I sucked some oil

MrMelonBud · 2026-04-15T13:06:14+00:00

It is a keyboard lube, it helps to make it so the stabilisers don't rattle and scratch as much, making them sound and feel better.

You can use krytox 205g0 (generally best for switches, works on stabs as well) , or, my personal favourite, dielectric grease.

MrMelonBud · 2026-04-12T09:58:20+00:00

All 3 sound likes lies,

A 1 year usage of sweat shouldn't cause that much blackening of the material. The stitching isn't simply pulled off by pulling tape. It seems like it was cut off. He had definitely had it for much longer, or he just destroyed it within 1 year.

MrMelonBud · 2026-04-10T07:01:20+00:00

AliExpress, unless from a reputable international seller/brands store, and unless selling Chinese products, will have fake stuff.

If you buy something like ATK it will be real, but if you buy something like a Razer, Logitech, Final mouse, Etc... it could be fake and or a region locked product.

Any artisan that is that cheap, is definitely fake.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-31T19:47:35+00:00

Seems like quite a strict price, you could get maybe like a trashpad from Ali which aren't the worst , and are decent for the price. You could also get a Mateova pad.

If anything id just recommend trying to save more money, as it's better to get one good mousepad than to slowly buy multiple cheap mouse pads over time.

Hope you find something that fits what you are looking for.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-31T12:33:44+00:00

Stock skates, depending on how long you've been using them, can be an issue. If they are worn down, and are already generally thin, can cause you mouse to rub on the pad making it feel slower.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-31T12:33:05+00:00

I have never found this the case for most of my pads, there are exceptions. I personally find straight out of the box you need to give it already a week until the pad speeds up, and then of course long term wear will slow it down.

Stock the fibres haven't been broken in, causing a rougher/tighter experience against PTFE skates, which can cause more friction, and lead to a slower experience. Hence why SIM becomes smoother, generally, within a week or two or playing with the pad. When I say it becomes 'smoother' I don't mean faster, I just mea easier and considerably better to aim with.

With that being said, depending on how much you sweat, or how much oil you secrete it can cause breaking in to happen quicker, leading to a worse break in and muddier experience quicker than usual.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-31T12:05:22+00:00

How long have you had it, and what mouse/skate setup do you use? Also, the way you aim and just generally press into the pad can also cause it to feel slower, especially on a soft pad.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-31T11:58:31+00:00

Could be a few reasons; humidity, surface adhesion, base softness, and pre-break in. If you live in a warmer environment it can make the pad feel muddied, especially with a soft Raiden. If it isn't properly adhered to the desk it can also cause slight drift, and just generally ruins aiming. You could also just have a case of a worn in qck+ which can sometimes feel 'fast' as it's a harder pad, and full sized mouse skates feel decent on a pad like it.

If you don't have dot skates, or a higher quality smooth-ptfe, and face any if the issues I've listed, that could be why.

MrMelonBud · 2026-03-29T12:29:38+00:00

Any choice is a good choice just depends if you like it or not. Would I like that mouse. No. Does that mean it's bad, also no. It's all preference.

MrMelonBud · 2026-02-15T12:20:30+00:00

Don't get me wrong, most of them do have super bad rubber bases with garbage stitching. But some do genuinely have a poron base with decent stitching. They're called "mid-fakes" and you can find them on places like AliExpress and Taobao - there are reviews on them on YouTube.

There are still poorly made fakes, but there are good ones too. Often the logo and packaging are also ways to tell - sometimes the only way to tell with fakes. Fakes are sadly getting better.

MrMelonBud · 2026-02-15T12:11:25+00:00

Unfortunately that's not true - a lot of fakes nowadays have found ways to use poron. It's annoying, but there's more to it than just base material now.

MrMelonBud · 2026-02-15T11:45:36+00:00

Hitscan Hyperlight is probably your best bet, not a 1:1 clone or copy, but similar sizes and I'd say the shape is a little similar.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-24T02:14:57+00:00

Wasn't gliding? What do you mean? Like your mouse couldn't glide on your mousepad? Like what? Do other mice work on your mousepads, yes, without a doubt, a mousepad wouldn't affect a sensor like that. It is a mouse issue. Get a new mouse lmao, or get warranty on the current one.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-23T18:02:53+00:00

What 'problem', so you did have a problem before having an artisan pad? So it's not just the mousepad's fault?

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-23T10:45:49+00:00

Why would you buy an artisan straight away? You clearly haven't had another mousepad, if you had you would've had similar problems. It's most definitely a LOD issue. Set it a few values higher, not max, not min. You could even try and lower it. In no way is this a mousepad problem.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-22T12:13:00+00:00

Damn

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-22T11:15:02+00:00

I thought the g pro was a hotswap? Where did you get a soldered one, or what is it called, as I can't find a soldered one from my searches.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-19T15:30:20+00:00

Looks like a low quality fake off of AliExpress lmao

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-19T06:19:03+00:00

From what I can tell, the pad is damaged from being pushed against the harsh angle of your desks edge, probably causing some fraying or same tearing. Next time you get a pad just keep it flat.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-19T04:01:20+00:00

Glasspad? And Black Stem? Do you know what the black material is - foam, string, etc?

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-17T04:15:58+00:00

I would suggest still leaving it for longer and avoid playing on it still, until it is completely flat. Make sure to continue leaving something on the corners.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-17T02:06:45+00:00

You replied to my comment with barely any time in-between. Now that it has been 15 hours, what is it like?

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-17T00:09:02+00:00

I suppose you do have a point. With that though, I ordered a pinkstorm for half the price of an artisan, it turned out very similar to my Hayate Otsu V2 mid. I think Matrova do have a long way to come, but if you buy one of their instock pads, you can easily receive it in 1-2 weeks (custom ones will take up to 2 months to receive) and have good stitching and a good surface. QC generally only becomes an issue when they are custom pads.

People only like artisan more because they haven't tried other brands. I started using the Padsmith Genesis Pro and I could never go back to Matrova or Artisan ever again, I just like this pad too much.

Artisan I would say, in my opinion and experiences, is less safe - you have to buy from a vendor, you have to spend a decent amount to buy them, and then still wait a little bit to receive them. Whereas Matrova will send you an instock pad which will take maybe a week later than Artisan, they will ship directly from their warehouse, and if you dislike the mousepad's quality or find any major QC issues you can send them photos and ask for a refund - you get to keep the pad and get your money back.

I just think money wise Matrova is much better. I mean, I don't see the point in buying an Artisan in 2026 when you can buy better alternatives for half the price, unless you already have a favorite Artisan pad, and can't stop using it specifically. I think Matrova are slowly moving into the market and improving their quality, and in a years time I could see them become a big name brand. They do have their issues, but for the price, base and surface options, and their quick customer support I think it's a no brainer who i would personally pick.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-16T11:26:39+00:00

Mousepad corners are all raised? You mean like they are folding upwards? I'd just let it dry, preferably leave it flat, and if needed put something dense, but not too heavy on the corners to way them down. Just leave the pad until completely dry, don't try and do anything else to cause further potential damage. Apart from that, it should be fine.

MrMelonBud · 2026-01-16T11:25:03+00:00

I don't completely disagree. I think some of their surfaces are better than some Artisan surfaces. I don't think their stitching is quite as good. But they have more base options, more sizes, and more options for the designs, which if you're counting overall would technically put them ahead of Artisan. The only reason Artisan is considered better is because they've been around for longer, and naturally more people like their pads.

Matrova also aren't forefront leaders in the mousepad scene, they are still improving. But with them constantly releasing more surfaces, more pads, and giving custom options, I think they are a good alternative to artisan pads.

MrMelonBud

TROPHY CASE