Looking for a great distance driver can be a challenging task. Lucky for you, I’m here to review the Innova Katana, a disc that has been in my bag for quite some time. With over 13 years of experience in disc golf, I’ve thrown many discs, but this disc is among those that stand out.
Choosing the right disc can make the difference between a birdie and a bogey, and I believe this Innova Katana review could help you make that choice. So, whether you’re an experienced player looking for something fresh or a passionate beginner eager to add to your arsenal, you’ve come to the right place.
Get ready to dive deep into the characteristics and primary uses of throwing the Katana. Let’s start!
Carving The Skies
- Speed: 13
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 3
The Innova Katana craves the open sky with its impressive speed of 13. This high-speed driver can soar when launched correctly. It has a fantastic glide rating of 5, quickly cutting through the air for superb distances.
However, this speed and glide are balanced by a significant turn and fade. The turn rating of -3 makes the disc veer to the right during the initial part of its flight (for a right-handed, backhand throw). It requires a lot of power to achieve this early flight anhyzer or turn, but you can expect impressive distance once it does.
The fade of 3 reverses this rightward drift and pulls the disc back to the left as it slows. This allows for some sharp and tight S-curves when thrown with enough power or a dependable finish to the left on straight throws. It’s stable in various wind conditions and exhibits predictable flight paths, even at high speeds.
Forged Precision
- Diameter: 21.20 cm
- Height: 1.80 cm
- Rim Depth: 1.20 cm
- Rim Width: 2.50 cm
When it comes to the physical attributes of the Innova Katana, there are a few standout characteristics. Clocking in with a diameter of 21.20 cm, it’s on par with most average disc golf drivers, which aids in a familiar and comfortable grip.
Its height of 1.80 cm makes the Katana a very low-profile disc. This slim design contributes to its outstanding aerodynamic qualities, allowing it to cut through the air easily.
The Katana’s rim depth of 1.20 cm strikes a nice balance—deep enough for a solid grip but not so deep as to be uncomfortable for players with smaller hands. This makes it accessible to a large pool of disc golfers.
But what sets the Katana apart is the substantial rim width of 2.50 cm. This wider-than-average rim is the engine behind its high-speed capabilities. However, it should be noted that it might be a bit challenging to handle if you’re new to the game or if you’re not used to discs with wide rims. It’s a disc that demands a robust grip and a powerful throw to harness its potential fully.
Mastery In Your Hands
Innova has constructed the Katana with the finesse thrower in mind. This driver appreciates touch, so don’t be afraid to dial back the power to find your sweet spot.
This disc is a high-speed distance driver and excels when thrown with a lot of power. It demands more from your throw—so to enjoy its full potential, you should be comfortable with large-rimmed drivers and mid-range discs.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate player, it might take some time to get used to the wide rim and the high-speed demands of the Katana. From personal experience, it took a bit of trial and error to unlock its potential, but once I did, it became my favorite distance driver.
The Katana can be highly rewarding but at the expense of being somewhat unforgiving. A small form error can lead to a significant deviation from the intended flight path. Therefore, I would suggest this disc to intermediate players with a good grasp of their throwing form and beginners seeking to push their skill level.
Unsheathing Potential
The Innova Katana is primarily a high-speed distance driver. It’s popular among players looking for serious distance and aren’t afraid of a disc with a bit of personality. It shines in open courses where it can unfurl its S-curve flight pattern.
The common shot types for this disc are:
Hyzer-Flip Shots
The Katana loves to flip up flat from a hyzer angle and glide right. With a broad sweeping rightward turn and a fight back at the end, the Katana is a fantastic disc for this shot.
S-Curve Drives
This disc is built for the S-curve. Give it a hard, flat throw, watch it turn right, then fade back to the left. This means it gets significant distance on these shots.
Turnover Shots
The Katana is a fantastic disc for turnover shots with its substantial high-speed turn. It works amazingly well when you need the disc to begin on a left-angled trajectory and curve smoothly to the right. Start it off with a bit of hyzer, and it will
Beyond The Katana
Discraft Nuke SS
The Discraft Nuke SS, like the Katana, is a high-speed, high-turn disc where distance is the name of the game. That said, the Nuke SS has a bit more turn and less fade, making it even more understable than the Katana, but if you love the Katana’s s-curve paths, the Nuke SS is right up your alley.
Dynamic Discs Defender
The Defender from Dynamic Discs is another high-speed driver with significantly less turn and more fade. It’s an excellent choice if you enjoy the Katana’s speed but need something that offers a touch more stability and predictability.
Kastaplast Guld
The Kastaplast Guld is similar to the Katana in speed and glide but has less turn and fade. If you enjoy the Katana’s swiftness and airborne time but seek a disc that promises straighter paths and relaxed S-curves, the Guld might be your match.
Innova Katana In Review
Designed for the players with finesse, the Innova Katana can truly reward those with the power to harness its potential. However, it can also forgive slower speeds while offering a satisfying flight. For this reason, it can serve as a suitable disc for intermediates looking to up their game and beginners feeling adventurous.
Pros:
- Excellent for gaining massive distance
- Versatile flight options from hyzer-flip to S-curve and turnover shots
- Holds its line well in a variety of wind conditions
- Great for both backhand and forehand throwers
Cons:
- The substantial high-speed turn might require a period of adjustment and practice
- Not ideal for tight, wooded courses due to long turning radius