BUTTERFLY INNER-FORCE LAYER ALC-CS [The long-awaited “rookie giant” arrives late. For the penhold specialist with a refined touch, this is the one.]

“Table Tennis Goods 2026” must-have gear: performance and first test hit debut — VICTAS

[BUTTERFLY INNER-FORCE LAYER ALC-CS]

SPEC
● 5 wood plies + 2 Arylate Carbon plies
● Chinese penhold
● Size: 161×150 mm
● Blade thickness: 6.0 mm ±
● Average weight: 91 g

Chinese penhold arrives 17 years after the launch of the predecessor model

　“Wait, this didn’t exist until now?”
　That may well have been the reaction of many readers. This March, the long-time staple of inner blades, the classic among classics, the “Innerforce Layer ALC,” finally got a Chinese penhold version.

　Why now? According to BUTTERFLY, it was the result of “reexamining the racket lineup.” “From the standpoint of streamlining the lineup within the standard ‘Innerforce Layer’ series, we have added the CS shape (Chinese penhold) to the ALC as well,” says BUTTERFLY.

　A full 17 years have passed since the 2009 release of the “Innerforce ALC.” Even 11 years have gone by since the current “Innerforce Layer ALC” (released in 2015) appeared. You can almost hear Chinese penhold users saying, “You should have included this from the start,” but there is no doubt this is welcome news.