Butterfly Matsudaira Kenta ALC Table Tennis Blade

The Butterfly Matsudaira Kenta ALC Table Tennis Blade is a Japanese-made offensive blade developed in collaboration with Kenta Matsudaira. It combines Butterfly’s 5+2 Arylate-Carbon construction with a slim flared handle shaped around Matsudaira’s grip preference. It suits shakehand players who like a responsive blade for early counters and topspin but prefer less bulk in the palm during quick exchanges.

The blade uses five wood plies and two Arylate-Carbon layers. It has a standard 157 × 150 mm head, a nominal thickness of 5.8 mm, and a reference weight of approximately 84–85 g. Butterfly lists a reaction rating of 11.8 and a vibration rating of 10.3 on its own scale. The model was offered with an FL handle under product code 36821 and has since been discontinued.

The FL handle measures 100 × 23 × 34 mm (length × thickness × end width). The 23 mm thickness is the detail to pay attention to if you find some flared handles too full. The thinner profile leaves room for small finger adjustments, while the flare at the base gives you a point of support when you swing harder. That combination can be useful when switching between a compact backhand and a fuller forehand stroke.

Close to the table, the Matsudaira Kenta ALC works well for active blocks and early counters. A short forward movement can redirect an incoming loop deep without requiring a full swing. When the opponent changes direction, the slim grip makes it easier to adjust the racket angle quickly, whether you want to guide the ball wide or counter straight down the line.

The blade also suits players who open with spin and add pace on the next ball. Against backspin, you can brush the first loop and use placement to draw a weaker return. When the next ball sits up, the ALC construction gives a firmer forward stroke enough rebound to produce a faster, deeper loop drive. From mid-distance, a fuller swing helps maintain depth when there is less incoming pace to use.

For rubber pairing, a grippy inverted rubber is a natural starting point. A firmer forehand rubber can suit players who accelerate through their topspin, while a more forgiving backhand rubber can help with compact openings and blocks. If your game is built around early timing and placement, a controlled backhand setup can make it easier to vary the pace without giving up the blade’s rebound when you decide to counter.

🔍 Key Features & Play Characteristics

✅ Developed with Kenta Matsudaira – The handle reflects his preference for a thinner flared grip.

✅ 5+2 Arylate-Carbon Construction – Five wood plies and two ALC layers provide rebound for compact counters and fuller attacking strokes.

✅ Slim FL Handle – The 23 mm profile offers less bulk in the palm while retaining the flare at the base.

✅ Effective Close to the Table – Suits early backhand counters, active blocks, and quick forehand drives.

✅ Power for Follow-Up Topspin – Supports a faster loop drive after a spinny opening and deeper attacks from mid-distance.

✅ Made in Japan – Discontinued Butterfly model 36821, offered in FL.

👤 Who Should Use Butterfly Matsudaira Kenta ALC?

✔️ Shakehand players who prefer a slim flared handle

✔️ Offensive players who take the ball early and use the opponent’s pace

✔️ Players who adjust their grip between forehand and backhand strokes

✔️ Topspin players who use placement on the first attack and accelerate on the next ball

✔️ Players looking for a discontinued Japanese-made Butterfly ALC model