I used this rubber last April and it was glued on a Tibhar Kim Jung Hoon blade along with a 5Q VIP for the backhand side. I waited for a week before I can use my new setup because I was on my OJT during that time. During the initial inspection the Aurus looks and feels like a harder Rakza 7 rubber. A week has passed and it was time to use my new beast.
During drillings the rubber felt hard at contact but the speed was there. I tried to brush the ball but I didn't feel that I spun the ball however my blocker said that the ball was heavy. I also felt that the Aurus pairs well with the very controlled KJH blade because the feel and control was there.
I used my new setup in a match and what I found was:
- The rubber is very unforgiving and demands you to be in position always
- It is hard to use when hitting lobbed balls
- It feels that it can't "grip" the poly ball well
- Service is very low
- Lifting underspin demands perfect timing but very rewarding
- Blocking is perfect because the ball returns low
- The rubber is very direct
- Well timed forehands are killers and can end the point outright
Overall my initial hunch was right that it feels like a harder Rakza rubber with a higher gear for those finishers. The balls produced with Aurus are fast, spinny (although Rakza is slightly spinner due to the dwell). and very direct (yes pinpoint direct and predictable). I wish to try the poly ball version of Aurus which is the Prime and Select version because what bugs me the most is the Aurus' performance with the poly ball.
During drillings the rubber felt hard at contact but the speed was there. I tried to brush the ball but I didn't feel that I spun the ball however my blocker said that the ball was heavy. I also felt that the Aurus pairs well with the very controlled KJH blade because the feel and control was there.
I used my new setup in a match and what I found was:
- The rubber is very unforgiving and demands you to be in position always
- It is hard to use when hitting lobbed balls
- It feels that it can't "grip" the poly ball well
- Service is very low
- Lifting underspin demands perfect timing but very rewarding
- Blocking is perfect because the ball returns low
- The rubber is very direct
- Well timed forehands are killers and can end the point outright
Overall my initial hunch was right that it feels like a harder Rakza rubber with a higher gear for those finishers. The balls produced with Aurus are fast, spinny (although Rakza is slightly spinner due to the dwell). and very direct (yes pinpoint direct and predictable). I wish to try the poly ball version of Aurus which is the Prime and Select version because what bugs me the most is the Aurus' performance with the poly ball.