Nittaku Hammond Z2 Special Version & Nittaku Genextion V2C - Anyone tried them?

[Nash77]

So according to Nittaku - both the Hammond Z2 Special Version & Genextion V2C are upgrades over the FastArc G-1.

is anyone playing with them and can give his impressions? and how are they different?

I like all the Nittaku products I've tested, but for some reason it looks like very very few people even tried these rubbers - which i find strange considering they're both supposed to be the 2 top of the line Nittaku rubbers. I'm not sure why.

 

[sriver09C]

Although I am not strong player, I might help you.
I had used Hammond Z2 Special Version(MAX) for forehand until I change to swat power spin .(I use 5ply wood blade)

It has non slip sheet.
It makes great much spin on service ,loop, snake and push.
Speed is high.
I have used C1.
Both C1 and Hammond Z2 Special Version have same hardness sponge(Japanese hardness 35°), but I felt that Hammond Z2 Special Version is harder than C1.
The sheet of Hammond Z2 Special Version is probably harder than C1.
I like Hammond Z2 Special Version very much, but It isn't long life.
I practice about 1.5 hours in a day, 6 day on a week.
The rubber spoils in two months.

My friend is using G1, so I will borrow his racket and test G1. After that, I will compare Hammond Z2 Special Version and G1, and I post about it.

I'm sorry that I can't use English well.

 

[Nash77]

Although I am not strong player, I might help you.
I had used Hammond Z2 Special Version(MAX) for forehand until I change to swat power spin .(I use 5ply wood blade)

It has non slip sheet.
It makes great much spin on service ,loop, snake and push.
Speed is high.
I have used C1.
Both C1 and Hammond Z2 Special Version have same hardness sponge(Japanese hardness 35°), but I felt that Hammond Z2 Special Version is harder than C1.
The sheet of Hammond Z2 Special Version is probably harder than C1.
I like Hammond Z2 Special Version very much, but It isn't long life.
I practice about 1.5 hours in a day, 6 day on a week.
The rubber spoils in two months.

My friend is using G1, so I will borrow his racket and test G1. After that, I will compare Hammond Z2 Special Version and G1, and I post about it.

I'm sorry that I can't use English well.

Thank you mate, I appreciate your help. And your English is very understandable.

When you say the Hammond Z2 Special Version got spoiled in 2 months - what did it feel like?
G-1 is very durable for me, I'm surprised to hear that Hammond has such bad durability.

I wonder why both Hammond Z2 Special Version and Genextion V2C are so unpopular on this forum? Seems like almost nobody even tried them.

Nittaku in my opinion is a very high quality brand - every product I've seen of them is top notch excellent.

Are these 2 rubbers more popular in Japan?

It's very strange to me that the 2 best rubbers Nittaku make are so rare and hard to find people playing with them (at least outside of Japan).

​

 

[MarekD]

G1 is an older rubber concept with a thicker topsheet and softer sponge, while Hammond is a newer rubber with a thinner topsheet and stiffer sponge. Therefore, G-1 lasts longer and signs of play damage will show on the topsheet later.

 

[Nash77]

G1 is an older rubber concept with a thicker topsheet and softer sponge, while Hammond is a newer rubber with a thinner topsheet and stiffer sponge. Therefore, G-1 lasts longer and signs of play damage will show on the topsheet later.

This makes sense, but if sriver09C is right and Hammond only last 2 months - that's a HUGE difference since my G-1 can last 6-8 months no problem.

Still wondering why nobody is playing with these rubbers, maybe it's a durability issue? Still I'd expect at least a few reviews about them...strange..

 

[MagniTT]

I have tried several Nittaku products, but not Hammond Z2 or the special version.
I have G1 max, Genextion regular and Genextion V2C, which I bought quite recently.
G1 is a safe rubber, good both on FH and BH, grips well, lasts forever. With Genextion regular I had some trouble until it broke in (it's sponge is quite hard) but now I use it on the BH and it is a reliable, powerful and precise rubber. I get those down the lines shots very easily. Direct and catapulty.
Genextion V2C didn't have the same issue and in my opinion is the most pleasurable rubber to play with. In terms of spin I think it is above Genextion regular, very easy to flick/open up on BH. I find it more lively than G1 and certainly not lacking in speed in any zone. Hybrid and as they advertise, Velocity2Control is real for me. Catapult effect when you need it, very precise.
I have it installed on a Lemuria W968 clone, paired with Donic BlueGrip C2 and although it doesn't have that crazy topspin arc like C2, it is well above average in any department.

 

[vanjr]

This makes sense, but if sriver09C is right and Hammond only last 2 months - that's a HUGE difference since my G-1 can last 6-8 months no problem.

Still wondering why nobody is playing with these rubbers, maybe it's a durability issue? Still I'd expect at least a few reviews about them...strange..

He said it spoils in 2 months, but he plays 10 hours a week! (Kudos on that!). Two months is not bad with that much play.

 

[Nash77]

He said it spoils in 2 months, but he plays 10 hours a week! (Kudos on that!). Two months is not bad with that much play.

10 X 4 X 2 = 80 hours.

I consider that pretty bad durability, especially for an almost €50 rubber.

Unless it's a real big upgrade over G-1 in term of performance, it will be hard to justify.

 

[sriver09C]

Thank you mate, I appreciate your help. And your English is very understandable.

When you say the Hammond Z2 Special Version got spoiled in 2 months - what did it feel like?
G-1 is very durable for me, I'm surprised to hear that Hammond has such bad durability.

I wonder why both Hammond Z2 Special Version and Genextion V2C are so unpopular on this forum? Seems like almost nobody even tried them.

Nittaku in my opinion is a very high quality brand - every product I've seen of them is top notch excellent.

Are these 2 rubbers more popular in Japan?

It's very strange to me that the 2 best rubbers Nittaku make are so rare and hard to find people playing with them (at least outside of Japan).

​

Thank you.
When the rubber got spoiled, it become unable to make spin when I do service, push and snake.

I think Hammond Z2 Special Version and Genextion V2C are not so popular in Japan.
If I see the user of these rubbers, I will show interest in that user.
I think these rubbers are just one option in many high-end rubbers in Japan.

I made tier list of popularity of highend rubbers.(my personal opinion)
Tenergy G1 Dignics ZYRE03 C1
V20 RAKZA_X V15 Hurricane
RASANTER VENTUS_Extra V22 NUZN Blue_storm Q_quality hybrid_MK
OMEGA JEKYLL&HYDE Hammond Z2 DNA Genextion Evolution Q_power hybrid_K3
Golden_tango RAKZA_XX JUIC_NEO_Galaxia
DYNARYZ

↓These are Japanese pimples-in rubber rankings.
https://world-tt.com/ps_goods/goods_ranking.php?gryr=202510
https://takyubin.jp/user_data/rank_urasoft
https://www.takugekiya.com/ranking.php/cPath/261

 

[Julzig]

Currently a month on Hammond Z2 (normal version) in MAX and no wear so far, used roughly 6h a week. Can comment again in the future when it gets worse

 

[Nash77]

Currently a month on Hammond Z2 (normal version) in MAX and no wear so far, used roughly 6h a week. Can comment again in the future when it gets worse

How do you like the rubber? Can you compare it to other rubbers you used?

How would you describe it's speed/spin/control?

 

[Julzig]

How do you like the rubber? Can you compare it to other rubbers you used?

How would you describe it's speed/spin/control?

I have only played it on FH.
It has a soft-ish and bouncy feel with a higher throw. It grips the ball well and isn't too sensitive against spin. My FH flips improved with it. You can create good arc on topspin with lots of safety. Only smashes dont work great for me.
Interestingly, it sometimes drags the ball on slower movements for what feels like a second and produces lots of unexpected spin there. Dont know how and when that happens. Open ups on Backspin work amazingly.

It definetly isn't a D05, maybe more a Tenergy. Sorry I played mainly "niche" Rubbers so I from the ones I have played recently it is a mix between Nexy Etika (51) and Mizuno Q Quality. It has the hard rubber and soft topsheet of the Nexy but the grip, bounce and Arc closer to the Mizuno.

For speed/spin/control it is hard to tell for everyone. My experience is that is has enough of all of them. All on a higher end level, but wouldn't say it takes the crown in any. As always could be just my skill and someone else creates lots more spin than me.

I bought it in Japan for roughly 30 Euros, same price as Fastarc G1 there. For that Price it is very good.
Would I repurchase it? Currently I would say no, but only because It is 60Euros here. And D05 came into my hands, which I really like.

Feel free to ask more if anything is unclear.

 

[noFeeling]

I've been using V2C for 6 months now on FH and I think it's a great rubber. I know I'm not using it to it's full potential because I'm a low intermediate player but I really like it. I feel like I can do anything with it and when I make a mistake I know it's my technique and not the rubber. But one thing that is making me think of changing it is it's durability. Don't get me wrong, I still can produce really strong topspins and my serves are still nice, but I remember it showed signs of wear in the first month of use, so that stayed with me all this time, but really I didn't feel like I needed to change it. So now that the winter break came in my local league, I'm thinking if I should change to G1, Nuzn 48 - 50 or just buy another V2C sheet. About the lack of reviews I feel the same as you. I doubt the reason is that the rubbers are bad, because I've seen bad rubbers have a lot of reviews so I don't know what it is really but is sad that Nittaku is not getting as much attention lately when they make some of the best equipment out there...

 

[Julzig]

Little update on the Hammond Z2, topsheet is still going strong. A couple more months are surely in it.
I'd like to share my current thouhts: I would say that I have fully adapted to it now and perform really well on all the offensive strokes. Flat hitting was an aspect I struggled with but now it works just as any rubber mostly. Works good for both soft and harder spin. The spin generated is decent. At my level they manage to block them. But outright points are possible. Especially now that I've build the confidence I can hit with more force knowing the rubber with its grip can handle it.
Serves are fine, nothing special I think. Short game could be a tad better aswell. All in all not too bad tough.
From the Rubbers I have played, the Z2 is probably my nr.2 rn, right after D05.
(Maybe others have more potential, but I might be too bad or they weren't given enough time e.g. Zyre)
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(Update ≈month later) It has dropped slightly in performance now, I feel like the ball does slip a little more and the topsheet does look bad while playing. Looks fine after cleaning. I guess it reached a point where it will stay for a while before beeing dead fully. So I would say 100h are in it atleast. On my BH it would've held up even longer.