Weight
86g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
163x135
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Senkoh Special 90
Butterfly Senkoh Special 90 is a revered single-ply Hinoki wood blade, celebrated for its exceptional feel and control. Crafted from premium Kiso Hinoki wood, it offers a unique combination of a soft touch and a lively response, making it suitable for players who value precision and a deep connection with the ball. Its 9.0mm thickness provides a solid foundation for powerful shots, while its inherent flexibility allows for excellent dwell time, aiding in spin generation and controlled rallies. This blade is a testament to Butterfly's mastery in producing high-quality, traditional wooden blades that remain relevant in the modern game.
A single-ply construction using premium Kiso Hinoki wood, renowned for its unique feel, speed, and control. This simple yet effective design focuses on the natural properties of the wood to deliver performance.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Senkoh Special 90 offers a moderate speed well-suited for controlled attacking play. While not exceptionally fast, it provides enough power for effective topspins and smashes when combined with modern rubbers. Its speed is more about feeling the ball and precise execution rather than raw power, aligning with a manufacturer rating that reflects its balanced profile.
Control is a significant strength of Senkoh Special 90. Its soft feel and substantial dwell time allow for exceptional placement and manipulation of the ball, making it ideal for precise blocks, serves, and short game tactics. Players report a high level of confidence in their touch shots and rally consistency.
Senkoh Special 90 has a characteristically soft feel, a hallmark of single-ply Hinoki blades. This soft touch provides excellent ball feedback and a deep sense of connection, which is crucial for players who rely on feel for spin and placement. The wood absorbs impact gently, creating a smooth, responsive sensation.
The combination of its wood composition and thickness tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for generating steep spin on topspin shots and effective looping play.
The single-ply Hinoki construction and 9.0mm thickness contribute to a long dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the blade, enabling players to generate significant spin and execute precise, controlled shots with enhanced touch.
While not extremely flexible, the single-ply Hinoki construction offers a noticeable degree of flex. This contributes to its dwell time and spin-generating capabilities, allowing players to bend the ball effectively during topspin strokes and loops.
Senkoh Special 90 is known for its low vibration, providing a clean and direct feel of the ball. This minimizes distracting vibrations, allowing for more accurate shot execution and a more comfortable playing experience, often described as almost vibration-free.
Butterfly is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, and Senkoh Special 90 is no exception. The use of premium Kiso Hinoki wood ensures excellent durability and a consistent playing experience over time. Our testing shows it maintains its performance characteristics well, representing a top-tier traditional blade.
Technology
Butterfly Senkoh Special 90 exemplifies traditional blade craftsmanship, utilizing a single-ply construction of premium Kiso Hinoki wood. This approach harks back to the roots of table tennis equipment, focusing on the inherent qualities of a single natural material to achieve optimal performance. Butterfly's expertise in selecting and processing high-grade Hinoki wood ensures a blade with a distinct soft feel, ample dwell time, and precise control. Unlike modern composite blades that rely on artificial materials for enhanced speed and stiffness, this blade's technology lies in maximizing the natural potential of wood, offering a pure and authentic playing experience centered on touch and finesse.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Senkoh Special 92
Butterfly Senkoh Special 92 is another single-ply Hinoki blade from the same series. While it may have slightly different performance ratings, such as higher speed and slightly lower control, it shares the same core material and construction philosophy. This offers a similar feel and emphasis on control for players who appreciate traditional wooden blades, making it a logical alternative within the family.
Butterfly Senkoh Special 95
Butterfly Senkoh Special 95 is a related blade within the Senkoh series, also likely featuring a single-ply Hinoki construction. While detailed specifications are scarce, it's part of the same family, suggesting similar playing characteristics centered around feel and control. It may differ primarily in subtle performance metrics like speed or dwell time, providing another option for enthusiasts of this classic design.