Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF

The Timo Boll ZLF is my fourth blade and has exceeded my expectations. I currently have a TBALC, Primorac Carbon and Innerforce Layer ZLC in my collection as well. I use Fastarc G1 for both sides of the TBZLF, TBALC and IFZLC, which helps when comparing the blades.

The ZLF is the slowest of all the blades. However, because it has the most control, I am more confident in taking bigger swings / exerting more power in my strokes. Unless you are a professional or elite club level player, the ZLF's speed is more than adequate, including for loop drives and smash shots.

In terms of touch it is softer than the TBALC (both TBs have koto outer, but the ZLF has no carbon), but slightly harder than the IFZLC, likely due to the latter's limba outer + 2 wood outer plies. Both the ZLF and IFZLC are great for short service receives. Blocking with the ZLF is comfortable and reliable, but you will need to rely more on placement than pace to win the point.

Dwell time wise, the ZLF is just a tad less than the IFZLC. However, the ZLF's looping arc (especially when exerting strength) is higher than the ZLC and hence, affords more safety and forgiveness. My coaches have observed a marked increase in my consistency when I use the ZLF to open up from backspin with a backhand loop, compared to the other blades. They have also pointed out that my forehand loops are spinnier when using the ZLF. That said, players who rely on lightning fast loop drives to score outright winners during third ball attacks should look elsewhere

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the TBZLF and will highly recommend it to intermediate level players, or even up to the advanced level.

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Timo Boll ZLF FG1 FG1 180g
Timo Boll ALC FG1 FG1 181g
Primorac Carbon D09c T05 184g
Innerforce ZLC FG1 FG1 189g

I've been using many years Petr Korbel Japan OFF, then Jun Mizutani SZLC, then Boll ZLF. To my style I think it is best blade. You can play very hard(if you have enough power in hand), but you can play ridiculous spinny, what I love. Actually dwell time on it is awesome, you need time to master it, but it seems, that this blade will stay with me many years.

(i was playing Timo Boll ALC before that, which i liked, but it was way too fast, so i tried this blade)
at first i did not like it. i thought everything is disaster about it. i felt it has too narrow handle (FL), too much catapult, too flexible.. however i gave it a second chance and what a decision it turned out to be.

after few weeks of playing this blade i really fell in love with it. nowadays it is my blade of choice and is in the top 3 blades list.
what i like about it the most is the crisp feel and control. its not carbon so you can feel the woody feel, but the zylon gives it extra gears and the spin.. i have not owned more spinny blade yet, its just awesome. the overall feel is soft, there are some little vibrations and flex. you can play any type of shot with this blade - i really enjoy flat hitting/smash killing with it, but as i said - every shot with this blade is a joy.
the only downsides i can see are price and somewhat "fragile" edges.
mine weights 85g.

(this is my first blade review in english, so i am sorry for not the best phrases and grammar, but i felt i have to write review about this blade)

I wanted to find a softer version of the Timo Boll ALC. I took a chance and bought this. I think it's a unique blade and probably useful for a lot of players.
Compared to the TB ALC, it's softer and slower. It also has a much higher throw. You can feel exactly where the ball hit the racket. My backhand has improved with this blade. The lift of the higher arc is good for third ball attacks from backhand. The balance with Tenergy 64 is perfect. i really like the dimensions of this blade, a tad bit smaller than Innerforce. The blade has a crisp feel and a harder touch in the short game. When playing away from the table the sound is just great. Away from the table the TB ALC is better, but i find the ZLF better in all other aspects. The downside is the price. I also find that the edges are starting to chip away, since I do a lot of heavy pushes which slams the racket to the table. Woody feel, but with the stability that ZL fiber has. Mine is 86 grammes.

The only downside to this blade is, I do think it is a bit expensive. But this is a great blade. I love this blade. This is my blade of choice. It is crisp and the topsheet is hard but the Zylon under the topsheet gives it softness, great dwell time and a lot of spin. When you really dig into the ball you feel a snap that I just love feeling when I crush the ball. It has great control. It is not too fast but it has more than enough speed. Because there is Zylon but there is no carbon you can feel the ball on the blade face really well. It has as good feeling as any all wood blade but the Zylon gives this blade extra gears. It has control and touch for short game, a ton of spin for looping and more than enough speed when you dig into it. This blade might lose a little pace when you are back from the table. But I have to say that I don't actually notice this. I feel I can use it at any distance. It combines really well with Tenergy 05 and 05 FX.

I really think this is one of the best blades out there.