FZD ALC vs Viscaria are the differences actually significant? My measurements surprised me

[struke]

I recently bought an FZD ALC because I kept reading on forums and seeing on YouTube that it feels a bit softer, has more dwell and control than Viscaria.

Now I have both with exactly the same rubbers:
FH: Dignics 09C 2.1
BH: Dignics 05 2.1
My measurements:

• Viscaria: 192.58g
• FZD ALC: 190.28g
• Both are around 25.6cm long
• Head size is basically the same
• Balance point on both is around 13.5cm
• I also don’t feel any real difference in the handle size or shape

The strange thing is that even though the FZD is 2.3g lighter, it actually feels heavier to swing.


Since Butterfly lists them with basically the same Viscaria-type ALC construction and very similar specs, I’m starting to wonder how much of the “FZD is softer / more controlled / more dwell” talk is really the blade model, and how much is just individual blade variation.

For people who actually owned both:
Do you really feel a clear difference, or did I basically buy another version of the same blade?

 

[kindof99]

Fzd alc feels softer to me

 

[piligrim]

Fzd alc feels softer to me

Same. I had both blades and was feeling difference. FZD softer and has more feeling

 

[Tyce]

You can compare any individual two blades of these and keep finding differences in every direction. Balance, weight, density, minor differences in glue quality, handles that are offset by even a tenth of a mm, heavier core wood vs heavier outer plies, the list of options is so big.

If someone starts comparing 10-20 Viscaria to 10-20 FZD I will start to believe the outcome. Until that time they're simply "pretty much the same blade".

 

[Topspinslinger]

I own around 5 innerforce layer alc's, they are all different even tho they are around ~2 grams within eachother. One Is super soft and flexible and vibrate. Two are the same and I have those as practice and match blade.. Other two are hard, stiff and quick so I'll play them likely in the future.

It is like almost no speed difference but way they feel during play... natural products 🙃🫢

 

[v100ev]

You can compare any individual two blades of these and keep finding differences in every direction. Balance, weight, density, minor differences in glue quality, handles that are offset by even a tenth of a mm, heavier core wood vs heavier outer plies, the list of options is so big.

If someone starts comparing 10-20 Viscaria to 10-20 FZD I will start to believe the outcome. Until that time they're simply "pretty much the same blade".

On that thought...

I believe this is quite an interesting video. They also do a blind test in a next video between the blade that was selected and another one..

 

[jonol]

Even models of the same blade will feel different. There's probably as much variation between each Viscaria as there is between each FZD

 

[kindof99]

You can compare any individual two blades of these and keep finding differences in every direction. Balance, weight, density, minor differences in glue quality, handles that are offset by even a tenth of a mm, heavier core wood vs heavier outer plies, the list of options is so big.

If someone starts comparing 10-20 Viscaria to 10-20 FZD I will start to believe the outcome. Until that time they're simply "pretty much the same blade".

How about 1000+ users that own both giving the same statement?

 

[ajtatosmano2]

How about 1000+ users that own both giving the same statement?

Should be reasonable, but how to discount any preconception bias?