Butterfly Freitas ALC
Blade description:
This blade features a 5+2 construction, utilizing a composite Arylate Carbon layer paired with limba outer veneers. Designed for an offensive playing style, it is characterized by a notably soft feel and significant flex, which promotes a long dwell time. Its performance profile emphasizes high control and spin generation over raw speed, making it well-suited for controlled looping and technical ball placement.
Performance Characteristics
- Feel and Dwell: The blade is consistently described as having a soft, wood-like touch that provides excellent feedback. The flexibility of the construction allows for a pronounced catapult effect, which aids in creating heavy spin during topspin rallies.
- Trajectory and Speed: The trajectory is generally high, offering a medium-to-high arc. While fast enough for effective offensive play at various distances, it is less aggressive and slower than rigid carbon blades like the Timo Boll ALC or Viscaria.
- Compatibility: The blade performs best when paired with European-style tensor rubbers. Users frequently note that it may not be ideal for hard, tacky Chinese rubbers, which can struggle to match the blade’s softer, flexible character.
- Handling: The flared handle is often noted for having a thick, slightly squared geometry, which may require an adjustment period for some players. Due to its flexible nature, the blade rewards refined brushing technique and footwork, though some users find the softer touch makes aggressive short-game shots, such as backhand flicks, more challenging compared to stiffer alternatives.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — March 2024
Muy liviana y con muchísimo control. Tiene buena velocidad a media distancia y excelente a corta distancia. No es para principiantes. Para jugar con long pips, va bien para el ataque. Toma muy buenos efectos en el servicio.
#2 — March 2023
Blade: Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
Type: Off+
Speed: 9.0
Control: 8.5
Weight: 85g
Thickness: 5.8mm
Handle: Flared
Plies: 5 (Kiri, Ayous, Ayous, Carbon, Kiri)
Review:
The Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is a popular blade among professional table tennis players. It is known for its excellent combination of speed and control. The blade is made from a combination of Kiri, Ayous, and Carbon, which gives it a good balance of power and touch.
The blade is slightly thicker than average, which gives it more stability but also makes it slightly heavier. The flared handle is comfortable to hold and provides a good grip.
Overall, the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is a great blade for players who want a combination of speed and control. It is a good choice for both offensive and defensive players.
#3 — February 2023
I already have two copies of this blade, one with a weight of 87 grams and one with 91 grams, but their characteristics are almost identical. I personally like to pair these blades with softer and medium-hard rubbers, as they provide me with the desired feel and rotation. I specifically use Joola Dynaryz ACC on the forehand and Joola Dynaryz CMD on the backhand.
I appreciate these blades for their soft feel when topspinning, but I have recently reached a level where I require a blade that is better suited for a short game and backhand flicks, which I find challenging with this blade. As a result, I am considering switching to a different and slightly faster blade, such as the Viscaria or Lin Gaoyuan ALC.
Overall, I recommend this blade to players who prefer a soft feel when topspinning and desire greater comfort in open rallies.
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