First Taste: The Zhuolong IDOL INNER ZLC, a Different Kind of Inner ZLC
This blade has been a fairly hot topic in the market lately, for two reasons. One: its structure somewhat resembles the Tomokazu Harimoto SUPER ZLC. Two: its price is set low, around 300 yuan.
Zhuolong the company, and the Xi Enting brand, have some history. But previously they mainly did OEM work; now they have launched some new products under their own brands too.
Looks and Structure
This IDOL INNER ZLC, in shakehand form, is decent-looking. Gold nameplate, simple color scheme, fairly clean. The end-tag color is a bit plain by comparison.
Measured at 86.9g. Structurally, it does share similarities with the Harimoto SZLC: limba face ply, ayous power ply, a ZLC fiber layer, and a kiri core. 5+2.
Put simply, the IDOL INNER ZLC is ZLC, while the Harimoto SZLC is the denser SUPER ZLC. That leads to a different hardness feel. The Harimoto SZLC is firmer and harder-springy. The thickness is close; the IDOL INNER ZLC is a touch thinner.
With this structure, some players will also compare it to the Innerforce Layer ZLC. The biggest difference: the IDOL INNER ZLC has a kiri core, while the Innerforce Layer ZLC has an ayous core. So after you put in big power, the Innerforce Layer ZLC suddenly releases a larger overall deformation and jet effect, with a soft-to-hard shift in feel, and the bottom power grows stronger. The IDOL INNER ZLC, by contrast, trends more linear.
Real-World Test
This IDOL INNER ZLC should be described as leaning toward a faithful, linear feel. The amplification is not strong, so there is no sudden drop-off either.
Its body is medium-hard, not the soft-springy of the Innerforce Layer ZLC; although it resembles the Harimoto SZLC, it is not that hard-springy. Support is decent, but I did not feel it was very springy.
The overall ball-holding arc at close-to-mid table is quite stable. The grip is fairly full, a touch thicker than the Vis. It is fully stable on defense.
It is not the kind of brutal style that feels explosive after you load up, but it is genuinely steady. Feel clarity is middle-of-the-road — nothing stunning, but the adaptation difficulty is low.
Off the table, the arc is only so-so. It suits close-to-mid-table play. Directionality is good, a steady style on both attack and defense. Whether paired with tacky or tensor rubber, it is fairly compatible.
At its current price, it is fairly reasonable.