Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC vs Nittaku Violin: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Nittaku Violin | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Crisp and direct with noticeable dwell on contact; slightly softer arc than Viscaria Super ALC | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback |
| handle | Flared (FL), Straight (ST), Anatomic (AN) — notably thicker grip than Viscaria | FL |
| plies | 5 wood plus 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — Koto / ALC / Limba / Kiri / Limba / ALC / Koto | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.7mm | 5.3 |
| type | — | ALL+ |
| weight_g | 87-92g typical | 86 |
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Fan Zhendong (8.8, ALC) is explicit power and forgiving speed; Nittaku Violin (8.4, all-wood) is technique-focused control and premium craftsmanship. Violin is the blade for developing offensive players who prize feel and touch—excellent for looping, close-to-mid distance all-round play, and learning proper stroke. Fan Zhendong is the investment once technique is solid.
Violin’s 5-ply all-wood construction (Kiri core, White Ash outer) is warmer and more flexible than any carbon. It feels slow against fast pace and needs harder or tackier rubbers to unlock potential. Fan Zhendong delivers speed without sacrifice. Both are premium-priced, but Violin is cheaper and serves intermediates; Fan Zhendong serves intermediate-plus attackers.
FAQ
Should Violin users upgrade to Fan Zhendong?
Yes, if you’ve outgrown Violin’s speed and want faster, more forgiving loops. Many do after 200+ hours.
Is Violin truly OFF- or slower?
Slower than rated. It requires active stroke and good technique to reach its potential.
Which is better for beginners?
Violin. Soft feel, premium craftsmanship, and 20+ years of proven technique-building reputation.