Sanwei Fextra 7 vs Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Which Should You Buy?
| Sanwei Fextra 7 | Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | Medium, woody and well-damped with moderate vibration; controllable offensive feel close to a Stiga Clipper but a touch crisper and not quite as stiff | hard outer + soft core, linear |
| handle | FL | FL/ST/AN/CS |
| plies | 7-ply all wood (Limba/Ayous) | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF- | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6 | 5.7 |
| type | OFF- | — |
| weight_g | 88 | 88 |
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The Sanwei Fextra 7 and the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive are both all-wood blades aimed at attackers, but they differ in construction and pace. The Fextra 7 is a 7-ply Limba-over-Ayous blade with a medium, well-damped OFF- feel and a strong spin-and-loop character. The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is a 5-ply OFF blade with a hard outer over a soft core, giving a linear feel, a superb short game and easy ball placement.
In play, the Fextra 7 is controllable and works with both tacky and non-tacky rubbers, good in defense at all distances, though its OFF- pace limits far-table power. The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is light with good speed, many gears and a large sweet spot, excellent for close-to-mid attacking and blocking, but it is linear with no carbon catapult so you supply the power, loses a touch far from the table, and demands an aggressive, technically sound stroke rather than suiting a beginner. Both weigh around 88 grams.
Choose the Fextra 7 if you are a developing intermediate or club-level looper who wants a controllable, spinny 7-ply blade. Choose the Ma Lin Extra Offensive if you are an offensive or control looper, including a traditional Chinese penhold player, who wants a hard-outer all-wood OFF blade with a superb short game, pinpoint placement and unbeatable value for close-to-mid attacking and blocking. The Ma Lin Extra Offensive rates a touch higher at 8.5, but it asks for a more aggressive, sound stroke.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive is the faster of the two, an OFF blade with good speed and many gears. The Fextra 7 is a controllable OFF- blade with more limited far-table power.
Which has the better short game?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is praised for a superb short game and easy ball placement thanks to its hard outer over a soft core. The Fextra 7 also offers good control but is a slower OFF- blade.
Which suits a penholder?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive suits offensive and control loopers including traditional Chinese penhold players. The Fextra 7 is aimed at developing intermediate and club-level attackers.
Which is more beginner friendly?
The Fextra 7 is the more forgiving, control-first choice. The Ma Lin Extra Offensive demands an aggressive, technically sound stroke and is not a beginner blade.