Loki Kirin K3 Review
A 7-ply blade (5 wood plies plus an Inner GNF Fiber layer per side) built for an all-round game that mixes attacking and defensive play close to and away from the table. Loki’s own guidance places it as a Beginner-level blade — predictable, controllable, with just enough fibre-assisted pop over a pure-wood blade to keep pace as your game develops.
Construction and manufacturer ratings
| Construction | 5 Wood + 2 Inner GNF Fiber (7 plies total) |
|---|---|
| Face / core / power wood | Ayous face, Kiri core, Ayous power layer |
| Blade type | OFF+ |
| Thickness | 6.6mm (+/-0.2mm) |
| Head size | 157mm × 150mm |
| Weight | 88g |
| Handle types | Flared (FL) |
| Speed / Control / Stiffness | 11.5 / 12 / 7.2 (Loki’s 1–15 manufacturer scale) |
| Playing style | All-Round |
| Player level | Beginner |
| Tournament legality | Meets the ITTF construction rule (85%+ natural wood by thickness) |
| Price | £19.99 |
A predictable step up from an all-wood blade
Loki’s own guidance: best suited to players with an all-round game that mixes attacking and defensive elements close to and away from the table, rather than a committed close-to-table attacker or a full-time defensive chopper.
Good fit if you
- Are a beginner or improving club player who has outgrown a pure-wood blade but isn’t ready for a stiffer outer-carbon build.
- Want clean, hard surface feedback and precise, easy control while your technique is still forming.
- Play a mixed, all-round game rather than a single committed style.
Look elsewhere if you
- Are already an advanced, committed offensive looper — the Kirin K5 Pro Outer or a W81 Wei Shihao build gives more speed and stiffness for that game.
- Play a dedicated defensive/chop game away from the table — see the Hu Dongshen series instead.
Rubbers that suit this blade
Loki’s own cross-sell pairing for the Kirin K3 — both matched to the same all-round, control-first character as the blade itself.
If you outgrow the K3
Loki’s own upgrade path from this blade, both built on the same GNF Fiber but tuned for an Advanced, more committed offensive game.
Closest alternatives outside Loki
Not a claim that the Kirin K3 is objectively better — these are the closest equivalents by construction and price tier, for players weighing it against a more established brand.
Common questions
Is the Loki Kirin K3 tournament legal?
Yes. Like every blade in the Loki range, it meets the ITTF construction rule requiring at least 85% natural wood by thickness, so it’s legal for Table Tennis England and ITTF-sanctioned league and tournament play.
What level of player is the Kirin K3 for?
Loki rates it a Beginner-level blade for an all-round playing style. It’s a sensible step up from a pure all-wood blade like the Kirin K1-T or K2, without moving to a stiffer, faster outer-carbon build.
What rubbers pair well with the Kirin K3?
Loki’s own pairing suggests the Rxton 5 Neo or the Kirin K3 rubber, both tacky-to-tensor all-round sheets that match the blade’s control-first character. See the Pair It With section above for live pricing.
How much does the Loki Kirin K3 cost?
£19.99 at the time of writing, read live from the shop so this always matches what you’d pay at checkout. See the product page to buy.
See the whole Kirin range
The K3 is one of eleven blades in Loki’s entry-level Kirin line. Compare all of them, or build a complete bat in the Racket Configurator.