Weight
88g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Harimoto S-ZLC Clone
Stuor Harimoto S-ZLC Clone offers a compelling entry into high-performance table tennis, designed to deliver the speed and spin of premium inner ZLC blades at a fraction of the cost. Its construction layers wood plies around Zylon-Carbon fibers, creating a crisp, responsive feel with a large sweet spot ideal for aggressive play. This blade provides an accessible path for intermediate to advanced players seeking professional-grade power and control without the associated price tag, making it a popular choice for those willing to explore direct-market options.
The 7-ply construction follows a symmetrical inner ZLC design: wood outer plies for feel, followed by ZLC fiber layers, then wood inner plies, and a wood core at the center. This stack is mirrored on the other side. This architecture is engineered to deliver the speed boost of carbon from within the blade while maintaining the playing characteristics and feedback of a wood surface.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade generates significant pace, living up to its ZLC fiber construction. Players report a powerful, explosive response on drives and loops, providing ample speed for offensive rallies. The inner fiber placement helps channel this energy efficiently, making it a potent weapon for players who like to dictate play with fast, attacking shots.
Despite its speed, the Harimoto S-ZLC Clone maintains commendable control. The wood outer plies and inner fiber design contribute to a noticeable dwell time, allowing for precise ball placement and confident touch play on blocks and short game. This balance makes it more manageable than many pure power blades, offering a forgiving platform for aggressive tactics.
The playing feel is predominantly crisp and direct, with a medium-hard character. Feedback is clear and communicative, though some units may exhibit a slightly softer, more flexible touch. This variance can influence the precise sensation of ball contact, but the core profile remains lively and responsive.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, especially when engaging the ZLC layers on full strokes. This trajectory is ideal for aggressive topspin play, helping to generate deep, arcing loops that clear the net comfortably and dive onto the opponent's side of the table.
Dwell time is a standout feature. The inner ZLC construction paired with wood outer plies creates a pronounced holding effect, allowing players to load the ball with spin and execute controlled shots with greater confidence. This characteristic significantly aids in loop consistency and short game finesse.
It offers a good degree of flex for a ZLC blade. This flexibility contributes to the enhanced dwell time and adds a catapult effect on powerful strokes, making it more forgiving and easier to generate arc on loops compared to stiffer, more rigid carbon blades.
Vibration feedback is well-balanced. The blade provides enough sensation to feel ball contact clearly without becoming harsh or overwhelming. The composite structure absorbs some of the sharper vibrations, resulting in a crisp yet comfortable feedback that most offensive players will appreciate.
Build quality is generally solid for its class, with good craftsmanship evident in the finish and layer alignment. TTSensei experts note that, as with many direct-market products, consistency between individual blades can vary. For the price, it represents excellent value, though it may not match the uniform precision of top-tier branded blades.
Technology
Stuor Harimoto S-ZLC Clone utilizes an inner fiber construction, placing Zylon-Carbon layers between wood plies closer to the blade's core. This design aims to provide the explosive speed and stability of carbon while preserving the dwell time and tactile feel associated with wood outer surfaces. The technology focuses on creating a large, forgiving sweet spot to enhance consistency on off-center hits, making it a potent tool for players seeking a blend of power and control from a composite blade.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Harimoto Innerforce Super ZLC
This is the primary blade the Stuor clone emulates. It shares the same inner ZLC concept and aims for a similar high-speed, controlled offensive profile. The original offers guaranteed material consistency and precision craftsmanship, while the clone provides a vastly more affordable avenue to experience this performance tier.
Butterfly Harimoto Innerforce ZLC
Another close relative in the Harimoto series, this blade also features inner ZLC technology. While subtle differences in composition and feel may exist compared to the 'Super' variant, it represents another high-end benchmark for the speed, control, and crisp feedback that the Stuor clone seeks to deliver at a lower cost.