Donic Crest AR+
Blade description:
The Donic Crest AR+ is a high-performance composite blade characterized by an OFF- to OFF playing style, despite its naming convention. It features a unique 5+2 construction (Limba outer and 2nd layer, Carbon ZF, Carbon fleece, and an Ayous core), which provides a solid, woody feel with excellent ball “grab.” The blade offers a stiff, consistent feedback that is well-suited for long rallies and mid-to-long distance play.
Playing Characteristics
- Speed and Control: It delivers significant power for attacking shots from 2-3 meters, yet maintains high controllability. The blade is stiff and stable, making it particularly effective for blocking heavy topspin without requiring excessive downward pressure.
- Feel: The Limba outer veneer provides a tactile, natural wood sensation, avoiding the hollow feeling associated with some lighter carbon blades. It offers a medium throw angle and a generous sweet spot due to its larger head size (158×152mm).
- Balance and Handling: Due to its larger head dimensions and construction, the blade tends to be head-heavy, particularly when paired with heavier rubbers. The handle is noted for its high-quality, ergonomic design and comfort.
Construction and Craftsmanship
- Material: This is a composite blade utilizing a combination of Carbon ZF and Carbon fleece layers.
- Build Quality: The blade exhibits top-tier craftsmanship, with meticulous wood selection and well-sanded wings. It is a substantial blade, typically weighing around 92 grams, and is best suited for players who prefer a solid, non-flexy feel during active play.
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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.
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