Xiom Hayabusa ZX
Blade description
The Xiom Hayabusa ZX is a composite blade featuring a 5+2 construction, utilizing Zephylium Carbon layers positioned close to the core. This composition results in a blade that balances high speed with high levels of control, making it a versatile option for attackers who also rely on blocking, chopping, and consistent mid-distance looping.
Playing Characteristics
- Feel and Flex: The blade offers a medium-soft feel. Close to the table, it mimics the sensation of an all-wood blade with minimal flex. As the player moves to mid-distance and increases the intensity of the stroke, the blade engages more flex, providing a stable feel with minimal vibration.
- Weight Distribution: The blade typically weighs between 85 and 90 grams and is noticeably head-heavy. This weight distribution contributes to increased power output, particularly when executing aggressive topspin shots away from the table.
- Versatility: While capable of high speed, the blade maintains sufficient control for touch shots, flicks, and defensive maneuvers like blocking. It is well-suited for a modern offensive game that requires both heavy spin production and consistent, reliable placement.
Construction and Handling
- Build Quality: The blade features an average head size, though users may find the handle to be on the smaller side with edges that can feel sharp out of the box. Production consistency has been noted as a potential area of concern, with occasional variations in top ply thickness and finish quality.
- Adaptability: Due to its significant power at distance and head-heavy nature, players may require an adjustment period to calibrate their stroke, particularly when transitioning from traditional all-wood setups. The blade is often noted for providing a high-performance alternative to premium-priced carbon options currently on the market.
Also Known As
- Chinese: 隼ZX
- Japanese: ハヤブサZX
Submit a Review
Recent Reviews
#1 — February 2023
My favorite of 6 blades, I tend to rebuild the setups of my favorite pros, but in this case, I wanted to make my own using this blade. I paired it with new Xiom Jeckyl n Hyde Rubbers, and it’s very good to me. It offers much control while having loads of speed.
It handles everything you want to do with it, including looping, blocking, on-table play, off-table play, fishing, flicking, and smashing. It all feels great and consistent. For its price, this blade is a clear winner in the ZLC world of blades. To make it short, it’s a hidden gem!
#2 — June 2015
One of the best blades in the table tennis market today. Many people don’t know this!
Blade composition: limba-limba-zephylium carbon-ayous-zephylium
#3 — April 2015
Physical:
Hayabusa ZX is a well-made blade with an average size head and a bit small handle. Finish on my blade is not premium, it is actually just okay. Top plies are not even thickness, which is noticeable by the naked eye. Some could say the blade needs more factory sanding, but Xiom provides a sanding stick, so this cushions the issue. Fiber layers are close to the core. The blade when rubbers are on is very head heavy. About 85-90g blade only.
Feel:
Close to the table, the blade feels like all wood with minimal to no flex. It has a medium-soft feel to it. The blade does not rebound the ball instantaneously when dealing with low speeds. Control is fairly good for a modern blade close to the table.
When you go off like 2m and up and start looping and hitting harder, things do change a lot. The blade flexes a bit more, but still not a huge amount. Flex feels very stable and vibration is kept to, let’s say, a minimum. Speed goes off the hook when playing away from the table. Basically, at this point, the blade shows it is a modern blade made for a heavy topspin game. I had to hold back a bit for a week until I learned how to adapt. From reviews, I thought the blade would be much slower than it feels to me, and I mean much slower for mid-distance and up. Control is okay once you get accustomed, but don’t expect 5-ply all-wood old-school control. I think what gives power also is the head heaviness of the blade next to the new materials.
Pros and cons:
Hard to say much here, but I guess the biggest upside of the blade is the price. Much better pricing than BTY blades and about the same performance. A big con is actually production quality. A Xiom premium product has to be spotless. All the rest is personal preference and what a player wants from the blade on an individual level.
If you have any questions about this, I would be happy to answer.
Have fun and enjoy TT.
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