Weight
84g
Thickness
6.9mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Garaydia ALC
Butterfly Garaydia ALC is a premium offensive blade that masterfully balances speed, control, and spin. Introduced in 2015, its hybrid construction combines three wood plies with two layers of Arylate-Carbon (ALC) fibers. This delivers the signature ALC touch—crisp, direct, and capable of generating heavy spin with a low, controlled trajectory. Crafted in Japan, it excels in both close-to-the-table and mid-distance play, making it a top choice for players who rely on spin-based attacks and value precision in their offensive game.
The construction consists of three wood plies and two internal Arylate-Carbon (ALC) fiber layers. This hybrid structure provides a blend of wood's natural feel and dwell with the increased speed, stiffness, and larger sweet spot offered by synthetic fibers. The ALC layers are positioned close to the wood plies, ensuring they're not on the outermost surface, allowing the wood to provide the primary contact feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Garaydia ALC is categorized as an OFF+ blade, indicating high speed potential suitable for aggressive play. Our testing shows its speed is well-balanced by control, making it fast enough for powerful attacks while still allowing for precision. It feels quicker than some traditional ALC blades but remains manageable for players who value both power and accuracy in their offensive shots.
Despite its offensive classification, Garaydia ALC delivers excellent control that players appreciate. The combination of ALC fibers and wood plies creates a stable, predictable response that helps with precise shot placement and effective spin management. This balance allows players to execute controlled attacks and maintain stability during defensive maneuvers like blocking, making it a reliable choice for all-around offensive play.
Garaydia ALC offers a soft yet direct feel characteristic of ALC blades with wood outer plies. This provides good feedback from ball contact without excessive vibration, allowing for precise shot placement and a comfortable playing experience. The feel strikes a nice balance between tactile feedback and crisp response.
Garaydia ALC features a lower throw angle compared to some other ALC or ZLC blades. This characteristic is beneficial for blocking and playing close to the table, as it helps keep the ball down and within the playing area while still allowing for effective looping when needed.
This blade provides good dwell time that's crucial for generating heavy spin on loops and other shots. The extended contact with the ball allows players to impart more rotation and control their shots with greater accuracy, making it particularly effective for spin-oriented attacks.
Garaydia ALC offers a good level of flexibility that supports effective spin generation and ball control. It's not overly stiff, which aids dwell time, but retains enough rigidity to provide power and a direct feel for attacking shots. This balanced flexibility makes it responsive without being too springy.
The ALC construction effectively minimizes harsh vibrations, resulting in a comfortable and controlled feel during play. While vibration perception can vary between players and blade versions, most users experience a well-dampened response that provides sufficient feedback without being distracting or uncomfortable.
Butterfly's reputation for exceptional craftsmanship is fully evident in the Garaydia ALC. Players consistently praise its superb feel, smooth finish, and overall durability. The blade exhibits excellent build quality with precise construction and attention to detail, resulting in a premium product that performs reliably and maintains its characteristics over time.
Technology
Butterfly Garaydia ALC features Butterfly's signature Arylate-Carbon (ALC) fiber technology integrated between wood plies. This advanced material enhances speed, enlarges the sweet spot, and improves vibration dampening. The ALC fibers offer a unique blend of elasticity and stiffness, creating a blade that's both powerful and controllable with a characteristic crisp feel. Designed for the 40+ plastic ball era, it incorporates a thicker core to promote speed and rebound while maintaining a soft touch through quality wood selection. Some versions include authentication features to ensure genuine craftsmanship.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Viscaria is another popular Butterfly blade using Arylate-Carbon technology with similar feel and performance characteristics. Players report the Garaydia ALC shares the Viscaria's offensive, spin-based play style but may feel slightly quicker and less crisp. Both are excellent choices for players seeking ALC performance with good control.
Butterfly Innerforce ALC.S
Innerforce ALC.S offers a different feel due to its inner-ply ALC construction, which tends to provide more dwell and a softer feel compared to outer-ply ALC blades like Garaydia ALC. While both utilize ALC technology, Garaydia ALC is generally perceived as more direct and slightly faster, making it better suited for players who prefer immediate feedback.