Weight
87g
Thickness
5.6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Liu Shiwen
Butterfly Liu Shiwen ZLF is a hybrid offensive blade named for the legendary Chinese player. Its Innerfiber construction places ZL Fiber layers near the core, enhancing dwell time and creating a lightweight, agile feel perfect for fast, spin-focused attacks close to the table. This design delivers a dynamic blend of control, speed, and spin, wrapped in a distinct woody sensation, making it a top choice for modern offensive strategies.
The 7-layer construction features ZL Fiber plies strategically placed next to the core in an Innerfiber design. This arrangement creates a good balance of speed, control, and dwell time, contributing to excellent spin generation and a responsive playing feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Liu Shiwen ZLF is a fast blade, particularly effective for close-to-mid-distance attacks. While not as explosive as some outer-carbon blades, its ZL Fiber construction delivers sufficient speed for aggressive topspin shots and quick counter-attacks. Players appreciate its linear speed, which provides consistent power across various strokes without unpredictable jumps.
This blade offers exceptional control, a hallmark of its design. The Innerfiber construction and ZL Fiber plies create a larger sweet spot and excellent feel, allowing for precise ball placement and consistent stroke execution. It's particularly effective for spin-oriented play where touch and accuracy are paramount.
Liu Shiwen ZLF delivers a distinct woody character despite the ZL Fiber layers, offering good feedback and dwell time. Players report feeling the ball well with ample sensitivity for effective play, though the fiber provides slight dampening compared to all-wood blades.
Liu Shiwen ZLF produces a medium-high throw angle that's particularly effective for generating high-spinning topspins that dip sharply onto the opponent's side. This trajectory helps create offensive opportunities while maintaining good control.
Innerfiber construction with ZL Fiber near the core significantly enhances dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the blade, facilitating greater spin generation and providing a softer, more controlled feel that's particularly beneficial for looping and spin-oriented attacks.
Liu Shiwen ZLF shows notable flexibility that aids in generating spin and absorbing pace during blocks. This flexibility creates a larger sweet spot and contributes to the blade's comfortable feel and control, especially during extended topspin rallies where consistency matters.
While retaining some woody feel, the ZL Fiber plies slightly dampen vibrations compared to all-wood blades. This results in controlled vibration levels that provide useful feedback without being jarring, contributing to the blade's overall control and comfortable playing experience.
Butterfly's renowned craftsmanship is evident in the Liu Shiwen ZLF. The blade features a polished finish, durable materials, and elegant decorative motifs. Our testing shows consistent build quality and attention to detail that players expect from premium equipment.
Technology
Butterfly Liu Shiwen ZLF utilizes Innerforce Layer technology, placing specialized ZL Fiber plies adjacent to the core wood ply. This Innerfiber construction provides a softer feel and increased dwell time compared to outer-fiber designs, enhancing spin generation and control. ZL Fiber is known for its strength, lightness, and responsiveness, contributing to dynamic performance without the stiffness often associated with carbon fiber. The blade is optimized for close-to-table attacking play with emphasis on spin and agility.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Liu Shiwen
This blade is named after and designed in collaboration with Liu Shiwen, one of the most successful female players in history. Known for her dynamic, spin-oriented, close-to-the-table attacking style, the blade's characteristics directly support her game. Its lightweight construction, good dwell time, high spin potential, and excellent control enable her to execute powerful loops, quick counter-hits, and precise short game shots with consistency.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Innerforce ZLF
Butterfly Innerforce ZLF shares nearly identical construction and feel with Liu Shiwen ZLF, featuring the same 5-ply wood plus 2 ZL Fiber innerfiber composition. Often considered a predecessor or close sibling, both blades offer excellent dwell time, control, and spin for similar playing styles. Minor differences might exist in head size or specific manufacturing techniques, but they cater to the same player preferences.
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF
Timo Boll ZLF also utilizes ZL Fiber technology but typically features an outer-fiber construction. While known for good spin and control, it offers a different feel and speed profile compared to the Liu Shiwen ZLF's innerfiber design. Players report Liu Shiwen ZLF has more dwell time and a woodier feel, while Timo Boll ZLF might feel slightly crisper and more direct in its response.