Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Table Tennis Blade (2023 Review & Comparison)
Last Updated on November 10, 2023 by Sorin Petroj
The Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit table tennis blade is considered a tremendous all-around flexible blade that helps bring out the best game and improve performance.
It is a tournament-grade blade that has been used by many pro players and has been reviewed by many players from different countries, and all agree on one thing: it makes your offensive play explosive.
But is Butterfly Spirit Table Tennis Blade suitable for all types of playstyle, particularly for short distances and looping? Plus, how does it compare with the Timo Boll ALC?
In this Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade review, we will discuss the blade’s composition, specification, and features, plus answer essential questions and address all your concerns regarding the Spirit Blade from the Butterfly Timo Boll series.
Overview of the Butterfly Timo Boll Blade Series
Butterfly is a Japanese company established in 1950 and is best regarded as the official manufacturer of professional table tennis equipment for elite athletes. Butterfly table tennis blades are also seen at the Olympics. The Japanese manufacturer is most relied upon because of their craftsmanship and high-quality materials construction of their blades, including their Timo Boll series for juniors – J and TJ.
The Butterfly Timo Boll Blade series was designed for professional-level plays, but it’s always beginner-friendly. It is a signature lineup of the German professional table tennis player, Timo Boll, currently ranked as the World No. 10 globally. The Butterfly Timo Boll series has an incredible lineup of blades, and these are as follows:
- Timo Boll Spark
- TB T5000 Tamca
- Timo Boll ZLC
- Timo Boll ZLF
- TB W7
- Timo Boll ALC
- Timo Boll Spirit
It is important to note that not all the Timo Boll blades are constructed with the Arylate-Carbon. Currently, there are only 2 Timo Boll blades constructed with the Arylate-Carbon technology: Timo Boll AlC and the Spirit.
Apart from the Timo Boll blade series, there are only a few other Butterfly ALC blade options for you, like Garaydia ALC, Viscaria, InnerforceLayer ALC, and the Harimoto Tomokazu ALC.
Needless to say, the Timo Boll Spirit by Butterfly is one of the most popular table tennis blades used in Europe. Butterfly’s Spirit blade from the Timo Boll series features a crisp and soft feel due to its arylate-carbon composition.
Arylate-carbon is medium in stiffness rating and is also very light, which is why it’s so popular for looping. The carbon content is 1.7%, enhancing the blade’s durability while still keeping it lightweight.
Timo Boll explains how to glue a ping-pong racket
A lot of pro players are big fans of the Timo Boll series. Vladimir Samsonov in his career liked to use this blade. The unique structure and construction of the Timo Boll blade make it easy to hit tough, tricky shots. The Timo Boll series has an average speed rating of 8.8 and a control rating of 8.7. Each blade is made from Arylate carbon and smooth, light wood.
This composition makes the Butterfly table tennis blade capable of withstanding harsh environments, while the unique Japanese craftsmanship makes the blade stand out both in terms of performance and appearance.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade Composition & Appearance
The Timo Boll Spirit is the blade of choice for offensive-style players who prefer speed and spin. The Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit blade is made with 7 ply layers featuring 5 wood plies along with 2 layers of Arylate-Carbons.
The result of the Timo Boll Spirit blade is achieved with the mastery, technology, and experience of Butterfly’s craftsmanship put together in one blade.
The 5 wood plies of the Spirit blade are composed of Koto, Limba, and Kiri which are selected from some of the best tree species in China. The 2-ply Arylate carbon and 5-plywood composition contains 300 LBF of Kiri, 670 LBF of Limba, and 940 LBF of Koto with a thickness of 157 x 155 mm dimension. A mix of only 50% carbon with Arylate makes the blade veryfter than full carbon blades.
Easily identified by its no-bull mounting system, this model has quickly become the budget choice for many players looking for that controlled feel.
The unique Japanese craftsmanship complements the blade’s smooth and beautiful design. It comes in three different variations for handles: flared, straight, and anatomic.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade Features & Specifications
| Class | Offensive |
| Type | Attack and All-round |
| Weight | 87g |
| Reaction property | 11.8 |
| Vibration property | 10.3 |
| Blade structure | 5-ply wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon |
| Thickness | 5.8mm |
| Blade head size | 157 x 150 mm |
| Handle size | FL: 100×24 mm
ST: 100×22 mm AL: 100×24 mm |
| Manufacturer | Butterfly |
| Country of origin | Japan |
Weight: How much does the Timo Boll Spirit blade weigh?
This blade from the Timo Boll series weighs 89g approximately, which is lightweight. Viscaria, which is regarded as one of the lightest Butterfly blades, weighs 87g approximately. So compared to the Viscaria blade, the Spirit blade feels proportionally lightweight, providing a neutral balance between weight and stability.
Hardness & Stiffness: How does the Timo Boll Spirit blade feel?
Timo Boll Spirt provides a stable play feel. As for hardness factors, the Arylate interwoven into the carbon softens the blade. Still, many of the Timo Boll Spirit reviews by users state that the Timo Boll Spirit has a seemingly harder feel to the ball compared to the Timo Boll ALC.
But it’s worth noting that the handle of this Timo Boll blade feels much lighter compared to the ALC. The choice of your rubber also has an impact on the feel of the ball and the dwell time.
Balance & Control
Timo Boll Spirit provides excellent ball control, especially against looping or spinning shots. It has a fantastic control rating of 9.5. The Arylate and the Carbon combination provides good control, making it suitable for all-around players who can serve, loop, and attack aggressively and play an excellent short game to make sure that their opponent is kept under pressure.
Speed – Timo Boll Spirit is a very speedy blade, and the ball comes off the blade very fast, giving you enough dwell time. The carbon frame of the blade allows you to deliver quick spin and loop shots and mid to long distances. Timo Boll Spirit has a decent speed rate of 9.0.
Spin – Timo Boll Spirit is an ideal blade for delivering spin shots, so it is recommended for spin-oriented play. The extra plywood layers and the rubber handle allow the players to hit difficult spin shots with next to no effort. What delivers the spinny touch to the blade is the Arylate interwoven into the carbon.
Power – The Timo Boll blade allows you to generate power for your strokes without sacrificing any control. The 5 wooden layers of the Spirit’s 7-ply with a big sweet spot let the players deliver heavy power shots without spending too much energy.
Smashes & Volleys – You can play smash and successive volley shots with the help of Timo Boll Spirit’s Arylate-carbon composition. This Timo Boll blade provides plenty of control which is also great for blockers and loppers.
Now the question is: who should use the Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit blade and what playing style goes with it? Keep reading to learn what type of playstyle is suitable for the Spirit blade and who should use it.
Why Choose the Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Table Tennis Blade?
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit blade is best suitable for players playing offensive style and versatile play. But it’s a fact that every player has a different play style. You will find lots of blades that serve different playstyles, but the Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade stands out from the rest because this blade can support all types of playstyles.
Several reviews on Timo Boll Spirt Blade suggest that it is perfect for advanced players; however, it is also suitable for intermediate players who want to advance their skills. If you’re a beginner looking to get into the sport or a pro who wants to hone your skills even more, Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit might be the right choice for you.
Although it is an offensive-style blade, you can easily transform your Timo Boll Spirt into an all-around blade by pairing it with the right rubber. Using slower rubber, you can balance its speediness and spin. This blade offers excellent ball control, so new players won’t struggle to keep up their pace in a match with little practice and technique.
If you are an experienced player who often pulls out trick shots, you will feel right at home with Timo Boll Spirit Blade. Its unique composition with high-quality materials will aid you in pulling off great spin and loop shots.
The high control rating of the blade is the best in the market. You can instantly defend against tough shots and counterattacks, catching your opponent completely off guard.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Table Tennis Blade Pros And Cons
The blade material and composition of the Timo Boll Spirit are almost similar to the Viscaria. On the other hand, the blade’s speediness, hardness, and softness are almost similar to the Timo Boll ALC.
You should consider considering the pros and cons before purchasing Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade. It will help you better understand if the blade fulfills all your requirements.
Pros
- The large sweet spot of the blade increases shot accuracy and consistency.
- The high-quality materials of the blade make it durable.
- The blade is one of the best spinny blades on the market.
- You can hit effective loop shots with Timo Boll Spirit blades.
- Skillful players can go on big winning streaks with this blade.
- Timo Boll Spirit Blades can hit the ball with tremendous speed.
- Offensive players will enjoy this blade very much.
- The blade has high reaction and vibration ratings.
Cons
- If you’re looking for heavy blades, then Timo Boll Spirit Blade isn’t the right choice for you. It is comparatively lighter than most blades in the market.
- New players might struggle to play short-range shots with this blade.
- It might feel a little bit expensive compared to other Butterfly blades.
- It is not suitable for defensive style play as it is designed to deliver spinny attacks and speed, but pairing it with slower rubber will neutralize the spin and speed.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade Price
So how much does the Timo Boll Spirit blade cost?
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade costs $134.99. The price is the same for all three Timo Boll Blade handle styles/variations: AL, ST, and FL. It’s a durable blade that will serve you for years and hold to its value.
That said, the Timo Blade is pretty affordable compared to other tournament-grade blades. Most of the tournament-quality blades come in a price range of $250 – $550. On the other hand, Timo Boll Spirt is a better-performing and long-lasting blade just for $134.99.
Is Timo Boll Spirit worth it in this price range?
Apparently yes. At this price range, Timo Boll Spirit is the best budget-friendly option for those who prefer the Arylate-Carbon technology. Timo Boll Spirit is worth considering if you want a blade that delivers heavy spin and speed.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade Where to Buy?
If you want a top-of-the-line tournament blade that offers excellent performance and longevity, look no further than the official Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade. But from where can you buy the Timo Boll Spirit blade?
If you have done your part of the research, you would know that 99% of counterfeit table tennis blades are copies of Butterfly blades.
The price is too good to be true, and the product’s quality is just plain bad. There is no point in wasting your hard-earned money on cheap counterfeit blades that won’t even last a month. So from where can you order Timo Boll Spirit?
Only authorized retailers like Megaspin and Amazon can sell the original Butterfly blades. It’s a fact that getting it from Amazon might be difficult because the stock always runs out. In that case, you can easily get it from Megaspin.
Megaspin offers day-one delivery, free shipping, and huge discount deals on every purchase. Buying Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade from the authorized retailer from Megaspin guarantees you peace of mind.
You are also entitled to get a 6% discount on Timo Boll Spirit from Megaspin as of this writing. Plus, there are more than 250 active users of this Timo Boll Blade on Megaspin, sharing reviews on their Boll Spirit.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade Reviews from Users
With a 4.5/5 stars rating from Megaspin and a 9.3/10 stars rating from Revspin, there are almost 350+ reviews on Timo Boll Spirit. Here, users can read some Timo Boll Spirit reviews explaining how the blade performs and feels.
“Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade has decent control and balance. I had no issue controlling the flow of the strikes with his blade. The grip is also spot-on, which makes handling the blade very easy. Overall it’s a well-rounded blade with great precision and power.” Jeremy.
“I love the offensive playstyle. I’ve used a lot of blades, but none of them suited my play style that well. But Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Blade perfectly matched my rhythm and play style. The big sweet spot in the middle and the thick wooden and semi-carbon surface substantially increased the power of every shot. The smooth surface of the blade effortlessly blocked incoming shots, which helped me to play counterattack shots more efficiently. I’d easily give this blade a 9.5/10.” John. H
“I’m currently using Timo Boll FL with T64 on FH and T25 on BH. But I have used Timo Boll ST before, and I must note that the flared handle feels much lighter than the straight handle. Overall, TBS is a well-balanced racket, and you can perform all kinds of strokes with it close to the table and mid-distance. It provides balanced speed, spin, and control and is best suitable for topspin and smash, but at the end of the day, it also depends on your techniques.” Clan.
The Spirit Table Tennis Blade – Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line of this Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit review: Offensive or defensive, it is a well-balanced blade suitable for ambitious players looking to up their game. This blade is for you if you are an offensive player and want to improve your looping skills.
TBS has exceptional spin and control characteristics, making it great for attackers, but defenders will also enjoy using this blade. Plus, this high-end blade is designed specifically for competitive table tennis players who require a balance between power and control.
This blade is utilized by numerous World Champions and National Champions, yet it’s also a popular choice among recreational players who don’t mind dedicating the time to improve their game. So rest assured, there’s no chance of getting disappointed with the Boll Spirit.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Which rubber works best with the Timo Boll Spirit blade?
Timo Boll Spirit paired with Tenergy 05 is best for lopping as the rubber provides more control and spin. On the other hand, choose Dignics 05 if you want your TBS to be support-fast and spinnier than it is already. Also, Xiom Omega V Europe and Vega Pro rubbers work well with the Timo Boll Spirit Blade.
It is important to note that your choice of rubber has an impact on the blade’s performance and weight. Some rubbers can disrupt the balance of weight and performance. So pair your Boll Spirit blade with the right choice of rubber to maximize its performance.
Is the Timo Boll Spirit Blade suitable for beginners?
Beginners can easily learn the ropes of table tennis using this blade. The good control and large sweet spot will allow new players to the ball with great accuracy. Consider pairing with a slower rubber if you find the Timo Boll blade speedy, and in that way, you’ll be able to control it.
Name the players using TBS Blade.
Since the Timo Boll Spirit launch, it has been used by many renowned table tennis players. Best singles table tennis stars like Xu Xin, Hugo Calderano, MA Long, and Timo Boll himself have used this Timo Boll Blade in multiple international competitions.
Timo Boll FH was also the blade of choice of the Mexican Champion Yadira Silva. Even Michael Maze, one of the best defensive lobbers, was seen using the Timo Boll Spirit.
Timo Boll Spirit FL VS ST & AN: What is the difference?
There are three types of handle shapes for you to choose from in the Timo Boll Spirit blade series:
- Spirit FL: The Fl stands for the flared handle.
- Spirit ST: The ST stands for the straight handle.
- Timo Boll AN: The AN stands for Anatomic handle.
This beautiful table tennis blade FL (Flared) is the most popular choice as this handle shape is suitable for regular palm-size and smaller hands.
On the other hand, the Timo Boll ST (Straight) handle and the Timo Boll Spirit An (Anatomic) handle is suitable for bigger palm size.
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