Butterfly Garaydia ALC vs Butterfly Viscaria: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Garaydia ALC | Butterfly Viscaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| control | — | — |
| feel | Crisp, hard and stiff with a direct, low-vibration touch and a notably low throw arc | medium-hard |
| handle | FL | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5-ply total: 3 wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon (ALC) layers, with an outer carbon construction under a Japanese hinoki surface ply | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| spin | — | — |
| thickness_mm | 6.9 | 5.8 |
| type | OFF | — |
| weight_g | 83 | 87 |
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Both are OFF outer arylate-carbon blades from Butterfly. Garaydia ALC has a soft hinoki surface ply and plays crisp, hard and stiff with a very low throw arc that excels at blocking, flicking and counter-topspins, with outstanding near-table stability at around 83 grams. Its low arc demands precise technique, it can feel weak away from the table, and it is discontinued.
Viscaria uses a koto outer ply over its 5-ply wood plus 2-ply arylate-carbon build, delivering deep power and a quick, crisp release while staying unusually forgiving and consistent for a carbon blade, with a large sweet spot and a smooth block-to-loop transition. It is genuinely versatile across looping, blocking, hitting, pushing and short game, but it is expensive and demands an active stroke to unlock its deep power.
Choose Garaydia ALC if you are a close-to-mid attacker who relies on blocking, flicking and counter-topspin and wants a stiff, low-throw blade with near-table stability. Choose Viscaria if you have a complete loop-driving stroke and want a high-ceiling, forgiving main blade with deep power and a large sweet spot. With ratings around 8.5 against 9, Garaydia leans toward near-table control while Viscaria leans toward forgiving deep power.
FAQ
Which blade hits harder away from the table?
Viscaria, with deep power and a quick, crisp release that rewards an active loop-driving stroke. Garaydia ALC can feel weak away from the table without strong footwork.
Which is more forgiving?
Viscaria is unusually forgiving for a carbon blade, with a large sweet spot and smooth block-to-loop transition. Garaydia ALC’s low arc requires precise technique.
Which is better close to the table?
Garaydia ALC. Its low throw and stiff feel give outstanding stability for blocking, flicking and counter-topspins near the table.
Which is easier to buy?
Viscaria is current but premium-priced. Garaydia ALC is discontinued, so new copies are hard to source.