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Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF
Blade description:
The Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF is an exceptional table tennis blade, designed to enhance the performance of both offensive and all-around players. Crafted with a unique composition featuring ZL fiber, the ZLF offers a remarkable blend of speed and control, making it a go-to choice for those who prioritize precise ball placement. With five plies and a thickness of 5.4 mm, this blade strikes a perfect balance between power and finesse, facilitating explosive topspins and controlled touch shots alike.
Weighing approximately 86 grams, the Timo Boll ZLF falls within the medium weight category, allowing for both swift movements and stability during play. This blade is moderately flexible, enabling players to generate significant spin while still maintaining the control necessary for delicate shots close to the table. The overall characteristics of the ZLF—speed rated at 9, control at 8, and a stiffness of 5.1—make it an incredibly forgiving option for varied playing styles, particularly suited for loopers and aggressive players who value precision.
For those considering alternatives, the Timo Boll ZLF serves as an effective stepping stone between traditional wooden blades and stiffer carbon models like the Viscaria or the Timo Boll ALC. While it possesses notable speed, the ZLF is often perceived as slower than some of its counterparts, providing increased dwell time that can enhance spin capabilities—ideal for looping close to the table. Players transitioning from all-wood blades may find the Timo Boll ZLF an excellent fit, as it offers a larger sweet spot without sacrificing the tactile feedback intrinsic to wood.
Recent Reviews
#1 — September 2022
With this blade, you can do everything. I’ve tried over fifty blades, but the control here is amazing.
#2 — November 2020
Good blade.
Update 03.09.2014: It’s a very good blade after all. Works perfectly for close-to-table style of play, with very good control at high speed. Good for BH pimples offensive play.
Update 13.11.2014: I bought another TB ZLF quite old and used, but it has 87g. Hard to find this weight today. But, you know, it’s an absolute dream: fast (comparable to Viscaria), feeling and control are huge, very easy to play close to table blocks and topspin. At this weight, 87g, I tend to believe TB ZLF is a better blade than an 84-85g Viscaria.
Old Timo Boll ZLF over 85g is the perfect blade: very forgiving, easy to play with, huge control, top spin machine, sharp placement for every block close to table. I love it!
#3 — June 2019
Mine was 82 g. It’s an amazing blade for looping (dwell time). However, I found the feeling quite muted compared to all wood blades I’ve used. Even some thin carbon/thin hinoki blades (like Joola Rossi Emotion) were less muted. I agree with Mindtrip about it potentially being non-linear with drives or close to table shots. It has stacks of dwell time, and I’d say too much with some rubbers. I would be interested in trying the LS ZLF to compare. That looks like a better option if I were buying another ‘ZLF’ composite blade. As usual with BTY, it’s overpriced, as one expects. I paid $100 off RRP and still felt it was moderately overpriced. It’s a good blade if you’re focusing purely on looping and happy to overlook its quirks. I sold mine not long after trying it - it wasn’t for me.