Material Encyclopedia

Understanding the physics of your blade. How different woods and composites interact to create speed, dwell, and feeling.

Natural Woods

The soul of the blade. Natural veneers define the fundamental vibration frequency and touch.

Limba

Wood

Origin West Africa

Botanical SpeciesTerminalia superba

A classic, moderately soft wood found in the majority of European looping blades. It has an open grain structure that allows for slight compression upon impact.

LimbaLimba outerLimba-Ayous stacks

Performance Profile

The King of Spin. Limba is prized for its acoustic feedback and 'dwell time.' It holds the ball momentarily, allowing the player to impart heavy topspin before the rebound.

Face / OuterSpin Generator

Its soft surface compresses slightly, increasing contact time (dwell) to maximize rotation on loops.

Medial / IntermediateAcoustic Bridge

When used under a hard outer ply, it dampens high-pitch vibrations, providing a clearer "wood feel" to the hand.

Famous Reference Blades

Innerforce Layer ALCButterfly

Primorac Off-Butterfly

Innerforce-Style Composition

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

ALCComposite

Damping

Arylate-Carbon balances carbon speed with polymer damping, giving a large sweet spot and less harsh vibration than pure carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Koto

Wood

Origin West Africa

Botanical SpeciesPterygota macrocarpa

A harder, stiffer wood often used as a face ply in modern offensive blades. The grain is tighter and more dense than Limba.

KotoKoto surfaceLima

Performance Profile

Crisp and Direct. Koto reduces dwell time, providing an immediate energy transfer. It is ideal for the modern 'counter-looping' game close to the table.

Face / OuterEnergy Reflector

Creates a hard surface that rebounds the ball instantly. Essential for precise blocking and counter-driving.

Famous Reference Blades

ViscariaButterfly

Fan Zhendong ALCButterfly

Outer-Carbon Composition

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

ALCComposite

Damping

Arylate-Carbon balances carbon speed with polymer damping, giving a large sweet spot and less harsh vibration than pure carbon. Close to the face, it activates early and makes blocks and counters more immediate.

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Hinoki

Wood

Origin Japan (Kiso Valley)

Botanical SpeciesChamaecyparis obtusa

A premium Cypress wood, often harvested from trees hundreds of years old. It has a distinctive lemon scent and a beautiful, straight vertical grain.

HinokiKiso HinokiCypress

Performance Profile

Soft touch, high catapult. Hinoki is unique because it feels incredibly soft on slow touches (absorbs energy) but acts like a trampoline on high-impact drives.

Face / OuterCatapult Launchpad

The vertical grain structure acts like a series of tiny springs, storing energy on impact and releasing it explosively.

Core / CenterSolid Soul

In 1-ply blades, a thick Hinoki core provides a unique "buttery" feel that carbon cannot replicate.

Famous Reference Blades

Cypress G-MaxButterfly

Primorac CarbonButterfly

High-Speed Carbon Composition

Cross-Section View

Kiri

HinokiFace Ply

Energy Store

Hinoki feels soft on touch shots but springs back strongly on drives, giving a distinctive catapult from its straight grain.

T5000Composite

Velocity

T5000 and Tamca-style pure carbon prioritize rigidity, speed, and a flat direct rebound over dwell. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Ayous

Wood

Origin Central & West Africa

Botanical SpeciesTriplochiton scleroxylon

A lightweight, low-density wood. It is extremely common as a core layer in 5-ply blades or a medial layer in 7-ply blades.

AyousAyous coreRed Samba (Ayous)Yellow Samba (Ayous)

Performance Profile

Elasticity. Ayous is not stiff; it bends. This flexibility allows the blade to 'whip' slightly, generating power from mid-distance.

Core / CenterTrampoline Engine

Its low density allows the entire blade to flex (whip) during heavy loops, creating power from mid-distance.

Medial / IntermediateNeutral Connector

Adds thickness to the blade without adding significant weight or hardness.

Famous Reference Blades

Clipper WoodStiga

P. KorbelButterfly

Classic 7-Ply Wood

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Abachi / Obeche

Wood

Origin Central & West Africa

Botanical SpeciesTriplochiton scleroxylon

A soft, pale wood often listed as Abachi, Obeche, or Samba depending on the manufacturer. These labels are commonly tied to the same Triplochiton scleroxylon trade family as Ayous, but blade makers may use them for different cuts, grades, or roles.

AbachiObecheSambaRed AbachiLilac Samba

Performance Profile

Classic Control Wood. Abachi keeps weight low and adds a muted, forgiving response. It is common in all-round and defensive blades where touch, dwell, and predictable feedback matter more than outright speed.

Core / CenterSoft Control Core

Lets the blade bend and absorb impact, making it easier to keep pushes, blocks, and passive returns short.

Medial / IntermediateElastic Filler

Adds thickness without making the blade harsh, preserving a traditional all-wood feel.

Famous Reference Blades

Appelgren AllplayDonic

Defplay SensoDonic

All-Round Abachi Core

Cross-Section View

Abachi

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

AbachiMedial

Soft Control

As a filler layer it preserves an all-wood feel, adding thickness and dwell without much extra weight.

AbachiCore

Soft Control

As a core it keeps the blade light and controllable, with a muted rebound suited to all-round and defensive builds.

Kiri

Wood

Origin East Asia

Botanical SpeciesPaulownia tomentosa

Often called the 'aluminum of woods.' It is incredibly light, rot-resistant, and has a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.

KiriBlackened KiriPaulownia

Performance Profile

The Structural Backbone. Kiri is almost exclusively used as the core in composite blades. It dampens vibration and provides a stiff foundation.

Core / CenterChassis / Skeleton

Provides the necessary stiffness to support carbon layers. Without Kiri, carbon blades would be too heavy or too flexible.

Famous Reference Blades

ViscariaButterfly

Timo Boll SpiritButterfly

Standard Composite Core

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

ALCComposite

Damping

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Anigre

Wood

Origin East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)

Botanical SpeciesAningeria spp.

A light, golden-brown wood used extensively in Butterfly's classical and intermediate-era blades. It sits in hardness between the softness of Ayous and the stiffness of Koto.

AnigreAnegreAkossika

Performance Profile

Balanced Touch. Anigre offers a pleasant middle ground — firmer than Ayous for better energy return, yet still soft enough to impart spin on loops. It gives a warm, tactile response.

Face / OuterBalanced Contact Layer

Provides a moderately firm surface with enough give for spin generation, popular in all-round offensive blades.

Medial / IntermediateTone Wood

Adds a warm, woody tone to the vibration feedback without the weight penalty of denser hardwoods.

Famous Reference Blades

Agnes SimonButterfly

Grubba SoftfeelButterfly

Classic 5-Ply Anigre

Cross-Section View

Ayous

AnigreFace Ply

Balanced

Anigre gives a balanced first contact: firmer than Ayous, softer than Koto, and friendly to controlled topspin.

AnigreMedial

Balanced

As a medial ply it adds warm feedback and a moderate rebound without the weight of dense hardwoods.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Balsa

Wood

Origin Ecuador, Central America

Botanical SpeciesOchroma pyramidale

The lightest commercially available structural wood, with a density around 100–200 kg/m³. Almost exclusively used as the core in lightweight composite blades.

BalsaDOTEC BalsaBalsa + Carbon

Performance Profile

Extreme Lightness with High Rebound. Balsa's low density means the blade can be very light (under 70g) while the composite layers provide the stiffness. This produces a unique 'springy' feel.

Core / CenterUltralight Engine

Allows a blade to achieve dramatically low weight without sacrificing head size. The surrounding composite layers provide all the structural rigidity.

Famous Reference Blades

BalsaCarbo X3Butterfly

Air FibreJoola

Lightweight Balsa-Carbon Core

Cross-Section View

Balsa

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

CarbonComposite

Sweet Spot

Carbon stiffens the blade face and spreads impact energy across a wider area, adding speed and off-center stability. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

BalsaCore

Ultralight

Balsa is an ultralight engine. It can make very light blades feel fast, but it needs outer plies or fiber to control the rebound.

Spruce

Wood

Origin Northern Europe, North America

Botanical SpeciesPicea spp.

The same tonewood used in violin and guitar soundboards. A traditional European choice for blade sub-layers, prized for its resonant properties and straight grain.

SpruceFirJapanese Cedar Fir

Performance Profile

Classic European Feel. Spruce produces a crisp, resonant feedback that many players describe as 'clean.' It adds stiffness compared to Ayous while remaining lighter than hardwoods like Koto.

Medial / IntermediateResonance Layer

Amplifies the tactile feedback of the blade, giving a clear vibration signal that helps players judge contact quality.

Famous Reference Blades

Hurricane HaoDHS

Schlager OFFButterfly

Traditional European 5-Ply

Cross-Section View

Ayous

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

SpruceMedial

Resonant

As a medial ply it is a resonance bridge, transferring energy quickly from a hard face into the core.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Tung

Wood

Origin East Asia

Botanical SpeciesVernicia fordii

A light, resonant wood used in select Japanese-style blades and instrument-inspired constructions. It is valued for its clean vibration and stable, even rebound.

Performance Profile

Musical Feedback. Tung does not feel as soft as Ayous or as sharp as Koto. Its appeal is the clear signal it sends through the handle, helping players read the depth and quality of contact.

Medial / IntermediateResonance Conductor

Transfers vibration cleanly from the face ply to the handle, giving the blade a lively but controlled feel.

Core / CenterLightweight Tone Core

Creates a stable frequency in blades built around acoustic feedback rather than carbon stiffness.

Famous Reference Blades

AcousticNittaku

Acoustic CarbonNittaku

Acoustic Wood Composition

Cross-Section View

Tung

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

TungMedial

Resonant

As a medial ply it conducts vibration clearly, giving the handle a musical, contact-sensitive feel.

TungCore

Resonant

As a core it favors acoustic feedback and an even rebound over maximum carbon-style stiffness.

Basswood

Wood

Origin North America, East Asia

Botanical SpeciesTilia spp.

A light, even-grained, creamy-white wood. Found in many beginner and classic all-wood blades. It is easy to work with and provides a soft, consistent feel.

BasswoodTilia

Performance Profile

Beginner-Friendly Touch. Basswood is forgiving — its moderate density absorbs some impact energy, reducing the sting of mishits and providing a consistent, predictable response.

Face / OuterSoft Entry Layer

Cushions the contact slightly, giving beginners more time to adjust their stroke before the ball leaves the blade.

Famous Reference Blades

Alex EhrlichButterfly

BerczikButterfly

Classic All-Basswood

Cross-Section View

Basswood

BasswoodFace Ply

Forgiving

Basswood gives a soft, predictable first contact that cushions mishits and favors control over explosive release.

BasswoodMedial

Forgiving

Inside the blade it keeps the response even and forgiving, useful in simple all-wood constructions.

BasswoodCore

Forgiving

As a core it produces a light, calm blade with modest speed and easy feedback.

Walnut

Wood

Origin Europe, North America, Asia

Botanical SpeciesJuglans spp.

A darker, denser hardwood used when a blade needs a harder face ply without the glassy feel of carbon. Walnut adds mass and firmness while keeping a natural wood response.

WalnutBlack Walnut

Performance Profile

Hard Wood Bite. Walnut produces a lower, more direct rebound than Limba and a more solid block than softer outer plies. It suits players who want wood feel with extra punch on counters.

Face / OuterHard Contact Plate

Creates a firm striking surface for blocks, punches, and direct counter-hits.

Medial / IntermediateMass Layer

Adds density and stability behind a softer face without relying on a synthetic fiber.

Famous Reference Blades

Hadraw VRButterfly

Timber 5 DEFAndro

Dense Walnut Face

Cross-Section View

Kiri

WalnutFace Ply

Hard Dense

Walnut is a dense contact plate. It lowers dwell, improves punch blocks, and gives counters a solid direct rebound.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Mahogany

Wood

Origin Central America, West Africa

Botanical SpeciesSwietenia / Khaya spp.

A medium-dense hardwood with a warm, stable feel. In table tennis blades it is usually chosen for a firmer outer or medial ply that still keeps more flex than very hard exotic veneers.

MahoganySantos MahoganySapele

Performance Profile

Warm Stability. Mahogany adds weight and a controlled punch, but it does not feel as sharp as Koto. The result is a blade that blocks securely while retaining a rounded all-wood touch.

Face / OuterStable Hardwood Face

Improves directional control on active blocks and flat hits while preserving a natural rebound.

Medial / IntermediateWeight Balancer

Adds mass near the surface, increasing stability without making the core overly stiff.

Famous Reference Blades

Burn OFFDonic

Alligator CombiDonic

Mahogany All-Wood Offense

Cross-Section View

Ayous

MahoganyFace Ply

Stable

Mahogany gives a firm, stable face with a rounded rebound, less sharp than Koto but more solid than soft outer plies.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Willow

Wood

Origin Europe, Asia, North America

Botanical SpeciesSalix spp.

A light, soft wood strongly associated with defensive and control blades. Willow absorbs impact well, which helps large-head blades keep speed manageable.

Willow

Performance Profile

Defensive Absorption. Willow extends dwell time and softens incoming pace, making it useful for chopping, fishing, and controlled blocking. It trades explosive rebound for touch and safety.

Face / OuterImpact Cushion

Softens the first contact, giving defenders more time to brush under the ball.

Core / CenterSpeed Governor

Keeps oversized defensive blades from becoming too bouncy despite their larger surface area.

Famous Reference Blades

Matsushita ProButterfly

Defence XButterfly

Defensive Willow Build

Cross-Section View

Willow

WillowFace Ply

Absorbing

Willow absorbs incoming pace and lengthens contact, making it useful for chopping, blocking, and passive control.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

WillowCore

Absorbing

As a core it governs speed in larger defensive heads, trading rebound for touch and control.

Wenge

Wood

Origin Central Africa

Botanical SpeciesMillettia laurentii

A very hard, dark tropical wood used as a premium face ply. It gives a blade a compact, crisp contact and a visually distinctive striped surface.

Wenge

Performance Profile

Dense Precision. Wenge reduces dwell and increases directness. It rewards compact timing close to the table, especially for punch blocks and fast counters.

Face / OuterPrecision Shell

Creates a hard face that keeps the rebound low and direct under pressure.

Famous Reference Blades

FineWood OFF-Butterfly

Tornado KingNittaku

Hard Wenge Face

Cross-Section View

Kiri

WengeFace Ply

Precision

Wenge creates a very hard, compact first contact. It rewards precise timing with low, direct rebound.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Ash

Wood

Origin Europe, North America, Asia

Botanical SpeciesFraxinus spp.

A resilient hardwood used when a blade needs a lively, firm wood response without becoming as dense as Ebony or Wenge.

AshWhite Ash

Performance Profile

Springy Hard Feel. Ash has clear feedback and good resilience. As an outer or medial ply it adds directness, but it still keeps more natural flex than a carbon plate.

Face / OuterLively Contact Layer

Creates a firmer first contact than Limba while preserving a woody vibration signal.

Medial / IntermediateSpring Bridge

Adds resilience behind softer faces and helps energy move cleanly toward the core.

Famous Reference Blades

White Ash custom bladesOSP

Ash catalog veneersMultiple

Ash Outer Control Build

Cross-Section View

Kiri

AshFace Ply

Lively Hard

Ash gives a lively, firm outer contact with more vibration and flex than very dense tropical hardwoods.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Beech / Birch

Wood

Origin Temperate forests

Botanical SpeciesFagus / Betula spp.

Firm temperate hardwood veneers used to add solidity and a traditional all-wood rebound. They are usually heavier and crisper than Ayous, Abachi, or Basswood.

BeechBirch

Performance Profile

Solid All-Wood Structure. Beech and Birch stabilize the blade without synthetic fiber. They are useful when a design needs a compact block and a clean rebound while staying wood-only.

Face / OuterHardwood Contact

Shortens dwell and gives blocks a firm, secure contact.

Medial / IntermediateStiffness Layer

Reduces excess flex and makes the rebound cleaner behind softer outer plies.

Famous Reference Blades

Classic all-wood constructionsMultiple

Birch plywood coresCustom

Temperate Hardwood Ply

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

BeechMedial

Solid

As a medial ply it adds firmness and reduces excess flex without the sharpness of carbon.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Bamboo

Wood

Origin Asia, Africa, Americas

Botanical SpeciesBambusoideae

A laminated grass material rather than a conventional wood veneer. Its long fibers give it a hard, springy response when used in thin blade layers.

Bamboo

Performance Profile

Spring and Snap. Bamboo can feel crisp and fast while staying relatively light. The exact behavior depends heavily on lamination direction and glue lines.

Face / OuterSpring Face

Gives a fast, clean first rebound with less soft dwell than Limba.

Medial / IntermediateLaminated Stiffener

Adds snap and directional stability inside an all-wood blade.

Famous Reference Blades

Bamboo custom bladesCustom

Catalog bamboo veneersMultiple

Bamboo All-Wood Build

Cross-Section View

Kiri

BambooFace Ply

Springy

Bamboo gives a hard, springy contact because its laminated fibers rebound quickly.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Rosewood / Ebony

Wood

Origin Tropical hardwood regions

Botanical SpeciesDalbergia / Diospyros spp.

Very dense decorative hardwoods used as premium face veneers. They give a blade a compact, direct contact and a visually dark or richly figured surface.

RosewoodEbony

Performance Profile

Dense Contact Authority. These woods reduce dwell and raise stability. They suit direct blocking, punching, and fast counters more than soft brush-heavy looping.

Face / OuterDense Strike Plate

Creates a low, fast rebound and rewards precise contact timing.

Medial / IntermediateMass Layer

Adds weight and a solid tone behind softer veneers.

Famous Reference Blades

Rosewood NCTStiga

Ebony NCTStiga

Dense Decorative Hardwood Face

Cross-Section View

Kiri

RosewoodFace Ply

Dense Feel

Rosewood gives a dense, premium hardwood contact with strong feedback and a flatter rebound than soft outer plies.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Meranti / Okoume

Wood

Origin Southeast Asia, Central Africa

Botanical SpeciesShorea / Aucoumea spp.

Light to medium-light utility veneers that appear in catalog data as stabilizing wood plies. They are not as signature-defining as Limba or Koto, but they matter for weight and flex.

MerantiOkoumeOccuméGabun

Performance Profile

Stable Body Wood. Meranti and Okoume add smooth rebound and moderate body. They are useful in all-round blades where the designer wants lightness without the extreme spring of Balsa.

Medial / IntermediateBody Ply

Adds stable thickness and keeps the vibration smooth between face and core.

Core / CenterLight Core Alternative

Keeps weight reasonable while producing a calmer rebound than Balsa.

Famous Reference Blades

Okoume catalog buildsMultiple

Meranti catalog buildsMultiple

Light Utility Veneer Build

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

OkoumeMedial

Light Stable

Inside the blade it works as a lightweight body ply with controlled rebound.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Pine / Fir / Cedar

Wood

Origin Northern hemisphere

Botanical SpeciesPinus / Abies / related softwoods

Resonant softwoods used as tone and connector plies. In blade data these labels usually point to a lively softwood role rather than a hard striking surface.

PineScandinavian PineFirOregonJapanese Cedar Fir

Performance Profile

Acoustic Connector. These woods give clearer vibration and a livelier rebound than very porous light cores. They help a blade feel responsive while staying wood-dominant.

Medial / IntermediateResonance Bridge

Transfers feedback from the face to the handle with a crisp, clean signal.

Core / CenterLively Softwood Core

Creates a traditional, resonant core response instead of a muted carbon-stabilized feel.

Famous Reference Blades

Softwood connector buildsMultiple

Oregon catalog veneersMultiple

Resonant Softwood Connector

Cross-Section View

Ayous

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

PineMedial

Resonant

As a medial layer they act like acoustic connectors, carrying vibration cleanly toward the handle.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Poplar

Wood

Origin Europe, Asia, North America

Botanical SpeciesPopulus spp.

A light, soft hardwood often used in plywood and control-oriented constructions. In table tennis blades it behaves as a calm weight-management layer.

Poplar

Performance Profile

Light Control. Poplar keeps rebound moderate and forgiving. It is best read as a soft body or core wood rather than a sharp face material.

Medial / IntermediateSoft Body Ply

Adds thickness and forgiveness without making the blade head heavy.

Core / CenterControl Core

Keeps the base speed manageable and the vibration soft.

Famous Reference Blades

Poplar catalog coresMultiple

All-round plywood buildsMultiple

Light Control Core

Cross-Section View

Poplar

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

PoplarMedial

Light Control

As a medial ply it adds light thickness and smooths the feel behind harder veneers.

PoplarCore

Light Control

As a core it keeps weight and speed moderate, giving a forgiving all-round response.

Fineline / Dyed Veneer

Wood

Origin Manufactured veneer

Botanical SpeciesEngineered wood veneer

A manufactured decorative or stabilizing veneer rather than a single botanical species. The feel depends on base wood, resin, and glue-line thickness.

FinelineBlack ClothAnti-vibration film

Performance Profile

Engineered Stability. Fineline and similar sheets can add surface consistency and visual identity, but they should not be treated like a natural wood species with one fixed hardness profile.

Face / OuterEngineered Surface

Adds a stable contact layer whose behavior depends on the base veneer and resin system.

Medial / IntermediateDamping Sheet

Can smooth vibration or add visual separation between functional plies.

Famous Reference Blades

Fineline catalog veneersMultiple

Anti-vibration layer buildsMultiple

Engineered Veneer Layer

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

FinelineMedial

Engineered

Inside the blade it behaves more like a laminated stabilizer than a pure tonewood.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Specialty Tropical Hardwoods

Wood

Origin Africa, Asia, Americas

Botanical SpeciesMixed hardwood veneers

A practical family for less common catalog wood labels. These entries are real veneer labels in the blade database, but many appear rarely and are better interpreted by density and position than by a fixed table-tennis stereotype.

AcaciaAwanBloodwoodChinese YewGoiabaoKongnoLatiPadaukPlanchonelloSandalSilver HeartYayaScandinavian Oak

Performance Profile

Position Matters Most. Harder specialty veneers behave like direct face shells; lighter ones behave as body or core woods. The visual resolver maps each known label to the closest behavior profile instead of treating it as unknown.

Face / OuterSpecialty Shell

Hard examples such as Padauk or Acacia add directness, low dwell, and a compact countering response.

Medial / IntermediateWeight / Tone Tuner

Lighter examples tune mass and vibration without dominating the first-contact feel.

Famous Reference Blades

Special catalog veneer buildsMultiple

Custom hardwood bladesCustom

Specialty Hardwood Face

Cross-Section View

Kiri

PadaukFace Ply

Hard Bite

Padauk and bloodwood-style veneers behave as hard, dense faces with a fast, direct rebound.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Synthetic Composites

Modern engineering. Weaves of carbon and synthetic fibers that alter the sweet spot, speed, and consistency.

Carbon Fiber

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionGraphitic Carbon Fiber

The broad family of black carbon reinforcement layers used in many offensive blades. Database entries often list this simply as Carbon, while specific grades such as T5000 describe a narrower, faster sub-type.

Carbon1K Carbon3K CarbonUD CarbonHard CarbonHeavy CarbonT5000 Carbon

Performance Profile

Sweet Spot Expansion. Carbon stiffens the blade face and spreads impact energy across a larger area. The result is more speed and consistency away from the center, but less natural flex than all-wood construction.

Composite LayerReinforcement Net

Widens the effective hitting area and reduces energy loss on off-center contact.

Composite LayerSpeed Plate

When placed near the outer ply it engages immediately, producing a crisp, fast rebound.

Famous Reference Blades

Gergely CarbonButterfly

Waldner Senso CarbonDonic

Standard Carbon Reinforcement

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

CarbonComposite

Sweet Spot

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

ALC (Arylate-Carbon)

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionVectran™ + Carbon Fiber

A hybrid weave of blue Arylate (a liquid crystal polymer similar to Vectran) and Carbon fiber.

ALCArylate CarbonArylate-CarbonAcrylate CarbonAcryl-CarbonALXALXiBlue ALC

Performance Profile

The Golden Standard. ALC is famous because it cancels out the negative traits of pure carbon. The Arylate absorbs bad vibrations and softens the feel.

Composite LayerOuter (Under Face)

Provides immediate speed and a crisp "click" sound. Expands the sweet spot significantly.

Composite LayerInner (Next to Core)

Functions as a "turbo." Allows for wood-like touch on soft shots, but engages the carbon speed on hard drives.

Famous Reference Blades

ViscariaButterfly

Ma Long 5DHS

Outer ALC Weave

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

ALCComposite

Damping

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Arylate

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionLiquid Crystal Polymer Fiber

A soft synthetic fiber used without carbon in classic control-composite blades. It is the blue damping half of ALC, but by itself it emphasizes feel rather than speed.

ArylateARY-CPolyarylate

Performance Profile

Damping without the Carbon Kick. Arylate filters harsh vibration and lengthens the contact sensation. It gives a composite blade a larger sweet spot while staying closer to all-wood speed.

Composite LayerVibration Filter

Absorbs high-frequency shock and keeps the handle feedback smooth on blocks and loops.

Famous Reference Blades

KeyshotButterfly

Innerforce Layer ALButterfly

Pure Arylate Control Layer

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

ArylateComposite

Soft Damping

Arylate filters vibration and increases stability without the strong kick of carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Super ALC

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionHigh-Density Arylate-Carbon

A higher-output version of the Arylate-Carbon concept. The feel stays recognizably ALC, but the weave is tuned for more rebound and a larger high-speed response.

Super ALCSALC

Performance Profile

ALC with More Headroom. Super ALC keeps the familiar damped carbon feel while raising the speed ceiling. It is useful for players who like Viscaria-style control but want extra pressure from mid-distance.

Composite LayerHigh-Output ALC Layer

Adds more rebound than standard ALC while retaining arylate damping on hard contact.

Famous Reference Blades

Viscaria Super ALCButterfly

Fan Zhendong Super ALCButterfly

Outer Super ALC Weave

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

Super ALCComposite

Rebound

Super ALC keeps the damped ALC character but raises rebound and high-speed stability. Close to the face, it activates early and makes blocks and counters more immediate.

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

ZLC (Zylon-Carbon)

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionZylon™ (PBO) + Carbon Fiber

A weave of Zylon (a gold-colored polymer stronger than Kevlar) and Carbon fiber.

ZLCZL CarbonZylon CarbonPBO-CPBO CarbonZexion Carbon

Performance Profile

High Repulsion. ZLC is stiffer and faster than ALC. It holds the ball for less time, ejecting it with high velocity.

Composite LayerRecoil Enhancer

Its high stiffness and elastic rebound force the ball off the racket face faster, generating more pace with less blade flex.

Famous Reference Blades

Mizutani Jun ZLCButterfly

Innerforce Layer ZLCButterfly

Inner ZLC Weave

Cross-Section View

Ayous

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

ZLCComposite

Repulsion

Zylon-Carbon and similar PBO-carbon weaves add high repulsion and stiffness, producing a faster release than ALC. Close to the face, it activates early and makes blocks and counters more immediate.

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

Super ZLC (SZLC)

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionHigh-Density Zylon-Carbon

Butterfly's most explosive Zylon-Carbon variant. It uses the same basic Zylon-plus-carbon idea as ZLC, but with a stronger rebound effect and a very large sweet spot.

Super ZLCSZLC

Performance Profile

Maximum Composite Repulsion. SZLC is fast, crisp, and less forgiving of passive touch than standard ZLC. It rewards clean timing and produces exceptional pace when the player engages the blade fully.

Composite LayerSweet Spot Amplifier

Keeps the rebound powerful across a wide hitting area, especially on counter-loops and full drives.

Famous Reference Blades

Zhang Jike Super ZLCButterfly

Lin Yun-Ju Super ZLCButterfly

Super ZLC Power Weave

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

SZLCComposite

Sweet Spot

Super ZLC increases the Zylon-Carbon rebound effect and sweet spot, giving maximum composite power. Close to the face, it activates early and makes blocks and counters more immediate.

LimbaMedial

Soft Dwell

Under a harder face, Limba softens the vibration path and keeps the blade from feeling too glassy or abrupt.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

T5000 / Pure Carbon

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionCarbon Fiber (Graphite)

A weave consisting purely of carbon filaments without a damping fiber (like Arylate or Zylon).

T5000TAMCA 5000 CarbonT5000 Carbon

Performance Profile

Velocity over Feel. This material creates a rigid, non-flexible blade. The trajectory is very flat (low throw angle).

Composite LayerStiffener

Strongly reduces blade flex and prioritizes forward speed, usually sacrificing dwell and arc.

Famous Reference Blades

Primorac CarbonButterfly

Hard Carbon Structure

Cross-Section View

Kiri

HinokiFace Ply

Energy Store

Hinoki feels soft on touch shots but springs back strongly on drives, giving a distinctive catapult from its straight grain.

T5000Composite

Velocity

T5000 and Tamca-style pure carbon prioritize rigidity, speed, and a flat direct rebound over dwell. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Kevlar / Aramid

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionAramid Fiber

Tough, heat-resistant synthetic fibers. Known for their use in bulletproof vests.

KevlarKevlar™Aratox

Performance Profile

Vibration Absorption. Kevlar is rarely used for speed; it is used to kill vibration. It creates a 'dead' or 'woody' feel in a composite blade.

Composite LayerShock Absorber

Filters out high-frequency vibrations on impact, making the blade feel softer and more controlled than it actually is.

Famous Reference Blades

PowerplayDonic

Vibration Dampening Layer

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

KevlarComposite

Absorption

Kevlar and aramid fibers absorb shock and reduce high-frequency vibration more than they add speed. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Aramid Carbon

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionAramid Fiber + Carbon Fiber

A hybrid composite that combines aramid damping with carbon stiffness. Many brands use this family under Kevlar Carbon, KLC, KL-c, or aramid-carbon naming.

Aramid CarbonAramid-CarbonKevlar CarbonKLCKL-cKVL CarbonHyramid Carbon

Performance Profile

Power with a Softer Hand. The carbon provides speed and stability, while the aramid fibers round off the harshest vibration. It often feels less metallic than pure carbon but more direct than pure Kevlar.

Composite LayerDamped Carbon Layer

Balances carbon speed with aramid shock absorption, creating a controlled offensive composite.

Famous Reference Blades

Schlager Aramid Carbon OFFButterfly

Baum EspritDonic

Aramid-Carbon Hybrid

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

Aramid CarbonComposite

Damped Power

Aramid-Carbon, Kevlar-Carbon, KLC, and KL-c combine carbon stiffness with aramid damping for controlled offensive speed. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Glass Fiber

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionFiberglass / Glass Fibre

A flexible composite reinforcement used to add stability without the hard rebound of carbon. It appears in the database under Glass Fiber, Glass fibre, Fiberglass, and G-Carbon combinations.

Glass FiberGlass fibreFiberglassFibreglassG-CarbonCarbon Glass fibre

Performance Profile

Elastic Reinforcement. Glass fiber enlarges the sweet spot and adds control, but keeps more flex than carbon. It is useful when a blade needs support without becoming too fast or numb.

Composite LayerFlexible Stabilizer

Supports the wood plies while preserving a softer, more elastic contact than carbon.

Famous Reference Blades

Maze PassionButterfly

Kreanga AerosButterfly

Glass Fiber Control Composite

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

Glass FiberComposite

Elastic

Glass fiber supports the wood plies and improves consistency while staying more flexible and control-oriented than carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

ZLF (Zylon Fiber)

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionZylon™ (PBO) without Carbon

A Butterfly-exclusive weave of pure Zylon (PBO) fiber without carbon strands. Unlike ZLC, there is no carbon fiber in the weave — only the gold PBO polymer.

ZLFZL-FiberZylon

Performance Profile

Controlled Speed. ZLF delivers less raw speed than ZLC but provides a softer, more controllable catapult effect. The absence of carbon strands lowers the stiffness, retaining more dwell time.

Composite LayerControlled Booster

Adds speed and throws angle without the harshness of a full carbon layer. Ideal for players transitioning from wood to composite.

Famous Reference Blades

Fukuhara Ai Pro ZLFButterfly

ZLF Inner Composite

Cross-Section View

Ayous

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

ZLFComposite

Controlled

Zylon fiber without carbon gives a controlled catapult and more dwell than Zylon-Carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

AyousCore

Elastic

Ayous makes a flexible, lively core. It bends more than Kiri, helping loop power from mid-distance while reducing absolute precision.

CNF (Cellulose Nanofiber)

Fiber

Origin Bio-based composite

Technical CompositionCellulose Nanofiber

A thin nanocellulose reinforcement used to increase stability while keeping a more wood-like impact than carbon. It is a modern answer to players who want composite consistency without a sharp carbon feel.

CNFCFNWCFNW Carbon

Performance Profile

Natural-Fiber Precision. CNF improves rebound consistency and reduces unwanted vibration, but it does not add the same explosive kick as ALC or ZLC. The result is controlled speed with clean feedback.

Composite LayerWood-Feel Stabilizer

Adds structural consistency while preserving more natural vibration than synthetic carbon weaves.

Famous Reference Blades

Revoldia CNFButterfly

Fan Zhendong CNFButterfly

CNF Control Composite

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

CNFComposite

Wood-Like

Cellulose nanofiber reinforces the blade while keeping a more natural wood vibration than carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Basalt Fiber

Fiber

Origin Mineral fiber

Technical CompositionBasalt Fiber

A mineral-based reinforcement made from basalt rock. In blades it behaves as a control-oriented composite layer: more stable than plain wood, but generally less sharp than carbon.

BasaltBasalt FiberBasalt Inner

Performance Profile

Muted Stability. Basalt fiber adds a solid, composed feeling and keeps vibration tidy. It suits players who want a composite blade for control and blocking rather than raw top-end speed.

Composite LayerMineral Stabilizer

Reinforces the blade face while keeping the rebound lower and more controlled than typical carbon.

Famous Reference Blades

TP_LIGNA Basalt InnerAndro

Basaltec OuterNittaku

Basalt Control Layer

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

BasaltComposite

Muted

Basalt fiber is a mineral reinforcement that adds stability and a muted, controlled feel rather than high carbon speed. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Dyneema Carbon

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionUHMWPE Fiber + Carbon Fiber

A hybrid of Dyneema-style ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber and carbon. It is designed to add carbon speed while keeping a softer, more elastic impact than a pure carbon layer.

Dyneema CarbonInner Dyneema Carbon

Performance Profile

Elastic Carbon Support. Dyneema Carbon feels stable on hard shots but less brittle than high-modulus carbon. It is a good fit for inner-composite blades that need controlled acceleration.

Composite LayerElastic Speed Layer

Combines carbon reinforcement with a softer synthetic fiber that smooths the impact response.

Famous Reference Blades

Fortino ProTibhar

Fortino ForceTibhar

Inner Dyneema Carbon

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

Dyneema CarbonComposite

Elastic Speed

Dyneema-style UHMWPE plus carbon gives elastic support and carbon stability with a less brittle impact than pure carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Soft / Fleece Carbon

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionLow-density carbon reinforcement

A family of lighter or softer carbon reinforcements. These labels usually mean the blade designer wants sweet-spot stability without the hard plate feel of thick, high-output carbon.

Soft CarbonFleece CarbonCarbon FleeceLD CarbonThin CarbonCFL CarbonTouch Carbon

Performance Profile

Carbon Support, Softer Hand. Soft and fleece carbon expand the hitting window and clean up off-center contact, but they preserve more dwell and wood feel than rigid carbon sheets.

Composite LayerLight Stabilizer

Adds carbon consistency while keeping the rebound less abrupt than heavy pure carbon.

Composite LayerInner Support

When placed near the core, it behaves mostly as vibration control and a late power reserve.

Famous Reference Blades

Ma Lin Soft CarbonYasaka

Koji Matsushita SpecialVictas

Soft Carbon Control Build

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

Soft CarbonComposite

Soft Speed

Soft, fleece, LD, and thin carbon labels usually mean a lighter reinforcement that widens the sweet spot without the hard plate feel of thick carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

ULC / Light Carbon

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionUltra-light carbon reinforcement

A lighter carbon-family reinforcement used when the blade needs stability and speed support without the full rigidity of thick carbon layers.

ULCTamca ULC

Performance Profile

Light Carbon Kick. ULC behaves like a more restrained carbon layer: clearer and faster than plain wood, but less severe than T5000-style pure carbon.

Composite LayerLow-Mass Reinforcement

Raises stability and speed while keeping the blade weight manageable.

Composite LayerControlled Sweet Spot

In inner placement it supports consistency without making touch shots too bouncy.

Famous Reference Blades

ULC catalog bladesButterfly

Light carbon buildsMultiple

Light Carbon Reinforcement

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

ULCComposite

Light Carbon

ULC-style light carbon adds stability and speed with less mass and a softer hit than heavy pure carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

CAF / CA Fiber

Fiber

Origin Bio-based composite

Technical CompositionWood-derived control fiber

A control-oriented fiber family used to add stability and vibration filtering while keeping a more wood-like impact than carbon. It sits conceptually near CNF, but catalog entries should not be merged blindly because brand implementations differ.

CAFCA FiberControl Assist Fiber

Performance Profile

Damping First. CAF-style layers are for consistency and feel more than raw speed. They widen the usable contact zone without the strong catapult of ALC or ZLC.

Composite LayerControl Fiber

Filters vibration and stabilizes the blade while preserving a soft first contact.

Composite LayerInner Feel Layer

Works well near the core when the goal is a wood-forward short game with extra consistency.

Famous Reference Blades

CAF catalog bladesButterfly

Control fiber buildsMultiple

CAF Control Composite

Cross-Section View

Kiri

LimbaFace Ply

Soft Dwell

Soft Limba compresses slightly on brush contact, lengthening dwell and making heavy topspin easier to load.

CAFComposite

Controlled Fiber

CAF and CA Fiber-style wood-derived control fibers add stability and damping with less speed jump than carbon. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.

Proprietary Hybrid Fibers

Fiber

Origin Synthetic

Technical CompositionBrand-specific synthetic fiber blends

A catch-all for proprietary blade fibers that appear in the database but do not have enough public, standardized material data to deserve a separate physics stereotype. The resolver still maps known labels to the closest behavior family.

ALC+ZLCAZXCertranCBFDotec FiberJPCKVC3PKCPLCTXL FiberTexaliumTitaniumVerdiX FiberVoltema-CarbonZephyliumZexionZyreemaZAC CompositeZCI

Performance Profile

Read the Construction. These fibers usually sit between pure carbon and soft damping fibers. Near the face they engage early and sharpen response; near the core they preserve more wood feel and act as a late stability layer.

Composite LayerBrand Reinforcement

Adds stability and sweet spot. The exact balance of speed and damping depends on the brand fiber.

Composite LayerHybrid Tuning Layer

Inner placement softens the effect; outer placement makes the proprietary fiber more immediate and direct.

Famous Reference Blades

Ice Cream AZXXiom

Synteliac ZCOAndro

Brand Hybrid Composite

Cross-Section View

Kiri

KotoFace Ply

Crisp Hard

Koto gives a hard, compact first contact. It shortens dwell, sharpens blocks, and makes counter-drives leave the racket quickly.

Proprietary FiberComposite

Brand Fiber

This brand-specific fiber should be read by construction: it is a stabilizing reinforcement, usually softer than pure carbon but more consistent than plain wood. In an inner position next to the core, it keeps soft shots woodier and engages more on full swings.

AyousMedial

Elastic

Ayous is a neutral elastic connector. It adds thickness and flex without making the blade harsh.

KiriCore

Stiff Core

Kiri is a lightweight chassis. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio supports carbon layers and keeps thick composite blades manageable.