Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC

Scoring Breakdown

Aspect	Rating	Explanation
Speed	4.0	Fast enough for professional play, but more controlled than ZLC or SZLC blades.
Control	5.0	Excellent placement and stability, great for looping and counterplay.
Feel / Vibration	4.0	Slightly soft, clean feedback typical of ALC blades, great for touch shots.
Sweet Spot	4.0	Large and forgiving, though not as wide as SZLC or ZLC variants.
Dwell Time	4.0	Good dwell time, perfect for generating heavy spin on loops and serves.
Build Quality	5.0	Premium Butterfly craftsmanship with flawless finish and balance.

Build Quality and Design
The Fan Zhendong ALC continues Butterfly’s legacy of precision craftsmanship. Its design features outer ALC layers for enhanced responsiveness and a Koto outer ply, known for its crisp feel and speed. The handle is smooth, ergonomically shaped, and well-balanced across FL and ST options. Weight distribution is neutral, allowing for quick transitions between forehand and backhand strokes without feeling sluggish.

On-Table Performance

• Loops & Counterloops: This blade excels in loop play. The combination of medium stiffness and dwell time makes it easy to brush up the ball and generate heavy topspin with high arc. Counterloops feel very stable, especially at mid-distance, offering a solid balance of speed and safety.
• Blocks & Drives: Blocking with this blade is predictable and clean, and drives feel solid with enough bite to challenge opponents. Though it doesn’t deliver the raw punch of ZLC blades, the control more than compensates for players who prefer placement over brute force.
• Smashes & Flat Hits: With proper technique, flat hits and smashes are precise and powerful, though not as explosive as with Fan Zhendong ZLC or Sardius. You’ll need good timing to maximize finishing shots.
• Short Game & Serves: Pushes, flicks, and short serves are easy to control thanks to the blade’s softness and feedback. You can vary spin and placement confidently, setting up attacks with consistency.

Comparisons to Similar Blades

• Vs. Fan Zhendong ZLC: ALC offers better touch and dwell, while ZLC gives more speed and larger sweet spot. ALC is more forgiving.
• Vs. Viscaria: Similar composition, but Fan Zhendong ALC feels slightly stiffer with a crisper rebound. It’s tailored for a more aggressive game.
• Vs. Innerforce ALC: Innerforce has a softer feel and more dwell due to inner carbon; FZD ALC is faster, crisper, and better for closer-to-table attacks.

Rubber Compatibility
Due to its medium hardness and controlled speed, it pairs well with:

• Tacky rubbers: e.g., DHS Hurricane 3 Neo, Yinhe Big Dipper (adds dwell and spin)
• Medium-hard tensors: e.g., Butterfly Dignics 05, Xiom Omega VII Pro, Tibhar Evolution MX-D

Suitable Playing Styles and Experience Levels

• Ideal for: Intermediate to advanced two-winged loopers, spin attackers, and modern all-rounders
• Not ideal for: Beginners or ultra-defensive players
• Best suited for those who want a balance between spin, feel, and speed without sacrificing control

Price-to-Performance Value
Priced around $160–$190, the Fan Zhendong ALC sits in the premium tier, though slightly below the Super ZLC variant. For players seeking elite control and spin without sacrificing speed, it represents excellent long-term value.

If you’re a serious offensive player aiming for precision looping and modern control, the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC is a worthy contender for your next setup. Explore trusted retailers and current offers below.

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