Butterfly Falcima Blade Review
The Falcima is Butterfly's stiff 5-ply all-wood blade at 82g, rated 8.5/10 speed and 7.5/10 control, priced at $74 for intermediate offensive players.
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Specifications
| Composition | 5W all-wood |
| Plies | 5 |
| Weight | 82g |
| handleType | FL |
| bladeThickness | 5.8mm |
| speedClass | OFF |
| reaction | 10.9 |
| vibration | 9.7 |
| Top Thickness | 6mm |
| headSize | 157x150mm |
A Stiff All-Wood Blade Built for Direct Offense
The Falcima delivers 8.5/10 speed from a pure 5-ply wood construction without any composite fiber layers. At 82g with a thick 6.0mm body, this blade transfers energy directly into the ball on flat hits and fast loops. Players who prefer hitting through the ball rather than brushing over it will notice the difference immediately.
Butterfly positions the Falcima as an intermediate offensive blade, and the stiff feel supports that categorization. Hard drives land deep on the table with pace. Blocks feel solid because the blade absorbs less energy than thinner, more flexible alternatives. The tradeoff is reduced dwell time on spin-heavy loops, where a softer blade like the Hadraw 5 gives the ball more time on the rubber surface.
At $74, the Falcima undercuts many competing 5-ply offensive blades. The STIGA Allround Classic, a popular all-wood alternative, sells for $60-80 but plays significantly slower at around 6.0/10 speed. Players stepping up from a pre-made paddle who want real offensive capability without carbon stiffness get strong value here.
Rubber Pairing and Playing Recommendations
Pair the Falcima with medium-speed rubbers to keep the setup controllable. Butterfly Rozena on both sides adds spin without pushing the total speed past what an intermediate player can handle. Using a fast rubber like Tenergy 05 on the forehand creates a high-speed combination that demands precise timing on every stroke.
The Falcima works best for players rated between 1200 and 1800 USATT who play a direct, attacking game. Its stiff construction punishes passive play. Choppers and blockers who rely on touch and placement should look at the Diode V instead. Aggressive intermediate players who want all-wood feel with real offensive output will find the Falcima hits above its $74 price point.
How does the Falcima compare to the Hadraw 5?
The Falcima hits harder with 8.5/10 speed versus the Hadraw 5's 8.0/10. It weighs 3g less at 82g. The Hadraw 5 offers better control at 8.0/10, making it more forgiving on off-center hits.
Is the Falcima good for looping?
The Falcima favors flat hits and fast drives over spin-heavy loops. Its 6.0mm thick body produces a stiff feel that rewards direct contact but reduces the dwell time needed for heavy topspin.