Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Nittaku Septear: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Nittaku Septear | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | medium | Soft with high dwell time |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | Straight or Concave (flared) |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 7-ply all wood (Kiso Hinoki) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6.7 |
| weight_g | 86 | 85 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is an arylate-carbon offensive blade delivering class-leading spin and a large sweet spot. Nittaku Septear is a 7-ply all-wood kiso hinoki blade prioritizing control, dwell, and ball placement across all strokes.
The ALC is fast and offensive, rewarding active, technically sound stroke play. The Septear is soft, responsive, and exceptionally forgiving at short and mid-distance, supporting technique development excellently. However, Septear lacks explosive finishing power and requires medium-hard to hard sponges to perform. It is best suited to control-first, close-to-table players. Choose the ALC for elite all-court attack and proven professional use. Choose Septear for control, touch, and ball placement, especially for developing and intermediate players.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
ALC at OFF versus Septear at ALL+. The ALC is substantially faster and more offensive.
Which has better dwell time?
Septear’s kiso hinoki is renowned for exceptional dwell and soft, responsive feel.
Can Septear handle soft rubbers?
No. It requires medium-hard to hard sponges to perform properly.
Is Septear good for developing players?
Yes. Its forgiving sweet spot and high dwell support consistent technique development.