Friendship/729 563

I've used 563 in 1.5mm and 2mm. As its a medium pips, it has medium properties. If you compare it to short pips, generally it is slower and less spinny, and slightly more reactive to incoming spin. Compared to long pips, its less deceptive, less reversing of spin, and less suitable for chopping. What is it good for then? Well, almost everything that short or long pips can do, this will do at 80%. A jack of all trades, with more abilities than not. Between the sponge thicknesses, 1.5 is better for chopping and 2.1 for hitting and even attempting "loops". But they both hit well, and blocking is amazing. Pushing is not easy, if you are a tiny bit off with blade angle, then the pips might respond more as a short or long and launch the ball off the table or into the net. In fact its a very particular rubber about the angles. Its more difficult to master than short or long pips, because you can make it act like both IF you learn the subtle angle requirements. The most amusing thing is that opponents have a hard time with it, mostly due to the variance of pips behavior you can hit them with. Its touchy nature is a dual edge sword, but SO effective when well practiced. Also, its dirt cheap and the sheets lasted me 6-8 months of 4-6hrs a week of play time.

Do it all-rubber a bit on a fast side mostly suitable for near tableattacking game but can chop and even loop with good technique (1.8mm).

I have this on a PH kevlar/balsa custom (see my other reviews for context) so keep this in mind. This is the 35 degree sponge. I looked at the pips under a loupe with measurement marking. The pips are the same height as several short pips I have, but I am guessing why they are "medium" is the aspect ration. They are cylindrical and thinner than 802 or Waran etc. It hits fast, blocks fast but this is probably a function of the blade. You can scrub speed off with a sidespin block , sidespin push, chop block and a loose grip block. This give the maximum "weirdness". Otherwise this is very similar to a short pips. hitting is well controlled and consistent. You can "dummy loop" I highly recommend this rubber. But, a student of mine has this on the FH side of a 729 Bomb and it does not play as consistently and easy-hitting. So it might depend a lot on which wood couples well with it. Update; pips are breaking at the base after one session, hard hitting and heavy blocking. So it seems to me not suitable for offensive game may last longe for chopping, softer games.

Very very nice medium pimples! I'm reviewing this in OX (no sponge), and I find it chops very nicely; great control, blocks well, and hits beautifully on my backhand! I haven't quite got the hang of it on the forehand when twiddling, but it is certainly nice on the backhand. As far as reversal goes, I think it's a little closer to a short pimple than a long pimple: it just seems to kill the spin, and adds a little bit of its own. That being said, I haven't played any really heavy spinners with it yet. Seeing as it's so cheap, it's definitely worth a try!

easier to use, less expensive and more lethal than other pip medium.