A first custom table tennis bat for a club beginner: the Loki Kirin K3 blade with Rxton 1 Max on both sides. It is forgiving, it is honest about your technique, and we assemble it free.
Blade, forehand and backhand
Manufacturer specification from the Loki Catalogue 2026. Ratings are Loki’s own figures, on the same scale used across every Loki product page.
| Blade | Construction | Thickness | Weight | Speed / Control / Stiffness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loki Kirin K3 | 7-ply: 5 wood + 2 inner GNF fibre. Ayous face, Ayous power, Kiri core | 6.6mm | 88g | 11.5 / 12 / 7.2 |
| Rubber | Type | Hardness (Chinese) | Hardness (European) | Speed / Spin / Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forehand and backhandLoki Rxton 1 Max | Tacky. 2.1mm sponge | 39° | ≈51° | 11 / 9 / 10 |
Both sheets are the same rubber, so choose black for one side and red for the other. The hardness is the same in either colour. Hardness figures marked ≈ are converted from the other scale; see Chinese vs European rubber hardness.
Who this setup is for
A good match if
- You play at a club or school and have outgrown a pre-made bat.
- You are learning to loop, push and block properly, and want the bat to show you which contacts were clean.
- You want one bat that lasts while your game develops, with rubbers you can replace later.
Look elsewhere if
- You want the bat to supply speed for you. A tensor setup with more catapult suits you better.
- Your opening attack is already your best shot. Step up to an outer-fibre blade.
- You want different rubbers on each wing straight away.
Why these three parts work together
The Kirin K3 is the thickest blade in our five setups at 6.6mm, with two GNF fibre layers on the inside, under the power veneers. The ball meets wood first, so slow, controlled strokes feel like wood, and the fibre adds help only when you swing harder. The manufacturer rates it 11.5 for speed and 12 for control, and states its playing style as all-round.
Rxton 1 Max is Loki’s entry tacky rubber, and the manufacturer recommends it for hard 5- and 7-ply blades like the K3. A tacky topsheet grips the ball, so spin comes from brushing rather than hitting. It rewards a proper stroke and gives little free speed, which is what you want while you are learning.
Putting the same sheet on both sides is deliberate. One feel across the whole bat is easier to learn on than two, and you can change one side later once you know what you want from it.
Where to go from here
- Intermediate attacking setup: When your forehand attack starts winning points, the intermediate attacking setup moves you to a faster outer-fibre blade.
- League tensor setup: If you would rather the rubber gave you more speed and a higher arc, the league tensor setup is the alternative.
- All five setups compared, side by side.
Common questions
Is the Kirin K3 a good blade for beginners?
Yes, for a beginner who plays at a club. The Kirin K3 is a 7-ply blade with inner GNF fibre and a 6.6mm frame. Because the fibre sits under the wood, slow strokes keep a wood feel, which helps you learn clean contact. The manufacturer rates it 11.5 for speed and 12 for control.
Why does this setup use the same rubber on both sides?
While your strokes are still forming, one consistent feel on both wings is easier to learn on than two different rubbers. Rxton 1 Max is tacky, with a 39° sponge (about 51° on the European scale), and the manufacturer recommends it for hard 5- and 7-ply blades like the K3.
Is this setup legal for league and tournament play?
Yes, once assembled with one black side and one red side. Both rubbers, Loki Rxton 1 Max, are ITTF approved, and the Loki Kirin K3 blade is tournament legal under ITTF construction rules.
How much does the beginner club setup cost?
The Kirin K3 blade and two Rxton 1 Max rubbers cost £41.97 in total, read live from the product pages. Order the three together and we assemble the bat free, with VOC-free glue and edge tape.
Want to change one part?
Prefer a different blade or rubber? Build your own combination in the Racket Configurator. Order a blade and two rubbers together and assembly is still free.