Butterfly Viscaria

its much heavier lol. learned that after holding one with t64 on both sides. it is a very sold blade and very very powerful only recommended for around 1900(maybe even 2000)+ players.

xake wrote: i think the blade itself is nearly the same, it's a bit heavier and not that stiff as the tbs. the flared viscaria handle is a bit thicker than the tbs flared handle. speed is nearly the same. the tbs is just an "improved" version of the viscaria, it's the blade which timo boll used before his tbs. some people even say that he just switched the handle and still uses the viscaria ;)

thanks for the info!
so it basically makes no sense to buy it because it is very similar to my tbs but on the other hand it would also not affect my game negatively...

It is not similar to TBS. Viscaria feel is quite different from TBS - it is softer, with better control in shorter game. Plays much better than TBS with medium-hard and hard rubbers.

Viscaria & TBS are similar in term of plies composition. The only difference is their thickness, 5.8mm vs 5.7mm. I'm talking about both the older versions.

They are not that different. Outer layers are different and Viscaria is a little heavier on average with different handle shape.  I have played with Viscaria for years but could switch to TBS and would be playing exactly the same in less than a week.  

got mine today, feels really good, especially the flared handle! :)
will play with it tonight! :)

people on tt-news.de say that it's not true that viscaria has balsa. they said it's an urban legend ;)

eecrive wrote: different wood, the central layer or Viscaria is Balsa.. TBS is not.. Viscaria very low throw, TBS medium high Viscaria soft but stiff, TBS hard but some flex personally i prefer Viscaria.

That is completely wrong. Viscaria's core is NOT balsa. Throw is almost same on both blades. Both feel soft but stiff when looping.

I know that description of BTY USA. But I know the difference between balsa and kiri. Trust me it's not balsa.

This must be the most confussing thread on describing a blade ever. It seems every post stating a fact is disputed by the next post, so is it balsa in the middle? Is it similar to TBS? Can somebody who is 100% sure about this blade answer the questions? 

None taken. And I trust what I see.

geotjakra wrote: This must be the most confussing thread on describing a blade ever. It seems every post stating a fact is disputed by the next post, so is it balsa in the middle? Is it similar to TBS? Can somebody who is 100% sure about this blade answer the questions?

I have played with the Viscaria for more than five years and own a bunch of them (but not 10, see below) that it plays quite similarly to the TBS except that on average it is just a little  bit heavier and maybe a little softer and a tad bit faster.  The handle shape is different.  Also, although I am told that straight handle Viscarias have been made they are pretty much impossible to find so that if you want one it has to be flared.  As for what wood is in the center ply, I honestly don't know how to tell one wood from another, but I really don't think it's balsa unless it is a fairly hard variety.  Looking at them in front of me, the center ply of Viscaria and TBS look exactly the same to me.  It is the outer ply that is different.  I am not sure I would trust Butterfly USA to know what their blades are made of.  Maybe someone who can read Japanese can to to the "home" website.

Both are great blades.  I prefer Viscaria to TBS but like I said, I could switch over easily enough if I had to.  I would be willing to be bet that if I used one of my TBS in a match, my opponents would not be able to tell the difference, although I might feel a bit weird about it for a day or two.

Some other crazy guy who owns 10 of each agrees with me. 

http://www.tabletennisforum.gr/forum_posts.asp?TID=3074&PN=2

karabijntje wrote: Hey speaquinox, didn't you play with a Korbel? Can I ask why you have decided to switch to a TBS?

Just for fun :). Baracuda is quite a dwelly and slowish rubber. Just wanted to try it on a bit faster and stiffer blade. So far it's nice.

speaquinox wrote: karabijntje wrote: Hey speaquinox, didn't you play with a Korbel? Can I ask why you have decided to switch to a TBS? Just for fun :). Baracuda is quite a dwelly and slowish rubber. Just wanted to try it on a bit faster and stiffer blade. So far it's nice.

Ok, thanks. Maybe i'll give baracuda a try sometime, seems like a nice rubber from what i've read here.

addoydude wrote: Baal wrote:   Looking at them in front of me, the center ply of Viscaria and TBS look exactly the same to me.  It is the outer ply that is different.    What is the outer ply of Viscaria? Not Koto?

Everywhere I look they say Viscaria has koto outer plies and balsa center.

karabijntje wrote: addoydude wrote: Baal wrote: � Looking at them in front of me, the center ply of Viscaria and TBS look exactly the same to me.� It is the outer ply that is different.� � What is the outer ply of Viscaria? Not Koto? Everywhere I look they say Viscaria has koto outer plies and balsa center.

I looked at the link given by Baal. The guy who had 10 Viscarias and 10 TBS said they both have Koto outer plies and composition is the same. And he said further that if you cover up the handle and the markings, you would not be able to tell the blades apart.