Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit vs Stiga Clipper Wood: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit | Stiga Clipper Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Medium and offensive with notable flex and long dwell, crisp but forgiving for a carbon blade | solid, medium-stiff, hard fast all-wood with a big sweetspot |
| handle | FL / ST / AN | FL/ST/AN/PEN |
| plies | 5 wood plies plus 2 arylate-carbon outer layers (5W and 2 ALC) | 7W (all wood) - limba outer plies over an ayous core, no carbon or synthetic layers |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| weight_g | 87 | 90 |
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These two blades share an OFF rating but get there very differently. The Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit uses a 5-ply wood plus 2-ply arylate-carbon build with notable flex and long dwell, so heavy, controllable topspin comes easily while it still blocks softly. The Stiga Clipper Wood is a thicker 7-ply all-wood blade that trades carbon spring for a confidence-building big sweetspot, rock-solid blocking and an outstanding short game.
Pick the Spirit if you want an offensive carbon blade that loops with spin yet keeps a forgiving touch, and you can handle genuine OFF speed. Pick the Clipper Wood if you prioritize control, feel and absorption, and you are happy to pair it with faster European or Japanese rubbers to unlock its power.
Weight is the practical tiebreaker: at approximately 90g the Clipper Wood runs heavier than the 87g Spirit and can tire you over long sessions. The Spirit edges it on outright rating, but the Clipper Wood remains a classic for close-to-mid-table all-round attackers.
FAQ
Which blade has better control for an intermediate player?
The Stiga Clipper Wood leads on raw control thanks to its 7-ply all-wood build and big sweetspot. The Spirit is unusually controllable for a carbon blade, but the Clipper is the more forgiving option for developing technique.
Is the Clipper Wood actually faster than the Timo Boll Spirit?
Despite its OFF+ reputation, the Clipper Wood plays in real-world OFF territory, much like the Spirit. The Spirit’s arylate-carbon layers give it a quicker, springier release, while the Clipper asks you to generate more of your own power.
Do either of these blades need sealing?
The Clipper Wood has a known Stiga splintering tendency, so many owners seal it before gluing rubber. The Spirit does not carry the same warning.