Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Butterfly Timo Boll W7: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Butterfly Timo Boll W7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | Hard, stiff, direct |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL, ST |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 7-ply all wood (Limba / Ayous / Kiri) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 6.7 |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | 94 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC (8.7 rating) is an OFF-speed arylate-carbon blade delivering soft, flexible feel closer to wood than most carbon options. Its large head, impressive spin generation, and strong control at medium-to-long distance suit advanced attackers transitioning from pure wood. The shorter anatomic handle requires fit verification before purchase, and discontinued production means sourcing is difficult.
The Butterfly Timo Boll W7 (7.8 rating) is a seven-ply all-wood blade offering near-carbon OFF speed with a stiff, direct Limba feel. Its huge sweet spot rewards flat drives and smashes but delivers lower loop-against-backspin spin than composites. Discontinuation makes fair-price sourcing challenging, and the high hardness causes vibration during long sessions.
The Lin GA is ideal for advanced players seeking carbon power with dwell and spin; the Timo Boll suits flat-drive specialists who reject carbon and can tolerate stiffness. Both are discontinued, making either a sourcing gamble. The Lin GA offers more versatility; the Timo Boll is more specialized.
FAQ
Which blade is softer in feel?
The Lin Gaoyuan ALC is significantly softer due to its arylate-carbon and flexible construction. The Timo Boll W7 is stiff and direct, suiting aggressive strikers.
Why is the Lin GA handle shorter?
The anatomic handle design on the Lin GA is shorter than comparable Butterfly blades. Verify fit at retailers before purchasing to ensure comfort.
Which blade generates more spin?
The Lin GA generates substantially more spin thanks to its arylate-carbon layers, dwell time, and larger head. The Timo Boll’s spin is limited by its stiffness.
Are both discontinued?
Yes, both are discontinued. Remaining stock is limited and often expensive. Buying either is a gamble on availability and price.