Equipment - XVT Hinoki-Balsa Carbon, ZL Hinoki vs Koto Review

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Short game

The Hinoki Balsa Carbon is a bit bouncy inside the table. I had to adjust a bit on the blade's bounciness even with the fact that I was using globe 999 national tuned on my forehand and a joola rhyzm-p on the backhand as test rubbers. I had to adjust my strokes and loosen my grip to control my flicks and especially the drop shots during matches. The blade isn't that noisy when hitting with a tensor rubber. The good thing is I do not feel any vibrations on every impact of the ball. Not too stiff but still has this good feeling.

Attacking

This is purely an offensive weapon. this is good with a chinese rubebr up to middle distance and at far distance from the table with a tensor rubber, the trajectory is very long. At middle distance while looping or countering, sometimes my trajectory. As for the speed, it is off+. I consider it faster than both T-11 and T-10 blades. It is not in the speed level of Sardius or Amultart or any other blazingly fast blades but it is very fast. The TSp carbon blades with the same thickness and make up are still a few notches faster also. I would put the speed maybe on the level of Gergely or Primorac Carbon blades.

Blocking

The HBC is better as a passive blocking blade. The speed is good enough that you don't need to punch block in order to have a faster return. I needed to adjust more on controlling the blade when blocking actively.

Overall a very good blade. When you want a faster attacking blade that is also lightweight at the same time then this is the blade for you. Also, only a mid-range price blade so it is very affordable.

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ZL Hinoki

Weight: 90 grams
Thickness: 6.9mm (approx.)
Blade Head size: 152x157 mm (approx.)
Plies: 7 (Hinoki- ayous??? - zl carbon - kiri - zl carbon - ayous??? - Hinoki)
Speed: off

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ZL Koto

Thickness: 5.9mm
Weight: 85 grams (approx.)
Head size: 150x152mm (Approx.)
Plies: 7 (koto-ayous???-zl carbon-kiri-zl carbon-ayous???-koto)
Speed: OFF+

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I choose to have a side by side comparison on the ZL Hinoki and ZL Koto. Both of which have a similarities and at the same time stating the differences will help players choose their blades. I would rather review them as they are rather than compare to their known twins from butterfly. Also for the fact that I only had a few hits with the ZJK blades.

Both the ZL-H(Zl Hinoki) and ZL-K(ZL Koto) have this above average quality compared to other Chinese made brand blades. I would say the HBC has a better finish than these 2 blades but these 2 blades have good quality nevertheless.

The ZL-K comes in a ST handle and the ZL-H comes in a flared handle. The handle of both blades seems bigger than master flared stiga handle. The straight handle of the ZL-K feels good for large hands and the ZL-H's flared handle is a wide flared handle. Both of which are very comfortable for my large hand. I think players with smaller hands need adjustment on the blade.

I have used yet again my trusted globe 999 national blue sponge with the new joola rhyzm-p max on the forehand and backhand respectively on both blades. the Zl-K has a different shape among the 5 XVT blades that I have received. Remember those old donice and nittaku waldner baldes that have this egg-shaped blade head, that is the shape. The wing part near the neck seems large and it needs a bit sanding. The ZL-H's wing part is ok and average in size so it doesn't hinder the part between my index finger and thumb. The ZL-H also has a bigger head size than the ZL-K.

On a ball bounce test, the ZL-K has a higher bounce compared to that of the ZL-H's. When glued with rubbers the ZL-K is significantly faster than the ZL-H. A student of mine who also has tried the
both blades says that the ZL-H feels more woody and the speed difference between the 2 blades is fairly obvious. I compared it to his t-11 and the ZL-H is slower while the ZL-K is faster by a notch or 2.

On middle and long distances from the table shots, i find the ZL-K faster and has a longer trajectory on long distances. The ZL-H's power seems limited up to the middle distance only. Near the table the ZL-H is much better and shines most even compared to the ZL-K.

On spinny attacks, the ZL-H loops better near the table with very good speed and power while the ZL-K has more power but spins less compared to the ZL-H. So power shots and counters, the Zl-K is better. ON spinny shots and slow looping, the ZL-H seems good.

Control-wise, the ZL-H excels above the table. Especially on flicks and drop shots, the ZL-H is very good to control and it's like using an all wood blade. The woody feeling gives a good feel to control the ball. B oth blades are stiff and lacks vibration.