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Donic Crest AR+
Blade description:
The Donic Crest AR+ is a premium table tennis blade that expertly balances speed and control for players seeking both power and precision. Crafted with a unique nine-ply composition, it features an outer veneer of limba wood, providing a classic ‘grab’ feel on the ball, combined with multiple layers of carbon to enhance speed and stability. Specifically, the Crest AR+ utilizes two limba plies and two carbon layers with an inner ayous veneer that fosters impressive feedback and solid ball contact. This blade is particularly noted for its impressive craftsmanship, rivaling that of established brands like Butterfly, and has garnered an average rating of 9.5 from users.
With a weight of approximately 85 grams, the Crest AR+ finds itself in the medium range, although some users report their blades weighing slightly more. Its dimensions, measuring 158x152 mm, contribute to a larger sweet spot which enhances consistency during play. However, its construction leans towards being slightly head-heavy due to the larger head size, which may affect balance when paired with heavier rubbers. In terms of flexibility, the blade exhibits moderate stiffness (rated at 5.6), making it less suitable for players who prefer flexible, loopy shots, while still allowing effective play from a distance.
The Crest AR+ is categorized in the OFF speed class and is praised for its ability to maintain control, making it an excellent choice for players ranging from intermediate to advanced levels. If you’re considering alternatives, the Donic Crest OFF blade offers a similar construction with slightly faster playability, but the AR+ is preferred for those seeking a balanced approach. With its combination of speed, control, and comfortable handling, the Donic Crest AR+ stands out as a versatile choice for competitive play.
Recent Reviews
#1 — May 2021
The inner fiber blade tends to feel slightly head heavy when paired with medium-hard rubbers. However, it offers excellent control and speed. Despite its AR+ classification, the blade plays more like an OFF- to OFF blade.
The construction is of high quality, and the handle provides a comfortable grip. Visually, the blade is aesthetically pleasing.
#2 — November 2020
Very nice blade that offers speed with good control. Blocking and ball placement comes easy. I am very impressed with the handle of how it sits in your hand very comfortably and the handle lens on both sides makes the handle stand out.
#3 — March 2019
What a great blade! The blade is quite fast, making it effective for hitting the ball 2 to 3 meters from the table. Despite its speed, it is very controllable. You can still block the ball from heavy topspin without pressing down on the blade. I have not played with another blade that is as fast with so much control. This blade is not the fastest I have ever played with, but it strikes the perfect balance between speed, control, and stiffness. I would recommend this blade to players of all levels, from intermediate to professional, who enjoy long rallies.
As a side note, I paid 890 HK dollars, which is about 115 US dollars, for this blade. To me, this is a great value, especially when compared to top Butterfly blades I have played with, such as the Zhang Jike ZLC and Timo Boll ZLF. I am not saying that these blades are better or worse, but I tested both blades for about 2 hours. In Hong Kong, these blades cost almost twice as much as I paid for the Donic Crest AR+, which is comparable to the other two blades.
The blade is a bit bigger, which gives you a larger sweet spot and better control, but it also makes it a bit heavier. It is not recommended for female players, players with wrist problems, or young children. My blade weighs 92 grams, not 85 grams as Donic claims on its website.