Butterfly Outerforce ZLC Offensive Shakehand Blade

A blade with ZL Carbon placed toward the outside and a high vibration property

The Outerforce ZLC is an offensive shakehand blade with 2 layers of ZL Carbon placed toward the outside. Its vibration property of 11.1 is on the high side among our offensive shakehand blades, and its reaction property of 11.3 is around the middle. It suits intermediate players who want a firmer feel and to trade shots from mid-distance as well.

Features

• Blade composition: 5 wood plies plus 2 layers of ZL Carbon (Outer Fiber construction).
• Vibration property of 11.1 is above our offensive shakehand median of 10.1.
• Blade thickness 5.9 mm, average weight 86 g, blade size 157×150 mm (Regular).
• Reaction property of 11.3 matches the median.
• Grip is available in 3 options: FL (Flared), AN (Anatomic), and ST (Straight).

Recommended for

• Players who want to hit solid returns even from mid-distance
• Intermediate players who prefer a firmer feel from an outside-placed special material

Pros and things to consider

Pros

• With 2 layers of ZL Carbon, it's easier to add power to shots from mid-distance too.
• Reaction property of 11.3 is around the middle, so the bounce isn't too strong.
• You can choose from 3 grips: FL, AN, and ST.

Things to consider

• Vibration property of 11.1 is high, indicating a firmer feel on paper, so it may not suit players who prefer a softer feel.
• Reaction property is around the middle, which may feel lacking to players who prioritize strong bounce above all.
• Because it contains a special material, the feel differs from an all-wood blade.

Specifications

Figures are the manufacturer's published values. Speed, spin, arc, sponge hardness, reaction property and vibration property are Butterfly's own indices.

FAQ

Q. What is Outer Fiber construction?

A. It's a construction that places a special material such as carbon toward the outside of the blade, closer to the surface. This blade has 2 layers of ZL Carbon placed toward the outside of a 5-ply wood blade. The manufacturer positions it as an intermediate-level model with relatively restrained bounce for this type of construction.

Q. Which grip should I choose?

A. FL (Flared) widens toward the end, ST (Straight) is straight, and AN (Anatomic) is contoured with a bulge in the middle. Grip size is 100×25×34 mm for FL and AN, and 100×23×28 mm for ST. As a general rule, choose whichever shape feels most natural in your hand.

Before you buy

• This item is ordered from our supplier after you place your order, then shipped from Japan.
• If it is out of stock at the manufacturer or supplier, delivery may take longer. If a restock is not expected, we may cancel your order. We will contact you by email in either case.
• Ships from Osaka, Japan by Japan Post. We ship this item to the United States, Australia and Brazil. Shipping fees are shown at checkout.
• United States: we prepay the US import duty. It is included in the shipping fee shown at checkout, so there is nothing to pay on delivery.
• Australia: no import duty or GST for orders of A$1,000 or less.
• Brazil: import taxes (about 93–100% of the order value including shipping) are paid by the recipient on delivery. Your CPF number is required for customs; we will ask for it by email after you order.
• Rubbers are sold separately. Please also choose two rubbers, glue and edge tape.
• The average weight is a guide. Because the blade is made of wood, weight and grain vary from blade to blade.
• Images are for illustration. Colors may look different depending on your screen.
• Specifications and design may change without notice.