Site Products
Ask The Experts: Jörg Bitzigeio, No. 268

Ask The Experts: Jörg Bitzigeio, No. 268

Ask The Experts: Jörg Bitzigeio, No. 268 Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question: Would like to check with you. I have seen Tiago Apolonia ZLC and Jun Mizutani ZLC. i see the wood used is the same. The one difference i see is Tiago Apolonia ZLC, the carbon layer is set on 3rd layer. While Jun Mizutani ZLC is on the 2nd Layer. Can i know what is the difference in terms of feeling, power? At the same time, could you help me out on the wood setup for my current blade (Primo Vitesse FL). I know the outer ply is Limba, Inner Ply is Ayous. How about the core and also carbon used on my blade? And i would like to know for the core, what would be the best (ayous, kiri or balsa)?

 

Answer: 

image004

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Jörg Bitzigeio. He is the High Performance Director of USATT.Coach Bitzigeio’s response is as follows:

Hi Sze Nan,
 
Thanks for your email!
 
It’s very nice to see that you are interested in the details of blades, especially since a blade is the heart of a paddle and plays a very important role. For me personally, the general factor when looking for a blade is that I need to have and feel fun while playing with it. We can always look into details and data to compare equipment, but at first I check if I like to hit the ball with the product.
 
In regard to your questions about the Apolonia ZLC andMizutani Jun ZLC, you are right, the wood used is the same. The difference between these two blades is that the Mizutani Jun ZLC is a standard construction, meaning the outer ply is followed by the ZLC ply, and the Apolonia ZLC uses the Innerfiber construction, meaning, at first the outer ply is followed by the secondary ply and then the ZLC ply. The picture below shows this in detail.
In my opinion, the Mizutani Jun ZLC is faster than the Tiago Apolonia ZLC. However, Tiago Apolonia ZLC seems to be better for the spin game. In regard to the feeling, this is something that every individual has to figure out because it’s tough to generalize. 
About your current blade, the Primo Vitesse FL, the information I have is that Primo Vitesse blades have Ayous inner plies with thin Carbon Fiber layers and Limba outer plies. Together with the Foam Core handle you have the only true Carbon Fiber blade with a softer feel. 
image004
 
Enjoy playing our game!
 
Best,
Jörg

Latest News

Portland Streaks, Princeton Debuts – Bensenville Awaits.

October 22, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) [caption id="attachment_270459" align="alignleft" width="368"] WEEK 4 PREVIEW: CHICAGO[/caption]          … Read More

Keep Your Racket Above the Table Surface

October 22, 2025
Serve, short game, flip with defense to offense (wait function) Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin… Read More

Use a lot of Wrist and Forearm

October 21, 2025
Serve, short game, flip with defense to offense (wait function) Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin… Read More

Never Use “Full Power”

October 21, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) When you see a ball you can put away, mentally (and possibly physically) your eyes… Read More

Pan Am Teams: Argentina and Puerto Rico Score Gold, TeamUSA Settles for Two Silvers

October 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Americans were the second seed in the Men’s Team event, and they performed exactly… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Club

October 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Founded in 2019 by Wilson Peng Zhang, the Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Club (GVTTC) is… Read More

Butterfly Training Tips with Maybelline Bravo – Backhand Loop & Pivot Forehand Loop

October 20, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tip Maybelline is executing Backhand Loop, then a pivot and Forehand… Read More

Nishant Lebaka – Forehand Smash Changing Position

October 19, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Nishant Lebaka is focusing on his Forehand Smash from the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.