Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Butterfly Viscaria: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Butterfly Viscaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| feel | medium | medium-hard |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 86 | 87 |
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On paper these blades are twins: the same 5-ply wood plus arylate-carbon build, the same OFF speed, near-identical weight and thickness. The difference is feel. The Timo Boll ALC leans balanced and medium in feel, with a huge, even sweet spot that makes the whole face play the same — supremely consistent and a famous match with Tenergy 05. The Viscaria has a koto outer ply and a slightly harder feel: a crisper release and deeper, quicker power on commit, while staying unusually forgiving for a carbon blade.
Pick the Timo Boll ALC if you want the most consistent, even response and a slightly softer, more controllable arc. Pick the Viscaria if you want a crisper hit and more top-end power and don’t mind a firmer feel.
Both are premium-priced and demand an active stroke, so the choice is feel, not quality — try both handles if you can; neither is a wrong answer for an attacking shakehand looper.
FAQ
Are the Timo Boll ALC and Viscaria the same blade?
No, but they are close. Both use the same arylate-carbon structure; the Viscaria has a koto outer ply and a crisper, slightly harder feel, while the ALC is more balanced with a larger, even sweet spot.
Which is faster?
They are both OFF and very close. The Viscaria tends to feel a touch crisper and more powerful on commit; the ALC feels more even and controllable.
Which suits a beginner?
Neither — both are premium OFF blades that reward a developed stroke. A control all-wood blade is a better first blade.