The first Super Arylate-Carbon blade
The Viscaria Super ALC is the first blade equipped with Super Arylate-Carbon. Super Arylate-Carbon is an artificial fiber material that provides higher bounce whilst maintaining good flexibility; a feature of Arylate-Carbon. While the basic composition of the blade, such as the wood veneer structure, remains the same as the classic Viscaria, this new model featuring Super Arylate-Carbon improves upon the blades’ reaction property without increasing the vibration property when compared to the original Viscaria.
Although the Viscaria Super ALC was developed for the use of top professionals, the blade has characteristics suitable for a wide range of players; from intermediate to advanced level. It is especially recommended for players who are currently using the Viscaria or the Timo Boll ALC, who require more speed on the ball. The Chinese penhold grip is also available so that more players can experience this brand-new blade.
The Evolution of Arylate-Carbon
Butterfly offers a variety of blades equipped with Arylate-Carbon, and they are widely popular for their flexibility, usability, and moderate bounce. At the same time, top players have been asking for a blade with more power without losing the touch of an ALC blade. To meet this demand, we came up with the idea of developing an artificial fiber material that evolved from Arylate-Carbon.
To create a blade that delivers more power while maintaining the original touch, it was necessary to increase only the reaction property without increasing the vibration property of the blade. In general, it is not easy to solve this problem because the higher the reaction property of a blade is, the higher the vibration property tends to be. In order to develop an artificial fiber material that would lead to the targeted blade performance, Butterfly’s R&D department made the most of their accumulated knowledge and researched the optimum quantity of fibers to be woven and perfected the manufacturing method.
After many years of research and development, the artificial fiber material Super Arylate-Carbon was completed. Weaving in more fibers enables a higher bounce than in conventional Arylate-Carbon. In addition, we carefully adjusted the ratio of Arylate and carbon to maintain flexibility and ease of use.
The Viscaria Super ALC, the first blade utilizing Super Arylate-Carbon, was born by combining this artificial fiber material into the same wood veneer structure as the original Viscaria. Top players who have tested the blade have commented that “the feeling is quite similar to the Viscaria, but we can generate shots with more power.” These players’ impressions indicate that the blade has been successful in meeting initial demands.
Combination with rubbers
Numerous top players who use blades, such as the Viscaria or the Timo Boll ALC, have achieved many successes by combining them with rubbers from the Dignics and Tenergy series.
The Viscaria Super ALC also matches well with the Dignics and Tenergy series. These combinations will enable players to create shots with even more power whilst taking advantage of the rubbers’ characteristics.
The combination with Dignics 09C is recommended for players who value the amount of rotation that can be imparted on the ball, without compromising on speed. The rubber’s tacky surface makes it easy to generate heavy top spins and play well in the short game, while the blade with its increased reaction property creates balls with more speed.
Striving for the next development
It took about 10 years from the first blade prototype to the launch of this new product as we faced various challenges in creating the new Super Arylate-Carbon fiber material and also faced challenges in establishing the technology required for the manufacturing process.
The motivation for overcoming these tremendous challenges is derived from Butterfly’s desire to always create new and innovative products. Butterfly will continue to research and develop new blades that follow in the footsteps of the Viscaria Super ALC.
Comparison
| VISCARIA SUPER ALC | VISCARIA |
|
|
| Type | |
| FL, ST: Offensive shakehand CS: Chinese penhold | |
| Blade structure | |
|
5-ply wood + 2 Super Arylate-Carbon |
5-ply wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon |
|
|
| Reaction property | |
| 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Vibration property | |
| FL, ST：10.1 | FL, ST：10.3 |
| CS：10.4 | CS：10.6 |
| Blade size | |
|
FL, ST: 157×150 mm CS: 158×150 mm |
|
| Blade thickness | |
| 5.7 mm | 5.8 mm |
|
Handle size (Length × thickness × end width) |
|
|
FL： 100×25×34 mm ST： 100×23×28 mm CS： 82×22×31.5 mm |
|
| Country of origin | |
| Japan | |
|
VISCARIA SUPER ALC （FL, ST） Product Info |
VISCARIA （FL, ST） Product Info |
|
VISCARIA SUPER ALC （CS） Product Info |
VISCARIA （CS） Product Info |
Comparison
| VISCARIA SUPER ALC | VISCARIA |
| Type | |
| FL, ST: Offensive shakehand CS: Chinese penhold | |
| Blade structure | |
|
5-ply wood + 2 Super Arylate-Carbon |
5-ply wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon |
| Reaction property | |
| 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Vibration property | |
| FL, ST：10.1 | FL, ST：10.3 |
| CS：10.4 | CS：10.6 |
| Blade size | |
|
FL, ST: 157×150 mm CS: 158×150 mm |
|
| Blade thickness | |
| 5.7 mm | 5.8 mm |
|
Handle size (Length × thickness × end width) |
|
|
FL： 100×25×34 mm ST： 100×23×28 mm CS： 82×22×31.5 mm |
|
| Country of origin | |
| Japan | |
|
VISCARIA SUPER ALC （FL, ST） Product Info |
VISCARIA （FL, ST） Product Info |
|
VISCARIA SUPER ALC （CS） Product Info |
VISCARIA （CS） Product Info |
