Nittaku Acoustic vs Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Which Should You Buy?
| Nittaku Acoustic | Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | Crisp all-wood feel with a large sweet spot, long dwell and a signature acoustic sound | hard outer + soft core, linear |
| handle | FL/ST | FL/ST/AN/CS |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (Limba outer veneers over a tung and ayous core) | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 88 | 88 |
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Both are all-wood blades at 88g and 5.7mm thick, built for offensive players who place the ball precisely. The Acoustic is OFF- with a large sweet spot, long dwell and a crisp acoustic feel that suits mid-distance loopers and flatters a wide range of rubbers. The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is rated OFF, using a hard outer over a soft core for a superb short game, pinpoint placement and many gears.
The Ma Lin Extra is essentially unbeatable value and excels close-to-mid-table for attacking and blocking, though it is linear with no carbon catapult and can feel effortful far from the table. It also demands an aggressive, technically sound stroke, so it is not a beginner blade.
Choose the Acoustic for premium build, a larger sweet spot and a forgiving feel into mid-distance. Pick the Ma Lin Extra Offensive if you want a slightly faster OFF all-wood blade with an outstanding short game and unbeatable value for a close-to-mid-table game, including traditional Chinese penhold.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is rated OFF and the Acoustic OFF-, so the Yasaka is a touch faster. Both are linear all-wood blades, so you supply much of the power with your stroke.
Which suits penhold players?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive offers CS among its handle options and suits traditional Chinese penhold players with its superb short game. The Acoustic is offered mainly in FL and ST shapes.
Which has the better short game?
Both are strong, but the Ma Lin Extra’s hard outer over a soft core gives a superb short game and easy placement, while the Acoustic offers long dwell and short-game touch within a larger, more forgiving sweet spot.