Weight
85g
Thickness
5.85mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
159.75x151.5
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Shang Kun Hybrid ZC
Tibhar Shang Kun Hybrid ZC is a high-performance offensive blade built for aggressive, attacking players. Its 5+2 ply construction combines wood layers with inner Hybrid ZC (Zylon Carbon) composite, delivering exceptional speed and dynamics for powerful topspin shots and fast attacks. The design emphasizes clarity, precision, and determination, reflecting the playing style of its namesake. With a relatively hard, dynamic feel and a slightly oversized head, this blade offers formidable power and solid control, making it a top choice for players seeking a hybrid construction that excels in offensive play.
This 5+2 ply construction features an outer Limba wood layer for feel, followed by a Hybrid ZC (Zylon Carbon) composite layer. This is bonded to a central Ayous core, with another layer of wood and the second Hybrid ZC layer sandwiching it. This arrangement aims to provide a powerful, fast, and dynamic response while retaining tactile feedback.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Shang Kun Hybrid ZC is designed for high-speed offensive play. Its inner Hybrid ZC layers contribute significantly to repulsive power, making it one of the faster blades in its category. It excels at delivering powerful shots, especially for players who can generate their own speed and technique, providing a dynamic and explosive response.
Despite its high speed, Shang Kun Hybrid ZC offers a respectable level of control for a composite blade. The inner fiber construction and specific wood layers contribute to a slightly softer feel and better ball-holding capability, allowing for precise placement and effective blocking when played with good technique.
This blade offers a relatively hard and dynamic feel, characteristic of Zylon Carbon composites. While some describe it as slightly dead on impact, this sensation often translates to good feedback and predictability, especially when striking the ball with power, providing a clear connection for precise shot execution.
The blade produces a medium throw angle, suitable for a variety of offensive strokes. It allows for good arc on loops while remaining controllable for flatter attacks, fitting an all-around offensive style.
The Hybrid ZC layers combined with wood plies provide decent dwell time, allowing players to impart significant spin on the ball. This is particularly noticeable during powerful topspin strokes, where the blade holds the ball long enough to generate high levels of spin and power before release.
As a hybrid composite blade with Zylon Carbon, Shang Kun Hybrid ZC leans towards the stiffer side. While it offers some elasticity for dwell time, its primary characteristic is stiffness, which enables fast, direct attacks and powerful smashes.
Vibration is present but well-managed by the composite layers and wood construction, providing clear tactile feedback without being overly harsh or distracting. This moderate vibration helps players understand ball contact and adjust strokes accordingly.
Manufactured in Japan, this blade showcases excellent build quality with smooth surfaces and well-finished handles. The materials are well-integrated, and the construction is solid, leading to a durable and reliable product. Some players note the packaging could be more premium relative to the price, but the blade itself is consistently praised.
Technology
Tibhar Shang Kun Hybrid ZC utilizes an advanced 5+2 ply construction, integrating specially selected wood veneers with inner Hybrid ZC (Zylon Carbon) composite layers. Zylon Carbon is known for its high tensile strength and elasticity, offering a unique blend of speed, power, and distinct feel. The inner placement of the ZC layers provides a more controlled and feeling-oriented response compared to outer-carbon constructions, while still delivering significant repulsion. This design aims to capture the precision and dynamic playing style of professional player Shang Kun, creating a blade that is both powerful for aggressive attacks and precise for tactical play. The use of Limba as an outer ply further enhances feel and touch.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Shang Kun
This blade is named after and designed in collaboration with Shang Kun, a former Chinese national team player. It reflects his dynamic and intelligent playing style, characterized by precision, speed, and determination. He uses this blade to execute powerful topspin attacks and maintain consistent pressure on opponents.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC
Shang Kun Hybrid ZC is frequently compared to Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC due to their similar inner-fiber ZLC constructions. Our testing shows the Shang Kun Hybrid ZC is noticeably faster than the Innerforce Layer ZLC, though it may offer a slightly different feel. Both blades aim to provide ZLC technology benefits with enhanced feel compared to outer-carbon blades.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
Some performance characteristics, such as elasticity and feel, are noted to be similar between Shang Kun Hybrid ZC and Butterfly Timo Boll ALC. While Timo Boll ALC is an outer-fiber ALC blade and Shang Kun Hybrid ZC is an inner-fiber ZLC, players familiar with Timo Boll ALC might find the transition manageable due to overlapping traits in speed and dynamic response.