Double Fish samples has arrived - what is your opinions?

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Amongst my club-mates, Double Fish WTT balls are viewed favorably.

and I can't believe I got to test the WTT balls only yesterday. haha

DF has been in contact with me for few years now.
I should of requested samples long long ago

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Don't know anything about the 3* Balls or blades, but we ordered the same blue DF balls for our local club and the quality is not good. Now we only use them for the child training.
Maybe we are a little spoiled because of our normal equipment but that is mine and the club experience

hi Maxxx

the training balls - could you find out if it is 1 star or no star?
or even get a photo of it to see if it is the same version (v40+)
thanks

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Now I have on the BH DF Athlon 2. This rubber requires only brushing. Blocks are awful, when I play more through the ball I don't feel it at all. I like the rubber because it makes me more active in the game close to the table

i've noticed now, DF calls blades and rubbers the same.
Athlon is also blade series too. (Athlon 1, 2 and 3)
Catalogue, rubber wise, they only have Athlon 1 listed

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Today, I tested these 2 rackets:

1) Dragon Cpen
FH: Polestar P black 39 deg
BH: Volant 2 red 37 deg

2) Phoenix 2 (flared - and hold it as penhold)
FH 218 Spin black 39 deg
BH 218 Control red 39 deg

both unboosted, and both with 2 layers of #15 glue on rubber and 1 layer on blade.

feedback after few mins of testing (as my main test today was on balls)

- I never enjoyed ZLC blades, so maybe my view on the rubbers there isn't accurate.
- Polestar P, P stands for provincial, while S is standard version. It was pretty heavy uncut, but it was a larger sheet (largest I ever saw - wait for the video).
- the Volant 2 is considered hybrid. I like this alot.
both these rubbers, DF states its sticky, but it won't hold/stick the ball at all.
I enjoy the Volant 2 a lot more on both BH and FH (Cpen RPB player)

Phoenix 2 uses 3k carbon or what they also call, imitation carbon.
it is rated as an ALL blade, and I could feel it being slower than my preferred speed.

the 218 rubbers are surprising very good. I think if I had it on a 5+2 OFF blade or 7 ply Off blade, it would be a lot more enjoyable for my game.

Having said that ALL blades are designed more for developing players and 218 is very controllable and spinny rubbers.

218 cost more than Volant 2 (I thought it was the other way around, this making Volant a very good buy)
218 is still priced well, and it doesn't feel like Chinese rubbers at all, other than that the top sheet is more sticky than the other 2.
both 218 and Volant 2, didn't feel like Chinese rubbers, and QC felt really good.
218 Spin is recommended for FH and Control for BH according to DF.
For Volant 2, they suggest it for BH, as one would normally have a firmer rubber like H3 in the FH. Well, Volant 2 can be suited for both sides and I won't be surprised if users see my review and end up buying it and enjoy it. It is really good to use.

Whats next.
1) boost Polestar P and put it on ALC blade
2) try out Volant 1 and put it on ALC blade (Volant 1 is a FH rubber basically and firmer sponge)
3) put 218 on OFF blade

Blade craftsmanship:
VERY Good.
sanded throughout - no rough edges

I am surprised that DF blade and rubbers are not more commonly used around the world.
I'm hoping more people can comment on their experience on the blades and rubbers, as I'm also learning on this brand that has been around since the 50s

 

[Maxxx]

hi Maxxx

the training balls - could you find out if it is 1 star or no star?
or even get a photo of it to see if it is the same version (v40+)
thanks

Hi Tony,
Friday evening I'will be back in the training hall and after that I'll write you.
Is it possible that you overlooked my message in the private chat?
No worries anyways

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Hi Tony,
Friday evening I'will be back in the training hall and after that I'll write you.

thank you

Is it possible that you overlooked my message in the private chat?
No worries anyways

2 minutes - ago yes,
now, - no

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I have just checked both Polestar (P and S)
they measure 17cm x 17.5cm (this part is logo side)
to give an idea H3 is 16.3cm x 16.5cm (this part is logo side)

 

[Maxxx]

hi Maxxx

the training balls - could you find out if it is 1 star or no star?
or even get a photo of it to see if it is the same version (v40+)
thanks

Hi Tony,
sorry I'm little late, but here is a picture.
I'm not a expert in this topic but here ist my criticism:
- less spin than other "better"/ more expensive training balls
- becomes slower during the flight curve (weird to describe)
- inconsistent bounce of the table (espacially while playing drills really weird)
- a few balls weren't completly round

Its not as bad bad as it sounds here, but I wouldn't recommed these ball.
We are using them for the little childs/ beginners and there it's working completely fine.

 

[IB66]

I bought some of the DF 1 star orange training balls when a couple of players mentioned that when playing from one end of the table, the lighting and background at the opposite end had the effect of making the white balls harder to see, a minor niggle, but I thought that an orange ball should be tried.
the difference between the white and orange balls was noticeable by a few players, the comments maxxx made in the previous thread regarding some weird ball flights etc
I think that the DF balls are lighter and this may be the cause of the minor issues made, if the DF balls were used on their own without a ball to compare them to perhaps less comments would have been made?
These balls are pretty good for the price, and as usual there’s always some give and take with performance price ratio. For beginners and new players these balls a fine.

 

[Maxxx]

I bought some of the DF 1 star orange training balls when a couple of players mentioned that when playing from one end of the table, the lighting and background at the opposite end had the effect of making the white balls harder to see, a minor niggle, but I thought that an orange ball should be tried.
the difference between the white and orange balls was noticeable by a few players, the comments maxxx made in the previous thread regarding some weird ball flights etc
I think that the DF balls are lighter and this may be the cause of the minor issues made, if the DF balls were used on their own without a ball to compare them to perhaps less comments would have been made?
These balls are pretty good for the price, and as usual there’s always some give and take with performance price ratio. For beginners and new players these balls a fine.
View attachment 30241

yes the price is really great. And as I said for the child training they work out really well.
But for me back when I tested them and trained about a month with them, the switch to the 3* balls which are used in tournaments/ league was for me and my teammates really hard.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Hi Maxxx,

Thank you
I thought it was that ball
this is the no star ball
the one star looks like this:
this ball is a bit heavier and hard (same as the orange) ball.

I'm bringing all the balls to pros juniors on Tuesday to let them have a go at them.
I also spoken to few WR50 players about the balls, so I have a good idea from elite levels too.

Hi IB66

I actually don't have too much experience with many brands of training balls.
since i'm using a lot of 3 star balls of late.

DF price is pretty good (low price). the no star is the cheapest, 1 star is more expensive.
the last time I tested the trainings, I forgot to bring my stiga training balls with. So on Tuesday, I would have them side by side to test.

I have seen and used some training balls that feel like 3 stars.
My first impression on the DF training, wasn't that, but that was really only 2 or 3 hits (maybe 10~15 shots) in total, so wasn't enough sampling.

The match balls so far, are pretty good

 

[IB66]

Hi Maxxx,

Thank you
I thought it was that ball
this is the no star ball
the one star looks like this:
this ball is a bit heavier and hard (same as the orange) ball.

I'm bringing all the balls to pros juniors on Tuesday to let them have a go at them.
I also spoken to few WR50 players about the balls, so I have a good idea from elite levels too.
View attachment 30231

Hi IB66

I actually don't have too much experience with many brands of training balls.
since i'm using a lot of 3 star balls of late.

DF price is pretty good (low). the no star is the cheapest, 1 star is more expensive.
the last time I tested the trainings, I forgot to bring my stiga training balls with. So on Tuesday, I would have them side by side to test.

I have seen and used some training balls that feel like 3 stars.
My first impression on the DF training, wasn't that, but that was really only 2 or 3 hits (maybe 10~15 shots) in total, so wasn't enough sampling.

The match balls so far, are pretty good

Yeah, the match balls are very good, I bought a dozen a couple of years ago for personal use when practicing. Over here (Britain) DF balls are not used very much, people see the logo and don’t recognise it, and then think the balls must be low quality!! It’s actually the reverse!!

 

[Bilge Dogan]

do they have an Anatomic sample or even a blade ?just asking to be depressed after hearing a no again on every new blade.
But the Volant Phoenix sound interesting,what are the others and is there the Juic Neo Galaxy in there,which is a cooperation with Double FIsh.
ANd i belive the DF Balls were the first training balls ever created!!!
But all in All a great Packacke you got there Tony!
Can you say something about the blades composition?

Just wonder how did you get the info of Double Fish cooperation in development of Juic Neo Galaxy ?

 

[skibiditoilet]

have any one used DF balls/rubbers/blades?
like to hear your feedback.

I doubt many would have tested the blades in this photo, not to mention the shakehand is still in sample phase and not yet for sell. But also eager to hear people's opinion on DF blades.


here is the list of items:

Phoenix 2 blade 5w2c (Ayous, Basswood, imitation carbon, tung wood)
Dragon blade 5w2c (koto, zlc, ayous, tung wood)

Rubbers
Polestar P
Polestar S
Voulant-Phoenix
Voulant-Phoenix 2
218 Spin
218 Control
DF16
DF26
1615

Balls
1 star
no star
3 star V40+
3 star V40+ WTT
3 star PAR40+

i like the 3 star double fish balls
they are like the dhs balls for me.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Yeah, the match balls are very good, I bought a dozen a couple of years ago for personal use when practicing. Over here (Britain) DF balls are not used very much, people see the logo and don’t recognise it, and then think the balls must be low quality!! It’s actually the reverse!!

I agree with you there on brand recognition. (or lack of in this case)
I had a brief chat with my contact yesterday, and he seems very sincere. I think the brand is one of those that is looking for growth now. I can sense it in my contacts energy.

 

[IB66]

The only other product I tried was one of their rubbers - Qiji Pro osmose inverse, the sheets I received were, as far as bounciness was concerned as dead as a dodo!! they made unboosted 41 degree H3 seem like a jumping jack firecracker!! Qiji Pro was virtually unplayable, for me any way, full blooded loops from zone 2 bounced before the net!! throw was low which compounded the issue.
So I boosted them. curled up nicely, 2 or 3 layers of Seamoon over a week or so, let them settle down, glued, played and no difference!!!
It's extremely likely that I got some old stock, I think sponge hardness was 40 degree, level of tackiness was medium to high. Other Forum members didn't have this issue, which is why I think the rubbers I received were dodgy.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the rubbers you received.

 

[rbtitco]

Their 3 star balls are pretty popular in SE Asia, Yinhe, too.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

The only other product I tried was one of their rubbers - Qiji Pro osmose inverse, the sheets I received were, as far as bounciness was concerned as dead as a dodo!! they made unboosted 41 degree H3 seem like a jumping jack firecracker!! Qiji Pro was virtually unplayable, for me any way, full blooded loops from zone 2 bounced before the net!! throw was low which compounded the issue.
So I boosted them. curled up nicely, 2 or 3 layers of Seamoon over a week or so, let them settle down, glued, played and no difference!!!
It's extremely likely that I got some old stock, I think sponge hardness was 40 degree, level of tackiness was medium to high. Other Forum members didn't have this issue, which is why I think the rubbers I received were dodgy.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the rubbers you received.

this sounds like a very special rubber. hahaha
i am glad it no longer appears in the catalogue.

so far rubbers is impressive - doesn't feel traditional Chinese hard sponge tacky.
it is border line hybrid to euro rubber (with medium harder sponge feel).

I would need more time testing it on my alc blades to give better reference.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Update on balls

PAR40+ is a very good ball
comparable to that of Nittaku Premium.

I have opened 2 boxes (12 balls), and the consistency is very good

DF told me that one of the SOP for PAR40+ before boxing is to manually do a spin test.

If you have the seller selling a DF PAR40+, be sure to buy it and try it out.
in most countries I see, it is pretty well priced.

 

[ben1229]

Update on balls

PAR40+ is a very good ball
comparable to that of Nittaku Premium.

I have opened 2 boxes (12 balls), and the consistency is very good

DF told me that one of the SOP for PAR40+ before boxing is to manually do a spin test.

If you have the seller selling a DF PAR40+, be sure to buy it and try it out.
in most countries I see, it is pretty well priced.

Par 40+ better than nittaku premium in durability. I played par 40+ since it out . Very good ball, but same issue like all df ball the print....