DHS Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial 38° Blue Sponge completely unboosted how does it really play?

[struke]

Hi everyone,


My question is mainly about using the DHS Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial 38° Blue Sponge completely without booster.


I am considering using it on the forehand of a DHS W968 National / Hurricane Long 5 National, and I do not intend to boost it when new or re-boost it later.


TableTennis11 told me that the 38° Blue Sponge is the easiest Blue Sponge version to activate without boosting and recommended it for an intermediate offensive player using a W968 National.


I would like to hear from players who have actually used this exact rubber unboosted:

• Does it feel lively enough during normal match play?
• Is it easy to activate with an intermediate-level forehand swing?
• Does it still produce heavy spin and a strong forehand ball?
• Is it good for opening against backspin, serving, receiving and short play?
• Does it feel slow or dead when the stroke is not performed at full power?
• How much easier is it to use unboosted than the 39° or 40° Blue Sponge versions?
• Is it suitable for permanent long-term use without ever applying booster?
• Does the softer 38° sponge become unstable or bottom out on harder strokes?

I understand that it will not be identical to a harder Blue Sponge version with booster. My main question is whether the 38° Provincial Blue Sponge is genuinely good and practical when used completely unboosted, especially on the W968 National.


I would especially appreciate feedback from people who have personally used this exact combination without booster.


Thank you.

 

[tokatci]

You may find more people with experience on unboosted 39 as it is playable and that rubber indeed becomes somewhat mushy if boosted

 

[Matteones]

Hi everyone,


My question is mainly about using the DHS Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial 38° Blue Sponge completely without booster.


I am considering using it on the forehand of a DHS W968 National / Hurricane Long 5 National, and I do not intend to boost it when new or re-boost it later.


TableTennis11 told me that the 38° Blue Sponge is the easiest Blue Sponge version to activate without boosting and recommended it for an intermediate offensive player using a W968 National.


I would like to hear from players who have actually used this exact rubber unboosted:

• Does it feel lively enough during normal match play?
  
  
• Is it easy to activate with an intermediate-level forehand swing?
• Does it still produce heavy spin and a strong forehand ball?
• Is it good for opening against backspin, serving, receiving and short play?
• Does it feel slow or dead when the stroke is not performed at full power?
• How much easier is it to use unboosted than the 39° or 40° Blue Sponge versions?
• Is it suitable for permanent long-term use without ever applying booster?
• Does the softer 38° sponge become unstable or bottom out on harder strokes?

I understand that it will not be identical to a harder Blue Sponge version with booster. My main question is whether the 38° Provincial Blue Sponge is genuinely good and practical when used completely unboosted, especially on the W968 National.


I would especially appreciate feedback from people who have personally used this exact combination without booster.


Thank you.


View attachment 42641

Man, a lot of the same questions for different rubbers and woods.

• Does it feel lively enough during normal match play? No (but another player could answer yes)
  
  
• Is it easy to activate with an intermediate-level forehand swing? Certainly not with that wood, that is made for professionals and semi-professionals who use very hard rubbers
  
  
• Does it still produce heavy spin and a strong forehand ball? It depends in whose hands, in Ma Long, certainly, in yours, I'm afraid not
  
  
• Is it good for opening against backspin, serving, receiving and short play? No, yes, yes and yes

• Does it feel slow or dead when the stroke is not performed at full power? Yes
  
  
• How much easier is it to use unboosted than the 39° or 40° Blue Sponge versions? Easier, but still not what the rubber is made for
  
  
• Is it suitable for permanent long-term use without ever applying booster? No, but another player may answer yes
  
  
• Does the softer 38° sponge become unstable or bottom out on harder strokes? Sure, Ma Long will bottom it out, you will most probably not.
  
  
  If you won't take advices that sensibly tell you this wood is not for you, buy and try yourself, the wood and the rubbers.

 

[Tyce]

I'm still curious about your reasons to not boost. Perhaps if you could tell us that, we can understand your situation better and come up with more suitable advice.