Butterfly Michael Maze vs Loki Kirin K7
A side-by-side of Kirin K7 and one of Butterfly’s best-known blades: Loki’s own manufacturer specification against the competitor’s published construction and category, with no claim either one wins outright.
Specification comparison
Direct comparison of core material parameters, playing dynamics, and UK retail price points.
| Specification | Butterfly Michael Maze | Loki Kirin K7 |
|---|---|---|
| Category / Role | OFF Offensive Blade | OFF Offensive Blade |
| Blade Composition | 5 Wood + 2 ALC (Arylate-Carbon) — fibre position not confirmed | 7-ply Pure Wood |
| Thickness | ~5.9mm (third-party sources; discontinued) | 6.7mm (±0.2mm) |
| Head Size & Weight | ~157×150mm (~85–90g, sources vary; discontinued) | 157×150mm (~88g) |
| UK Retail Price | £71.99 (Tees Sport UK RRP) | £29.99 inc. VAT |
| Tournament Compliance | ITTF Tournament Legal | ✔ ITTF 85% Natural Wood Rule Compliant |
Technical rationale and playstyle alignment
Michael Maze is an all-wood offensive blade built for close-to-table power. Kirin K7 follows the same 7-ply pure wood construction idea, in a completely different price bracket.
Note: Think of this as a positioning match, not a promise of an identical feel — ply counts, fibre types and factory tolerances vary between any two brands, Loki included. If Michael Maze worked for you, treat Kirin K7 as an informed starting point in our range, not a guaranteed like-for-like.
Recommended Loki equipment
Pair this setup with complementary tournament rubbers and accessories.
Loki Kirin K7
7-ply pure wood blade with upgraded craftsmanship; solid rebound, close-to-table power
- Plies: 7-ply Pure Woo
- Style: OFF
- ITTF Legal
Loki Rxton 7
Tacky offensive rubber with balanced speed and high dwell for topspin development.
- Style: Tacky
- Hardness: A39
- ITTF Approved
Loki Rxton 3 Max
Versatile all-round tacky sheet with medium cake sponge for control and placement.
- Style: Tacky
- Negh Sponge
- ITTF Approved
Common questions
Is the Loki Kirin K7 as good as the Butterfly Michael Maze?
Loki UK doesn’t claim the Kirin K7 is objectively better than the Butterfly Michael Maze, and this page isn’t trying to declare a winner. Butterfly Michael Maze ALC paired outer Aryl Carbon with Limba outer plies for soft-touch looping. Loki Kirin K7 adopts a similar outer-fibre concept, providing intermediate and advanced loopers with spin-friendly ball engagement, predictable arc, and reliable speed at a fraction of discontinued collector prices.
What is the Loki Kirin K7 made of?
The Loki Kirin K7 is an OFF Offensive Blade, built as 7-ply Pure Wood. That’s Loki’s own manufacturer specification for the Kirin K7 specifically, from Loki’s 2026 catalogue — see the table above for thickness and weight.
Is the Loki Kirin K7 legal for ITTF and Table Tennis England tournaments?
Yes. The Loki Kirin K7 is ITTF 85% Natural Wood Rule Compliant, so it’s legal for British League, county championships and sanctioned local league play, the same as the Butterfly Michael Maze.
How much does the Loki Kirin K7 cost compared to the Butterfly Michael Maze?
The Butterfly Michael Maze is priced at £71.99 (Tees Sport UK RRP). The Loki Kirin K7 costs £29.99 inc. VAT — check the live price above, since it updates automatically as stock and pricing change, unlike a figure typed into a page.
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Editorial & Compliance Disclosure: Category, construction, thickness, head size and tournament-legality facts for the competitor blade are drawn from its own manufacturer product listing. Loki figures are manufacturer specification from Loki’s 2026 catalogue. This page does not use or cite any third-party community rating site. UK competitor pricing is sourced from the relevant official UK distributor, dated on this page. Loki UK has no business relationship or endorsement from competitor manufacturers. All competitor trademarks belong to their respective owners.