Xiom Hayabusa ZLX

This was my first blade upgrade. If you don’t like feeling any vibration, then this blade isn’t for you.

So far, it’s a great upgrade from my previous all-wood blade. It’s not too fast, and I can feel the ball well. I’m currently using a Xiom Omega on the forehand and a Neo 3 on the backhand.

I have played with a Hayabusa ZXi for over 10 years, and it is a fabulous offensive blade, ideal for close-to-the-table play. Over time, it has taken some knocks, and I have been looking for a replacement, but nothing seemed to fit the bill until I saw the new Hayabusa ZLX on TT11.

The ZLX marks the return of the Zephilium blade and appears to be of similar construction to the Zxi. When I received mine, I assembled it with the same rubber (Omega IV Europe) to facilitate a side-by-side comparison. The only differences I could detect were that the ZLX was very slightly less bouncy when bouncing a ball on it, and the sound was a slightly lower frequency. However, when playing, it allowed for more dwell time, so I could load up on the spin a bit more. The handle is a bit rounder, typical of the handles Xiom now uses in its line.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the blade after several hours of use. There was absolutely no transition period; playing the ZLX was just like playing with the Zxi. It has enough speed when needed, loops well, blocks well, chops and pushes well, all with great control. The fact that the blade is made in China, as opposed to Korea, is not a concern because the build quality and finish were as good as any Korean-made Xiom blade I have ever owned, and the price is considerably lower. The ZLX has now become my go-to blade.