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Review - BUTTERFLY Lin Yun-Ju Super ZLC

Autor: Karel Malík

Review of the blade used by Lin Yun-Ju.

Hello to all TT gear enthusiasts.

The Silent Assassin… sounds scary, right? You might be wondering what a detective story has to do with table tennis. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place, and this story has a happy ending. Those of you who follow the international pro scene closely probably already know who today’s review is about.

Exactly. We are talking about the blade of the player nicknamed "The Silent Assassin": Lin Yun-Ju and his Butterfly Lin Yun-Ju SZLC.

I came across this blade by pure chance when I borrowed it from a great player who had just treated himself to one. Believe it or not, after just a few hits, I didn’t hesitate—I ordered it immediately. This blade absolutely blew me away from the very first touch.

Although it has been on the market since March 2021, it isn't very common among club players. Why is such an exceptional blade so rare? In my opinion, it’s a combination of the price and the somewhat misleading technical specs provided by Butterfly. According to the manufacturer, the Lin Yun-Ju SZLC has identical stats (speed, vibration, thickness) to the Zhang Jike SZLC, which Lin used to play with.

Like many others, I thought: "The Zhang SZLC is very fast, stiff, sometimes lacks feel, and has a low arc—so why buy the Lin version if it’s the same?"

Friends, I was wrong. The Lin Yun-Ju SZLC is a completely different beast compared to the Zhang Jike SZLC.

Technical Specifications

I won’t dive deep into the Super ZLC material here (it's covered in my other reviews), but briefly: SZLC features a denser weave of Zylon and Carbon, resulting in a more stable bounce, larger sweet spot, and higher stiffness and speed.

• Manufacturer: Butterfly (Released March 1, 2021)

• Origin: Made in Japan

• Structure: 5 plies + 2 SZLC

• Head Size: 157x150 mm

• Thickness: 5.6 mm

• Grip Options: FL, ST, AN

• Weight: Official average is 83g (though units range from 80g to 90g). My FL version weighs 89.7g—it feels great in the hand, which is rare for me as I usually don't play with concave grips.

The craftsmanship is luxurious, the design is sleek, and it comes in an exclusive box fitting for a premium blade. The top ply is professionally finished; there’s no risk of splintering when removing rubbers.

The Mystery of the Composition

Butterfly doesn't disclose the exact wood plies. Most sites list it as: Koto – SZLC – Limba – Kiri – Limba – SZLC – Koto (same as the Zhang Jike SZLC). However, the highly reputable TT Gear Lab, which analyzes blades scientifically, claims a different structure: Koto – SZLC – Ayous – Kiri – Ayous – SZLC – Koto. Given how the blade behaves during play, I find the TT Gear Lab version (with Ayous) much more likely.

Performance Testing

I tested the blade for 14 days against players with ELO 1800–2000, playing against attackers, long-pip defenders, and short-pip players.

• Rubbers: Tenergy 05 and Zyre 03.

• Glue: Free Chack PRO II (no boosters).

Speed (Manufacturer rating: 12.3)

It is definitely fast, but slower than the Mizutani SZLC and slightly slower than the Zhang Jike SZLC. It is marginally faster than the Harimoto SZLC and most ALC blades (Viscaria, Boll ALC, etc.), feeling similar in speed to the Viscaria SALC.

Stiffness (Manufacturer rating: 11.1)

It is a very stiff blade, clearly stiffer than the ALC series, though the Zhang Jike SZLC feels slightly "harder" or more rigid in comparison.

Dwell Time

For a blade this fast and stiff, the dwell time is extraordinary. It is noticeably longer than the Zhang SZLC and, surprisingly, even slightly longer than the Harimoto SZLC.

Precision & Control

Phenomenal. The blade is honest—it does exactly what you tell it to do. No unexpected "kicks" or dead spots. Even on full-power shots, the accuracy is incredible. It might even surpass the Kong Linghui Special, which I previously considered the gold standard for composite blade precision.

Trajectory (Throw Angle)

The arc is higher and longer than the Zhang Jike SZLC. Standard ALC blades have a slightly higher but shorter trajectory.

Feel & Feedback

This is the "magic" of this blade. It has a slightly softer touch than the Mizutani SZLC and is much "friendlier" than the Zhang Jike SZLC. The vibration feedback to the palm is unbelievable. Even at high intensity, you feel like you can manipulate the ball however you want. You feel the ball with surgical precision.

In-Game Experience

Playing with this blade is easy and, honestly, fun. It handles every stroke perfectly. To understand its soul, just watch the man it's named after.

• Lin Yun-Ju’s game: Phenomenal service return, followed by aggressive close-to-the-table loops and counter-loops from both wings.

• Spin Potential: Despite the stiffness, the spin generation is admirable. I don’t know any other composite blade this fast that allows for such heavy rotation. When you accelerate, the spin turns into a long-range power drive with a flat trajectory.

With Tenergy 05, it’s a versatile masterpiece. With Zyre 03, it becomes a weapon of mass destruction. The power delivery is linear—at low speeds, it's controlled; when you push, the dynamics increase predictably without losing "touch."

Who is it for?

• Topspin players who stay close to the table and like to vary their loops.

• ALC users looking for a slightly sharper feel, more speed, and higher stiffness without sacrificing control.

• Intermediate to Pro players who have the footwork and technique to exploit its power.

Conclusion

While many pros are moving toward SALC (Super Arylate Carbon) for an even softer feel with hard/sticky rubbers, the Lin Yun-Ju SZLC remains a "par excellence" blade that satisfies the highest demands.

Special thanks to the shop www.vsenastolnitenis.cz for letting me test this gem.

Enjoy the game!

Karel Malík