Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC vs Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC | Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | medium, high feel/dwell | mild hard, uniform vibration, linear rebound |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL / ST |
| plies | 5W+2 Inner Arylate-Carbon | 7-ply all wood (limba-ayous-ayous-ayous-ayous-ayous-limba) |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.9 | 6.6-6.7mm |
| weight_g | 86 | 83-90g (avg ~87g) |
Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition
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The Innerforce Layer ALC blends all-wood feel and dwell with arylate-carbon stability and on-demand acceleration—versatile across distances with a large sweet spot. The Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition is a quality 7-ply all-wood blade with linear, predictable rebound, excellent blocking control, uniform feel confirmed by lab testing, and strong price-to-performance ratio—but slightly head-heavy and rated OFF-, with lower spin generation than softer blades.
The Innerforce Layer ALC rewards developed technique with versatility and feel-plus-power for allround-to-offensive shakehand play. The Samsonov suits intermediate-to-advanced players seeking all-wood offensive blade with excellent control, woody feel, and forgiving timing—particularly those transitioning from 5-ply blades who want more speed without carbon stiffness.
FAQ
How much slower is the Samsonov vs the ALC?
Noticeably—Samsonov is OFF-, versus ALC’s OFF. The Samsonov demands driving strokes; the ALC accelerates on harder hits with carbon kick.
Which has more uniform feel across the blade?
The Samsonov—lab testing confirms uniform vibration and rebound across the entire surface. The ALC’s inner-carbon design creates different feels at impact vs hard swing.
Is the Samsonov head-heavy?
Yes—slightly head-heavy balance requires arm conditioning and physical stamina. Not suitable for players without developed strength or technique.
Which produces more spin?
The Innerforce Layer ALC—its dwell and flex generate heavier spin. The Samsonov’s spin generation on loops is marginally reduced versus softer, more flexible blades.
Can the Samsonov handle various rubber types?
Yes—it works well with tensor and sticky rubbers, offering versatility across different setups. The ALC also pairs well with medium-hard inverted rubbers.