Butterfly Timo Boll Allround vs Yasaka Sweden Extra: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll Allround | Yasaka Sweden Extra | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Medium-soft, classic all-wood dwell with good tactile feedback | soft-medium, high control |
| handle | FL/ST/AN/XXS | FL/ST |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (koto outer) | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | ALL+ | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | ~85 | 85 |
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The Timo Boll Allround (8.3) is a pure control trainer that helps beginners master placement and consistency before stepping into faster, more demanding territory. The Yasaka Sweden Extra (8.7) is an exceptional value all-wood blade that punches far above its price and plays like a blade several times its cost, offering a larger sweet spot, slightly faster response, and excellent craftsmanship suited to players developing through intermediate levels.
Both are 5-ply all-wood ALL+ blades at similar weights (85g and ~85g), but Sweden Extra’s soft-medium, high-control construction with notable well-sealed finish makes it a blade you can learn on and keep for years simply by changing rubbers as you improve. Timo Boll is explicitly a stepping stone for lower-intermediate players before they move up; Sweden Extra is designed for developing and intermediate all-round or control players who want elite feel and control close to the table from day one. Sweden Extra loses some power far from the table—deep counter-loops and skylobs can fall short—similar to Timo Boll’s speed ceiling limitations. The key distinction is quality and upside: Timo Boll teaches fundamentals with consistent, predictable behavior; Sweden Extra offers superior craftsmanship and a genuine blade for long-term progression.
Choose Timo Boll if you want a dedicated teaching tool that minimizes distractions. Choose Sweden Extra if you want elite control and feel from the start while building skill, with a blade you won’t outgrow quickly.
FAQ
Which offers better value?
Yasaka Sweden Extra offers control and feel that reviewers say plays like a blade several times its cost. Timo Boll, discontinued, incurs secondary-market sourcing costs.
Which is better for learning and long-term use?
Sweden Extra is a blade you can learn on and keep for years, simply changing rubbers as you improve. Timo Boll is explicitly a stepping stone blade for beginners.
Which has a larger sweet spot?
Sweden Extra has a larger sweet spot and more direct response than comparable blades. Timo Boll provides good control but is not specifically noted for a large sweet spot.
Which handles far-table play better?
Both have speed limitations away from the table. Sweden Extra can feel effortful at distance; Timo Boll’s speed ceiling is too low for advanced offensive play.