Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Crisp and direct with noticeable dwell on contact; slightly softer arc than Viscaria Super ALC | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | Flared (FL), Straight (ST), Anatomic (AN) — notably thicker grip than Viscaria | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5 wood plus 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — Koto / ALC / Limba / Kiri / Limba / ALC / Koto | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.7mm | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 87-92g typical | 88 |
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Both run ALC and OFF speed, but Zhang Jike (8.7) emphasizes soft, flexible carbon character with exceptional dwell for looping and counterlooping far from the table. Fan Zhendong (8.8) is stiffer, crisper, and delivers proven Viscaria-class power without the hollow feel that sometimes plagues ZLC variants.
Zhang Jike thrives in the away-from-table midcourt with either tensor or tacky rubber; its softer touch and larger handle appeal suit developing and intermediate loopers. Fan Zhendong’s extra stiffness provides clearer feedback and more forgiving center-table play. Fan Zhendong also benefits from thicker handle geometry for comfort. Both blades compete directly on ALC value and spin, but Zhang Jike’s discontinuation trend and smaller sweet spot vs. Viscaria-class construction make Fan Zhendong the safer bet for long-term availability.
FAQ
Which is better for Chinese tacky rubber?
Fan Zhendong—the crisp, direct ALC feel locks in topspin better. Zhang Jike’s flexibility can feel mushy with ultra-tacky setups.
Can Zhang Jike use European high-tension rubber?
Yes, but its soft construction shines more with non-tensor options. Fan Zhendong is explicitly praised for wide rubber compatibility.
Why is Zhang Jike heading toward discontinuation?
Likely due to lower demand vs. rival ALC variants and Butterfly’s broader portfolio. Supply is tightening.