Weight
88g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x150
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Offensive ZLC
Apex Offensive ZLC is a 7-ply Zylon-Carbon blade handmade in Oman, engineered for aggressive offensive play. It delivers the signature speed and power of ZLC composites but surprises with a soft, responsive feel that provides excellent feedback. The blade features a large sweet spot and stable rebound, enabling powerful attacks from all distances while maintaining impressive control for short game and precise shots. This balance makes it a versatile weapon for intermediate to advanced players who want to dominate with topspin, blocks, and counter-attacks.
The blade uses a 7-ply, outer-carbon construction. Limba outer plies provide a soft touch and spin potential. Beneath them lie ZLC layers that boost speed, power, and stability. An Ayous core sits at the center. This specific layering creates a large sweet spot and is responsible for the blade's unique combination of high speed and a surprisingly soft, flexible feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Apex Offensive ZLC is a very fast blade, firmly in the OFF+ category. The ZLC composition generates significant power, enabling explosive attacks and forceful counter-attacks from both mid-distance and close to the table. This high speed is a defining characteristic for aggressive, offensive-minded play.
Despite its exceptional speed, Apex Offensive ZLC maintains a commendable level of control. Our testing shows it allows for precise short game play, easy attack initiation, and stable blocking. However, its high pace means beginners or those with less refined technique might find it challenging to harness fully; it rewards players with good stroke mechanics.
Apex Offensive ZLC offers a surprisingly soft feel on ball impact for a ZLC blade. It doesn't have the harsh, rigid sensation of some carbon composites. Instead, players note a medium-stiff quality with perceptible flex, contributing to excellent ball feedback and a smooth, connected sensation when playing strokes.
This blade produces a medium-low throw angle, resulting in a flatter, more direct trajectory on loops and drives. This characteristic supports powerful, penetrating shots that stay low over the net, ideal for an offensive playing style focused on speed and placement.
The blade provides a medium dwell time. While it produces a relatively low arc on topspin, suggesting a quicker release, the soft feel and flex allow it to hold the ball sufficiently for effective spin generation. It offers a good balance between a crisp contact and enough grip for brush looping.
Apex Offensive ZLC possesses a noticeable degree of flex, which is a positive trait for a carbon blade. This flexibility enhances its looping capability and spin generation, and it directly contributes to the softer, more forgiving feel that distinguishes it from stiffer offensive composites.
Vibration feedback is in the medium range. The composite construction naturally dampens some of the raw feedback found in all-wood blades, but it is not completely insensitive. Players can still feel a clear, well-defined connection with the ball through the handle.
Players report high satisfaction with the build quality and finish of this blade. The craftsmanship is noted to be on par with well-established brands, offering excellent value. The handmade construction from Oman results in a solid, well-made product that feels premium in the hand.
Technology
Apex Offensive ZLC employs a sophisticated 7-ply construction that strategically integrates Zylon-Carbon (ZLC) fibers. These composite layers are placed beneath the surface to amplify the blade's speed and dramatically expand the sweet spot, ensuring consistent power across the entire hitting surface. The design philosophy focuses on merging high offensive speed with a uniquely soft and responsive feel. This is achieved through a specific synergy of Limba wood plies and the ZLC layers, which work together to provide excellent ball feedback and a sensation of holding the ball, even during powerful strokes. The handmade manufacturing process in Oman underscores a commitment to meticulous craftsmanship.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Mizutani Jun ZLC / Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC
Apex Offensive ZLC is often discussed alongside these Butterfly ZLC blades. Players report it offers a playing experience similar to a softer and slightly slower version of the Mizutani Jun ZLC. Like the Innerforce Layer ZLC, the Apex achieves a good balance of power and control with a notably soft feel, though it uses an outer ZLC placement compared to the Innerforce's inner construction.
Stiga Carbonado 145
Many players find the Apex Offensive ZLC shares a similar general character with the Carbonado 145, feeling like a slightly slower and more flexible version. Both blades use Limba outer plies and an Ayous core for their construction. The key difference lies in the composite material: the Apex uses ZLC, while the Carbonado 145 uses Textreme carbon, which typically results in a higher throw angle.