Butterfly Korbel vs Nittaku Violin: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Nittaku Violin | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback |
| handle | FL/ST | FL |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) |
| speed | OFF- | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.3 |
| type | — | ALL+ |
| weight_g | 88 | 86 |
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Both blades chase the same goal, a soft all-wood feel with long dwell for looping and short-game touch, so the choice comes down to character and price. The Korbel is a versatile OFF- 5-ply that is gentle for touch yet capable on offense, and it is praised as a strong value that costs less than comparable Butterfly all-wood blades. The Violin counters with premium Made in Japan craftsmanship, a warm flexible Kiri-core build and pinpoint placement, but reviewers question its premium price and note it plays slower than its ALL+ billing suggests.
On pace neither blade is a powerhouse. The Korbel is medium speed and asks you to supply your own power for far-table attack, while the Violin is weak at long-distance pace and needs harder or tackier rubbers to reach its full potential. Both are flexible enough to come alive with the right rubber and both reward spin over raw speed.
Pick the Korbel if you want a forgiving, high-feel blade to learn looping and the short game before considering carbon, and you want to spend less. Pick the Violin if you want premium craftsmanship and a refined warm touch and you do not mind paying for it, ideally as a first custom blade leaving fast carbon setups. The Korbel edges ahead on our scoring at a rating of 8.6.
FAQ
Is the Butterfly Korbel or the Nittaku Violin faster?
Neither is fast. The Korbel is rated OFF- and medium speed, so you supply your own power for far-table attack. The Violin is billed ALL+ but reviewers say it plays slower than that and is weak at long-distance pace. Both favor control and spin over raw speed.
Which blade is the better value?
The Korbel, which is praised as a strong value that costs less than comparable Butterfly all-wood blades. The Violin offers premium Made in Japan craftsmanship, but several reviewers question its premium price versus cheaper blades.
Which is a better blade for a developing looper?
Both suit developing loopers. The Korbel is ideal for learning to loop and develop feeling before moving to carbon and is widely versatile with rubbers. The Violin is a great technique-building blade and a strong first custom blade for intermediates leaving fast carbon setups, though it needs harder or tackier rubbers to shine.
Do they need a break-in period?
The Violin is described as relatively stiff when new and benefits from a break-in period. The Korbel is not noted as needing one, but buyers should verify weight and holograms because it is widely counterfeited.