The Hottest Outer Carbon Blades at the London World Championships
1 — Fan Zhendong ALC
Key users: Harimoto Junnosuke (special), Matsushima Sora (special), Kawakami Ryusei (special, gold badge), Wang Manyu
Kawakami Ryusei was still using the Fan Zhendong SALC at the World Junior Championships (at that time Butterfly labeled it outer SALC special), and has recently switched to the Fan Zhendong ALC special (gold tail badge). My take on SALC versus ALC stays the same: first, SALC is easier to generate spin with, and also more susceptible to incoming spin. Second, SALC is relatively more springy and effortless, but as a player’s own strength grows, they may leave SALC behind for ALC — “may” being the operative word.
The FZD ALC’s sales numbers are extraordinary, including in Japan. Simply put, it’s a crowd-pleasing blade — easy to play, great dwell, easy flex, no obvious weak spots. The deep-power feel isn’t outstanding, which is exactly why I can pitch our Heima Ya-made ALC as a version with stronger deep power on the forehand.
Special editions versus retail versions generally offer improved springiness and energy reserve (which affects deep power). Among retail versions, picking a heavier piece improves deep power — after all, at least 85% of a blade is still wood.
2 — Viscaria
Key users: Lin Shidong (special), Qiu Dang (special), Yuan Jianan (gold-badge Vis), Kuai Man (gold-badge Vis)
I’ve noticed a trend: fewer players are using the retail Viscaria. Two sides to this. On one hand, the Vis remains honest and linear in character — I expect penhold-style and pimple-style players will continue to use it. The blade can both attack and absorb, with minimal sudden surprises, which breeds consistency.
On the other hand, in the plastic-ball era, dwell requirements have gone up. If a blade can deliver a softer, springier wrap around the ball with easier spin generation, why stick with the Vis?
That’s why you’re seeing more Super Viscaria, plus the more dwell-friendly gold-badge Vis, FZD ALC, Lin ALC (used by Doo Hye Ching), and similar options.
The retail Vis backhand still packs decent explosiveness, but the forehand is only average — it doesn’t give you extra help adding spin or bounce.
3 — Boll ALC
Key users: Shinozuka Hiroto (special), Karlberg, Jha Kanak
Whether the last two are using specials, I’m not entirely sure. Sometimes — even though Butterfly can make specials for contracted players most of the time — if there’s no stock ready or they’re uncertain how long a player will use a particular blade, the player may just use a retail piece they personally selected. Lin Yun-ju’s situation is an example: his Super Vis special isn’t ready yet, so he’s playing with a retail version he hand-picked.
The Boll ALC’s character is something we’ve discussed before: crunchy on the outside, silky on the inside. The surface seems hard (fast off the paddle), but the interior is surprisingly soft. This creates a specific pairing puzzle.
When you put on a hard rubber (like a high-hardness Hurricane), the blade feels a bit too stiff — hard to drive through, and the exit speed is too fast. When you pair it with a softer European-style sheet (like Tenergy), the force flows straight through the sponge and into the blade’s inner core, and suddenly you feel: wow, this blade really dwells on the ball.
That’s exactly what Karlberg and Jha have figured out, as you can gather from past interviews.
4 — Korean-Made Outer Green Aramid Carbon
Key users: Zhouqihao (Double Fish Project Z), Alex (Tibhar Alex), Oh Joonsung (Tibhar Oh Joonsung)
I’ll be posting my LUMA review soon.
On the Double Fish Zhouqihao, one comment in the replies was spot-on: “a Viscaria that got rained on.” That perfectly captures the soft, cushioned dwell feel.
The Tibhar Alex also dwells well but is relatively crisper and faster off the first bounce — probably the fastest outer green aramid carbon I’ve tested. The STIGA Inspiration Carbon is similarly on the fast side.
5 — Super Viscaria
Key users: Lin Yun-ju, Cheng I-Ching
Read this alongside point 1 above. Essentially: at moderate force levels, it wraps the ball more softly and springily. If you’re struggling to drive through it, that’s related to the fiber weave — in that case, try a softer rubber.