Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | medium | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 86 | 88 |
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These are sibling Arylate-Carbon blades with the same 5W+2 ALC build, both OFF and 5.8 mm thick, so the difference is in feel and intent. The Timo Boll ALC nails a near-ideal balance of spin, speed and control, with a large sweet spot, a solid consistent feel and class-leading spin on both wings. The Zhang Jike ALC has a softer, flexible carbon feel with long dwell that excels at looping and imparting spin, and it pairs well with both tensor and tacky Chinese forehand rubbers.
Pick the Timo Boll ALC if you want the more balanced, forgiving blade with the bigger sweet spot, equally happy blocking or all-out attacking. Pick the Zhang Jike ALC if you prioritize dwell, spin and away-from-table counterlooping, and want the choice of FL, ST or AN handles.
Both are premium-priced and demand an experienced player. The Timo Boll ALC has the larger sweet spot and the higher rating, while the Zhang Jike ALC has been drifting toward discontinuation, which can affect availability.
FAQ
What is the main difference between them?
The Timo Boll ALC is more balanced with a larger sweet spot, while the Zhang Jike ALC has a softer, flexible feel and long dwell that favors looping and counterlooping.
Which is better for looping away from the table?
The Zhang Jike ALC, thanks to its long dwell and excellent away-from-table looping and counterlooping. The Timo Boll ALC is also superb from mid-distance and away from the table.
Which has the larger sweet spot?
The Timo Boll ALC. Its large sweet spot makes the whole face play almost as one; the Zhang Jike ALC has a smaller sweet spot than the ZLC versions.