Butterfly Maze Advance Review: A Control-First All-Wood Blade for Developing Players

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-07 · blade

The Maze Advance is one of Butterfly’s go-to entry-and-improver blades, a regular on best-seller lists and in coach recommendations. Butterfly markets it as a renewal of the well-loved Maze Performance: a 5-ply all-wood blade built for players who put control and consistency ahead of outright speed. It lands in the affordable bracket next to classics like the Petr Korbel, and it is a common first pick for anyone graduating from a ready-made paddle to a custom setup. This review draws on community ratings, merchant specs, and real player feedback from Revspin, Reddit, Megaspin, and TableTennisDaily to show how the Maze Advance actually plays.

Performance

This is a control blade, full stop. Revspin’s community ratings put speed at just 5.8 out of 10 against a standout 9.8 for control, with a perfect 10.0 for consistency that reviewers describe as always identical. Megaspin lines up with that, selling it as a medium-speed, lightweight, all-wood racket for balanced offence and defence. On the table, control is the headline. Reddit players call it easy to control, very easy to push and receive, and well suited to passive shots like blocking and short touches. It forgives enough that coaches keep steering improving players to it as a first proper blade. At around 82g by Megaspin’s listing, the light build helps quick transitions and stays comfortable while you develop your strokes. Spin holds up too — reviewers get good spin out of it without needing a very tacky rubber.

Stiffness is the part that splits opinion. The Maze Advance is all-wood, but it runs a relatively thick 6.7mm, and that thickness makes it firmer and stiffer than many classic five-ply blades. TableTennisDaily commenters point out that the extra thickness puts it on the stiffer side next to the more flexible Korbel, and one owner flat-out called it a brick that is too stiff. Reddit echoes that: it can read as not very lively, and driving topspin through an unboosted, stiff setup takes more work, with the blade waking up once the rubbers break in or get boosted. The speed is moderate but usable. Expect the soft, springy flex of a thin all-wood blade and you will instead find something more solid and direct. For the job it is built to do — reliable control, clean touch, and a consistent response while you develop your strokes — it delivers.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

The agreement is strong: a control-first, beginner-friendly, lightweight all-wood blade that makes an excellent first proper blade for developing players. All four sources line up on high control, low vibration, good spin, and forgiving short play and blocking. Stiffness and feel are where they part ways. Revspin’s community and most Reddit users read the firmness as a plus or a non-issue, valuing the consistency and clean touch, while some experienced TableTennisDaily players treat the thicker, stiffer build as a drawback — less flexible than the Korbel and other classic five-ply blades, and in one case dismissed as a brick. There is also a small factual mix-up in some listings: a few manufacturer blurbs label it a seven-ply blade, but users and merchant specs confirm a 5-ply all-wood construction.

Who Should Buy It

For beginners and lower-intermediate players stepping up from a pre-made paddle, this is an easy recommendation — a lightweight, controllable, all-wood blade that will not punish developing technique. It rewards an all-around offence-and-defence style built on control, short play, and blocking, and it is affordable, widely available, and coach-approved. Two groups should think twice. If you want the soft, flexible, springy feel of a thin five-ply blade, the thicker, stiffer Maze Advance plays more solid and direct than alternatives like the Korbel. And committed offensive players will likely outgrow its moderate speed. For its target audience, it is a dependable, sensible blade to learn and improve on.

FAQ

How many plies is the Butterfly Maze Advance and is it all wood?

It is a 5-ply (5W) all-wood blade with no carbon or synthetic layers. A few listings mislabel it as seven-ply, but merchant specs and users confirm five-ply all wood.

Is the Maze Advance good for beginners?

Yes. Coaches reach for it often as a first proper blade for players stepping up from a pre-made paddle, on the strength of its high control, light weight, and forgiving response.

How fast is the Butterfly Maze Advance?

It is a moderate-speed, control-oriented blade rated around ALL+. Community ratings put speed low and control very high, so it rewards placement and consistency over raw power.

Why do some players say the Maze Advance is too stiff?

It is all wood, but the relatively thick 6.7mm build makes it play firmer and stiffer than thinner classic five-ply blades like the Petr Korbel. Come in expecting a soft, flexible feel and you will get something more solid and direct.

How heavy is the Butterfly Maze Advance?

It is light, listed around 82 to 85g depending on the piece, which helps quick transitions and keeps handling comfortable for developing players.