Weight
82.5g
Thickness
5.4mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
158.5x153
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Grubba Variant
Butterfly Grubba Variant is a classic 5-ply all-wood blade designed for players who value a balance of control and offensive capability. Named after the legendary Polish player Andrzej Grubba, it delivers excellent feedback and easy handling, making it a favorite for developing players and all-rounders. This blade provides a forgiving playing experience with a great feel for the ball, enabling precise placement and consistent performance across all strokes. It excels in controlled offense, passive chops, and blocks, serving as a versatile foundation for building a complete game. Its reputation as a 'do-it-all' blade highlights its suitability for a wide range of styles and its enduring popularity.
The blade features a traditional 5-ply all-wood construction, characteristic of many classic table tennis blades. This construction typically results in a more flexible and controlled feel compared to composite blades, with good vibration feedback that enhances player connection. The exact wood types are not specified, but this layered design is known for providing balanced performance across different strokes.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Grubba Variant is classified as an ALL+ blade, offering a speed rating above pure all-round but below dedicated offensive blades. It provides a noticeable increase in speed compared to slower all-round options, enabling effective attacking shots. However, it generally remains slower than modern composite blades, focusing on controlled offense rather than raw power, making it suitable for players who want to attack without sacrificing touch.
Control is a primary strength of the Grubba Variant. Its 5-ply all-wood construction provides exceptional feel and feedback, allowing players to gauge ball contact precisely. This high level of control benefits developing players learning technique and all-round players who rely on placement, consistency, and tactical variation. Many users report spectacular control characteristics that make the blade forgiving and easy to handle.
Grubba Variant delivers a medium-hard feel with good vibration feedback. This vibration is considered positive, enhancing the player's connection to the ball and aiding in shot execution. It provides a classic wood-blade feel that many prefer over the dampened sensation of some composite blades, offering a distinct tactile experience.
With its all-wood construction and flexibility, Grubba Variant typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This is advantageous for generating spin on loops and drives, providing a good arc that can trouble opponents and keep the ball on the table, especially when paired with modern rubbers.
The 5-ply all-wood construction and medium-hard feel contribute to good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade surface. This facilitates spin generation on serves and loops while providing more control during passive shots like chops and blocks, making it particularly spin-friendly.
As a 5-ply all-wood blade, Grubba Variant is generally considered flexible. This flexibility supports good dwell time and contributes to its control and spin-oriented characteristics, making it suitable for a wide range of strokes from powerful loops to delicate chops.
This blade exhibits a notable amount of vibration, perceived positively by many users. This vibration enhances feedback, allowing players to feel ball contact and make precise adjustments. It contributes to the classic feel and offers a distinct connection between player and ball, though some may find it more pronounced than other blades.
The blade is generally regarded as having good build quality, contributing to consistent performance and durability. The all-wood construction is typically well-executed, offering a pleasant feel. However, some players note variations in workmanship depending on manufacturing origin, which can lead to slight inconsistencies compared to other high-end blades.
Technology
Butterfly Grubba Variant embodies classic table tennis blade design through a time-tested 5-ply all-wood construction. This traditional approach eschews modern composite materials, focusing instead on wood's inherent qualities to deliver exceptional feel and control. Manufacturing emphasizes consistent ply bonding and balanced weight distribution, engineered to provide excellent vibration feedback for intimate connection with the ball at impact. While specific wood types aren't disclosed, the ply synergy creates a forgiving sweet spot and predictable response across a wide spectrum of strokes, making it a stalwart for all-round play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Andrzej Grubba
Andrzej Grubba, a legendary Polish table tennis player, famously used this blade throughout his career. Known for exceptional all-round capabilities, particularly his strong backhand loop and ability to control games with precision and variation, the Grubba blade perfectly complemented his style. It offered the fantastic control, excellent feel, and versatility needed for his dynamic game, allowing him to execute everything from defensive chops and blocks to offensive topspins and smashes, making it integral to his success and a testament to its all-round performance.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Primorac
Butterfly Primorac is another classic 5-ply all-wood blade sharing many characteristics with Grubba Variant. Both are highly regarded for control, feel, and all-round capabilities, making them popular choices for developing players and those preferring traditional wood blades. While performance differences can be subtle depending on individual rubbers and technique, both offer excellent feedback and forgiving nature as solid all-round platforms.
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is a benchmark in the all-round category, similar to Grubba Variant. Both are 5-ply all-wood constructions prioritizing control and feel. The Stiga Allround Classic is often praised for superb touch and consistency, ideal for players developing technique and all-round games. Like Grubba Variant, it offers a good balance of speed for controlled offense and sufficient dwell time for spin generation.