Double Day Valiant Pro ALC Loop King

Product information

Brand
Double Day
Category
Blades
Reviews
1
Rating
5.00 star(s) 1 ratings
Price
$75

User stats

Speed
8.5
Control
8
Hardness
4.4
Durability
10
Pros
  • woody feeling
  • Looping monster
  • low vibrations
Cons
  • head heavy
  • old tech
  • one seller
I got my first Double Day Valiant ALC Loop King Pro St from a friend who wanted to distribute the blade in the US and wanted me to review it. He said that DoubleDay was once a Butterfly OEM but is no longer one. I usually dislike ALC blades and was hesitant to try this one. On the other hand, I have always felt ALC blades go well with Tenergy 05 and was willing to give this a shot given the unique outer ply for an ALC blade.


My first impressions were that I liked the blade but found it too head heavy. At this time, I hadn't made using grip tape with my blades a religion as it is now. My favorite sequence with the blade is on this video between 3:59 and 4:20. That sequence will probably make me use the blade with Tenergy 05 again at some point.


So I gave up on the blade for a while because of the head heaviness and thin handle and went back to my slower but easy to control Yasaka Extras (I also tried my Samsonov Force Pros as I was still trying to decide between Tenergy 05 and MX-S). Tenergy 05 lost to MX-S when I realized that my countering approach close to the table was easier with MX-S and that I could figure out the MX-S trajectories over time. I returned to the Loop King after I realized that I needed more pace away from the table and the Yasaka Extra was too slow when I backed up. I knew I would have control issues but decided to spend the rest of the year working them out. Grip tape added 3-4g to the handle and helped with the head heaviness and thin handle.

I've used the Loop King with MX-S for a month now and enjoy it - have had good results playing with it. The blade may not be a state of the art ALC blade depending on your tastes - it seems to be a 3 +2 ply if you consider the ALC weave a single ply. Most Butterfly ALC blades are 5+2ply. I think that makes the Loop King a bit flexier and woody feeling than the Butterfly ALCs. Right up my alley.

Where the loop king really shines is when I loop drive - it has that ALC grab that reduces vibrations and gives a dwelly feeling when you loop hard. For me, since I prefer the feeling of Anegre to Koto (with Limba, it is more of a toss up), I prefer the feeling of the Loop King to the Timo Boll ALC in the short game. I compared my blade with T05 to that of a friend using a TBS with T05 and we agreed that the TBS was slightly faster, but that the Loop King was better for looping. I wouldn't have it any other way as for me, when I need the ALC kick is when I am at mid distance, and this is what the Loop King gives me. I no longer feel as lost when I step back from the table and anyone who sees the above video at the 4:17 second or so mark will see why.

Here is a recent video where I use the Loop King with MX-S. I get much better as the video goes on and should probably edit it to make the blade look invincible.


The Loop King is almost exclusively sold at

http://www.ping-pong.tw/index.php

If you place an order outside of Taiwan, they will not charge you immediately but will send you a quote which you have to accept within 5 days. They will likely label the blade as a gift if it helps with your import situation and will send it by registered mail (these are not critical things in the US). I bought a backup recently. The packaging of the blade is exquisite for those that care about such things (I will upload a picture if requested) and the weight is listed on the beautiful box among other things. I requested a weight of 89g like my first and they sent me one at 88g. Sandpaper that I personally do not need came with the blade as well.

At the price (well under $100 all in), this is as good as it gets. Double Day also has an ALC Koto 3+2 ply blade it calls the Winner. Not my cup of tea, but it is cheaper than the Loop King and might be someone else's. I'm gonna keep trying to be the Loop King.
Speed
8.5
Control
8
Hardness
4.4
Durability
10
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