Butterfly Viscaria vs Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Viscaria | Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| feel | medium-hard | medium-soft and flexible for a carbon blade, with clear feedback and a large sweet spot |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 7-ply (5 wood plus 2 very thin carbon layers) — same outer veneer as the Yasaka Extra |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 87 | 87 |
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Both are carbon blades, but they aim at different ends of the market. The Butterfly Viscaria pairs 5 wood plies with 2 arylate-carbon layers for deep OFF power, a crisp release and a large, forgiving sweet spot. The Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon is a 7-ply blade with two very thin carbon layers, staying medium-soft and flexible for predictable power, excellent blocking, clear feel and strong value.
Go with the Viscaria if you are an attacking shakehand player with a complete loop-driving stroke who wants a high-ceiling carbon main blade and deep power. Go with the Ma Lin Soft Carbon if you are improving from a premade bat and want a soft, forgiving carbon blade with a strong short game and blocking rather than raw far-table speed.
The two are close in size, both 87g and both 5.8mm thick. The Yasaka’s short dwell makes heavy spin harder without good technique, and it can feel sluggish off the sweet spot, while the Viscaria delivers deeper power and rates noticeably higher.
FAQ
Which blade is better value?
The Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon offers a strong cost-to-benefit ratio and is a controllable upgrade from premade bats. The Viscaria is a premium-tier blade with a much higher price.
Which generates spin more easily?
The Viscaria, thanks to its longer dwell. The Ma Lin Soft Carbon has shorter dwell, so heavy spin is harder to produce without good technique.
Is the Ma Lin Soft Carbon good for blocking?
Yes. It blocks excellently and stays forgiving with a large sweet spot. The Viscaria also blocks well and transitions smoothly from block to loop.