ArtisanHien (Black/XL) [FX-HI-MD-XL-B] FX MID (Japan Import)

My package arrived on time and in good condition. The box it shipped in was a thick Amazon box with the product in a flat package with the mousepad inside.The craftsman ship on Artisan mousepads is unmatched. The base I got was a mid variant and is stiff. This allows for more consistency when swiping or if you were to press down into the mousepad. The stitching was amazing and the surface was rough and gritty .The glide was fast but still controllable especially due to the texture and dot like grit you may feel under your mouse skates/feet.I have no problem ordering again based off my experience.

I'm not going to review the pad - It's an Artisan. There are tons of reviews. What I would like to talk about it how this arrived.I ordered an XL Hien Mid ( 19¼"x16½") and it came in a 13"x15" Amazon box flapped over itself in a sealed bag as pictured. The fold wasn't a hard crease from end to end but there was one point about 10" into the pad near where you would rest your wrist. Being folded over itself curled the vertical edge on the logo side making it so it would not lay flat. The crease also presented a bubble that was not only visible but created mouse drag. The crease was fixed by spraying water lightly on my desk then smoothing out the pad over where I sprayed to insure a good stick, then I grabbed a 20LB weight and let it rest over the crease for a few minutes and it basically "ironed" it out. I was not able to fix the edge curl however.Amazon was great about my replacement but this is a heads up to anyone buying one of these pads. If they do not come in their sealed flat boxes with the pad ID label placed in the center of said sealed flat box then it's most likely a returned pad. Comparing the replacement pad that Amazon 100% assured would come in its original packaging, the new pad seems rougher and not broken in.I don't know enough about these pads to claim it Counterfeit so i'll let you be the Judge of that.

The aim is absolutely amazing in any video game I play I am playing with a glorious model O and its great I was worried about the scratchiness of the mousepad prior to purchasing it and I have to say its not as bad as I was expecting so with that being said I really like the mouse pad its very nice but one thing is the mousepad slides on my desk a bit but with some added arm weight it stays in place nice.

Texture of mouse is gritty, bottom base of mousepad feels different from regular rubber base that would stick to a desk, but using it on my desk it won't remain still, hoping it could eventually keep itself in place then I wouldn't have to use any adhesives I change out mousepads often so I wouldn't want any sticky tape left behind.Depending on what mouse/mouse feet you are using the difference is noticeable. I am currently using an Endgame XM1R with Corepadz skates, and the texture of the pad wears the mouse feet down pretty good making the feet smooth and the more I use it the more smooth the mouse feels but I think this eats my mouse feet faster for sure.Happy with purchase for now, sad that I remember soft/med mousepads won't last forever

noting to say just an amazing pad 10\10

I bought this for my Fiancé that games a lot and he has had nothing but good things to say about it. He said that it is way smoother than any other mousepad he has, plus its a really good size.

It's really hard to get past the rough texture. I assume that it helps being more precise, but you will get a callous on your hand and pinky finger or you will stress your hand and wrist attempting to avoid the pain, but them acquiring carpal tunnel. It is like scraping your hand on really rough and stiff paper towel.

Concerns about packaging have led to some people to order this directly from Japan. Mine was packed in the original Artisan cardboard box, and that box was packed in a larger Amazon box with paper filling. The original Artisan box was perfectly intact. And it arrived a day after ordering. I originally had an Xtrfy GPZ1. This pad lays much flatter, is faster and yet makes it easier to stop. It also seems to be more precise for small, fine adjustments. It feels a little rough on the skin, but not to the point where it's a problem. It adheres to my desk better than the GPZ1, although that was never a serious problem. While very expensive, the significantly improved performance seems to be worth it.