Loki Kirin SP/MP/LP - any info?

[enoxzr]

Hi guys,

I stumbled upon Loki having brought out pips-out rubbers, the Loki Kirin SP, MP and LP, with one AliExpress store having em in stock.

Loki Kirin SP has a 2.1mm 35 hardness yellow "Loxa" sponge
Loki Kirin MP has a 1.8mm 35 hardness yellow "Negh" sponge
Loki Kirin LP has a 1.0mm 37 degree blue "Loxa" sponge

All added to this AliExpress store on 29-10

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyCkRHr

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ez4He1x

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHYHnJT

Does anyone have more info on these rubbers? Any specsheets or further info from Loki?

I ordered a sheet of the Loki Kirin LP, based on a gut feeling it might be quite a fast LP, so I'll report my findings on that once I get round testing it.

Thanks!

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Seems interesting. Visually the SP structure looks a little similar to 802-40

 

[kase]

I saw these too. The problem is that when you want to fine-tune the rubber, you can't. It's only available in one thickness and hardness.

This is why I use Armstrong for pips. Massive range of thicknesses and you can usually choose from at least a hard and soft sponge, if not more.

 

[xavi]

I saw these too. The problem is that when you want to fine-tune the rubber, you can't. It's only available in one thickness and hardness.

This is why I use Armstrong for pips. Massive range of thicknesses and you can usually choose from at least a hard and soft sponge, if not more.

And can you do recommendations based on your experience?

What about an easy to hit, easy to topspin Armstrong short pimple? Not too much sink, I just want easy to play.
Currently playing with Moristo 1.8 and I will move to 2.0 (Moristo or Sonic AR).

Thanks.

 

[enoxzr]

Saw a new listing on AliExpress for these Loki pips-out rubbers, also for a much better price then the original listing I came across.

For me it shows €17,99 with free shipping to The Netherlands for all variants, which brings the price more towards alternatives from direct competitors.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuwWN1x

 

[enoxzr]

Yesterday the order I initially placed as well as a later order for a newer, cheaper listing on AliExpress arrived. The listing from my first post managed to take 3 weeks to get here and ship me the Kirin SP instead of LP, which will be returned.

The second order did arrive as expected. From the looks its a typical Loki rubber, both packaging and the rubber design. While in the packing you could smell a slight booster/chemical smell, which indicates treated sponges (Kirin SP had the same smell).

Sponge is as expected for a 37 degree Loki sponge, bright yellow in color. Pips are LP, but I don't think they max out in length. The pips are however very tightly packed together for an LP. They are quite firm to the touch, but still bend easily.

From the looks my suspicions seem to be confirmed that this is a fast(er) LP rubber, aimed at an attacking LP player. I expect deception to be on the lower end, hope that the rubber makes it up in speed and stability. I am not a chopper myself, but if the speed is up there it might be suitable for that too.

Eager to try it out, however may be a while before I get to it!

 

[enoxzr]

Played a session today with the Kirin LP, glued to an Artte Italia DEF blade.

Indeed a faster long-pip rubber, plays fairly easily. Can be used near the table, but doesn't have a lot of deception/LP-trickery. Needs to be used actively at the table, especially hitting a ball works quite well.

It's not in my playstyle, but it seemed like rubber is suited for defensive play, it definitely had enough speed to return a ball from a couple of meters away, even on a DEF blade. Don't think the spin reversal is that high tho.

In the end I enjoy the rubber for active strokes, but not more than a Yinhe 955 Blue/Green 0.7 for example. That rubber offers more deception, especially in slowing and dipping balls. So I think I will switch again, but I have definitely tried far worse LP's and can see this one working for some playstyles!

 

[kase]

And can you do recommendations based on your experience?

What about an easy to hit, easy to topspin Armstrong short pimple? Not too much sink, I just want easy to play.
Currently playing with Moristo 1.8 and I will move to 2.0 (Moristo or Sonic AR).

Thanks.

Ive used W-Alpha (normal 40 deg and 25 deg PZC SP soft sponge) and Attack 8 Super L 41. Both of these are not high spin. The W-Alpha can produce spin when brushing, but without brushing it takes off most of the spin - the pips are very small, but grippy. The sponge will be slower than a tensor, so it may offer you more control. I would probably recommend this if you want good control and a mix of spinning / hitting ability. I prefer the softer sponge as I use a fast blade.

I have heard of, but not tried, Rosin, which is supposed to be the 'spinny' pip. The Mark series is supposed to be even less spinny, like Spectol.