Butterfly Innerforce ZLC vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Innerforce ZLC | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Soft-medium; woody feel with ZLC carbon layers near the core | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | AN / FL / ST | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 ZLC carbon (inner ZLC construction) | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 84 | 88 |
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The Butterfly Innerforce ZLC (discontinued) offers inner ZLC construction’s distinctive woody feel, outstanding balance of speed, spin, and control for an OFF-class blade, with large sweet spot and low vibration paying off for spin-focused technique.
The Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC is an OFF-class speed blade with soft flexible non-stiff carbon feel, long dwell time excelling at looping and spin imparting, strong control relative to other ALC and ZLC blades, and excellent away-from-table looping and counterlooping. Pairs well with both tensor and tacky Chinese rubbers.
Zhang Jike ALC is modern, available, faster off-table, and offers handle choice (FL, ST, AN). Innerforce ZLC is discontinued and expensive on resale. For off-table attackers, Zhang Jike ALC is the superior modern choice.
FAQ
Which is better for away-from-table play?
Zhang Jike ALC specifically excels at away-from-table looping and counterlooping. Innerforce ZLC good at mid-distance but less optimized for far-table.
Which feels softer?
Both offer soft flexible carbon feel unusual in their class. Zhang Jike specifically soft and non-stiff—slightly softer than Innerforce ZLC.
Which pairs better with Chinese rubbers?
Zhang Jike ALC pairs well with tacky Chinese forehand rubbers. Innerforce ZLC versatile but not specifically optimized for tacky pairing.
Is Innerforce ZLC worth the premium?
No. Zhang Jike ALC offers similar soft feel, is modern and available, costs far less, and excels at away-from-table play. Choose Zhang Jike unless seeking specific ZLC.