Butterfly Hadraw VK vs Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Hadraw VK | Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | flexible, high dwell, natural wood feedback | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time |
| handle | FL / ST / AN (Shakehand) | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (Koto outer, Hinoki, Kiri, Ayous core) | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber |
| speed | OFF- | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 84 | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Hadraw VK is pure all-wood premium control. Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC is a discontinued flagship that fuses arylate-carbon layers with wood for soft, flexible ALC feel and exceptional spin generation. Both are premium products; availability and pricing differ significantly.
Lin Gaoyuan ALC is genuinely fast (OFF-class) with a large head and forgiving sweet spot, yet retains wood-like dwell and feedback. Its soft, flexible ALC feel distinguishes it from stiffer carbon blades. Hadraw VK is slower (OFF-) and simpler: pure all-wood engineering. Lin Gaoyuan ALC is better for advanced attackers seeking carbon power; Hadraw VK for control-first players. Lin Gaoyuan ALC was discontinued and is expensive on secondary markets. Choose Hadraw VK for current availability and pure wood control; Lin Gaoyuan ALC only if you value hybrid ALC performance and can secure a well-priced secondary market copy.
FAQ
Why is Lin Gaoyuan ALC discontinued?
Butterfly rotated the signature line; newer models replaced older flagships.
Is Lin Gaoyuan ALC faster?
Yes, significantly. OFF-class (via inner ALC) versus Hadraw VK’s OFF-.
Does Lin Gaoyuan ALC feel like wood?
More like wood than typical carbon blades, but softer and more flexible than pure all-wood.
Which is better for beginners?
Hadraw VK. Lin Gaoyuan ALC is advanced-only and requires solid technique.