Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Donic Waldner Allplay: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Donic Waldner Allplay | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | Soft and forgiving with good dwell time, slight stiffness at sweet spot |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL (flared), classic dark-brown wood |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 5-ply all wood (Limba-Ayous-Ayous-Ayous-Limba) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | ALL |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 5.4-5.6 mm |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | approx 85-87 g |
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The Lin Gaoyuan (8.7) pairs soft carbon with a large sweet spot and impressive spin, suited to advanced strikers from mid-distance. The Waldner Allplay (8.2) is an all-wood workhorse: soft, forgiving, and exceptional for building consistent all-round technique.
Choose Lin Gaoyuan if you’re ready for carbon speed, want maximum dwell and spin potential, and value Japanese premium craftsmanship. Choose Waldner Allplay if you prize close-to-table control and feedback, value a narrow sweet spot that teaches placement, and want an affordable all-wood option that develops BH topspin and blocking with any rubber.
FAQ
Which plays better at distance?
Lin Gaoyuan: its carbon gives speed and power at mid-distance. Waldner Allplay: limited speed makes long-distance loops weak without a fast, hard rubber.
Which is better for learning?
Waldner Allplay’s soft limba, consistent feel, and forgiving control make it superior for technique development. Lin Gaoyuan demands more advanced feel and timing.
Are both good for blocking?
Yes, both block well. Waldner Allplay gives direct feedback; Lin Gaoyuan’s large sweet spot makes blocking more forgiving but offers less ball information.
How big is the price gap?
Waldner Allplay is considerably cheaper, making it an excellent entry-level custom blade. Lin Gaoyuan is a premium Japan-made option.