Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium | medium-hard carbon, controllable, excellent value |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5 ply wood + 2 ply Carbon (limba/ayous with a carbon layer) |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6 |
| weight_g | 86 | 88 |
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Both are carbon blades, but they target very different budgets and intents. The Timo Boll ALC is a premium 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon blade, OFF-rated, with a balanced mix of spin, speed and control, a large sweet spot and a solid feel. The Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon is an inner-carbon blade rated OFF-minus, with excellent control, a large sweet spot and a thin, light build, at outstanding value sometimes found near 20 to 55 USD.
Choose the Timo Boll ALC if you want genuine OFF pace and refined balance with a developed stroke. Choose the Ma Lin Carbon if you want a controllable, forgiving carbon blade on a budget and are happy to drive the ball with a full swing.
The Ma Lin Carbon is not fast at light impact and only comes in an FL handle, with weight varying widely between units, while the Timo Boll ALC offers FL, ST and AN. The Timo Boll ALC is the faster, higher-rated blade; the Ma Lin Carbon is the value standout.
FAQ
Which is the better budget choice?
The Ma Lin Carbon, routinely praised as very cheap for its class and sometimes found near 20 to 55 USD. The Timo Boll ALC is premium-priced.
Which is faster?
The Timo Boll ALC is OFF-rated and genuinely fast, while the Ma Lin Carbon is OFF-minus and needs a full swing to reach higher speeds.
What handle options are there?
The Timo Boll ALC comes in FL, ST and AN. The Ma Lin Carbon is FL only, and some users report handle quality varies.