Weight
85g
Thickness
7.1mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Amultart ZL Carbon
Butterfly Amultart ZL Carbon is an elite offensive blade built for aggressive players who demand explosive power and heavy spin. It masterfully blends advanced ZL Carbon technology with premium woods, delivering exceptional speed while maintaining remarkable dwell time and control. The unique construction provides a larger sweet spot and a responsive feel, making it a formidable weapon for powerful loops and counter-attacks. Its premium Japanese craftsmanship ensures consistent, high-level performance for advanced players looking to dominate from mid-distance.
This 5-ply hybrid construction features outer Hinoki plies for a softer touch and improved feel, sandwiching two layers of ZL Carbon fiber for enhanced speed and a larger sweet spot. The Kiri core provides lightness and contributes to the overall balance. Placing the ZL Carbon layers between wood plies optimizes the blend of power and dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Amultart ZL Carbon is an extremely fast blade, firmly in the OFF+ category. The ZL Carbon construction provides a high repulsive force, enabling devastating attacks and smashes. Players report it delivers consistent power from mid-distance, allowing for explosive shots that pressure opponents. This speed makes it a dedicated weapon for aggressive, attacking players who thrive on dictating the pace of the rally.
Despite its high speed, the Amultart ZL Carbon offers a surprisingly high level of control. The extended dwell time from the ZL fiber allows for excellent ball grip, aiding in precise shot placement and touch play. Our testing shows the forgiving sweet spot enhances accuracy, even during high-speed exchanges. This blend of power and precision is a key strength, allowing players to attack with confidence.
The feel is premium and solid, striking a balance between the stiffness from the carbon layers and a softer touch from the Hinoki outer plies and ZL fiber. This combination provides clear feedback and good ball grip, which is crucial for generating heavy spin and maintaining control during powerful strokes.
Amultart ZL Carbon produces a medium-low throw angle. This characteristic makes it an excellent pairing with rubbers that have a higher throw angle, creating a more arched trajectory that helps keep powerful attacks on the table. It suits players who like to drive through the ball with a flatter arc.
A defining characteristic is its enhanced dwell time compared to many traditional carbon blades. The ZL fiber allows the ball to stay on the blade surface slightly longer, facilitating greater spin generation and improved control, especially during looping and touch play near the table.
The blade is on the stiffer side, which is typical for constructions with multiple carbon layers. This stiffness is fundamental to its high speed and direct power transmission. While the wood and ZL fiber introduce a slight degree of flex, it remains primarily a stiff blade engineered for powerful, offensive shots.
Vibration levels are moderate. While the carbon layers contribute to a stiffer core, the wood plies and ZL fiber help dampen excessive harshness. Many players find this level provides ideal tactile feedback—enough to feel the shot without being jarring or uncomfortable.
The blade exemplifies premium build quality, reflecting Butterfly's renowned Japanese manufacturing standards. The materials are top-notch, with meticulous construction ensuring durability and consistent performance over time. Players report a solid, premium feel in hand, with excellent finish and attention to detail that justifies its position as a high-end offering.
Technology
Butterfly Amultart ZL Carbon incorporates advanced ZL-Carbon technology, a hybrid composite designed to offer the best of both worlds: the lightness and unique properties of ZL fiber combined with the high repulsive power of carbon. This construction results in a blade that is incredibly fast and powerful, yet retains a degree of dwell time and control often sacrificed in traditional carbon blades. The ZL fiber's properties enable the ball to be gripped for longer, facilitating greater spin generation and more precise placement. This technology is engineered specifically for aggressive, top-tier offensive players seeking an enhanced playing experience.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Koki Niwa
Koki Niwa was noted as using a blade with a similar Hinoki and ZLC construction around 2012, with the Amultart ZL Carbon being a prominent example of this technology from Butterfly. While direct, current usage isn't extensively documented, the blade's design principles—prioritizing speed, spin, and a responsive feel—align perfectly with the needs of elite offensive players like Niwa.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Mizutani Jun ZLC
Butterfly Mizutani Jun ZLC is frequently mentioned as a very similar blade to the Amultart ZL Carbon. Both utilize ZL Carbon technology and are designed for aggressive, offensive play. TTSensei experts note subtle differences often come down to slight variations in thickness, weight, and wood plies, which can influence feel and flexibility. Some players find the Amultart slightly thicker and heavier, offering more raw acceleration, while the Mizutani Jun might provide a touch more control.
Butterfly Garaydia ZLC
Butterfly Garaydia ZLC is also considered a close relative, with some players viewing them as near twins. Both blades employ the ZL Carbon composite aiming for a balance of speed, control, and spin. Our analysis suggests the Amultart is often described as thicker and less flexible than some popular ALC blades, a characteristic that may create a distinct, more direct feel compared to the Garaydia ZLC, influencing dwell time and feedback.