Butterfly Ishlion
Blade description:
Performance Characteristics
The Butterfly Ishlion is a composite, carbon-based blade characterized by its exceptionally light construction, often weighing in the low 80-gram range or even lighter. It is designed for players who favor a fast, stiff blade with a crisp feel. While it offers significant power for hitting and smashing, it maintains enough feedback for a reliable short game and precise blocking. Because of its stiff nature, users should be prepared to generate their own power, particularly when playing away from the table.
Playing Style and Recommendations
This blade excels in near-the-table play, functioning effectively for aggressive hitters and blockers who prioritize speed and accuracy. It offers a unique balance of high speed and control, allowing for rapid exchanges and quick reactions. While many users appreciate its ability to facilitate fast, unpredictable shots, some players may find its looping characteristics demand more refined technique compared to all-wood alternatives.
Setup Considerations
- Weight Distribution: Due to the blade’s very light weight, it is highly sensitive to the mass of the chosen rubbers. Pairing it with heavy rubbers may negatively impact the intended balance and effectiveness of the blade.
- Rubber Pairing: The blade performs well with a variety of modern rubber types, ranging from medium-soft to high-tension options, depending on the player’s preference for spin or direct speed. Achieving the optimal setup often involves selecting rubbers that complement the blade’s stiffness to ensure a balance of control and attacking potential.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — May 2016
Good for hitters and blockers who play near the table. Recommended rubbers are medium soft for forehand and soft for backhand. Discontinued, which is disappointing for me, but it’s a good blade with quality technology.
#2 — April 2014
I have been using the Timo Boll Spirit and decided to buy the new Ishlion because I found the Timo Boll Spirit a bit slow for my playing style. My first setup consisted of DHS Skyline 3 Neo black on the forehand and 729-08 ES red on the backhand. While I appreciated the spin generated by the Skyline rubber, its sticky topsheet made it too slow for my liking. Realizing that Skyline 3 was not suitable for my needs, I switched to Andro Rasant 2.1mm black on the forehand while keeping the 729-08 ES on the backhand. This setup proved to be exactly what I was looking for, providing excellent looping and smashing capabilities on both my forehand and backhand. The controlled nature of the 729-08 ES rubber on my backhand enabled me to effectively loop and counterattack against heavy backspin chops or topspins, allowing me to transition from defensive chopping to aggressive attacking backhands. The Rasant rubber on my forehand provided both powerful looping and smashing, while maintaining a high level of control. After experimenting with various setups, I found that the combination of the Butterfly Ishlion blade with Andro Rasant 2.1mm on the forehand and 729-08 ES 2.15mm on the backhand was the perfect fit for my playing style. This setup offered a unique blend of speed and control, which is rarely found in a single setup. Impressively, the total weight of the racket, including the rubbers, is a mere 179 grams, with the blade itself weighing only 79 grams.
#3 — December 2013
Very good blade, fast, good control and very light blade. I’m using this blade with Tibhar 5Q on both sides, and this combination is perfect.
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