Butterfly Timo Boll zlf vs Xiom Hugo Calderano HAL/SAL

[doppelmoral]

I am using TB ZLF and am curious about the Xiom Calderano HAL / SAL blades.

If I understand correctly, both blades are similar in terms of construction (no carbon, Koto outer ply)

Has anyone used both and can give a good comparison? Speed, Spin, crispness, shortgame, weight balance, handle and so on

Cheers🏓

 

[piligrim]

I used TB ZLF and SAL. handle on SAL much more comfortable. TB ZLF has very thin handle. Speed about same. I think SAL has softer feel

 

[garesnares]

I own both the SAL FL in 92g and ZLF ST in 83g. It’s hard to compare since they differ so much in weight. But I enjoyed the SAL a lot more. The ZLF vibrated towards the index finger A LOT. It feels thinner, more flexible, but at the same time harder. When you hit the sweet spot, it has a clear sound, but when you don’t, it vibrates a lot.

SAL in comparison is thicker, softer dampened feel, not too flexible or too stiff.

I’m curious how it would feel if their weights are reversed.

Both are slightly more head heavy.

They have different handles types. I’m a fan of the viscaria kind of FL like SAL.

 

[Amayzde]

Im currently using the ZLF and I have had a few hits with the HAL from a clubmate that was using the same rubbers as me (Fastarc G-1).

Both felt like they had the same 'behaviour' when playing. The biggest difference I noticed was the weight, and handle. The HAL has a bigger handle, and was heavier. The feel on impact on the HAL felt slightly more flexible, but that might have to do with the bigger handle size.

I do dissagree with @garesnares about the ZLF being head heavy. I switched from an 86g Ma Lin Carbon with G-1 2.0 on both sides to an 85g Timo Boll ZLF with G-1 MAX on both sides, and the ZLF still feels less head heavy.

I think in the end it doesn't matter which one you get. You performance will be similair in the end. I would say go with the one you are more biased about. So if you like Xiom more, get the HAL, if you like Butterfly get the ZLF.

One last thing I would like to mention is that the Hugo Calderano Blades seem to be disscontinued. And when I bought my ZLF at the end of last year it was going out of the assortment of that store (Butterfly Store Krefeld, Germany) so Im not sure if that also means it will be discontinued in the near future now Timo Boll has retired.

 

[doppelmoral]

I have played both blades extensively. Boll ZLF about 6 months, Hugo HAL about a year.
Hugo HAL is definitely more head heavy at the same weight (both my blades had 85g).
Handle on HAL is wider and thicker and more comfortable.

TB ZLF has more flex, HAL has more power from mid distance
Both blades play fine but I agree with @garesnares about the sweet spot. TB ZLF vibrates alot if you dont hit the sweetspot and it is very irritating. Hugo HAL has a massive sweetspot and the shot feeling is always very comfortable.
Personally I would always prefer the HAL

@Amayzde It is correct that both Hugo HAL and SAL are discontinued, likely because of material shortage according to a vendor. I think the reason states was regarding the kind of fiber
And, it also seems like TB ZLF will be discontinued. I am not 100% sure of that but thats what I heard. TB ZLF also went on sale recently, so it might be that they are clearing their stock