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Butterfly Ishlion
Composite/carbon11 reviews
Blade description:
The Butterfly Ishlion is a premier table tennis blade that elegantly balances speed and control, making it a favorite among aggressive players. Constructed with a sophisticated composition of three layers of wood infused with arylate-carbon fibers, the Ishlion offers both power and sensitivity at the table. Weighing in at a remarkably light 76g, this blade enhances maneuverability without sacrificing performance, allowing players to execute fast-paced attacks, deft blocks, and precise control shots.
In terms of specifications, the Butterfly Ishlion is characterized by a medium stiffness (6.7) and a hardness rating of 7.2, providing a balanced feel during gameplay. The blade’s flexibility is particularly noteworthy, offering enough responsiveness for players seeking to inject spin into their shots while still being stable for aggressive maneuvers. This combination facilitates an engaging and dynamic playing style, perfect for those who thrive on quick exchanges and powerful strikes.
The Ishlion excels in its speed rating of 9.6, which stands out in a market where many blades sacrifice control for raw power. Players have lauded its ability to maintain high accuracy, with an impressive control rating of 7.5. This makes it suitable for various playing styles, whether you prefer to play close to the table or execute powerful loops from mid-distance. For those seeking alternatives, options like the Timo Boll Spirit or other carbon blades might be worth exploring, but many players find the Ishlion unmatched in blending speed, feel, and control.
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.