Weight
85g
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
8030
Friendship 8030 is a powerful offensive blade designed for aggressive attacking play. It's widely recognized as a close replica of the Butterfly Sardius, offering high speed and a large sweet spot at a more accessible price point. Built with carbon layers, this blade delivers a stiff, fast response ideal for powerful loops and drive shots from mid-distance. It suits players who prioritize raw power and offensive capability in their game.
Based on its design as a Sardius clone and carbon blade classification, the construction is a symmetrical 5-ply build with carbon layers placed between wood plies. This structure creates a stiff, powerful core while maintaining a traditional feel through the outer wood surfaces.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is exceptionally fast, designed for maximum offensive output. The carbon layers create a stiff, responsive feel that translates to high ball velocity on drives and loops. Players will notice immediate power, especially when executing full-stroke attacks from mid-distance.
Control is moderate, reflecting the blade's primary focus on speed. You'll need a consistent, well-developed technique to place shots accurately while leveraging its power. It performs reliably for aggressive strokes but offers less forgiveness for delicate touches or short game finesse.
You'll experience a firm, direct connection with the ball thanks to the carbon reinforcement. The feel is crisp and stiff, transmitting less vibration than all-wood blades, which some players appreciate for its clarity on powerful shots.
The throw angle is medium-high, creating a strong, arcing trajectory on loops and drives. This helps generate good clearance over the net while maintaining aggressive ball speed, ideal for topspin-oriented attacks.
Dwell time is sufficient for generating heavy spin on full strokes, particularly during away-from-the-table loops. The large sweet spot helps maintain ball contact, allowing players to load the ball with topspin effectively during aggressive attacks.
The blade is quite stiff with minimal flex, a characteristic of its carbon construction. This rigidity contributes directly to its high speed and powerful, catapult-like effect on offensive strokes.
Vibration is moderately low due to the carbon layers, which dampen the feedback compared to pure wood blades. This results in a cleaner, more direct sensation on impact, especially during hard hits.
Build quality is good for its category, offering solid performance at a budget-friendly price point. While it may not match the finish of premium blades, it provides reliable construction that holds up well to regular play. Many players find it represents excellent value for its offensive capabilities.
Technology
Friendship 8030 utilizes carbon fiber integration within its ply construction to enhance performance. This hybrid technology increases blade stiffness, expands the sweet spot, and boosts overall speed. By emulating the design principles of high-end blades, it aims to deliver professional-level offensive characteristics—particularly in power and direct ball response—while maintaining accessibility for dedicated club players and attackers.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Sardius
The Butterfly Sardius is the direct inspiration and performance benchmark for the Friendship 8030. It offers a similar stiff, powerful carbon feel with potentially higher-grade materials and craftsmanship, representing the premium-tier version of this playing style.
Friendship 8010 Carbon
Within the Friendship lineup, the 8010 Carbon presents another offensive carbon option. While specific performance nuances may vary, it shares the brand's approach to delivering speed and power through hybrid construction, serving as a sibling model for players exploring budget-friendly carbon blades.