Product information
Unboxing
The Mizutani Jun SZLC blade comes in a beautiful presentation box in the same colors as his signature blade. The color scheme of the handle has change to a more modern design compared to the old blade. The colors are still red and black but for distinguishing between the ZLC and the SZLC, Butterfly have added a yellow stripe on both sides of the handle for the SZLC and white for the ZLC. The logo has change to red and white showing his initials and on the other side of the handle there is indication that this blade is the SZLC.
On the back of the handle on the newer versions there is a new green holographic sticker is placed for verifying counterfeit versions.
The quality and finish is superb as always when you buy a Butterfly blade and it looks like a has a fine layer of sealing from the factory.
Composition: Limba-SZLC-Limba-Ayous-Limba-SZLC-Limba
Handle: Flared
Head size: 157x150mm
Thickness: 5.8mm
Weight: 94g
Test setup: FH DHS H3 Neo 2.10mm and BH Tenergy 05 2.1mm
Drive
When driving with the MJ ZLC I could immediately feel that this blade was fast. Even faster than the normal ZLC and Viscaria! But having that said the blade also had an amount of feel and dwell that you normally don't experience when blades are that fast. I think this might be due to the outer limba layer combined with the SZLC. The Super Zylon-Carbon layer adds lightness, stiffness and flexibility to the blade. Another thing that was noticeable was the large sweet spot.
Loop
When looping with the MJ SZLC I had just adjust my power due to the speed of the blade. After a while I could hit the ball on the table. The balance between spin and speed was more to the speed side. When finding myself with the blade I could make some super powerful loops.The arcs with H3 was low to medium and with the T05 it is more medium. The balance of the blade was to the middle even though playing with heavy rubbers.
Block
In the passive game here this blade really shines! I could really feel that the blade gave a lot of control, stability and consistency due to the large sweet spot and the composition of Limba and SZLC. Still if I was a bit active on the ball the blade still felt controllable. Directing the ball where you wanted was spot on even on powerful incoming loops.
Flick/short game
As I mentioned earlier in the review the MJ SZLC has a lot of dwell which is due to the outer Limba. On service receive I was able to make some quality receives, but you should have a good touch due to the blade is very fast. Flicks is also made with good touch concentrating the brushing more than adding force to the ball.
Conclusion
Butterfly has made another signature blade for Jun Mizutani. The price is very high at 349.90 Euro (in Europe) and 373.99 USD (in US). So is it worth buying the SZLC?The SZLC is faster and stiffer than the normal ZLC. Also the design is just flawless. If you are looking for those features then, yes! But IMO the ZLC is an overall better blade due to it is more forgiving to playing with and of course the price tag!
I would recommend the blade to players who focus on an offensive game with spin and speed and plays mid and away from the table. Also the player that favors the stability and consistency in their blocking and attacking game. If your money is unlimited and you are looking for features the SZLC provides, then this blade is for you!
The Mizutani Jun SZLC blade comes in a beautiful presentation box in the same colors as his signature blade. The color scheme of the handle has change to a more modern design compared to the old blade. The colors are still red and black but for distinguishing between the ZLC and the SZLC, Butterfly have added a yellow stripe on both sides of the handle for the SZLC and white for the ZLC. The logo has change to red and white showing his initials and on the other side of the handle there is indication that this blade is the SZLC.
On the back of the handle on the newer versions there is a new green holographic sticker is placed for verifying counterfeit versions.
The quality and finish is superb as always when you buy a Butterfly blade and it looks like a has a fine layer of sealing from the factory.
Composition: Limba-SZLC-Limba-Ayous-Limba-SZLC-Limba
Handle: Flared
Head size: 157x150mm
Thickness: 5.8mm
Weight: 94g
Test setup: FH DHS H3 Neo 2.10mm and BH Tenergy 05 2.1mm
Drive
When driving with the MJ ZLC I could immediately feel that this blade was fast. Even faster than the normal ZLC and Viscaria! But having that said the blade also had an amount of feel and dwell that you normally don't experience when blades are that fast. I think this might be due to the outer limba layer combined with the SZLC. The Super Zylon-Carbon layer adds lightness, stiffness and flexibility to the blade. Another thing that was noticeable was the large sweet spot.
Loop
When looping with the MJ SZLC I had just adjust my power due to the speed of the blade. After a while I could hit the ball on the table. The balance between spin and speed was more to the speed side. When finding myself with the blade I could make some super powerful loops.The arcs with H3 was low to medium and with the T05 it is more medium. The balance of the blade was to the middle even though playing with heavy rubbers.
Block
In the passive game here this blade really shines! I could really feel that the blade gave a lot of control, stability and consistency due to the large sweet spot and the composition of Limba and SZLC. Still if I was a bit active on the ball the blade still felt controllable. Directing the ball where you wanted was spot on even on powerful incoming loops.
Flick/short game
As I mentioned earlier in the review the MJ SZLC has a lot of dwell which is due to the outer Limba. On service receive I was able to make some quality receives, but you should have a good touch due to the blade is very fast. Flicks is also made with good touch concentrating the brushing more than adding force to the ball.
Conclusion
Butterfly has made another signature blade for Jun Mizutani. The price is very high at 349.90 Euro (in Europe) and 373.99 USD (in US). So is it worth buying the SZLC?The SZLC is faster and stiffer than the normal ZLC. Also the design is just flawless. If you are looking for those features then, yes! But IMO the ZLC is an overall better blade due to it is more forgiving to playing with and of course the price tag!
I would recommend the blade to players who focus on an offensive game with spin and speed and plays mid and away from the table. Also the player that favors the stability and consistency in their blocking and attacking game. If your money is unlimited and you are looking for features the SZLC provides, then this blade is for you!
