Weight
85g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Timo Boll ZLC
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC is a high-performance blade for aggressive attackers seeking a perfect blend of speed, spin, and control. Developed with legendary player Timo Boll, its unique ZL-Carbon construction delivers the explosive power and fast rebound of carbon while maintaining the flexibility and extended dwell time of wood. This synergy enables powerful looping and smashing with enhanced feel and spin generation. Its balanced properties make it an ideal offensive weapon that doesn't sacrifice consistency, catering to players who demand elite performance from mid-distance rallies.
This blade features an outer fiber construction with two layers of ZL-Carbon composite sandwiched between five plies of wood. This design provides a large sweet spot and a sensation of holding the ball, contributing to increased dwell time and spin potential while the carbon layers ensure high rebound and speed.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Timo Boll ZLC is a very fast blade designed for aggressive attacking play. Its ZL-Carbon construction provides a high reaction property, enabling powerful drives, smashes, and fast-paced rallies. Our testing shows it offers exceptional offensive capabilities, with some players noting it provides a slightly different speed profile compared to other top-tier carbon blades, yet remains a formidable weapon for all-out attack.
Despite its high speed, Timo Boll ZLC offers a commendable level of control, primarily due to the increased dwell time provided by the ZL-Fiber. This allows players to feel the ball longer on the blade, aiding in precise placement and spin generation during aggressive shots. While not a blade for beginners, intermediate and advanced players find it highly controllable for offensive maneuvers, with many reporting excellent touch on loops and blocks.
Timo Boll ZLC delivers a medium-hard feel. The ZL-Carbon composite provides distinct feedback that's less stiff than some pure carbon blades, offering a balance between direct response and a slightly dampened sensation. Players report this feel enhances spin generation, though pairing with the right rubbers is crucial to maximize comfort and performance.
The combination of speed and dwell time typically results in a medium-high throw angle. This allows for penetrating loops that stay low over the net while providing enough arc to clear it when needed, facilitating aggressive topspin play from both mid-distance and close to the table.
The ZL-Fiber integrated into the blade's construction significantly enhances dwell time. This extended ball contact allows players to generate exceptional spin on serves, loops, and drives while maintaining control during aggressive play. It's particularly favored by players who rely on heavy spin to dominate rallies.
This blade strikes an excellent balance between stiffness and flexibility. The ZL-Fiber offers more flex than traditional carbon, contributing to increased dwell time and spin potential. This moderate flexibility creates a whip-like effect when generating spin, while the overall construction maintains sufficient stiffness for powerful, direct shots when needed.
Timo Boll ZLC provides moderate vibration that offers clear feedback without being excessively jarring. The ZL-Carbon composite contributes to a controlled vibration profile, allowing players to feel ball impact distinctly while maintaining comfort during extended play sessions.
As a premium Butterfly product, Timo Boll ZLC is renowned for exceptional build quality and meticulous craftsmanship. The integration of ZL-Carbon and wood plies is expertly executed, resulting in a durable and consistent blade that withstands intense play. Japanese manufacturing standards contribute to its flawless finish and long-term reliability, making it a worthwhile investment for serious players.
Technology
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC features proprietary ZL-Carbon material that blends the high elasticity and speed of carbon fiber with the lightness, flexibility, and increased dwell time of ZL-fiber. This advanced composite is strategically placed within the wood plies in an outer fiber construction that enhances the sweet spot and provides a unique playing sensation. The technology delivers aggressive power without sacrificing the feel and control crucial for modern table tennis, making it particularly effective for spin-oriented attackers.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kirill Gerassimenko
Kirill Gerassimenko, a professional player from Kazakhstan, uses Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC to complement his dynamic and aggressive playing style. The blade provides him with the necessary speed and spin to execute powerful topspin shots and quick attacks effectively. Its increased dwell time aids in controlling heavy-hit balls and generating consistent spin, making it ideal for his offensive strategies.
Timo Boll
While the blade bears his name and was developed in collaboration with him, Timo Boll has been noted to prefer the ALC version for its greater feeling and reduced reactivity to incoming spin. However, the ZLC version remains associated with his aggressive, high-powered style, and he likely uses or has used it during specific periods or situations where extreme speed and spin are paramount.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria shares many similarities with Timo Boll ZLC as both are offensive blades featuring carbon composites favored by top players. While Viscaria uses Arylate-Carbon (ALC), Timo Boll ZLC uses ZL-Carbon. Both offer high speed and spin potential, with some players finding ZLC has slightly more dwell time and feel, while others perceive Viscaria as having a more direct response. The choice often comes down to subtle preferences in feel and spin characteristics.
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC offers a different construction philosophy with inner fiber placement, providing a softer feel and more control compared to the outer-fiber construction of Timo Boll ZLC. While Timo Boll ZLC excels in raw speed and aggressive spin from mid-distance, Innerforce Layer ALC better suits players who prioritize close-to-table control, spin-oriented play with a softer touch, and a more dampened feel. Both cater to different player preferences within offensive styles.