butterfly balsa carbo blade
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Butterfly Balsa carbo x5 by Gary
Yes of course, sorry I forgot to mention. I used the Butterfly BalsaCarbo X5. 5 plies total – thick Balsa core, 2 carbon layers and 2 exterior wood layers but I am not sure what they are…..but harder wood for sure on the 2 outside plies.
What I liked: 1) Light blade which when coupled with the heavy Tenergy is actually an excellent total weight. I felt my racket speed was much faster (which also helps lifts heavy chop of course); 2) Lots of touch due to the soft Balsa; 3) Plenty of speed which is due to the 2 carbon layers and harder exterior plies I suppose. What is still TBD: 1) Blocking – while OK against loops it was not quite as stable as the Maze due to the lighter weight I am sure....so it was a little harder to keep balls on the table but I think I can adjust eventually; 2) Pushing – again while good, probably not as consistent as the Maze which is likely, again, due to the lighter package.
BONUS - very thick grip. I bought the ST but have seen the AN as well which is also beefy. I find the Chinese/Japanese manufacturers often make very thin blade handles (like holding a pencil) versus the German brands but this has the thickest handle I have seen on a Butterfly - which just keeps my hand where it should be. Really big bonus for me and my hands are of average size. BTW – the Butterfly specs on this blade are way off on the grip size (they rate at 22mm) and also way off on the thickness of the blade. The grip size is much larger than the Maze or TBS both of which are also rated at 22mm and the blade is also thicker than both (Butterfly says its thinner) – which may have resulted in the thicker handle.
All in all I think this may be a keeper, at least for my game but like all new equipment I need to play it for a couple weeks against lots of styles but the first test drive was positive.
A friend of mine is using a ST-handle X5 and it is definitely big and square. Wish BTY would 'standardize' what exactly the ST handle is; I've got a Mizu, TBS and TB All+ in ST and they differ. Mizu and TBS are bigger and more square, TB A+ is slightly rounded. I've heard there is some type of SI handle that is a straight but narrows in width at the top.
Anyway, I strayed off-topic. I hope the X5 works out for you. I've hit around with my friend's and I found it very nice. He's using G2 or G3 (FX maybe?) and I'm waiting to see if he'll try Tenergy; I would think it would make a good combo.
Good luck and keep us posted as you keep testing!
One of the guys at the club bought a ST handle TBS and honestly I love it the best. I have ST only in BOll alc and Michael Maze which I hope are the last of the blades I bought in bulk because I want them for myself. The TBS still feels the best not sure why.
Update - BTY....no problem moving the post Tenergy05. I played for 4 hours today against opponents of all levels and styles. Today’s feelings support the fact that a 2 week trial is really imperative before posting a review b/c you just never know on the first outing. In summary this blade’s drawbacks, as earlier posted, are pretty big. At just a few steps back from the table it really lacks consistency and re-loop ability. Blocking against hard shots or strong loops is inconsistent. Re-looping is weak due to the weight of the blade. I do like many things (when close to table) but am not sure these drawbacks can be justified.
pnachtwey on 20 June 2010 - 1:33pm.I have looked at the BalsoCarbo X5 reviews and none were glowing. They pretty much echoed what you said. Thanks, that is one mistake I will not make. I have seen any really good reviews for balsa wood paddle. For me the Primorac 2000 ,76 grams, is a candidate for a lighter blade but I can't get enough info. Boz's Ishlion ,76 grams, also looks good but expensive. At the local TT club I have seen some Tibhar Samsonov Alphas ,80 grams. The Tibhar Samsonov Alpha is a slightly slower blade oFF- instead of OFF.
tenergy 05 on 24 June 2010 - 8:34am.For me almost all carbon fibre paddles with balsa under them are wrong.
1. our mind / hand coordination evolved (or was created) to deal with real world phenomena. We hold an axe it is hard it is heavy our mind and hand understands this.
We hold feather it is soft we move it in the air logically.
But something rock hard and super light, there we have an artificial situation that we don't find has feeling.
2. Apart from this unnatural situation, we also have dwell time. A schlager carbon blade is rock hard but still has thick hinoki wood before the crabon layer so there is a fraction of feeling and the weight is in unison.
Last point. I am not against balsa, I have had many carbon balsa blades, and have quite a few old damaged ones too. Balsa should be with a softer feeling top veneer and then just expect it to be slower, to touch, and easier to damage.