Butterfly Timo Boll W7 vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll W7 | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Hard, stiff, direct | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | FL, ST | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 7-ply all wood (Limba / Ayous / Kiri) | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.7 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 94 | 88 |
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Butterfly Timo Boll W7 is a stiff, direct 7-ply all-wood blade delivering near-carbon OFF pace. It excels at flat drives, smashes and flicks but offers lower spin generation than flexible composites and higher hand vibration.
Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC is an OFF-class arylate-carbon blade with soft, flexible feel that prioritizes long dwell for spinning topspin loops. Its strong control, comfortable handles and compatibility with Chinese rubbers make it accessible to intermediate loopers. W7 is the pure speed option for advanced attackers; Zhang Jike ALC is the forgiving, spin-friendly choice for loop-dominant styles.
FAQ
Which generates more spin?
Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC by far. Its long dwell and flexible feel make heavy topspin loops natural. W7’s stiffness limits spin generation.
Can W7 do what Zhang Jike does?
Not well. W7’s stiff, direct character is optimized for flat hitting. Zhang Jike’s flexible carbon excels at looping and counterlooping.
Which is cheaper?
Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC historically costs less than Viscaria but more than budget options. W7 is discontinued, affecting availability and price.
Which suits intermediate players?
Zhang Jike ALC. Its soft, flexible feel is forgiving for looping. W7 is very stiff and demands excellent technique.
Which pairs better with tacky Chinese rubbers?
Zhang Jike ALC. Its flexible ALC construction and proven pairing history with Chinese rubbers make it ideal for that setup.