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There's been tons of questions going around in fragmented places, but I feel like there's not a good central thread with answers. Since I have one of both, figured I'd make a little review here.
What's the difference between Korbel EU and Korbel Japan?
Finishing
There's a lot of consensus about Japan having a nicer, smoother finish. I agree. In fact, first thing I noticed is much smoother blade edges, as well as blade surface. The handle on Japan is buttery smooth too.
Don't get me wrong though, the EU is hardly trash. For €40-50 it's a great blade for value, even with the finish being just "OK".
Head size
I've heard conflicting stories here, so I'll keep it at this: the two blades I have, have a small difference in head size. The Japan is ever so slightly smaller, but the difference is so small you could still transfer rubbers without issue.
Handle shape
It's a little harder to compare because I have an Anatomic EU and a Flared Japan. I did opt for the Anatomic because the Flared EU handle felt very small when testing in the store. The Japan's FL is a little wider than what I remember the EU FL to be. The Japan's FL is a bit flat, which is a matter of taste I guess. I've gotten used to both handles.
Composition
Here's one I didn't expect! But the difference is clear: The EU has a thicker core ply by about 0.4-0.5mm over the Japan. So the Japan measures about 3mm, and the EU measures about 3.45mm on the core ply.
The medial plies are the same thickness between the two variants, as well as the total thickness of the blade. So evidently, the top ply of the Japan is significantly thicker. Measurements with my digital calipers at this level are too inaccurate, I'll leave it at the top ply looking approximately twice as thick on Japan as it is on EU.
Feeling
How do you quantify this? Well, you don't. Still, plenty of difference.
I've played other Limba/Limba/Ayous blades (Donic Appelgren Allplay Senso, as well as Waldner Allplay Senso, plus a few I have tested shortly), and I'm convinced they have different identities. Both Korbels however feel like they are the same blade, despite the differences among them. Korbel has significant feedback on the index finger, as supported by TTGearLab. This is also why a small handle is OK on this blade: you don't get much feedback through the handle, anyway.
The Japan version feels more solid (or, less hollow) and the EU version has much more of a *plonk* sound to it. (To be fair, with medium-hard EU rubber that sound is a lot less pronounced than with Hurricane 3 on it.)
Other points
I have two lighter versions, and head-heaviness really isn't an issue with either of them. The balancing point isn't more than a few (1-3) mm off my other bats. There aren't really any other clear or significant differences between the two blades in my opinion. I can switch between the two and only know which one I'm using by handle shape and sound, other than that there's nothing that isn't adjusted two within 2-3 balls.
There's two main reasons I prefer the Japan: the finishing and the more solid feeling. However, if you pick a decent weight EU (up to your preference) you'll have a blade that feels like a Korbel, plays like a Korbel, and looks like a Korbel.
What's the difference between Korbel EU and Korbel Japan?
Finishing
There's a lot of consensus about Japan having a nicer, smoother finish. I agree. In fact, first thing I noticed is much smoother blade edges, as well as blade surface. The handle on Japan is buttery smooth too.
Don't get me wrong though, the EU is hardly trash. For €40-50 it's a great blade for value, even with the finish being just "OK".
Head size
I've heard conflicting stories here, so I'll keep it at this: the two blades I have, have a small difference in head size. The Japan is ever so slightly smaller, but the difference is so small you could still transfer rubbers without issue.
Handle shape
It's a little harder to compare because I have an Anatomic EU and a Flared Japan. I did opt for the Anatomic because the Flared EU handle felt very small when testing in the store. The Japan's FL is a little wider than what I remember the EU FL to be. The Japan's FL is a bit flat, which is a matter of taste I guess. I've gotten used to both handles.
Composition
Here's one I didn't expect! But the difference is clear: The EU has a thicker core ply by about 0.4-0.5mm over the Japan. So the Japan measures about 3mm, and the EU measures about 3.45mm on the core ply.
The medial plies are the same thickness between the two variants, as well as the total thickness of the blade. So evidently, the top ply of the Japan is significantly thicker. Measurements with my digital calipers at this level are too inaccurate, I'll leave it at the top ply looking approximately twice as thick on Japan as it is on EU.
Feeling
How do you quantify this? Well, you don't. Still, plenty of difference.
I've played other Limba/Limba/Ayous blades (Donic Appelgren Allplay Senso, as well as Waldner Allplay Senso, plus a few I have tested shortly), and I'm convinced they have different identities. Both Korbels however feel like they are the same blade, despite the differences among them. Korbel has significant feedback on the index finger, as supported by TTGearLab. This is also why a small handle is OK on this blade: you don't get much feedback through the handle, anyway.
The Japan version feels more solid (or, less hollow) and the EU version has much more of a *plonk* sound to it. (To be fair, with medium-hard EU rubber that sound is a lot less pronounced than with Hurricane 3 on it.)
Other points
I have two lighter versions, and head-heaviness really isn't an issue with either of them. The balancing point isn't more than a few (1-3) mm off my other bats. There aren't really any other clear or significant differences between the two blades in my opinion. I can switch between the two and only know which one I'm using by handle shape and sound, other than that there's nothing that isn't adjusted two within 2-3 balls.
There's two main reasons I prefer the Japan: the finishing and the more solid feeling. However, if you pick a decent weight EU (up to your preference) you'll have a blade that feels like a Korbel, plays like a Korbel, and looks like a Korbel.
