Friendship/729 Blue ALC
Blade description:
The 729 Blue Arylate Carbon (ALC) is a composite blade featuring a 5+2 construction. Utilizing a Koto outer ply, followed by an ALC layer, a Limba secondary ply, and a Kiri core, this blade follows the classic outer-carbon structural layout. It offers a stiff, controlled, and balanced playing experience, serving as a versatile option for players transitioning from all-wood blades to composites.
Playing Characteristics
- Speed and Feel: The blade provides a balance of speed and control suitable for play in the first and second zones. It exhibits a crisp, slightly stiff feel with a manageable amount of vibration. Users report a medium-low throw angle, which facilitates accuracy on flat hits and controlled topspin arcs.
- Spin and Versatility: The blade is capable of generating significant rotation, making it a reliable choice for looping. Its performance is highly adaptable, accommodating a wide range of rubber types, including tensor, hybrid, and tacky Chinese rubbers.
- Balance and Weight: The weight typically ranges from 88g to 95g. The blade is noticeably head-heavy, which contributes to its power on offensive shots, though it may require specific technique adjustments for backhand flicks.
Construction and Handling
- Physical Build: The blade has a thickness of approximately 5.6mm to 5.9mm. Users should note that the handle is designed to be quite thin, which may require adjustments—such as grip tape—for players with larger hands.
- Quality Considerations: While the blade is highly regarded for its performance-to-price ratio, the manufacturing quality is standard for its category. Some users may find that minor finishing, such as sanding the edges of the neck or handle, is required for a more comfortable grip. Applying wood varnish is recommended to protect the blade face given the nature of the wood veneers.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — June 2025
The 729 ALC blade is a fairly affordable option for a blade with ALC carbon. While there may be concerns about the quality of the workmanship (requiring varnish application and exhibiting a lack of grinding), the price makes it an attractive choice.
The blade’s construction is similar to that of the Viscaria, Fan Zhendong, Yinhe Pro 01, and Sanwei 75 ALC (Koto/ALC/Limba/Kiri). All these blades share a similar layout, but each possesses its own unique characteristics. The weight of the 729 ALC varies, typically ranging from 88-95g, differing from some copies. The handle is generally comfortable, although some users may find it too thin. The blade thickness ranges from 5.7-5.9mm, featuring a carbon outer layer.
The blade offers a pleasant, albeit subtle, vibration, with a minimal contact area with the ball. In terms of speed, it aligns with the range of blades mentioned earlier. It provides good control, consistent with other blades of similar construction. The stiffness falls within the range of 1370-1430Hz.
The 729 ALC performs well in both the first and second zones, and its performance in the third zone is dependent on the rubbers used. It pairs well with a variety of rubbers, including tensor, hybrid, and Chinese rubbers.
#2 — June 2025
The blade can be heavy; mine weighs 95 grams.
It spins well but requires slightly more rotation on the ball when executing strokes compared to some all-wood blades I’ve tried. Direct shots are still effective, and the control is good. The arc is long, and the sweet spot is regular. It is pronouncedly head-heavy. I sanded off some sharp edges, but the overall quality seems excellent.
The handle is quite small and thin. Those with larger palms may find it uncomfortable, and grip tape may be necessary.
Overall, this is an excellent and super affordable ALC blade. Highly recommended.
Update 2024: It lacks power when played away from the table. This is the only drawback of this blade for me.
#3 — June 2025
I’ve been using this blade since February 2024. It’s very similar to a Viscaria. The FL handle is quite thin, and for larger hands, it can be a little uncomfortable. It’s a shame there isn’t an ST handle option available.
It has a good feeling, and the ALC (Arylate-Carbon) is well-formed with a quality weave.
I tested it with Tenergy 05 Hard on the forehand (FH) and Butterfly Rozena on the backhand (BH).
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