Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Stiga Carbonado 290: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Stiga Carbonado 290 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | medium | very stiff, hard, crisp and direct carbon feel with a high-pitched sound; fast and linear with a low throw |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon |
| speed | OFF | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| type | — | OFF+ |
| weight_g | 86 | 95 |
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The Timo Boll ALC is a balanced OFF arylate-carbon blade with class-leading spin on both wings, a large sweet spot and a solid, consistent medium feel that suits looping and all-out attack. The Stiga Carbonado 290 is a true OFF+ blade with doubled TeXtreme carbon, a very stiff, crisp and direct feel, extreme power and a very low, linear throw.
On style, the ALC is the more forgiving and versatile blade, superb from mid-distance to away from the table with long dwell and high spin, while the Carbonado 290 is faster and harder, exceptional for blocking and fast finishing but with a very low throw that can cause netting until you adapt. The ALC rewards a developed stroke; the Carbonado 290 demands established technique.
Pick the Timo Boll ALC, rated 9, if you want a balanced, high-spin main blade with a large sweet spot. Pick the Carbonado 290, rated 8.3, if you are an advanced, aggressive attacker who finishes points fast with hard drives and blocks and can handle a very stiff, very fast OFF+ carbon blade with a low throw.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Carbonado 290 is faster, being a true OFF+ blade with extreme power, while the ALC is OFF-rated and more balanced.
Which is more forgiving?
The Timo Boll ALC is more forgiving, with a large sweet spot, while the Carbonado 290 is stiff with a very low throw that can cause netting until you adapt.
What are the constructions?
The ALC is a 5-wood plus 2 arylate-carbon build, while the Carbonado 290 is 5 wood plus 2 TeXtreme carbon plies.
Which is better for blocking?
The Carbonado 290 is exceptional and very stable for blocking and counter-blocking, while the ALC offers a smooth, consistent block-to-loop transition.