 130 grams, and even balance. I think it’s the 2015 version of the Karakal TEC-Lite 130.
Rod says
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So I got to hit with the 2016/17 TT Edge FF today and here are my thoughts.
1) This racket has a stiff feel. I felt like the pre-strung tension was too high which gave it a slightly tinny feel. With a stiff frame like this one my preference is to go lower on the string tension (25/26lbs). I’m looking forward to putting the Ashaway Ultranick in it to see if it improves the feel.
2) This racket has plenty of power. The ball pops off the strings nicely given that it is probably more of a control racket than a power racket.
3) I found that I was able to hit a lot of really tight drives with this racket and found that I was able to take the ball into the front accurately on the volley and off the ground.
4) The only major issue I had with this racket that really lets it down is the thickness of the frame at the top of the head. I’ve been using the Black Knight PSX Ion Element for the past several seasons and the thin profile of the frame makes it easier to pick tight balls off the wall with a degree of control. This Karakal has a wider and thicker frame at the top by at least a couple of mm which made a big difference and made me less confident trying to pick those tight balls off the wall.
In summary this racket does a lot of things really well. Power and control are really good and for the price I paid it represents tremendous value. My problem is that my BK Ion Element does everything better than this racket in terms I’d power, feel and control, so this will most likely end up just being a backup stick.
Rod says
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A quick follow up post. On my kitchen scale this racket weighed in at 157grams out of the box and 171g with an extra Karakal grip added. These are the same weights within 1gram as my BK which is has an advertised weight of 130g.
JB says
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Rod try the Eye racquets or the Head thinbody for a confidence building tight rail game. I found both to be a major improvement over the non-thinbody racquets. I have tried the Eye V.Lite 115 and V.Lite 120, X.Lite 120 and the Head 135 Thinbody in the Touch and XT in the 120. My favorite right now is the Eye V.Lite Control 120 2016-17 though be aware the 2018 is 10 grams heavier at 150 strung totally different racquet then the 2016-17 which is 140 strung. By the way both Head and Eye racquets are great at the rest of the game. Enjoy!
Rod says
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Thanks JB. I still have 2 of my BK PSX Element rackets left that I still really enjoy that have a thin profile frame so I’ll be using those for a while. I’ve played with the Karakal for a while now and I do enjoy the amount of control it gives me and it will be a worthy back up racket for me.
Rod says
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I just ordered one of these during the big Black Friday sale at Hutkay Fit for just $85. Looking forward to trying it out and reporting back.