Get Notified of New Equipment and Reviews
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.
Composite/carbon
Interesting blade. At first, it seems to be very fast and uncontrollable after JJ SZLC. But after a couple of training hours, it seems quite fast and controllable. It supports your aggressive style and asks you to attack. The attacks are fast even from uncomfortable balls. If you play an all-around game, then I don’t recommend this blade; it has too short a dwell time for this. Plays well with Chinese and hybrid rubbers. I play with BigDipper 4 on FH and Fastarc G-1 (Tenergy 05 and Bluefier M2) on BH.
Best Blade overall. Spin, Smash, Control. 10/10.
Review:
The Butterfly Timo Boll ALC blade is an excellent choice for any player. It offers a great balance of spin, smash, and control, making it ideal for a wide range of playing styles. The ALC (Arylate-Carbon) construction gives the blade a nice balance between power and control, while the outer plies of limba wood provide excellent feel and touch.
The Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is a very versatile blade that can be used for both attacking and defensive play. It is also a very durable blade, so it can withstand even the most intense matches.
Overall, the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is an excellent choice for any player looking for a high-quality table tennis blade. It offers a great balance of power and control, and it is durable enough to withstand even the most intense matches.
Perfect blade. Extreme spin generator.
Wow, what a blade! Topspins, smashes, serves, and pushes are all effortless with the Xiom Hayabusa ZXi. It’s incredibly fast yet offers exceptional control, allowing precise placement of the ball. Even a slow drop serve followed by a topspin finish is a consistent success.
Some friends may find it too fast, but if victory is the goal, this blade is like a Ferrari! I recommend pairing it with Tenergy 64 on the forehand and Tenergy 05 on the backhand for optimal results. I’ve also used it with Gewo Hype 47.5 on the forehand and DHS Hurricane Neo 3 on the backhand with great success. I’m eager to try Spinart on the backhand next.
If you crave a lightning-fast blade with remarkable spin-generating capabilities for topspins, the Xiom Hayabusa ZXi is an ideal choice. I upgraded to this blade from the Timo Boll Spirit and have been thoroughly impressed with its performance.
It is a fast blade, but it has a lot of vibrations. Personally, I would prefer any of the Butterfly ZLC blades over this one.
Update: I changed to the DHS Hurricane Long 5 blade, which is much better with lot more control.
This blade works well with tension-type rubbers with medium speed or more (not recommended for super speed rubber). Blocks are perfect, and if you combine it with Butterfly Raystrom or FlareStorm II on the backhand, chop blocks are excellent. I tried it and it was amazing, but you need to adjust your wrist and angle of your hands while performing flicks and topspins, since it is really fast and yet has better control for most OFF+ blades. I find it easy to play with this blade.
Pros: High durability, chop blocks, flat shots, top spins, and speed. Cons: Vibrations (you need to grip the handle firmly and strongly), decent control, heavy when you place 2.0 or 2.2 thickness of rubbers, and a slightly lower chance of success for countering close to the table (mostly will be done with blocks).
My previous combo consisted of the Xiom Sigma 1 Pro blade and Stiga Boost Tx 2 rubbers. The dwell time on this blade is excellent for me, and the control is also very good. It is primarily a looping blade, and I find that it generates a lot of spin when used for this purpose. However, the blade is not as effective when used for other techniques. The feel of the blade is very good, and you can feel precisely where the ball is being hit.
The only downside to this blade is that it is head-heavy, which may require some adjustment to your playing style.
Very complete blade. Use it with Hurricane 8 on fh and T64 on backhand.
He usado esta madera por 1 año y medio. Tengo 9 años entrenando tenis de mesa y es una madera excelente para atacar de media o larga distancia. Tiene un control muy bueno en comparación con la velocidad que alcanza. Yo la he usado con Tenergry 80 FH y Tenergry 64 BH. Es una excelente combinación de poder y precisión.
Hayabusa’s ZXi blade paired with Vega Pro rubbers is an exceptional combination for table tennis enthusiasts. This setup offers an optimal balance between attack and control, making it ideal for players seeking versatility and precision in their game.
The ZXi blade boasts a combination of stiffness and elasticity, providing both power and control during gameplay. Its unique composition allows for precise placement and spin generation, while maintaining stability and responsiveness.
The Vega Pro rubbers further enhance the blade’s capabilities. With its grippy top sheet and medium-hard sponge, the Vega Pro provides excellent spin, control, and power. The combination of the blade and rubbers results in a setup that caters to both offensive and defensive playstyles, making it a versatile choice for players of varying levels.
Awesome blade. Compared to the TB-ZLC (which has the same blade composition), the Zxi has a bigger sweet spot (the biggest I have tested so far, excluding the Super ZLC from Butterfly). However, the Zxi offers more flex and feeling for the same speed as the TB-ZLC. The larger sweet spot provides more control and consistency.
This blade combines the speed of the TB-ZLC with the feel of Arylate-carbon blades like the Viscaria, TBS, and TB-ALC. Therefore, I recommend this blade for “Viscaria-like” users seeking more speed, or for TB-ZLC users who desire more feel, power, and a larger sweet spot with a higher throw angle.
This is a top-quality blade. I am considering replacing my beloved TB-ALC with this one because it offers a sense of increased power with the same control and improved consistency thanks to its incredible sweet spot.
I have tested this blade with a variety of Vega/Omega rubbers, as well as the T64, Barracuda, Sinus Alpha, and Razka7.
First impressions are great. I guess I have found my ultimate blade. Love at first touch. Huge power, speed, and control. You will be surprised. A bit head heavy but not disturbing, especially after my wrb. I’ll update later :) Now 05Fx and Aurus Sound but planning to stick M2 and M3 (2mm) on it to tame the beast a bit :D.
1st Update: A bit sharp around the neck, so it was sandpapered a little bit, and now it is cool. Full-size sweet spot can be felt :)
2nd Update: Everything works excellently after a few training sessions. The blade is simply perfect for me. Tremendous power, spinny balls, and control. Anyway, one may find it heavy because mine is 102g with two layers of sealant and the handgrip on it, according to my kitchen scales. Sorry guys, I forgot to weigh it right after out of pocket :(
3rd Update: I am NOT a Pro TT player, so you should take my opinion with a pinch of salt :)
Well, I have been using ZXi only for a couple of weeks, but I must tell you I am very satisfied with it. Technically, all kinds of strokes can be carried out with it efficiently, but its main strength lies in spinny, powerful strokes. Short spinny or no-spin serves can be carried out easily as well.
Used TBS for a year as my main blade, which is similar to ALC (?). ZXi is more powerful and has a huge capacity of spin and control. Anyway, TBS is also an excellent blade, but I miss the ZIP of Hayabusa.
Moreover, I’d say it is a cannon supported by a skynet-satellite-system :D …so you will have the control and power far away from the table too. By the way, it weighs 198 grams with M2-M3 and grip, so those with weak muscles and joints keep their distance, please :).
Blade Review
This blade is very demanding. It requires a high level of skill and technique to use effectively. The sweet spot is small, and the blade is unforgiving of mishits. However, for those who can master it, this blade offers exceptional control and power.
The blade is made of a high-quality carbon fiber composite, which gives it a stiff and rigid feel. This stiffness provides excellent control and stability, making it ideal for precise shots and blocks. The blade also has a good amount of power, which allows for powerful attacks and smashes.
The handle is made of a comfortable and ergonomic material, which provides a secure grip. The blade is well-balanced and feels comfortable in the hand.
Overall, this blade is a high-quality option for experienced players who are looking for a blade that offers exceptional control and power. However, it is important to note that this blade is not for beginners and requires a high level of skill and technique to use effectively.
The blade has a heavy head and lacks a solid feel. Spin and speed are mediocre, not exceeding expectations. Similarly, its performance in looping, blocking, and pushing is adequate but not exceptional. Notably, several cheaper blades offer superior performance compared to this one.
I have a Xiom V1 Quad, and I decided I wanted a speed upgrade. The ZXi is faster, with just a tiny sacrifice in control. I play Andro Rasant on the FH with Yasaka Rakza 7 soft on the BH, both in max.
The ZXi is slightly less stiff, but has a harder feel. When I hit my V1 Quad, I feel the ball impact as a thump, but on the ZXi, it’s almost like a click. I like that kind of feedback in a blade.
It took a few sessions to learn to control it, and breaking in the rubber was part of the process, but now the feels very comfortable. It blocks nicely, and a solid hit is very fast.
I have had some very fast, hard hitting volleys with a number of players in my club, and they have remarked about how nicely I’m hitting the ball. Don’t flat hit with this blade, you’ll put the ball in orbit, but if you spin it, it’s very consistent and effective.
I have been very impressed with the quality, materials, and workmanship of all the Xiom products I have purchased, and this blade lives up to everything Xiom says about it.
I like this blade. It doesn’t have a very solid feel, but it has a large sweet spot. It is fast and goes well with the Tenergry 05, 80, and 64. With Tenergy 64, hitting away from the table and counter loop is fantastic.
Now, it is my best blade so far. In the forehand, I used Bluefire M2, and for the backhand, I used Palio (Baidu - cheaper and better quality). To me, it is the best among my blades for looping and smashing, and I like this better than my Innerforce Zlc.
Love this blade. It is fast, but with plenty of control. The big sweet spot allows for great play from over the table to mid-range. It also provides lots of ball feedback.
My only complaint is the sharp wing edges which need sanding.
Hayabusa ZXi is a fast blade, but it lacks the solidity of other blades. It has a hollow sound when tested, reminiscent of Chinese blades. The balance is not as good as Xiom’s previous offerings, such as the Zetro and Strato. Despite Xiom’s reputation for quality, this blade feels less substantial than those that came before it. The price point is also high, which makes it a disappointing choice for players who are accustomed to the superior quality of Xiom’s previous blades. Despite my general appreciation for Xiom products, I cannot recommend this blade.
Excellent control and tremendous speed at any distance from the table. I find it to be an especially effective blade for aggressive loops and power strokes. These strokes aside, I find it to be consistent in carrying out any strokes. It carries quite a “punch,” and sometimes control shots need to be carried out with a bit of sensitivity. If you are looking for a powerful blade, as far as I can tell, there is nothing but top marks to give it.
I play a 77-gram ZXI with Nittaku Fastarc S1 2.0 FH and Nittaku Pro Beta 2.0 BH. Its overall weight is 161 grams, making it extremely comfortable to play with. I’ve never had such a light blade with so much speed. It’s great for looping, smashing, and blocking.
Control is really nice for such a fast blade. I mean, there are blades that are better controllable, but the relation between speed and control this blade offers is amazing. Overall, I really enjoy playing with it. It’s a pleasure. I highly recommend it :)
Thin, quite stiff, hard feel. Really quite fast, with a medium throw — nothing too unusual to adapt to.
The feel is unlike other composite blades I’ve used. The sweet spot is huge — the whole blade seems to be incredibly uniform in response. Even though the overall feel is hard, the short game feels strangely slightly softer, like the blade is damping rebound at low speed in some way. This makes the short game surprisingly easy considering the top end speed.
Very well made, bit expensive, but a serious piece of kit.
It is very thin and weighs only 80.6 grams. When bouncing the ball on the bare blade, it feels bouncy compared to the BTY Amultart. This initially raised concerns about its control, leading to doubts if control would be compromised.
(2nd edit) After using it with my preferred rubbers on both sides (bh-OMG IV elite, fh-OMG III Asia), I noticed an impressive increase in speed compared to my previous paddle. While its spinning ability is good, blocking and control required some time for me to adjust. This blade is a suitable option for players who prefer a fast-paced game. Overall, I am satisfied with its performance.
(3rd edit) After a 2-hour game with zxi today, I found that I could control and block the ball effectively, including accurately sweeping and forwarding balls from a distance. The blade delivers a winning performance, comparable to riding a wild horse - it’s fun to play with and lethal in executing kills. I have now made this my primary blade and plan to purchase two more.
The blades are very light and thin, yet they possess tremendous power. They are comparable to the TBoll ZLC blade, but offer even greater sharpness and control. The blades exude an aura of luxury, instilling confidence in the player during gameplay. This is the fourth blade I have owned, and it surpasses the higher levels of Amultart.
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.