Butterfly Petr Korbel Japan Version
Blade description:
Construction and Design
This is an all-wood, 5-ply blade manufactured in Japan. It features premium wood-layering and construction quality that differentiates it from other regional versions of the same model. The handle design is relatively thin, with a flatter and wider profile compared to the European variant, and the blade is known for having a slightly higher overall weight.
Playing Characteristics
- Feel and Feedback: This blade is celebrated for its sublime, distinctively hard “all-wood” feel that provides excellent ball feedback. It offers significant dwell time, which facilitates high-spin top-spin play and controlled touch shots.
- Performance: It is faster and more flexible than many standard 5-ply wooden blades, resulting in a lower and longer ball trajectory. While it is highly effective for looping, it maintains enough stability for reliable blocks and punches.
- Sweet Spot: The sweet spot is smaller compared to many composite (carbon) blades. Users report that off-center hits toward the edges significantly reduce power and effectiveness, requiring a higher level of precision from the player.
- Suitability: Designed primarily for offensive and all-round play, the blade is versatile enough to be paired with everything from tacky Chinese rubbers to modern high-tension sponges and long pips. It is well-regarded as a tool for skill development, though its responsiveness allows it to perform at a professional level when paired with high-performance rubbers.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — June 2025
I had played the Butterfly Petr Korbel Europe version for years. However, at the persuasion of a fellow table tennis player, I switched from the Europe version to the Japan version.
The Japan version is heavier and faster than the Europe version. This is due to the different wood layering solution and thickness. My Japan version weighs 95 grams, while my Europe version weighs 88 grams. The Japan version offers faster play with similar ball detection, due to the aforementioned reasons.
The Japan version comes with a serial number. More importantly, the machining of the Japan version is of premium quality. The handle of the Japan version is wider and flatter compared to the Europe version. However, it still belongs to the blades with thinner handles, which is much more comfortable for me as a medium-handed player. In contrast, the handle of the Europe version is thinner and more convex.
I use Yasaka Rakza X (max version) on my forehand side and Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft (max version) on my backhand side, using five layers of Revolution Nr.3 glue. The Japan version is faster. On the Europa version, the same rubber was glued on both the forehand and backhand sides with the max version, using five coats of Revolution Nr.3 glue.
#2 — June 2025
I can play both offensively and defensively with this blade. I paired long pips OX on my backhand and a Chinese rubber on my forehand to achieve my desired weight. I recommend this blade for players who use long pips.
#3 — June 2025
Plenty of dwell time. This blade is an absolute must-have for an all-round+ player.
It’s very spinny when combined with a tacky or grippy rubber. For an intermediate player, this blade is a gem that’s hard to go wrong with.
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