Palio HK1997 Gold Review

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   Over the years I've read many reviews and rubber opinions on this forum, and found a lot of interesting information which helped me chose or at least try certain rubbers out.
Here I've decided to write a basic review of two rubbers I tried out a few days ago, mainly because I did not see much about them and they are really good value for money.

I tried the Palio HK1997 Gold and the AK47 Red on a Yasaka extra Offensive, and then on Yasaka Gaiten Extra.

Background:

I am an aggressive FH looper / short touch player, and an all round attacking BH player. I don't know my corresponding level to US, but I'm trained and have decent technique and footwork (despite laziness), and have won matches vs two 1800 and one 2050 US players - although these were not in competition, but under serious training conditions. My Main setup is MX-P FH and Stiga Mantra M BH, I will use these as comparison as well as some other popular rubbers.

Palio HK1997 Gold:

Properties:

This is supposed to be very hard, in play it feels the same as my MX-P. It feels a bit lighter than MX-P.

What is it suited for?

This is clearly a FH rubber. It has great bite and grip on the ball, it really plays similar to MX-P and I needed no adjustment on any stroke. It has much less catapult though, but I am an aggressive FH power looper, so I don't use rubber catapult much. 

The lower catapult does not affect blocks, as passive blocks can be done in the same way as with MX-P, it does bounce a bit less, but it borrows the power from the opponents loop very well. Excellent for blocking.

Touch shots benefit a lot, it is better at short touch and fine placement on drop shots than MX-P. MX-P has perfect placement for power loops and strong attacks, the HK1997 Gold has the same ability in this field. 

With both MX-P and HK1997 Gold I was able to open up very easily with slow spinny loops, power loop, counter top spin, and a favourite shot of mine, suddenly flat hit during a rally (a la Harimoto) to change pace and spin. 

In these aspects - on the attack I felt the HK1997 Gold performed in the same way as the MX-P, could be used in exactly the same way, it had maybe very slightly less spin, and a bit less spead and power, but power, speed and spin are more than enough (maybe same power and speed as Rakza 7 but with a bit less spin). 

What you get in return is perfect control and versatility, improved short game, very easy serve receive and blocks, counterhits, and an incredible feel for the ball.

To me, this really is a modern Sriver - in the sense that it just can do it all at a very high level while feeling as though it were an extension of your hand.

Which blade?
I did not like this rubber and the AK47 on the YEO - I feel the YEO ruins the feel of these rubbers, their strong point is the feel for the ball, the feeling that you can guide the ball anywhere with any type and amount of spin and speed, and the feeling that you cannot miss. With YEO this doesn't exist - I think the YEO is too hard for these rubbers. With Yasaka Gaiten extra, it performs like a dream, I do not want to let go of the bat. It would be good with Avlox P500 and OSP Virtuoso too... wooden blades with good feel for the ball.

Overall:
At this price, you have an incredible FH weapon, I cannot recommend it more.

Would I have a disadvantage playing this rubber vs ESN, DHS or other more expensive rubbers?:

I really do not think so, the speed is mid range ESN, spin also mid range ESN. Control, touch, feel, serve return, is top class. Allows you to be very aggressive without missing. I will definitely use this more often. HK 1997 Gold together with AK47 Red on Yasaka Gaiten Extra helped me win a very very tough league match against an unbeaten player, and it was that extra control and ability to do whatever I wanted even when surprised that won it.