Andro Treiber CI OFF vs Butterfly Timo Boll W7: Which Should You Buy?
| Andro Treiber CI OFF | Butterfly Timo Boll W7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | woody with carbon kick; firm primary touch, softer follow-through | Hard, stiff, direct |
| handle | FL / AN / ST | FL, ST |
| plies | 5 plies (3 wood + 2 inner KVL carbon layers) | 7-ply all wood (Limba / Ayous / Kiri) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.9mm | 6.7 |
| weight_g | approx 84-90g | 94 |
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Both are OFF-class blades for advanced players but approach their speed differently. Andro Treiber CI OFF (8.4 rating) combines wood feel with inner-carbon kick—outstanding spin generation and dwell time, unique elasticity that activates power on hard hits while staying stable on softer touches, balanced at 84-90g and suitable for most playing styles including looping.
Butterfly Timo Boll W7 (7.8 rating) is near-carbon OFF speed from pure 7-ply all-wood, delivering a huge sweet spot and stable trajectory. The catch is stiffness—it is very rigid and not suited to beginners or intermediate players. Discontinued status makes sourcing difficult, and high hardness causes hand vibration over long sessions. Loop-against-backspin spin is lower than composite alternatives. For looping players, Treiber’s superior spin and dwell are advantageous; for flat-drive specialists seeking wood construction, Timo Boll W7’s rigid all-wood character is intentional.
FAQ
I want to develop looping spin and I prioritize dwell time. Which blade suits me?
Treiber CI. Outstanding spin generation and dwell time are core to its design. Timo Boll W7 is optimized for flat drives, not looping—loop-against-backspin spin is specifically noted as lower than composites.
I play flat drives and hard hits. Which blade is more durable and available?
Treiber is current production and easier to source. Timo Boll W7 is discontinued and harder to find. For reliably sourcing and supporting a blade long-term, Treiber is the practical choice.
Can a beginner use either blade?
Neither is beginner-friendly. Treiber is intermediate-to-advanced. Timo Boll W7 is explicitly not suited to beginners—its stiffness and high hardness are unforgiving. Wait until you have solid fundamentals.
Which is less stiff and more forgiving on timing?
Treiber. Timo Boll W7 is very stiff and punishes timing errors. Treiber’s elasticity provides some forgiveness without sacrificing crispness.
What is the speed difference in practice?
Timo Boll W7 is rated OFF speed vs Treiber’s OFF—similar on paper. However, Timo Boll W7 feels faster due to its stiffness and lack of dwell, while Treiber distributes speed differently through its kick-type elasticity.