~Mini-Review and Blade Comparison~

Butterfly Viscaria and Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit

 

Both blades are part of Butterfly's famous Arylate-Carbon series, which stresses a large sweet spot, vibration control, and crisp feeling while also maintaining blade feeling and control as a result of the combination of carbon and arylate fibers. The Viscaria model was the predecessor to the TBS, and many professionals including Timo Boll used it during the earlier parts of their career before their signature blades were created. Famous players who are currently using the Viscaria include Zhang Jike; Michael Maze is currently using the TBS. The ALC series remain a classic and are still widely used by both amateurs and professionals; they are one of the less expensive BTY line of blades (since it is older), but they retain the premium look, feel, and playability of high quality Butterfly products.

 

Rubbers used in this comparative review are Stiga Calibra LT (Max) on the FH and Joola Express II (Max) on the BH. Exact weights are unknown, although both feel about the same in mass (I'm guessing in the range of 85-90 g).

 

TBS = Koto-ALC-Limba-Kiri-Limba-ALC-Koto --> 5.7 mm thickness

Viscaria = Koto-ALC-Limba-Kiri-Limba-ALC-Koto --> 5.8 mm thickness

 

The Viscaria FL handle is notably thicker than the TBS FL handle.

 

Speed: TBS (faster) > Viscaria (slower) (close-table) Viscaria > TBS (off-table) 

Hard to tell after only one session with the Viscaria (been playing with the TBS for several months now). More info to come after a few more hits with the new setup; however, my intial impression is that the Viscaria is slightly slower.

 

Stiffness: Viscaria (flexier) < TBS (stiffer)

My initial impressions are that the Viscaria is just a tad more flexy than the TBS. Calibra LT is a low-throw, long-trajectory rubber; when I first started with the TBS setup, shots were either getting put into the bottom of the net, or they were lifting past the table with a very flat (but spinny) trajectory. However, these issues were easily adapted to with an adjustment in stroke and technique. With the Viscaria setup, I still had that same flat-long trajectory, but I was hitting on the table. I felt that the Viscaria setup was more forgiving in this respect.

 

Hardness: Viscaria (softer) < TBS (harder)

The Viscaria definitely felt softer, yet it retained the "crispness" that I observed in the TBS. I'm guessing the crisp originates from the structure of the blades (i.e. the Koto outer and the ALC). The Viscaria has one of the best blends of crisp-softness I've seen in a composite blade. But if you like pure crisp feeling, the TBS is the way to go.    

 

Vibration: Viscaria (more vibration) > TBS (less vibration)

Although the vibration is very subtle, I noticed that the Viscaria was less dead and "non-responsive" than the TBS. However, the vibration was minimal (not nearly as responsive as an all-wood blade or soft carbon, for example). In that respect, the Viscaria is a composite with good feeling and touch.

 

As noted above, a lot of the differences between the two blades are very slight; in fact, I would speculate that large variances in weight between blades will have more of an effect than the characteristics of the blades themselves. I got used to the new Viscaria setup after about 2-3 balls (which is extremely quick). Thus, I required virtually no time to adapt to this new setup. I could definitely alternate between the two and not notice much of a difference in my play (how fresh my rubbers are will be a much more significant factor). However, in general, I can say that the Viscaria is more responsive, and slightly softer and more flexible than the TBS. I'm not quite sure about the speed comparison yet, and I will update my thoughts on that; I had a light training session today, so I have yet to unlock the full potential of the Viscaria.  

 

Here are some links to a few past reviews and threads regarding Viscaria/TBS that I will compile here for convenient access. Feel free to check them out!

 

Blade Characteristics: TBS (by High_Arc) -

[some good experimental analysis done with the comparisons]

http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46391&PID=576426 - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46391&PID=576426

 

A Softer Timo Boll Spirit (by Asaomi) -

http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38047&PN=1 - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38047&PN=1

 

Butterfly Viscaria (by High_Arc) -

http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34969&PN=1 - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34969&PN=1

 

 

 

(Initial impressions in original post)

 

I'm back at the club drilling and playing practice matches for two hours with a training partner. Most of my original impressions remain confirmed--mainly that the Viscaria gives more feedback and feel. I think the Viscaria is more controllable over the table; for example, my blocks and short game were superior to my game with the TBS setup. Close-table looping was also a breeze--spinny, powerful, and deep at the endline. However, mid-distance looping (which is where I like to play the most) was where I surprisingly began to make a lot of mistakes. With the TBS, my misses from this distance would be into the net. With the Viscaria, I was blasting super arc balls a few feet past the table with the same stroke. Because of this, I am led to believe that the Viscaria is more flexy. [Maybe it's Calibra LT (which requires a breaking-in period; it starts off hard-sponged and fast but as the sponge softens, it becomes a low-throw, faster version of Tenergy). This question will hopefully be resolved as I play with this Viscaria setup for a few more sessions.] I hope to adapt to this problem soon (completely a technique issue), and I will update after a practice session tomorrow and a tournament on Sunday.

 

To sum it up:

- Viscaria definitely gives more feedback.

- Viscaria is more flexy; because of this, mid-distance shots are more powerful/spinny but harder to control, while close-to-table shots are more forgiving.

 

I'll try to keep this succinct. I generally agree with my first impressions after having the opportunity to play with the new setup a little more. I'll try to switch back to the TBS setup to see how that feels for a few more sessions, and write a few concluding remarks. 

 

If I were to sum up the most notable observation, it would be:

 

i'd say Viscaria is about the same as TBS in terms of control, softness and speed.

however, feeling/feedback is slightly better. my guess is this is due to the different hardness and thickness of the central ply. therefore on average, TBS has a dulled-down feel and vibe. 

however, do not underestimate the brainwashing (self-suggestion) factor: if you genuinely believe it is better, it will be better for you in fact, and you will tend to act more confidently and will be happier with the results, until you are totally annihilated by a truly superior player... and doubts start creeping through the wreckage and cracked confidence.

TB ALC on the other hand is IMO truly harder and faster than the Viscaria.

 

VIS - highly rated, plays well.

 

 

 

How will Speedplay get by if we send a team to his flat in Sweden to take away his prized wavestones??????????? :)

I agree about the contours. The Viscaria handle definitely feels thicker than the TBS handle. The length and the width of the handle are probably the same though, as I recall from BTY's specs. Btw, I have a newer one with the silver badge that I bought off a forum member here last Dec/Jan.

Edit: ^ Actually I take that crossed out part back. I have the two on hand right now, and the base of the Viscaria handle is notably wider than that of the TBS. The top half of the Viscaria handle is also slightly thicker (~0.5 mm)...so a total of about 1 mm thicker than the TBS handle. I have really rough measurement tools right now (basically a ruler with mm markings), so hopefully some one else can confirm.

On a sidenote, I will probably update this review soon, since I've got a few things to say about the two blades after having them for a longer period of time.