Butterfly Dimitrij Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC Review

[NDH]

Thanks for your review, it is much appreciated. I see that you are comparing this blade with different blades that you have had in the past. I would like to ask your personal preference after trying those blades, which blade would you pick if you had only one choice and why?

The Ovtcharov..... Because after spending £350 on the blade and rubbers, it's the only answer that'll let me sleep at night 😂

In all seriousness, I would have to do a direct comparison of the Ovtcharov with the TB ALC using the same rubbers before deciding.

I would rather have the TB ALC over the Harimoto though, so it's between the TB ALC and Ovtcharov.

My gut feeling is that I'd go with the Ovtcharov, because it provides all the power I need with a better touch and short game.

But honestly, if you went for the one you liked the look of most..... You probably wouldn't be missing out too much - They are all very, very similar.

 

[Colin Ksh]

Is dignics 09C on ovtcharov’s blade too(overly) fast?
from what timo boll said dignics 09C can be used for intermediate players as well due to the longer contact time.
Moreover, do you think it’d be suitable to use Rozena on the bh side of Ovtcharov’s blade?

 

[NDH]

Is dignics 09C on ovtcharov’s blade too(overly) fast?
from what timo boll said dignics 09C can be used for intermediate players as well due to the longer contact time.
Moreover, do you think it’d be suitable to use Rozena on the bh side of Ovtcharov’s blade?

Amazingly, I’d have no problems recommending 09C to an intermediate player.

You really have to work it, like you would a cheaper Chinese rubber - The rubber doesn’t do much of the work for you, so if you are currently used to being out of position and playing a soft shot that has the catapult effect of something like T05, you’ll find there will be an adjustment period for 09C.

I’ve had it a few times where I’ve been jammed up in my body, and tried to play a slow controlled shot back, and it’s barely gone anywhere.

Previously, T05 would always you to do that, but Dignics requires much more effort.

As for Rozena, I’ve never actually tried it, but I’d have no issues using it.

I think it’s easy to worry about what rubbers go with what blades etc, but personally, I just don’t think it matters quite as much as people think.

if you break all rubbers and blades down into 4 categories of DEF, ALL, OFF and OFF+, you can then just pair up what you want.

Rozena would come under the OFF category for me, and the blade would be an OFF+

So if you can use a fast blade with fast rubbers, you’ll be absolutely fine.

 

[Colin Ksh]

Amazingly, I’d have no problems recommending 09C to an intermediate player.

You really have to work it, like you would a cheaper Chinese rubber - The rubber doesn’t do much of the work for you, so if you are currently used to being out of position and playing a soft shot that has the catapult effect of something like T05, you’ll find there will be an adjustment period for 09C.

I’ve had it a few times where I’ve been jammed up in my body, and tried to play a slow controlled shot back, and it’s barely gone anywhere.

Previously, T05 would always you to do that, but Dignics requires much more effort.

As for Rozena, I’ve never actually tried it, but I’d have no issues using it.

I think it’s easy to worry about what rubbers go with what blades etc, but personally, I just don’t think it matters quite as much as people think.

if you break all rubbers and blades down into 4 categories of DEF, ALL, OFF and OFF+, you can then just pair up what you want.

Rozena would come under the OFF category for me, and the blade would be an OFF+

So if you can use a fast blade with fast rubbers, you’ll be absolutely fine.

First of all thanks, for explaining with patience. By the way how much does the blade itself alone weight with ST handle of yours? And the total weight with both rubbers as well. How’s the durability and longevity of dignics 09C?
Another thing I’d like to know is the edge tape and the no of layers of glue you use.
do you use the edge tape all around the racket or just in some proportion like timo and dima. Does the edge tape really have impact on the racket overall like becoming slower or not feeling as crips as before or as it should be.
Im sure you do use free chack pro 2 glue, may I know how many layers of glue do you use on the rubbers and blade.

Pls don’t mind me for asking many questions as I have to be very mindful and careful when buying certain equipment and setup as they cost bucks and I have to pay it myself.
Thanks in advance🙌
would love to hear from you and much appreciated

 

[jamiebtt]

Amazingly, I’d have no problems recommending 09C to an intermediate player.

You really have to work it, like you would a cheaper Chinese rubber - The rubber doesn’t do much of the work for you, so if you are currently used to being out of position and playing a soft shot that has the catapult effect of something like T05, you’ll find there will be an adjustment period for 09C.

I’ve had it a few times where I’ve been jammed up in my body, and tried to play a slow controlled shot back, and it’s barely gone anywhere.

Previously, T05 would always you to do that, but Dignics requires much more effort.

As for Rozena, I’ve never actually tried it, but I’d have no issues using it.

I think it’s easy to worry about what rubbers go with what blades etc, but personally, I just don’t think it matters quite as much as people think.

if you break all rubbers and blades down into 4 categories of DEF, ALL, OFF and OFF+, you can then just pair up what you want.

Rozena would come under the OFF category for me, and the blade would be an OFF+

So if you can use a fast blade with fast rubbers, you’ll be absolutely fine.

Hi NDH I see you have switched to using ovtcharov ALC, Dignics 09c on the forehand and Dignics 05 on the backhand from your Timo Boll ALC and T05 on both sides, how does this setup differ

 

[Rinforzando]

Any other reviews ? I heard that the blade is quite stiff (is it stiffer than a Viscaria ?) and has a low throw angle, is that true ?

 

[lapiskamay]

Any other reviews ? I heard that the blade is quite stiff (is it stiffer than a Viscaria ?) and has a low throw angle, is that true ?

Ovtcharov innerforce is stiffer than the Viscaria. I used both blade and I think Ovtcharov has a slightly higher arc angle than viscaria in my case.

 

[LHDuy]

I have an intend to combine it with Hurricane 3 Neo, will it work? Usually people will combine it with Viscaria

 

[Phan Le Minh]

This pro version will be even more amazing

 

[kapahoo]

Does anyone know how the shape of the heads of Ovtcharov/Harimoto blades differ from classic Butterfly blades (boll, viscaria etc).
The measurements are one thing but where are the added width added?

 

[Frenchyping]

Does anyone know how the shape of the heads of Ovtcharov/Harimoto blades differ from classic Butterfly blades (boll, viscaria etc).
The measurements are one thing but where are the added width added?

152x158 vs 150x157, Ovtcharov feels little heavy to the head

 

[kapahoo]

152x158 vs 150x157, Ovtcharov feels little heavy to the head

Thanks!

I guess what I really wanted to know is - do the bigger heads have the same shape, just bigger, or is something else different? They could have made it more egg shaped, wider overall or something like that.
The Ovtcharov blade is quite thick so it should have been more tilted to the head anyway. (Given that everything else is the same.)

 

[sebi]

View attachment 26693This pro version will be even more amazing

how do you know it´s apro version, and whats differnt to the "normal" version. Does it play significantly different

 

[nemezis]

Hey guys,

I thought I'd start this thread now with a few initial impressions, before taking it for a spin on Monday and Tuesday next week and providing more of a review.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know!

For some context/reference, you can find my Harimoto Innerforce ALC review here - https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/showthread.php?20840-Harimoto-InnerForce-ALC-Review

I'll do some comparisons between the Harimoto, Ovtcharov and Timo Boll ALC.

The Harimoto and Ovtcharov look very similar in composition, and the Ovtcharov and TB ALC are *very* similar on the Butterfly graph.

Initial Impressions

Looks are always subjective, but I love the look of the handle. I'm a sucker for good looking blades, and I think Butterfly do this best by some distance!

The handle is the Round/Straight (same as the Harimoto) compared with the Square/Straight of the TB ALC.

I used to prefer the SQ/ST handles, but I actually don't mind either these days.

The one thing I'd say here, is that the Butterfly dimensions would have you believe that the RD/ST handle was bigger than the SQ/ST (marginally) - But I don't find that to be the case when held in hand. The SQ/ST feels ever so slightly thicker, due to the more pronounced edges.

In reality, they are both almost the same, and in a blind test, I'd struggle to notice much difference.

The Ovtcharov feels a little thicker than the Harimoto though.

Build Quality/Finish

This is another area Butterfly always kill it - Superb finish on all parts of the blade.

To Be Added

I'll add more about the playing characteristics later next week once I've used it.

However, please note:

My TB ALC has T05 on both sides (I've been using this set up since March 2020, and bear in mind not a lot was played in that time!)

My Harimoto ALC has T05 Hard and T05.

My Ovtcharov ALC has Dignics 09c on the FH and Dignics 05 on the BH - So this is going to be virtually impossible to do a direct comparison with the other 2 blades/rubbers.

If anyone is curious about the wood thickness, I've added the photos below comparing the Ovtcharov to both the Harimoto and TB ALC.

Ovtcharov ALC on the left and Harimoto ALC on the right

TB ALC on the left and Ovtcharov ALC on the right

Why I use Butterfly?

OK, this might be an unpopular opinion in the Table Tennis world, but here goes.

Butterfly is expensive, there is no doubt about that (comically so at times).

I'd really struggle to recommend Butterfly equipment to lots of groups of people:

• Young people (where their parents pay for the equipment)
• Developing players who might not be able to tell the difference or get the most out of the equipment
• People who might be on a tight budget for whatever reason
• People who really don't care what they use

That's not a full list by any stretch, but it gives you an idea.

I use Butterfly because:

• I like the brand/Pro's that use it.
• I play at a high level in the UK where I feel (rightly or wrongly) that I can get the most out of the equipment.
• I can afford it - It sounds cold and blunt, but if I was on a budget I would not be dropping £80 on 1 sheet of Dignics. Table Tennis is my "main" hobby and I don't mind spending money on it.
• I like the mental reassurance that my rubbers will last 3-6 months of playing 2 times a week.

Again, it's not an exhaustive list, but I hope it gives you a little more context into the review.

Finally

My current opinions on my other 2 set ups are:

Harimoto ALC with T05 - A teeny tiny bit too slow in the passive game. Blocks amazingly, fantasticly large sweet spot, but left me feeling a touch underwhelmed in the end.

TB ALC with T05 - In reality, I didn't need to switch from this (you could say the same about the Harimoto too). There is definitely an element of simply me wanting new stuff here, in the on going search for the set up I finally stick with.

But the downsides to the TB ALC for me is "touch" - When you are playing well, it's fantastic. But it's super quick (I actually think it's quicker than people think it is). Paired with T05 makes it super bouncy, and the short game is very difficult.

My hopes for the Ovtcharov with Dignics is that I gain much more control in the short game, whilst not losing much in the attacking game.

On paper, that's exactly what I get! But time will tell if it's marketing, placebo, or actual results!

PS - I'll weigh the set up on Monday when I take the plastic sheet off Dignics 09c

Buutterfly is crap just marketing and overpriced !!!
I have all batterfly blade all rubbish no feeling no controll
world best do not use!!!
Horewer Viscaria super alc is not bad.And some rubber like Dignics 09c is one of the best.
And tenergy.80 and Dignics 80 and glyser 09c -but is slow they have controll!
Best players Use hurricane,skyline and xiom and nittaku
Xiom is cheap and much better controll!
best blade what ma Long use dhs and ops handmade all others just marketing

 

[NextLevel]

Buutterfly is crap just marketing and overpriced !!!
I have all batterfly blade all rubbish no feeling no controll
world best do not use!!!
Horewer Viscaria super alc is not bad.And some rubber like Dignics 09c is one of the best.
And tenergy.80 and Dignics 80 and glyser 09c -but is slow they have controll!
Best players Use hurricane,skyline and xiom and nittaku
Xiom is cheap and much better controll!
best blade what ma Long use dhs and ops handmade all others just marketing

This best Ma Long blade - if we compare it to a Fan Zhendong ALC, what does it cost?

 

[NDH]

Buutterfly is crap just marketing and overpriced !!!

And some rubber like Dignics 09c is one of the best.

Having these sentences 3 lines apart is very impressive! Congrats!

If we ignore the fact you dug up this thread which is nearly a year old, is there an actual point you had on the Ovtcharov ALC (which this thread is about)?

Aside from that, excellent contribution to the thread, and my enjoyment of this morning! 😂

 

[joshmak10]

Buutterfly is crap just marketing and overpriced !!!
I have all batterfly blade all rubbish no feeling no controll
world best do not use!!!
Horewer Viscaria super alc is not bad.And some rubber like Dignics 09c is one of the best.
And tenergy.80 and Dignics 80 and glyser 09c -but is slow they have controll!
Best players Use hurricane,skyline and xiom and nittaku
Xiom is cheap and much better controll!
best blade what ma Long use dhs and ops handmade all others just marketing

I can’t tell what’s worse, the take or the grammar

 

[deepanmania]

Having these sentences 3 lines apart is very impressive! Congrats!

If we ignore the fact you dug up this thread which is nearly a year old, is there an actual point you had on the Ovtcharov ALC (which this thread is about)?

Aside from that, excellent contribution to the thread, and my enjoyment of this morning! 😂

Actually, I was EJing and got Ovt ALC after @NDH 's review.
I was pretty much comfortable and enjoying my FZD ALC + D09c and + D05 combo, and I bought Ovt ALC with the same rubber setup.
Damn, it's a day and night difference. I couldn't play with Ovt ALC at all. It has too much control, which is weird for the speed it generates, and I became slower when I play with Ovt ALC.
Since I'm a fan of Dima, I still keep it new and don't wanna sell it too.
@NDH Bro, can you post your custom SDC Ovt ALC picture? I'm just curious to see 😅
And kindly explain the customisations you did compared with the original.

 

[steve888]

Actually, I was EJing and got Ovt ALC after @NDH 's review.
I was pretty much comfortable and enjoying my FZD ALC + D09c and + D05 combo, and I bought Ovt ALC with the same rubber setup.
Damn, it's a day and night difference. I couldn't play with Ovt ALC at all. It has too much control, which is weird for the speed it generates, and I became slower when I play with Ovt ALC.
Since I'm a fan of Dima, I still keep it new and don't wanna sell it too.
@NDH Bro, can you post your custom SDC Ovt ALC picture? I'm just curious to see 😅
And kindly explain the customisations you did compared with the original.

I have the FZD too and tried the OVT ALC, I liked it (the feel) but it seem so head heavy and found I was swinging slower. I like the FZD as easier to swing and seem to have quite good dwell time for an outer carbon. I use D09c on forehand and Glayzer 09c on backhand. I could imagaine if I used D05 on FZD it be to fast and I will have less control.

 

[NDH]

Actually, I was EJing and got Ovt ALC after @NDH 's review.
I was pretty much comfortable and enjoying my FZD ALC + D09c and + D05 combo, and I bought Ovt ALC with the same rubber setup.
Damn, it's a day and night difference. I couldn't play with Ovt ALC at all. It has too much control, which is weird for the speed it generates, and I became slower when I play with Ovt ALC.
Since I'm a fan of Dima, I still keep it new and don't wanna sell it too.
@NDH Bro, can you post your custom SDC Ovt ALC picture? I'm just curious to see 😅
And kindly explain the customisations you did compared with the original.

I can do one better....

I literally asked for a carbon copy - An identical version of the Ovtcharov ALC, but with my custom branding and colour scheme.

For me, the differences in blades between TB ALC, Ovtcharov ALC, Harimoto ALC etc etc.... Are all insignificant compared to the different rubbers.

I could quite comfortably use any of those blades at any point with barely any change to style/technique.