Butterfly Outerforce CAF Blade Review
The Outerforce CAF is Butterfly's outer-fiber composite blade at 83g with CA Fiber, rated 8.0/10 speed and 8.0/10 control at $135 for intermediate players.
· Updated
Specifications
| Composition | 3W + 2 CA Fiber |
| Plies | 5 |
| Weight | 83g |
| handleType | FL |
| bladeThickness | 5.7mm |
| speedClass | ALL+ |
| reaction | 11.3 |
| vibration | 9.1 |
| Top Thickness | 6.3mm |
| headSize | 157x150mm |
Outer Fiber Placement Changes Everything
The Outerforce CAF uses the same CA Fiber material as the Timo Boll CAF but positions those fiber layers in the outer plies instead of the inner plies. Both blades rate identical 8.0/10 speed and 8.0/10 control. The difference is in how the ball feels leaving the blade. Outer placement creates a firmer, more immediate contact sensation. Drives and flat hits launch with crisp directness. Inner-fiber blades like the Timo Boll CAF produce a softer, slightly delayed feel as the ball sinks into the blade before releasing.
At 83g, the Outerforce CAF weighs 2g more than the Timo Boll CAF’s 81g. Butterfly introduced the Outerforce series in 2025 as a complement to their inner-fiber lineup, giving players a choice between two distinct contact characteristics at the same performance level.
Priced at $135, the Outerforce CAF costs $30 more than the Timo Boll CAF. The Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro, a competing outer-fiber blade, sells for $100-130 with a comparable allround profile. Butterfly’s pricing reflects the newer design and the CA Fiber material cost.
Choosing Between Inner and Outer Fiber
Players who hit through the ball with compact, punchy strokes prefer outer fiber. The hard contact feel rewards direct timing where the wrist snaps forward at the moment of impact. Loop-dominant players who brush over the ball with extended contact often prefer inner fiber’s softer feel, which gives the ball more time on the rubber surface.
Testing both blades side by side reveals the difference within minutes. Push a ball into the table with each blade. The Outerforce CAF produces a sharper, shorter sound. The Timo Boll CAF produces a deeper, slightly longer sound. That audio difference maps directly to how each blade transfers energy.
The Viscaria at $150-190 with Arylate-Carbon offers a significant speed jump beyond either CA Fiber blade. Players ready for 9.0/10 speed should skip the Outerforce CAF entirely and move to a full carbon composite. The Outerforce CAF serves players who want composite consistency without composite speed, a specific niche that all-wood blades like the Hadraw 5 cannot fill.
Related Blades
What does outer fiber placement change?
Outer-placed CA Fiber sits closer to the blade surface, creating a harder initial contact feel and more direct power transfer compared to inner-fiber blades. The ball leaves the blade faster on flat hits while spin generation remains similar.
Is the Outerforce CAF worth $30 more than the Timo Boll CAF?
Both rate 8.0/10 speed and 8.0/10 control. The Outerforce CAF's outer fiber placement creates a crisper, more direct feel on drives. Players who prefer a harder contact sensation justify the $30 premium; others save money with the Timo Boll CAF.