Weight
85g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
163x135
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Cypress Alpha-R
Butterfly Cypress Alpha-R is a premium Japanese penhold blade crafted from a single piece of Kiso Hinoki wood. This construction delivers a direct connection to the ball, offering a unique blend of speed and control. The tight-grain Hinoki provides a sensitive, responsive feel ideal for players who value finesse and active play from mid-distance. It's a refined choice for penhold specialists seeking to leverage the natural power and tactile feedback of pure wood for precise placement and powerful drives.
The blade is a classic single-ply construction, consisting of one meticulously selected Kiso Hinoki wood veneer. This method allows the wood's natural properties to dictate the playing characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Cypress Alpha-R generates good speed, particularly for active topspin play from mid-distance. The single-ply Hinoki construction with tight grain provides solid pace, positioning it as a mid-fast to fast blade that doesn't sacrifice too much control for its power.
This blade excels in control, often rated higher than its speed. The sensitive feel of the premium Hinoki wood and the balanced construction facilitate precise shot-making, consistent blocking, and reliable short-game play, making it a standout for players who prioritize placement.
Players report a unique Hinoki feel that is medium-soft to medium. It offers a pleasant, sensitive touch that is a bit firmer than one might expect from a pure Hinoki blade, providing good feedback without being excessively soft.
The combination of Hinoki wood and its speed profile suggests a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for creating powerful, penetrating topspin shots with good arc and consistency.
The single-ply Hinoki construction provides good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This enhances spin potential and contributes to the controlled, connected feel that benefits topspin-oriented play.
As a single-ply Hinoki blade, it offers moderate flexibility. This balance between stiffness and flex supports effective power transfer for drives while also aiding control and dwell time for spin generation.
Hinoki wood provides a moderate level of vibration, offering clear feedback to the player without being harsh. This contributes to the blade's overall controlled feel and responsiveness during play.
Butterfly's use of premium Kiso Hinoki wood and expert craftsmanship results in a high-quality product. While single-ply Hinoki can be delicate, the build quality is generally excellent, offering a refined finish and consistent performance that players expect from a top-tier blade.
Technology
Cypress Alpha-R is built from a singular, high-grade veneer of Kiso Hinoki, a premium Japanese cypress known for its tight grain, lightness, and resonant properties. This traditional single-ply construction emphasizes the wood's natural characteristics, providing a direct connection to the ball and a sensitive touch. Butterfly's meticulous selection and processing ensure the blade delivers the classic feel, power, and feedback that penhold players seek from a pure wood blade.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Cypress-R
Butterfly Cypress-R is frequently mentioned as a very similar alternative, often distinguished by minor differences in feel or finish. Both are single-ply Kiso Hinoki J-pen blades, making the Cypress-R a direct performance counterpart if specific aesthetic or tactile preferences differ.
Butterfly Cypress Alpha-S
Cypress Alpha-S is another variant within the same series. Players note a close performance profile, with the Alpha-R showing not too much loss of speed in comparison. Both share the premium Kiso Hinoki construction and are designed for similar penhold playstyles.