Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC vs Stiga Rosewood NCT V: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | Stiga Rosewood NCT V | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell | stiff hard feel with organic touch; NCT surface treatment |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | flared / anatomic / straight |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) | 5-ply all wood (rosewood outer) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| weight_g | 88 | approx 82-86 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC (8.7) is a premium arylate-carbon blade combining OFF-class speed with soft, flexible feel, long dwell time excelling at looping and spin, and strong control—suited to intermediate-to-advanced offensive loopers who value spin-friendly carbon and rubber flexibility. The Stiga Rosewood NCT V (8.5) is a pure all-wood OFF blade with stiff hard feel, exceptional short game, communicative organic touch, and outstanding consistency optimized for aggressive close-to-table play and penhold attacking styles.
Both are OFF speed at similar weights (88g and approx 82-86g), but represent opposed material philosophies. Zhang Jike ALC is premium-priced carbon that excels at looping and spin generation while maintaining strong control—unusual for a carbon blade—and offers handle flexibility in FL, ST, and AN shapes plus rubber pairing options with either tensor or tacky Chinese forehand. Rosewood is all-wood, communicative, and unforgiving, with exceptional short game, flat drives matching carbon speed, and fast flicks with excellent pop, but requires precise technique and is suboptimal for shakehand players. Zhang Jike ALC is heading toward discontinuation, affecting availability; Rosewood is discontinued with limited new stock.
Choose Zhang Jike ALC if you are an intermediate-to-advanced offensive looper seeking spin-friendly ALC construction with flexible feel and rubber versatility. Choose Rosewood NCT V if you are technically sound, prefer all-wood feedback, and prioritize short game excellence and aggressive close-to-table play, especially as a penhold player.
FAQ
Which is better for looping and spin?
Zhang Jike ALC excels at looping and spin generation with long dwell time and soft, flexible carbon feel. Rosewood NCT V is all-wood and requires precise technique for heavy looping.
Which is better for short game?
Rosewood NCT V has exceptional short game with passive touch and soft returns. Zhang Jike ALC offers strong control but as part of broader looping focus.
Which is better for penhold players?
Rosewood NCT V is optimal for penhold grip. Zhang Jike ALC does not target grip-specific audiences.
Which offers more rubber pairing flexibility?
Zhang Jike ALC pairs well with both tensor and tacky Chinese forehand rubbers. Rosewood NCT V has not specified rubber pairing recommendations.