Weight
87.3g
Thickness
8mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
159x149
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Kazan
Butterfly Kazan is a 5-ply all-wood table tennis blade released in 1990, known for its thick yet compact head. It balances speed and control for attacking players, featuring a balsa core between walnut and hinoki outer plies. This construction delivers a unique feel and consistent power, offering excellent control and spin potential. While not as fast as modern carbon blades, the Kazan provides a reliable, classic playing experience ideal for players who value precision and a traditional touch.
This 5-ply construction features soft Hinoki outer plies for touch and feel, a balsa core for lightness and vibration dampening, and walnut inner plies to balance speed and control. The combination aims to offer good dwell time for spin generation.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kazan offers respectable speed in the OFF- to OFF category. It provides enough power for effective attacking shots, especially with fast rubbers, but isn't designed for extreme speed like modern carbon blades. The blade delivers a controlled trajectory perfect for spin-oriented attacks, making it a reliable choice for players who prioritize placement over raw power.
Control is a significant strength of the Kazan. Its construction creates a stable platform for precise placement and consistent stroke execution. The blade's feel lets players gauge ball contact and make micro-adjustments easily. This makes it ideal for players who value accuracy and consistency in their game, offering confidence during both defensive and offensive maneuvers.
Kazan delivers a medium feel that balances stiffness and flexibility. The balsa core creates a unique sensation with noticeable but not overwhelming vibration, providing excellent ball feedback. This medium feel allows for good control during short game and effective power during heavy topspin strokes.
The material combination suggests a medium-high throw angle. This provides good looping trajectories, making it easier to clear the net and execute attacking topspin shots with both arc and power.
The combination of soft Hinoki outer plies and balsa core results in good dwell time. This lets the ball sink into the blade longer, enabling players to impart significant spin on shots—a characteristic highly valued by spin-focused offensive players.
The blade sits in the medium flexibility range. It's not overly stiff like some carbon blades, allowing flex during powerful strokes to aid spin generation and feel. Yet it maintains enough stiffness for consistent attacking play, offering a balanced response across different shot types.
Kazan doesn't vibrate excessively for an all-wood construction. The balsa core helps dampen harsher vibrations, creating a more controlled feel compared to harder, faster blades. This contributes to overall control and comfortable play during extended sessions.
Players report satisfaction with the Kazan's build and performance. The use of quality woods like Hinoki and Walnut suggests solid construction, and its consistency receives high praise. While specific manufacturing details are limited, the blade's reputation for reliability and good craftsmanship supports this rating.
Technology
Butterfly Kazan embodies classic blade design focused on natural wood synergy. Its 5-ply configuration features a balsa wood core flanked by walnut layers and finished with Hinoki outer plies. This combination balances the softness and dwell time of Hinoki and balsa with the structural integrity of walnut. The design creates exceptional feel and control for spin-oriented play while providing enough power for offensive maneuvers. This philosophy reflects a period when manufacturers explored wood properties to optimize performance before composite materials became widespread.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Cresail
Butterfly Cresail plays very similarly to the Kazan, sharing classic wood-based construction and playing characteristics. However, it's also no longer in production, making it another discontinued option for players seeking this particular feel and performance profile.