Butterfly Maze Advance vs Sanwei Nova Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Maze Advance | Sanwei Nova Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade | stiff, linear, direct |
| handle | FL | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5W (all wood) | 5-ply: Hinoki + carbon + Kiri core |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.7 | 6.2 |
| weight_g | 85 | 90 (plus or minus 5g) |
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The Butterfly Maze Advance (8.2 rating) is a lightweight five-ply all-wood blade at 85 grams designed for beginners and developing players. Its exceptional control consistency, coach recommendation, and affordable price make it an excellent first proper blade for learning fundamentals and short game. The moderate ALL-plus speed suits technique development over power.
The Sanwei Nova Carbon (7.8 rating) is a budget Hinoki-carbon blade suited for intermediate offensive players with 2-3 years of experience who attack decisively from mid-distance. Its stiff construction and direct, linear feel reward committed attacking but punish brushy spin and inconsistent technique. Weight variation between units is a quality concern.
The Maze Advance is for beginners building fundamentals with excellent control. The Nova is for intermediate experienced attackers wanting their first carbon introduction. Neither serves the other’s skill level well; choose based on experience level and aggressive playing intent.
FAQ
Which blade is suitable for beginners?
Only the Maze Advance is designed for beginners. The Nova requires intermediate skill and experience.
Which blade is faster?
The Nova at OFF speed is faster than the Maze at ALL-plus, though both are moderate for their respective categories.
Which blade is cheaper?
The Maze Advance at around 66 USD is much cheaper and more accessible than the Nova carbon blade.
Which blade is lighter?
The Maze at 85 grams is slightly heavier than the Nova’s 90 plus-or-minus-5g nominal weight, though both are reasonable.