Weight
90.3g
Thickness
6.25mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Ma Lin Extra Special
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special is a 7-ply all-wood offensive blade that masterfully balances raw power with impressive control. Its construction, featuring hard walnut outer plies and a softer core, delivers a crisp, direct feel with excellent dwell time for heavy spin generation. Designed for aggressive players, it excels in dynamic top-spin rallies and powerful drives from mid-distance, offering a solid, vibration-dampened hitting sensation that inspires confidence in fast exchanges.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction features hard walnut outer layers for speed and a crisp touch. Softer Limba and Ayous inner layers work together to reduce vibration and provide a solid core, balancing powerful repulsion with a controlled, dampened hitting sensation.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Ma Lin Extra Special is a genuinely fast blade, earning its 'OFF' classification. The thin, hard walnut outer plies are the primary drivers, providing excellent repulsion and allowing for explosive drives and smashes. While it lacks composite materials, the 7-ply wood construction generates substantial power, especially when paired with a strong, full-stroke technique from the player.
For an offensive blade, it offers commendable control rooted in its excellent feel and dwell time. Players can manage the ball effectively for blocking and softer touches, though the harder outer surface may require a slight adjustment for ultra-precise short game play. Our testing shows it provides a great balance, allowing aggressive play without sacrificing tactical placement.
Feel is a blend of crispness and solidity. The walnut outer plies deliver a harder surface sensation ideal for powerful strokes, while the inner layers provide enough softness for good tactile feedback and dwell without excessive vibration. This creates a direct, communicative connection with the ball.
It typically produces a medium-high throw angle, beneficial for creating effective loops with good clearance and depth. This, combined with its dwell time, makes it adept at offensive looping, allowing the ball to arc comfortably over the net and land deep on the table.
It offers significant dwell time for a 7-ply wood blade, a characteristic highly valued by spin-oriented players. This ability to 'hug' the ball allows ample time to impart heavy rotation, making it exceptionally effective for topspin loops and rallies.
The blade is fairly stiff, which is typical for a 7-ply offensive design. This stiffness contributes directly to its speed and power on drives and smashes. While it provides good dwell, it does not exhibit a high degree of flex, aligning with its role as a powerful offensive tool.
Vibration is well-managed. The construction incorporates a softer middle veneer specifically to dampen unwanted oscillations, resulting in a solid, controlled feel. Players report a clean hitting sensation that isn't jarring, aiding control during fast exchanges.
This blade is consistently praised for its high build quality and durable construction. Meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the assembly of its seven plies, resulting in a solid feel and a pleasing finish. The overall manufacturing quality is excellent, contributing to both its performance and aesthetic appeal.
Technology
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special exemplifies traditional craftsmanship, focusing on the synergy of carefully selected wood plies. Its 7-ply all-wood construction uses harder inner veneers to create a solid, powerful core, while a specific softer middle layer is integrated to reduce unwanted vibration. The outer layers are thin, hard walnut, enhancing surface hardness and overall speed. This precise wood combination is engineered to maximize power and repulsion while preserving the tactile feedback and controlled feel prized in pure wood blades.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Barwell
Many players find the Ma Lin Extra Special comparable to the Nittaku Barwell, as both are excellent 7-ply all-wood offensive blades. The Yasaka is often described as slightly harder, stiffer, and more affordable, while the Barwell may offer a marginally softer feel and dwell time for spin.
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive
As the 5-ply predecessor, the Ma Lin Extra Offensive is a natural comparison. Players who enjoy the series' characteristics but seek more core power and a slightly different feel often find the 7-ply Extra Special to be a suitable upgrade.