Anybody tested to put a fast rubber on a defensive blade?

[Lazer]

I am wondering if an allround player may benefit from using a slow blade with fast rubbers?
I currently use a fast blade with slow rubbers, but is it worth trying?

I am thinking pimpleparks Filius blade with something like Tenergy05...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Archosaurus]

The blade (and grip!) ultimately decides the installation stiffness of the system, although of course it's more complicated than that, but that's the biggest difference you'd see in strong strokes IMO. Ultimately it's going to be mostly sponge performance limited.

It will probably still be quite fast and bouncy at low speed especially.

 

[Tyce]

If you're talking about flexible, thinner (classic defensive or ALL-) blades, you're going to sacrifice a little bit of top speed, but it's absolutely possible.

I've tried T05 on an Appelgren Allplay and it's a very feeling-rich experience. The amount of spin and curves that can be generated feels insane, but outright finishers are a lot harder even compared to an OFF 5ply like Korbel.

Another bottleneck will be using rubbers that are faster because they have a harder sponge, for example Dignics vs T05. These blades *usually* don't work too well in engaging the speed of those rubbers. Yes, there are plenty modern defenders playing D09c, but those usually use modern defense blades which are a bit thicker and harder.

I would use T19 if I was to create a modern defense setup right now.

 

[Yuomay]

I have tried both and definitely prefer slow blade plus fast rubbers. (Well what was considered fast like 10 years ago (G1 and evolution elp).

I do however agree that it is a clear tradeoff between killshots and rallying. It’s much harder to overpower the opponent so you need placement and tactics.

Added benefit for me I found service reception (on long serves particularly) much more comfortable with the slow blade plus fast rubbers than with the fast blade. I feel like I have more options.

 

[Lazer]

Thanks for the replies.
I am not intending to do much change to my style of playing. I am already using a slow setup, but the thing is that
for the last few training sessions my trainer introduced chopping. I am thinking of going just a little slower and incorporating this stroke in my arsenal. My current setup is a tad to fast for this... But well see...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[PickleRick]

I am wondering if an allround player may benefit from using a slow blade with fast rubbers?
I currently use a fast blade with slow rubbers, but is it worth trying?

I am thinking pimpleparks Filius blade with something like Tenergy05...

Cheers
L-zr

Performance wise, it works just fine to put fast offensive rubbers on a defensive blade. You should consider the weight though. Defensive blades are larger so putting two thick inverted rubbers on such a blade would make your setup quite heavy and especially head-heavy. This is not a problem for playing far away from the table but it's not so good for quick strokes close to the table.

Another thing to consider is that defensive blades are normally quite flexible. I don't think such blades are a good match with soft, or even medium-hard, rubbers. It feels too mushy and bouncy for direct offensive shots.

But if you put harder rubbers on it in medium thickness, it works just fine. You will lose some offensive power but you will win some defensive control.

 

[Lazer]

Performance wise, it works just fine to put fast offensive rubbers on a defensive blade. You should consider the weight though. Defensive blades are larger so putting two thick inverted rubbers on such a blade would make your setup quite heavy and especially head-heavy. This is not a problem for playing far away from the table but it's not so good for quick strokes close to the table.

Another thing to consider is that defensive blades are normally quite flexible. I don't think such blades are a good match with soft, or even medium-hard, rubbers. It feels too mushy and bouncy for direct offensive shots.

But if you put harder rubbers on it in medium thickness, it works just fine. You will lose some offensive power but you will win some defensive control.

I like a little flex to the blade no problem there, and the head size can be sanded down, done that several times. If its not too much it wont harm the characteristics much. If anything it should make the blade stiffer.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Lazer]

The reason I like Filus is that it has a thick spruce layer on top. The most pleasant blade I have played had just this.
There is also another pimplepark blade "pila" with the same layer on top. However this blade is a bit thick so it may lack the the flex I like. Hmm don't know...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[vanjr]

Yes says almost every LP player ever. I have the filus blade and have tried it with a number of different rubbers-almost all fast. I found the filus to be to flexy for very fast rubbers for me. Prefer more linear.

 

[belllfador]

For easy choping

I am wondering if an allround player may benefit from using a slow blade with fast rubbers?
I currently use a fast blade with slow rubbers, but is it worth trying?

I am thinking pimpleparks Filius blade with something like Tenergy05...

Cheers
L-zr

In general, the answer is yes. But from my experience, some rubbers are just too fast or jumpy for my chopping level, no matter the blade. For example, Tenergy 05, Omega Tour V and Mantra XH. G1 was good and with 1.7mm sponge is even better on Goriki Danshi. Also, J&H Z52.5 works fine even with Off- blade, but requires some soft hands and a sharp angle for chopping.

The safe choice for allround/modern defense is H3. I play it on many blades from 950Hz to 1600Hz and performs excellent, except for blocking. Best combo was with 980XX. Other nice rubbers are VS 401 and Donic Slice CS. With 1.5mm thickness, they are slower than H3 BS, have better block and no issues with oxidation. Just the level of spin is much lower than H3.

Blades with ayous top layer can give you extra dwell without springiness. Yinhe 980 and Sword Razor are such blades. 980XX has a willow top, which is even better, but the layer is too thin to catch the difference. Cypress wood, such hinoki and spruce, are more bouncy - can give some life to death rubbers, but can make soft tensors too jumpy.

 

[andymagata]

Filius is a very special blade, AI told me it has a nick name ”black hole”. It really takes the energy out of the ball. A great thing with it is you get the Soulspin quality and feeling for half the cost.

It has a second gear though, from half distance. I think the thick kiri core can store enough energy to give your shots a little boost. ( It could also be the flex - it is 6.2 mm and has low to medium flex). It is more powerful than my 7 ply Stiga Pure.

When playing actively it rewards you with the best consistency and placement in the game. These are my thoughts, and I am a low level club player.

 

[IB66]

It’s ok to use a fast rubber on a defensive blade, you gain some control and lose a little speed, which, close to the table isn’t that noticeable, away from the table more so. Spin production may be better, depending on technique etc