Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC vs Butterfly Hadraw SR: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Butterfly Hadraw SR | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| feel | Crisp and direct with noticeable dwell on contact; slightly softer arc than Viscaria Super ALC | firm, crisp, high rebound with woody dwell |
| handle | Flared (FL), Straight (ST), Anatomic (AN) — notably thicker grip than Viscaria | FL / AN / ST |
| plies | 5 wood plus 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — Koto / ALC / Limba / Kiri / Limba / ALC / Koto | 7-ply all wood |
| speed | OFF | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.7mm | 6.6 |
| weight_g | 87-92g typical | 91 |
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Fan Zhendong ALC delivers Viscaria-class ALC performance with a thicker, more comfortable handle for players with larger hands. The outer arylate-carbon construction provides proven offensive capability, grabs the ball with outstanding dwell time, and releases heavy spin. Build quality is world-class and consistent, with proven performance on loopers and attackers. Hadraw SR is a discontinued 7-ply all-wood blade offering genuine OFF+ speed from pure wood construction, featuring Wenge outer veneers that deliver satisfying pop with more dwell than comparable carbon blades.
Hadraw SR’s appeal lies in tactile feedback and wood resonance; however, rubber pairing becomes critical—hard rubbers cause premature flight before spin develops. Fan Zhendong ALC removes pairing variables with proven compatibility across tacky Chinese to high-tension European rubbers. For intermediate-to-advanced shakehand players wanting controllable outer-ALC performance and forgiving 100-percent-power play, Fan Zhendong ALC is the clear modern choice. Hadraw SR attracts advanced attackers seeking pure wood feel and willing to accept limited availability and critical rubber matching.
FAQ
Why is Hadraw SR discontinued?
Limited manufacturing and market niche drove discontinuation. Hadraw SR remains available only on the secondary market at variable prices.
How important is rubber pairing for Hadraw SR?
Critical. Hard or thick rubbers cause the ball to fly before spin develops. Best paired with soft-to-medium rubbers like Tenergy 05-FX or Dignics 09C.
Which feels more forgiving at full power?
Fan Zhendong ALC stays on the table with heavy topspin at 100 percent. Hadraw SR requires precise technique to avoid over-hits, especially with incompatible rubbers.
What about hand size compatibility?
Fan Zhendong has a noticeably thicker handle than Viscaria, suiting larger hands. Hadraw SR has a standard handle with less customization for hand size.
How do vibration profiles differ?
Hadraw SR delivers comfortable woody resonance and lively feedback. Fan Zhendong feels crisp and direct with slightly softer arc than Viscaria Super ALC.