Butterfly Innerforce ZLC vs Stiga Carbonado 145: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Innerforce ZLC | Stiga Carbonado 145 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Soft-medium; woody feel with ZLC carbon layers near the core | stiff, direct and rather linear with a large sweet spot, but the very thin TeXtreme layers keep the vibration close to a 5-ply all-wood blade |
| handle | AN / FL / ST | FL/ST (also offered as Legend and penhold) |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 ZLC carbon (inner ZLC construction) | 5 wood plus 2 TeXtreme carbon (5+2 composite) with the carbon fibers laid at a 45 degree angle for torsional bendability |
| speed | OFF | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 84 | 85 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Innerforce ZLC and Stiga Carbonado 145 are both premium carbon blades for advanced players, but take different approaches. The ZLC prioritizes inner-carbon dwell and all-range versatility. The Carbonado 145 uses TeXtreme carbon layers at 45 degrees to achieve stiff, fast, aggressive play while maintaining surprisingly wood-like vibration feedback.
The ZLC suits looping-focused players and all-round attackers. The Carbonado 145 suits aggressive two-wing attackers and fast counter-hitters. The ZLC has longer dwell and superior spin generation. The Carbonado 145 is stiffer and delivers more direct, linear feedback. Both are now discontinued, making sourcing difficult. The Carbonado 145 demands consistent technique and does not excel in any single area. The ZLC is more versatile and forgiving. If you want premium inner-carbon versatility, the ZLC. If you want stiff, fast TeXtreme carbon with wood-like feedback for aggressive blocking and attacking, the Carbonado 145.
FAQ
Which blade is stiffer?
The Stiga Carbonado 145 is noticeably stiffer with a direct, linear feel.
Does the Carbonado 145 have real wood feel?
Surprisingly yes. Lab-confirmed wood-like vibration despite TeXtreme carbon layers.
Which blade is faster?
Both are OFF+ rated, but the Carbonado 145 feels faster due to stiffness. The ZLC is more consistent.
Which supports better looping?
The ZLC with its dwell is superior for heavy topspin loops. The Carbonado 145 is better for direct attacks.