Butterfly Korbel vs Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time |
| handle | FL/ST | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 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 | 6 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 88 | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) |
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The Korbel is an accessible all-wood workhorse—forgiving, spinny, and perfect for learning loops and short-game control without relying on blade speed. The Lin Gaoyuan ALC is a carbon leap: soft feel that approaches wood, large head for consistency, and serious power packed into a lighter package.
Beginners and intermediate players building technique should choose the Korbel—it’s cheaper, forgiving, and develops proper fundamentals. Advanced attackers or players transitioning from wood to carbon should pick the Lin Gaoyuan ALC—its soft ALC feel keeps you connected to ball control while delivering offensive capability. Lin Gaoyuan’s anatomic handle runs shorter, so verify fit before buying; its discontinued status also makes it harder to source.
FAQ
Can I grow into the Korbel, or will I outgrow it?
Many players develop satisfying games on the Korbel, but its medium speed will eventually limit aggressive attackers. The Korbel is ideal for control-first players; attackers should plan a progression to carbon like the Lin Gaoyuan ALC.
Why is the Lin Gaoyuan ALC better for advanced players?
The Lin Gaoyuan ALC delivers OFF-class speed and power while retaining the soft, flexible feel of wood—ideal for players with developed technique who want carbon capability without sacrificing dwell and feedback.
Which is easier to find?
The Korbel is readily available and relatively affordable; the Lin Gaoyuan ALC is discontinued, making it expensive and hard to source—a significant practical consideration.