Loki Arthur Europe
Rubber description:
This rubber functions as a hybrid (a Chinese-style, slightly tacky rubber designed with European-influenced characteristics). It features a medium-hard sponge that requires active engagement to access its full potential, providing a stable, controlled feel for technical play. While it is tacky out of the package, this initial tackiness diminishes over time, transitioning into a grippy, versatile surface.
Performance Characteristics
- Spin and Control: The rubber excels in the short game, service spin, and controlled loops. It offers a high level of spin potential without excessive sensitivity to incoming spin, making it reliable for touch-based shots.
- Speed and Dwell Time: It is categorized as medium-fast. It lacks the explosive, springy rebound associated with pure tensors, favoring a more dampened, solid feel. The speed increases significantly when paired with faster, more rigid blades.
- Physical Properties: The rubber is relatively heavy, which contributes to a solid feeling during impact. The topsheet is effective for active and passive blocking, as well as flip openings, due to its grippy nature that engages the ball easily.
Application and Suitability
- Playing Style: This rubber is well-suited for players who prioritize control, placement, and heavy, spin-oriented loops over pure speed. It performs effectively in the short game and blocking, though it may feel lacking in power for players who strictly drive the ball from mid-to-far distance.
- Blade Pairing: Due to its moderate rebound and focus on control, it is recommended for use on fast, offensive blades to compensate for its relatively linear speed profile. It is a capable choice for both backhand and forehand roles depending on the userâs requirement for a stable, spin-focused rubber.
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Recent Reviews
#1 â July 2024
Table Tennis Rubber Review: Europa
Updated!!!
Facts: The black rubber weighs 93 g in its original packaging and 70 g uncut with foil. It weighs 48 g when measured at 157 x 150 mm, and it is stated to have a sponge hardness of 40 degrees.
I have been testing this rubber on various blades for two weeks now. The stickiness of the Europa is roughly equivalent to that of a hybrid rubber. At first, it seems very slow, but this perception does not hold true during play. When the ball hits the rubber, it produces an unusual, somewhat dull sound, especially in comparison to the Chinese rubbers. This gave me the impression that the Europa is softer than the Chinese rubbers; however, this was not later confirmed.
Since I have had a shore meter for a long time, I decided to check the sponge hardness. To my surprise, I found that the âEuropaâ measures only 39 degrees on the Chinese scale, instead of the 40 degrees claimed by the manufacturer. This translates to approximately 50 degrees on the international scale.
Conclusion: This is an interesting and very inexpensive rubber. It is easy to control, with above-average spin. However, its speed leaves something to be desired, making it more suitable for very fast blades or for use on the backhand side. It is certainly also excellent for tuning!
Addendum: Even though this rubber is marketed under the name âEuropa,â it is more reminiscent of a typical âChinese rubberâ with less stickiness!
#2 â March 2022
I tried this rubber as a backhand option, but it somewhat lacks the rebound required for a good backhand rubber. While it isnât slowâitâs medium-fastâit still doesnât provide the bounciness I look for in a quality backhand rubber. In comparison, the AK47 and even Lokiâs own T3 feel better to me.
The rubber has a slightly tacky surface, but this tackiness wears off completely after a while. Additionally, it is quite heavy, although it is lighter than the Arthur Asia.
#3 â September 2021
This medium rubber performs exceptionally well. The sponge is medium hard, while the topsheet is medium, which allows the inverted pimples to break easily, resulting in a nice grip on the ball.
I highly recommend it for backhand play; it excels at easy flips, and both active and passive blocks work like a charm. While it is not as springy as the Diamond version, you donât need to engage the sponge as much to achieve spin, thanks to the rubberâs superior grip.
However, due to the medium soft topsheet, there isnât much spin sensitivity. I would not recommend it for forehand strokes if you enjoy driving from mid to far distances, as it lacks the grip for those hard drives. In my experience, the RXTON 5 performs significantly better in that regard.
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