Weight
90g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Extra Special
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special is a 7-ply all-wood offensive blade crafted for experienced players who demand power and a dynamic game. It masterfully balances increased repulsion with the refined feel and control inherent to pure wood construction. Hard walnut outer veneers deliver speed and surface hardness, while a carefully sequenced core of Limba and Ayous provides a solid foundation and minimizes vibration. This results in substantial power for offensive strokes without sacrificing the tactile feedback essential for precise placement and spin generation. Its robust performance and direct feel make it a top choice for aggressive, close-to-the-table play, celebrated for its outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional value.
This 7-ply construction features hard walnut outer layers for speed and direct feel, Limba for a balanced middle, and Ayous core plies (some dyed red) that contribute to power and reduce vibration.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Ma Lin Extra Special is rated highly for speed, with scores consistently around 8.9. Its hard walnut outer plies and 7-ply construction contribute to its offensive power, making it suitable for fast drives, smashes, and aggressive third-ball attacks.
While classified as an offensive blade, Ma Lin Extra Special offers a commendable level of control, with ratings averaging around 7.5. The pure wood construction and medium feedback allow for good placement and touch, especially in blocking and close-to-the-table play. However, achieving a controlled short game can require some expertise.
Ma Lin Extra Special offers a medium-hard feel due to its stiff 7-ply construction and hard walnut outer plies. This provides a direct connection to the ball, which is beneficial for aggressive shots, but some players might find it less forgiving on softer touch shots. The feedback is generally described as medium, offering a good balance between directness and feel.
The combination of the blade's construction and its inherent speed tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for generating powerful and deep looping shots.
The 7-ply construction and walnut outer plies provide a good dwell time, allowing for effective spin generation on loops and topspin shots. While not exceptionally long, it's sufficient for experienced players to grip the ball and impart spin, especially when paired with suitable rubbers.
As a stiff 7-ply all-wood blade, Ma Lin Extra Special is on the stiffer side of the spectrum. This stiffness is advantageous for powerful drives and blocks, providing a stable platform for offensive play.
This blade is designed to minimize vibration, with a slightly softer middle veneer contributing to this. While not completely vibration-dampening, it offers a solid feel without excessive harshness, which is a common characteristic of 7-ply blades.
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special is consistently praised for its high build quality, solid construction, and durability. Players often remark on its premium feel and finish, especially considering its price point, comparing it favorably to more expensive blades.
Technology
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special is a testament to traditional all-wood blade construction, enhanced by careful material selection and layering. It employs a 7-ply design, featuring hard walnut outer veneers that provide a fast surface and direct feel, while Limba and Ayous inner plies contribute to power, vibration dampening, and a balanced feel. This construction is a deliberate effort to create a blade that increases power and repulsion compared to its 5-ply predecessors, such as the Ma Lin Extra Offensive, while retaining the desirable tactile feedback and balance of pure wood blades. The blade is typically lacquered for protection and a finished feel.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive
Ma Lin Extra Special is a 7-ply evolution of the 5-ply Ma Lin Extra Offensive. While the Extra Special offers more power and speed, the Extra Offensive is known for its excellent control and feel, making it a more accessible option for players seeking a balanced offensive game.
Stiga Clipper Wood
Many players find the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special shares similarities in construction and feel with the Stiga Clipper Wood, often being compared as a more affordable alternative or a similar classic 7-ply all-wood offensive blade. Both are known for their power and direct feel, suitable for aggressive play.