Loki vs Donic: UK rubber & blade comparison
Donic built its reputation on Jan-Ove Waldner’s allround game and the Appelgren/Baracuda line that followed it. This guide maps Loki’s closest equivalents to Donic’s Appelgren Allplay blade and Baracuda rubber, with Donic pricing checked against Topspin TT, a UK stockist weighted toward Donic and Tibhar.
Donic prices verified via topspintt.com, 14 September 2026Blade & rubber comparison
| Category | Donic | Donic price | Loki alternative | Loki spec | Loki price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allround pure-wood/composite blade | Appelgren Allplay | £34.99 | Kirin K1 | Inner GNF Fiber, OFF+Speed 10.5 • Control 13.5 | £16.99 |
| Controlled offensive tensor | Baracuda | £34.99 | Kirin K5 | Tensor, A37Speed 13.5 • Spin 8.5 • Control 10 | £25.99 |
Loki figures are manufacturer specification from Loki’s 2026 catalogue. The Kirin K1 uses an Inner GNF Fiber layup rather than pure wood, so treat the blade pairing as closest accessible tier and playing style rather than an identical construction match.
Featured Loki equipment from the matrix
Loki Kirin K1
Benchmark: Donic Appelgren Allplay (£34.99)
- ConstructionInner GNF Fiber
- Blade typeOFF+
- Speed / Control10.5 / 13.5
Loki Kirin K5
Benchmark: Donic Baracuda (£34.99)
- Rubber typeTensor
- Sponge hardnessA37
- Speed / Spin / Control13.5 / 8.5 / 10
A curated allround setup
Kirin K1 + 2× Kirin K5
A controllable allround blade with a matched tensor on both wings — the same allround intent as an Appelgren Allplay with Baracuda sheets.
Nearest Donic combination (Appelgren Allplay + 2× Baracuda): £104.97
Build this in the Racket Configurator →Which brand actually suits you?
When Donic is the right choice
- You’ve trained specifically on the Appelgren Allplay’s flex or Baracuda’s exact catapult and don’t want to relearn your timing.
- You want Donic’s own name and heritage in the allround/Waldner lineage.
Why players consider switching to Loki
- Both mapped Loki equivalents currently undercut their Donic benchmark on price, as the table above shows live.
- Every Loki rubber and blade meets the same tournament-legal construction and ITTF approval standards as Donic’s own range.
Common questions
Are Loki rubbers and blades legal for Table Tennis England and ITTF events?
Yes. Every Loki rubber holds ITTF approval on the List of Authorised Racket Coverings, and every Loki blade meets the ITTF construction rule requiring at least 85% natural wood by thickness.
Why does this page only cover two Donic products?
Loki’s curated comparison mapping currently pairs two Donic products with Loki equivalents. We’d rather show a smaller, honest comparison than invent pairings for products we haven’t matched by construction.
Build your allround setup
Pick a blade and two rubbers in the Racket Configurator and see the live total before you buy.