To answer your questions:
1) No, I am not thinking about Aliexpress Butterfly "clones," but not because I don't think it is a good idea (people would EJ with what they want and whatever budget they have), it is just I have not bought those clones before. I only recommend items I have tried personally myself. For items I have not tried, I keep my mouth shut.
For blade I would recommend Gambler Fire Dragon Fast (personally I like the touch of Gambler Vector Hinoki the best but I have to look at it from your perspective. You are coming from Viscaria so Gambler Vector Hinoki will feel too slow for you). That's $40 plus $5 shipping. Gambler's carbon blades are not that fast. And don't get their rubber.
For the rest, from TT11,
DHS Hurricane 3 Neo, 2.2 black for $27.16,
Tibhar Evolution EL-S 2.1 red for $45.32
or Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft max red for $44.42
and Falco Tempo Long Booster 150ml for $28.97.
Evolution series is the closest to Tenergy series that people can find. People in general would agree on that. However, if durability is a concern, Yasaka Rakza 7 soft is more durable than Evoluation EL-S.
If you want to buy a blade from TT11 (not Gambler), then I would recommend Donic Persson Powerplay for $32.61. Donic Persson Powerplay is a 7-play that is solid OFF in terms of speed. Again you coming from Viscaria, anything all wood at less than OFF, you will not like it at all.
In general, for DHS, black rubber is stickier than red rubber. Don't ask me why. It just is. So better to get black.
Boosting H3 Neo is simple. One layer. Let it sit for 24 hours. Add another layer, let it sit for 24 hours. Then depending on how much it domes, you may or may not want to put on a third layer.
It is important that you put a couple layers of glue on both the rubber (H3 neo) and the blade, because when the rubber curls up, it is harder to stick it properly to the blade.
If you get a bunch of people together to order from TT11 in bulk, then they give 30% discount so $27 becomes $20, $44 becomes $30. The booster does not allow bulk discount. The blade of Donic Persson Powerplay also becomes $23.
There is a reason why TT11 is so popular. TT11 is not allowed to distribute Butterfly products to North America. And that's also why I am EJ'ing all the different brands but not Butterfly products.
First rule of EJ, do not break your bank at first and see if you like it, before you buy more.
2) Viscaria. Too fast. I did not feel the touch I like. I have slapped H3 neo, boosted, on the forehand of a Viscaria. It does not feel right to me.
3) It is easy. The key to gluing and regluing, disassembling and reassembling is, do not be a perfectionist. If you are a perfectionist, then it will drive you nuts. The rubber once you take it off of one blade and put it on another blade, it will NOT fit perfectly. But that's ok. That's also why I boost any old rubber I have because it also expands the sponge so I can fit it onto the new blade better.
4) Falco Tempo Long Booster. I also have Haifu both regular and national yellow (those two are not opened yet; stil in their original boxes). I tend to go with what I am comfortable. I will use the Haifu at some point but not now. Please see below for the channel that ThePongProfessor has. He tried out all the boosters!
In general, booster does help Butterfly and ESN rubber a bit. But it does not dome up as much as hurricane for sure. And you probably do not want to make Butterfly and ESN rubber too soft either. But Hurricane neo, yeah, you want to make that sponge soft and be more responsive.
