What Does a 5-Ply ZLC Blade Feel Like?

The Amultart strips the ZL-Carbon construction down to 5 plies: 3 wood layers sandwiching 2 ZLC fiber sheets. At 85g, it is lighter than every 7-ply ZLC blade Butterfly makes. The reduced ply count removes two wood layers that normally absorb vibration and soften contact, leaving a hard, explosive response when the ball meets the surface. Speed registers at 9.5/10 with 6.5/10 control.

Compared to the Mizutani Jun ZLC ($270), which uses 7 plies at 88g, the Amultart feels noticeably stiffer in the hand. Loops hit with the Amultart leave the blade faster but with less spin than the same stroke on a 7-ply blade, because the shorter dwell time reduces rubber engagement. Players who generate spin through fast brushing contact rather than deep ball engagement will adapt more easily.

The $300 price positions the Amultart above the Viscaria ($150-190) and below Super ZLC models ($400). Players upgrading from ALC blades who want ZLC speed in the lightest possible package land here.

Who Benefits from This Construction?

Close-to-table attackers who rely on fast wrist-driven flicks and short punch blocks get the most from the Amultart’s 85g weight. The blade accelerates quickly through compact stroke motions, and its stiffness converts small movements into fast ball speeds. Third-ball attack sequences feel immediate: receive, block, kill.

Mid-distance loopers will find the 5-ply construction less forgiving than 7-ply alternatives. The Revoldia CNF ($370) offers 9.0/10 speed with 8.0/10 control at 86g through a 7-ply design with Cellulose Nanofiber, providing a smoother, more spin-friendly alternative at a higher price. The Primorac Carbon ($116) matches the Amultart’s speed at 9.5/10 in a 5-ply T5000 Carbon build, but its stiffer carbon fiber produces an even harder contact with less of the Amultart’s refined ZLC clarity.