Ilius S
Long pimpled rubber for spin variation and ease to block an opponent’s return
Ilius S is the first long pimpled rubber with Absorber Sponge Heavy developed by Butterfly. The top sheet is rather hard with pimples whose aspect ratio is at the highest limit permitted to extract the features of the rubber. The combination of the top sheet and Absorber Sponge Heavy makes it easier to play a push stroke and to return an opponent’s attack with a low defensive stroke with heavy spin or with minimal spin. The rubber is recommended for defensive players, enabling subtle changes as well as stability in rallies.
Long pimpled rubber [Absorber Sponge Heavy]
Stability： [Total] 7 Variation： [Total] 6 Sponge Hardness： 45
Ilius B
Long pimpled rubber for variation and ease in attacking
Ilius B is the first long pimpled rubber with Absorber Sponge Drop developed by Butterfly. The top sheet is rather hard with pimples whose aspect ratio is at the highest limit permitted to extract the features of the rubber. The combination of the top sheet and Absorber Sponge Drop provides a high performance when playing a short stroke over the table, such as chop block. In addition, innovative attacking and defensive play are both possible, thus making best use of the characteristics of the long pimples, such as a low penetrating backhand with minimal spin.
Long pimpled rubber [Absorber Sponge Drop]
Stability： [Total] 6 Variation： [Total] 7 Sponge Hardness： 48
Comparing Ilius rubbers
The charts below show the Stability and the Variation for each Ilius rubber. Stability and variation ratings are then given for popular techniques associated with long pimpled players. The comparison with Feint Long II, one of the typical long pimpled rubbers from Butterfly, will also help contribute to your understanding of the key differences between these new Ilius rubbers. Please refer to the charts to find the Ilius that best suits your game.
* Variation
Since these long pimpled rubbers have high pimples on the top sheet, the way the ball hits the pimples is not even, and therefore it is more likely that an unexpected ball will be generated, including balls without or with less spin, which is hard to deal with for opponents.
* This chart evaluates “Stability” (Probability of returning balls) and “Variation” (Probability of unexpected spin/shot) in each technnique on a 10-point scale. The results are simply a guide and do not guarantee the performance of each rubber.
* “Total” is the average value of evaluation in each technique.
* Results are similar, regardless of the thickness of the sponge.
enhance the variation
The top sheet is the most important element of long pimpled rubbers, and the same top sheet has been adopted for both the Ilius S and the Ilius B. To bring out the characteristics of these long pimpled rubbers, the pimple shape was designed to be as thin and high as rules allow.
In addition, the durability of the top sheet has more than doubled* compared to the Feint Long III, which has a similar pimple shape, this is due to the compounds used to achieve durability whilst maintaining the performance of the rubber.
* Discovered via the unique tests of rubber strength by the Butterfly Research and Development Department.
Butterfly has developed sponges such as Spring Sponge that have contributed to the evolution of the offensive game. Using knowledge gained through those experiences, during the development of the Ilius series we not only focused on developing new top sheets which are often seen as the important element of long pimpled rubbers, but also focused on the development of new sponges that add to the variation.
As a result, the British green Absorber Sponge Heavy used in Ilius S and the Turquoise green Absorber Sponge Drop used in Ilius B were developed.
The two sponges are hard; the hardness of “Heavy” is 45, and the hardness of “Drop” is 48. If the sponge is hard, the pimples will bend more, thus greater effects will be obtained. Generally, the harder the sponge, the more difficult it is to control as the speed of the ball off the racket gets faster. However, Absorber Sponge Heavy/Drop absorbs the energy of the opponent’s ball well even during hard impact, so you can have high stability while taking advantage of the variation.
Absorber Sponge Heavy: The Sponge absorbs the impact of the ball well whilst maintaining the ease of which the pimples bend. Therefore, the Ilius S equipped with this sponge allows for stable chops and pushes with heavier spin.
Absorber Sponge Drop: When combined with a stiffer sponge, the pimples are more likely to bend, resulting in variation. The Ilius B equipped with this sponge demonstrates its qualities and capabilities best when you want to handle an opponent's ball close to the table during shots such as blocks or drop shots.
* This test assumes a situation when blocking against a ball with high speed.
Ilius S
Diode V
For all-round choppers that play at variable distances
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Innershield Layer ZLF
For players who value chops with wide range of spin
Learn moreIlius B
Petr Korbel
Make the most of the variation
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SK7 Classic / -CS
Offensive punches using long-pimples
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Innerforce Layer ZLC / -CS
Well-balanced high-level game taking advantage of the variation
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Diode V
For all-round choppers that play at variable distances
- Diode V is a blade for choppers and has high reaction properties. This is recommended for choppers that seek attacking play as well.
- It is relatively easy to control the opponent’s ball at mid-distance, and it enables players to create heavy chops with a low trajectory when at a long distance away from the table. The racket performs well during various defensive techniques and during defensive play at a variable distance.
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Innershield Layer ZLF
For players who value chops with wide range of spin
- Innershield Layer ZLF is a blade for a chopper that requires less bounce and is recommended for the chopper who seeks a more defensive game.
- The racket makes chops and pushes with a wide range of spin easier and will help you to play a safer game leading to your opponents to make more errors.
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Petr Korbel
Make the most of the long pimpled-effect
- The Petr Korbel blade will support Ilius B’s performance due to its moderate bounce. This blade will make drop shots easier with its low trajectory as well as providing high stability when blocking.
- The combination with Innerforce Layer ALC.S, which has less bounce, would be also a good choice that brings out the rubber’s main performance qualities.
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SK7 Classic / -CS
Offensive punches using long-pimples
- This is a combination with a 7-plywood blade with a relatively high reaction. The racket makes it possible to create shots with speed, such as punches that bounce deeper in the opponent’s court with less trajectory.
- It is a recommendation for the players who aim to achieve a hybrid game of both attack and defense close to the table using various spins and changes of rhythm.
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Innerforce Layer ZLC / -CS
Well-balanced high-level game taking advantage of the long pimpled-effect
- Innerfiber structure features the feeling of longer dwell time, whilst ZL-Carbon brings a high bounce to the blade. This combination has the ideal balance between the long pimpled effect generated by Ilius B and the high control generated through the amount of spin and the length of these shots.
- This is suitable for players who use various techniques taking advantage of the long pimpled effect close to the table.