Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Yasaka Sweden Extra: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Yasaka Sweden Extra | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | soft-medium, high control |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL/ST |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | 85 |
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Lin Gaoyuan ALC is the carbon power player’s choice: faster, more spin potential, and premium Japanese construction for serious attackers with developed strokes. Yasaka Sweden Extra is a control-first all-wood treasure at half the cost, delivering elite touch and feel for developing players who value learning and longevity over raw speed.
Go Lin Gaoyuan if you’re an advanced attacker wanting carbon catapult and versatile rubber pairing. Pick Sweden Extra if you want a blade you can grow into, prefer all-wood consistency, and play with a control or looping-focused style.
FAQ
How can they both be speed 8+ when one is carbon and one wood?
Sweden Extra’s faster feel and responsiveness punch above its class; Lin Gaoyuan’s rated speed comes partly from carbon catapult rather than pure blade speed.
Which blade can you keep forever?
Sweden Extra—legendary durability and sealed finish; upgrading rubbers as you improve is the intended path. Lin Gaoyuan may eventually become unavailable.
Which is better for beginners?
Sweden Extra by far. Its forgiving control, elite touch, and lower-speed ceiling suit developing players; Lin Gaoyuan rewards advanced technique.
Can both handle medium-soft rubbers?
Yes, both pair well with medium or medium-soft rubbers, though Sweden Extra is designed specifically for that pairing.