New rubber time. Help?

[Maxiemus]

I have a viscaria with Andro Rassanter48 on both end. I want to switch to a hybrid setup. Someone recommended Donic Bluegrip J1 for fh and j2 for bh. Anyone who uses these; please tell me how they behave and suggest alternatives for them?

I would prefer a low-medium throwing rubber with spin over speed.

 

[IB66]

Xiom Omega 8 Hybrid and China (O8H/C) are pretty good, Xiom J&H H52 is another one from Xiom. The O8H/C have better durability.
There is a large choice of Hybrid rubber out there, and rubbers made by ESN for brands like Donic, Andro etc are going to be very, very similar.
BTY have Glayzer 09C and Dignics 09C.

If you are looking for a rubber that retains its tackiness / has higher tackiness, then Loki Arthur China, Rakza Z and Xiom Tau2 are worth looking at with DHS Hurricane 8-80 37 degree (BH) / 38 degree (FH) another option.

BTY D09C / G09C, Xiom O8H/C & J&H H52 have mid-high to high throw angles maybe Loki Arthur China has a lower throw angle but still not a low throw.

If I were to choose a latest Gen Hybrid I would personally go for Xiom O8H or C but that’s not to say they are better!! I have tested some of the previous Bluegrip rubbers and compared to other brands hybrid rubbers at that time, they all played pretty much the same!!

 

[Maxiemus]

Xiom Omega 8 Hybrid and China (O8H/C) are pretty good, Xiom J&H H52 is another one from Xiom. The O8H/C have better durability.
There is a large choice of Hybrid rubber out there, and rubbers made by ESN for brands like Donic, Andro etc are going to be very, very similar.
BTY have Glayzer 09C and Dignics 09C.

If you are looking for a rubber that retains its tackiness / has higher tackiness, then Loki Arthur China, Rakza Z and Xiom Tau2 are worth looking at with DHS Hurricane 8-80 37 degree (BH) / 38 degree (FH) another option.

BTY D09C / G09C, Xiom O8H/C & J&H H52 have mid-high to high throw angles maybe Loki Arthur China has a lower throw angle but still not a low throw.

If I were to choose a latest Gen Hybrid I would personally go for Xiom O8H or C but that’s not to say they are better!! I have tested some of the previous Bluegrip rubbers and compared to other brands hybrid rubbers at that time, they all played pretty much the same!!

I loved Loki Arthur China!!
How does the 8-80 (both degrees) perform? Also how does the Glayzer perform? and can I put these on both forehand and backhand?

 

[IB66]

I loved Loki Arthur China!!
How does the 8-80 (both degrees) perform? Also how does the Glayzer perform? and can I put these on both forehand and backhand?

Personally I would say that Glazer is the weakest with less spin. Loki Arthur China has good spin potential and is more ‘direct’. H 8-80 plays like a slightly faster H3 / H3 Neo. Bearing in mind that I didn’t boost the H 8-80 when I used it.

If you liked LAC then I think you’re going to like Xiom O8C / H. I moved from LAC to O8C on BH and O8H on FH.
Having not tried the Bluegrip J1/2 I can’t give an opinion, but as I said earlier the latest ESN hybrids will be very similar to each other. I would expect J1/2 to play similar to O8C/H.

I used H 8-80 maybe 3-4 yrs ago. The 37 degree is slightly softer and is better suited to BH, some say the 38 degree is too soft for the FH wing, but I liked how it played.
As with ‘Chinese’ style rubbers (unboosted) they are very good in the short game, controllable. Have high spin potential and loop very well. Flatter hits are not so good. Speed isn’t fast but fast enough. Blocking is good, and serving is slightly easier to control and keep short compared to Hybrids with a ‘bouncier’ sponge. I don’t think you ‘need’ to boost H 8-80, it was marketed as not needing booster, but some players just boost everything!! It would probably soften / expand the sponge and stretch the top-sheet giving a softer feel and some more speed.
I enjoyed playing with H 8-80 it’s definitely suited to a spin orientated style so if you have a good open up v back spin and good top spin attacks you should get on well with it.

 

[Maxiemus]

Personally I would say that Glazer is the weakest with less spin. Loki Arthur China has good spin potential and is more ‘direct’. H 8-80 plays like a slightly faster H3 / H3 Neo. Bearing in mind that I didn’t boost the H 8-80 when I used it.

If you liked LAC then I think you’re going to like Xiom O8C / H. I moved from LAC to O8C on BH and O8H on FH.
Having not tried the Bluegrip J1/2 I can’t give an opinion, but as I said earlier the latest ESN hybrids will be very similar to each other. I would expect J1/2 to play similar to O8C/H.

I used H 8-80 maybe 3-4 yrs ago. The 37 degree is slightly softer and is better suited to BH, some say the 38 degree is too soft for the FH wing, but I liked how it played.
As with ‘Chinese’ style rubbers (unboosted) they are very good in the short game, controllable. Have high spin potential and loop very well. Flatter hits are not so good. Speed isn’t fast but fast enough. Blocking is good, and serving is slightly easier to control and keep short compared to Hybrids with a ‘bouncier’ sponge. I don’t think you ‘need’ to boost H 8-80, it was marketed as not needing booster, but some players just boost everything!! It would probably soften / expand the sponge and stretch the top-sheet giving a softer feel and some more speed.
I enjoyed playing with H 8-80 it’s definitely suited to a spin orientated style so if you have a good open up v back spin and good top spin attacks you should get on well with it.

I dont usually hit flat. I would prefer to generate my own speed as well. Idk why, but I'm not able to adapt well to the newer generation of tensor rubbers, which is why I'm opting for Chinese or hybrids.

 

[IB66]

I dont usually hit flat. I would prefer to generate my own speed as well. Idk why, but I'm not able to adapt well to the newer generation of tensor rubbers, which is why I'm opting for Chinese or hybrids.

I’ve moved from O8C/H to Z03 - lightly tacky to non tacky, but I use an all wood blade. Z03 behaves nicely on an all wood blades !!! Compared to being harder to control / optimise the spin potential on a blade with fibres.

Perhaps you should look at your blade again? How long have you been using a Viscaria? Not saying that you fit this category (below) but just asking.

One recurring post type regarding changing from all wood to inner/outer carbon blades on here is that the poster states they don’t get as much spin etc after changing from wood to carbon layers. This is usually a technique issue and will improve with training and practice, it’s just that people sometimes don’t appreciate being told this!!
I use all wood because -
1) my standard and technique doesn’t get the best out of inner/outer carbon blades and ‘top end’ rubbers. Be they bouncy,hybrid or tacky Chinese type rubbers.
2) feel and controllability (for me) is better with all wood.
3) I get more out of the rubber except ‘base’ speed.

Now you are asking why I’m using Z03!, the supposedly new ‘top end’ BTY rubber?? !!!
In the past I tested and reviewed D09C, G09C, T05 and T19, they are great rubbers but just weren’t for me, When I tested Z03 I was expecting more of the same BTY ‘feel’ that I got with the previously tested rubbers. To my surprise this wasn’t what happened!! I really liked how it plays and feels compared to the other BTY rubbers I’ve used.
I put Z03 on an all wood blade with Hinoki top veneers, nice!!
Then I put it on a defensive blade (with carbon fleece layers but it’s a slooooooow blade!!) nice!! But slower speed.
I’ve just removed it from the defensive blade and put it on a faster all wood blade, one that is faster than the one with Hinoki veneers, tonight I’ll see how it plays.

 

[Maxiemus]

I’ve moved from O8C/H to Z03 - lightly tacky to non tacky, but I use an all wood blade. Z03 behaves nicely on an all wood blades !!! Compared to being harder to control / optimise the spin potential on a blade with fibres.

Perhaps you should look at your blade again? How long have you been using a Viscaria? Not saying that you fit this category (below) but just asking.

One recurring post type regarding changing from all wood to inner/outer carbon blades on here is that the poster states they don’t get as much spin etc after changing from wood to carbon layers. This is usually a technique issue and will improve with training and practice, it’s just that people sometimes don’t appreciate being told this!!
I use all wood because -
1) my standard and technique doesn’t get the best out of inner/outer carbon blades and ‘top end’ rubbers. Be they bouncy,hybrid or tacky Chinese type rubbers.
2) feel and controllability (for me) is better with all wood.
3) I get more out of the rubber except ‘base’ speed.

Now you are asking why I’m using Z03!, the supposedly new ‘top end’ BTY rubber?? !!!
In the past I tested and reviewed D09C, G09C, T05 and T19, they are great rubbers but just weren’t for me, When I tested Z03 I was expecting more of the same BTY ‘feel’ that I got with the previously tested rubbers. To my surprise this wasn’t what happened!! I really liked how it plays and feels compared to the other BTY rubbers I’ve used.
I put Z03 on an all wood blade with Hinoki top veneers, nice!!
Then I put it on a defensive blade (with carbon fleece layers but it’s a slooooooow blade!!) nice!! But slower speed.
I’ve just removed it from the defensive blade and put it on a faster all wood blade, one that is faster than the one with Hinoki veneers, tonight I’ll see how it plays.

I've been playing for about 20 years roughly. Used viscaria for 3 years and had no problem with it. before, I used a Stag Wave chain barrage series, an OFF++ blade.

Even before, I used outer carbon bades. had the Tibhar Marcos Freitas and then the Tibhar Balsa carbon before the Stag blade(in that order)

The Viscaria is amazing and I got more out of it using the Fast arc g1 and the loki arthur china. Ran into troubles with the Omega iv pro though. the Rasanter48 is fine, but I have to be careful with how i approach the ball.
Can't really afford a new blade at the moment so I'm going for new rubbers.

I prefer rubbers with less catapult and more spin.

On the topic of blade, I might switch to an all wood blade sometime, since I've never had an all wood blade.

 

[IB66]

I've been playing for about 20 years roughly. Used viscaria for 3 years and had no problem with it. before, I used a Stag Wave chain barrage series, an OFF++ blade.

Even before, I used outer carbon bades. had the Tibhar Marcos Freitas and then the Tibhar Balsa carbon before the Stag blade(in that order)

The Viscaria is amazing and I got more out of it using the Fast arc g1 and the loki arthur china. Ran into troubles with the Omega iv pro though. the Rasanter48 is fine, but I have to be careful with how i approach the ball.
Can't really afford a new blade at the moment so I'm going for new rubbers.

I prefer rubbers with less catapult and more spin.

On the topic of blade, I might switch to an all wood blade sometime, since I've never had an all wood blade.

When I was playing as a junior I used a Tamca 5000, one of the 1st carbon blades, with tackiness D and Sriver, back then I could play well with this combo. After a 30+ yr lay off, I started playing again, put Stiga Mantra M on the Tamca 5000 gave it a try and basically had no control !!! Since then I’ve used all wood blades and dabbled with 2 Viscaria’s, a Zhang Jike ALC (basically a Viscaria) & the Ma Long 5 (mainly for testing purposes) I gave away the ML5 and one Viscaria!!
With an all wood blade you’ll lose base speed but probably gain more controllability, spin and consistency.
There is always a trade off!!

 

[Maxiemus]

When I was playing as a junior I used a Tamca 5000, one of the 1st carbon blades, with tackiness D and Sriver, back then I could play well with this combo. After a 30+ yr lay off, I started playing again, put Stiga Mantra M on the Tamca 5000 gave it a try and basically had no control !!! Since then I’ve used all wood blades and dabbled with 2 Viscaria’s, a Zhang Jike ALC (basically a Viscaria) & the Ma Long 5 (mainly for testing purposes) I gave away the ML5 and one Viscaria!!
With an all wood blade you’ll lose base speed but probably gain more controllability, spin and consistency.
There is always a trade off!!

Definitely looking forward to having a wood blade sometime in the future!
Which one would you recommend?
Heard good things about Peter Korbel, All round classic and the Yasaka sweden extra?
Also whats your playstyle?

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Since you liked Arthur, and really want something low-throwing and with a lot of spin, just go with a chinese rubber, for example Hurricane. Also get Yinhe Big Dipper, Jupiter 3, Rxton 5 or Apollo 5 if you want something a bit faster.

 

[Maxiemus]

Since you liked Arthur, and really want something low-throwing and with a lot of spin, just go with a chinese rubber, for example Hurricane. Also get Yinhe Big Dipper, Jupiter 3, Rxton 5 or Apollo 5 if you want something a bit faster.

Huricane on forehand for sure. Which one would you recommend on the bh?

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Huricane on forehand for sure. Which one would you recommend on the bh?

Hmm... I commonly use a high throwing fast rubber on my backhand (Mark V), but I do have Chinese options. H8 and H3-50 are good ones from what I've heard, and the Yinhe ones I've said are more even between both wings, so you might like those.

Basically, the Yinhe rubbers (Big Dipper, Jupiter 3, and Apollo 5) are the best for what you're looking for.

 

[Maxiemus]

Hmm... I commonly use a high throwing fast rubber on my backhand (Mark V), but I do have Chinese options. H8 and H3-50 are good ones from what I've heard, and the Yinhe ones I've said are more even between both wings, so you might like those.

Basically, the Yinhe rubbers (Big Dipper, Jupiter 3, and Apollo 5) are the best for what you're looking for.

Cool. Will try out Big Dipper this time. Thank you so much!!!

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Cool. Will try out Big Dipper this time. Thank you so much!!!

No problem man! Happy to help you. Of course, some of these rubbers are based off comparisons from H3 (the only one I've used), from a guy named @greenbeanmachine, who is a real EJ. I still do think, though, that these options may be good for you.

 

[Maxiemus]

No problem man! Happy to help you. Of course, some of these rubbers are based off comparisons from H3 (the only one I've used), from a guy named @greenbeanmachine, who is a real EJ. I still do think, though, that these options may be good for you.

I'm just adding things to the list of rubbers I want to try out. It's a very long list now. I think I have plenty of recommendations to last me 2 years.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

I'm just adding things to the list of rubbers I want to try out. It's a very long list now. I think I have plenty of recommendations to last me 2 years.

Better keep the long list as rubbers only. Blades take a long time to adjust to from what I've heard and experienced.

 

[Maxiemus]

Better keep the long list as rubbers only. Blades take a long time to adjust to from what I've heard and experienced.

Only rubbers from now. I dont plan on changing my viscaria for the future. But I may try an All wood blade in like 3 years as the person above you commented.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Only rubbers from now. I dont plan on changing my viscaria for the future. But I may try an All wood blade in like 3 years as the person above you commented.

That's good. Don't change your blade often. Though for blades I would say Korbel and Seweden are the best options!

 

[Maxiemus]

That's good. Don't change your blade often. Though for blades I would say Korbel and Seweden are the best options!

Will compared and check out the reviews of these.

 

[greenbeanmachine]

If you're looking to try out an all wood blade, the Ma Lin Extra Offensive and Stiga Rosewood V are my absolute favorites. They have a crisp feel like Viscaria, great speed when you hit hard, and an amazing amount of control. When paired with Skyline 2 it's very easy to take fast spinny loops and drop them slowly so they bounce twice on the other side.

Petr Korbel and Sweden Extra are great blades, but they're both very soft. They feel quite mushy compared to Viscaria, and the ball will bite into the wood quite severely. You will have to drag the ball rather than hit it. Some people like this feeling but it's very much the opposite of the crisp Viscaria feeling.

For rubbers, I think Big Dipper will do well especially on backhand. I never tried H8-80 but H8 is a solid step up from H3 in terms of speed, very suitable for both FH and BH.

My favorite Yinhe rubber is Jupiter. Great for forehand.

Definitely try Hurricane 3 if you haven't already. Skyline 2 also pairs really well with crisp blades as mentioned above. If you don't boost on your own, buy the "neo" version of these rubbers.

Loki Rxton 3 and Rxton 5 are also really worth trying. They're really cheap but don't be fooled -- the quality is incredible. And they come in cool colors. They're Chinese style rubbers, and a bit easier to use than Hurricane 3