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

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-07 · blade

The Butterfly Maze Advance is one of the most popular entry-and-improver blades in the Butterfly lineup, frequently appearing on best-seller lists and in coach recommendations. Marketed as a renewal of the well-loved Maze Performance, it is a 5-ply all-wood blade aimed at players who value control and consistency over outright speed. It sits in the affordable bracket alongside classics like the Petr Korbel, and is a common first choice for players graduating from a ready-made paddle to a custom setup. This review pulls together community ratings, merchant specifications, and real player feedback from Revspin, Reddit, Megaspin, and TableTennisDaily to build an honest picture of how the Maze Advance actually plays.

Performance

Performance-wise, the Maze Advance is firmly a control blade. Revspin’s aggregated community ratings put speed at just 5.8 out of 10 against an exceptional 9.8 for control, with a perfect 10.0 for consistency described as always identical. That profile matches Megaspin’s positioning of the blade as a medium-speed, lightweight, all-wood racket suited to balanced offence and defence. In real play, the controllable nature is the standout: Reddit users describe it as easy to control, very easy to push and receive, and well suited to passive shots like blocking and short touches. It is also forgiving enough that coaches routinely steer improving players toward it as their first proper blade. The lightweight construction, listed around 82g by Megaspin, helps quick transitions and keeps the blade comfortable for developing technique. Spin generation is solid, with reviewers noting it produces good spin without needing very tacky rubber. The most debated aspect of the blade’s performance is its stiffness. Despite being all-wood, the Maze Advance uses a relatively thick 6.7mm construction, and that thickness translates into a firmer, stiffer feel than many classic five-ply blades. TableTennisDaily commenters explain that because the Advance is thicker it sits on the stiffer side compared with the more flexible Korbel, and one owner went so far as to call it a brick that is too stiff. Reddit feedback echoes that it can feel not very lively and that driving topspin through it is harder with an unboosted, stiff setup, with the blade coming alive more once rubbers are broken in or boosted. So the speed is moderate and usable, but players expecting the soft, springy flex of a thin all-wood blade may find the Maze Advance more solid and direct than they anticipated. For its intended job, providing reliable control, clean touch, and consistent response while a player develops their strokes, it performs that role very well.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

There is strong consensus that the Maze Advance is a control-first, beginner-friendly, lightweight all-wood blade that is an excellent first proper blade for developing players. Reviewers across all four sources agree on its high control, low vibration, good spin, and forgiving nature for short play and blocking. Where opinion splits is on stiffness and feel. Revspin’s community and most Reddit users see the firmness positively or neutrally, valuing the consistency and clean touch, while some experienced TableTennisDaily players see the thicker, stiffer build as a drawback, finding it less flexible than the Korbel and other classic five-ply blades and in one case dismissing it as a brick. There is also a minor factual disagreement in the listings: some manufacturer text labels it a seven-ply blade, but users and merchant specs confirm it is genuinely a 5-ply all-wood construction.

Who Should Buy It

The Maze Advance is an easy recommendation for beginners and lower-intermediate players moving up from a pre-made paddle who want 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 an affordable, widely available, coach-approved choice. Players who specifically want the soft, flexible, springy feel of a thin five-ply blade, or who prioritise outright attacking speed, should think twice: the thicker, stiffer build of the Maze Advance plays more solid and direct than some classic alternatives like the Korbel, and committed offensive players will likely outgrow its moderate speed. For its target audience, though, it is a dependable and 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. Some listings mistakenly call it a seven-ply blade, but merchant specifications and users confirm it is genuinely five-ply all wood.

Is the Maze Advance good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the most commonly coach-recommended first proper blades for players stepping up from a pre-made paddle, thanks to 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 its speed low and its control very high, so it favours placement and consistency over raw power.

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

Although it is all wood, it uses a relatively thick 6.7mm construction, which makes it play firmer and stiffer than thinner classic five-ply blades like the Petr Korbel. Players expecting a soft, flexible feel may find it more solid and direct.

How heavy is the Butterfly Maze Advance?

It is a lightweight blade, listed around 82 to 85g depending on the individual piece, which helps with quick transitions and comfortable handling for developing players.