50 Words or Less
The MCA Tensei AV Raw Blue shaft has a smooth, accessible profile that gives players control and speed.
Introduction
When you have a winning formula, stick with it. Mitsubishi Chemical’s “smooth” profile is one of the winningest formulas in golf, whether you measure in professional wins, shafts in play on Tour, or retail sales. The latest iteration, the TENSEI AV Raw Blue, uses an Aluminum Vapor Coated Weave to create one of the most stable versions yet.
Looks
The eye-catcher on the new Tensei Raw AV Blue is the butt section. An Alumnium Vapor (AV) Coated Weave is revealed by a raw finish, and the look is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
In the mid and lower section, this shaft is visually similar to its predecessors. The Tensei branding dominates one side, and the other is plain black for those that want a distraction free “logo down” installation. A thin band of blue denotes which model Tensei you’re holding.
Feel
According to Mitsubishi, the TENSEI AV Raw Blue has the stiffest butt section and the softest tip of the TENSEI family, but those differences are fairly small. Where the Blue really differs is in the middle, where it’s substantially softer than the TENSEI AV Raw White [review HERE] and Orange.
This shaft is one example where my experience lines up with the spec sheet perfectly. To me, the TENSEI AV Raw Blue is very smooth through the mid section but without a big hinge and kick. While the tip is noticeably softer than the White, the difference is smaller than I expected. The AV Raw Blue is clearly the most active TENSEI, but it never felt out of control or unpredictable.
Performance
The most noticeable difference between this latest TENSEI Blue and previous “smooth” shafts is the stability. As a player with a very aggressive transition, smoother, more active shafts tend to fill up the left side of the driving range. With the TENSEI AV Raw Blue, I was seeing a mirror image of the excellent results I got from the AV Raw White. Where the White produced shots that were straight to slightly pushed, the Blue worked from straight to small pulls. In both cases, the overall dispersion was excellent.
You can see the difference between the slight push and the slight pull in the launch and spin. While the TENSEI AV Raw Blue is billed as slightly higher launch and spin than the White, that wasn’t true for me, though it should be noted that the difference was not huge. The Blue produced a slightly stronger ball flight because it rarely went right. This is yet another example of why you need to try shafts yourself and get fit rather than buying based on spec sheets.
Note: please do not look at these numbers next to the AV Raw White and think, “Wow, Matt gained 4 MPH of club speed from this shaft change.” As I’ve said dozens of times, launch monitor data from two reviews should not be compared apples to apples. The higher speed is the result of a shoulder injury healing.
The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue shaft is available in the widest range of flexes, spanning R2 to TX. Every flex – R2, R, stiff, X, and TX – is available at 55 grams. Regular, stiff, X, and TX are also available at 65 and 75 grams. Only the TX flex is offered at 85 grams.
Finally, the 55 gram version of the Tensei AV Raw Blue includes Mitsubishi’s Straight Flight Weighting system. Per MCA, this “makes it easier to turn the club over through impact, reducing the tendency to fade the ball.”
Conclusion
If you’ve stayed away from smoother and more active shafts in the past because of concerns about hooks, it’s time to take another look. The Mitsubishi TENSEI AV Raw Blue shaft combines stability with a smooth feel like few others.
Matt Saternus
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How would these compare to the Aerotech I 95 shafts stiff flex?
Peter,
I haven’t tested the Aerotech, so I can’t offer a comparison.
-Matt
Matt is the tensi blue 55 come in a senior or A . my swing speed is a tick under 80. Using R now. Any noticeable difference in feel???
Dennis,
The 55 gram version comes in R2 which is akin to senior or A flex.
-Matt
Hey Matt,
I swing between 90-100 can I use the Tensi Blue 55 gram?
Stephen,
I don’t know if that’s the right weight for you, but there’s no reason to rule it out without testing.
Best,
Matt
How does it compare to the Kai’li White?
Nate,
I have a full review of the Kai’li White here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mitsubishi-kaili-white-shaft-review/
-Matt
Hello Matt. I’ve recently started played this shaft in my Callaway Rogue. Swing speed 90. I’ve played Taylormade for years and can really control my ball flight. This shaft is really whipping at the bottom. Hooks. How much would tipping help with that? Thank you.
Adam,
Check this out: https://pluggedingolf.com/what-does-tipping-a-shaft-do-golf-myths-unplugged/
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I’m playing the CK Blue Pro and liking it a lot. I’m confused because the AV raw sounds like a stiffer butt section and possibly a more active tip (no Boron weave)? Are the two shafts similar in how they load/feel? Are they both the same “blue”?
Max,
I haven’t reviewed the CK Pro, so I can’t answer that.
-Matt
Matt, I’ve been using TM R11 with Fujikura BlurTP shaft 65g stiff. But wish more distance beyond 250 yards. Just got SIM2 driver with Blue AV 60 stiff. Ball flight is bit more penetrating even bit longer but feels stiffer. Swing speed is around 100. Should I stay with this club and grow into it or change to Blue Regular or Diamana stiff.
Thanks,
James
James,
There’s no way for me to give you a credible answer to that without seeing you in person, so my best advice is to get fit. Also, for reference, if you’re swinging 100 MPH, a 250 yard carry is fully optimized.
-Matt
How does this compare to Fujikura Ventis?
I have full reviews of both the Ventus Black and Blue here: https://pluggedingolf.com/?s=ventus
-Matt
I know it shouldn’t be a factor but it is a really good looking golf shaft. I like the idea of being able to get a 55 gram weight in stiff flex. I am a bit confused by their straight flight weighting system not sure how that works? I currently play Project X LZ graphite in my irons and I like their soft mid kick point. Curious what your thoughts are about trying to blend feels from driver through fairways and hybrids to irons. That could be a good article one day.
Is this blue ck pro follow up or the regular version
Alex,
The TX is in line with the Pro, the other flexes are in line with the standard CK.
-Matt
How would the av blue 65 match up to the hzrdus black smoke?
Bryan,
They’re very different shafts. I have a full review of the HZRDUS Smoke Black here: https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-black-shaft-review/
-Matt
Hi Matt: Is the new AV Blue Raw shaft essentially the AV Blue shaft with a different paint job (to make it look “raw”)? The reason I ask is because the specs for both are pretty darn similar. Thanks.
The AV Raw Blue is an MCA Blue shaft, so it’s going to have a lot of similarities to previous models. That said, I don’t think it’s just a different paint job.
-Matt
Hi Matt, the Miyazaki codes are for the stiffness at measured positions of the shaft. 7 being extra stiff, 5 stiff and 3 regular. So from the 6644 code the first 6 is the Butt and the last 4 is the tip. So yes I’d say this has a softer mid section and tip, maybe making a mid kick, or mid bend position. Would that also sound similar to the Tensein blue?
I find that I benefit from mid kick shafts, with a low loft low spin driver head due to my early release of the shaft and an over involved right hand. In Mayazaki shafts international shaft code that puts me in a 6644 profile shaft. Do these fall squarely into the mid kick category and similar to the Miyazaki fit codes of 6644?
Andrew,
“Mid kick” meaning that the shaft is softest in the mid section or that it has a moderate amount of kick?
-Matt
The way I think of it is slightly softer in the middle and perhaps acting as the point from which the bend created recovers and kicks.
I keep reading Tensei AV Raw Blue and Tensei AV blue. Are these the same or are they two different shafts.
The Tensei AV Blue is different from the AV Raw Blue.
Best,
Matt
Edit: This is incorrect. “TENSEI AV Blue” was never a retail shaft, only a prototype, per MCA. At retail, there has only been TENSEI AV Raw Blue. My apologies for botching this one.
Hi Matt,
Did you experience better control and dispersion with Tensei AV Raw Blue or Hzrdus Smoke Yellow? Thank you.
Mat,
I didn’t test them head to head, so it’s not really fair to say. My preference is for the AV Raw Blue.
-Matt
Any major differences in the feel of the TX vs X flex?
Chris,
I only tested the TX, so I can’t comment on the X.
Best,
Matt
Did the raw blue seem a lot more spinny than the orange? or just a smoother feel? thanks
Craig,
My recollection is that the Blue spun a little more for me than the Orange.
Best,
Matt
I went to a fitting they fitted me for the Titleist TSI2 with a Mitsubishi Diamana RF series 50 regular shaft. I was wondering how the Tensei AV Blue Raw 55g regular would compare?
Kevin,
It’s an entirely different shaft. I never suggest going against a fitter’s specific recommendation.
Best,
Matt
I find it very interesting that AV RAW 65 X (3.4) has lower torque than 65 TX (3.6). Does this mean 65 X is stiffer than 65 TX? Or, they cut it differently so that 65 TX feels stiffer but actually has higher torque?
The stiffness “rating” is typically connected to CPM, not torque. You can find plenty of examples of shafts that have lower torque but feel softer or vice versa.
Best,
Matt
Matt, great review as always. I believe this shaft is a continuation of the Blueboard line, isn’t it? The Kai’li was a very good shaft for me, just wondering about your thoughts on the similarities of these two. Thanks!
David,
The TENSEI blue is in the same vein as the Diamana Blue shafts, though not as active, to my hands.
Best,
Matt
Where can I purchases the blue 55g stiff with taylormade tip
David,
If you contact your local Club Champion, they can make that for you.
Best,
Matt
Matt: I contacted Mitsubishi regarding any differences between the Tensei AV Blue and the Tensei AV Raw Blue. Their customer support rep said they were basically the same shaft. He confirmed that the only difference was cosmetic. So I am confused by the comment that they are different. Can you elaborate on the differences? Thanks…
I contacted someone at Mitsubishi today to confirm and you are correct; I was in error. According to the person I spoke with, there was a prototype of the AV Blue, but at retail it’s always been AV Raw Blue. With all the different versions, stock and aftermarket, I got confused. I’ve corrected my response above. Thanks for pointing this out.
-Matt
Matt- thanks for the follow-up. It does get confusing. I found out the other day that they made a special edition version of the Tensei AV Raw Blue honoring First Responders but they were limited availability and could be purchased only online through MCA. Given the AV Raw line is approaching 2 years old, I suspect MCA will be announcing yet another Tensei version sometime early next year. It’s getting harder to keep straight all the various “flavors” of a particular shaft given the announcement cycles and the continued availability of previous versions.
How does this fee in comparison to old proforce v2 shafts?
Ake,
I haven’t swung a V2 in a long time, so I’d be hesitant to make a comparison.
-Matt
Hi Matt, Great review and thank you!!! I am currently playing ST-Z 220 with Project X HZRDUS RDX Blue 60 6.5. My typical swing speed is 101-106. I don’t feel like I am getting along with counter balanced shafts anymore and I have the Tensei Blue 70 gram S in my 3 wood. I do feel like my miss with that is a slight pull. Would you recommend the Stiff or X for driver? I am also considering AV Raw White. I know it is hard without seeing my swing and I should get properly fit but the nearest fitter is over 120 miles away. I am just concerned that the stiff might be too active.
Chris,
You’re correct, my advice is going to be to get fit. Both shafts you mention are great, it’s just a matter of getting them to the right player in the right weight and flex. What I will say is that if you’re playing a HZRDUS 6.5 and you’re swinging over 100, I’d probably lean X over stiff.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I am coming back from a lengthy injury and my driver SS has dropped from upper 90s to around 90 mph. I really like the AV raw blue stiff 80 grams in my 3 & 4 hybrids (current carry distances of ~210 and 195 respectively) and as well as the stiff AV raw blue 65 FW in 3 wood (carry of ~225yds). I have enjoyed a diamana blue S+ stiff in my driver (current carry ~240) but am wondering if I need to drop to regular and was considering the AV raw blue in either reg or stiff. Any thoughts?
Ray,
My best advice is always to get fit.
Best,
Matt
Hello,
how would you compare the Tensei raw blue 55 with the graphite design Tour ad di 5 ? thanks
Andre,
I have a full review of the AD DI here: https://pluggedingolf.com/graphite-designs-tour-ad-di-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt
I currently have the Mitsubishi KurKage 50 S shaft in my Callaway driver and was looking at the Tensei AV Raw Blue 65 S in a new PXG driver. Thoughts
Thanks
Jeff
Jeff,
I’m happy to help, but I’m not sure what you’re asking for here.
-Matt
Matt:
Was just wondering if the Tensei shaft offers adequate spin, flex and flight. Currently hit a high ball with fade.
Jeff
There’s no way for me to offer an educated opinion on that without fitting you in person. My best advice is always to get fit before buying new equipment.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
Is the Tensai Raw 60 a stiff shaft?
Many thanks
Sam,
It’s available in a variety of flexes.
Best,
Matt