Players switching from Korbel to ZLF blades for poly ball?

[ridderz65]

I have noticed that many pros are changing from Bty Korbel to a Bty ZLF blade to combat the poly ball's slowness.

I'm thinking of doing the same. I know there was an innerforce ZLF but its no produced anymore. So out of these blades which is the most similar to the IF ZLF?

Liu Shiwen blade?
Ai Fukuhara Pro ZLF blade?
Timo Boll ZLF blade?

I want a ZLF blade that will be easy to use coming from a Korbel.

Also, when talking about Bty's ZLF blades, what would be other manufacturers answer to ZLF in their blade ranges? ZLF is Bty, but when looking at blades from other manufacturers, what would be their closest technology to ZLF?

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I don't think there are other brands that have Zylon without any carbon or something like Zylon without any carbon.

I believe Liu Shiwen blade is basically the IF blade with a different handle.

Any of those blades will be easy to come to from a Korbel. But none of them will feel quite like a Korbel. That is the case even the the Korbel's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba

and the Shiwen blade's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Zylon-Ayous-Zylon-Limba-Limba

The TB ZLF has these plies:

Koto-Zylon-Limba-Kiri-Limba-Zylon-Koto

But it feels about as close to the Korbel blade as the Shiwen blade does even though the composition of the Shiwen looks so similar to the Korbel.

Of those three blades you listed the all will be a good choice. So whichever one you get should be pretty nice.

Didn't you have another thread about almost the same basic subject? Oh well, I guess it could be in the same thread or a different one.

 

[NextLevel]

Some blades from Xiom have Zephyllium and this is their version of Zylon so to speak. I think such blades are labeled Zx.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Some blades from Xiom have Zephyllium and this is their version of Zylon so to speak. I think such blades are labeled Zx.

But don't those have Zephalium and Carbon? I remember asking Ben Nisbet and he told me a few of them and they had Carbon in them. Does Xiom now have blades with Zephalium and no carbon?

 

[Grandpa]

But don't those have Zephalium and Carbon? I remember asking Ben Nisbet and he told me a few of them and they had Carbon in them. Does Xiom now have blades with Zephalium and no carbon?

I think the Hayabusa Z, Zi, and Z+ are just Zephylium and not carbon.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I think the Hayabusa Z, Zi, and Z+ are just Zephylium and not carbon.

Cool. You are right. That is nice to know. Back when I asked Ben Nisbet, there was only a Zephalium/Carbon Hayabusa out. But that was the blade he mentioned. But now they have ones without the carbon.

 

[NextLevel]

Yes, I got the designation wrong - hard to check Google on a phone before posting sometimes .

 

[Inkognito]

I don't think there are other brands that have Zylon without any carbon or something like Zylon without any carbon.

I believe Liu Shiwen blade is basically the IF blade with a different handle.

Any of those blades will be easy to come to from a Korbel. But none of them will feel quite like a Korbel. That is the case even the the Korbel's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba

and the Shiwen blade's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Zylon-Ayous-Zylon-Limba-Limba

The TB ZLF has these plies:

Koto-Zylon-Limba-Kiri-Limba-Zylon-Koto

But it feels about as close to the Korbel blade as the Shiwen blade does even though the composition of the Shiwen looks so similar to the Korbel.

Of those three blades you listed the all will be a good choice. So whichever one you get should be pretty nice.

Didn't you have another thread about almost the same basic subject? Oh well, I guess it could be in the same thread or a different one.

The Shiwen and Ai are almost the same blade as IF ZLF. Just some small changes so they better suits the "new name player". I've played Korbel --> Shiwen. Loved it but needed even more speed due to my shoulder surgery so went for the Photino. But I can recommend Shiwen and a friend of mine loves his AI. But remember to check the blades head, as I remember it, the Shiwen had a different shape. Didn't bother me but you should be aware of it.

 

[ridderz65]

I don't think there are other brands that have Zylon without any carbon or something like Zylon without any carbon.

I believe Liu Shiwen blade is basically the IF blade with a different handle.

Any of those blades will be easy to come to from a Korbel. But none of them will feel quite like a Korbel. That is the case even the the Korbel's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Ayous-Limba-Limba

and the Shiwen blade's plies are:

Limba-Limba-Zylon-Ayous-Zylon-Limba-Limba

The TB ZLF has these plies:

Koto-Zylon-Limba-Kiri-Limba-Zylon-Koto

But it feels about as close to the Korbel blade as the Shiwen blade does even though the composition of the Shiwen looks so similar to the Korbel.

Of those three blades you listed the all will be a good choice. So whichever one you get should be pretty nice.

Didn't you have another thread about almost the same basic subject? Oh well, I guess it could be in the same thread or a different one.

Thanks Carl do you know what the subtle differences are between Liu Shiwen blade and Ai Fukuhara Pro blade? I presume these two blades are more similar to the Korbel than the TB ZLF?

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Thanks Carl do you know what the subtle differences are between Liu Shiwen blade and Ai Fukuhara Pro blade? I presume these two blades are more similar to the Korbel than the TB ZLF?

In doing some simple research there are these differences:

Liu Shiwen blade head is bigger: 158mm x 152mm
Fukahara Ai blade head size: 157mm x 150mm

But Fukahara Ai blade is thicker: 5.8mm
Liu Shiwen blade is: 5.6mm

Thicker with the same size head would produce a faster blade. A bigger head with the same thickness would produce a faster blade with bigger feeling.

My guess is that these two blades have similar speed but that the Shiwen blade has more flex, feeling and dwell for spin and that the Fukahara blade has more directness and is more linear so it may have more control.

But, I think you use pips, right? And I think you are playing around with defensive developing a defensive style. Right? So, usually a larger head size is better for more defensive play. But, in the end, they both should be pretty good.

 

[ridderz65]

Thanks Carl. That's right I'm playing around with my defensive style. I figured the larger head size could be better. I'm going to try and test both prior to buying one.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Thanks Carl. That's right I'm playing around with my defensive style. I figured the larger head size could be better. I'm going to try and test both prior to buying one.

Smart move. Good luck.


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