Butterfly Korbel vs Yinhe T-11+: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Yinhe T-11+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | very light, stiff but soft balsa core with a carbon ping |
| handle | FL/ST | FL |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 5W+2 Carbon with balsa core (two thin wood outers, one carbon layer per side, around a thick balsa middle ply) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 6.5 |
| weight_g | 88 | 78 |
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These two pull in opposite directions. The Korbel is a soft 5-ply all-wood blade with long dwell and high throw, built for spin, looping and a touchy short game. The Yinhe T-11+ is a stiff balsa-carbon blade that is one of the lightest offensive options around, fast and easy to hit and smash through spin with, but heavy topspin looping is its clear weakness.
Choose the Korbel if you are a spin-first player who loves dwell on the ball and wants to develop feeling before moving to carbon. Choose the T-11+ if you are a flat hitter, pips-out, blocker or combination player who wants serious speed in a featherlight frame, and pair it with soft to medium rubbers.
Be aware the T-11+ is fragile and must be sealed before use, and it is not beginner friendly. The Korbel is the more forgiving, lower-maintenance starting point for most developing players.
FAQ
Which blade is lighter?
The Yinhe T-11+ at around 78g is noticeably lighter than the Korbel at around 88g, and is one of the lightest offensive blades available thanks to its balsa core.
Which is better for looping with heavy topspin?
The Korbel. Its long dwell and high throw make it excellent for spinny looping. Heavy topspin is the T-11+‘s clear weakness, since it favors flat hitting and driving over dwell.
Does the Yinhe T-11+ need any preparation before use?
Yes. Its surface is fragile and can splinter, so it must be sealed before you mount rubber. The Korbel does not carry that warning, but is widely counterfeited so verify weight and holograms.