Butterfly Viscaria vs Nittaku Violin: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Viscaria | Nittaku Violin | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium-hard | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| type | — | ALL+ |
| weight_g | 87 | 86 |
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The Butterfly Viscaria is an OFF arylate-carbon blade with deep power, a quick, crisp release and a koto outer ply, yet unusually forgiving for carbon with a large sweet spot and a smooth block-to-loop transition. The Nittaku Violin is a flexible 5-ply all-wood blade with a soft, warm feel and long dwell, prized for exceptional control and pinpoint placement but slower than its billing suggests.
On style, the Viscaria demands an active loop-driving stroke to unlock its deep power and is genuinely versatile across looping, blocking, hitting and short game, while the Violin favors close-to-mid all-round looping, builds technique and is weaker at long-distance pace. The Viscaria is the higher-ceiling power blade; the Violin is the gentler, control-first all-wood option.
Pick the Viscaria, rated 9, if you are an attacking shakehand player with a complete loop-driving stroke who wants a high-ceiling, forgiving carbon blade with a large sweet spot. Pick the Violin if you prize control, feel and spin over raw speed and want a premium all-wood blade for precise close-to-mid play, including as a first custom blade leaving fast carbon.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Viscaria is faster, being OFF-rated with deep power, while the Violin is rated ALL+ and slower than its billing suggests, weak at long-distance pace.
Which is better for developing players?
The Violin is the stronger technique-building blade, while the Viscaria is not a beginner blade and demands an active stroke to unlock its power.
What are the constructions?
The Viscaria is a 5-wood plus 2 arylate-carbon build with a koto outer ply, while the Violin is 5-ply all wood with a Kiri core and White Ash outer plies.
Which is more forgiving?
Both are forgiving for their class. The Viscaria is unusually forgiving for carbon with a large sweet spot, while the Violin offers exceptional all-wood control.