Butterfly Harimoto Tomokazu Innerforce Super ZLC

Nice blade; I’ve used many Inner-fiber SZLC blades. I’m using Tibhar Evolution MX-S Max on both sides. This combination offers a very nice touch and feel for ball placement with great blocking. It offers accelerated speed when the need arises. It’s good for looping, flicks, opening up, counter attacking, and everything else.

If you want a nice quality blade and the price doesn’t matter, give this one a try and you won’t be disappointed. This gorgeous-looking blade is well designed with quality craftsmanship. The head size is a little larger, and the weight is perfect for the modern table tennis game. The flared handle is almost perfect in every way and feels great. Give it a try.

First, I will be honest here…I haven’t tried this blade. So I gave no ratings to it. Although I did some research into this composite materials that are used to justify a senseless price for a blade. First, you should know that none of this fibers are originally designed for table tennis. Their applications include bullet proof vests and thermal insulators given their high decomposition temperature. Zylon particularly is thermically stable until nearly 650°C.

Second: we get all discussion about which fiber is the best ALC, Aramid, Kevlar, etc…Here is where it gets even better. Doing my research I found out that Aramid is a general name for a class of fibers in which Kevlar itself is included. Then I went for ALC which would be Arylate Carbon. What I found out is that the name Arylate comes from the chemical group “Aryl” which is present in all Aramid fibers… so Arylate Carbon is an even more general name and precisely speaking Aramid is also an Arylate Carbon. Actually, even Zylon is an Arylate type of polymer. So what are the conclusions?

First: These fibers were not (buy any extent of imagination) developed for table tennis. Anyway…brands makes use of them and makes everyone believe that they were specially thought for table tennis. Second: given the lack of knowledge about these fibers, they are used to justify high prices. Third: The names they give is a part of their marketing.

Also from butterfly description of the “Super” ZLC technology, they are a blend of ZLC fibers and carbon (not Zylon type - which are actually less expensive) that is heated in an oven. This heating process is a common procedure even in textile manufacturers and the mainly function is to diminish tension strength which prevents the fibers yarns to curl in any mechanical process during the manufacturing. So you pay an extra 2 hundred for this.

Finally but not less interesting, with 400 dollars you can get online about 70 square meters of Zylon fiber…Excludes shipping.

As compared to the JZK SZLC, I have a relatively different style, but here goes. I have both setups with MXP50. The Harimoto SZLC is softer and holds the ball more. It is slightly slower, and loops are more spinny. However, it is also more affected by incoming spin. Control is good.

The JZK has more power and speed. Punch blocks are better with the JZK rather than the Harimoto. Long pips on both are similar, but the Harimoto takes more spin, while the long pips on the JZK are relatively insensitive to incoming spin.

I own many good blades from various brands and still use them. As for the new Innerforce Super ZLC, I had to buy it to review it myself. Butterfly is correct about the blade speed being faster than the Viscaria. It offers a more direct feeling, as is usual for ZLC blades. I also own several other ZLC blades, such as the Jun Mizutani ZLC, Innerforce ZLC, Donic Persson, and Walner 89 Tiago Apolonia. The head size is a generous 158 mm, making the blade feel longer than the typical 157 mm blade. My blade weighs 86 grams in the ST handle. This blade is very demanding in terms of rubber selection. If you use two sheets of Dignics, as Butterfly markets it, the blade will lose the dwell time characteristic of ZLC. Choosing the right rubber is a personal preference that depends on your playing style. The blade costs twice as much as the Viscaria or Innerforce, so it won’t appeal to many players. Personally, I find the Viscaria or Apolonia easier to play with, as you can achieve the same level of control by using slower rubbers. I hope this review is helpful. Please excuse any errors in my English.