Two of a Kind? The "Jet-Spring" Play of Two LOKI Wei Shihao Blades
After Wei Shihao joined the LOKI camp, LOKI released 6 new blades for him, undoubtedly aimed at the low-to-mid market. These have varied structures, all relatively hot on the market. Today, let me first talk about the two hottest structures: the Wei Shihao ADC and Wei Shihao ARC, corresponding to inner yellow-aramid carbon and outer blue-aramid carbon.
LOKI Wei Shihao ADC
Structure: limba face ply, ayous power ply, ADC aramid-carbon fiber layer, ayous core. Measured weight: 89g. Thickness: 5.97mm. Face size: 160-151mm. The typical representatives of this structure are the familiar Hurricane Long 5 and W968. This type has similar traits: under small-to-medium power, an all-wood-leaning feel, easy to control, not so ball-releasing. Under big power, it triggers the inner fiber layer and the ayous core’s deformation tension and jet feel, so it instantly becomes jet-springy with full bottom power. This Wei Shihao ADC has a large face, thin handle, balance point toward the head — all similar to the Hurricane Long 5. Especially, it really produces a Long 5-like jet-spring acceleration. After you fire, the ball quality accelerates hard, the ball really jets, and the second bounce is sneaky. If you want to feel Long 5-style jet-spring at a low price, it is worth considering. But the head-leaning balance point means a fairly obvious heavy feel — that is down to personal preference. Under small-to-medium power, it is not so ball-releasing. So for rubber pairing, best pair a soft, easy-to-drive one. This way it is not too tiring. In sum, this blade still suits maniacs who like active power generation. Both wings can fling out punch. Workmanship is just so-so.
LOKI Wei Shihao ARC
Structure: koto face ply, ARC aramid-ester fiber layer, ayous power ply, kiri core. Measured weight: 91.7g. Thickness: 5.75mm. Face size: 158-151mm. The typical representatives of this structure are the familiar Viscaria and Fan Zhendong ALC. Generally, this outer aramid-carbon structure has crisp backhand explosiveness, first speed and pace-borrowing. Because it uses a kiri core, close-table play is transparent and controllable. Absolute bottom power is not its strength, but close-table play is fast and effortless. But this Wei Shihao ARC made some of its own traits: among outer aramid-carbon blades, it is a fairly jet-springy one. It even makes me suspect it uses the same adhesive as the Wei Shihao ADC. If you want a blade close to its style, it should be the W81 Zhou Yu custom — you can see it as a poor man’s Zhou Yu custom. The arc and give-and-take are quite nice, and once you fire, it easily produces that deformation tension and explosive energy. It is a ball-holding outer aramid-carbon blade suited to the current trend. But not as springy as the Zhou Yu custom — you also have to fire more for the amplifying feel. But the value is decent. Its handle grip is comfortable too. Like the Fan Zhendong ALC, forehand-backhand transitions are smooth, with no obstruction. And the balance point feels okay. For amateurs, if you seek a low-priced ball-holding outer blade, it is worth considering.