MMaze vs Viscaria

If I can my add my view of difference between surface layers (M. Maze limba outer and Viscaria koto outer).

I think that the surface layer (wood type and their characteristics) is the most important thing that determines what could be called, "blade feeling" for the touch, especially for close to the table play and soft touches.

Different wood types have different characteristics, hence the feeling for each of them would be very different. So the same blade, even made by the same company, sometimes feel a little bit different (for expirienced player), so of course having different surface layer wood, would make the blade entirely different in feel. This outer layer of wood (surface layer) is 1st to come into contact with the ball through the wood that is directly attached to the rubber, which is directly in contact with your fingers on the handle. So of course, it will affect your feeling.

At that point I am only thinking at the surface layer wood types (the biggest determinant for all aspects of hand-feeling), and not the 2nd layer, or the inner core layer of wood. Inner core layer and composition of the blade itself (also thickness of layers) would involve the blade's stability, crispness and stiffnes and the power feeling when a powerful shot is executed. Each of this layers have their own unique characteristics and combination with other wood layers are bringing the best out of the blade, hence players that have certain stile can choose what suits them accordingly.

Back to the difference of the two mensioned blades. Surface layers of limba and koto is basically the only big difference as they are otherwise almost the same composition (second is ALC, third is limba and core is kiri). Here are some key characteristics of limba and koto, not to write long, detailed and elaborate description:

Limba:

Limba has quite long dwell time so it is great for players who prefers that spin is  generated with the rubbers sponge not as much as with the topsheet. Limba by itself has low speed due to long dwell time, which is probably (correct me if I am wrong) due to the loosely connected wood fibres of the wood type (which is also the reason why it sometimes splinters off). Limba is suitable for players who prefers to hold the ball longer on the racket and those who prefer to generate the power shots by himself. Some players for example: Jun Mizutani, Vladimir Samsanov, Petr Korbel.

My expirience with some limba outer layered rackets is that thay are a bit non linear when you give more power to the shots. Also I find the throw of the ball coming off much higher with more power, or maybe it's the combination of different wood that gave me this feeling. It is very hard for me to play with limba surfaced blades, for the life of me, I could not get in good terms with any of them, just to notice some of them (Joola Fever, M. Maze, Stiga Clipper, Joola Viva, Korbels...)    

Koto:

Koto has short dwell time so it is great for players who prefers that spin is generated more with the rubbers topsheet than sponge. It has good speed for smashes due to short dwell time. Fibres are quite densely connected, hence it usually does not splinter off. It is

suitable for players who likes to "rebound" the ball back for the soft touches, doesn't like the ball to stay on the blade too long. It is good for close to the table attackers. Under that quite hard koto surface layer we do not see second layer as carbon only (carbon is always mixed with some other type of fiber: Arylate, Aramid, Kevlar, Zylon...). If second layer is pure carbon, than the blade has ussually hinoki surface.

For me blades with koto outer feel the best (I play with Timo Boll Spirit). I can block balls with koto outer much more consistently than with blades that has limba outer.  

All in all, when choosing the blade for yourself, looking at the surface layer wood would be one of the most important, if not the most important factor. This is to consider when you change your old blade for a new one. The best equipment choice for a player is a combination of how comfortable you are with this blade and if it is suitable for your kind of playstile. I have seen many, many players, who somehow chose a new blade just by popularity or looks and not knowing anything about it. So it's good to know something about wood types and fibers.

Hopefully adding these information will give Janekb somekind of insight in the differences between this two Butterfly blades.