Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit vs Sanwei Fextra 7: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit | Sanwei Fextra 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | Medium and offensive with notable flex and long dwell, crisp but forgiving for a carbon blade | Medium, woody and well-damped with moderate vibration; controllable offensive feel close to a Stiga Clipper but a touch crisper and not quite as stiff |
| handle | FL / ST / AN | FL |
| plies | 5 wood plies plus 2 arylate-carbon outer layers (5W and 2 ALC) | 7-ply all wood (Limba/Ayous) |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 6 |
| type | — | OFF- |
| weight_g | 87 | 88 |
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The Timo Boll Spirit is an OFF arylate-carbon blade with long dwell, heavy controllable topspin and a softer, more forgiving feel than the Viscaria, with excellent blocking and counterplay. The Sanwei Fextra 7 is a spinny 7-ply all-wood blade with Limba outer plies and an Ayous core, offering excellent control and outstanding value, typically around 20 to 30 US dollars.
On style, the Spirit is genuine OFF speed that loops with heavy spin yet stays forgiving and versatile, while the Fextra 7 is a controllable OFF-minus blade with limited far-table power and a sweet spot that can feel smaller. The Spirit can be too fast for lower-level players; the Fextra 7 is a forgiving step-up, though its weight varies a lot between units.
Pick the Timo Boll Spirit, rated 9, if you are an intermediate-to-advanced attacker who wants an all-round offensive carbon blade that loops with heavy spin yet stays soft for blocking. Pick the Fextra 7, rated 8.3, if you are a developing or club-level looper who wants an affordable, controllable 7-ply all-wood blade, including as a cheap alternative to the Viscaria or Clipper.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Timo Boll Spirit is faster, being genuine OFF speed, while the Fextra 7 is a controllable OFF-minus blade with limited far-table power.
Which is better value?
The Fextra 7 is outstanding value, typically around 20 to 30 US dollars, while the Spirit carries a premium price.
What are the constructions?
The Spirit is 5 wood plies plus 2 arylate-carbon outer layers, while the Fextra 7 is 7-ply all wood with Limba and Ayous.
Does weight vary?
Yes for the Fextra 7, whose weight varies a lot between units, reported anywhere from 84 to 94 grams, while the Spirit is listed around 87 grams.