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DHS Hurricane 3-50
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Review of DHS Hurricane 3-50Not much to add to AndySmith's review, 9 years after it's still perfect.Even if more "Chinese-top-sheet-on-medium-soft-sponge" options, as well as "hybrids", have been released since then, the H3-50 is still the reference and probably the best way to enter the world of Chinese (sticky) rubbers (even if Victas VJC>07 Sticky Extra is a serious contender). Fantastic qpr! May 13, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Donic Bluestorm Z3
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Review of Donic Bluestorm Z3Honestly I bought this rubber because it looked cool on my BH: blue top sheet on blue sponge, that's beautiful on a blue-themed blade.But actually I discovered it's a very decent BH rubber: good control, average spin and speed. It doesn't feel neither hard or soft. I appreciate the light weight. It seems durable. Should be a good rubber for beginners too but there are cheaper options if you don't need the blue top sheet. Not the best rubber around, and I wouldn't use it on my FH, but overall I'm satisfied. Apr 13, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOOLA Dynaryz ZGR
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Review of JOOLA Dynaryz ZGRHard, heavy sponge. Grippy but not sticky sheet. Impressive number of gears.Similar to V22DE or R53, but more linear and forgiving. I own all 3 and make less mistakes with ZGR. Can be played by a beginner but advanced skills (long, powerful strokes) are required to take the benefits of the sponge. If you want something similar but easier to play with, I suggest Hammond Z2. Softer but linear and grippy too. ZGR is very fast when the sponge is activated. You need to be active to spin. Surprizingly good control in short game. Service is low, long and fast but not very spinny. Pairs very well with Joola Trinity, Tibhar JC, and probably any inner ZLC. I also had good results with a BTY ZJK T5000, although control is a little less consistant than inner fibers. You can try a softer blade but considering the expensive price, I think it would be a pity to use it on an all-wood blade. I use ZGR on FH; with Dynaryz CMD on BH, both max, and that's a perfect match. May 21, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nittaku Soulspin Project 12 (P12)
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Review of Nittaku Soulspin Project 12 (P12)Pleasant Japanese rubber, aimed at intermediate to advanced players, but I think even a beginner who is starting to develop a good technique can use it. Sponge is linear and feels softer than the rated 52°. Very similar to Hammond Z2, you can read my review of it and roughly apply it to P12. Actually the only weak point is that Z2 outperforms it. Still one of the best Japanese rubbers on the market ; versatile and balanced.Apr 21, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nittaku Hammond Z2
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Review of Nittaku Hammond Z2My favorite rubber (and I have tried many).Not the fastest, but with proper technique it's fast enough for anyone. Max thickness is slightly faster than 2.0 but control is similary excellent. On short game and service you can rely on its slightly tacky surface, while for loops the long dwell time and strong grip give a heavy spin. Spin sensitivity is average. Throw angle is quite low yet the rubber is very forgiving. Being very linear, it can even be played by beginners, and allows for fast learning. The sponge is relatively hard but the top sheet is soft, it feels like natural rubber. It goes well on most blades I have tried, hard or soft. I currently use it on a JRE, on both side, and it's a great pair. A perfect balance of speed, spin and control. I can just recommend it to anyone looking for a balanced rubber, without having specific requirements. That said I'm a little disappointed by durability, out of 4 rubbers I own, 2 have already ripped during ungluing. Once glued, let it be until it's finished. May 01, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stiga Mantra PRO XH
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Review of Stiga Mantra PRO XHMy local retailer just got a first batch of this brand new Mantra Pro HX (MPHX) so I wanted to test it since new Japanese rubbers are getting rarer, and hard ones even more. I am not fond of Stiga's rubber, I've been disappointed too many times in the last 20 years. But I like Japanese rubbers so I decided to give it a try. I have used hard Chinese and hybrid rubbers in the past but they aren't my favorite. I like hard, linear rubbers but not too tacky. That's exactly what MPHX is. It's obviously made for OFF+ game, forget defensive/passive strategies. Passive blocking and chopping are bad. Spinny services are difficult to achieve. You have to be active and put constant pressure on the opponent. At least an intermediate level and several years of practice are required. In this regard, MPHX behaves similarly to Dynaryz ZGR or Omega VII Tour, but it's more forgiving. Much lighter too. It's also quite similar to Hammond Z2, same feeling ("Japanese feeling" as opposed to ESN) but faster. Arc of MPHX is lower and very long (it seems the ball magically stops right on the white line). Z2 is very versatile and can be used for many styles. O7T is a pure, extreme OFF+ rubber. Overall MPHX is halfway between Z2 and O7T, offering a good balance (although not as versatile as Z2). Despite Stiga's communication, it doesn't feel like a tensor rubber, it's not at all like a Tenergy/MX-D or even D09c/K3. Those are bouncy. MPHX isn't bouncy and has a lower throw. Noise is a bit weird, chewy, not as crisp as competition. I enjoyed it similarly for FH and BH. I have tested it on 2 different inner carbon blades (Rossi Emotion and Stratus Samsonov) and the pairing was excellent. Should be good with outer carbon as well. Conclusion: an excellent, unexpected surprise from StigaMay 27, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibhar Hybrid K3
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Review of Tibhar Hybrid K3Edit: I first left a review based on my initial impressions, saying I was quite disappointed because the sponge felt harder than expected and lacked control. The communication from Tibhar around this rubber isn't clear, what kind of game is it for? What kind of blade pairs well?From my findings, it's a rubber for advanced players (below average control and spring), to be used at mid distance from the table (players with enough power can use it far from the table too). Not good for blocking, chopping or DEF game. It's clearly an OFF rubber where you have to be active all the time. I usually prefer having the same rubber on both sides but don't find K3 optimal for BH. I like MX-D, MX-P or Quantum X Pro better for BH. K3 top sheet offers some tackiness but is not at all sticky like a Chinese rubber. Spin is excellent (based on grip rather than tack). Paring with the right blade isn't easy, it should go on a fast blade offering some flex but not soft. I have first tried several blades (JRE, Nobilis, Gauzy SL) without getting satisfying results so I left the rubber aside for some time. Then my son wanted to try it in his Tibhar BS1 (7-ply all-wood) so he would have the same setup as BS, and he was satisfied although he said it lacked control. Finally, following Tomigaya's advice, I glued it in a VS Unlimited (outer ALC) and it's wonderful. I get all the spin, speed and control one can hope. But, again, it's only balanced if it's paired with the right blade. May 13, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibhar Quantum X Pro Soft
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Review of Tibhar Quantum X Pro SoftWhen I tried the regular X pro, I thought it was a good rubber, but nothing impressive (look at my review of the X pro). It was a bit too hard to my taste, so I thought the X pro soft would be a better choice.But surprisingly, it's even worse. Usually, softer sponge means better control, right? Here the soft version is slower, but doesn't actually give more control or more feeling. It's as if the rubber was totally muted. Slow, heavy, no feeling, poor control, average spin. I just don't like it. Apr 15, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibhar Quantum X Pro
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Review of Tibhar Quantum X ProGood rubber but nothing impressive for FH considering the price. Speed is good (not the fastest but good), spin is ok, control could be better. Sponge is hard, very linear. If it was half the price it would be a great deal but at this price level there are better options for FH, especially if you use an all-wood blade. At least it looks durable. Main advantage I see is the choice of available colors. BH is another story, on an outer carbon blade, it opens up and provides a very pleasant experience. Short game is efficient, with fast and precise topspins, hard to send back for the opponent. So I recommend it for BH only. With K3 for FH, it's perfect. Compared to MX series, Quantum X pro is more linear but slower, not spin sensitive, overall better in short game. Similar to Victas V>15, but with Quantum X pro I make less mistakes. I give a 8.0 on FH and 10.0 on BH, so 9.0 averageMay 21, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibhar Evolution MX-D
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Review of Tibhar Evolution MX-DThis rubber is a monster. I'm used to fast rubbers, I'm used to hard sponges, but this is the most difficult rubber I have used in a while. Definitely not for beginners. But in the right hands, it's unstoppable. Especially if you pair it with a hard blade (any outer ALC like Viscaria for example). You can choose a softer blade to tame it but it would be pity. You don't buy a fast rubber to tame it, right? So this MX-D, like MX-P, is similar to T05 but spinnier than MX-P and with a couple more gears above T05. Throw angle is higher than I'm used to but with a little angle ajustment I am able to drive and smash with confidence. People say it's not good for BH but I found it very pleasant in BH too. You must be able to do really long, powerful strokes with a perfect timing to benefit from this rubber. You must engage the sponge at every shot. As a drawback, I found it quite spin sensitive. Other reviewers say it's not, I disagree. Obviously, don't even think about playing defensive or passive with this rubber. It's 100% OFF+. I use it only against opponents that rely on looping, because in loop rallies, it's more powerful than anything else. If you want to use it against an opponent who has good defensive tactics or is good at flick or other vicious tricks, you better be a champion at reading incoming spin or you are doomed (I'm not so I won't use it against vicious opponents). If you aren't that confident in your skills, K3 is a much safer, more forgiving and versatile option.May 03, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas V > 20 Double Extra
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Review of Victas V > 20 Double ExtraTried on Fortino DC inside, both FH and BH.V>20 is like a super V>15, as if the concept was pushed to the extreme. It's very hard (it feels more like 55-57°), it's heavy, it's demanding. You need to be active, always. Think H3, without the tackiness. The top sheet is a little tacky, but not much, just enough to counterspin during short game. To reveal the potential of the rubber and reach the high gears, you need to engage the sponge, which isn't an easy thing as the window is quite narrow, and you have to find the exact right angle. So you need some pretty high skills to benefit from this rubber. But once you are able to master it, it's among the most powerful missile thrower one can get. Balls are lightning fast (similar to MX-P or T05 but more predictable) and even spinnier than you get with H3. You have the skills? Be rewarded with the highest speed, heaviest spin and greatest counterspin abilities. I guarantee your opponents will suffer. You don't? Don't worry there are hundreds of other options around. Next I will try C53 to see how it compares (my guess is that they are very similar). May 21, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas V > 22 Double Extra
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Review of Victas V > 22 Double ExtraI first tried V>22 on FH on several blades (Andro Gauzy SL, JRE, BS1, Joola Nobilis) but always ended with too many missed shots, so I was quite disappointed by this rubber (especially considering the price).Then I tried BH on an outer carbon blade (Tibhar VSU) and it's amazing! It's not tacky but very grippy, sponge is quite easy to engage thank to the soft sheet. It feels softer than stated but not sponge isn't bouncy. Linear response with many gears. My BH has much improved compared to V>15 Extra, tops are now fast, spinny, precise, hard to send back. Overall faster and spinnier than V>15. Better control than MX-P. More linear than K3. Softer and easier to play with than V>20. Very similar to R53 but more durable (doesn't shrink after a couple of weeks like R53). My rating is FH 9.0, BH 10.0 (so average 9.5). It's one of my favorite BH rubber, but other people might prefer to use it FH, or both. Jun 05, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas VJC > 07 Sticky Extra
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Review of Victas VJC > 07 Sticky ExtraOne of my favorite rubbers from Victas.Similar to H3-50 but lighter and more durable, and available in 1.8 if you want even more control (at the expense of speed). More linear than H3-50 too. A good introduction to sticky, Chinese surfaces. Quite forgiving. I use it to train my "Chinese-style" game on a Victas FireFall VC, on both sides. Lots of control and spin at short distance. Long distance game lacks power as well as smashes. If you want more speed and precision at long distance, Triple Extra or H3-50 are a step up (and are cheaper). Apr 16, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas V > 01 Limber
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Review of Victas V > 01 LimberI use it on BH (with V>15 on FH) and it's a very good match. Great control and blocking abilities. I like its light weight too.It's also a perfect rubber for beginners, very easy to play with: linear, and forgiving. As it's inexpensive I recommend it to all my beginner friends and they are always satisfied. Apr 13, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas V > 15 Extra
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Review of Victas V > 15 ExtraThis is a very popular rubber from Victas, maybe the most popular today. Several players in my club use it, either in FH or in both FH and BH.But I haven't been impressed by it. Speed is very good but spin is barely good and a control is average. It's not a bad rubber, but I think there are better options in every regards. Just to give a few examples I have in mind: Hammond Z2 is as fast but spinnier and better control. V>22, MX-P or R48 are faster. Vega pro is spinnier and cheaper. Apr 15, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas TRIPLE Double Extra
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Review of Victas TRIPLE Double ExtraI chose TD to upgrade from VJC>07 Sticky Extra on a FireFall VC (inner carbon quite similar to HL5).I was satisfied by VJC but since I like Chinese rubbers like H3 I wanted to try the TD. TD is unofficially presented by Victas as the competition to H3 (hence the name, Triple), but with a modern sponge (that behaves like a tuned H3, without needing any booster or speed glue). Similar concept to H3 Neo, but likely more advanced (H3N coating wears out quickly). Compared side-by-side to VJC: TD sponge is WAY harder and heavier. Top sheet is tackier. More gears. Throw is equally low. VJC is more suited to people coming from regular rubbers (especially Japanese rubbers) entering the Chinese style. TD is more aimed at advanced players already having some experience with Chinese rubbers. It's not a beginner rubber yet it's surprizingly easy to play with, I think an intermediate player can grow quickly with such a linear rubber. Like any Chinese rubber, it just needs a good technique (long throws moving all the body) to send speedy balls. Compared side-by-side to H3N: Very similar in almost all respects, except TD has a slightly lower throw. In a blind test I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Only drawback is the price (especially compared to H3N). Update: after 30+ hours playing with TD over a month, the rubber has shrunk (indicating some heavy factory tuning) and the top sheet looks worn out. It's still good to play and tacky but not as tacky as during the first 30 hours (despite cleaning and protection sheet after each session). Removing 0.5 points for this. So imho durability isn't great, but still much better than DHS rubbers. May 27, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victas V > 01
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Review of Victas V > 01I use it on BH (with V>15 on FH) and it's a very good match. Great control and blocking abilities. I like its light weight too. It's also a perfect rubber for beginners, very easy to play with: linear, and forgiving. As it's inexpensive I recommend it to all my beginner friends and they are always satisfied.May 01, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Xiom Vega Europe
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Review of Xiom Vega EuropeMy favorite all-rounder.It's good for everything and has no real weakness. Can be glued on any type of blade. Not very speedy but if you know how to activate the tensor you can get enough speed to score. For specific game styles there are better options of course but if you look for a balanced rubber on the inexpensive side, this is the safest bet on the market today. Apr 13, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Xiom Vega China VM
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Review of Xiom Vega China VMI bought a pair of Vega China Max some months ago but didn't have time to try them. While cleaning my house last weekend I found an unused blade (a simple limba-ayous, 7-ply, Clipper-like blade) so I decided to try it during my training session this evening. Impressive. Adaptation time was very short (30 minutes warmup and I was ready to play a match with it). My conclusion after 2 hours: it's one of the most underrated rubbers around. It's basically a springy alternative to H3, much more forgiving, somehow similar to H3-50 but bouncier and faster on short game. Not as tacky as H3 series though. Usable even by beginners willing to learn Chinese technique. But in the right hands it becomes a spin monster, and quite fast. All those complaining about lack of speed from this rubber, sorry but I think you have skill issues. I love the hard feeling of the sponge! It's great for BH too, control isn't an issue as long as you are active. It's a pure offensive rubber. It's NOT a blade for passive/defensive game. One of the best hybrids (I call it hybrid because it's tacky but you really feel the tensor) I have tried (and one of the cheapest too). My only complaint is above average spin sensitivity. I don't understand why there aren't any reviews since 2014?May 02, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Xiom Omega VII Guang China
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Review of Xiom Omega VII Guang ChinaDespite the name, Omega VII China Guang (O7CG) doesn't have a tacky Chinese topsheet comparable to any Hurricane. It's rather a hybrid rubber, to me it's similar to Tibhar K3, with just a slightly harder sponge (hence, less springy). From what I read, it's also similar to D09c (but I never tried that one). It's a rubber that requires advanced skills to be used. In short game, it's great and you can do anything. But the more you move away from the table, the narrower the window. Even just 1-2 meters from the table, if you aren't active enough (not enough power or too short strokes), the ball ends in the net. And when you really engage the sponge, the arc becomes surprizingly high and it becomes hard to keep the ball on the table. Beside that, spin control is very good, the rubber isn't much spin sensitive and you can do spinny services easily. For loops rallies, it's brilliant as long as you stay close to the table. Compared to Vega China, O7CG is bouncier and way less tacky. If you really want a Chineese feeling, but don't want to buy from DHS, get a Vega China (or Victas TDE) instead, it's tackier (and cheaper). I use O7CG on a Tibhar JC (inner dyneema/carbon) and I think it's a good pairing but I will try it on an outer carbon blade someday to see if it gets better (broader window) like K3 does. Comparing O7CG, VC and K3 (all max): service O7CG=VC>K3. loops K3>O7CG>VC. spin VC<O7CG=K3. speed K3<O7CG<<VC. control VC<K3<O7CG. short game O7CG=VC<K3. counter top O7CG<K3<VC. bounce K3<O7CG<VC. block VC<O7CG<K3.May 14, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
