Butterfly Fan Zhendong ZLC

Scoring Breakdown

Aspect	Rating	Explanation
Speed	5.0	Fast and dynamic with high energy transfer, ideal for strong loops and drives.
Control	4.0	Excellent for an OFF+ blade thanks to ZLC’s stability and balanced feel.
Feel / Vibration	4.0	Crisp yet slightly flexible, provides feedback without excessive vibration.
Sweet Spot	5.0	Large and consistent, aided by high-quality ZLC composite layers.
Dwell Time	4.0	Above average for a carbon blade, just enough for spin development.
Build Quality	5.0	Top-tier Japanese craftsmanship, flawless handle finish, and durability.

Build Quality and Design
Butterfly continues to impress with their Japanese craftsmanship, and the Fan Zhendong ZLC is no exception. The blade features Koto outer plies, offering a crisp, responsive feel, with ZL-Carbon layers placed just below them for a powerful, stable core. The handle is smooth, ergonomically shaped, and well-finished—ideal for extended play without fatigue. Its weight distribution is neutral, giving it excellent maneuverability despite its OFF-speed profile.

On-Table Performance

• Loops & Counterloops: This blade is built for looping. Whether close to the table or at mid-distance, it delivers penetrating topspin with high arc and precision. The ZLC layer supports strong counter-loops, making it a favorite among advanced attackers. Brushing the ball gives good arc and spin, while engaging the sponge produces serious speed.
• Blocks & Drives: Blocking is stable and crisp thanks to the large sweet spot and solid carbon core. Drive shots feel direct and punchy, with enough control to keep the ball low and fast. Passive blocking requires proper timing due to its speed, but active blocks are extremely effective.
• Smashes & Flat Hits: Flat hits and smashes come off explosively, as expected from an outer-carbon blade. The crisp rebound makes quick point-ending shots very effective when the opportunity arises.
• Short Game & Serves: In the short game, the ZLC offers decent touch, better than pure carbon blades like Sardius or Schlager Carbon, but not as soft as Innerforce ALC. Flicks, pushes, and low serves are all manageable with a bit of practice. Serve spin is decent, but you’ll want spinny rubbers to fully exploit this area.

Comparisons to Similar Blades

• Vs. Viscaria / Timo Boll ALC: The Fan Zhendong ZLC is faster and crisper, but less forgiving. It has better mid-distance power than Viscaria.
• Vs. Zhang Jike ZLC: Similar composition and speed, but the FZD ZLC has a more modern feel and slightly improved feedback.
• Vs. Innerforce Layer ZLC: Innerforce ZLC has more dwell time and better touch; FZD ZLC offers more direct speed and compact power.

Rubber Compatibility
Due to its speed and stiffness, FZD ZLC pairs well with:

• Medium-hard to hard rubbers like Tenergy 05, Dignics 09C, Xiom Omega VII Tour, or Andro Rasanter R53
• Tacky rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3 (boosted or Neo version) to balance the crispness with added dwell time

Suitable Playing Styles and Experience Levels

• Ideal for: Advanced two-winged loopers, aggressive topspin players, and counter-attackers
• Not suitable for: Beginners, defenders, or players who rely on heavy spin with long dwell time
• Recommended for: Intermediate-to-advanced players with excellent timing and good footwork

Price-to-Performance Value
The Fan Zhendong ZLC sits in the premium category (around $230–$260 USD), so it’s an investment. But for serious competitors seeking professional-grade offensive performance, it offers elite-level power and control, backed by Butterfly’s top-tier quality.

If you’re looking to elevate your offensive game with a fast and balanced blade trusted by one of the world’s best players, the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ZLC deserves serious consideration. Check out trusted retailers and the best deals below.