Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special Review: 7-Ply Walnut Power Blade
Pros
- Swedish 7-ply all-wood construction with hard walnut outer veneers for a fast, direct hit
- Solidly OFF rated speed that powers mid-distance drives, counter-loops, and flat kills
- User speed and control scores of 9.1 and 9.2 out of 10 on Revspin across 12 ratings
- Strong, consistent blocking close to the table, especially on the forehand
- Excellent value for money against pricier 7-ply rivals such as the Nittaku Barwell
- Works well for BH chopping from distance when paired with short pips
Cons
- Short dwell time makes tight short-game pushes near the table edges error-prone
- Build quality is only adequate, with unsanded wings out of the box on the test unit
- Produces less spin on opening loops than softer-veneer 7-ply blades like the Force Pro Black Edition
- Not beginner-friendly - needs power and timing to control its hard, stiff hitting zone
The Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special, often shortened to just Extra Special or MLES, is a Swedish-made 7-ply all-wood offensive blade built around thin hard walnut outer veneers, a limba penultimate ply, and three ayous core plies with the center ply dyed red. It sits above the older 5-ply Ma Lin Extra Offensive in Yasaka’s Ma Lin signature lineup, adding repulsion and speed while keeping the pure-wood feel players associate with Ma Lin’s equipment.
Performance
In Tabletennis11’s four-blade mega test, reviewer Patrick Hrdlicka rated the Extra Special a solidly OFF blade with a hard, somewhat stiff feel on contact, though notably without the cracking sound some other 7-ply all-wood blades produce. Forehand drives came through fast, solid, and controlled, and the blade excelled in mid-distance power drives and counter-loops thanks to its speed reserves and medium-to-medium-low trajectory. Flat hits and smashes were described as deadly, and forehand blocking felt fast and consistent, though passive backhand blocks with short pips showed noticeable wobble and spin reversal. TTSensei’s readout echoes this offensive character, rating the blade’s speed around 8.9 out of 10 and crediting the hard walnut outer plies plus the limba and ayous inner structure for combining power with reduced vibration. Revspin’s community scores it even more aggressively for pure hitting ability, with 12 user ratings averaging Speed 9.1, Control 9.2, and an overall 9.2 out of 10, alongside comments describing it as a topspin machine at close and mid-range with good short-game touch when paired with rubbers like Rakza 7 Soft. Where the sources diverge is the short game: Tabletennis11’s tester found tight pushes near the table edges error-prone because of the blade’s short dwell time, while several Revspin reviewers praised its touch and control instead. The blade also drew comparisons to the classic Stiga Clipper and the near-identical Nittaku Barwell, which shares the same limba-and-walnut penultimate-and-outer ply sequence but felt more refined and better built in side-by-side testing.
What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On
All three sources agree the Extra Special is a fast, hard-hitting 7-ply all-wood blade well suited to attacking, mid-distance play, and that it undercuts pricier rivals like the Nittaku Barwell on price. They disagree on the exact speed class - Tabletennis11 calls it solidly OFF, one Revspin reviewer insists actual speed is closer to 8.5 (OFF-), while another user review of the same blade calls it OFF+ - and on the short game, where Tabletennis11 found tight pushes error-prone but several Revspin users praised its touch and control.
Who Should Buy It
The Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special suits intermediate to advanced players who already enjoy pure-wood blades and want more pop than a 5-ply classic or the older Ma Lin Extra Offensive, without moving to a carbon blade. It rewards players who attack from mid-distance with drives, counter-loops, and active blocks, and pairs well with medium-hard to hard tensor or Chinese rubbers. Beginners and pure control or defensive players may find its hard, stiff hitting zone and short dwell time less forgiving.
FAQ
Is the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special the same blade as the Yasaka Extra Special?
Yes. Extra Special and Ma Lin Extra Special (often abbreviated MLES) refer to the same Yasaka blade; sellers and reviewers use both names interchangeably.
What speed class is the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special?
Tabletennis11’s lab test rates it a solidly OFF blade. Revspin user ratings put its speed at 9.1 out of 10, though individual reviewers describe it anywhere from OFF- to OFF+.
How does it compare to the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive?
The Extra Offensive is a 5-ply all-wood blade, while the Extra Special adds two more plies (7-ply total) with harder walnut outer veneers, giving it more repulsion and speed than the Extra Offensive while keeping a pure-wood feel.
What rubbers work well with the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special?
Reviewers recommend medium-hard to hard rubbers such as Rakza 7 or tacky Chinese rubbers to control its speed; both tensor and traditional Chinese rubbers were reported to pair well.
Is the Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Special good for beginners?
No. TTSensei and Revspin reviewers both note it favors players with existing power and technique, since its hard, stiff hitting zone and short dwell time are not very forgiving for beginners.
Sourced From
This review synthesizes opinions from 3 independent community sources:
- TTSensei (forum)
- Revspin (forum)
- Tabletennis11 Blog (ecommerce)