Butterfly Petr Korbel

It is like the Primorac but with much less vibration and a sharper feel. It has more power than the Primorac. The throw angle and spin feel about the same as on the Primorac. Overall, it is a great blade and a fitting upgrade for the Primorac.

My favorite blade thus far. I’ve played with Jun Mizutani ZLC, Darker Imperial, and Darker Speed 90. The Jun Mizutani ZLC was too fast for me; it’s amazing for loops, especially far from the table, but it’s too hard to control and doesn’t forgive mistakes. I like the feel of Darker’s 1-ply hinoki blades, but they are too brittle; I accidentally broke two of them and they were out of stock. So, I started searching for a replacement with good control suited for looping. The main contender was Viscaria; I played with three different blades that people use in our club, and all three were very different (with the same T05 rubber), only one was good to my taste.

Then, I borrowed a spare Petr Korbel from my friend and quickly realized that it would be a perfect choice for me. I ordered one and don’t regret it. It was hard to find an ST version of it. I should note that even though I usually play with an ST handle, the Korbel flared handle seems to be better balanced in terms of handle/head weight. I play with T05 FH and T19 BH; it’s the best blade I’ve used so far.

Switching from a carbon base blade (Donic Waldner Senso) to the Korbel is the best thing I could have done to improve my game. The blade offers bundles of control and great feedback in your hand, with a great dwell time. However, the speed is definitely there when you need it.

So the blade is incredibly versatile: it’s easy to touch the ball close to the table but also capable of attacking far from the table if paired with the right rubbers. And did I mention it’s one of the cheapest blades from Butterfly?

I think too many players are using blades that are way faster for their level. I think using a softer blade with hard rubbers is the way to go, especially with the plastic ball.

Great classic blade! By today’s standards, I consider it off-. It is of very good quality. I noticed a slight difference between the versions made in Europe and Japan. The Japanese blade is slightly faster and better finished. The blade gives you maximum control, and you can feel every ball. I use Nittaku Fastarc G1 on FH and Donic Baracuda on BH, and this combination is perfect for me. Short game, spin, block - very good! If you find that there is not enough speed, it can be fixed with the right rubber. I think that now you can find a cheaper alternative, but if you need a high-quality, versatile blade, take Petr Korbel!

So, so slow blade. I would say as slow as Primorac Japan. I think there are much better alternatives in the given price range.

Slow Blade with Excellent Feel:

This blade excels in providing a great feel for the ball. It favors players with a looping game style from mid to long distances. The shot quality is deliberately slow, allowing for greater spin application and preparation for extended rallies.

Recommended for Beginners and Seniors:

Despite its slow speed, this blade is highly manageable for beginners and elderlies who may have limited footwork. Pairing it with harder rubbers is recommended to enhance shot quality.

Fine-tuned Sentences:

- This blade provides excellent feel, favoring looping players from mid to long distances. — The slower shot quality necessitates increased spin application and preparation for lengthy rallies. — For enhanced shot quality, hard rubbers are advised, while beginners and seniors with limited footwork will find it highly manageable.

I played for several years with my trusty Primorac OFF- blade but decided to upgrade to something a little faster. I went for the Japanese Korbel OFF blade. I specifically opted for a lighter blade, as I like the agility and control it provides over sheer power. My Korbel is 85.8 grams with Tenergy 05 FX 2.1 on both sides.

At first, I thought I made a huge mistake. It sounded a bit hollow, and I felt some vibrations through the handle. My Primorac is an old one - from the early 2000s, a European version. I guess I got lucky with that blade.

However, after two sessions, I got accustomed to the Kobel and now think it’s a superior blade. Yeah, it does sound a bit hollow, but it’s faster and offers more control. All in all, very solid blade.

Bear in mind that Japanese Korbels have smaller handles and larger heads, and tend to be head-heavy. If you want a faster Korbel, opt for a 90+ gram blade, as the wood is denser and stiffer.

Guys, this blade (made in Japan version) is pure magic. I’m a low intermediate, both wings looper (fh and bh). I have been using Viscaria for two years with a lot of satisfaction. Viscaria is also an exceptional blade, fast with great feeling and control. After an injury, my legs are slower, and if you’re out of position, Viscaria doesn’t forgive that much. Thus, I was looking for something more forgiving. I’ve always been told about the magical of this blade, speed with great control and feeling: recently a good table tennis coach suggested me to try it, and given the injury, finally, I went for it. I was looking for something only a tad slower than Viscaria but with more control and feeling: Korbel delivers!!!

Looping is a pure joy, I feel very solid and safe, but still, I can make very powerful shots; yes, it’s slightly slower than Viscaria, but you have enough power to finish the point. Both fh and bh loops are great, but Viscaria has an edge about fast bh plain shots (slightly faster) and bh opens against backspin (slightly more powerful and precise). Nevertheless, you exchange the great precision and power of Viscaria with something only slightly less precise and powerful but with a bigger amount of control, feeling, and consistency. The spin is on par with Viscaria. On serves, you have great control, still a lot of spin: I always struggled to make fast serves down the line with Viscaria, but now I feel it’s very easy and effective to do.

I use Andro Hexer Powergrip SFX on fh and Hexer Grip on bh (yes, I prefer slower rubber on fh), same as I used on Viscaria. Great rubbers and great combination with Korbel. The euro version is nothing like the japan version, please stay away from it. I think the average ratings on revspin don’t give justice to this exceptional blade. I would rate it as 8.8 for speed and 9.1 for control.

Very good off blade, I have used it for 5 months now and it made me do much better in the division. It’s very good for offensive play. I have Andro Rasanter R50 R47 on this blade and even though I am not great at spining, I can spin with it.

I would rate this wood as off-. I used it in the jttaa 88gm FL version, which was very nice and provided a lot of control. However, the quality is the same in other brands such as Thibar, Yasaka, and Nittaku, which offer it at a lower price. If you need a fast, 5-layer wood with a good feel, you can consider the YEO or the Stiga Infinity VPS. These blades are faster, and their handles are more comfortable than the Korbel’s small handle. The speed of this wood felt very similar to the Yasaka Sweden Extra All+, but it was more rigid and offered less sensation. It is only my personal opinion, but the Korbel has a low angle, which would work well with high-angle rubbers like T05 or Nittaku G1.

My blade, marked “made in Japan,” is 5.9 mm thick. I pair it with Xiom Omega lV Pro 2 mm on both sides. As a two-wing all-round controlled attacker, the bat fits comfortably in my hand, allowing me to sense the position of ball contact during play. This feedback aids in necessary corrections.

The Limba outer ply provides a distinct feel and dwell time, enhancing spin production. My shots exhibit accuracy in strength, length, and placement. The blade responds predictably to my input, eliminating unexpected power surges and fostering confidence through consistency.

The “throw angle” aligns with my playing style, minimizing net dumps even on flat hits. It excels in pushes, blocks, flicks, loops, drives, and smashes. At my amateur club level, the power is ample, even when playing away from the table.

Overall, I am highly satisfied with the blade’s performance. It has not only improved my skills but also increased my confidence in my abilities.

I love this blade. I first tried cheaper blades from Andro, Yasaka, etc. But I tried this blade from my friend who is using a Korbel blade, and I fell in love with it, so I bought it. It’s very controllable, actually really fast, and the consistency is awesome. I’m using it with Rasanter R37 and R42 (2mm both). My blade weight is 83gr, so it’s not really heavy. My combo is 173gr. I prefer control against speed; I can make speed with my hand.

I have a Viscaria with T05/T64, and I got this blade with the same setup because I wanted more control and to see the difference again in feeling.

After playing for 3 hours on this setup, here are a few big features I could see. The blade is slower and has more dwell as expected, but I did not have to make much adjustment on my racket angle for loops.

Since it’s wood, it’s a lot easier to get more spin on loops, and it’s MUCH more forgiving on close range loops and flips, which I really enjoyed since I tend to player closer to the table.

The improvement in control for any stroke was very apparent even during warm up. What I wasn’t expecting was the difference in serve - the ball does not bounce as much from the blade, so at first all of my short serves were landing in the net and long serves were landing mid distance. That being said, I could put more energy into my serves and I was generating a lot more spin while still keeping the ball short.

Pushes were also easy to keep short. Clocking in at 193g, this setup was 10g heavier than my Viscaria. Also, as other reviewers have pointed out, the handle is a bit thinner, but some grip tape did compensate for that nicely.

I am hoping to build more confidence and consistency in my attack since I can play looser and put more energy into the ball without fear of it flying out.

Overall, I like this setup and would recommend it for any offensive player looking to get more control and quality on their shots…

With the advent of the new plastic ball, I believe the Korbel has emerged as the modern equivalent of the Primorac blade. It excels as an all-round play blade, offering a harmonious balance of speed and control. The FL handle, while diminutive, provides a comfortable grip. The head size is slightly more prominent than most, which can result in a head-heavy feel when paired with thick rubbers. However, the classic aesthetic of the blade remains endearing.

Striking a harmonious balance, the Korbel is neither excessively fast nor overly slow, making it a versatile choice for a wide spectrum of players. Its price point is also more accessible than the Primorac. For players utilizing Tenergy rubbers, a 1.9 mm thickness is recommended to mitigate weight on the Korbel. This blade is an excellent selection for players seeking an all-round offensive style of play.

In an update, I have discovered that pairing the Korbel with Butterfly Rozena rubbers yields an extraordinarily smooth and seamless combination. The blade offers a comprehensive range of capabilities, providing consistent performance regardless of the stroke employed. It effortlessly transitions from delicate touch and control in the short game to explosive power and speed on offense. This combination ranks among the finest all-wood blades available to players.

A great classic blade that excels in topspins and looping. The sweet spot is not particularly large, but it is still adequate. The speed is good, and my particular blade weighs 92g. Overall, it is a good quality product for the price.

Great blade for beginner to intermediate players. I started using it when I picked up table tennis again after 10 years. I paired it with H8 and Tin Arc 5. It’s a good all-around blade, nothing stands out. I did find the handle to be too small, maybe because it’s the European version.

This blade has a very balanced chassis, making it great for both attacking and blocking. Its classic features include good elasticity, speed, and control. I’m using it with a XIOM Omega asia V max forehand and a backhand Donic Acuda p2 max, which I find to be an excellent balance. Overall, this racket manages to be comprehensive without any major drawbacks.

This blade has a soft and pleasant feel to it. I have previously used fast blades, including the Bty Viscaria, Stiga Clipper Wood, and Avalox BT777. I decided to switch to a softer blade with better control and eventually chose the Petr Korbel.

Upon first holding the blade, I noticed its thinner flared handle, which feels different from the fuller handles of the Viscaria and Clipper Wood but more akin to the Avalox BT777 or P700. I prefer the thinner handle. The classic 5-ply construction of Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba gives the blade a soft feel, and it provides a comfortable connection with the ball. I tested the blade with DHS TG 3 Neo on the forehand and Xiom Sigma Europe I on the backhand.

The blade imparts significant spin on serves, making it easy to generate downspin, sidespin, or topspin. With proper technique and contact point, the dwell time is longer than with some other blades. The blade’s wood structure contributes to a pleasant serving experience.

The trajectory angle of the blade is higher than expected, resulting in consistent forehand and backhand looping. With skilled execution, looping performance is excellent. However, more power is required for looping from a distance due to the blade’s medium power.

In short or touch play, the blade, when paired with suitable rubber, offers a comfortable feel despite its soft and flexible nature. Returns are consistent in height, allowing for precise skill development.

Overall, I believe this blade is a good choice for amateur players in the current 40+ plastic ball game. If you are unsure of your blade preferences, the Petr Korbel is a solid option for its comfortable feel and looping performance.

After a two and a half year search for a new blade, this all-wood one outperformed all the others for me. Suitable for the spin-focused attacker who needs dwell time on the blade to maximize loop spin and placement. Beautiful feel on short game.

Great OFF- blade. It’s very similar to the Primorac OFF-, but this one is a bit harder and stiffer. It still has plenty of control balanced with speed for an attacking/all-around game. The handle is very comfortable in ST, a bit heavy but easy to get used to (around 95g).

A classic blade, offering speed and spin. Its performance makes it a great option for smashing.

My Butterfly Korbel is 85g (today you can find it in a range from 80 to 90g and it’s produced in Hungary). It’s a great blade, a classic! I hadn’t realized that so many professional players still play with it today (Gionis, Shibaev, Kallberg,…). Its composition is like the old classic Stigas: 5-ply, limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba, around 6mm thickness. It has a beautiful feel, comparable to the DHS PG-7, but as it is 5-ply, the dwell and control are even better, with a bit more stability and slightly less speed. It’s a high throw blade, great for looping and good for the short game including serves. But the feel is the most important thing for me, and together with the PG7, it’s the best feeling blade I have ever tried! If you are searching for a looper blade with euro/jap tensor rubbers, you can stop your search! If you are an amateur offensive spin player, you do not need a better blade.

La clásica madera ofensiva con variedad de golpes. Consigue un gran desempeño con muchas combinaciones de gomas, desde Sriver FX hasta Tenergry 64.

Se adapta muy bien para jugadores que se inician en el deporte de competencia con tendencia al ataque preciso y con efecto.

This is a very good legendary offensive blade, which is good for topspin play. However, there is a difference between the Korbel blades made in Japan and those made in Hungary.

Amazing for spin and great flex away from the table and versus backspin. Good with hard rubber for the forehand and soft rubber for the backhand. Many gears and amazing control.

I played with the Primorac for 2 years and concurrently purchased this blade along with the TBS (I couldn’t resist buying both legendary blades). After testing to compare these blades, I decided to go with the Korbel. It’s simply better for an attacking style than the Primorac if you’re an experienced player, while still maintaining reasonably good control for pushing.

The Primorac offers slightly better control but is also slightly slower for attacking. Therefore, pushing is a bit more challenging with the Korbel. However, all other aspects are vastly superior. Once my game progresses to a point where pushing comprises 5% or less, I’ll switch to the TBS. It’s slightly faster, but pushing is not its forte. Conversely, attacking strokes are simply breathtaking.

This blade has good speed and good control, but it does not generate much spin.

Great blade.

If I wanted to start with table tennis, I would begin with Primorac, switch to this blade next, and after this, go for Innerforce ZLF/ZLC/ULC.

Many people do not like the handle because it is too small for them.

For me, it is perfect, and I even like the design.

La Rapida es una excelente opción para quienes buscan una madera OFF económica. Ofrece un buen topspin, control y bloqueos efectivos. Esta madera es ideal para jugadores que buscan una opción de alto rendimiento a un precio asequible.

Classic Blade.

Nice blade, one of the best blades and cheap blades having both speed and control. It can be used with OFF and OFF+ Rubbers.

I have this blade since it can do everything: flip, drive with ease topspin, counter topspin, block, has a large sweet spot, and remarkable control from the first touch. It weighs 84 grams. Probably a new model, the handle is thicker and has a good balance. Not that fast but enough to finish the point. A unique reverse grip. I have Baracuda 2.0 FH T05 FX 1.9 BH, unique.

Very nice control, average speed, and low price…very nice blade…I don’t like the narrow handle, it’s the biggest disadvantage…I don’t recommend it for “big hand” players, but I recommend it for everyone else.

This is a very good blade at an amazing price. It provides excellent speed and control, and I particularly enjoy using it for power loops. I have equipped it with Tenergy 25 on the forehand and MakV XS on the backhand, and the combination is simply incredible. Slight adjustments may be necessary to customize the setup to your specific preferences.

Love this blade at the moment. The handle is thinner than most blades, and this is very noticeable. However, I think it makes it easier and more comfortable to play with. I use this blade with Joola Energy x-soft 2.0 on both sides and can’t seem to find any fault with it.

Also, the feel is great on both short touches and long drives or loops. For an offensive blade, chopping is reasonably controlled too.

I use this blade on my school team with Andro Rocket Hard and Butterfly Sriver EL. It’s pretty good at defending.

Very average blade.

Slim handle and very head heavy. Better off with Stiga or DHS.

This blade is great for forehand topspin play and backhand play near the table. It has excellent control for short balls, making it easier to play inside the table. However, where it truly excels is in mid-range topspin play.

This blade is a good fit for Euro/Jap rubbers but not suitable for Chinese tackys.

For beginners and intermediate players, it may be challenging to play consistently with this blade. However, advanced players appreciate the control and consistency it offers during offensive play.

In terms of speed, it falls between OFF and OFF-.

This is a very good blade for looping. I used it with Tenergy 05 1.9mm rubbers and with Xiom Vega Europe max rubbers. The topspin was incredible with these lasts, looping is very good even from higher distances from the table.

Short game, blocks and smash are okay, but there are better blades for this kind of play. It could be a bit harder in my opinion. Maybe with koto outer plies, this blade would be better.

Great classic, well-known wooden blade. Inexpensive and boasting a nice structure, it’s best suited for close-to-table attack. Its fast blade speed makes it ideal for power looping. It offers good feel and control, while the straight handle is very comfortable. The blade is slightly head heavy, but it remains acceptable.

Good all-around to offensive blade for the price. It has a little bit of a consistency issue; control was not great but okay. If you are looking for a fast, offensive blade with very good control, you need to search further.

A very good blade for either speed or control.

This blade is a great all-around blade that can be used for both speed and control. It is made of a high-quality wood that is durable and provides a good feel for the ball. The blade is also well-balanced, which makes it easy to control. If you are looking for a blade that can do it all, the blade is a great option.

I used the Petr Corbel blade and enjoyed my game with it. It’s a great blade from BTY, although it is a classic blade. The faster and greater control makes it suitable for all-around attackers. In the glue-ban era, I think the Corbel SK7 is better.

This blade is quite fast. However, it lacks a bit of consistency. That’s why it’s sometimes hard to loop without feeling that it flexes more than usual. If you want a faster blade with more consistency, try the Primorac Carbon.

A great classic blade. It goes really well with Srivers for a controlled attacking game.

I used to play with LKT Instinct, which was great for control but a bit on the slower side.

I went through two blades before I found a more offensive replacement in this blade.

This blade is really thin at 5.9 mm. That gives it great control and a split second extra to play your shots. Although it is a five-ply blade, the center ply is pretty thick, which also adds to the control.

With the control, there is no compromise on the speed. It is pretty fast for an Off- to Off game.

Best blade for a beginner to intermediate player, looking to learn or play offensively.

Well worth the $50.

Right behind the bottom of the Off+ category, you’ll receive a tremendous amount of control for a bit sacrifice in speed. The blade is relatively stiff due to the hard and deeply pressed handle, however the dwell time is still long enough due to the thinness. The thinness contributing with the heavy head make this blade a series killer by topspin strokes. It boasts better performance in topspin and more control than the Clipper, however it falls short in the feeling and handle department.

This blade is an excellent choice for players transitioning to a more offensive playing style. It offers exceptional power for hard-hitting shots while maintaining a high level of control. Its versatility makes it suitable for players of various skill levels.

This blade has been very reliable for the past few years. I’ve used it for three years and have always enjoyed the control it gives me over the ball. It’s well-suited for medium and fast rubbers, and has a comfortable grip that’s easy to use for both forehand and backhand shots.

This is a great first offensive blade. It’s fast but not too fast and has reasonable touch and control for precision shots and serves. It’s not heavy or light, great for looping, and pretty good for driving too. Chopping seems to pop up a bit, but if you want to chop, why buy an offensive blade?

This blade is excellent, one of the best Off blades out there. It is at the lower end of Off or it is Off-/All+.

It is good close to the table looping and driving and provides good dwell time. It is also pretty good away from the table as well.

Goes great with the following: Sriver EL, Bryce, Bryce FX

asr1990.

One of the classic wooden ply offensive blades, perfect for power looping and blocking, this blade is also one of the cheaper options on the market.

This is a good blade for all wood lovers. For me, it serves as an all-round blade with very good control and blocking capabilities. However, it might be too slow for offensive players and can make it difficult to execute backhand topspins.

I bought this blade as a training blade with Tenergy 05 Hard on the forehand (FH) and Tenergy 05 on the backhand (BH).

It is a medium-fast blade suitable for beginners or individuals looking to improve their stroke technique while maintaining control until the proper strokes are developed. However, it is not recommended for advanced or professional players due to its relatively slow speed. This is typical for pure wood blades, as carbon blades tend to be faster.

I purchased this blade to experiment with Tenergy rubbers while maintaining control until I became more proficient with them. Previously, I used a DHS Fang Bo 2, a suitable carbon blade for intermediate players. It paired well with Hurricane 3 National Blue Sponge on the FH and Donic M2 on the BH.

After further playtime with the Tenergy bat, I anticipate switching to HL5x and placing Tenergy 05 Hard on the BH, as the regular version is too soft and lacking in speed. I highly recommend this setup for dedicated professional players.

Blade: Hurricane Long 5x FH: Hurricane 3 National (blue sponge) BH: Tenergy 05 Hard

Best wishes to all.

This is my first custom blade, and I am very satisfied with it. I’ve paired it with r7/r7soft max sponge, and my first impressions have been that it is head-heavy and noticeably thick. When I started playing with it, I immediately got used to it. It has exceptional feel, control, and consistency, which has given me the confidence to practice and perform loops and heavy topspins. It has helped me progress a lot.

Now I’ve paired it with rz/rx max sponge, and I really enjoy this combination as I can use my power to generate speed and spin. Great quality for the price (mine was 44 euros).

Beautiful blade (the Japanese version). This blade is a perfect balance between offense, control, and good spin. I’m an intermediate amateur attacking player, and I had Maze Optimal Performance and Timo Boll CAF before. I almost didn’t need to adjust to this blade. It has everything you need and a nice wood feel. I can feel the ball when I’m topspinning it.

Bought a second-hand Japanese version, I now use it with DHS Hurricane 3 neo provincial. I actually like it. I bought this bat as a back up for my Viscaria and Hadraw VK, but I actually like it better.