Butterfly Timo Boll Allround vs Stiga Carbonado 290: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll Allround | Stiga Carbonado 290 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | Medium-soft, classic all-wood dwell with good tactile feedback | very stiff, hard, crisp and direct carbon feel with a high-pitched sound; fast and linear with a low throw |
| handle | FL/ST/AN/XXS | FL |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (koto outer) | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.5 | 6.2 |
| type | — | OFF+ |
| weight_g | ~85 | 95 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Timo Boll Allround and Stiga Carbonado 290 could not be more different in design philosophy and skill target. At 8.3 vs. 8.3 identical ratings, the Carbonado 290 is true OFF+ speed rated on par with Jun Mizutani ZLC class blades — an extreme attack specialist — while the Timo Boll is a beginner control specialist. The Carbonado at 95g is 10 grams heavier with doubled 200-gram TeXtreme carbon delivering extreme power and crisp carbon feel, commanding a premium price at the high end of the market. The Timo Boll is lightweight at 85g with soft dwell ideal for learning.
The Carbonado 290 is for advanced aggressive attackers finishing points fast with hard drives, smashes and blocking, requiring existing technique to handle very stiff, very fast play with a low throw. It excels at exceptional blocking and counter-blocking with superb build quality, but punishes imprecision and inconsistency severely. The Timo Boll is the polar opposite — safe, forgiving, and ideal for technique building without pressure. The Carbonado’s stiffness makes it unsuitable for chopping with long pimples or players not ready for premium carbon demands.
Choose the Timo Boll for beginner or intermediate control focus; pick the Carbonado 290 only if you are an advanced aggressive attacker with flawless technique ready to invest premium money in extreme speed.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Stiga Carbonado 290 is true OFF+ speed rated on par with elite Jun Mizutani ZLC class blades; the Timo Boll’s ALL+ speed is a tiny fraction of this power.
Which is better for blocking?
The Stiga Carbonado 290 excels with exceptional blocking and counter-blocking stability; the Timo Boll offers gentle, safe blocking for developing players.
Which is more forgiving?
The Butterfly Timo Boll Allround is extremely forgiving for learning and building consistency; the Stiga Carbonado 290 is stiff, hard, and demanding for experienced attackers only.
Which has a better throw angle?
The Stiga Carbonado 290 has a very low throw angle causing netting until technique adapts; the Timo Boll’s throw is neutral and appropriate for developing players.