Butterfly Primorac vs Sanwei T5000: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Primorac | Sanwei T5000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| feel | medium, classic all-wood, long dwell and high control | Stiff with crisp carbon feedback; solid rebound and good sweet spot consistency |
| handle | FL/ST | Flared (FL) |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — Limba/Limba/Ayous/Limba/Limba | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7 total) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 6.5 |
| weight_g | 85 | 86 |
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Butterfly Primorac (8.3) is a legendary all-wood blade with superior dwell, excellent control, and outstanding Butterfly build quality. It’s an investment piece for players who value feel and longevity, though its limited speed will eventually constrain ambitious strikers.
Sanwei T5000 (8.1) delivers exceptional value at under USD 15. Its 5 wood plus 2 carbon construction provides stiff, high-rebound feel with strong consistency and noticeable catapult on loops. It works well with a wide rubber range, even high-end options like Tenergy 05. Build quality doesn’t match premium blades in finish, but the sweet spot is genuine and the value proposition remarkable.
Choose Primorac if budget is secondary and you want a keeper blade for years of play. Choose T5000 if you’re budget-conscious, upgrading from all-wood, or need a reliable backup blade. Both are legitimate OFF- speed, but Primorac’s dwell is superior while T5000’s catapult edges out on looping power. For a developing intermediate, Primorac teaches better. For a club player on a tight budget, T5000 punches well above its price.
FAQ
Is the 50-dollar price difference worth it?
Depends on commitment level. For casual club play, no—T5000 is solid. For serious intermediate development, yes—Primorac’s dwell and build quality reward technique better.
Will T5000 feel cheap compared to Primorac?
Initially, yes. The finish is less refined and vibrations more pronounced. But the sweet spot is genuine and the catapult effect very real. Cheap doesn’t mean bad.
Can T5000 pair with premium rubbers?
Absolutely. It works well with high-end options like Tenergy 05, though the catapult feel is quite different from all-wood blades. The stiff carbon backing suits fast, hard rubbers well.
Which is better for extended play sessions?
Primorac. T5000’s stiffer feel and higher throw angle can fatigue arms during long training. Primorac’s softer, more enveloping dwell is gentler on joints and muscles over time.