Weight
93.5g
Thickness
6.75mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Korbel SK7
Butterfly Korbel SK7 is a 7-ply all-wood offensive blade that masterfully blends speed with control. Its relatively soft feel provides a comfortable, classic wood touch, making it versatile for various strokes. The construction delivers good reaction and low vibration for consistent performance. While slightly heavier than average, its well-balanced weight distribution supports powerful topspin play from mid to long distances. This blade is a popular choice for players transitioning to offensive styles or anyone seeking a reliable, versatile all-wood option.
A traditional 7-ply all-wood construction featuring Limba for the outer plies and Ayous for the inner plies. This combination is known for providing a good balance of speed, control, and a soft, elastic feel, typical of 'Clipper-type' blades.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Korbel SK7 is considered one of Butterfly's fastest all-wood blades, offering significant speed for offensive play. While slower than carbon composites, its 7-ply construction and 6.7-6.8mm thickness provide ample power for drives and smashes, particularly effective from mid-distance.
Despite its offensive capabilities, Korbel SK7 offers a high level of control thanks to its soft wood construction and effective vibration dampening. This allows for precise placement in blocks and drives, and makes it forgiving when handling spinny serves.
Korbel SK7 delivers a soft touch even at high speeds, offering a good connection with the ball that lets players feel the spin and placement—a characteristic often missing in harder, faster blades.
The combination of speed and dwell time allows Korbel SK7 to generate a medium-high throw angle, ideal for looping and topspin shots that arc over the net and dip onto the opponent's side.
The soft wood construction and 7-ply layers allow for moderate dwell time, enabling players to impart significant spin during loops and topspin shots, which is crucial for generating heavy spin.
While the 7-ply construction provides stiffness for speed, Korbel SK7 retains a degree of flexibility due to its wood composition. This allows for good flex during loops, enhancing spin potential.
Korbel SK7 features low vibration, contributing to a controlled feel and stable performance during play. This dampening effect helps players maintain consistency and confidence in their shots.
Manufactured in Japan with renowned high standards, Korbel SK7 exhibits excellent build quality. The all-wood construction is robust and durable for its class, though players should still avoid careless play near the table to prevent damage.
Technology
Butterfly Korbel SK7 embodies traditional craftsmanship with its pure 7-ply wood construction, emphasizing a classic wood feel and natural elasticity without modern composite materials. The specific choice of Limba for the outer plies and Ayous for the inner plies contributes to its characteristic soft touch, controlled vibration, and ability to generate significant spin. This design is an evolution of the popular 'Clipper-type' construction, optimized for modern offensive play, particularly with larger ball sizes. Its consistent performance and balanced feel make it a reliable choice for players seeking a dependable all-wood offensive blade.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kristian Karlsson
While not his current primary blade, Kristian Karlsson has used the Korbel SK7 in the past, particularly in discussions comparing 7-ply blades. This highlights its suitability for a high-level offensive and spin-oriented playing style, aligning with his aggressive, spin-heavy tactics. The blade's ability to generate heavy spin and its controlled feel would complement such a game.
Similar Blades
Stiga Clipper Wood
Stiga Clipper Wood is a widely recognized 7-ply all-wood blade sharing many similarities with Korbel SK7. Both are 'Clipper-type' blades known for offensive capabilities and pure wood feel. Our testing shows the SK7 might be slightly softer with more dwell time for spin, while the Clipper can feel a bit harder and faster for smashing. Both are excellent choices for players seeking a versatile, all-wood offensive blade.
Butterfly Petr Korbel
Butterfly Petr Korbel is a 5-ply all-wood blade, often seen as a predecessor to the 7-ply SK7. While both are Butterfly all-wood offensive blades, the SK7 with its extra two plies generally offers more speed and a stiffer feel. Players report the Petr Korbel might provide a softer touch and more control for finesse and placement, making the SK7 typically the faster option.