Weight
90g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
ZLC
Huieson ZLC is a hybrid table tennis blade built for offensive players who demand a significant speed and power advantage. Its 7-ply construction, featuring five wood layers and two ZL Carbon layers, creates a potent blend of stiffness and elasticity. This design supports aggressive attacking play, including powerful loops and smashes, while maintaining a commendable level of control. The blade offers a large sweet spot and enhanced dwell time, facilitating strong spin generation and consistent ball contact. It's an excellent choice for players with a fast-paced, attacking style looking for high performance without a prohibitive cost.
This 7-ply construction (5 wood, 2 ZL Carbon) aims to balance speed from the carbon layers with feel from the wood. The outer Koto plies offer a stiff surface for fast attacks, while the inner Ayous and Paulownia core provides a solid, responsive base. The ZL Carbon layers are positioned to enhance the sweet spot and overall power.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Huieson ZLC is widely regarded as a very fast blade. Its ZL Carbon layers contribute significantly to its high-speed potential, making it capable of powerful drives and loops. This speed is comparable to many high-end offensive blades, perfectly suiting aggressive, fast-paced play where quick counter-attacks and powerful shots are essential.
Despite its high speed, Huieson ZLC offers good control. This is attributed to the combination of ZL Carbon and wood layers, which provide a larger sweet spot and a degree of dwell time. Players report being able to execute controlled blocks and sensitive placements, especially when paired with appropriate rubbers, making it manageable for offensive players who also value precision.
Huieson ZLC provides a stiff and hard feel, offering direct feedback and immediate power transfer. This characteristic is beneficial for aggressive players who want a crisp, solid sensation when striking the ball, with the ZL Carbon contributing significantly to this firm response.
Players report a high throw angle, which is advantageous for offensive looping and generating significant spin. This characteristic helps in executing powerful shots from mid-distance or when playing away from the table, allowing the ball to clear the net with ample arc and topspin.
While primarily a fast blade, the ZL fiber component is noted to increase dwell time compared to some traditional carbon blades. This allows for better brush contact and spin generation on loops and drives, adding a useful dimension to its offensive capabilities.
Huieson ZLC is characterized as stiff rather than flexible. This stiffness is key to its high speed and direct power transfer, making it suitable for players who prefer a firm, unyielding feeling when driving through the ball for maximum pace.
The blade exhibits very low vibration, contributing to a direct, stable feel during powerful shots. The stiff construction and composite layers effectively minimize unwanted feedback, providing a solid and confident sensation on impact.
The build quality is generally considered good for its price point. Some users suggest minor sanding might be needed for a smoother finish on the handle and edges, indicating the functional construction is solid, though the finishing may not be as refined as premium blades. It represents strong value in terms of performance per dollar.
Technology
Huieson ZLC utilizes a construction that combines traditional wood plies with advanced ZL Carbon fiber layers. ZL Carbon is known for its high strength, elasticity, and lightweight properties, which enhance the blade's performance. This technology aims to create a larger sweet spot, increase rebound speed, and improve dwell time for better spin generation. The blade is manufactured using a whole-piece wood processing technique to ensure uniformity across the blade face, contributing to consistent performance and a reliable feel on every shot.
Similar Blades
Stuor Nobilis ZLC
This blade is frequently mentioned as being nearly identical to the Huieson ZLC in both construction and performance. The similarity suggests they may share manufacturing origins, making the Stuor Nobilis ZLC a direct alternative for players considering this type of hybrid offensive blade.