Introduction

The Kurosun Samurai has been a standout release this year, quickly becoming a favorite among cloth pads. In this review, we’ll explore its unique features, exceptional design, and impressive performance.

Unboxing Experience

Packaging

The Kurosun Samurai offers an exceptional unboxing experience. It comes flat-packed to ensure the pad arrives in pristine condition. The outer box is sleek, featuring the Kurosun logo, the pad’s name, and surface type. Inside, an additional box showcases the pad’s art, adding an extra touch of presentation.

Contents

Inside, you’ll find a care and placement card, information about the Kurosun team, and a kanji logo sticker. The pad itself is packaged in a dust sleeve and placed on a plastic protector, showcasing the thoughtful attention to detail in its packaging.

Design

Visual Appeal

The Kurosun Samurai features minimal yet striking art, perfectly aligning with its name. The character design is detailed and eye-catching, making it a centerpiece on your desk without being overly flashy. The logo and text at the bottom are slightly raised, though they don’t interfere with gameplay.

Build Quality

With dimensions of 420x490mm and a thickness of 3mm, the Samurai is well-sized for most setups. The alpha cell base is highly grippy, ensuring stability during intense gaming sessions. The white-stitched edges are both durable and aesthetically pleasing, sitting flush with the surface for a seamless feel.

Performance

Surface Characteristics

The woven surface of the Kurosun Samurai sets it apart from traditional knit pads. This construction enhances its durability and provides a unique texture. As a balanced pad, it strikes an ideal middle ground between control and speed, making it versatile for various gaming styles.

Friction and Control

The pad offers low static friction, enabling precise micro-adjustments while maintaining excellent stopping power. The dynamic friction is similarly low, ensuring smooth movement. A slight X-Y speed variation is present due to the weave pattern, but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience.

Break-In Period

While the surface requires a short break-in period, it becomes consistently smooth after a few days, delivering reliable performance for months of use.

Value and Availability

The Kurosun Samurai is priced at $49, offering excellent value for its build quality and performance. Unfortunately, it is currently only available through the secondhand market. However, Kurosun plans to make the Samurai, alongside the upcoming Shogun (control pad) and Ninja (speed pad), continuously available later this year.

Conclusion

The Kurosun Samurai excels as a premium cloth pad, combining thoughtful design with top-tier performance. Its versatility makes it a great choice for a wide range of games, and its build quality ensures longevity. If you’re in the market for a balanced mousepad with exceptional features, the Samurai is worth the wait.