Butterfly Timo Boll Allround Blade Review: Premium Control for Developing Players

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-11 · blade

The Butterfly Timo Boll Allround is the entry-level all-wood blade in the Timo Boll signature series. The ALC and Spirit chase advanced competitors; the Allround is tuned for the earlier stages of a player’s development. Its 5-ply all-wood build with koto outer veneers lands in the ALL+ speed class, fast enough for loops, flicks, and short attacks, slow enough that an off-center hit does not blow up the point. It carries the same Japanese manufacturing standards as the rest of the Butterfly range, which makes it a real step up from a pre-made paddle without throwing a beginner straight into the unforgiving speed of composite or carbon.

Performance

At the table, the Allround pays off patience and precision. The koto outer veneer gives a crisper contact than softer lime or ayous outer blades in the same speed range, which helps players clean up their stroke mechanics and read ball contact. Dwell is generous: the ball grips the rubber through a topspin stroke and comes off with reliable arc and spin even at a modest swing speed. Control is the headline. Players keep reporting that they can place the ball accurately under pressure, and the forgiving sweet spot soaks up minor off-center hits without sending the ball wide. Mount a medium-speed European rubber such as Butterfly Sriver and you get confident loops from close to mid distance, controlled pushes, and a solid short game. Chinese tacky rubbers drop the speed noticeably, though the rubber’s spin output holds up. Japanese sheet rubbers are the sweet spot, unlocking the blade’s full loop and placement.

Move back from the table and the limits show. Power-smashing and aggressive mid-distance driving land fine but nothing more, and a player who starts favoring high-power strokes runs into the ceiling fast. The blade is light, which aids maneuverability and cuts fatigue but leaves powerful strokes feeling a little disconnected. Feedback on blocking and passive defense comes through clean and useful, so beginners read spin and trajectory more easily here than on faster composite blades that filter out the vibration. The performance is honest and does exactly what its audience needs.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

Across Revspin, forum threads, and equipment communities, there is strong agreement that the Allround is an excellent blade for its target audience of beginners and developing intermediates. Most reviewers point to high control, generous dwell, and clear all-wood feedback as the defining strengths. The one real debate is speed class. Some players peg it closer to ALL than ALL+, feeling it falls a little short of the stated class in real play. A handful were let down that the blade lacks the all-round range to compete at club level, a sign the name sets expectations slightly higher than the blade delivers. The standing advice: treat it as a technique-building tool, and plan to upgrade once your topspin mechanics settle.

Who Should Buy It

The Allround fits players who have just left pre-made paddles and want their first proper custom blade, or intermediate players whose coach has told them to slow down and fix their fundamentals. It serves any grip style, with FL, ST, AN, and XXS handle options. Recreational players who like long, controlled rallies and close-table spin exchanges can stay on it for good. If you already loop with confidence and want more distance and power, look at the Timo Boll ALL+ or an entry-level offensive blade instead.

FAQ

Is the Butterfly Timo Boll Allround good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the best all-wood beginner blades around, with strong control, honest feedback, and Butterfly build quality at a price under the premium ALC or Spirit models.

What is the difference between the Timo Boll Allround and the Timo Boll ALC?

The Allround is a pure 5-ply all-wood blade rated ALL+, while the ALC adds arylate-carbon fiber layers and is rated OFF. The ALC is much faster and built for advanced players; the Allround is slower with better control and more tactile feedback.

Which rubbers work best with the Timo Boll Allround?

Medium-speed European rubbers such as Butterfly Sriver, Yasaka Mark V, or similar are the best match. Japanese tensor rubbers work well too. Chinese tacky rubbers leave the combination feeling slow, though spin generation stays high.

What outer ply is on the Timo Boll Allround?

The outer ply is koto, a medium-density hardwood that gives the blade a crisper feel than softer woods like lime or ayous while staying well inside the all-round speed range.

Is the Timo Boll Allround still available to buy?

Butterfly has discontinued it, but you can still track it down through secondary market sellers, online table tennis retailers, and auction platforms.