Butterfly Pro-line Balsa Carbo X5 with Tenergy 80 FX 2.1

Published on:

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Balsa Carbo X5

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 is an alternate option if you are looking for a new ping pong paddle. How would you like a paddle that has been approved for use in professional tournaments? If that excites you, keep reading. If you are looking for a product that will give you good control and also keep a balance between great speed and a good spin, you can try this out. Another one for the attackers, Butterfly Pro-Line Hand Assembled Professional Table Tennis Racket offers players control to dominate their opponents. Not only that, but it is also a professional ping pong paddle. You know what that means, right? It is approved by ITTF for professional ping pong tournaments.

QUICK OVERVIEWButterfly Balsa Carbo X5

This Butterfly pro-line paddle is light-weighted, assembled by hand, and is largely known for attacker players. It is made of a BalsaCarbo X5 blade. It offers great speed, a fairly good spin, and a decent amount of control. Butterfly Pro-Line also has a larger sweet spot and more power owing to its carbon layering. This paddle is majorly designed for close to the table attacks, however, that’s not the limit. The design gives the paddle enough power to shoot from mid-distance as well.

MANUFACTURING DETAILS

Butterfly BALSA carbo X-5 Pro-Line is hand-assembled in the US. It is among the few accepted pre-made professional ping pong paddles by the ITTF. It is also the first balsa composite paddle. The features are as follows:

  • Level: Performance-Level Table Tennis Racket
  • Handle size: 100x25mm
  • Rubber: Tenergy 80 FX 2. 1mm
  • Blade: 5-ply Extra Light
  • Blade size: Regular
  • Feeling: Soft

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

The Blade of Butterfly Balsa Carbo x5

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 paddle is the first balsa composite paddle from Butterfly made of BalsaCarbo X5 blade. This means that it is constructed of 5 plies, 3 layers of Balsa wood, 2 layers of carbon. Due to its Balsa core, the paddle is light-weighted. As for the carbon layering, these layers make a stiffer blade and add power to it. Basically, this paddle is designed for close to the table attacks. Moreover, it has the power for mid-distance ping pong shots. So either way, if you like close shots or distant shots, it has got you covered.

The Rubbers of Butterfly Balsa Carbo x5

It has a flared handle, Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 uses Tenergy 80 FX 2.1mm rubber on both sides. This offers the attackers a great balance of high speed and heavy spin. Sounds good, huh? Usually, professional players prefer Tenergy family rubber.

Tenergy 80 FX proves to be even faster than Tenergy 05, falling in the same category as Tenergy 25 for speed. Owing to this technology, the paddle enables all-round topspin play, as well as attack and counterattack. It doesn’t matter what your playing style is, the technology serves all. As for control, the FX version gives the paddle a softer sponge that offers more control.

This is an ideal racket for the power play and offers great spin. Let’s talk a bit more about technology; it is a high-tech paddle made of carbon fiber reinforced pile. Carbon fiber offers enhanced speed and also a larger sweet sport as compared to an all-wood racket. This makes it much more effective and nearly effortless when it comes to playing.

The rubber on the paddle is applied with Free Chack ping pong rubber glue as well as a butterfly side tape. It has an exclusively soft feel and yet it produces an excellent killing shot. It also assists superbly in blocking techniques. This paddle is well-known for its excellent control.

Although the surface is relatively soft; however, the handle is somewhat thick and requires some getting used to. Owing to the sensitivity of the blade, it is often paired with soft to medium rubbers. This paddle is great for offensive players.

WHAT’S GOOD?

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 paddle is extremely light weighted and offers an exceptionally soft feel. It is great for attacking, all-rounder as well as offensive players. The paddle offers a great close shot; however, a distant shot is also reasonably well performed with it. What is amazing about this paddle is that it offers almost effortless blocking.

The paddle gives great control and also offers an amazing balance between excellent speed and spin. Let me put it this way; if you make a slight mistake or use an imperfect technique, you will find that this racket has got your back. It will let you return a fine ball.

It is a good choice for intermediate or professional players. Some reviewers believe it to be really fine for looping, flat hitting, and smash.

WHAT’S BAD?

The first issue people have with this paddle is that it is quite pricey. Not even goodness tends to satisfy them. However, that’s a subjective approach. If you’re looking for something within a lesser budget, this might not be for you.

Secondly, the handle which is a little hard to handle is a little bit heavy. But if you practice, you get used to the weight. Although the paddle is promised to be highly durable; however, some reviewers disagree. They find the paddle a bit fragile and complain that it wears out soon. Others rate it high on the durability scale. 

Pros
  • Versatile
  • Soft feel
  • Good for attackers and offensive players
  • ITTF approved
  • Great control
  • Good speed and spin
  • Bigger sweet spot
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Fragile
  • Heavy handle
  • Not for beginners

CONCLUSION: (Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5)

So what is the final verdict? It is a good paddle for professional and intermediate players. The ITTF approval vouches for its greatness. This paddle provides great control that means the speed might be not as great as the control.

Who should be buying it? Players who like to play little offensive, attackers may find this product exceptionally pleasing. If you know your game, and you know what qualities you are looking for, it may be of great help. For your ease, we have more ping pong paddles to look at.

Beginners must note this requires getting used to, so it might not be your best pick. Moreover, if you are low on budget, this is a little expensive. Nevertheless, it is still a fairly good pick. Rated 4.4 on Amazon, it has received a great many positive reviews. Keep these factors in mind and choose!

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Hey there! I am Hammad. My love affair with ping pong started when my dad bought the pingpong table for the family and coaxed me into playing. With time, I started loving the sport and sometimes played for the whole day. I also took part in a lot of local competitions in Texas. I decided to share my years of experience with my fellow ping pong players through my writing. I keep researching new information or products related to the game to keep myself and my readers updated. I hope my writing will help to make your ping pong experience much more enjoyable.

Leave a Comment