Butterfly Freitas ALC vs Stiga Carbonado 45: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Freitas ALC | Stiga Carbonado 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Medium-soft | Moderately stiff with deep reverberating vibrations; more wood-like dwell than typical carbon blades; high throw angle |
| handle | Flared/Straight/Anatomic | Straight/Flared/Anatomic (coal-grey dyed wood) |
| plies | 5+2 arylate carbon (ALC) outer — Limba-ALC-Limba-Ayous-Limba-ALC-Limba | 7-ply with TeXtreme carbon (5 wood + 2 carbon at 45-degree angle) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 88 | 85-91g |
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Both are TeXtreme carbon blades with exceptional dwell and wood-like feel, but Carbonado 45 (OFF, 85-91g) is notably slower and softer than Freitas. Carbonado 45’s high throw angle and moody, reverberating vibration are engineered for heavy topspin and spin variation. Freitas is faster, slightly stiffer, and more consistent for varied play.
Freitas suits versatile loopers seeking pace and consistency. Carbonado 45 is the pure spinner’s blade: endorsed by top Chinese women players, exceptional for close-table loops, but demanding for power-first or far-table styles. Carbonado 45’s outer Limba ply fragility with aggressive glues is a durability concern. Both feature wood-like feel rare in carbon blades, but Freitas is more modern, reliable, and competitive-ready. Carbonado 45 appeals to specialist loop-oriented players; Freitas serves broader intermediate-to-advanced audiences.
FAQ
Which blade is better for heavy topspin loops?
Carbonado 45 by design. Its high throw angle, deep dwell, and moody vibrations are engineered for heavy brush looping. Freitas can loop well, but Carbonado 45 feels tailored for spin specialists.
Is Carbonado 45 too slow for competitive play?
Not if your competitive style is loop-dominant and close-to-mid-table focused. Carbonado 45 won’t win power-based far-table exchanges, but for spin-heavy players, it’s tournament-viable.
Why does Carbonado 45 have durability concerns with the Limba ply?
Limba is soft; aggressive glues (common in tournament-level racket assembly) can cause splitting at the outer veneer edges. Freitas’ outer-carbon construction avoids this risk.