Looking for a new Backhand Rubber

[SMTT]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on switching my backhand rubber.


I’ve been playing with Butterfly Tenergy 05 on both sides for many years. My playing style is quite forehand-dominant; in rallies I use my forehand about 80% of the time. Typically, I serve short backspin or sidespin with my backhand to the opponent’s forehand, or long backspin/sidespin to the backhand. After that, I almost always look to open with a strong forehand topspin on the third ball, which is my biggest weapon. Often the point ends there, or I get an easy ball to finish. So overall, I play fairly aggressive.

My backhand is more controlled. I don’t really use it to initiate attacks, but I do use it for occasional topspin in rallies, for serving, and for receive (pushing short, some blocking, etc.).

A bit of background on my “rubber journey”: I’m currently 25 years old, with a rating between 1800–1870, and I use a Butterfly Viscaria blade. After years with Tenergy 05, I tried Butterfly Dignics 05 during the hype, but I felt I produced less spin compared to Tenergy 05. I then switched back, and later tried Butterfly Dignics 09C on both sides.


Dignics 09C suited me in some ways; I even had a peak result beating a 2150-rated player and competing well with ~1900 players. However, I felt I had to work much harder to generate the same spin as with Tenergy 05, and it was a bit too slow for my style, where I want to finish points quickly in short rallies. A big advantage was counter-topspin, which felt easier and more stable than with Tenergy 05. Still, I eventually switched back to Tenergy 05 because it feels freer and allows me to win points more easily. Recently, I’ve had good wins again against 1900–2000 players with it.

At this point, I believe Tenergy 05 is ideal for my forehand, and I don’t really want to change that (maybe I’ll test Dignics 05 again in the future, but I don’t want to keep switching).

My main issue is on the backhand:

• I struggle to control very fast, deep serves to my backhand with Tenergy 05
• I find it difficult to keep my backhand serves really short due to the bounciness
• At the same time, I don’t think Dignics 09C is the right solution either, as my return quality becomes too passive

So I’m looking for an attacking backhand rubber that still offers good control, especially:

• Better control on serve receive (especially against fast/deep serves)
• Good touch for short play and pushing
• High spin potential for serves and pushes

Do you have any recommendations for my backhand?

Thanks in advance!

 

[doppelmoral]

many options, if you like t05 I recommend:

Butterfly Glayzer
Easier to control on the backhand, but still has the spring sponge effect that you know from your tenergy 05

Nittaku Fastarc G1
Very similar to Tenergy 05 but easier to control in serve receive and blocking

you can also try a rubber with a softer sponge, which will offer more control
e.g. xiom vega korea, vega europe, nittaku fastarc c1

 

[SMTT]

many options, if you like t05 I recommend:

Butterfly Glayzer
Easier to control on the backhand, but still has the spring sponge effect that you know from your tenergy 05

Nittaku Fastarc G1
Very similar to Tenergy 05 but easier to control in serve receive and blocking

Thank you for your reply. I do like T05, but just on my forehand. My backhand is not good enough to control it.

 

[doppelmoral]

Thank you for your reply. I do like T05, but just on my forehand. My backhand is not good enough to control it.

thats why I offered options that are similar to t05, yet easier to control

 

[NDH]

My main issue is on the backhand:

• I struggle to control very fast, deep serves to my backhand with Tenergy 05
• I find it difficult to keep my backhand serves really short due to the bounciness
• At the same time, I don’t think Dignics 09C is the right solution either, as my return quality becomes too passive

So I’m looking for an attacking backhand rubber that still offers good control, especially:

• Better control on serve receive (especially against fast/deep serves)
• Good touch for short play and pushing
• High spin potential for serves and pushes

If T05 is too fast/uncontrollable and D09C is too passive..... I'm not sure there's much that can be done!

I agree that T05 is a beast - It feels great when attacking, but it's a monster to control if you aren't "on it".

My recommendation would have been D09C, but be less passive - I don't think you are going to find a rubber that *perfectly* fits in between that hits all your criteria.

Or any rubber LIKE D09C (hybrid style), that isn't as bouncy as your typical tensor type rubbers, but still offers you decent speed.

 

[sebi]

Maybe rozena, it´s a tamed t05 or glaycer, bit harder rubber closer D05 and very controllable. And both rubber have the Butterfly feeling.
If you want sticky and even more controll maybe Glaycer 09c.
I play the same style as you but at 1500 ttr so maybe 1700 USATT, and i use rozena its very controllable but can be very fast if you ever have to attack with your backhand

 

[SMTT]

If T05 is too fast/uncontrollable and D09C is too passive..... I'm not sure there's much that can be done!

I agree that T05 is a beast - It feels great when attacking, but it's a monster to control if you aren't "on it".

My recommendation would have been D09C, but be less passive - I don't think you are going to find a rubber that *perfectly* fits in between that hits all your criteria.

Or any rubber LIKE D09C (hybrid style), that isn't as bouncy as your typical tensor type rubbers, but still offers you decent speed.

Thank your for your response. What do you think of Tenergy 19 in comparison to what I have now? And what do you think about the do5 vs to5 discussion?

 

[NDH]

Thank your for your response. What do you think of Tenergy 19 in comparison to what I have now? And what do you think about the do5 vs to5 discussion?

Not tried T19, but I generally find the T series to be quite reactive in general.

D05 is more subdued when it comes to incoming spin, and you don't have the same big T05 arc when playing attacking shots..... Yet it's still absolutely LOADED with spin.

However.... I'm not sure your touch, short play or control will be THAT much better off.

 

[banbekas]

D05 for by is just crazy good. Easily the best bh rubber for my need.

Get C1 for you my friend or yinhe moon pro soft. Mantra M is also good but I'd say C1.

 

[BackhandSteve]

players in my club that are top 20 in Sweden use Rakza X. Or Z. Just letting you know.

All the best

 

[jonol]

I also really like the feel of Tenergy 05 on forehand.

I've played with Tenergy 05, Rakza 7 Fastarc G1, Fastarc C1, Vega X and Dignics 09c

From my direct experience, both Fastarc G1, C1 and Vega X are more controllable than Tenergy 05 but have very good levels of spin. I also have tried dignics 09c on backhand and had a similar experience - some really big upsides, but is simply too demanding to play. I'm an aggressive forehand oriented player also, and I like my backhand to be reliable and able to create quality with less effort.

I think any of these 3 could be suitable, as they will give you more control in short game, but are all still capable of attacking.

Vega X has the most bounciness and will give you the best effort-to-quality ratio when playing at more comfortable speeds. My experience is that it is amazing as a backhand rubber.

G1 has the highest ceiling overall (spin on par with T05 when very engaged, speed is a little less) but will require you to play actively - though not as demanding as the d09c

C1 feels very safe, spin is excellent and is a dream to receive and play short game with, but won't give you as much attacking power. I found it quite good for punching as well if you like that, since it has a bouncier sponge than G1.

 

[Egon]

Probably a good variant - D80, at least a few of my friends switched from T05 to D80 on BH on a Viscaria and analogs.

 

[mvibritannia]

D80 is exactly the rubber you are looking for!

I had the exact same issue has you: forehand dominant! T05 hard to control on the backhand, D05 and D09C felt too slow or needed to much engagement.

Switched to D80 (needed a week for adjustment) and never looked back.
I use it on Mizutani ZLC and a Boll ALC, and my backhand significantly improved.

Butterfly announces it at 40° (butterfly scale) same as Dignics 05.
But I personally measured it with a calibrated durometer and find out:
T05 47,5 ESN scale
D80 48,5 ESN scale
D05 51 ESN scale

D80 is basically really in the middle in terms of everything compared to T05 and D05.

 

[jonol]

D80 is exactly the rubber you are looking for!

I had the exact same issue has you: forehand dominant! T05 hard to control on the backhand, D05 and D09C felt too slow or needed to much engagement.

Switched to D80 (needed a week for adjustment) and never looked back.
I use it on Mizutani ZLC and a Boll ALC, and my backhand significantly improved.

Butterfly announces it at 40° (butterfly scale) same as Dignics 05.
But I personally measured it with a calibrated durometer and find out:
T05 47,5 ESN scale
D80 48,5 ESN scale
D05 51 ESN scale

D80 is basically really in the middle in terms of everything compared to T05 and D05.

Interesting - is that because the topsheet itself is softer on the D80 or did you measure the sponge as well? Wonder if this is within normal variation, because if Butterfly ratings are correct the D80 should be about 51-53 ESN

 

[SorryForTheEdge]

Hybrid rubbers are great for short serves and also offering some springiness. The only question is are you comfortable with the throw angle of Tenergy 05 on backhand or want a rubber with lower arc?

 

[mvibritannia]

Interesting - is that because the topsheet itself is softer on the D80 or did you measure the sponge as well? Wonder if this is within normal variation, because if Butterfly ratings are correct the D80 should be about 51-53 ESN

Honestly I'm not sure.

The durometer was applied on the sponge with the rubbers laid on a flat table.

I can't tell if the hardness is lower for D80 vs D05, because the sponge is softer in it self or it's because of the topsheet difference.

I don't think it's within normal variation because I tested two D80 (1 black and 1 red) and got the same measure.
Same for the few T05 and D05 that I have.

But playing with both rubbers, it's clear that D80 feels softer than D05 and requires much less engagement to get decent speed.

 

[sebi]

D80 is the do it all rubber.
Maybe even a better rubber overall then T05

 

[BackhandSteve]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on switching my backhand rubber.


I’ve been playing with Butterfly Tenergy 05 on both sides for many years. My playing style is quite forehand-dominant; in rallies I use my forehand about 80% of the time. Typically, I serve short backspin or sidespin with my backhand to the opponent’s forehand, or long backspin/sidespin to the backhand. After that, I almost always look to open with a strong forehand topspin on the third ball, which is my biggest weapon. Often the point ends there, or I get an easy ball to finish. So overall, I play fairly aggressive.

My backhand is more controlled. I don’t really use it to initiate attacks, but I do use it for occasional topspin in rallies, for serving, and for receive (pushing short, some blocking, etc.).

A bit of background on my “rubber journey”: I’m currently 25 years old, with a rating between 1800–1870, and I use a Butterfly Viscaria blade. After years with Tenergy 05, I tried Butterfly Dignics 05 during the hype, but I felt I produced less spin compared to Tenergy 05. I then switched back, and later tried Butterfly Dignics 09C on both sides.


Dignics 09C suited me in some ways; I even had a peak result beating a 2150-rated player and competing well with ~1900 players. However, I felt I had to work much harder to generate the same spin as with Tenergy 05, and it was a bit too slow for my style, where I want to finish points quickly in short rallies. A big advantage was counter-topspin, which felt easier and more stable than with Tenergy 05. Still, I eventually switched back to Tenergy 05 because it feels freer and allows me to win points more easily. Recently, I’ve had good wins again against 1900–2000 players with it.

At this point, I believe Tenergy 05 is ideal for my forehand, and I don’t really want to change that (maybe I’ll test Dignics 05 again in the future, but I don’t want to keep switching).

My main issue is on the backhand:

• I struggle to control very fast, deep serves to my backhand with Tenergy 05
• I find it difficult to keep my backhand serves really short due to the bounciness
• At the same time, I don’t think Dignics 09C is the right solution either, as my return quality becomes too passive

So I’m looking for an attacking backhand rubber that still offers good control, especially:

• Better control on serve receive (especially against fast/deep serves)
• Good touch for short play and pushing
• High spin potential for serves and pushes

Do you have any recommendations for my backhand?

Thanks in advance!

Hello friend!

Seems like a more easy to play with rubber might suit you regarding your backhand.

I think something like Rakza X. Or Stiga DNA Hybrid would feel good.

All the best 😎

 

[exotick]

How would you compare D80 and Zyre then? In terms of spin sensitivity and ease of engagement?

Honestly I'm not sure.

The durometer was applied on the sponge with the rubbers laid on a flat table.

I can't tell if the hardness is lower for D80 vs D05, because the sponge is softer in it self or it's because of the topsheet difference.

I don't think it's within normal variation because I tested two D80 (1 black and 1 red) and got the same measure.
Same for the few T05 and D05 that I have.

But playing with both rubbers, it's clear that D80 feels softer than D05 and requires much less engagement to get decent speed.

 

[mvibritannia]

How would you compare D80 and Zyre then? In terms of spin sensitivity and ease of engagement?

Zyre is clearly faster!

Zyre feels a bit harder than D80 when not boosted.

Both are relatively similar in terms of spin sensitivity, but the ball rebounds faster on Zyre.

I would say Zyre is harder to engage, but even when you don't engage you already have really decent speed.
Maybe a bit less spin.

However at full potential Zyre is much more powerful!

I would totally advise against using Zyre on the side being your weak point.

Overall D80 is an easy to play and forgiving rubber, Zyre is the opposite: Very powerful but way less tolerance.