Butterfly Dimitrij Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC Review

[KM1976]

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.

I exactly share the same feeling. I can use TB ALC, ZJK ALC, Viscaria and Harimoto ALC without much adjustments.

 

[Tembel]

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.

Sounds a little bit strange that you "cannot play at all" with a blade because it has a lot of control . My guess is that you feel like your shots are slower because of the blade being very stiff.

 

[deepanmania]

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

Yes, I've tried FZD Alc, TB ALC, Viscaria, Xiom Ice cream AZXi, all with dignics, and the differences are not that much.
But with Ovt ALC somewhat, the feeling is weird, despite my FZD Alc being overall heavier, Ovt ALC felt heavy for me coz of the head-heavy weight distribution. My swing got slower, and the arc felt lower for me.
Since my swing got slower and the racket grabs the ball for too long, I was hitting my topspins outside.
My point is, yes, with some adjustment time, I may be better with the blade, but the adjustment time needed from FZD Alc to Ovt ALC is higher compared to other blades.

Sounds a little bit strange that you "cannot play at all" with a blade because it has a lot of control . My guess is that you feel like your shots are slower because of the blade being very stiff.

@Tembel, I felt my swing got slower when I used Ovt ALC, and it's holding the ball nicely for a longer period. I needed an adjustment time, and it was an effort for me, so I ended up using FZD Alc again.

 

[SorryForTheEdge]

Yes, I've tried FZD Alc, TB ALC, Viscaria, Xiom Ice cream AZXi, all with dignics, and the differences are not that much.
But with Ovt ALC somewhat, the feeling is weird, despite my FZD Alc being overall heavier, Ovt ALC felt heavy for me coz of the head-heavy weight distribution. My swing got slower, and the arc felt lower for me.
Since my swing got slower and the racket grabs the ball for too long, I was hitting my topspins outside.
My point is, yes, with some adjustment time, I may be better with the blade, but the adjustment time needed from FZD Alc to Ovt ALC is higher compared to other blades.

@Tembel, I felt my swing got slower when I used Ovt ALC, and it's holding the ball nicely for a longer period. I needed an adjustment time, and it was an effort for me, so I ended up using FZD Alc again.

Makes sense since it's an innerforce blade. I like pairing it with hybrid rubbers because it's easier to receive serves and also generate your own spin. While Dima plays fast game, I focus on slower, but heavier forehand loops to add tons of spin and dipping effect to my opponents. Feels like a trebuchet. Currently experimenting with new rubbers.

 

[trungnv]

OK, first impressions are in…..

The short answer is…. If you are looking for something different to the TB ALC/Viscaria’s of this world. This isn’t it.

It’s much harder than the Harimoto Innerforce ALC, with a crisper feeling.

The long answer is….. More complicated.

I’ll start off by saying that I was playing with 2 rubbers I’ve never used before (Dignics 09c and Dignics 05), so this is some what of an unfair impression right now.

But I have hit with a Viscaria with 09c, so I have some comparisons to make there.

Whilst this is classed as an Innerforce blade, it feels closer to the TB ALC, than it does to the slower Innerforce Layer.

You get a nice woody feel on slow shots and play around the net, but the carbon feeling kicks in a little quicker than the Harimoto ALC when you start playing more aggressively.

I personally like the feeling of the wooden blades AND the carbon blades, so it was always going to be a winner for me in that respect.

Paired with Dignics 09c on the forehand, it’s superb.

You have the slow touch around the net, great control on the blocks and counters, and fantastic top end speed.

Dignics 05 on the backhand will take more time to get used to (coming from Tenergy 05), but the flicks, loops and punches are all wonderful to play.

Passive shots is where it fell down on tonights performance, as you have to give it a little more of your own energy, rather than relying on the rubber/blade to do the work for you.

Overall….. A good first impression.

I have 3 matches tomorrow night, so I’ll know a little more after that!

Hi. Which racket do you think would feel different from the ones you mentioned? I think Viscaria is good, but I want to explore and try a new type. Thanks

 

[steve888]

I tried the Butterfly Dimitrij Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC but I think I prefer my FZD Alc, I think the head heaviness of the DOI makes it harder to swing - not as agile like the FZD blade and the FZD its easier to activate the carbon and I think it isn't as stiff either.

 

[NDH]

Hi. Which racket do you think would feel different from the ones you mentioned? I think Viscaria is good, but I want to explore and try a new type. Thanks

That is a very broad question.
There are a lot that would feel different to the Viscaria based models - It depends what you want though.

But if you are after a similar attack style blade..... The differences are going to be minor (in my opinion).

I have personally never been of the opinion that the blade makes as much difference as people think. If you can use a Viscaria well, you can use A LOT of blades well.

Yes, there will be some differences that you would feel if playing with the bats one after another.

But any good player will be able to adapt to the changes quite quickly.

Buy the blade YOU want - Maybe because it's your favourite player, or maybe because the handle looks cool.

Or maybe it's because Sergio @SDC has made it and it's completely unique to you!

 

[trungnv]

That is a very broad question.
There are a lot that would feel different to the Viscaria based models - It depends what you want though.

But if you are after a similar attack style blade..... The differences are going to be minor (in my opinion).

I have personally never been of the opinion that the blade makes as much difference as people think. If you can use a Viscaria well, you can use A LOT of blades well.

Yes, there will be some differences that you would feel if playing with the bats one after another.

But any good player will be able to adapt to the changes quite quickly.

Buy the blade YOU want - Maybe because it's your favourite player, or maybe because the handle looks cool.

Or maybe it's because Sergio @SDC has made it and it's completely unique to you!

Thanks for the advice. It's true that sometimes liking a particular racket is based on its beautiful handle or admiration for the athlete. I've seen many recommendations that ZLC and Super ALC are difficult to play with, and Inner ALC is slow. Have you ever played with Super Viscaria or Harimo Inner Super ALC? Could you share your experience? Also, do you think other rackets besides Butterfly are a good choice? I think other rackets like Donic and Tihbar are probably similar.

 

[NDH]

Also, do you think other rackets besides Butterfly are a good choice?

Absolutely not. If you don't use Butterfly, do you even play....bro?

Sorry, that was a joke (from an unashamed Butterfly fanboy)

Butterfly are an excellent marketing company who make excellent table tennis products, and generally, there is a slight premium (or big premium) over other brands.

I have no doubt Donic, Tibhar, Stiga, Andro etc etc all make very good stuff - But if I were to leave my man Sergio, I'd almost certainly go back to Butterfly.

I've seen many recommendations that ZLC and Super ALC are difficult to play with

It's true - They are fast. Very fast.

If that suits your game, then great.

I've got better as my equipment has got SLOWER though - More spin, more control, more balls on the table - I challenge anyone to prove me wrong there.

and Inner ALC is slow

SlowER maybe. Not slow.

If you can't use a Viscaria because it's too quick, I imagine an inner force ALC will also be too quick, and you are better going to an ALL+ type of blade.

Have you ever played with Super Viscaria or Harimo Inner Super ALC? Could you share your experience?

Not for extended periods of time.

I found when I did try them, it was just too quick.

Feels great when hitting that 1 in a 100 Youtube-worthy bomb down the line.

Feels less good when you miss basic shots 99% of the time.

 

[trungnv]

Absolutely not. If you don't use Butterfly, do you even play....bro?

Sorry, that was a joke (from an unashamed Butterfly fanboy)

Butterfly are an excellent marketing company who make excellent table tennis products, and generally, there is a slight premium (or big premium) over other brands.

I have no doubt Donic, Tibhar, Stiga, Andro etc etc all make very good stuff - But if I were to leave my man Sergio, I'd almost certainly go back to Butterfly.



It's true - They are fast. Very fast.

If that suits your game, then great.

I've got better as my equipment has got SLOWER though - More spin, more control, more balls on the table - I challenge anyone to prove me wrong there.



SlowER maybe. Not slow.

If you can't use a Viscaria because it's too quick, I imagine an inner force ALC will also be too quick, and you are better going to an ALL+ type of blade.


Not for extended periods of time.

I found when I did try them, it was just too quick.

Feels great when hitting that 1 in a 100 Youtube-worthy bomb down the line.

Feels less good when you miss basic shots 99% of the time.

Can I know which combo you often to play? Thank you

 

[SorryForTheEdge]

Buy the blade YOU want

I want all of them. How many bank loans would it take?

 

[dprsspins]

I use the Ovtcharov as my main blade.

To me the Ovtcharov is a spin demon. Coming from an outer carbon blade to this blade improves my spin generation so much. It's touch is nuanced, I can feel the ball on the blade so well and it aids my control a lot regardless spinny open ups, close to table touch games or looping from far. The best thing about this blade is it's feeling when power looping from mid distance. Brushing is so effortless, and it's deep pocketing, crisp contact feel is addicting.

One caveat though, you kinda need to be able to generate your own power with this blade. It doesn't have that much inherent catapult and it ain't gonna hold your hand when you accelerate the ball. Which works damn well for me because I love doing that Ma Long wide forehand topspin stroke.


I would easily recommend this blade to most intermediate or above players, regardless of budget and say something like 'buy this blade to end all searching'. I actually prefer the Glayzer/Dignics05 on forehand over the 09C but that's because I just don't like the feel of tacky forehand. T05 just felt unpredictable on this blade for some reason.

The only time I'd recommend against getting the Ovtcharov is if the player is an old/unfit person, or someone who loves to play almost exclusively close to the table. Then it might be better to get an outer carbon that may have a larger sweet spot and can hit faster counters. I myself carry a spare outer carbon Joola Tezzo Spartan (crazy stiff and crisp outer KLC blade btw) in case I want to play a more direct, close to table game, or I'm tired and just want to smash instead of brushing.

The Ovtcharov is a masterpiece.