Innerforce ALC vs Timo Boll ALC

[Albert Lau]

Can someone please post an In Depth description about each blade and it's differences?

 

[AndySmith]

For the Boll ALC - the outer ply is koto, the ALC layer is just under the outer wood ply.

For the IF-ALC - the outer ply is limba, the ALC layer is under the 2 outermost wood plies, and the headsize is a bit larger. (edit - wrong! headsize is the same - thanks slevin)

For me, this adds up to the IF-ALC being a bit softer feel, slightly slower in the short game, but slightly faster when away from the table due to a bit more flex. IF-ALC has a more "woody" feel.

Both great blades. Boll better for hitting/blocking, IF better for looping, but these are marginal differences in the grand scheme of things IMO.

 

[Albert Lau]

So, which one would be better for looping/drive spin from close to table to mid-distance.
Also what rubbers should I pair with each blade e.t.c.
Thanks

 

[slevin]

the headsize is a bit larger.

IMO, they have the same head-size (unlike the case of TB-ZLF vs IF-ZLF)

 

[AndySmith]

IMO, they have the same head-size (unlike the case of TB-ZLF vs IF-ZLF)

Whoops - yes you're right. Got ZLF on the brain here.

 

[AndySmith]

So, which one would be better for looping/drive spin from close to table to mid-distance.
Also what rubbers should I pair with each blade e.t.c.
Thanks

Comes down to your own needs really. For close-in attacking, I think the Boll edges it with its sharper, more direct feel. More precise. But some will prefer the IF's ease of use for slow loops and spin variation, and more wood-like feel. They are very close overall.

They pair up well with most attacking rubbers. If you're using hard chinese rubbers, I prefer the Boll. If using slightly bouncy eurojap rubbers, I prefer the IF. My favourite IF setup is T64-FX/T80, and back when I used the Boll I had Shark2/H3Neo. YMMV, obviously.

Which rubbers do you use at the moment?

 

[Albert Lau]

I am currently using a DHS Hurricane H-WL with Sriver 2.1mm on forehand and DHS hurricane 2 (not to sure how thick) backhand.
So this might be a huge change?

 

[AndySmith]

I've never used a H-WL, but it's supposed to be stiff, hard, and quite fast. If you're going to keep your current rubbers, the Boll is a better move IMO.

 

[bzing]

My favourite IF setup is T64-FX/T80, and back when I used the Boll I had Shark2/H3Neo.

Hey AndySmith so can you tell which setup your game was more effective when playing matches? With the first one or when you used Boll+Shark2/H3Neo?

 

[AndySmith]

Hey AndySmith so can you tell which setup your game was more effective when playing matches? With the first one or when you used Boll+Shark2/H3Neo?

Hmmm, complicated. I played better with the Boll setup for sure, but had to take a break because of stomach surgery. When I came back, I couldn't generate enough power with H3 because I can't really rotate my waist as much now, so I moved to the Tenergies on various blades, including the IF. Now, I play better with the IF setup, but mainly because I can't use H3 as effectively these days. It's a lot less demanding on the body to use Tenergy type stuff, and they suit a slightly softer blade for me.

 

[bzing]

Yes that's true, though with H3 you have a wider range of unpredictable choices of strokes you execute but tenergies are easier to use of course. So you do feel like with the tenergies + IF now sometimes is too fast?

 

[AndySmith]

Yes that's true, though with H3 you have a wider range of unpredictable choices of strokes you execute but tenergies are easier to use of course. So you do feel like with the tenergies + IF now sometimes is too fast?

Agree with your H3 view, but I found that I couldn't finish points off anymore with it. Nothing wrong with the rubber obviously - my body hold me back these days. I thought the IF with T05 was too reactive to spin (especially service return) and too high throw. I'm really happy with the switch to T80, which seems to sort these two issues out at the expense of huge spin in the high gears. I should add that these days I've moved these rubbers to a BTY Liu Shiwen blade for even more focus on looping and spin variation, and it's going well so far...

 

[Albert Lau]

What about the Viscaria/Viscaria Light and Timo Boll ZLF. How does it perform in looping, drivespin from mid distance to far away? And how does it compare to IF ALC, TB ALC, Gergely Alpha and Mizutani Jun

 

[AndySmith]

The Viscaria is, IMO, almost the same as the Boll ALC. If anything, I just found the Viscaria to be slightly softer, but it's so marginal. I haven't tried the Viscaria Light, so I can't comment on that.

The Boll ZLF is one of my favorite blades. Similar construction to the Boll ALC, but thinner, and with ZLF instead of the ALC layer. The ZLF has a different feel to ALC - to me, it feels "plastic" rather than the numb feel you get with ALC, and I like that. The blade retains a better wood-feel than the ALC, loops are easier, and it's a bit slower in the short game. The ALC does feel more stable though, and the Boll ZLF might lack the power for driving with chinese tacky rubbers.

Only used the JM for 10 minutes. And the JM had good touch over the table but was very fast when looping. I don't have much experience with ZLC blades, so I'm not the best to comment on it. Seemed like a high-level blade to me - above my pay grade.

Not used the Gergely Alpha at all. I have used the old Gergely, which seemed like a bit of a cannon to me! It was too fast for me in all areas.

 

[Albert Lau]

So, from what I've heard. I'll probably be going with TB ALC, IF ALC,TB ZLF or TB ZLC, if i go with either one of them what tenergy rubber should I pair it with, Tenergy 64 fx and tenergy 80 is out of the option as lee sports don't sell them.
If anyone can. Please try to list the pros and cons of each blade.TB ALC, TB ZLC, TB ZLF, IF ALC e.g does it do well far away from the table, is it really heavy,e.t.c

Thanks in advance

 

[AndySmith]

What are your Tenergy options with Lee Sports?

 

[MDanielCRO]

U should use tenergy 05 for forehand, and on backhand some of these three: T80, T05 fx or T64, these three are all good backhand rubbers

 

[Albert Lau]

What are your Tenergy options with Lee Sports?

Tenergy 05, Tenergy 05 fx, Tenergy 25, Tenergy 25 fx, Tenergy 64.

 

[MDanielCRO]

Tenergy 05, Tenergy 05 fx, Tenergy 25, Tenergy 25 fx, Tenergy 64.

Than go for 05, 05 fx combination It should fit your playing style for sure

 

[Albert Lau]

Then what blade should I pair it with? I also have the option of putting a Hurricane 3 neo provincial blue sponge on BH or FH.