Latest reviews

STIGA Mantra Rubber: H
Weight: 65 grams uncut
Speed: OFF+
Spin: Very High

After waiting patiently the new Mantra rubbers are here. I finally got hold of each version S, M and H. To stop the rumors flying about that the Mantra rubber series was recalled due to a low durability. It was due to a factory enhancement with the rubber which I know but do not have the liberty to discuss.





I paired the Mantra H, alongside the Genesis Rubber on a DHS Hurricane 3 for the Carbonado 290 and 245 and the Celero Blade. Out of all 3 versions soft, medium and hard I preferred the hard. The medium version is 47 degrees in hardness. Between all 3 versions the pimple structure between the Soft, Medium and Hard are the exact same the only difference being the hardness of sponge.

The topsheet on the Mantra rubber is a huge update from the Airoc and a great improvement. The Japanese company that produced the rubber has surprised me with is new topsheet. It has a very grippy surface and it does not come with the plastic like texture.

Speed: The Mantra rubbers are fast with the hard version being the fastest. It has similar speeds to the Tibhar Evolution MX-P if not even faster! The Japanese rubbers never had a problem with speed it was that they needed more spin. The M is also fast but on similar speeds to a EL-S. The S is slow and soft, slower than a FX-P.

Spin: The Mantra rubbers are very grippy. This is the first time the Japanese company have produced such a topsheet for Stiga. The Airoc was spinny but not on the levels of the new Mantra rubbers. In comparison to other rubbers the topsheet feels closest to Haifu Shark 3 and Whale 3. They are grippy without the tackiness. The hard version has almost the same amount of spin as the Evolution MX-P but a sharper and longer trajectory. When used with the Carbonado 290 the throw was low but accurate enough to clear the net. The medium version is also very spinny. Both M and H versions of the Mantra are spinny enough that they could pass as ESN rubbers, its this trajectory that makes them different from ESN rubbers. The M produces a medium arc whereas the S has a medium to high arc. You need to hit through the sponge more with the S to produce more spin. The Genesis rubbers are initially more spinny but when you compress more on the sponge and when you do very strong attacks, that is where the Mantra H and M rubbers shine and you can feel the combination of the speed and spin.

Which version do I prefer of the Mantra series? I was really biased with the H version but lately I also like the M version a lot. Let me explain why.

The Mantra H is the most stable rubber of the 3 in terms of attacking and blocking. The H version was placed on a Carbonado 290 which is a very fast attacking blade, a OFF+. I didnt have any problem with blocking the ball. It produced a low return when blocking

Mantra H version is one of the most stable rubber I have tried in terms of attacking and blocking. Take note that the H version was placed on a Carbonado 290 and the said blade is an off+ very fast attacking blade. I had no problem blocking with it. It produced a low return when blocking just an inch higher than the net which is sometimes hard for opponents to attack back. Both the M and H are really easy to block with. The M is a tamed version of the H and is easier to control. The H versions very low throw often upset my opponents with its unique attacking properties. The players who tried it were using the Donic P-Series and MX-P series. The guys using the Donic P-series all said the Mantra H was a more vicious and better rubber in attacking. The guys using the MX-P were very impressed by its good spin capabilities and sharp low arc.

The M version is the tamed version of the Mantra H. It can do everything the M version can but on a more tamed attack and easier to control. The 3 rubbers are never spin sensitive but they spin great with serves and pushes aside from loops. The S version, I would recommend it really for a backhand rubber or for developing players mostly. The H and M versions are really the rubbers to buy.

STIGA Mantra: M
Weight: 63 grams uncut
Speed: OFF
Spin: Very High

After waiting patiently the new Mantra rubbers are here. I finally got hold of each version S, M and H. To stop the rumors flying about that the Mantra rubber series was recalled due to a low durability. It was due to a factory enhancement with the rubber which I know but do not have the liberty to discuss.







I paired the Mantra M, alongside the Genesis Rubber on a DHS Hurricane 3 for the Carbonado 290 and 245 and the Celero Blade. Out of all 3 versions soft, medium and hard I preferred the hard. The medium version is 45 degrees in hardness. Between all 3 versions the pimple structure between the Soft, Medium and Hard are the exact same the only difference being the hardness of sponge.

The topsheet on the Mantra rubber is a huge update from the Airoc and a great improvement. The Japanese company that produced the rubber has surprised me with is new topsheet. It has a very grippy surface and it does not come with the plastic like texture.

Speed: The Mantra rubbers are fast with the hard version being the fastest. It has similar speeds to the Tibhar Evolution MX-P if not even faster! The Japanese rubbers never had a problem with speed in the past it was that they needed more spin. The M is also fast but on similar speeds to a EL-S. The S is slow and soft, slower than a FX-P.

Spin: The Mantra rubbers are very grippy. This is the first time the Japanese company have produced such a topsheet for Stiga. The Airoc was spinny but not on the levels of the new Mantra rubbers. In comparison to other rubbers the topsheet feels closest to Haifu Shark 3 and Whale 3. They are grippy without the tackiness. The hard version has almost the same amount of spin as the Evolution MX-P but a sharper and longer trajectory. When used with the Carbonado 290 the throw was low but accurate enough to clear the net. The medium version is also very spinny. Both M and H versions of the Mantra are spinny enough that they could pass as ESN rubbers, its this trajectory that makes them different from ESN rubbers. The M produces a medium arc whereas the S has a medium to high arc. You need to hit through the sponge more with the S to produce more spin. The Genesis rubbers are initially more spinny but when you compress more on the sponge and when you do very strong attacks, that is where the Mantra H and M rubbers shine and you can feel the combination of the speed and spin.

Which version do I prefer of the Mantra series? I was really biased with the H version but lately I also like the M version a lot. Let me explain why.

The Mantra H is the most stable rubber of the 3 in terms of attacking and blocking. The H version was placed on a Carbonado 290 which is a very fast attacking blade, a OFF+. I didnt have any problem with blocking the ball. It produced a low return when blocking


Mantra H version is one of the most stable rubber I have tried in terms of attacking and blocking. Take note that the H version was placed on a Carbonado 290 and the said blade is an off+ very fast attacking blade. I had no problem blocking with it. It produced a low return when blocking just an inch higher than the net which is sometimes hard for opponents to attack back. Both the M and H are really easy to block with. The M is a tamed version of the H and is easier to control. The H versions very low throw often upset my opponents with its unique attacking properties. The players who tried it were using the Donic P-Series and MX-P series. The guys using the Donic P-series all said the Mantra H was a more vicious and better rubber in attacking. The guys using the MX-P were very impressed by its good spin capabilities and sharp low arc.

The M version is the tamed version of the Mantra H. It can do everything the M version can but on a more tamed attack and easier to control. The 3 rubbers are never spin sensitive but they spin great with serves and pushes aside from loops. The S version, I would recommend it really for a backhand rubber or for developing players mostly. The H and M versions are really the rubbers to buy.

Mantra S
Weight: 62 grams uncut
Speed: Off-
Spin: High

After eagerly waiting several months for the new Mantra rubbers, I finally got hold of all 3 versions. Also to stop all the rumors that the Mantra rubber series needed to be recalled due to low durability is in correct. It was due to factory enhancement with the rubber which I know but do not have the liberty to discuss.









I paired the Mantra S, alongside the Genesis Rubber on a DHS Hurricane 3 for the Carbonado 290 and 245 and the Celero Blade. Out of all 3 versions soft, medium and hard I preferred the hard. The soft version is 42 degrees in hardness. Between all 3 versions the pimple structure between the Soft, Medium and Hard are the exact same the only difference being the hardness of sponge.

A Japanese company developed the Mantra and it is surprisingly different to what I expected especially with The topsheet. The new topsheet on this rubber is very grippy and not like the Airoc series whereby it has that plastic like texture. Lots of people have been asking what are so good about the Mantra's, is it just a marketing gimmick, I have asked myself the same questions. I also asked myself when I tried to place myself on other people’s shoes especially the doubtful ones and I do not blame them for being doubtful.

Between the 3 Mantra rubbers I found the soft version to be the slowest, slower than a Tibhar Evolution FX-P. The Medium version is faster and similar speeds to a EL-S. The Hard version was the fastest one, it matches similar speeds if not faster than a Tibhar Evolution MX-P. The Japanese rubbers didnt really have much problems with speed in the past it was that they needed more spin.

In terms of speed all 3 versions are very grippy, this is the first time that the Japanese company produced such a topsheet for STIGA. The Airoc series was spinny but not on the level of the Mantra rubbers.

The soft version reviewed here requires more hit through the sponge to produce spin. This rubber is for players who compress the sponge a lot when driving or top spinning.

The M version has a medium arc while the S version has a medium to high arc. The S version needs to be hit through the sponge to produce more spin. This rubber is designed for people who compress the sponge a lot when driving or looping. The Genesis rubbers are initially more spinny but when you compress more on the sponge and when you do very strong attacks, that is where the Mantra H and M rubbers shine and you can feel the combination of the speed and spin.

I have also posted a review on the Medium and Hard versions which I preferred more.

I used this rubber on the backhand side of my Waldner Senso Carbon and I've got to say, the rubber is fantastic!

Blocks and punches are great with the Acuda S2. The speed of the ball projected is fast but not too fast that it's uncontrollable. Touch playing is absolutely great, I can control the ball wherever I want with the Acuda S2 as it has quite a lot of gears, very versatile.

Looping and topspinning is great but not as great as something like Bluefire M1. It doesn't create that good of an arc than for instance, the Bluefire.

Counter-topspinning is quite hard to do as the rubber is quite sensitive to incoming spin. This also means that you have to have a really deep understanding of spin to counter spinny serves.

Despite all of this, you really need to be careful not to hit the edge of the rubber to something like the edge of the table. It can really tear it out piece by piece until the whole outer layer is torn. But the rubber takes a long time to wear off.

However overall, this is one hell of a weapon! Recommended for people who really want power from their shots but still maintaining the ability to control the shots coming in and out in an excellently elegant fashion.

While the Vega Pro and Euro reside in the OFF-/OFF range, this blade is definitely OFF and has a lower trajectory on blocks and loops, though not by much. The honoring outer gives it and amount of feeling similar to the Pro and more speed. Just about everything I said about the Pro applies here given the similarities in blade and handle design. While Xiom advertises this as all hinoki plus the composites, I am skeptical and think it is likely only the outer ply that is hinoki and different from the other Vega blades. The hinoki grab on my blade is not as strong as I have felt in other hinoki blades likely in part due to how things the outer ply is. That said, the blade has good feeling and I think it will serve people who want to play an all round game with a faster blade well. I have used it in the straight handle - initially I used it with Baracuda and have recently mostly used it with Next Karis. Because faster blades tend to be more expensive as well as the slightly higher cost of hinoki, this blade is more expensive than the Pro and the Euro. But it is money well spent if you want the extra speed and lower arc. I currently like the control and arc of the Pro for my technique and still use it as my main blade but can use this as well with barely a change in technique.

As I've stated, it's the best balls made of plastic that I've tried yet, as for the ones that is not meant for competition.
The ball is not too expensive, it's not easy to break for a plastic ball and the best part: it's almost like the balls we use in competition!

The problem of plastic balls have been inconsitent quality. This one is all the same no matter what ball you play, all the balls of this type acts the same. I got a test pack from Butterfly to try, and it just fitted perfect into what I want in a practice ball. No more buying three star balls for practice all around, now I can save practicing with the easy breaking three star balls until close up to competition.

Job well done Butterfly!

Hands down it's one of the best tt shoes in the market: Very comfortable, excellent grip, lightweight and beautiful looking.
They do have a disadvantage in durability though, as the rubber sole wears off pretty easily.

you need to give a try, this blade is a very cheap diamond!

Butterfly Garaydia ZLC
Composition: Hinoki-ZLC-Balsa-ZLC-Hinoki
Head size: 157x150mm
Thickness: 7.1mm
Handle: Straight
Weight: 83g
Rubber used: STIGA Genesis M and STIGA Mantra M

First of all, I have to say that I really like the look of this blade. The surface is smooth and I think the natural wood in the handle looks great together with the lens.

If you look closely on the handle you can see that it’s build from two pieces but together which gives the handle a line in the middle, except from that the handle is super smooth and feels great in my hand. The other side of the handle got a light green holographic lens that really gives the blade a high-quality look.

Speed/Control: The blade fits in Butterfly’s offensive category and I must agree with that. It’s a fast blade but nothing extreme. It has a good balance between speed and control which makes the blade easy to tame even in the short game. I did not feel any vibrations even in my hard strokes away from the table, and in some strokes, it could be a little hard to feel the touch.

The control in loop against loop away from the table was good even if the blade got a lot of power, I think that must do with the soft Hinoki on the outer ply.
It felt good in the block and I think it would work good for players who prefer to stand close to the table. The blade got a large sweet spot which you really feel in the loop from mid-distance.

I think the blade feels good in the short game due to the soft feel from the Hinoki. I felt a much better contact with the ball in the short game compared to my stroke from mid to long-distance.

My conclusion:

What I like the most of this blade is not how it plays but how it looks and feels in the hand. I really love the look of natural wood and the finish of the blade is super.

I also like how it plays but I’m not as impressed of how it plays as I am about the look. I would recommend the blade for offensive players who can handle offensive blades and for players who prefers the feel of soft wood. I think it suits close to mid-distance players best but of course that is very individual. Over all I’m satisfied and even if it won’t be my first blade it will surely be a nice blade to have in my collection.

STIGA Mantra M
Thickness: 2.1 mm
Style: Offensive
Hardness: Medium sponge
Blade used: Garaydia ZLC
Made in JAPAN

Look and first impression: The rubbers comes in a high quality looking package which gives me a great first impression. When opening the package, I notice that the topsheet of the rubber is covered with a thin paper with the big Mantra logo on it.

The top sheet feels spinny but not quite as grippy as the Genesis topsheet. The sponge looks like a classic red sponge with small air pores when looking at if thru a magnifier.

This is the fastest Stiga rubber I have tried and I directly loved the power in these rubbers. I really liked the feeling and sound in loop from mid and long-distance and Mantra got a high arc compared to many other rubbers.

Compared to Genesis this rubber is faster but does not have as much spin when looping against heavy underspin.

The feeling and high arc remind me of Tenergy and this rubber exactly like Tenergy is suited for experienced players who can handle great power.

Even if the rubbers are very fast I still think the control was okay due to higher arc. I usually prefer medium to hard rubbers and I think the sponge of Mantra gave the ball a nice catapult effect in hard strokes due to the small air pores I think. The feeling and control in the returns and serve felt great in the combination of the Mantra rubbers together with the Garaydia blade.

My conclusion: I’m really impressed with the Mantra rubbers overall, everything from sound and feel to power this rubbers can generate. I really like that Stiga has made two kind of different offensive rubbers, Genesis with tremendous spin and Mantra with extreme power.

I have only played with these rubbers for a couple of practices and my first impression is that these two rubbers are really a great step forward for Stiga. It will be hard to choose but I think I will keep the Mantra on forehand for speed and Genesis on my backhand for spin in my backhand loop against underspin.

STIGA Genesis Rubbers M
Thickness: 2.0 mm
Style: Offensive
Hardness: Medium sponge
Blade used: Butterfly Garaydia ZLC
Made in CHINA

Look and first impression: The package and design looks good and the rubbers got a thin plastic protection film which you must remove. I was surprised by the grippy topsheet and the great looking surface, almost the same like Tenergy where the sponges is visible thru the surface even without booster/speed glue.

The rubber is made in China but does not have the super tackiness like many other Chinese rubbers. Stiga is marketing the rubber as a combination between Chinese and Europeans feel.

Genesis is fast but not super-fast. I think it suits offensive players who prefers control the best. What I really like is the spin, extreme spin when looping against underspin, very easy to put heavy underspin on the table compared to many other European rubbers.

The spin also make the rubber great in serves and I could easy keep the ball short in returns due to the great ball contact. I have only played with it for three practices so it’s too soon to tell for me but from what I have read the topsheet is very high quality with great durability so I hope that’s true.

My conclusion: This is a great rubber for offensive players who likes control in combination with spin. I think this rubber can also work good for younger players who develop their game since the rubber is offering such a good control (of course it’s important to not match it with a too fast blade).

I can agree that the rubbers feel as a good combination between Chinese and European feel. The sponge is not as hard as a Chinese rubber Hurricane but the topsheet is still much spinner than most other European style rubbers.

The FPBE blade is a very interesting blade, I promised myself that I would only EJ after my competitions and here I am lol. I am fan of Vladi so I really wanted to test this blade wondering if I can emulate his superb control and blocking and I was right (psychologically)

I used MXP on fh and Tenergy on backhand in the first sesh but had a change of heart afterwards and glued a Hurricane 3 commercial rubber and Rakza 7 on the bh side. The flared handle feels very nice to hold and the blade is really balanced. There are no sharp edges as it is sanded for comfort.

At the first hit of the ball one thing struck me, the blade feels soft or maybe a carryover effect from using carbon but nah the last blade I used was the Apolonia. The blade feels direct so I can place the ball anywhere I want with ease. The control and feel is fantastic cause I feel like Vladi at times lol. The proper term to use for it is not feel but sensation, as if the racket was part of my hand and there are rubbers glued on it haha
Once I started spinning, the blade flexes at hard impact making it easier to impart heavy spin and direct the ball. The blade feels stiff at light brushes and blocks. Blocking is one thing I liked with this blade the feel is so superb that blocking was made easy, block like Vladi. The only thing I don't like about the blade and Apolonia cause they share the same characteristics which is difficulty of using a hard rubber on the backhand. It is not a gluing problem but 05 or MXP feels really dead or just preference to softer rubbers caused I changed from 05 to Rakza 7 and Rakza feels softer than 05.

During matchplay I had a lot of confidence in using the blade cause the ball goes where I want it. I can continually attack the opponent and vary the placement with ease (something Vladi would do). My consistency went up after using the blade due to the sensation of the blade, every contact is felt and "sensed".

This blade is best suited for players who really likes to:
- Attack with a lot of placement
- Humiliate the attack of an opponent with a punch block
- Block around
- Feel each ball
- be like Vladi

P.S. In the future I would like to us the Force Pro: Light side edition too hehe

A rubber designed for only beginners. The rubber is slow and not spinny which is perfect for people who are just starting our table tennis. Gives you the ability to control the ball wherever you want to whilst producing the minimal amount of speed and spin for starters.

Definitely not recommended for experienced players looking for speed and spin.

I bought a packet of 3 G40+ balls and I have to say, this is the weirdest ball I have ever tried in my career.

First, the sound of the bounce is extremely high pitched that it almost sounds like a cracked ball and honestly hurts our ears.

Second, the bounce is one of the highest ever. Bounces higher than normal plastic balls and even celluloid balls.

Third, the speed of the ball is extremely fast. Faster than normal 40+ balls. Literally feels like the speed of the 38mm balls but less spin. Definitely not normal.

Fourth, although it's extremely hard, it wears off easily. Your reaction to this might be: 'wha? Table tennis balls can wear off?'. I know, it might sound weird but after a few hours of playing, the ball sort of looses its grip to the ball and tends to skid across the table. Only capable of a few hours and it's done. Again, it doesn't break, it wears off, just like how table tennis rubbers do, but in a much much much faster scale.

Despite all these negative aspects, the only thing the ball shines in is the roundness and hardness. However, although its roundness and hardness is achieved, the basic fundamentals of table tennis balls in definitely not achieved.

For those players who do like to boost their rubbers here is the review-

Stigas Mantra S is far softer than the Airoc or Genesis S- you can tell that even as you attempt to hold the sheet -it just flops around!
I prefer to use Haifu oil oil on my rubbers and therefore boosted it as i do with my DHS h3n

I tried the 2.1mm thickness and found the following-

This rubber i found to be fast and spinny- you can really feel the ball sink in to the rubber and therefore dwell time is excellent- especially good for backhand looping v underspin.

Additionally i found pushing and serving to be effective with this rubber from my backhand
Counterhitting and driving is really impressive with much speed and power. And heres the great thing blocking is so good with control and feel allowing for soft hands to get the best out of blocking.

The Mantra rubber is not a heavy rubber so the blade doesn't feel top heavy (DHS HN3) is a heavier and denser rubber.

Although the surface of the topsheet is not as tacky i found this to be a spinnier rubber than both Astro s and Genesis s and i for one will be changing to this rubber- in fact order a couple of sheets to keep me stocked up!!
T

Such a great blade, great for blocking and counter looping, I got given this by my coach and was told to use it, I have played for one year and it has developed my game so much, so much control and feeling, great dwell and control, I will never stop using this blade, you can do literally anything with it, plus it's cheap! Recommended to players trying to play a offensive controlled game

Overall, this is a wonderful blade made by butterfly. Looping on both sides have a lot of control and help create heavy spin, however, lacks some power when very far away from the table. This is a blade made for people who rather play close to mid distance.

Great, always expect great quality balls when it comes to Donic products. Very hard, durable and plays well. When testing, a slight wobble during the spin and it doesn't bounce as high as the balls from Butterfly. However, overall, impressed!

After playing with a few months, trying both BH and FH, I find my spins -- both slow and spinny and powerdrives -- gained a lot. On the backhand, the excellent crisp feel compared with a long dwell allowed my to experiment in variations, and I've added a very slow and very spinny service return/underspin opening to my repertoire. On my FH, I went through the same and added a few more high gears to my countertopspin attacks.

Coming from somewhat harder rubbers, I'm still busy adjusting for all-out flat smashes and aggressive, direct openings. Anything spinny is a breeze. Blocks are also excellent, ranging from very passive blocks (bouncing twice on the opponent's side) to very aggressive speed monsters. These require very little and subtle leg, hip, torso, shoulder, arm, wrist action but can be devastating -- and always extremely precise, and controlled. I'll be seeking the limits of this beasty for an extensive period before exploring anything else. Would buy again and will not change in the foreseeable future.

I've tried it with a Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon, a Timo Boll ALC and an Andro Treiber K. It worked well on all, with the Treiber K winning out on depth of feeling and subtlety of play, the OCC having the upper hand when it comes to sheer explosive power, and the TB ALC inbetweenish (but closer to the Treiber K than to the OCC).

Nice cheap rubber. Great for backhand in it's soft variant. Decent speed, nice control and is spin insensitive. Feels like a slightly lower cross of T05 and T64. I haven't tried a harder version, but I'm pretty sure a harder variant would be usable on the forehand.