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The Butterfly Innershield ZLF is a 7-ply table tennis blade that combines two plies of ZL Fiber with a mixture of Hinoki and Kiri wood. This unique construction results in a blade that is both fast and stable, with excellent control and a soft feel. With a speed rating of 7 and a control rating of 9, the Innershield ZLF is a great option for players of all levels who are looking for a balanced blade that excels in all areas of the game.
The Innershield ZLF is a relatively light blade, weighing in at just 82 grams, which makes it easy to maneuver and control. The 5.1mm thickness also contributes to the blade's overall lightness and maneuverability.
Despite its light weight, the Innershield ZLF is surprisingly powerful. The ZL Fiber provides a noticeable increase in speed and power, while the Hinoki and Kiri wood layers add stability and control. This combination of materials makes the Innershield ZLF a great choice for all-round players who want a blade that can generate plenty of spin and power without sacrificing control.
The Innershield ZLF is also known for its excellent consistency. The ZL Fiber and Hinoki wood layers help to reduce vibration and provide a consistent feel on every shot. This makes the Innershield ZLF a great choice for players who want a blade that is predictable and reliable.
Overall, the Butterfly Innershield ZLF is a well-rounded table tennis blade that is suitable for players of all levels. Its unique construction provides a combination of speed, control, and consistency that is hard to find in other blades.
A soft feeling but a stiff blade! ZLF layers add stiffness to this blade, but it has a very soft feel, which is great. In my humble opinion, Innershield ZLF is suited to long pimples with sponge, at least 0.5mm, and a medium to hard backside.
My personal setup is Grass D-Tecs (0.5mm) and Hurricane 3 Neo (orange sponge). I managed to solve the equation of the plastic ball, which was hard as hell and led me to try so many materials. The search ended with this blade and those rubbers.
This is one of my favorite blades ever, although it’s on the expensive side.
Very nice blade for chops and lobs. It has a slow speed with lots of flex. Due to its strong deadening effect, the ZLF doesn’t play passive shots very well. It requires active, spin-based strokes to truly excel. Blocks go back shorter than imagined, making it unsuitable for power blockers.
Despite its limitations, the ZLF offers several gears and can attack relatively well. It’s primarily designed for spinning the ball rather than smashing it. However, even loop drives can feel somewhat flimsy due to the blade’s high flex and “give.” The lack of a crisp sensation is noticeable compared to harder, more attacking blades like the Joo Se Hyuk.
The Innershield ZLF generates significant vibrations, reminiscent of a tuning fork. This can be problematic for players who experience carpal tunnel syndrome.
While the ZLF is a capable defensive blade for choppers, it falls short of being the best. There are better pure chopping blades and blades that excel at both chopping and attacking.
I do not know why many people looked down on this blade. I have tried it with T05 and TSP Spectol. My first impression is that it is a slow blade, quite like a Def+ blade. However, its flex is really high. It can generate the power of an All+ OFF- blade when needed. The dwell time is very high, and I feel that I can generate massive spin on it. The one small thing that I dislike about it is that its handle is quite thin for me, even though I am an average-sized Southeast Asian guy.
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