Search results

The Instinct shoe is identical in construction to the Tibhar Blue Spirit shoe which I have (only color is different). I agree, they are fantastic.

Given my choice, I would play with the Nittaku Premium 40+ ball that is made in Japan. I got a few of those from Iruiru (and once again they are indefinitely back-ordered). They are really good. Best playing ball of all but really expensive even when you can actually buy the damned things...

Wally, I strongly suspect that this ball is made by XSF, for two reasons. The first reason is that this document here http://www.ittf.com/stories/pictures/Plastic_Balls_Q_A.pdf from ITTF seems to say that the German ball (manufactured by a company called Weener) has seams. Only XSF is...

If you are going to be in the very center of Beijing, close to major tourist areas, there is a very large sports store on Wangfujing Road. It is directly across the street from the Wangfujing Cathedral (which is the largest Christian church in China and a tourist attraction of sorts, and...

Very possible. I have not had a chance to use any that were made more recently than June. (You can see month and year of manufacture from a 4-letter code on the side of the box). Or it could just be a matter of chance for the matches you watched. I am sure that DHS is actively trying to find...

Have been using these balls for last several days (I got them from Iruiru in Japan at the relatively high price of 895 yen per box of three balls, which is about $3 (USD) per ball and that does not include shipping. I have also let my clubmates try some. Most of them have been using other 40+...

SOmebody asked if, given that the Chinese seamed balls are all made the same, if there is any use to trying different brands. The answer is possibly. This is because Double Fish and DHS seamed balls are made by the same (or similar) process but at different factories. I have seen several...

If durability is an issue, I would avoid the seamed Chinese polyballs for awhile at least. They really need to improve that.

The ITTF approved XSF ball is very good at a very good price. Round, plays well, high bounce, excellent durability. Like all 40+ balls it is a little slower and a little less spin. Weener was mentioned in an ITTF document but have not brought a ball to market as far as I know. I'm not...

Der Echte. Go here. http://www.tapebrothers.com/Pro-Gaff...s-p/pgre-5.htm The 1/2" is exactly the right size. Cheap and very good edge tape.

There are five manufacturers of PLASTIC 40+ balls. Among these, only XSF currently makes the SEAMLESS version of plastic balls currently sold. Three factories make seamed plastic balls. One other has a seamless technology but as far as I can tell, has not brought a ball to market. The XSF...

This is what I use. http://www.tapebrothers.com/Pro-Gaff-Red-Spike-Tape-1-2-in-x-45-Yds-p/pgre-5.htm

One update.  Today somebody brought some IPong seamless balls, presumably made by XSF, but not ITTF approved.  They were terrible, essentially the are the same as the XSF balls were a year ago.  Horrible sound, funky play.  Only good for serving practice. My guess is that XSF had a bunch of...

Carl, I'm a little confused about this too. Here is what I do know. I know XSF is now making balls for several other companies, including Nexy, Champion, Yinhe, Palio, Ipong and others that I am forgetting. Among these the only ones I have tried have XSF label, but I will hit with one of...

For the last 12 weeks or so, I have played almost exclusively with polyballs and I have spent a lot of money trying various brands, also letting people at my club, ratings from 1500-2600, try the balls that I buy. Also, at this point, nearly everyone at my club has switched to polyballs to get...

None taken. Definitely not a nice person.

Bear in mind that not tossing the ball out of the hand is not the same as hiding the serve. Both are illegal now, but the no-toss serve has been illegal for a lot longer.

You are absolutely correct. There is no comparison. The XSF ball is an absolutely superior product in every way -- roundness, bounce, durability. The difference is very noticeable and it has been consistent for the last month that I have been using these balls. The only seamed ball I have...

Sorry, I have not used JP01. Xiom Vega Pro is the one I have tried. A very controlled offensive rubber. Haven't tried the others.

Just my two cents: When you try to split the difference between two quite different philosophies, as with a Chinese rubber and Tenergy -- which is sort of what Spinart is -- you end up with some of the worst features of both. That's probably why it hasn't caught on much. But the only to tell...