Artisan HIEN (Black/M) [FX-HI-SF-M-B] FX SOFT (Japan Import)

Was aware of the Artisan Brand of mouse pads -- imports from Japan, for over a decade. Never tried one until now.I have seen them being used by 3D animators and professional gamers but the high cost of entry kept me from wanting to test it out. Figured it was a vanity / luxury item more for bragging rights.Coming from a Func Surface 1030 that served me well for over 2 decades. I like to over-research a topic and buy the item that I think will serve me best. I prefer a very fast pad with a harder surface. That's why I thought all "cloth" pads or "soft" pads were too squishy and slow.For frame of reference, I prefer a finger tip grip, hand is medium (8.5" glove size), and I use a higher sensitivity than most people might. The mouse I am currently using is the Razer Viper Ultimate.Now, having spent a few hours using the pad, I am blown away. Almost no adjustment period. Everything is just better in every way.Best description of feeling is that it is a very fast pad that doesn't let the mouse "get away" from you. It's not exactly a feeling of drag but the texture lets you stop where you want it and there's no jitter from pointer even with sensitivity cranked up.One note: very slight difference, but the horizontal motion is faster than vertical. Both exceptionally smooth and fast. Thought this would bug me because I prefer everything uniform but it is actually good this way. The pointer usually travels a greater distance across screen than up and down (either in productivity or gaming).Only cons: it's a gateway to a world of superior products. I want to try out the different models and different hardness. I chose the soft because they said it was faster than a medium with a light touch. Was even recommended Xsoft for my play type but I went with the safest / most popular route and went with soft. I love it.Size medium was perfect for me at a 40" writing desk on a 29.5" keyboard tray mounted beneath it. The mouse pad is sitting next to a Filco TKL mechanical keyboard and there is more than enough room. (Next size up large would NOT have fit.) If you are planning on using the pad on top of the desk, it is still good but if your desk is deeper than mine 24", the large might look better because it will "fill" the space better? But depending your monitor footprint and desk space, the medium is a perfect fit for all but the slowest sensitivity mouse user that requires all the range of motion possible. (Just saying these pads are bigger than you think.)Final note regarding pad slipperiness: my desk is solid walnut wood. I wiped the keyboard tray with damp microfiber cloth (distilled water only) and dried it completely before placing the mat down. Did not want dust or cleaning solution on the rubber side to make the mat slip. I can not get the pad to slide without lifting it.Final Verdict: a seemingly inconsequential item that at first seems over priced. For the many hours I expect to be using this item, I say it is worth every penny and then some.

Excellent quality and nice pad surface.

My grandson was upgrading his equipment . He's very pleased with this product..

This is the worst mouse pad I have EVER used. It is really, really loud (tried it with 3 different gaming mouses), it is slow and so extrem rough. Even my 8€ mouse pad is much better. I bought it because so many youtuber said that it is S-tier, best mousepad ever. There are two possibilities: it is fake or the Artisan Hien is really awful.

This is the best mouse pad material I've ever had Grace my desk. However, I went for the larger size to give myself more room to swing on the flicks.