Butterfly Feint Soft – Stability-Oriented Long Pips Rubber
Butterfly Feint Soft is a stability-focused long pips table tennis rubber, designed for defensive players who value control, resistance to opponent spin, and the ability to execute precise strokes. With soft, flexible pips, an ultra-soft sponge, and precise Japanese engineering, Feint Soft delivers high stability, effective defense, and the ability to generate strong backspin or spinless returns. Made in Japan and ITTF-approved, this rubber is an excellent choice for close-to-table players and chop stroke specialists, especially with 40+ plastic balls.
Key Features:
• Rubber type: Long pips
• Speed: 55/100
• Spin: 55/100
• Control: 65/100
• Stability: 8/10
• Variation: 2/10
• Sponge hardness: 25° (super soft)
• Sponge thicknesses: 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm
• Colors: Red, black
• Country of origin: Japan
• Approval: ITTF approved
Butterfly Feint Soft stands out with a design focused on stability and control, meeting the needs of the modern defensive playing style:
• Ultra-soft sponge (25°): The sponge is extremely soft (rated 25° on Butterfly’s scale, roughly 30–35° on the ESN scale), offering exceptional ball feel and high control. Its porous, lightweight structure efficiently absorbs the opponent’s power, making it easier to perform chop strokes, chop-blocks, and close-to-the-table blocks. Compared to Butterfly Feint Long III (also 25°), Feint Soft has similar hardness but provides less variation (2/10) and more stability (8/10).
• Long pip top sheet: The top sheet features soft, flexible pips optimized for stable defense and high resistance to opponent spin. The pips are thin and densely spaced, allowing effective returns of topspin as heavy backspin or spinless shots ("flat" returns). The sheet is durable, wear-resistant, and designed for plastic balls. Compared to Feint OX (no sponge), Feint Soft’s pips are similar, but the sponge adds more control and a softer feel.
• Pip geometry: The long pips are designed to ensure high stability (8/10) and limited spin variation (2/10). Their flexibility makes it easy to manipulate incoming spin, returning topspin as backspin or controlled spinless shots. Compared to Feint Long II, Feint Soft is less disruptive but more controllable, ideal for players who prioritize stability.
• No High Tension technology: Unlike Feint AG, Feint Soft does not use High Tension technology, resulting in lower speed and a natural, defense-oriented feel. This gives more stability in chops and blocks but limits attacking effectiveness.
Sponge thickness options – 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm:
• 1.1 mm: Ideal for controlled close-to-table defense
• 1.3 mm: Balanced defensive play
• 1.5 mm: More aggressive chops with slightly higher speed
This lightweight rubber (~55 g uncut, ~35–40 g cut) is comparable to TSP Curl P4 or Nittaku Pimplemini. Available in red and black, in compliance with ITTF standards. Butterfly recommends using Free Chack glue or Chack Sheet for assembly.
Technical characteristics tailored for stable defensive play:
• Speed: 55/100 – A slow rubber suitable for chops, chop-blocks, and close-to-table blocks. Compared to Feint Long II (62.5/100), Feint Soft is slower and control-oriented rather than offensive.
• Spin: 55/100 – Generates strong backspin, effective for chop strokes and chop-blocks. The soft pips help manipulate opponent spin. Compared to Feint Long III (spin 6.8/10), Feint Soft has less spin but greater stability.
• Control: 65/100 – High control for a long pips rubber, ensuring stability during chops, chop-blocks, and close blocks. Compared to Feint OX (control not specified, ~4/10), Feint Soft offers significantly higher control due to its soft sponge.
Trajectory:
Low and stable with controlled backspin – ideal for chopping and blocking close to the table. Disruption effect is minimal (variation: 2/10), but the pips ensure reliable trajectories, suitable for aggressive defenders. Users highlight the rubber’s “stability” and “control,” especially when blocking topspin shots.
Butterfly Feint Soft pairs well with defensive and allround blades:
• Butterfly Innershield Layer ZLF – Maximizes feel and control for chop strokes
• Butterfly Hadraw Shield – Enhances stability, suited for classic defense
• Butterfly Petr Korbel – Balances defense and light offense
• Butterfly Gionis Carbon Allround – Adds stability and control for aggressive chopping
Also compatible with other defensive blades like the Stiga Defensive Pro, where the soft sponge and flexible pips help offset a blade’s hardness, enhancing overall control. Users recommend Feint Soft on the backhand side with a 1.1 mm sponge for maximum close-table control or 1.5 mm for greater spin at mid-to-long distance. The rubber is optimized for plastic balls, effectively returning opponent spin.
Butterfly Feint Soft is ideal for defensive players prioritizing stability and control:
• For advanced defenders seeking rubber that resists opponent spin and speed
• For high-level players playing close to the table or chopping from mid-distance
• For close-to-table defense: blocks, chop-blocks, spinless strokes
• For long-distance chopping: heavy backspin and controlled returns
This rubber is highly effective for close-table blocking (8.8/10) due to its stability and spin resistance. For chopping (8.6/10), it generates strong backspin, especially from distance. For chop-blocks (8.5/10), it offers precision and control. Spinless strokes (8.0/10) add a slight disruptive effect. Compared to Feint Long III, Feint Soft is more stable but less disruptive. Users praise its “control” and “resistance to topspin,” though note its limited attacking potential.
Butterfly Feint Soft stands out as a stable long pips rubber:
• Speed (55/100) – suited for chops and blocks
• Spin (55/100) – generates strong backspin
• Control (65/100) – ensures defensive shot stability
• Soft pips – high spin resistance, controlled trajectories
• Ultra-soft sponge – maximum feel and control
• Japanese craftsmanship – ITTF-approved, made with Butterfly’s expertise
Compared to TSP Curl P4, Feint Soft is more stable and controlled with similar spin effects. Compared to Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker, it offers greater control but less disruption. Users repeatedly emphasize its “stability” and “control,” especially for blocking at the table.
Butterfly Feint Soft is ITTF-approved and suitable for high-level and advanced competition play, especially for defenders who emphasize stability and control. Its resistance to opponent spin makes it easy to return topspin, while its strong backspin effectively disrupts opponents during chop play. The soft pips and sponge allow for a soft, controlled feel, making Feint Soft a favorite among defensive players who value precision and consistency over disruptive spin effects. While it may not be ideal for offensive play, it excels in its defensive role, particularly in blocking and chopping scenarios.
Butterfly Feint Soft – Defensive Control with Long Pips Precision
Designed with the modern defender in mind, Feint Soft delivers unmatched stability and feel.
• Type: Long pips rubber for modern defensive play
• Speed: 55/100 – low speed suited for controlled defense
• Spin: 55/100 – reliable backspin generation with reduced variation
• Control: 65/100 – excellent handling, especially in chops and blocks
• Stability: 8/10 – consistent and predictable in returns
• Variation: 2/10 – limited deceptive effects, favoring reliability
• Sponge Hardness: 25° (very soft)
• Sponge Thickness Options: 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm
• Colors: Red, Black
• Made in: Japan
• Approval: ITTF approved for official competition
Why Choose Feint Soft?
If you're a defensive player looking for a long pips rubber that excels in control, stability, and predictable backspin, Butterfly Feint Soft is a reliable choice. Ideal for both close-to-the-table blocks and deep-distance chops, this rubber helps players neutralize offensive pressure with finesse. While it sacrifices some deception and offensive capability, it more than makes up for it with a precise, consistent performance that serious defenders can depend on.