Butterfly Korbel vs Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | Medium and offensive with notable flex and long dwell, crisp but forgiving for a carbon blade |
| handle | FL/ST | FL / ST / AN |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 5 wood plies plus 2 arylate-carbon outer layers (5W and 2 ALC) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 88 | 87 |
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The Korbel is a flexible 5-ply all-wood blade built around feel and control, with long dwell, a high throw and spinny serves that make it excellent for looping and short-game touch. It is genuinely versatile across the gears and great value, but only medium speed, so you supply your own power for far-table attack, and the head can feel heavy with thick rubbers.
The Timo Boll Spirit adds outer arylate-carbon for a faster OFF plate, while keeping a long dwell time, a softer and more forgiving feel than the Viscaria, and outstanding ball feel. Its genuine OFF speed can run away from weaker technique and it is often too fast for developing players, plus it carries a premium price.
Choose the Korbel if you are a control-first or improving player who wants a forgiving all-wood blade to learn looping and the short game before moving to carbon. Choose the Timo Boll Spirit if you are an intermediate to advanced attacker who wants a faster offensive carbon blade that still loops with heavy spin and blocks softly.
FAQ
Which blade is better for beginners?
The Korbel is the more beginner-friendly choice, with a forgiving all-wood feel and medium speed ideal for learning to loop. The Spirit is a genuine OFF carbon blade that is often too fast for developing players.
Which has more speed?
The Timo Boll Spirit is faster, rated OFF with outer arylate-carbon, while the all-wood Korbel is OFF- and relies on you to supply power for far-table attack.
Is the Korbel a good step before carbon?
Yes. It is ideal for learning to loop and developing feeling before moving to carbon, after which the Timo Boll Spirit is a natural faster upgrade for an attacking game.