Weight
80g
Thickness
6.5mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Keyshot Alpha
Butterfly Keyshot Alpha combines Arylate fiber with a 5-ply wood construction to deliver a unique blend of speed and control. This hybrid blade is engineered for offensive players seeking a lightweight feel that facilitates powerful strokes and enhanced spin. It offers a softer touch than carbon alternatives, providing excellent feedback and maneuverability for dynamic play. Keyshot Alpha is designed to be versatile, suitable for a range of modern techniques from aggressive looping to precise placement. It represents a sophisticated choice for players who value a responsive blade that supports both power and finesse.
This 5-ply construction features two layers of Arylate fiber sandwiched between three wood plies. The Ayous outer plies provide a comfortable feel and contribute to spin generation, while the Kiri core offers lightness and flexibility. The Arylate layers are key to its characteristic blend of speed, control, and reduced vibration.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Keyshot Alpha is classified as a fast blade suitable for offensive play. Its hybrid construction with Arylate fibers allows for good speed generation, especially on powerful shots and loops. While not as fast as some high-end carbon blades, it offers a significant speed advantage over many all-wood options, making it effective for aggressive rallies.
Despite its speed, Keyshot Alpha excels in control due to its Arylate layers and balanced construction. This design provides excellent feel and feedback, allowing players to accurately place the ball and execute delicate shots. The softer touch associated with Arylate contributes to a larger sweet spot and better control during both offensive and defensive play.
The inclusion of Arylate fiber layers provides a distinct soft feel that contrasts with the stiffer feel of carbon blades. This medium-soft feel offers enhanced feedback and a more natural connection with the ball, which is beneficial for spin generation and controlled play, particularly for looping and short-game tactics.
The combination of speed-oriented construction and dwell time suggests a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for aggressive looping and generating significant arc on the ball for effective attacking shots.
The Arylate layers contribute to good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the rubber and wood combination. This extended contact time enables players to impart more spin on the ball, which is advantageous for aggressive looping and serves.
Keyshot Alpha offers a moderate level of flexibility derived from its wood plies and the nature of Arylate fiber. This flexibility contributes to the blade's dwell time and spin-generating capabilities, allowing for a good bending effect when hitting the ball without being overly elastic.
Arylate fiber significantly dampens vibrations, providing a cleaner feel and reducing unnecessary shaking. This characteristic offers a more controlled and comfortable playing experience, especially during powerful strokes or when blocking fast incoming shots.
Butterfly is renowned for high manufacturing standards and quality materials. Keyshot Alpha benefits from this reputation, showcasing precise construction and durable components. The integration of Arylate fibers and quality wood plies indicates a commitment to producing a high-performing and long-lasting table tennis blade.
Technology
Butterfly Keyshot Alpha utilizes a 5-ply construction integrating Arylate fiber, a material known for its unique properties that balance speed with a soft, vibration-dampening feel. Unlike Arylate-Carbon composites, Keyshot Alpha uses pure Arylate layers. This formulation aims to provide enhanced elasticity and a larger sweet spot without the stiffness often associated with carbon. The design philosophy was to create a lightweight yet powerful blade emphasizing spin generation and control, making it a distinct option in Butterfly's lineup.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Eric Owens
Eric Owens, a prominent American table tennis player, has been known to use Butterfly Keyshot blades. The original Keyshot was a popular choice for many top US players during the glue-era transition. Its blend of speed and control, coupled with lighter weight and softer feel, made it suitable for his aggressive yet technically sound playing style, allowing him to generate significant spin and maintain accuracy during powerful exchanges.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria is a highly regarded ALC blade that shares offensive capabilities and composite materials with Keyshot Alpha. While Viscaria incorporates Carbon alongside Arylate for a faster and stiffer feel, Keyshot Alpha with its pure Arylate layers offers a softer touch and more dwell time. This makes Keyshot Alpha a more forgiving and spin-oriented alternative for players who find Viscaria too fast or stiff.
Butterfly Innerforce ALC.S
Innerforce ALC.S is another Butterfly blade featuring Arylate-Carbon with an inner ply construction, typically resulting in a softer feel and increased dwell time compared to outer-ply ALC blades. Keyshot Alpha can be seen as a comparable alternative, with both blades catering to players seeking a balance of speed, control, and spin through Arylate technology, though they offer slightly different feels due to their construction differences.