Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC vs Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell | hard outer + soft core, linear |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/ST/AN/CS |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 88 | 88 |
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive
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Both blades are OFF and weigh about 88 grams, but they reach offense differently. The Zhang Jike ALC uses Arylate-Carbon for a crisp, flexible feel with long dwell and a carbon catapult, plus strong away-from-table looping. The Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive is all wood with a hard outer over a soft core, giving outstanding consistency, pinpoint placement and a superb short game.
Choose the Zhang Jike if you want carbon pace, easy counterlooping from distance and the option to run tensor or tacky rubber. Choose the Ma Lin Extra Offensive if you are an offensive or control looper, including a traditional Chinese penhold player, who wants a linear all-wood blade with a superb short game and unbeatable value for a close-to-mid-table game.
The Yasaka is linear with no carbon catapult, so you supply the power and it loses a touch far from the table. It also offers a CS penhold handle the Zhang Jike lacks. Ratings sit at 8.7 versus 8.5.
FAQ
Which has the better short game?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive, whose hard outer over a soft core gives a superb short game and easy, precise ball placement on every stroke.
Which is better far from the table?
The Zhang Jike ALC, which excels at away-from-table looping and counterlooping thanks to its carbon. The all-wood Yasaka is linear and loses a touch far from the table.
Is there a penhold handle option?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive offers FL, ST, AN and CS, including a penhold option. The Zhang Jike comes in FL, ST and AN only.