Weight
86g
Thickness
7.25mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
161x150
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Yoshida Kaii
Butterfly Yoshida Kaii is a 7-ply all-wood Chinese penhold blade engineered for fast, close-to-the-table attacking play. Developed with professional player Kaii Yoshida, it delivers a hard feel and low throw angle, enabling rapid drives and precise counter-attacks. Its construction prioritizes speed and control, making it a durable and consistent weapon for players who want to overwhelm opponents with an aggressive, front-court style. The blade is particularly suited for intermediate to advanced penhold attackers seeking immediate response and power.
The blade features a symmetrical 7-ply all-wood construction, typically described as Limba-Ayous-Ayous-Ayous-Ayous-Ayous-Limba. This dense layering of wood contributes directly to its stiffness, hard feel, and high speed, characteristic of traditional Chinese penhold blades designed for aggressive play.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Yoshida Kaii is rated very highly for speed, delivering strong offensive capability. Its dense 7-ply all-wood construction provides significant power for fast drives and counter-attacks, making it ideal for players who want to dictate the pace and play an aggressive, front-court game.
Despite its high speed, the blade offers excellent control for a fast-attack oriented design. This balance allows players to execute precise shots and maintain consistency in their offensive game, providing confidence during aggressive rallies.
Yoshida Kaii delivers a hard and stiff feel upon ball contact. This direct, responsive feedback comes from its dense 7-ply wood construction, providing a solid and immediate sensation for players.
The blade consistently produces a low throw angle, a defining trait that supports its role in close-to-the-table, quick attacking. This allows players to keep aggressive shots low and fast over the net.
The blade features a relatively low dwell time, characterized by a low ball throw. This trait is beneficial for close-to-the-table play, allowing for fast attacks and quick shot execution without excessive ball holding.
Yoshida Kaii is a very stiff blade. This rigidity is central to its fast-paced offensive character, offering a solid, unyielding platform for generating powerful shots with minimal flex.
A high vibration rating means the blade transfers significant feedback to the player's hand. This creates a more sensitive and informative feel for ball contact, though some players may prefer a dampened sensation.
Butterfly maintains high manufacturing standards, and Yoshida Kaii reflects this with excellent build quality. Players report durable construction and reliable performance over time, thanks to careful material selection and consistent craftsmanship.
Technology
Butterfly Yoshida Kaii utilizes a traditional 7-ply all-wood lamination technique. This method layers seven individual wood veneers—specifically Limba and Ayous—to create a blade that balances speed, control, and a distinct hard feel. The specific arrangement of these woods is key to achieving the stiffness and low throw angle crucial for generating high-speed shots. Butterfly's meticulous manufacturing ensures each blade delivers consistent quality and the performance characteristics ideal for fast-paced, close-to-the-table attacking play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kaii Yoshida
Kaii Yoshida, the Chinese-born Japanese professional player, helped design this blade to complement his fast, close-to-the-table attacking style using a Chinese penhold grip. The blade provides the speed and control necessary for his powerful drives and quick transitions, engineered to facilitate immediate response and precision, which aligns perfectly with his offensive strategy.
Similar Blades
Avalox P700
Avalox P700 is noted for its similar construction and performance profile. Both are 7-ply all-wood blades with a hard, stiff feel suited for fast attacking play. This makes the P700 a compelling alternative for players who enjoy the Yoshida Kaii's characteristics but are exploring other options.
Butterfly Chinese Real
Butterfly Chinese Real is a comparable blade for players seeking a similar Chinese penhold experience. Like the Yoshida Kaii, it is designed for aggressive, close-to-the-table play, emphasizing speed and control, making it a viable alternative within the same playing style.