Rubber Review 15: Loki Arthur Europe Diamond, the Little Red V
This installment of the Rubber Review / Mushroom Field Guide covers the Loki Arthur Europe Diamond.
Test blade: Sanwei Blue Marlin Pro
Quick Take
- The Arthur Europe Diamond edition belongs to Loki’s flagship Arthur series. Hardness is 37 degrees, bare weight about 65g, fairly light, and it sells for around 120 yuan.
- The surface is grippy (non-tacky), with a black tensor “Kunlun” sponge. Note, though, that like the Donic F1, the sponge on this one curls a bit, so be careful when gluing it on.
- Pros: This is a “fast-attack” rubber with good springiness, plenty of power, and high speed. It has a metallic ring once you drive through it, and it can surprise you on flat hits and fast attack.
- Cons: The directionality and the swallow-and-release sensation on contact are average, and the sponge is slightly stiff. It’s like a “firmed-up Red V,” built mainly for speed and fast attack.
- The Arthur Europe Diamond edition is positioned as a backhand rubber, so I’d suggest players who love fast attack put it on the backhand, where it performs nicely. I’d give it a moderate recommendation, but factoring in the small flaw of the curling sponge, the overall recommendation is average. Worth a try.
PS: Everything in the Mushroom Field Guide is my own subjective impression. Rubbers vary from sheet to sheet, and blade pairing changes things too. Comments and corrections welcome.