SUBJECT: (click on topic you want to know more about to jump to its explanation)
Balance Point, Cool-Tec, Decals, End Cap, Frame Weight, Fusion Technology, Graphite, Grip, Grip Sizes, Grommets, Head Size, Materials, Micro-Tec, Muscle Tec, Muscle Wave, Nano Technology, Power Zone, Stretch Cool-Tec, Stretch Micro-Tec, String, String Tension, Strung Weight, Super Muscle, T-Joint, Tapers, Teflon by Dupont, Throat, Titanium, Top Cap, Torque, 1-Piece Construction, 2-Piece Construction

Balance Point

A point measured from the butt of the handle to where the frame pivots.  This determines whether the racket is head light, mid balance or head heavy.  Pro players in tennis and squash tend to favour head heavy rackets, whereas non-professional players prefer the feel of a mid balance racket.  Eg. Squash Racket length 680mm, Mid balance would be roughly 34-36cm.

Cool-Tec

Cool-Tec material contains specially designed hollow fibres that wick moisture and heat away from the skin, allowing your body to breathe.

Decals

Decorative water decals that are printed in a variety of colours and designs, depending on the racket manufacturer, putting colour or information onto the racket frame.  When dry, they are covered with clear varnish.

End Cap

The end cap, or butt cap, is an injection moulded cap, usually in plastic, that fits the end of the handle and protects the racket.  It is usually printed with the maker's name or logo.

Frame Weight

The average weight ± 5g.  This is calculated without string or grommet strips, but includes the grip.

Fusion Technology

Fusion technology strengthens the throat area of aluminium rackets by encasing them in super strong graphite.

Graphite

The graphite used in Karakal rackets is mainly of the Hi-Modulus variety, which is the same specification as graphite used in the aircraft industry.  Graphite is made by heating carbon filaments to create a single filament of carbon.  Heating this further to 2500-3000ºC, in a process called graphitizing, enhances this carbon to the Hi-Modulus (high strength) graphite that we use in the majority of our rackets.  Usually, due to graphite being a layered material, with weak forces holding the layers together, it is not particularly strong.  However, as part of our graphite-making process, we bond the graphite using either standard or Nano Superlight Resin so it is layered at different angles to create uni directional fibres, which gives the material strength in all directions and makes virtually torque free rackets.

Grip

The first point of contact between the player and the racket, golf club, bat or stick.  Most Karakal grips are made from PU (Polyurethane) with special additives to give a soft, absorbent, secure feel.  In our view, it is the most important part of your equipment.

Grip Sizes

Tennis grip sizes are available for different hand sizes from L0 (4"), L1 (4 1/8"), L2 (4 1/4"), L3 (4 3/8"), L4 (4 1/2") to L5 (4 5/8").

Badminton grip sizes are available in 3 1/4", 3 3/8" (mainly in Asia), 3 1/2" and 3 5/8" (mainly in Europe).

Squash and Racketball for some reason has always been one size fits all, with the player fitting extra grips if he needs a thicker grip.

Grommets

Injection moulded plastic or nylon pieces that act as a protection device for impact and also as a guide for the strings to go through drilled holes giving a smooth surface.

Head Size

The strung area of the racket head, usually stated in square inches or square centimetres.  Can also be described as midsize, midplus or oversize.

Materials

The materials that make up the frame are specified in percentage terms eg. Hi-Modulus Graphite 90% - Titanium 10%.  The materials we use are Graphite (Nano Graphite, Hi-Modulus Graphite or Graphite), Titanium, Ceramic, Boron, Magnesium and Aluminium.

Micro-Tec

Micro-Tec defines a material that is manufactured from high quality fibres which are thinner and stronger when woven that equivalent weight fabrics.

Muscle Tec

The Muscle Tec string system is designed to enlarge the sweet spot of the racket by allowing the strings to move over a smooth rounded surface rather than being static as in conventional rackets.  'Muscle Tec' enables the strings to be strung at a lower tension yet still gives a high tension feel.

Muscle Wave

Instead of making muscle section out of graphite or plastic, we have rolled the wave into the Aluminium extrusion giving the same effects and increased power zone / sweet spot, as on the graphite racket.

Nano Technology

Nano Technology is a description of activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have application in the real world.  A nanometre is a billionth of a metre, which is about 1/80000 of the diameter of a human hair.  Nano Technology, when used in grips, changes the cell construction and instantly improves the feel and playability.  Likewise, when Nano Technology is applied to rackets, it fills the voids and air pockets that form when the frame is moulded, to give a frame that is more responsive nad effective.  Karakal has also developed a new Nano Superlight Resin, which is used to bond the graphite during the manufacturing process, enabling control of weight and balance to previously unobtainable tolerances.

       Fibres with Nano    Fibres without Nano

Power Zone

Power Zone, or Sweet Spot, describes the area on the string bed that gives the best performance.  The shape of the racket dictates the shape of the zone, and normally it is similar to a teardrop.  The middle of the racket is obviously more powerful than the sides of the racket as the strings have more of a trampoline effect.

Stretch Cool-Tec

Stretch Cool-Tec is made by adding the highest quality Japanese elastane fibres to our Cool-Tec material and allow freedom of movement in a comfort form-fitted garment.

Stretch Micro-Tec

Stretch Micro-Tec, like Stretch Cool-Tec, is made by adding the highest quality Japanese elastane fibres to our Micro-Tec material, giving extra comfort and freedom of movement.

String

Usually constructed from multi-filament nylon braided and bonded together, or single strand mono-filament.

String Tension

The "Best Play" string tension, as recommended on the side of the frame, will give the best all-round feel, power and control with the original factory string.

Strung Weight

This is final, finished playing weight of the racket, with string and the original factory grip.  Note - if you use a thicker, heavier grip, as well as altering the weight the balance point becomes longer, therefore head light.

Super Muscle

The new 'Super Muscle' uses larger, rounder surfaces for the string to move freely around, giving the largest power zone of any Karakal squash racket ever produced.  Like 'Muscle Tec', it also enables the racket to be strung at a lower tension but still gives a high tension feel.

T-Joint

Can be constructed in a variety of materials, the main one being Aluminium, and it joins the shaft to the head loop.

Tapers

Describes the shape and angles in the frame, usually only on graphite rackets.  Typical tapers would be constant taper, from thick to thin, dual taper, thin-thick-thin, or parallel, which is a fixed width from start to finish.

Teflon by Dupont

Teflon coating makes the garment stain and water resistant.

Throat

Can be made in graphite or plastic, joins the two sides of the frame together and is drilled for the main strings to go though.  Also stiffens the frame to stop torque.

Titanium

Karakal uses Titanium in a variety of forms, either wire or mesh, which is bonded to the graphite in the construction process at the flex points of the frame or shaft, therefore strengthening the frame and encouraging it to return to its original shape quickly.  One of the benefits of this metal is that it is as strong as steel, but only 60% of its density giving it a high strength-to-weight ratio, thus allowing us to make stronger but lighter rackets.  Titanium, origionally discovered in Cornwall by the Reverend William Gregor in 1791, was named after the Titans of Greek Mythology by the German, Martin Klaproth, who rediscovered it in 1795.

Top Cap

Mainly used in badminton, fits over the shaft and the top of the handle and is mainly used for finishing purposes showing maker's name or logo.  Flexible top caps have been developed in the last few years, which do not restrain the shaft from flexing and can, in some places, improve the playability of the racket.

Torque

The amount of "twist" in a frame, usually caused by off-centre hits, where the sides of the frame will deflect and twist.  The less torque in the frame, the more accurate the shot when off-centre hits occur.

1-Piece Construction

Generally graphite rackets, where the handle, shaft and head are all made in one piece.

2-Piece Construction

Any racket where another process is added before the racket is finished, eg. a wooden or PU handle, or a T-Joint is added to the main material of the racket.