Sorry I want to resurrect this thread as recently I purchased one of the mass produced/re-released V-14 pro.
It's frustrates me a bit that there's a gazillion of us EJ's out there but very little side by side picture comparisons.
In a blind test can anyone of you identify which of the blades below is a Butterfly Viscaria and Which one is the V-14? Take it as a small jest -- as it would be fun to realize that some of us might be a bit inaccurate in judging the blades.
As I read, there's an first release of the V-14. A limited 1000 pieces only that's numbered from 1/1000 to 1000/1000. And then there's a mass produced version when fans of the blade actually insisted they release it again. I have not heard of any complaints about the first release versions being different from the "mass released" ones. And I think only a few would be able to compare them as I think very few have both.
My feedback is from using the "mass produced" FL version. Putting this disclaimer ahead as I can't comment on the original release or any other handle types.
I used the same rubbers in using both the viscaria and the V-14
Forehand - Tenergy 05
Backhand - Stiga DNA Dragongrip
I'm going to say it ahead of time, the V-14 can never feel the same as a Timo Boll(ALC FL). Imho the handle of the TB has a thin neck. Smaller in diameter. It's like holding a slender woman's wrist. (weird analogy no?)
The handle of the V-14 is closer to the handle of the viscaria. The neck is chunkier. In my experiences with quite a few blades... the handle shape provides a huge difference in feel. It actually makes me wonder if the first release handle is the Timo Ball handle shape and they changed it on the re-release. Because quite a few of the reviews I've read keep comparing the v-14 to the TB instead of the viscaria.
Having said the above. The V-14 handle FEELS even a tad bit "chunkier" than the viscaria. Thicker by a bit is what I mean. Only on the neck part. The bottom part of the handle is the same. I'll probably buy a caliper to actually prove this but for now I'm basing on feeling of gripping it. The V-14 FL is the wrist of your gym bro that drinks protein shakes everyday. The viscaria is your best friend's wrist. And the timo ball FL is the wrist of a girlfriend. (again weird analogy, but you'll get what i mean when you've held the 3).
In play... the viscaria is your married, financially stable, eldest brother. Makes mature decisions. Balls don't go wild even if you smash it. Using the harder Stiga DNA dragongrip, it has very controlled passive blocks. It looks at the problematic situation, calms everyone down, and provides a well thought of solution. Even if you make bad decisions in play your older brother viscaria has got your back. Puts the ball on the table and slightly makes up for your errors while still calmly reprimanding you because you suck at drills and you don't practice as much as you should.
In play...the v-14 is your freshly graduated from college, young professional employee. Livelier. A tad bit more power than the viscaria. Eager for that job promotion. Like it has something to prove to his parents or to his manager at work. When you do your flat drives it can still calmly put the ball on the table but it can explode more if you want it to. It still has the control your elder brother viscaria has but unlike your elder brother it doesn't have 40 year old knees. It has power when you need it, but control when you dont. Faster and bouncier than the viscaria by just a tiny bit. But significant enough for the user to notice.
Even though my description of the two blades above seem to indicate otherwise, the similarity is for sure there. The blades are brothers of the same family. Not exactly a clone of one another imho. In my amateur opinion the viscaria would fit the hands of a coach that values ball placement more than explosive power and the v-14 is for the player that wants more power to "kill" the ball more.
Build quality wise.. the Viscaria looks "more refined". Probably a placebo effect on me because it's a more expensive brand. But for 1/4 of the price the V-14 is no slouch. I would have liked the V14 more if they designed the handle a bit more "classical" but that's just me. There is no question about the quality of the handle in the Viscaria. Full disclosure I also own an ST version of the viscaria and the handle is really built top quality. Non-play related, we all know that a bit of downside to the viscaria is that it gets very dirty, very quickly. First week of heavy training? The viscaria will already look your husky dog coming home from a day of playing in the park. The V-14 is more resilient to being dirty because of its color choices.
The viscaria build quality as I said above looks "more refined" but with that finer look comes a downside. It chips easy on the edges. Unsealed - when taking off heavily glued rubbers there's a bigger chance of pulling a few fibers. If you want the viscaria to last, seal at least the edges. The V14? Not so much. Although I've used my V14 significantly a lot less months than I've used my viscaria, the edges are tough. With the occasional slams on the table receiving services, the V14 held up more.
Everyone knows what a Viscaria looks like but i don't think a lot of people know how the V-14 looks against the light. Daym. Oooh mama. This isn't even a special version. They just come scaled by default.
Maybe because it's a different wood. The V-14 surface is "smoother". If you zoom in close to the viscaria, it's not really smooth. There's very little "pores, lines, gaps" in the wood grain. (the ones your waterbased glue gets into and makes it hard to clean when changing rubbers). The V-14 doesn't have those or at least has smaller pores. I think those "pores" in the viscaria wood actually gives it more control and shock absorption capabilities. The smoother surface on the V-14 gives it the tad bit more direct power.
Can anyone tell if this is a V-14 or a viscaria? Just another blind test.
I'm still typing the rest of my experience............ in the next edit.