Weight
82g
Thickness
8.1mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Nitchugo Super
Butterfly Nitchugo Super, also known as Senkoh 5, is a specialized Japanese penhold blade built for players who favor pimples-out rubbers. It delivers a crisp, direct feel perfect for powerful drives and precise blocks executed close to the table. The blade's well-balanced construction and fastback-shaped grip facilitate smooth transitions between forehand and backhand strokes. While a classic choice for precision-oriented attackers, it is less optimized for the dwell time and spin generation of inverted rubbers.
The 5-ply construction features Hinoki outer plies for a blend of control and distinctive feel, sandwiching a balsa core. Balsa wood is known for its lightness and stiffness, which contributes significantly to the blade's speed and crisp response, particularly beneficial for short-pip players.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Nitchugo Super is a fast blade, particularly for short pips hitters. The stiff balsa core contributes significantly to its speed, enabling powerful drives and quick punches that excel in an offensive, close-to-the-table game.
Despite its speed, this blade offers excellent control for players using pimples-out rubbers. The crisp, direct feel aids in precise placement for drives and blocks, providing confidence for aggressive shots near the table.
Nitchugo Super provides a direct and crisp feel. The combination of Hinoki and stiff balsa wood creates a medium-hard sensation with minimal flex, offering distinct feedback on ball contact.
The combination of speed and the typical characteristics of balsa wood with short pips suggests a medium-high throw angle, which facilitates powerful attacking shots.
Dwell time is relatively short, which is characteristic of blades optimized for pimples-out play. This design favors quick, powerful shots over prolonged, spin-heavy exchanges.
This is a very stiff blade, offering minimal flex. This characteristic is a key benefit for aggressive, close-to-the-table play with short pips, promoting a direct and powerful shot execution.
The blade transmits a moderate level of vibration, providing clear feedback to the player without being overly harsh. The stiffness of the balsa core contributes to this sensation.
Our assessment, based on player feedback and Butterfly's manufacturing reputation, indicates good quality and durability for its price point. It is a well-constructed blade that performs reliably for its specific playing style.
Technology
Butterfly Nitchugo Super embodies traditional Japanese penhold design principles, emphasizing a direct feel and speed suited for specific rubber types. Its performance is achieved through a deliberate material selection: Hinoki outer plies for control and a distinctive feel, sandwiching a stiff balsa core that provides the power and crispness essential for pimples-out offensive play. This classic wood composition makes it a favored tool for players relying on a fast, precise game close to the table.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Hyun Jung Hwa
The legendary South Korean penhold player's aggressive style, often employing short pimples, aligns perfectly with the Nitchugo Super's strengths. The blade's speed and control would have enabled her powerful drives and precise blocks executed close to the table, contributing to its reputation among short-pip specialists.
Kim Ki Taek
Another prominent South Korean penhold attacker, Kim Ki Taek favored this type of blade with short pimples. His style of aggressive attacks and precise placements benefits from the Nitchugo Super's direct feel and speed, allowing effective execution of signature shots.
Kim Wan
Kim Wan, a notable South Korean penhold player, is also associated with the Nitchugo Super for use with short pimples. His aggressive, close-to-the-table game thrived on the blade's direct feedback and power, enabling consistent pressure on opponents.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Hinoki Pen Neutrino
The Butterfly Hinoki Pen Neutrino is noted as a very similar Japanese penhold blade, sharing a focus on control. A key difference is its longer head size. However, it has been discontinued, making the Nitchugo Super a primary contemporary choice in this specialized blade category.