Weight
84g
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Bolgard
Butterfly Bolgard is a specialized Japanese penhold blade built for dynamic, close-to-the-table attacking play. It masterfully balances offensive speed with precise control, making it ideal for players who rely on quick shots and sharp placement. The inclusion of Arylate fibers creates a comfortable, ball-holding sensation that enhances blocking and looping effectiveness. Its rounded-square head shape promotes agile movements, offering penhold players a distinctive platform for all-round, responsive play.
The blade features a 5-ply construction with two Arylate fiber layers. The outer Hinoki plies provide good control, while the Kiri core contributes to speed and rebound. The Arylate fibers placed between the wood layers enhance the feeling of holding the ball and increase the sweet spot size, offering a balanced blend of speed and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Butterfly Bolgard delivers medium speed, providing sufficient pace for aggressive play without being overwhelmingly powerful. It's well-suited for quick, over-the-table attacks where a lively response from the Arylate-carbon construction adds effective pace while maintaining manageability.
Bolgard excels in control, a defining characteristic that provides exceptional accuracy and consistency. The Arylate fibers contribute a softer feel and enhanced ball-holding, allowing for precise placement and confident execution across various strokes, making it highly forgiving.
Butterfly Bolgard offers a medium feel with a notable sensation of holding the ball, thanks to the Arylate fibers. This provides excellent feedback and allows for precise touch on blocks and looped shots, giving players a connected, controlled experience.
With its emphasis on control, dwell time, and spin generation, Bolgard likely offers a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates a good arc on looped shots, helping players achieve depth and consistency.
The integrated Arylate fibers enhance dwell time by creating a sensation of the ball sticking to the surface. This allows for greater spin generation and control, which is particularly beneficial for looping and other spin-oriented strokes.
Bolgard likely possesses a moderate level of flexibility. This balance allows for sufficient dwell time to generate spin while maintaining enough stiffness for effective power transfer on offensive shots, supporting its all-round character.
Arylate fibers typically help dampen vibrations, contributing to a softer feel and better ball control. This is balanced with the wood plies to achieve desirable feedback without excessive harshness, resulting in a comfortable playing experience.
Butterfly blades are renowned for high-quality construction, and the Bolgard upholds this reputation. Players report a solid, durable feel, and the engineered combination of traditional wood plies with Arylate fibers suggests a product built for both performance and longevity.
Technology
Butterfly Bolgard features an advanced hybrid construction incorporating Arylate fibers within its wood plies. This Arylate-Carbon technology balances speed and control. The Arylate material woven with carbon fibers creates a composite layer that enhances the blade's elasticity and holding sensation. This construction provides a larger sweet spot and improved feel, allowing players to generate more spin and maintain precise control, which is especially beneficial for quick, close-to-the-table attacks. The specific wood composition with Hinoki outer plies and a Kiri core further refines its playing characteristics.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Senkoh01
A player reported using Butterfly Bolgard with short pips on the forehand, describing it as a dream blade for their style. They noted the perfect sensation of holding the ball while still producing fast, crisp shots, praising the Kiri core for speed, Hinoki for control, and finding the Arylate material exceptional for feel on blocks and rolled loops, making the sweet spot feel bigger.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Bolgard (Japanese Penhold)
As a specific Japanese Penhold blade, there isn't a widely cited direct alternative with identical characteristics. Players seeking a similar feel might explore other Butterfly penhold blades that incorporate Arylate or similar composite materials to achieve enhanced control and dwell time.