Butterfly Garaydia ALC vs Butterfly Maze Advance: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Garaydia ALC | Butterfly Maze Advance | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| control | — | — |
| feel | Crisp, hard and stiff with a direct, low-vibration touch and a notably low throw arc | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade |
| handle | FL | FL |
| plies | 5-ply total: 3 wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon (ALC) layers, with an outer carbon construction under a Japanese hinoki surface ply | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| spin | — | — |
| thickness_mm | 6.9 | 6.7 |
| type | OFF | — |
| weight_g | 83 | 85 |
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Garaydia ALC is an OFF outer arylate-carbon blade with a soft hinoki surface ply, crisp and stiff with a very low throw arc that excels at blocking, flicking and counter-topspins. It offers outstanding stability and control near the table at around 83 grams, but its low arc needs precise technique, it can feel weak away from the table, and it is discontinued.
Maze Advance is a lightweight all-wood blade rated ALL-plus with exceptional control and near-perfect consistency in community ratings. At around 82 to 85 grams it is easy to handle, coach-recommended as a first proper blade, and clean for short play and blocking. Its thicker 6.7mm build plays stiffer than many classic five-ply blades, some owners find it too firm, and its moderate speed limits the offensive ceiling.
Choose Garaydia ALC if you are an upper-intermediate-to-advanced attacker who blocks, flicks and counters close to the table and wants stiff carbon stability. Choose Maze Advance if you are a beginner-to-intermediate player stepping up from a pre-made paddle who wants a light, controllable all-wood blade for an all-around game. With ratings around 8.5 against 8.2, Garaydia leans toward attacking carbon control while Maze Advance leans toward affordable, beginner-friendly handling.
FAQ
Which blade is better for a player upgrading from a pre-made paddle?
Maze Advance. It is lightweight, controllable and coach-recommended as a first proper blade, while Garaydia ALC is aimed at upper-intermediate and advanced attackers.
Which is faster?
Garaydia ALC, rated OFF with carbon, while Maze Advance is rated ALL-plus with moderate speed that limits its offensive ceiling.
Which is easier on touch and blocking?
Both block cleanly, but Maze Advance offers exceptional control and near-perfect consistency for short play. Garaydia ALC is stiff and low-throw, needing accurate angles.
Which is more affordable and available?
Maze Advance is affordable and widely available, often around 66 dollars. Garaydia ALC is discontinued and hard to source new.