Butterfly Korbel vs Butterfly Maze Advance: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Korbel | Butterfly Maze Advance | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | medium, soft and flexible all-wood with long dwell | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade |
| handle | FL/ST | FL |
| plies | 5W (all wood) — limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF- | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 6.7 |
| weight_g | 88 | 85 |
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Both are Butterfly all-wood control blades aimed at developing players, but they feel different in hand. The Korbel is a soft, flexible 5-ply with long dwell, a high throw and spinny serves, rated OFF-minus and excellent for learning to loop. The Maze Advance is also 5-ply all-wood but thicker at 6.7mm, lighter at around 82 to 85g, rated ALL+, and built around exceptional control and low vibration.
The Korbel offers outstanding feel and versatility across the gears, ideal for developing feeling before moving to carbon, and pairs well with European, Japanese and tacky Chinese rubbers, though it is only medium speed, can feel head-heavy with thick rubbers, and is widely counterfeited. The Maze Advance is light and clean with great touch for short play and blocking and good spin without tacky rubber, but its thicker build plays stiff (some call it firm or a brick) and its moderate speed limits the offensive ceiling.
By style: players learning to loop who want a soft, high-feel blade with long dwell should take the Korbel. Beginners and intermediates wanting a light, very controllable all-wood for all-around offense and defense with reliable blocking should choose the Maze Advance.
FAQ
Which is better for learning to loop?
The Korbel. Its soft, flexible build with long dwell and high throw is ideal for developing looping feel, while the Maze Advance is stiffer and more block-oriented.
Which blade feels stiffer?
The Maze Advance, thanks to its thicker 6.7mm build, plays stiffer than many five-ply blades. The Korbel is soft and flexible by comparison.
Which is lighter?
The Maze Advance, at around 82 to 85g, versus about 88g for the Korbel, which can also feel head-heavy once thick rubbers are mounted.
Do I need to worry about fakes?
The Korbel is widely counterfeited, so verify weight and holograms. The Maze Advance is noted as affordable and widely available without that warning.