Donic Appelgren Allplay vs Loki Kirin K2
How Kirin K2 stacks up against one of Donic's most-played blades, using construction facts and Loki's own spec sheet — not a verdict on which is better.
Specification comparison
Direct comparison of core material parameters, playing dynamics, and UK retail price points.
| Specification | Donic Appelgren Allplay | Loki Kirin K2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category / Role | ALL All-Round Blade | OFF+ Offensive Blade |
| Blade Composition | 5-ply Pure Wood (Abachi Core, Limba Veneer) | 5-ply Pure Wood |
| Thickness | ~5.4mm (±0.1mm) | 6.6mm (±0.2mm) |
| Head Size & Weight | Not published by Donic — ~80g | 157×150mm (~88g) |
| UK Retail Price | ≈£22 (converted from $28 USD at ~0.79 exchange rate) | £17.99 inc. VAT |
| Tournament Compliance | ITTF Tournament Legal | ✔ ITTF 85% Natural Wood Rule Compliant |
Technical rationale and playstyle alignment
Appelgren Allplay is a budget all-wood control blade many beginners start on. Kirin K2 sits in the same budget all-wood bracket, for under a third of the price.
Note: We're comparing where these two blades sit, not promising they'll feel the same off the bat — every brand's ply structure, fibre choice and tolerances differ. Use this as a sensible starting point if you've played the Donic blade, not a guarantee.
Recommended Loki equipment
Pair this setup with complementary tournament rubbers and accessories.
Loki Kirin K2
Fast-attack 5-ply pure wood blade; clean hard surface feedback, precise and easy control
- Plies: 5-ply Pure Woo
- Style: OFF+
- ITTF Legal
Loki Rxton 7
Tacky offensive rubber with balanced speed and high dwell for topspin development.
- Style: Tacky
- Hardness: A39
- ITTF Approved
Loki Rxton 3 Max
Versatile all-round tacky sheet with medium cake sponge for control and placement.
- Style: Tacky
- Negh Sponge
- ITTF Approved
Common questions
Is the Loki Kirin K2 as good as the Donic Appelgren Allplay?
Loki UK doesn’t claim the Kirin K2 is objectively better than the Donic Appelgren Allplay, and this page isn’t trying to declare a winner. Donic Appelgren Allplay is the gold standard for beginner-to-intermediate control blades. Loki Kirin K2 provides matching 5-ply all-wood forgiveness, low vibration, and maximum dwell, making it ideal for learning foundational strokes and maintaining high ball safety on all passive shots.
What is the Loki Kirin K2 made of?
The Loki Kirin K2 is an OFF+ Offensive Blade, built as 5-ply Pure Wood. That’s Loki’s own manufacturer specification for the Kirin K2 specifically, from Loki’s 2026 catalogue — see the table above for thickness and weight.
Is the Loki Kirin K2 legal for ITTF and Table Tennis England tournaments?
Yes. The Loki Kirin K2 is ITTF 85% Natural Wood Rule Compliant, so it’s legal for British League, county championships and sanctioned local league play, the same as the Donic Appelgren Allplay.
How much does the Loki Kirin K2 cost compared to the Donic Appelgren Allplay?
The Donic Appelgren Allplay is priced at ≈£22 (converted from $28 USD at ~0.79 exchange rate). The Loki Kirin K2 costs £17.99 inc. VAT — check the live price above, since it updates automatically as stock and pricing change, unlike a figure typed into a page.
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Editorial & Compliance Disclosure: Category, construction, thickness, head size and tournament-legality facts for the competitor blade are drawn from its own manufacturer product listing. Loki figures are manufacturer specification from Loki’s 2026 catalogue. This page does not use or cite any third-party community rating site. UK competitor pricing is sourced from the relevant official UK distributor, dated on this page. Loki UK has no business relationship or endorsement from competitor manufacturers. All competitor trademarks belong to their respective owners.