I wonder why the Viscaria type is more popular (from my perception) than the Innerforce limba type.
Most player start with some kind of an allround blade. Mostly with soft outer layers. Later on most player develop their forehand earlier and faster than their backhand.
Even on higher level the forehand is still much more lethal than the backhand.
Still Viscaria and it's variants seems to be the most popular blades.
I think it has to do with the fact that some of the European greats have used these blades. Timo is a living legend and has shaped European table tennis like no other player before him. His influence is much greater even than Waldner, so it makes sense that his equipment would be so popular, he has been the face of Butterfly for over a decade and will continue being for a while.
Seeing the success of players like Zhang with Viscaria, Timo with the Spirit, and a bunch Chinese and European players using variants of them, people started using them and nowadays they work really good with the plastic ball too. So manufacturers keep making them, and they keep selling.
As for why the pros themselves started using them in the first place, they tried many things and they found what worked the best, and since many have similar playstyles, they all ended up using similar equipment. Same with rubbers. 10 years ago Tenergy was the only rubber that was really viable at the top level, so much so that players from other companies also used them. Ovcharov is a good example with Donic.
Another thing is that outer carbon with hard surface, like koto, blade works better with medium and soft rubbers, while inner carbon with soft surface, like limba, work better with hard rubbers.
The medium gen, Ovcharov, Franziska, etc, have bigger moves than the old gens, Waldner, Timo, etc. Softer blades support longer more powerful strokes, while harder blades shorter, more snappy strokes.
Also when hybrids became a thing, many switched over to inner soft. Timo is kind of an exception...
