Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC vs Stiga Carbonado 290: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | Stiga Carbonado 290 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell | 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 plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon |
| speed | OFF | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| type | — | OFF+ |
| weight_g | 88 | 95 |
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The Zhang Jike ALC is a 5-ply wood plus 2-ply arylate-carbon blade rated OFF, offering carbon speed with a soft, flexible, non-stiff feel and long dwell that excels at looping and counterlooping. The Stiga Carbonado 290 is a 7-ply blade with doubled 200 gram TeXtreme carbon rated OFF+, delivering extreme, linear power, a very stiff and direct carbon feel and a low throw.
On style, the Zhang Jike ALC favors dwell, spin and control for loopers who play away from the table, while the Carbonado 290 is a stiffer, heavier blade at around 95 grams built to finish points fast with hard drives, smashes and very stable blocking. The Carbonado’s very low throw can cause netting until you adapt your bat angle, and it is less forgiving over long rallies.
Pick the Zhang Jike ALC, rated around 8.7, if you want fast but spin-friendly carbon with plenty of dwell and handle choice in FL, ST or AN. Choose the Carbonado 290 if you are an advanced, aggressive attacker or offensive penholder with the technique for a very stiff, very fast OFF+ blade and a low trajectory. Both sit at premium prices.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Carbonado 290 is faster, rated OFF+ with extreme power from doubled TeXtreme carbon. The Zhang Jike ALC is rated OFF, fast but tuned more for spin and dwell.
Which is better for spin and looping?
The Zhang Jike ALC favors spin, with long dwell that excels at looping and counterlooping. The Carbonado 290 produces long, sharp loop drives but with a low trajectory that takes adaptation.
Which is more forgiving?
The Zhang Jike ALC is softer and more flexible, helping spin and control, while the Carbonado 290 is stiff, heavier and less forgiving, and can be hard to keep consistent over long rallies.
Which suits a penholder finisher?
The Carbonado 290 is recommended for advanced aggressive attackers and offensive penholders who finish points fast with hard drives, smashes and blocking.