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Normally I don't use (medium-) hard rubbers, but I did wanted to try the new Nexy Etika.
Version: Etika 47
Thickness: 2.1mm (as far as I know it only comes in 2.1mm?)
Weight uncut: 68 gr
Weight cut: 46 gr
Playtime: approx. 7-8 hours
Blades used: Xiom SAL, Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon, Stiga Energy Wood V2
About my playing style:
About 35 years playing TT. Playstyle is to focus on topspin (both BH and FH) and placement of the ball, rather than just speed.
(for the Dutch readers: Zuidwest, 1ste klas)
The firm sponge of the Etika 47 has small pores, especially compared to the Rasanter R48.
Etika is not one of those rubbers with hard/firm sponge and soft top sheet. I would say that top sheet and sponge are "in sync".
From top to bottom:
Andro Rasanter R48 2.0mm
Nexy Etika 47 2.1mm
Stiga Energy Wood V2
Donic BlueGrip S2 2.0mm
Etika doesn't have massive catapult effect (like Rasanter series for example) and because of this is plays linear. In my vocabulary this means it's predictable. No sudden and unexpected high arc topspin or jumped up pushes. You simply know how your shot will be as soon as you hit the ball.
It has a medium to medium low arc, which works very well for topspin close at the table, pushes and block. Especially when blocking, Etika gives a vicious return to the attacked. Many opponents where caught off guard by this. More aggressive push blocks were very satisfying
As Etika is a medium-hard rubber short pushes low over the net were easy to do. When serving, placement of the ball, was also very precise.
Although it's a fast rubber, it doesn't actually feel that fast. Because of the lack of lot's of catapult, it's easy to control despite it's speed. Having said that, I didn't try Etika on a true OFF or OFF+ blade, as I just know this isn't my thing.
The Etika 47 is not very sensitive to incoming spin, which works out great for opening on backspin or topspin over topspin.
However, this is also the downside of this rubber: it's harder to generate spin. I would say I have a decent serve and normally I make a straight point with my serve 1 out of 4 serves. With Etika, there was noticeable less spin in my serves and opponents returned my serves with ease. Same for the amount of spin in my topspin.
Etika using the SAL (87gr):
Wanted to try this combination first, as the SAL is a controlled OFF-/OFF blade, but the combination of Etika and SAL didn't work out for me. SAL barely has any vibrations and with the medium hard Etika, I just couldn't feel the ball as I'm used to.
Etika using Ma Lin Soft Carbon (89gr):
MLSC is my go-to blade if I need to step back for a while and need more consistency in my shots. Also a OFF- blade, but it's definitely slower and even more controlled compared to SAL. Combination of Etika and MLSC worked out much better for me. Ball stays just a bit longer on the blade (Limba outer vs SAL Koto outer) and my timing was better. I was able to play slow, short, low over the net topspin, but also fast full blown topspin. (sidenote: used Andro Hexer PowerGrip SFX on the BH and this was loads of fun)
Etika using Stiga Energy Wood V2 (87gr):
EW V2 is a ALL+/OFF- all wood blade and offers loads of control. As it's an ALL+ blade, you have to work bit harder to play fast topspin. Well placed topspin is a breeze and so is blocking with the Etika on this blade. Great combination for an all round playstyle, less suitable for offensive players.
(sidenote: used Donic BlueGrip S2 on my BH, but due to slow speed of the blade and (slightly) tacky top sheet, this didn't work at all for me)
Conclusion:
Etika 47 is great rubber if you are looking for a fast, but yet controllable offensive rubber. It's versatile rubber and suits different attacking styles. Creating spin with softer rubbers is easier and as I'm used to (medium-)soft rubbers, I had difficulties creating a decent amount of spin in my serves and topspin. Not sure if I will keep using Etika because of this, but I will surely give it another try.
PS: the above review is based on my personal opinion/experience/playing style and may very well differ from any other opinion.
Version: Etika 47
Thickness: 2.1mm (as far as I know it only comes in 2.1mm?)
Weight uncut: 68 gr
Weight cut: 46 gr
Playtime: approx. 7-8 hours
Blades used: Xiom SAL, Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon, Stiga Energy Wood V2
About my playing style:
About 35 years playing TT. Playstyle is to focus on topspin (both BH and FH) and placement of the ball, rather than just speed.
(for the Dutch readers: Zuidwest, 1ste klas)
The firm sponge of the Etika 47 has small pores, especially compared to the Rasanter R48.
Etika is not one of those rubbers with hard/firm sponge and soft top sheet. I would say that top sheet and sponge are "in sync".
From top to bottom:
Andro Rasanter R48 2.0mm
Nexy Etika 47 2.1mm
Stiga Energy Wood V2
Donic BlueGrip S2 2.0mm
Etika doesn't have massive catapult effect (like Rasanter series for example) and because of this is plays linear. In my vocabulary this means it's predictable. No sudden and unexpected high arc topspin or jumped up pushes. You simply know how your shot will be as soon as you hit the ball.
It has a medium to medium low arc, which works very well for topspin close at the table, pushes and block. Especially when blocking, Etika gives a vicious return to the attacked. Many opponents where caught off guard by this. More aggressive push blocks were very satisfying
As Etika is a medium-hard rubber short pushes low over the net were easy to do. When serving, placement of the ball, was also very precise.
Although it's a fast rubber, it doesn't actually feel that fast. Because of the lack of lot's of catapult, it's easy to control despite it's speed. Having said that, I didn't try Etika on a true OFF or OFF+ blade, as I just know this isn't my thing.
The Etika 47 is not very sensitive to incoming spin, which works out great for opening on backspin or topspin over topspin.
However, this is also the downside of this rubber: it's harder to generate spin. I would say I have a decent serve and normally I make a straight point with my serve 1 out of 4 serves. With Etika, there was noticeable less spin in my serves and opponents returned my serves with ease. Same for the amount of spin in my topspin.
Wanted to try this combination first, as the SAL is a controlled OFF-/OFF blade, but the combination of Etika and SAL didn't work out for me. SAL barely has any vibrations and with the medium hard Etika, I just couldn't feel the ball as I'm used to.
Etika using Ma Lin Soft Carbon (89gr):
MLSC is my go-to blade if I need to step back for a while and need more consistency in my shots. Also a OFF- blade, but it's definitely slower and even more controlled compared to SAL. Combination of Etika and MLSC worked out much better for me. Ball stays just a bit longer on the blade (Limba outer vs SAL Koto outer) and my timing was better. I was able to play slow, short, low over the net topspin, but also fast full blown topspin. (sidenote: used Andro Hexer PowerGrip SFX on the BH and this was loads of fun)
Etika using Stiga Energy Wood V2 (87gr):
EW V2 is a ALL+/OFF- all wood blade and offers loads of control. As it's an ALL+ blade, you have to work bit harder to play fast topspin. Well placed topspin is a breeze and so is blocking with the Etika on this blade. Great combination for an all round playstyle, less suitable for offensive players.
(sidenote: used Donic BlueGrip S2 on my BH, but due to slow speed of the blade and (slightly) tacky top sheet, this didn't work at all for me)
Conclusion:
Etika 47 is great rubber if you are looking for a fast, but yet controllable offensive rubber. It's versatile rubber and suits different attacking styles. Creating spin with softer rubbers is easier and as I'm used to (medium-)soft rubbers, I had difficulties creating a decent amount of spin in my serves and topspin. Not sure if I will keep using Etika because of this, but I will surely give it another try.
PS: the above review is based on my personal opinion/experience/playing style and may very well differ from any other opinion.
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