Butterfly Primorac Review: The Classic 5-Ply All-Wood Control Blade That Still Earns Its Place

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-06 · blade

Named for Croatian star Zoran Primorac, the Butterfly Primorac is one of the most recognizable all-wood blades in table tennis and remains a staple recommendation for players moving from a pre-made bat to their first serious custom setup. It is a 5-ply all-wood blade with a Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba construction, classified by Butterfly as OFF-, though many players experience it closer to ALL+ in practice. This review synthesizes three independent real-world sources: years of independent user reviews aggregated on Revspin, ongoing player discussion across Reddit’s r/tabletennis community, and a large body of verified buyer reviews from the retailer Megaspin. The picture that emerges is remarkably consistent: a control-first, beautifully built all-wood classic whose main trade-off is speed.

Performance

The Primorac’s defining quality is control. Across all three sources, players describe long dwell time, a clean classic all-wood feel and a forgiving, predictable response that makes spin and placement easy to produce. The 5-ply Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba construction sits around 5.5 to 6.0mm thick and weighs roughly 83 to 90g depending on the example, with both flared and straight handles available. On Revspin, one long-term owner praised its excellent control and beautiful feel, returning to it even after trying a carbon blade because the Primorac offered equal speed with more control. Another reviewer called it a very well built 5-ply all-wood blade that is perfect for new, intermediate and advanced players who favour control over speed, describing its speed as something like ALL+ or OFF- that can go faster when paired with fast tensor rubbers. A third Revspin owner used it for five years with little to no complaints, finding it works best with Tenergy 05 but plays well with almost any European tensor, and noting it even suits defenders. The blade’s biggest debate is speed. Many Megaspin buyers find it too slow compared to other OFF blades, with one scoring it 7 out of 10 for speed but 9 out of 10 for control, and several noting it can feel underpowered with the modern plastic ball. Yet a minority of players, including one Revspin reviewer testing a Made-in-Japan example, push back hard, calling it nearly stiff, fast enough and very controlled, with plenty of speed to finish the point, and insisting it is not a slow blade at all. The honest takeaway is that the Primorac generates pace from technique and the right rubbers rather than from the blade alone, which is exactly why it is so often recommended as a developmental and control blade rather than a pure speed weapon. Across Reddit, players repeatedly pair it with affordable tensors like Rozena, Donic Acuda S1 and the Tibhar EL series, and it is frequently suggested by coaches for low-intermediate players building a first custom racket.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

The consensus across Revspin, Reddit and Megaspin is striking: the Primorac is a high-control, high-quality, classic all-wood blade with a beautiful feel, broad rubber compatibility and excellent durability, suitable from beginner to professional. The main disagreement is purely about speed. The majority view, especially among Megaspin buyers and improving Revspin owners, is that the blade is on the slow side and that players eventually outgrow its pace, particularly with the plastic ball. A vocal minority, including Made-in-Japan owners and players using fast tensors, argue it has plenty of speed to finish points and is mischaracterized as slow. A second recurring warning, voiced strongly on both Revspin and Reddit, is to not confuse the all-wood Primorac with the much faster Primorac Carbon, which several players regret buying because it sacrifices the control the wood version is loved for.

Who Should Buy It

Buy the Primorac if you are a developing intermediate attacker or a control-first all-rounder building your first serious custom setup and you value feel, dwell and spin over raw speed. It is forgiving enough to learn proper looping and short-game technique on, durable enough to last for years, and versatile enough to pair with almost any rubber, from European tensors like Rozena and Acuda to pips and tacky Chinese rubbers. It also suits classic all-round and even defensive players who want a clean wood feel. Look elsewhere, or budget for a faster OFF blade, if you are an advanced attacker who needs significant top-end power, especially with the modern plastic ball, or if you specifically want the speed of the carbon model. And whatever you do, make sure you are buying the all-wood Primorac and not the Primorac Carbon, since they play very differently.

FAQ

Is the Butterfly Primorac good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the most commonly recommended first serious blades for players moving up from a pre-made bat. Its excellent control, forgiving feel and durability make it easy to learn proper technique on, and it pairs well with affordable rubbers like Rozena.

Is the Primorac all wood or does it have carbon?

The standard Primorac is a 5-ply all-wood blade with a Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba construction. There is a separate, much faster blade called the Primorac Carbon, which is a different product. If you want the classic control blade, make sure you buy the all-wood version.

Is the Primorac too slow for the modern plastic ball?

Opinions split. Many players find it on the slow side compared to other OFF blades and outgrow its pace as they improve, while others, especially those using fast tensor rubbers or the Made-in-Japan version, say it has more than enough speed to finish points. Speed comes largely from your rubbers and technique with this blade.

What rubbers pair well with the Primorac?

It is very versatile. Owners report good results with European tensors such as Tenergy 05, Rozena, Donic Acuda S1 and the Tibhar EL series, while others successfully use pips or tacky Chinese rubbers. Faster tensors add pace, while softer rubbers lean into its control.

Do I need to seal the Primorac blade?

It is a good idea. Some owners note the soft outer Limba can chip when removing rubbers, so sealing the surface helps protect the wood and extend the blade’s already excellent durability.