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The Butterfly Chinese AL table tennis blade combines classic Chinese aggression with a more modern feel that is suitable for all-round players seeking high-level spin and control. The 5-ply construction features Ayous plies sandwiched between two layers of arylate carbon, resulting in a blade that offers a perfect balance of power, precision, and agility.
The Ayous core provides a solid foundation for all strokes, delivering a crisp, responsive feel with excellent ball control. This responsiveness makes it ideal for executing quick counterattacks and aggressive topspin shots. The arylate carbon layers enhance the blade's speed and power, enabling players to generate devastating shots without sacrificing control.
With a speed rating of 9 and a control rating of 7.8, the Butterfly Chinese AL blade is well-suited for both offensive and defensive playstyles. It provides ample spin and power for attacking shots, while maintaining excellent control for precise placements and counter-attacks. The blade's stiffness rating of 7 and hardness rating of 7.2 indicate that it is relatively stiff and hard, which contributes to its overall power and speed.
The Butterfly Chinese AL blade weighs approximately 94 grams and has a thickness of 7mm. Its moderate weight and balance make it comfortable to wield for extended periods of time, reducing fatigue and allowing players to maintain their focus during intense matches.
Based on forum reviews, the Butterfly Chinese AL blade is highly regarded among table tennis players for its exceptional spin and control capabilities. Its blend of power and precision makes it an excellent choice for players looking to dominate the table with aggressive topspin play and precise placements. The blade's durability and longevity are also praised by users, making it a worthwhile investment for serious table tennis enthusiasts.
In summary, the Butterfly Chinese AL table tennis blade is a versatile and high-performance option that caters to the needs of all-round players seeking a combination of spin, control, and power. Its classic Chinese design, modern materials, and excellent craftsmanship make it a top choice among players of all skill levels.
I bought this blade because it was rated for excellent control while retaining the speed of an offensive paddle.
They told the truth.
The Chinese AL is everything Butterfly says it is.
Paradoxically fast and controllable.
Before reading the review, please take note:
Chinese AL is a quality blade. Rated by Butterfly as 9 in speed or “OFF”, it is definitely a fast blade that can block (with contempt) strong attacks from your opponent. However, it is a little slower than my previous OFF++ blade, but I don’t mind too much. I gave up just a little speed to gain a LOT of control.
Butterfly’s claims that Chinese AL is for “modern heavy topspin style of play” is right on. Opponents tell me that though my loops are just as fast, a little higher, but the spin is tremendous. It is indeed “a perfect choice for topspin players looking to add some speed,” as BUTTERFLY says in the product description.
In fact, I am beginning to consider now that though this blade is slower than my previous OFF++ blade, my attacks have actually become faster. Now how did that happen? Because now, I can swing hard for a topspin and still see the ball hit the opponent’s side of the table. With the OFF++ blade, if I swing hard, the ball would fly away like a homerun – unless I hit slower and control my attack.
In the end, the fast speed of my OFF++ blade had become counterproductive. I had to slow down my attacks to ensure that the ball would come in. In contrast to this, the Chinese AL may be slower but it allows me to attack all out and still see the ball coming in. In the end, the slower blade makes my attack more dangerous and lethal.
I also noticed that now, I have a much, much greater variety of serves in my arsenal. This is something that I could not do with my previous OFF+ blade. When I want to increase the spin of my serves, I can just increase wrist action and the ball would still hit my opponent’s half of the table. With the OFF++ blade, increasing wrist action on my serves meant the ball goes long and my opponent wins a point.
Craftsmanship is also excellent . . . typically BUTTERFLY.
What are the cons? The only con I see is that Chinese AL is heavy. Or to be more accurate, it is head-heavy. As a penholder, I have only one pips-in rubber on the forehand side and a 0.5 mm sponge long-pips on the other side so that should be relatively light. But it feels like there are two thick rubbers attached to the blade and since I grip the blade with just 3 fingers, it feels like those fingers are going off when I swing. But I’ve gotten used to it.
Also, BUTTERFLY claims it is Medium feel. But I think it is stiff.
Another con is that it is expensive at $140 including shipping. But hey, why should you scrimp on a sport you love so much? A blade will be your constant companion for years. I recon that if I use it for 7 years, then it just cost me $20 per year. Not bad…
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.