Butterfly Korbel vs Tibhar Samsonov Alpha: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Tibhar Samsonov Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | medium-stiff, good dwell time, controllable |
| handle | FL/ST | FL/ST |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 5-ply all wood (Limba outer plies, Koto/Ayous middle layers) |
| speed | OFF- | ALL |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.9 |
| weight_g | 88 | 85 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Korbel is soft, flexible all-wood OFF-: forgiving dwell, high throw, ideal for looping learners. The Tibhar Samsonov Alpha is lightweight 5-ply all-wood rated ALL: exceptional near-table control, forgiving off-center response, and designed for beginners and intermediate allround attackers developing consistent technique.
Choose Korbel if you’re beginner focusing on loops, want high dwell and throw for spin generation, or value learning-focused design. Pick Alpha if you’re beginner to intermediate, want allround versatility (loops, blocks, hits), seek lightweight maneuverability, and prioritize control over spin pace.
FAQ
Which is better for pure looping practice?
Korbel: higher throw and longer dwell explicitly support looping. Alpha allround-rated, equally good but less specialized.
Which is lighter?
Alpha at 85g matches Korbel at 88g nearly; both very light and easy to maneuver.
When would you graduate from each?
Korbel: to carbon once looping fundamentals solid. Alpha: once allround speed demands exceed ALL rating.
Which forgives technique gaps better?
Korbel: soft, flexible response. Alpha: forgiving sweet spot and feedback. Both beginner-friendly; feel preference decides.