Weight
85g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
154x148
Handles
ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Senkoh 90
Butterfly Senkoh 90 is a specialized table tennis blade crafted from a single ply of Kiso Hinoki wood, designed for players seeking a pure wood feel with offensive capabilities. Its 9.0mm thickness and high-quality Hinoki construction provide a substantial sweet spot and direct feedback. This blade is celebrated for its excellent control and dwell time, allowing for precise placement and spin generation, particularly for aggressive looping and controlled attacking play. It is an ideal choice for players who value a classic wood feel and a blade that offers both power and finesse, originating from Japan and embodying Butterfly's commitment to quality craftsmanship.
A single ply of Kiso Hinoki wood provides a pure wood feel, excellent dwell time, and natural flex.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Senkoh 90 offers a good speed rating for an all-wood, single-ply blade. While not as fast as composite blades, its speed is considered excellent for controlled attacking play and looping, especially when paired with modern rubbers. Its offensive capabilities are noted as OFF+.
Control is a standout feature of the Senkoh 90. Players consistently praise its high level of control, making it easy to place the ball accurately and execute delicate shots like blocks and pushes. This is attributed to the natural feel and dwell time of the single-ply Hinoki construction.
Senkoh 90 has a soft, pleasant wood feel characteristic of single-ply Hinoki blades, offering a good connection with the ball and ample feedback.
The combination of Hinoki wood and a thicker profile (9.0mm) typically results in a medium-high to high throw angle, beneficial for looping and clearing the net with ease.
The blade's single-ply Hinoki construction provides significant dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the wood. This is crucial for generating spin on serves and loops, as well as for maintaining control during rallies.
Single-ply Hinoki blades, especially at this thickness, tend to have a good degree of flex. This flex contributes to the dwell time and the ability to generate power through the blade's natural springiness.
Senkoh 90 is noted for its low vibration, contributing to a clean feel and enhanced control. This lack of excessive vibration allows players to feel the ball clearly without discomfort, aiding in precise shot execution.
As a Butterfly product made in Japan, Senkoh 90 possesses excellent build quality. The premium Kiso Hinoki wood is carefully selected and shaped, resulting in a durable and aesthetically pleasing blade that performs consistently.
Technology
Butterfly Senkoh 90 is a testament to traditional blade-making techniques, focusing on the inherent qualities of a single material. Its construction relies solely on the natural properties of Kiso Hinoki wood, a revered material in table tennis for its lightness, strength, and characteristic feel. The blade's 9.0mm thickness maximizes the impact of this single ply, creating a substantial and responsive hitting surface. This minimalist approach emphasizes pure wood performance, eschewing the complex layers and composite materials found in modern blades to deliver a classic, direct playing experience.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Senkoh Special 90 S
This is essentially the same blade, with 'S' likely denoting a specific variant or simply part of the model name. It is either the same or a very similar iteration of the Senkoh 90.
Darker Speed 90
Darker is another highly respected Japanese manufacturer known for its single-ply Hinoki blades. Darker Speed 90 is a contemporary and similar blade that appeals to players looking for the same characteristics of speed, control, and pure Hinoki feel as Butterfly Senkoh 90.