Butterfly’s ‘InnerForce Layer’ series, released in November 2016, is a product line that inherited the ‘InnerForce’ series, which was released in November 2009. (Some models of ‘InnerForce Layer’ series were added in 2010.) The basic concept of the ‘InnerForce Layer’ series is the same as the ‘InnerForce’ series, but the head size has been unified at 157mm x 150mm, the design has been unified, some models have been removed and a new model have been added. The newly added model is ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ which can be said to be a soft version of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’. Butterfly is explaining that ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ provides higher stability and ease of performing spin-oriented techniques and higher stability by the reduction of the thickness from ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ and the application of new blade construction and wood materials. ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is specialized for the players who play most with counter-topspin close-to-table area.

‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ can be dealt as the soft version of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’.

The design theme of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is same as that for the other models in ‘InnerForce Layer’ series. Each model in the series is distinguished by its point color, and the point color of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is dark blue that is applied for the center of handle.

The construction of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is somewhat different from those of the other models in ‘InnerForce Layer’ series. The top layer of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is a different wood from Limba which is used as the top layers of the other models. The kind of wood hasn’t been announced. (It isn’t spruce because we can’t see the dot patter when we see it from the top of head. Also it isn’t Akazie or Anegre because its grain looks different.) The middle layer is Spruce, and the center layer is Ayous. ALC (Arylate Carbon) is inserted between the middle layer and the center layer. Overall thickness is around 5.5mm which is much thinner than 5.9mm of current ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’.

The size of head is around 157mm x 150mm. Not different from the head size of the other models in ‘InnerForce Layer’ series.

The FL (flared) handle is the standard FL handle of Butterfly, and basically identical to those of the other models in ‘InnerForce Layer’ series. The width of FL (flared) handle is around 26.5mm (at head side) ~ 27.5mm (at bulge) ~ 26mm (at narrowest point) ~ 34mm (at the end). And, the thickness of FL handle is around 23mm (at thumb) ~ 24mm (at the end).

The size of ST (straight) handle is also the standard ST handle of Butterfyl, and basically identical to those of the other models in ‘InnerForce Layer’ series. Its size is around 28mm (width) x 23mm (thickness).

Aluminum nameplate is applied at the foreside of handle. The hologram inside the lens is to prevent counterfeit products.

Small rounded plastic lens is applied at the backside of handle.

Squared aluminum plate with Butterfly logo is applied at the end of handle.

Butterfly logo is printed at the top of the foreside of head.

Another printing is applied at lower side of the foreside of head. Interestingly, it doesn’t include the name of product or the name of artificial material. And, it isn’t written as ‘InnerForce Layer series’ but as ‘InnerFiber Layer series’.

Butterfly logo is printed at the top of the foreside of head.

‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ (left) and ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ (right). Each blade is distinguished by the color of handle and the color of the top layer.

‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ (left) and ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ (right). We can see that the center layer of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ (right) is thinner than that of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ (left). We can also see the difference in middle layer.

‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ (left) and ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ (right).

‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ (bottom) and ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ (top). We can observe the difference in top layer. And, from this angle, we can clearly see that the top layer of ‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ isn’t Spruce.

‘InnerForce Layer ALC.S’ is recommended for the players who aims at earlier timing at more close-to-table area, while ‘InnerForce Layer ALC’ is recommended as standard offensive blade.

Following are the performance indices of Butterfly InnerForce Layer ALC.S (avg.weight = 88.0g) :

– Ep = 1.48

– Ec = 1.33 (Ec/Ep = 0.90)

– Vp = 1.10

– Vl = 1.13 (Vl/Vp = 1.03)

Please note that above are average values and can be updated by further measurement.

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