Weight
86g
Thickness
7.25mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x150
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Taksim
Butterfly Taksim is a specialized Chinese Penhold blade celebrated for its blend of speed, control, and a distinctive soft feel. It incorporates Arylate Carbon fibers within its construction, designed to provide both flexibility for ball-catching and power for aggressive shots. This blade is crafted for offensive players who favor close-to-table play, emphasizing quick exchanges and powerful forehand attacks. Its unique construction delivers a consistent playing experience, making it a favored choice for many dedicated CPH players.
Taksim features a 5-wood + 2 Arylate Carbon construction. The outer Ayous plies provide a solid base, while the inner Arylate Carbon layers are strategically placed to enhance flexibility, ball dwell time, and speed. The Balsa center ply is known for its lightweight properties and vibration dampening, contributing to the blade's soft feel and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Taksim is considered a fast blade, suitable for offensive play. Our testing shows its speed rating is consistently high, attributed to the Arylate Carbon layers that enhance power and acceleration on shots. This makes it effective for fast attacks and aggressive rallies.
Despite its speed, Taksim offers good control, particularly for hitting. The soft feel and significant dwell time allow players to manage the ball effectively. However, many players find the high throw angle can make blocking more challenging.
Taksim is characterized by its soft feel, with players often reporting little to no vibration. This characteristic is attributed to the Balsa core and the specific placement of the Arylate Carbon layers, which contribute to a comfortable and connected feel with the ball.
Taksim is noted for having a high throw angle. This can be beneficial for looping and offensive shots, allowing the ball to clear the net easily, but it may require adjustment for players who prefer a flatter trajectory, especially for blocking.
The blade offers a good amount of dwell time, which is beneficial for generating spin and maintaining control during rallies. The Arylate fibers contribute to this by holding the ball slightly longer upon impact.
The blade exhibits a medium level of flexibility. While the Arylate Carbon provides some inherent stiffness for power, the wood plies and construction allow for sufficient flex to engage the ball effectively for spin and control.
A consistent observation is the minimal vibration associated with the Taksim. This contributes to its soft feel and can be advantageous for players sensitive to shock, though some may find it slightly harder to judge ball contact.
Players report high satisfaction with the build quality of the Taksim, noting its durable construction and consistent performance over time. The use of premium materials like Arylate Carbon and quality wood plies contributes to its high-quality reputation.
Technology
Butterfly Taksim employs an Arylate Carbon composite construction, a technology pioneered by Butterfly. This involves embedding ALC fibers between wood layers. Arylate fibers offer flexibility and shock absorption, akin to natural fibers, while Carbon fibers provide stiffness and speed. This combination allows the Taksim to deliver a unique playing experience: the Arylate helps in catching the ball for spin and control, while the Carbon ensures a powerful rebound for offensive shots. The blade also features a Balsa wood center ply, known for its lightness and vibration-dampening qualities, further contributing to its soft feel and control.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Lin Gaoyuan
Lin Gaoyuan is a professional Chinese table tennis player who has been associated with Butterfly blades. TTSensei experts note that wood similar to that used in the Taksim is utilized by top players like Lin Gaoyuan, suggesting its suitability for elite CPH players.
Zhang Jike
World Champion Zhang Jike is also associated with the same wood as found in the Taksim. This highlights the blade's pedigree and suitability for high-level, offensive play, even if he may have used other blades throughout his career.
Similar Blades
Yinhe Pro 02
Yinhe Pro 02 is explicitly designed as an affordable alternative to the Butterfly Taksim, particularly for offensive Chinese Penhold players. It shares a similar 5+2 Arylate-Carbon construction and is also exclusively available in a penhold style, aiming to replicate the Taksim's feel, speed, and stability.
Butterfly Viscaria
While Viscaria is a shakehand blade and Taksim is a penhold blade, comparisons are made due to their shared Arylate Carbon technology. Many players describe Taksim as a 'softer Viscaria' or a 'penhold Viscaria,' indicating a similar feel and offensive capability, though Taksim is noted for being softer and potentially having a thicker inner core.