Butterfly Maze Advance blade Review(2025 Updated)

After entering the era of 40+ balls, the traditional five-ply pure wood blade is no longer suitable for the most advanced table tennis games as it lacks sufficient top power. So 5-ply wood with 2-ply carbon fiber and 7-ply wood structures become much more popular these days.

Compared with those blades with carbon fiber, 5-ply pure wood blades have a clearer feel and better control, so they are quite popular among amateur table tennis players. Some classic ones include Stiga CLCR, Stiga Rosewood NCT VII, etc.

You can click the link to read our previous blog about the difference between 5-ply blade and 7-ply blade.

In this blog, we will introduce you Maze Advance blade released by Butterfly Company in 2021, which is also a 5-ply wood one.

About Michael Maze

Michael Maze is a professional table tennis player from Denmark. He began playing at the age of four and was soon recognized as a talented player. He turned professional in 2000 and has since won numerous tournaments, including the World Cup, European Championships, and Pro Tour Grand Finals.

Maze is known for his aggressive style of play, and his quick reflexes have earned him the nickname “The Human Cat.” In addition to his success on the professional circuit, Maze has also represented Denmark at the Olympic Games, where he won a bronze medal in 2008.

 

In addition to his successful career as a player, Maze has also been coaching young players in recent years. He currently runs his own table tennis academy in Copenhagen, where he helps to develop the next generation of Danish table tennis stars.

Michael Maze is a true ambassador for the sport of table tennis, and he continues to inspire players of all levels with his passion for the game.

Why Pure Wood Blade?

One important factor in choosing a table tennis blade is the material it is made of. There are blades made of different kinds of wood, as well as blades that are a composite of wood and other materials. Some players prefer pure wood blades because they believe that these provide the best performance.

Players can get a better sense of the ball when they make contact, which can help them to place their shots more accurately. In addition, pure wood blades are often lighter than composite blades, making them easier to maneuver.

As a result, players who use pure wood blades can enjoy better control and greater accuracy. These factors make pure wood blades a popular choice among competitive players.

Overview of Maze Advance Blade

Let’s now have a look at the Butterfly official promotion: MAZE Advance (new version) is an upgraded version of MAZE Performance (old version). Because of its moderate elasticity, it is suitable for various play styles in games. It is especially recommended for players with a great balance between attack and defense.

It can be observed that the structure of this version is exactly the same as that of the old one, but compared to the Maze Performance, the Maze Advance has a thicker core and a lighter weight. So can this blade be a powerful weapon in the era of 40+?

Features of Maze Advance Blade

Item	Maze Advance	Stiga CLCR	Koki Niwa Wood
Overall Feel	Clearer feeling, more solid	Normal pure wood blade feel	Between CLCR and MAze Advance
Speed	Not so fast as Carbon blade, but faster than CLCR	Rather slow	Fastest among three
Spin	Can hold the ball perfectly, super strong spin	Least spin among those three blades	Stable feeling, but less spin than Maze Advance
Control	Perfect in short games	Has the same performance with Maze Advance	Has the best feeling among the three
Defense	Can block back the ball easily	Also great but not as good as Maze or Koki Niwa wood	Solid defense and great performance

Data and Physical Appearance

The thickness of Maze Advance is 6.76mm and the weight is 83g. It can be seen that the board is really thick but not heavy at the same time. The handle is really comfortable to hold and it gives players a stable and wonderful feeling when hitting the ball. It’s like you’re in control of the whole game.

Speed 4.0/5.0

The speed of Maze Advance is quite a bit slower than most blades with carbon fiber. But it is the same with Stiga CLCR, the ball leaves the blade not so quickly and it’s quite stable.

From this point of view, matching a rubber with great speed like Butterfly T05, Joola X-Plode, and so on is recommended. You can both match such kinds of rubbers in your forehand or backhand and it mainly depends on which part is your strength.

Thus, this type of combination, a stable blade with super fast rubber, is a reasonable choice to optimize the maximum effect of this blade.

Spin 4.5/5.0

In this aspect Maze Advance is unbeatable. You can feel very distinct that the ball is firmly “bitten” by the blade and the ball goes out in a perfect arc.

With a little force, you can get the ball to go very firmly and the ball will be placed precisely where you want it to go. The feel deserves super 5 stars and its performance is not like an $80 blade. It´s more grippy and the sponge can hold the ball much better than Stiga CLCR.

So it can generate a huge amount of spin when looping or driving. However, it is not recommended to match with rubbers with strong spin because the balls will lack speed. So it’s better to choose the combination that we have mentioned(stable blade+fast speed rubber).

Control 4.5/5.0

In some short games, this blade has a huge advantage. Especially when we do drop shots or short pushes, we are able to control the placement of the ball precisely.

This is a common characteristic of the 7-ply wood blade such as CLCR or Maze Advance. So it’s a good choice for both defensive and offensive play especially when players play in the short or middle court.

Defense 4.2/5.0

As the blade becomes thicker, it can easily block back the incoming ball. Also, as the paddle can bite the ball well, it can offload the effect of the ball. Without much force, as long as your blade is at the right angle, the ball will fly towards your opponent automatically.

Who is it for?

The Maze Advance is suitable for most people, and whether you are a beginner that practices your forehand and backhand, or an intermediate player who has already been learning for some time, this is an ideal weapon for you.

Even some professional players who are looking for consistent control in the short and middle court will choose it. The other thing is that a pure wood blade is perfect for choppers.

Previously my favorite blade was CLCR, which has been with me for over 10 years, and now it seems to be a time proper to replace it with Maze Advance.

New Version

The Butterfly Maze Advance, originally released as a reliable all-around blade, received an upgrade in 2021 to improve its performance and cater to evolving player needs. This updated version retains the core features that made the original popular but introduces several refinements to enhance its speed, control, and overall feel. Players seeking more power, better touch, and greater versatility will find these changes significant.

Key Differences: Material and Construction Changes

The 2021 version of the Maze Advance features a modified wood composition compared to the original model. While both versions are made from a 5-ply construction, the upgraded blade uses a slightly thicker core and enhanced outer layers, which contribute to a firmer, more consistent feel. This adjustment helps improve stability, especially when executing powerful shots. The updated construction also improves control in fast rallies, providing more precision when making precise ball placements.

Performance: Power vs. Control

The Maze Advance 2021 is designed to offer a better balance between speed and control than its predecessor. The increase in weight, although minimal, contributes to a greater ability to generate power while maintaining the fine touch that the original version was known for. The blade is more responsive, meaning players can expect quicker reactions during fast exchanges. However, it still excels in control, making it versatile for players with a wide range of playing styles, from aggressive attackers to those who prefer a more controlled, strategic approach.

Feel and Feedback

One of the standout improvements of the 2021 Maze Advance is the feedback players receive on each stroke. The enhanced construction materials provide a slightly firmer feel that translates to a more solid connection with the ball. This improves the overall consistency of your shots, especially when transitioning between offensive and defensive positions. Players will notice better sound feedback during rallies, indicating a clearer distinction in shot quality.

Overall Playability

In terms of playability, the 2021 version of the Maze Advance suits a wide variety of styles but is especially beneficial for players who want a more aggressive edge without sacrificing control. It’s an ideal choice for those who like to play both mid-range and close-to-the-table, offering great flexibility in executing loops, drives, and counter-hits. The updated blade continues to support different types of rubber, making it adaptable to various setups, whether you use long pips, inverted rubbers, or a mix of both.

Recommended match

Version 1(suitable for most amateur players)

Forehand: Butterly T05, Tibhar Evolution MX-P, XIOM Omega V Pro

Backhand: Butterfly T64, Gewo proton neo 450, Donic F1

Effect: The combination of stable control of the blade and fast-speed rubber enable players to attack consistently in the short and middle court.

Version 2(suitable for professional players)

Forehand: Butterfly D05, DHS hurricane 3, Joola Dynaryz AGR

Backhand: Butterfly T05, Nittaku Fastarc G-1, XIOM Omega V Pro

Effect: Paired with harder rubbers, Maze Advance will make your attack more explosive and powerful, but simultaneously without losing control.

Conclusion

It can be said that Maze Advance is the most cost-effective pure wood blade. This blade has reached its limit in terms of control. It only takes a little force to gain a very stable biting feeling and stable control.

You can feel that the defense is quite easy when you are faced with the loops or drives from your opponents. The blade can block the ball back automatically with a beautiful arc, which is the biggest advantage of this paddle.

The lack of speed is the only defect of this blade. So normally we choose some fast speed or hard rubber to compensate for it.

Personally, as a chopper, I am quite into this blade and I am already about to replace my CLCR with Maze Advance. The price is really acceptable and if you want more control in your games then maybe you should give it a try.