Innershield ZLF review

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   There's just not enough info on this blade so here's a review on my experience with it.

Speed:
For comparative purposes, I'm going to use three other blades I've used to give you an approximate gauge.  These would be my ratings for these particular blades:

Viscaria - 9/10
Matsush*ta Pro Special - 8/10
Matsush*ta Pro Model - 7/10
Innershield ZLF - 6/10

That's right - it's a 6/10 and maybe even slightly slower.  This blade is incredulously slow.  I could not believe the difference in speed between my MPS and ISZLF; but it's like light and day!  I honestly can't imagine anyone complaining about not enough control using this bad boy.

Chopping:
I spent a great deal of time using OX long pips on my MPS and MPM in 
order to keep my chops on the table but now I'm being forced into using 
sponge as I need to swing so much harder with the Innershield.  Needless
 to say, pushes and mid range chops are easy to keep on the table with 
the lackluster speed on this high priced piece.  It's hard to get past how slow it is as it's just so much different from other blades I've used.

Attacking:
Any modern defender must be curious how a blade like this one would fair in counter-attacks.  The short version: I'm not all that impressed.  I've always been able to count on my MPS for that counter when I needed it - even when I was quite a ways away from the table.  The innershield doesn't have quite the same punch that I expect in a modern defender's blade - it loses it's off the table counter attacking abilities in exchange for extreme control.  I'm a firm believer that a solid stroke and good swing can provide even the slowest combination a stable and reliable attack but you had better be prepared to have your attacks returned if you're not looping someone's drop shot/push.

I have developed what I consider to be a somewhat bad habit of half or quarter swinging back a loop to my forehand with my MPS + T05 from even a medium distance as the blade/rubber combination gave it some extra 'umph' which was usually not expected except from regular opponents.  The result was rarely a winner, but the added spin/speed was enough to usually throw my opponents off to give my a weak return which I might be able to attack.  This shot just does not exist with my Innershield.  It's so slow that anything less than a full swing from far away from the table just doesn't have enough on it to phase a decent attacker.  My topspin/sidespin loop return from the forehand has been abandoned when I use this blade in favor of a more difficult to return forehand chop.  

Conclusion:
I do enjoy using this blade as it gives me the ability to throw a lot more spin on dead balls with a fuller stroke but the loss in attacking possibilities leaves me at an impasse.  If I could have the MPS on my forehand and the Innershield on my backhand - well now - that would be a blade I'd surely pay $160 with no regrets.

If you have any questions just hit me up and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.