Weight
87.5g
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Maze Passion
Butterfly Maze Passion is a hybrid table tennis blade crafted for passionate players seeking a variable and direct offensive game. Its glass fiber plies enhance performance while maintaining a good balance of speed and control. This blade provides excellent feel for the ball with enough power for offensive shots, making it particularly effective for topspins and close-to-table attacks. Often recommended for developing players transitioning to composite blades, it offers a pathway to more dynamic play without sacrificing essential control.
Maze Passion features a 5+2 ply construction, with wood plies forming the core structure and glass fiber layers incorporated for added power and a unique feel. This hybrid construction balances the traditional feel of wood with the added speed and stiffness of composite materials.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
While rated OFF-, most players perceive Maze Passion as more of an ALL+ or ALL blade. It offers acceptable speed for developing players, especially when paired with faster rubbers. Designed not for extreme speed but for controlled offensive plays, it provides enough pace for attacking shots close to the table.
Control is a standout feature of Maze Passion. Its design prioritizes a reassuringly controlled character, making it ideal for players who value precision and consistency. This high control allows for accurate placement of shots and effective block and return play.
Maze Passion offers a medium-soft feel, providing good ball feedback without being too harsh. The glass fiber layers contribute to a slightly stiffer feel than pure wood, but it retains enough flex for comfortable topspin execution and short game finesse.
Maze Passion tends to have a medium-high throw angle, which can be advantageous for generating high-arcing loops and clearing the net with ease. This characteristic pairs well with its spin-friendly nature, allowing for aggressive yet safe attacking shots.
Maze Passion exhibits good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade face. This characteristic is beneficial for generating spin, particularly on serves and loop drives, helping players impart more rotation.
Maze Passion offers a medium level of flexibility. It's not overly stiff, allowing for good feel and control, but it has enough rigidity from the glass fiber to support offensive shots. This flexibility contributes to its suitability for all-around play.
Vibration levels are moderate, contributing to a balanced feel. While some vibration is present, it generally provides useful feedback rather than being distracting. The glass fiber plies influence vibration, and pairing with certain rubbers can either dampen or accentuate it.
As a Butterfly product, Maze Passion is generally regarded as well-made. Players report good durability and consistent performance over time. The Japanese manufacturing contributes to a high standard of build quality, ensuring a reliable playing experience.
Technology
Butterfly Maze Passion incorporates glass fiber plies within its 7-ply construction (5 wood + 2 glass fiber). This hybrid approach blends the classic feel and control of wood with the enhanced speed and responsiveness of composite materials. The glass fiber layers are strategically placed to influence the blade's vibration and flex characteristics, providing a unique playing sensation that is both dynamic and controlled. This technology allows for increased dwell time and spin potential while maintaining a manageable weight and feel, catering to players who seek an all-around offensive game.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Michael Maze
While Michael Maze is most famously associated with high-performance Butterfly blades, the Maze Passion shares his name and appears designed with his creative and dynamic playing style in mind. It's possible this blade was developed to capture characteristics of his game, such as spin generation and versatility, for a wider range of players. The blade's emphasis on passion and creative play aligns with his reputation as an exciting and unpredictable player.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Maze Performance
Maze Passion is seen as a variation or successor to Maze Performance. Our testing shows Maze Performance is also an all-wood blade with a good balance of speed and control, often described as having a soft feel and good for close-to-table attacks. Maze Passion, with its glass fiber inclusion, likely offers a slightly different feel and potentially more direct offensive capability.
Donic Appelgren Allplay
While not a hybrid, Appelgren Allplay is a classic 5-ply all-wood blade known for exceptional control and feel, making it a benchmark for all-around play. Maze Passion, with its high control rating and ability to generate spin, shares some characteristics, particularly for players who prioritize a controlled offensive game. Maze Passion's hybrid nature provides a speed advantage over the pure wood Appelgren.