Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC vs Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC)
Butterfly’s Fan Zhendong ALC against Loki’s outer-ALC blade, on each maker’s published specification, with a dated UK price and no claim that either one is better.
Both blades are five plies of wood with two outer plies of arylate carbon (ALC), at 5.8mm, the same build as the Viscaria. Butterfly designed the Fan Zhendong ALC around fast-tempo attack; the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) is Loki’s outer-ALC attacking blade in the same class, with a Koto face and an ~88g estimate.
Head-to-Head Specification Comparison
Each maker’s own published figures, side by side. Speed, spin and control scales differ between brands, so compare those within a brand, not across.
| Specification | Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Offensive (Butterfly label) | OFF+ (Offensive) |
| Construction | 5 wood + 2 outer Arylate-Carbon (ALC) | 5 wood + 2 outer Aryl Carbon |
| Face veneer | – | Koto |
| Thickness | 5.8mm | 5.8mm (±0.2mm) |
| Head size & weight | 157×150mm · ~85g (Tees Sport nominal; Butterfly publishes no weight) | 157×150mm · ~88g (estimate) |
| UK price | £179.99 at Tees Sport (inc. VAT, checked 13 Oct 2026) | £79.99 inc. VAT |
| Tournament legality | ITTF legal (natural-wood rule) | ✔ Meets the ITTF 85% natural-wood rule |
Why This Pairing
The reasoning behind matching these two blades.
The Fan Zhendong ALC carries the Olympic champion’s name on a classic outer-ALC build. The W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) shares the layer order, fibre type and thickness, which makes it the closest construction in the Loki range.
Note: Blades are compared against blades here, on construction, thickness and price. No two makers build a blade the same way, so expect real differences even where the category matches. This is our best-informed read on the closest Loki equivalent, not a claim that the two play identically.
Complete Your Setup with Loki Equipment
The closest Loki match, with a suggestion to build a full bat around it.
Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC)
Selected wood and special fiber blade; fast ball speed, explosive power, balanced technology
Loki Telson Germany
German-imported small-pore high-activity sponge non-sticky rubber; strong loops, added power
Common questions
Is the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) as good as the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC?
Loki UK doesn’t claim the W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) is objectively better than the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC, and this page isn’t trying to declare a winner. Both blades are five plies of wood with two outer plies of arylate carbon (ALC), at 5.8mm, the same build as the Viscaria. Butterfly designed the Fan Zhendong ALC around fast-tempo attack; the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) is Loki’s outer-ALC attacking blade in the same class, with a Koto face and an ~88g estimate.
What's the difference between the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC and the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC)?
Both are 5 wood + 2 outer arylate-carbon (ALC) blades at 5.8mm. Butterfly doesn’t publish a weight or face veneer for the Fan Zhendong ALC; the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) has a Koto face and an ~88g estimate. See the table above for head size and price.
Is the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) legal for ITTF and Table Tennis England tournaments?
Yes. The Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) meets the ITTF rule that a blade is at least 85% natural wood, so it’s legal for British League, county and local league play, the same as the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC.
How much does the Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) cost compared to the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC?
The Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC is £179.99 at Tees Sport (inc. VAT, checked 13 Oct 2026). The Loki W81 Wei Shihao ARC (ALC) costs £79.99 inc. VAT — check the live price above, since it updates automatically, unlike a figure typed into a page.
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Editorial & Compliance Disclosure: Specifications for the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC are drawn from the maker’s own product listing; its UK price is from Tees Sport, checked 13 Oct 2026. Loki figures are manufacturer specification from Loki’s 2026 catalogue. This page does not use or cite any third-party community rating site. Loki UK has no business relationship with or endorsement from Butterfly. All competitor trademarks belong to their respective owners.