Timo boll 30th anniversary contract edition (G-FLESS handle) limited edition gold tag

[Pc29]

Hi guys,

I’ve just recently saw an announcement about this blade. What are your thoughts about it? Is it worth buying from the point of view as a collector? It’s around 55,000 yen in Japan (415 USD at exchange rate or so) for just an ALC blade with gold tag also available ONLY in FL handle (like all the other gold tags BTY blades except vis golden), or do you think that it could be a smarter move to wait for a timo boll alc with this new handle technology or maybe a timo boll super alc as a farewell blade?

ティモボル 30th アニバーサリー エディション｜製品情報｜バタフライ卓球用品

『ティモボル 30th アニバーサリー エディション』の製品詳細。バタフライは卓球選手を始め卓球を愛する皆様の為に、ラバーやラケットなど卓球用具の開発・製造・販売といった事業活動を行う卓球用品総合メーカー。

www.butterfly.co.jp

 

[allfj]

If you're going to resell it, its probably worth it. Alot of people look for Golden Viscarias since the value increases over time

 

[AfroBro]

This looks really weird. New handle material that easily deforms doesn't sound great.

"Due to the characteristics of the material, the surface of G-FLESS is easily damaged and may deform if pressed strongly. Also, the texture and color will change as you use it. *All rackets can be used
for large ball matches . If you process the , there is a risk of impairing the performance and quality . We recommend that you take it and check the feel before purchasing."

also strange to only make a Timo Boll anniversary blade in flared when he uses a straight handle.

 

[Zwill]

This looks really weird. New handle material that easily deforms doesn't sound great.

"Due to the characteristics of the material, the surface of G-FLESS is easily damaged and may deform if pressed strongly. Also, the texture and color will change as you use it. *All rackets can be used
for large ball matches . If you process the , there is a risk of impairing the performance and quality . We recommend that you take it and check the feel before purchasing."

also strange to only make a Timo Boll anniversary blade in flared when he uses a straight handle.

I wonder if it deforms to the shape of the individuals hand. Like how a shoe needs to be broken in. Probably not unfortunately, otherwise this would be listed as a selling point.

It would be nice if other blades had this option in the future.

 

[onipikaju]

So strange that ST version is not available while Timo boll is using ST.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

My coach about 10 years ago had a Samsonov SGS, it had a similar foam insert. I remember it got gross pretty quick and started falling apart not too long after that

 

[DukeGaGa]

Looks like a built in grip tape lol I wonder whether the feel is similar to their Dry Fit tape.

 

[thomas.pong]

Knowing me, I'll probably get one for my collection, although the price is pretty ridic..

 

[TensorBackhand]

Knowing me, I'll probably get one for my collection, although the price is pretty ridic..

lol.

My method to solve the price problem is to limit myself to collecting clones. So I have clones of Harimoto SZLC, HL5, ZJK ZLC. Then I have DHS Fang Bo Carbon and Sanwei F3 Pro, both are low price anyways.

 

[thomas.pong]

lol.

My method to solve the price problem is to limit myself to collecting clones. So I have clones of Harimoto SZLC, HL5, ZJK ZLC. Then I have DHS Fang Bo Carbon and Sanwei F3 Pro, both are low price anyways.

No point in collecting clones other than for playing with them.

I only consider collecting when a blade has value, either $$$ or sentimental.

Other blades I buy to test, then resell the ones that don't suit me. I'm pretty done with testing blades after the W968 though, it really has everything I was looking for. Unless something truly different comes out which nothing has in 15 years.

Rubbers, I'm a little more keen, especially Made in Japan and non-German ESN's.

 

[TensorBackhand]

No point in collecting clones other than for playing with them.

I only consider collecting when a blade has value, either $$$ or sentimental.

Other blades I buy to test, then resell the ones that don't suit me. I'm pretty done with testing blades after the W968 though, it really has everything I was looking for. Unless something truly different comes out which nothing has in 15 years.

Rubbers, I'm a little more keen, especially Made in Japan and non-German ESN's.

Have you tested the Harimoto S-ZLC? how does it compare to W968?

Do you have a photo or list of your blade collection? I'm just curious

 

[thomas.pong]

Have you tested the Harimoto S-ZLC? how does it compare to W968?

Do you have a photo or list of your blade collection? I'm just curious

Yea, I've tested it, it's like a glorified Innerforce ZLC, no need for it, the regular IF ZLC is just fine. The W968 is a touch and feel masterclass in comparison. I'd play with the Acoustic Carbon, IF ZLC or Ma Lin Carbon is it wasn't for it.

I don't have an updated list of my collection anymore, I'll work on updating that eventually but I'm too lazy to do it and take pictures. I have too many blades, many I should be selling only keeping a few Gold and Black tags. I'll work on that instead, and just really enjoying playing with the 968 and boosted H3.

 

[Zwill]

My coach about 10 years ago had a Samsonov SGS, it had a similar foam insert. I remember it got gross pretty quick and started falling apart not too long after that

Butterfly adds an asterisk to their sticky rubbers that the surface "especially" around the Butterfly logo might look dim compared to the rest of the area so I wouldn't put much into Butterfly's asterisks. If their solution was crap they wouldn't sell it, this much we can trust Butterfly with.

That being said there are blades where the handles get more grippy when they are moist. Heck, on some blades I make the handle moister with my sweat to have a better grip.

 

[Shifu]

Timo’s personal blades have had that rubbery surface for years.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Timo’s personal blades have had that rubbery surface for years.

Is there evidence for this?

 

[Shifu]

Is there evidence for this?

Yeah he wrote that himself in a German forum. He said he sweats a lot so BTY produced special blades for him.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Yeah he wrote that himself in a German forum. He said he sweats a lot so BTY produced special blades for him.

I wonder how often he switches blades, rubber products absorb oils and the rubber overgrips and even grip tape become disgusting after a while

 

[Pc29]

Found this on a Chinese forum. No copyright infringement intended.

Credits to the owner.

Here we can appreciate what Shifu was talking about. IMHO, I don’t know why butterfly haven’t released a BTY TB ALC with this handle option before for an additional cost and instead of that they release the 30th anniversary edition.

Always Timo was the most “transparent” figure of BTY about his equipment and now is like “by the way guys, actually I was using a custom blade handle since 2016, sorry not sorry for lying”.

Also BTY on its sponsorship page list of athletes they never put an “*” on Timo’s equipment, making believe the public that the ALC model is actually the closest one to the pro/custom version.

 

[Zwill]

This seems to be legit. I went back to the video where he glues his 6 new rackets. This is visible there as well. Now that I know where to look it's very obvious.

Let's not be naive too much, sponsored players don't get the same Dignics or Tenergy or blades that are on the shelf.

 

[Pc29]

This seems to be legit. I went back to the video where he glues his 6 new rackets. This is visible there as well. Now that I know where to look it's very obvious.

View attachment 24871

Let's not be naive too much, sponsored players don't get the same Dignics or Tenergy or blades that are on the shelf.

Thanks for sharing! I was also looking for that video.

I totally agree that sponsored players don’t get the same rubbers or blades availables on the market, but since BTY updates its data matrix about pro equipment frequently it’s a bad move to hadn’t clarify that at the required time. It’s like lying, that wouldn’t be important. But timo in most of his videos says that his equipment is nothing special and is available to all, he said that he only chooses a heavier rubber, etc.