Donic Appelgren Allplay vs Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| Donic Appelgren Allplay | Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium, controlled | medium-hard carbon, controllable, excellent value |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL |
| plies | 5W (abachi core + limba) | 5 ply wood + 2 ply Carbon (limba/ayous with a carbon layer) |
| speed | ALL | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6 |
| weight_g | 85 | 88 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The split here is wood versus carbon. The Appelgren Allplay is a pure all-wood 5-ply with soft, honest feel, ideal for learning touch. The Ma Lin Carbon adds an inner carbon layer that keeps control and a large sweetspot at light impact but kicks higher in speed on strong contact, giving it more top-end punch.
Go with the Appelgren if you want maximum feedback and a true do-everything learner blade, and you prefer non-tension rubbers. Go with the Ma Lin Carbon if you are an improving all-round attacker or penholder who wants a controllable carbon feel on a budget and is willing to drive the ball with a full stroke.
Both are forgiving and great value, but the carbon model demands a committed swing to reward you, while the Appelgren stays gentle and predictable at every speed.
FAQ
Is the carbon blade harder to control?
Not at normal pace. The Ma Lin Carbon keeps excellent control and a large sweet spot, though some players still find the carbon too much and prefer softer rubbers.
Which is better on a budget?
Both are strong value, but the Ma Lin Carbon is praised as unusually cheap for a carbon blade, sometimes near 20 to 55 USD.
Which suits a penholder?
The Ma Lin Carbon, with its forgiving carbon feel, is well suited to all-round penhold attackers as well as shakehand players.