Weight
87g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Chuan Chih Yuan
Butterfly Chuan Chih Yuan is a performance-oriented hybrid blade engineered for aggressive, offensive play. It masterfully blends mid-fast speed with high control, creating a versatile weapon for players who dominate with powerful loops and fast, dynamic rallies. The medium-soft feel and medium-high throw angle enhance spin sensitivity and shot placement, making it ideal for intermediate to advanced attackers who value precision alongside power. Its balanced weight and quality Japanese construction ensure a responsive, comfortable experience for both close-table exchanges and mid-distance play.
The 5-ply construction features a core Arylate-Carbon layer sandwiched between wood plies. This design enhances speed and expands the sweet spot while the outer wood layers provide a softer feel and contribute significantly to the blade's overall control and touch.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Chuan Chih Yuan delivers a confident mid-fast speed, perfect for aggressive attacking play. While not the absolute fastest blade available, it provides ample power for effective looping and fast exchanges, especially when paired with modern rubbers. This makes it an excellent choice for players who want a potent offensive weapon that remains manageable in quick rallies.
Control is a defining strength of this blade. It offers a high degree of precision, allowing players to execute accurate blocks, sharp placements, and defensive maneuvers with great confidence. This balance makes it a favorite for offensive players who need to maintain accuracy and consistency during fast-paced matches.
The blade provides a medium-soft feel that offers good feedback and sensitivity on ball contact. This characteristic aids significantly in spin generation and precise placement, giving players a connected sensation that enhances touch shots and loop drives.
The hybrid construction produces a medium-high throw angle, which is ideal for looping and creating arcing shots that clear the net with safety. This trait helps players generate heavy topspin and deep, attacking balls.
The combination of wood and Arylate-Carbon plies contributes to a medium-to-long dwell time. This extended contact allows players to impart greater spin on serves and heavy topspin shots, adding a dangerous arc and dip to their attacks.
This hybrid blade finds a sweet spot between stiffness for power and flexibility for feel. The moderate flex allows the blade to bend slightly during powerful shots, which aids in spin generation and provides a forgiving, comfortable playing experience on off-center hits.
The Arylate-Carbon layer effectively dampens vibrations, resulting in a moderate level of feedback. Players experience good ball sensation without the harshness sometimes found in stiffer carbon blades, contributing to a controlled and comfortable feel.
Butterfly's renowned craftsmanship is evident in the Chuan Chih Yuan. The materials are premium, ensuring consistent performance and long-term durability. Limited editions feature exceptional build quality and collectible details, but even the standard version represents excellent manufacturing standards typical of high-end Japanese blades.
Technology
The Chuan Chih Yuan blade integrates a hybrid construction, fusing wood plies with an Arylate-Carbon layer. This technology delivers the speed and enlarged sweet spot of carbon blades while retaining the softer feel, enhanced control, and spin-friendliness of wood. Arylate-Carbon is known for its vibration-dampening properties, which contribute to a comfortable feel and excellent ball feedback. The precise wood layer arrangement ensures structural integrity and a lively responsiveness perfectly tuned for an offensive, dynamic playing style.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Chuang Chih-Yuan
Chuang Chih-Yuan, the blade's namesake and a top Taiwanese professional, uses this blade to execute his signature aggressive, offensive style. Known for his exceptional off-the-bounce looping, his collaboration in developing this blade ensured it meets the demands of dynamic, powerful attacks while maintaining the control needed at the highest level of play.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Sardius
Players looking for a stiffer, potentially more powerful alternative might consider the Butterfly Sardius. Our experts note the Sardius offers a harder feel, which could translate to more direct speed and power for some offensive styles, though it may provide less emphasis on the nuanced feel and control characteristic of the Chuan Chih Yuan.