Butterfly Primorac vs Butterfly Viscaria: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Primorac | Butterfly Viscaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| feel | medium, classic all-wood, long dwell and high control | medium-hard |
| handle | FL/ST | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — Limba/Limba/Ayous/Limba/Limba | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 85 | 87 |
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Both are Butterfly blades, but they sit at opposite ends of the offense scale. The Primorac is an OFF-minus 5-ply all-wood control classic with long dwell, forgiving and versatile across rubbers. The Viscaria adds two arylate-carbon plies and a koto outer for deep power and a quick, crisp release at OFF, yet stays unusually forgiving for a carbon blade with a large sweet spot and a smooth block-to-loop transition.
The difference is ceiling versus accessibility. The Primorac has limited top-end speed and can feel underpowered with the plastic ball, but it is easy to play and a durable long-term keeper. The Viscaria is expensive, demands an active loop-driving stroke, and passive or borrowed-pace players will not unlock its deep power.
Developing attackers and control-first all-rounders building a first serious setup should take the Primorac. Attacking shakehand players with a complete loop-driving stroke who want a high-ceiling, forgiving carbon main blade should take the Viscaria.
FAQ
Which blade has more power?
The Viscaria. Its wood-plus-arylate-carbon build delivers deep power and a crisp release at OFF speed, while the Primorac is OFF-minus with limited top-end speed that many players outgrow.
Is the Viscaria forgiving despite being a carbon blade?
Yes, for a carbon blade. It has a large sweet spot and a smooth block-to-loop transition, but it still demands an active stroke and is not a beginner blade. The Primorac is the more forgiving and easy-to-play option overall.
Which is the better first serious blade?
The Primorac. It is forgiving, durable and versatile with rubbers, making it ideal as a first serious or control-first blade, whereas the Viscaria is premium-priced and best suited to players with a complete stroke.