Sanwei Target National & STN Player Edition (Gordanga) Tackiness Test

[suds79]

I had a chance to test out Sanwei Target National & Target National Gordanga on my Eagle Beak Penhold.

I liked the paring of Target National on my FH and I put the slightly softer sponged Gordanga on my BH.

Black Target National:

Red Target National Gordanga | Marked medium-soft on the package (I'd tend to say more medium over soft for sure)

Both rubbers I'd call tacky and have thick dense sponge. I didn't boost these rubbers as I wanted to test them out in their true form and honestly after playing with them a couple of weeks, I don't think I will. They certainly have enough pop in them for me to accomplish what I want.

I typically play with Chinese tacky style rubbers so these felt right at home for me but I would say their sponge is a little bit more lively and offered a little more power right off the top over what I'm used to. I've never been one who thinks "More power always = better" because there's the touch & short game to think about where power & speed doesn't help you there but in this case the ever so slight extra pop they delivered was appreciated.

If you want to see them in action of me hitting with these rubbers, I was using them on the Eagle Beak penhold blade I reviewed a short time ago.

 

[Reaper]

hello, which was the packaging of the black rubber you tested?

they have 2 target national versions with silver pack, at different price ranges.

i have the cheaper one, in the second image, and it's not tacky.

 

[Lazer]

I tried the one one in the top package, it wasn’t t very tacky either, I think none of them are anymore…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[suds79]

hello, which was the packaging of the black rubber you tested?

they have 2 target national versions with silver pack, at different price ranges.

i have the cheaper one, in the second image, and it's not tacky.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm really trying to decide. It was sent to me to test out so I can't really verify on price or find the different price offerings based on a short search here.

Mine looks more shiny like what you have in the 2nd picture there but the pattern of this block design is slightly different from either that you have posted there which looks like a crosshatch design.

** Later Post Edit: Mine has the angle marks on the circle target part along the top right packaging where as the 2nd picture you posted it's smooth there. So I must have the 1st one pictured of your samples. **

That being said, in the video I check out their tackiness with the ball test brand new. I don't know if this is the best method and it could be skewed depending on how soft one's sponge is which would help in that test. While I've seen tackier rubbers, overall I'd consider it somewhat tacky.

Generally I just like my rubbers tacky. I don't get too worked out anymore as I used to in wanting flypaper type stuff. That level of tack might seem cool but in my experience it goes to just normal tacky in no time even with regular cleaning & using rubber protectors. Now a days so long as I have some tack and I don't feel the ball slipping at all in my play, that's good enough for me.

 

[Reaper]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm really trying to decide. It was sent to me to test out so I can't really verify on price or find the different price offerings based on a short search here.

View attachment 41603

Mine looks more shiny like what you have in the 2nd picture there but the pattern of this block design is slightly different from either that you have posted there which looks like a crosshatch design.

** Later Post Edit: Mine has the angle marks on the circle target part along the top right packaging where as the 2nd picture you posted it's smooth there. So I must have the 1st one pictured of your samples. **

That being said, in the video I check out their tackiness with the ball test brand new. I don't know if this is the best method and it could be skewed depending on how soft one's sponge is which would help in that test. While I've seen tackier rubbers, overall I'd consider it somewhat tacky.

Generally I just like my rubbers tacky. I don't get too worked out anymore as I used to in wanting flypaper type stuff. That level of tack might seem cool but in my experience it goes to just normal tacky in no time even with regular cleaning & using rubber protectors. Now a days so long as I have some tack and I don't feel the ball slipping at all in my play, that's good enough for me.

yup, yours is the more expensive one. I almost buy any of those you tested, before settling on the cheap one. Now i can crossed them out my shopping cart.

Your video is very helpful, the mayority of rubber testers don't show that test anymore (i call it the antigravity test), usually they just do the grip test where they hit the ball upwards, leave the blade at 45° and check for the upward bounce (dont know how to call it), which is helpfull too.

In general, my version seams to be aimed at those accustomed to euro/jap rubbers.

Overall sanwei is a mess in naming and packaging. they seem to have multiple rubber compounds under the same name.

... my search for the stickiest rubber continues