Butterfly Hadraw VR Blade Review
The Hadraw VR is Butterfly's heavy 5-ply all-wood blade at 89g, delivering 8.5/10 speed and 7.5/10 control at $90 for intermediate offensive players.
· UpdatedSpecifications
| Composition | 5W all-wood |
| Plies | 5 |
| Weight | 89g |
| handleType | FL |
| bladeThickness | 5.8mm |
| speedClass | OFF |
Heavyweight All-Wood Offense
The Hadraw VR weighs 89g, making it one of the heavier 5-ply all-wood blades in Butterfly’s lineup. That mass serves a purpose. On contact, the blade stays stable through hard impacts where lighter blades wobble or deflect. Counter-drives against fast incoming loops feel planted. Blocks redirect pace back to the opponent without the blade twisting in the hand.
Speed reaches 8.5/10 with 7.5/10 control, numbers identical to the lighter Falcima. The difference shows up in how each blade achieves that speed. The Falcima relies on stiffness and a thick body. The Hadraw VR uses raw mass and a 5.9mm body to generate momentum. Players who swing with arm strength rather than wrist snap benefit from the Hadraw VR’s weight carrying through contact.
At $90, the Hadraw VR costs more than entry-level offensive blades but less than any carbon composite. The JOOLA Rossi Emotion, a comparable all-wood offensive blade, sells for $80-100 with similar speed characteristics. Butterfly’s build quality and consistent weight distribution justify the price for players who plan to keep this blade through multiple rubber changes.
Who Benefits from the Extra Weight?
Players with developed technique and physical strength get the most from 89g. Junior players and those with wrist injuries should consider the Balsa Carbo X5 at 72g instead. The Hadraw VR rewards a compact, efficient stroke where the blade’s mass generates power without requiring a large backswing.
Blocking specialists and counter-drivers will notice the biggest advantage. The Viscaria at 87g with carbon delivers more top-end speed, but the Hadraw VR’s all-wood construction produces a softer, warmer feel on touch shots. Players who value ball feedback over raw pace find the Hadraw VR a more comfortable offensive weapon.
Why is the Hadraw VR heavier than other 5-ply blades?
The Hadraw VR's 5.9mm thick body and dense wood selection push weight to 89g. Most 5-ply blades weigh 80-85g. The extra mass stabilizes the blade during blocking and counter-driving at speed.
Is the Hadraw VR better than the Falcima?
The Hadraw VR costs $16 more and weighs 7g heavier at 89g versus 82g. Both rate 8.5/10 speed. The Hadraw VR blocks better due to its mass; the Falcima swings faster due to its lighter weight.