Weight
80g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
155x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Fukuhara Ai Special
Butterfly Fukuhara Ai Special is a 5-ply hybrid blade built for aggressive offensive play. It combines Hinoki outer plies and a Kiri core with two Tamca 5000 Carbon fiber layers, creating a lively feel that balances speed with impressive control. The blade excels at spin generation, offering a soft touch and noticeable vibration feedback that connects you to every shot. Its compact head size enhances maneuverability, making it ideal for fast-paced rallies and powerful attacks from the front to mid-distance. Players seeking a dynamic weapon for looping and attacking strategies will find this blade a compelling partner.
This 5-ply hybrid construction sandwiches two Tamca 5000 Carbon layers between Hinoki outer plies and a Kiri inner ply. The structure is engineered to enhance speed and power while providing a relatively soft feel and good dwell time. The carbon layers add stiffness and a larger sweet spot without making the blade overly rigid.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Fukuhara Ai Special is consistently rated as a fast blade, placing it at the higher end of the speed spectrum. Our testing shows it outperforms blades like the Primorac Carbon in raw pace, making it ideal for driving aggressive attacks and thriving in fast rallies where quick offensive transitions are key.
Despite its high speed, this blade offers a very good level of control. Players report it remains manageable for those who can handle its pace, allowing for precise ball placement and tactical play. The blend of materials provides a stable platform that doesn't sacrifice accuracy for power.
The blade delivers a softish and smooth feel with a noticeable, communicative vibration from the carbon layers. This provides a good connection to the ball, allowing players to clearly sense its trajectory and the spin being imparted during strokes.
Fukuhara Ai Special produces a medium-high throw angle, especially when paired with dynamic rubbers. This characteristic contributes to the high, arcing trajectory on loops and topspin drives, supporting its aggressive, offensive playing nature.
Fukuhara Ai Special provides excellent dwell time. Its flexible construction and wood plies create a sensational feeling of ball grip, helping players time their strokes effectively and generate significant spin, which is a major asset for loop-oriented attacks.
This blade offers a medium level of flexibility, providing more flex than some stiffer carbon alternatives. This flex aids in opening up angles on shots, contributes to the excellent dwell time, and is particularly helpful when playing from a deeper position off the table.
A noticeable vibration feedback is present, characteristic of its hybrid construction with Tamca 5000 Carbon. This medium-level vibration provides players with valuable tactile information about ball contact, aiding in shot execution and fine control.
Fukuhara Ai Special exhibits the excellent build quality and precision manufacturing TTSensei experts associate with Butterfly blades. Attention to detail in its construction contributes to consistent performance, reliable durability, and the overall premium feel expected from this tier of equipment.
Technology
Fukuhara Ai Special utilizes an 'Innerfiber' construction with two Tamca 5000 Carbon fiber layers positioned close to the core. This technology aims to deliver high reactivity and extended dwell time, facilitating powerful offensive play while maintaining passive control. The strategic placement of carbon between Hinoki outer plies and a Kiri inner ply creates a unique blend of speed, flexibility, and tactile feel. This design enhances spin generation, expands the sweet spot, and provides the distinct vibration feedback that supports aggressive looping and fast counter-attacks.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Primorac Carbon
Primorac Carbon is a frequent point of comparison. Fukuhara Ai Special is generally considered to have a slightly less aggressive speed profile than the Primorac Carbon but offers more dwell time and a distinct feel due to its specific construction. Both are hybrid blades suited for offensive players seeking power.
Butterfly Mizutani Jun
Fukuhara Ai Special is also compared to the Mizutani Jun blade. Our analysis indicates the Fukuhara Ai Special is faster while maintaining a similar level of flexibility. This highlights its position as a fast and flexible offensive option within the lineup for aggressive playstyles.