Butterfly Timo Boll W7

Great 7-ply wood. It’s the best racket out there for 7-ply wood. The only downside I found is that the handle is a bit small for my hand, so I got some grip tape for it. Otherwise, it’s a very good racket.

One of the best 7-ply wood blades ever made, the Butterfly Viscaria is on par with the most exclusive blade, the Nittaku Barewell.

Powerful, with more gears and power than the Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit (TBS), the Viscaria is also stable, has a huge sweet spot, and offers a perfect all-wood feeling and touch.

Clipper users seeking more power and better quality can consider the Viscaria. Carbon-blade users may also want to give this all-wood blade a try, as it makes table tennis so much easier.

However, the Viscaria is expensive, with the same price as the TBS (€99.90). Additionally, it has been discontinued and is no longer featured in the latest Butterfly catalog. There is no other 7-plywood blade that is similar (Clipper base with Koto outer).

This blade offers a great balance of control and power. However, its “stubbornness” can make it a bit dull for looping and quick attacking. It excels in topspin play and anti-looping due to its solid 7-ply construction. It’s a forgiving blade that’s well-suited for beginners, providing good control and serve response.

While it’s a suitable alternative for intermediate players, its forgiving nature may hinder their progress. The overly large sweet spot can make it challenging to develop proper stroke technique. A more suitable option for improving players would be the Butterfly Mazunov.

Advanced players will likely find this blade too dull and lacking in precision. For them, a good alternative is the equally hard and stiff Stiga Rosewood VII.

My set-up for Timo Boll W7 is: - Forehand: Nittaku Fastarc G-1 - Backhand: Mark V HPS

The looping game is the area of expertise for this blade. Its 7.00 mm head thickness gives it the power and speed of a carbon blade, but with more dwell time, allowing you to feel every stroke. You also get a crisp sound and crack for every smash, loop, and counter. I chose this blade over the W5 because of the seven plies.

Despite its heavy weight, I opted for Nittaku and Yasaka off-rubbers instead of Tenergy due to the weight balance.

Overall, this is a great blade for those who want to feel the crispness of every shot and have excellent control for a 7-ply blade. It’s a must-try.

Initial impression: I love the appealing red color. The flared handle is perfect for my small hand and short fingers. When paired with Tenergy 05 Max for my forehand and Mark V HPS Max for my backhand, the 7-ply wood blade provides remarkable speed.

Control is the main characteristic of this blade, making it excellent for blocking returns in backhand. While there is some vibration in forehand blocking, smashing and flat drives are relatively easy. However, looping requires some practice and adjustment. For the next rubber on FH, I plan to try the Nittaku Fast Arc G-1, as Tenergy 05 has been used for 7 months now. According to the manufacturer, the W-5 Timo Boll has the same speed but more control. If anyone has tried it with a similar setup, I would love to hear your feedback. For the time being, I am satisfied with this blade and will continue to use it.

The blade performs exceptionally well for flat hitting and offers commendable control. However, it is not particularly suitable for looping, especially against backspin. Compared to blades like the Timo Boll Spirit/ALC, the W7 exhibits less dwell time, resulting in reduced spin generation. Additionally, it falls short in short games, serves, and pushes when compared to its counterparts.