Stiga Carbonado 290 vs Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Which Should You Buy?
| Stiga Carbonado 290 | Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | very stiff, hard, crisp and direct carbon feel with a high-pitched sound; fast and linear with a low throw | hard outer + soft core, linear |
| handle | FL | FL/ST/AN/CS |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.2 | 5.7 |
| type | OFF+ | — |
| weight_g | 95 | 88 |
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The Carbonado 290 and Ma Lin Extra Offensive both target offensive players but feel worlds apart. The 290 is a stiff 5+2 TeXtreme carbon blade rated OFF+, with extreme power, very stable blocking and long, low loop drives. It is stiff, around 95 grams and throws very low, asking you to adapt your angle, at a premium price.
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive is a 5-ply all-wood blade rated OFF, built with a hard outer over a soft core that delivers outstanding consistency, precise placement and a superb short game. It is light at around 88 grams with good speed, many gears and a large sweet spot, and represents essentially unbeatable value. It is linear with no carbon catapult, so you supply the power and may feel effort far from the table.
Choose the Carbonado 290 for top-end OFF+ pace, a carbon catapult and the most stable blocking. Choose the Ma Lin Extra Offensive for pinpoint placement, a superb short game and unbeatable value in a close-to-mid-table attacking and blocking game, including traditional Chinese penhold play. With a rating around 8.5, the all-wood Yasaka rewards technically sound attackers, while the 290 is a premium finishing weapon.
FAQ
Which blade has a catapult effect?
The Carbonado 290’s carbon construction gives a catapult and OFF+ pace, while the all-wood Ma Lin Extra Offensive is linear and asks you to supply the power.
Which has the better short game?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive, with its hard outer over a soft core, delivers a superb short game and easy ball placement that the stiff 290 does not prioritize.
Which is better value?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive offers essentially unbeatable value for an all-wood OFF blade, whereas the Carbonado 290 sits at the premium end.
Which suits penhold players?
The Ma Lin Extra Offensive suits traditional Chinese penhold loopers and offers a CS handle option, while the 290 favors advanced two-wing and offensive penhold attackers.