Butterfly Garaydia ALC vs Butterfly Primorac: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Garaydia ALC | Butterfly Primorac | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| control | — | — |
| feel | Crisp, hard and stiff with a direct, low-vibration touch and a notably low throw arc | medium, classic all-wood, long dwell and high control |
| handle | FL | FL/ST |
| plies | 5-ply total: 3 wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon (ALC) layers, with an outer carbon construction under a Japanese hinoki surface ply | 5W (all wood) — Limba/Limba/Ayous/Limba/Limba |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| spin | — | — |
| thickness_mm | 6.9 | 6 |
| type | OFF | — |
| weight_g | 83 | 85 |
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Garaydia ALC is an OFF outer arylate-carbon blade with a soft hinoki surface ply. It plays crisp, hard and stiff with a very low throw arc that excels at blocking, flicking and counter-topspins, and offers outstanding near-table stability at around 83 grams. The low arc demands precise technique, the damped feel gives little feedback, and the blade is discontinued.
Primorac is a classic Limba-Ayous all-wood blade rated OFF-minus with excellent control and a long, satisfying dwell that rewards spin and placement. It is forgiving and easy to play, ideal as a first serious or control-first blade, very versatile with rubbers, and a durable long-term keeper, though it has limited top-end speed and can feel underpowered with the modern plastic ball.
Pick Garaydia ALC if you are an upper-intermediate-to-advanced topspin attacker who blocks, flicks and counters near the table and wants stiff, low-throw carbon control. Pick Primorac if you are a developing intermediate or control-first all-rounder building a first serious setup who values feel, dwell and spin over outright speed. With ratings around 8.5 against 8.3, Garaydia leans toward attacking carbon stability while Primorac leans toward all-wood feel and forgiveness.
FAQ
Which blade is better for building a first serious setup?
Primorac. It is forgiving, controllable and ideal as a first serious or control-first all-wood blade, while Garaydia ALC suits upper-intermediate and advanced attackers.
Which has more dwell and feel?
Primorac, with a long, satisfying dwell and classic all-wood feel. Garaydia ALC is stiff and damped, giving little ball feedback.
Which is faster?
Garaydia ALC, an OFF carbon blade. Primorac is rated OFF-minus with limited top-end speed that some players outgrow as their level rises.
Any buying notes?
Garaydia ALC is discontinued and hard to find new. Primorac needs sealing before changing rubbers and is frequently confused with the faster Primorac Carbon.