Comparing BF Tenergy 25-FX (1.7mm) vs. Nittaku Fastarc C-1 (1.8mm)

[mat]

Hi, I like to play an all-round game with an emphasis on spin and control. I use an all-round blade, the Loki Kirin K2 (5-ply wood). Previously, I used various rubbers in 2.0mm thickness, but I've realized I prefer a slightly slower setup with more feedback.
I recently tested a two-year-old Butterfly Tenergy 25-FX (1.7mm) on my FH and the feeling is great – exactly the control I'm looking for.l and also spin still great.
Question 1: How much faster is a brand new Tenergy 25-FX 1.7mm compared to a 2-year-old one? Is new one muvhbfastrt, does the spin drop significantly on an old sheet, or is the 25-FX known for its longevity?
Question 2: How does the Nittaku Fastarc C-1 (1.8mm) compare to the Tenergy 25-FX (1.7mm) in terms of speed, spin, and control? I'm looking for a linear rubber that isn't faster than the Tenergy but perhaps offers a bit more spin for the backhand.

Pls be carefull on thickness (25fx with 1.7 and c1 with 1.8).
Regards l

 

[jonol]

After 2 years it's definitely going to be different to a new one, though it does depend how well it was looked after and how frequently it was used.

My experience playing with the Fastarc C-1 on a fairly fast inner carbon blade is that it is very controllable, with good speed when you engage it. It doesn't give you much 'free' spin, but is very spinny when you play actively. It's excellent at every aspect of the game in my experience. Great control in short game and good for looping, punching and smashing. I was using the 2.0mm, so I imagine the 1.8mm would be even more controllable.

On a 5ply wood blade with Fastarc C1 in 1.8mm, any issues with control are certainly nothing to do with the rubber or blade. That's a very controllable combination. When I played with 2.0mm on an inner carbon blade, I felt like it was hard to miss the table with the C1, as it had good spin to make the ball dip and quite a direct arc. It might be the most control I've ever felt in a backhand rubber, though I eventually went for the Vega X as it has more power and I land more winners from it.

 

[J-fed]

After 2 years it's definitely going to be different to a new one, though it does depend how well it was looked after and how frequently it was used.

My experience playing with the Fastarc C-1 on a fairly fast inner carbon blade is that it is very controllable, with good speed when you engage it. It doesn't give you much 'free' spin, but is very spinny when you play actively. It's excellent at every aspect of the game in my experience. Great control in short game and good for looping, punching and smashing. I was using the 2.0mm, so I imagine the 1.8mm would be even more controllable.

On a 5ply wood blade with Fastarc C1 in 1.8mm, any issues with control are certainly nothing to do with the rubber or blade. That's a very controllable combination. When I played with 2.0mm on an inner carbon blade, I felt like it was hard to miss the table with the C1, as it had good spin to make the ball dip and quite a direct arc. It might be the most control I've ever felt in a backhand rubber, though I eventually went for the Vega X as it has more power and I land more winners from it.

I'm thinking of trying the C-1 on a SWAT carbon blade I have in storage. Sounds a good fit.

 

[Tyce]

This is an older topic, but FWIW:
Well-used Tenergy is nothing like a new one. The sponge loses much of its dynamics, making it a lot easier to control at the expense of spin and speed. I have compared old T19 1.9mm to a fresh sheet, and old T05 2.1mm to fresh T05 1.9mm. In both cases, the new ones were significantly more bouncy (even the thinner new one) compared to their older counterparts.
I would dare to say that at a well used, 2 year old mark, the sponge of a T05 feels softer than a new Rozena.
How that translates to a thinner T25FX, which is already softer than Rozena, I don't quite know. But it's the same sponge type, so the general things I mentioned above would apply here just as well.
Fastarc C-1 then. Lots of control, great grip on the topsheet. The sponge loses a lot of performance quite quickly but that might just be what you need. When the factory boost wears off, this is almost like a classic rubber but with a good topsheet.

 

[steve888]

From my subjective experience- be aware the harder you hit on thinner softer rubbers the more potential you will bottom out especially on carbon blades. It will engage the carbon quicker and you have less dwell. Recently I had a 1.9 mm t05fx in the forehand- it bottomed out on my hard loops and smashing, so changed to 2.1 and it was much better on the carbon blade (Timo boll spirit). I do like 2 mm or 1.9 but any thinner it can have that affect.i like c1 2 mm, and harder 2mm like Hammond z2, d05 etc. 😊