Viscaria ALC vs Fan Zhendong ALC help me decide (Dignics 09C / 05 setup)

[steve888]

My friend has a FZD and I have one. His plays differently to mine even with same rubbers. His had not much feeling and lacked power. Mine seems to have more feeling and punch . He is selling his.

I agree - bounce a ball on it in the shop to see if it had consistent feeling and sound throughout the blade, weigh it and sometimes measure the hz etc. before buying.

 

[dingyibvs]

My friend has a FZD and I have one. His plays differently to mine even with same rubbers. His had not much feeling and lacked power. Mine seems to have more feeling and punch . He is selling his.

I agree - bounce a ball on it in the shop to see if it had consistent feeling and sound throughout the blade, weigh it and sometimes measure the hz etc. before buying.

Do you happen to know the year of his FZD versus yours? I got really lucky with my first one. Bought it with rubbers covering it, so had no clue what it would've been like. Turned out it's got high frequency (1470s), a darker complexion (suggests older wood for the outer layer), and even fish scale to boot although that doesn't really matter. Most importantly, it plays extremely well, with great feeling, flex, and power. I've bought 2 more since and they don't play quite the same.

 

[steve888]

Do you happen to know the year of his FZD versus yours? I got really lucky with my first one. Bought it with rubbers covering it, so had no clue what it would've been like. Turned out it's got high frequency (1470s), a darker complexion (suggests older wood for the outer layer), and even fish scale to boot although that doesn't really matter. Most importantly, it plays extremely well, with great feeling, flex, and power. I've bought 2 more since and they don't play quite the same.

My FZD was the Y series (?) 1460 and fish scale as well, I got a Timo boll spirit at 1490 - it feels slightly harder and stiffer. I think my friends FZD was a 2025 model. I also have a Marcos Freitas alc and that is 1410 and that does feel slightly slower but it does have more dwell and feel.

 

[dingyibvs]

My FZD was the Y series (?) 1460 and fish scale as well, I got a Timo boll spirit at 1490 - it feels slightly harder and stiffer. I think my friends FZD was a 2025 model. I also have a Marcos Freitas alc and that is 1410 and that does feel slightly slower but it does have more dwell and feel.

That's interesting. I have a X series FZD that plays really well, then 2 K series from 2025 that are totally bland, both ~1450 hz. One just feels stiff, though at least it feels reasonably powerful, the other feels like it's got no speed, flex, or power.

 

[steve888]

I j

That's interesting. I have a X series FZD that plays really well, then 2 K series from 2025 that are totally bland, both ~1450 hz. One just feels stiff, though at least it feels reasonably powerful, the other feels like it's got no speed, flex, or power.

I just checked - Y series is 2022. I bought mine second hand so its older than I thought I do noticed they drop a few hz if you glue rubbers on them a few times - the blade softens a little over time, perhaps moisture in the blade, oil from hands and use etc. My Freitas was 1410 now around 1390.

 

[dingyibvs]

I j

I just checked - Y series is 2022. I bought mine second hand so its older than I thought I do noticed they drop a few hz if you glue rubbers on them a few times - the blade softens a little over time, perhaps moisture in the blade, oil from hands and use etc. My Freitas was 1410 now around 1390.

I think the older ones are just better made, which a lot of other people have complained about on Chinese socials and that's my experience thus far as well.

 

[Füty Imre]

I think the older ones are just better made, which a lot of other people have complained about on Chinese socials and that's my experience thus far as well.

So I guess this goes for TB ALC too and every vis like butterfly blade?

 

[Kenny Poh]

The Viscaria and the FZD ALCs were 2 blades I condiered. I went for the FZD blade because the handle just suited me more. I initially trained with an unboosted H3N provincial blue FH, and this one is really unforgiving but it really trains one's techniques.

I have since changed the rubber to D09C, and I think it is a good match for the FZD ALC.

 

[kapahoo]

A lot of people are saying that the handles on Viscaria and FZD ALC are different. Does this apply to the ST handles as well?

 

[pingpong102]

For me, Fan alc has more dwell time, high arc, but landing near the net, Viscaria is stiffer, low arc but long landing point. When using Viscaria, i'm usually hit the ball outside, but when using Fan alc, i make more shot landing on the table

 

[BobFL]

I have owned a total of 11 Fan Zhendong (FZD) blades, each weighing exactly 88 grams, and observed no discernible differences in performance among them during gameplay. Conversely, having tested the Viscaria on numerous occasions, I found the contrast with the FZD to be remarkably striking. The Viscaria is distinctly harder and stiffer, offering a shorter dwell time. In terms of handling, the FZD provided significantly better control, allowing me to direct the ball with far greater ease. Furthermore, the dimensions, shape, and handle ergonomics vary considerably; the FZD features a more comfortable grip in both its flared (FL) and straight (ST) variants, the latter being my personal choice. In active play, the Viscaria can occasionally feel erratic—as though it exhibits unpredictable 'hot spots'—whereas the FZD offers a more linear, stable, and reliable response. Consequently, there is no ambiguity as to which blade aligns with my preference, and it is the one I wholeheartedly recommend.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

the major diff btw FZD ALC vs Viscaria ALC is one you have to pay endorsement fee on it while the other none.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

the major diff btw FZD ALC vs Viscaria ALC is one you have to pay endorsement fee on it while the other none.

To further strengthen my argument; take a look at the BTY website and compare both FZD ALC with Viz ALC. The dimensions are the same and the position of these two product offering sits at the exact spot on the BTW Blade Matrix.

 

[BobFL]

To further strengthen my argument; take a look at the BTY website and compare both FZD ALC with Viz ALC. The dimensions are the same and the position of these two product offering sits at the exact spot on the BTW Blade Matrix.

There is no need to reinforce your argument; we are neither seeking a consensus nor conducting an investigation

My hat is off to those who feel no difference; God bless you, and your wallet will be deeply grateful. But for me, the distinction is unequivocal. Butterfly operates with a level of craftsmanship, production expertise and fine-tuning abilities that remains unmatched by its competitors. Even though the Viscaria, FZD, and Timo Boll ALC feature the exact same veneer composition on paper, and show no variation in official charts, Butterfly has subtly calibrated all three to play differently. For example, the koto layer on the Timo Boll ALC is treated for added stiffness—whether through UV treatment or another chemical method, I cannot say for certain. Yet, I maintain that the Timo Boll ALC is unlike any other blade Butterfly has launched. As for the FZD, for me it stands without alternative in the Butterfly universe, to say nothing of other brands.

 

[steve888]

There is no need to reinforce your argument; we are neither seeking a consensus nor conducting an investigation

My hat is off to those who feel no difference; God bless you, and your wallet will be deeply grateful. But for me, the distinction is unequivocal. Butterfly operates with a level of craftsmanship, production expertise and fine-tuning abilities that remains unmatched by its competitors. Even though the Viscaria, FZD, and Timo Boll ALC feature the exact same veneer composition on paper, and show no variation in official charts, Butterfly has subtly calibrated all three to play differently. For example, the koto layer on the Timo Boll ALC is treated for added stiffness—whether through UV treatment or another chemical method, I cannot say for certain. Yet, I maintain that the Timo Boll ALC is unlike any other blade Butterfly has launched. As for the FZD, for me it stands without alternative in the Butterfly universe, to say nothing of other brands.

Yes I prefer FZD over the Viscaria, I do find the FZD has more control and feeling but a little less speed. I use battle 2 on backhand and Dignics 80 on the forehand.
How do you find D05 on the FZD ALC on the forehand - do you find D05 spin sensitive ?
How would you compare the Timo boll alc with FZD alc ? I could imagine the Timo boll would be faster but less controlled than FZD alc? Thanks

 

[Yurifi]

the three are practically the same on paper, the difference is just weight balance. but, wood is a tricky thing - you can have two Viscarias, and they will play completely different. so it's also a bit of luck, how it plays. generally, they should offer same feel, but yes, sometimes, if the veneers are softer, it will offer more dwell time.

i.e., I had Viscaria, Timo Boll and FZD. while Viscaria and FZD are relatively close (that's why I kept them), Timo Boll was soft and slow.

on paper it should really be:
- Timo Boll ALC -> more head heavy, oriented for combining it with eurojap tensor rubbers, which are a bit lighter
- Viscaria -> balance towards handle, but still more or less nice even balance, meant to be able to be paired with heavier Chinese rubbers
- FZD -> handle balanced weight, as it was ment to be used with the heavy Chinese rubbers. but I prefer a handle heavy blade and that's why I clicked with it nicely

a lot of people forget about one amazing rubber - Dignics D80. it's amazing BH rubber, even FH rubber on blades with higher arc.

 

[Coolsta Connor]

the three are practically the same on paper, the difference is just weight balance. but, wood is a tricky thing - you can have two Viscarias, and they will play completely different. so it's also a bit of luck, how it plays. generally, they should offer same feel, but yes, sometimes, if the veneers are softer, it will offer more dwell time.

i.e., I had Viscaria, Timo Boll and FZD. while Viscaria and FZD are relatively close (that's why I kept them), Timo Boll was soft and slow.

on paper it should really be:
- Timo Boll ALC -> more head heavy, oriented for combining it with eurojap tensor rubbers, which are a bit lighter
- Viscaria -> balance towards handle, but still more or less nice even balance, meant to be able to be paired with heavier Chinese rubbers
- FZD -> handle balanced weight, as it was ment to be used with the heavy Chinese rubbers. but I prefer a handle heavy blade and that's why I clicked with it nicely

a lot of people forget about one amazing rubber - Dignics D80. it's amazing BH rubber, even FH rubber on blades with higher arc.

I haven't tried any of these options that I'm gonna state other than Z03 and D09c, but I personally like the sound of D80's speed to low throw angle ratio, but the fact that its softer than D09c, no tacky/grippy topsheet especially for its low throw is a big minus for me. I like rubbers that are penetrating, but I want strong ability to control the arc and especially are low. Not to mention, the fact that D80 intrinsically generates less spin is a big issue. I don't think D09c can really be replaced because it can do all that D80 can do, but with higher quality and effort needed. It gets to the point if you want the same performance as D09c, but more speed its gotta go the Z03 route, but you lose the control although it is allegedly well controlled and grippy. I don't know what to do.

 

[Yurifi]

I absolutely don’t have a feeling that D80 would produce less spin. before I played with Rakza 7 Hard, MX-D, D09c, D05 - serves are as lethal, backhand openers are as lethal but pushes (long ones into corners or body/elbow) and blocks are noticeably more deadly!