Butterfly InnerForce Layer series was launched in April 2015 as the renewal of former InnerForce series. By the renewal, the size of head was unified to 157mm x 150mm, and the design theme of InnerForce ZLC was applied to all models. The InnerForce series before the renewal was overshadowed by the popularity of the Timo Boll series whose major models are outer-fiber blades. However, as interest in inner fiber composition gradually increased after the introduction of Poly ball, the InnerForce Layer series became very popular, and eventually settled down as one of Butterfly’s representative blade series. InnerFoce Layer series consists of five models with different fiber materials. But, the most important models among five are InnerForce Layer ZLC and InnerForce Layer ALC, and those two are now being used by many top players. In addition, several derivative products based on them are also being released. InnerForce Layer ZLC is recommended first for players who have used classic 7-ply plywood in the past, and InnerForce Layer ALC is the first recommendation for players who have used 5-ply plywood in the past and want to change to a fiber blade in the Poly Ball era.
Left is InnerForce Layer ALC, and right is InnerForce Layer ALC. The design of InnerForce Layer ALC isn’t much different from the design of InnerForce ZLC before renewal. And, that design concept is being applied to all models of InnerForce Layer series now.
The constructions of two models are identical to each other except for the fiber. Upper is InnerForce Layer ZLC and lower is InnerForce Layer ALC.
Identical design theme is being applied to both of two models. Interestingly, the name of series printed on the blade head isn’t ‘InnerForce Layer’ but ‘InnerFiber Layer’. We don’t know if this is a simple mistake or intentional.
Instead of a lens indicating the kind of fiber, a small holographic lens is applied to the back of the handle. This is one of the characteristics of current Butterfly blades.
InnerForce Layer ZLC. Overall apprearnace is very similar to that of old InnerForce ZLC. But, the head size has been reduced from 158mm x 152mm to 157mm x 150mm.
ZLC (= PBO Carbon) is inserted between the middle layer and the center layer of 5-ply wood construction. Top layer is Limba. Middle and center layers are Ayous. Overall thickness is around 5.7mm.
There isn’t any printing on the backside of blade head.
InnerForce Layer ALC. Graphic design has been greatly changed from old InnerForce ALC. But, everything other than graphic design is identical to that of old InnerForce ALC.
ALC (= Arylate Carebon) is inserted between the middle layer and the center layer of 5-ply wood construction. Top layer is Limba. Middle and center layers are Ayous. Overall thickness is around 5.8~5.9mm. (But, on the home page of Butterfly, it is written as 6.0mm.)
There isn’t any printing on the backside of blade head.
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Hi, I appreciate the helpful info. One correction though if I may. IF Layer ALC is 6.0 mm thick. In my opinion that .3mm has significant impact on feel
Thank you for comment. The thickness of InnerForce Layer ALC has been written as 6.0mm on Butterfly home page and catalogs from the time of the old version – InnerForce ALC. And, I had once believed it. However, when I measured some pcs. of InnerForce ALC and InnerForce Layer ALC, the actual thickness was around 5.8mm.
It sometimes happens that TT makers write wrong information on home pages or catalogs.
But, sometimes the actual change of thickness happens. Therefore if there is a chance I will check the thickness of the recent one.
Many say that new Innerforce Layer ZLC is Limba (outer) +Limba (middle) and then core Ayous. But you said that the wood composition is Limba, Ayous and core Ayous.
Is Limba Limba the old composition then of the blade Innerforce ZLC?
If so, is Limba (outer) Ayous (middle) the new composition? Which would explain why the new series are faster than the old IF.
I’m trying to understand if the general community is confused when they say that the new Innerforce Layer has Limba Limba , rather than Limba Ayous.
Thanks for you input and great information you put forth.
For both of old model and new model, the second layer doesn’t look like Limba. I can’t tell it with confidence because I can just say from the appearance of plywoods.
Many years ago, there were many cases that the second layers of blades were considered as Limba although those are actually Ayous. At that time I believed it. But afterwards I noticed that those are not Limba but Ayous.
Because the make doesn’t open the information on plywood construction in general, there isn’t clear answer for this issue. Except for the top layer, everything is just an estimate. Maybe I’m wrong, or they are wrong. So the best way for us is to ask Butterfly on it. But, I think that Butterfly will not answer. 🙂
Hi, I appreciate the helpful info. One correction though if I may. IF Layer ALC is 6.0 mm thick. In my opinion that .3mm has significant impact on feel
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Thank you for comment. The thickness of InnerForce Layer ALC has been written as 6.0mm on Butterfly home page and catalogs from the time of the old version – InnerForce ALC. And, I had once believed it. However, when I measured some pcs. of InnerForce ALC and InnerForce Layer ALC, the actual thickness was around 5.8mm.
It sometimes happens that TT makers write wrong information on home pages or catalogs.
But, sometimes the actual change of thickness happens. Therefore if there is a chance I will check the thickness of the recent one.
LikeLike
I checked the recent version after your comment, and find out that current one is different from the old ones measured in 2018. So I updated the information. Please refer to following article : https://ttgearlab.com/2023/09/25/important-notice-the-thickness-of-butterfly-innerforce-layer-alc/
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Hi
Many say that new Innerforce Layer ZLC is Limba (outer) +Limba (middle) and then core Ayous. But you said that the wood composition is Limba, Ayous and core Ayous.
Is Limba Limba the old composition then of the blade Innerforce ZLC?
If so, is Limba (outer) Ayous (middle) the new composition? Which would explain why the new series are faster than the old IF.
I’m trying to understand if the general community is confused when they say that the new Innerforce Layer has Limba Limba , rather than Limba Ayous.
Thanks for you input and great information you put forth.
LikeLike
For both of old model and new model, the second layer doesn’t look like Limba. I can’t tell it with confidence because I can just say from the appearance of plywoods.
Many years ago, there were many cases that the second layers of blades were considered as Limba although those are actually Ayous. At that time I believed it. But afterwards I noticed that those are not Limba but Ayous.
Because the make doesn’t open the information on plywood construction in general, there isn’t clear answer for this issue. Except for the top layer, everything is just an estimate. Maybe I’m wrong, or they are wrong. So the best way for us is to ask Butterfly on it. But, I think that Butterfly will not answer. 🙂
LikeLike