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The Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black shaft has low launch, low spin performance to the TENSEI 1K White. Stout, consistent feel. Great for higher speed players and aggressive swingers.
Introduction
Equipment nerds were introduced to the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black this past fall via the Titleist TSR woods. This newest TENSEI was one of Titleist’s stock options, and the winner in my fittings [more on that HERE]. The wider golfing world was made aware of the TENSEI 1K Black this past January when Max Homa put one in his driver and promptly won the Farmer’s Insurance Open at Torrey Pines [details HERE]. Now that this TENSEI is widely available in the aftermarket, I thought it was time to bring you the full breakdown.
Looks
The Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black is exactly what you’d expect if you know the TENSEI line. You get the traditional branding in white across a matte black background. The “Multi Material” ribbon and “1K” logo sit closer to the grip on a dark grey, woven background. If you’re searching for a “Look at me!” shaft, this is not it. This shaft is made for people who let their game do the talking.
Feel
The Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K line is a great example of why you can’t fit on paper. All three of the shafts in this family – Black, White, and Orange [review HERE] – are billed as low launch, low spin, with high kick points, but they all have a unique feel.
Starting with a wide lens, the TENSEI 1K Black is a stout, tip stiff shaft. In this, it’s similar to the 1K White. Where they differ is that the 1K Black feels stiffer throughout. With the 1K White, there’s a noticeable amount of flex in the butt section. The 1K Black doesn’t have that. This is a shaft you can really lean on and swing aggressively. It stops short of being boardy or harsh, but you never have to worry about this shaft getting loose.
Check out the new Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Pro Blue HERE
Performance
My first encounter with the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black came at a fitting for the Titleist TSR woods. It easily bested the other options and went into a variety of drivers and fairway woods. The feel was familiar and comfortable, and its consistency provided the perfect platform for seeing the differences in heads. This shaft helped all of those woods to post solid dispersion numbers while also keeping the spin low.
Jumping forward to this review, the bar was high for the TENSEI 1K Black. Regular readers know that the TENSEI 1K White [review HERE] has been in my bag for over a year and a half. It’s survived numerous challenges and has the inside track for 2023. With all those expectations, the TENSEI 1K Black still shined.
In terms of the raw numbers, I saw very little difference between the 1K White and 1K Black. Both produce very predictable numbers for launch and spin. More important to me, they gave me the dispersion that I deserved. I never looked up from a swing to see the ball doing something unexpected. Good swings produced laser straight shots, and I was able to move the ball both ways without trouble.
Where the two shafts differ for me is in how their feel affects my swing. The TENSEI 1K Black encourages me to swing all out. In contrast, that little bit of action in the butt of the TENSEI 1K White helps me to swing at just 98%. I also feel like it’s adding a little extra oomph, though that’s not something I saw in the ball speed. For players that swing aggressively and want their shaft to keep up, the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black is the easy choice.
Mitsubishi offers the TENSEI 1K Black in stiff, X-flex, and Tour X. All three flexes are available in 65, 75, and 85 grams.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black adds another high performance option to the outstanding 1K line. For players seeking low launch, low spin, and tight dispersion, this is tough to beat. It’s also an ideal choice for aggressive swingers who need a shaft that can match their strength.
Visit Mitsubishi Chemical HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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31 Comments
I currently game this shaft in my TSR2 and agree with your review. Great shaft that feels like I can just go for it without concern about the club head being out of position (unless of course I cause it to be). Thanks again for the great work.
Hi Matt,
Very nice review and your timming for this review is excellent.
I am having a fitting for 4 woods TSR tomorrow.
I was reading on this shaft yesterday but did not find a serious review on it.
The manufacturer suggest stiff flex from 81 to 90 mph and 91 to 105 mph stiff or xstiff.
Do you think the speed specified by Mitsubishi is enough to load this shaft?
I liked stiff tip but I am not sure about stiff butt.
How does this compare to Old Matrix type C on the stoutness?
Thank you,
Richard,
I think Mitsubishi knows their product better than anyone, but there’s also a question of tempo/aggressiveness and what “loading” feels like to a given player.
I’m not familiar with the Matrix C, so I can’t offer a comparison there.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Is this 1K black profile at all comparable to the Hzrdus black profiles? Are they comparably stout? Any major differences? Thank you!
David,
They’re similar, but the TENSEI feels better, to me.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I’m also trying to make a choice between the HZRDUS Black 4G and the 1k Black. The HZRDUS obviously had more flex in the butt section, the 1k Black was more difficult for me to discern. Could you elaborate a bit on the flex profile of the 1k Black and the difference with the HZRDUS Black?
I have a full review of the HZRDUS Black 4G here: https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-black-gen-4-shaft-review/
-Matt
Matt, thanks for your review. This is exactly what I’m looking for. Any ideas on how the Tensei 1k black feels compared to the Rogue silver 110 MSI 60?
Thanks.
John,
I’ve reviewed a few Rogue Silver shafts, but not the 110 MSI.
Best,
Matt
Matt, thanks for taking the time to reply. I’ll search for your reviews on Rogue silver shafts to see what you think.
Hi again Matt!
What do you like about the 1K white and black shafts vs the Ventus TR Blue and Black?
Thanks,
Joe
Joe,
I like all of those shafts, I just get better consistency from the 1K White.
-Matt
I was fitted for the Tensei 1K Pro White in TSR2 Driver and Fairway woods, but I need to stick with stock shafts offered by Titleist for my budget. Which stock shaft would be the closest alternative to the 1K Pro White for me, the 1K Black or AV Raw White? Thanks
Greg,
You’re splitting hairs there, both are close and very good. Did you hit them during your fitting?
-Matt
I would love to see Tensei 1K Black vs Ventus TR Black. King Kong vs Godzilla, Ali vs Frazier. Two contenders for the heavyweight championship!
Matt,
Did you feel the flex was slightly weaker than traditional X flex with them having the TX option? I got a TSR3 with the X flex last week.. Ball flight is great, but feels a bit whippy & I lose the head a bit when I go after it. Haven’t been able to find any data on difference between the flex’ in terms of bend/etc
Hunter,
No, to me the X feels like a normal X of this profile.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt – Do you feel the black or white woukd make a better 5wd shaft for someone who plays black in driver?
Michael,
If you like the 1K Black, I would start there for any other woods.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Enjoy the content! Keep up the great work!
I was looking over your reviews of the Tensei 1K shaft line. I was fitted for the 1K black x-stiff in a TSR2 Driver over a year ago but feel like I don’t typically swing as aggressively as I did during the fitting. I feel like my fitter might have fitted me into the “swing all out” shaft which I think may be affecting the feel for me. I had played a Project X HZRDUS Smoke shaft where I felt I could swing 80-90% and get better results than swinging out of my shoes. Having said that, I do like the feel of Tensei shaft more and plan on trying out the 1K white and orange in the near future. Curious if there’s one you think I should lean toward.
Thanks!
Corey,
My policy is to never second guess a fitter who has worked with someone in person. That said, the 1K White is closer to the 1K Black than the Orange.
Best,
Matt
Matt, I think you reviewed the Project X iM10 in the past. I don’t have access to this shaft to compare, but how would you compare the two? And which would you prefer? I enjoy the iM10 (stiff mid spin version), but looking for a new driver and found one with this 1k Black in it. More info the better. Trying to educate myself with as many resources I can on this shaft. Thanks.
Josh,
Yes, I reviewed the iM10 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-im10-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt
How would you describe the difference in an x-stiff and stiff flex? Specifically in a stout shaft like the 1K black?
Dave,
It depends on the shaft. Sometimes there is a big difference from one flex to the next, sometimes it’s more subtle. It also depends on where you are in terms of speed and transition.
-Matt
Currently have a hzdrus blue 60 stiff in my tsr feel it launches too high
I have been fitted for a mid launch shaft previously what would ye recommend in the tensei range aggressive swing
Derek,
I would recommend the shaft you were fit for – my policy is to never backseat drive in person fitting.
“Mid launch” is an enormously broad category.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt – specs on MCA show the characteristics of their shafts in flex for butt, mid, tip. They also call out “premium materials” in their 1k pro line. 1 – why no premium option in the 1k black, and 2 – is there a premium shaft from MCA that has the same med, firm, firm+? Or does MCA minimize that material and spec to allow fitters to upcharge for the other shafts? With your reviews, I’m sure you have a contact at MCA that would answer that for us. Thx!
Jeff,
My understanding is that the Tensei Black is primarily designed as a stock option for some OEM drivers.
Best,
Matt
I was fitted for a 1K black 65 Stiff but also the Graphite Design TP-6 S. Found it odd as they are different shades. The 1k black played better when I put everything into it, but it’s hard to do that all the time. The TP played fantastic as well, and was just fun to hit… not as good numbers but enjoyed it more. Would love your two cents on this decision!
Alec,
I’m confused as to how you were fit into both shafts. Was it two different fittings?
-Matt