Equipment downgrade to upgrade skill

[Half_Ch1n9_Ch0n9]

Playing style: Defensive
Best Shots: Over the table backhand flick, Backhand drive, Forhand loop and drive, Chopping on fh and backhand.
I used to have a KTL instinct+ with Mark V both sides, but then a coach came up to me and told me he’d coach me for free if I’d play modern defence. I took the offer and started before Covid-19, but I noticed that my offensive forehand and backhand had gradually gotten a bit worse. I am thinking of buying a second racket. First Racket is: Custom 5 ply Def+, Mark V 2.0, TSP Curl P-1r. My thoughts on a new racket: KTL Instinct +, DHS Skyline TG3 (forehand), DHS Skyline TG2 (backhand). I will be moderately boosting them so they aren’t too dull. I am doing this so that I can improve under harsh conditions. Any recommendations for a harder to use Chinese hard rubber? Also no European rubbers because I want to use harder ones to improve more and not rely on the rubber itself and improve my own skill. I have previously used Mark V Rakza 7 soft and Sriver, and found I rely too much on them and want to create my own speed without relying on the rubber too much.
P.S. I am young and fit so footwork and arm strength is not a problem

 

[Kaizoku]

That's very interesting... How did you decide you wanted tacky sheets on bh as well, instead of a pimples out like tsp curl though? Lack of attacking abilities? You could consider twiddling...

Anyway, to your requests, DHS Hurricane 3 National (Blue Sponge) would probably be the ultimate upgrade, but it's reaaally expensive: https://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/dhs-hurricane-3-national-40-blue-sponge otherwise the non-national version, or a DHS Hurricane 8 Hard, slightly more spin, and slightly faster: https://revspin.net/rubber/dhs-hurricane-8-hard.html and Meanwhile: https://revspin.net/rubber/tibhar-hybrid-k1-european-version.html or https://revspin.net/rubber/yasaka-rising-dragon.html might be among the best "chinese tacky rubber" hybrid options from the european market. (if you're interested)

About blades though... Instinct+ is definitely on the defensive side speed-wise, but, is it because of the price that you didn't consider higher end defensive blades with a bigger surface?
Such as:
1. https://revspin.net/blade/victas-koji-matsushita.html
2. https://revspin.net/blade/butterfly-joo-se-hyuk.html
3. https://revspin.net/blade/andro-wanokiwami-midori-def.html
etc.
But you also have cheaper def-sized blades thats pretty cheap (although sliiightly more than the instinct+)
1. https://revspin.net/blade/donic-defplay-senso-v3.html
2. https://revspin.net/blade/tibhar-stratus-power-defense.html
3. https://revspin.net/blade/butterfly-defence-2.html

Also, modern defence, who is your defensive idol? Joo Sae hyuk? Gionis panagiotias? Ruwen Filus?
You stated your best shot, but do you have an idea for your ideal playing style? do you like chopping more with bh or fh, or do you prefer to keep both 50/50? Also when you go attacking, would you prefer more like Gionis or Ruwen? or perhaps more balanced like JSH?

 

[Half_Ch1n9_Ch0n9]

That's very interesting... How did you decide you wanted tacky sheets on bh as well, instead of a pimples out like tsp curl though? Lack of attacking abilities? You could consider twiddling...

Anyway, to your requests, DHS Hurricane 3 National (Blue Sponge) would probably be the ultimate upgrade, but it's reaaally expensive: https://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/dhs-hurricane-3-national-40-blue-sponge otherwise the non-national version, or a DHS Hurricane 8 Hard, slightly more spin, and slightly faster: https://revspin.net/rubber/dhs-hurricane-8-hard.html and Meanwhile: https://revspin.net/rubber/tibhar-hybrid-k1-european-version.html or https://revspin.net/rubber/yasaka-rising-dragon.html might be among the best "chinese tacky rubber" hybrid options from the european market. (if you're interested)

About blades though... Instinct+ is definitely on the defensive side speed-wise, but, is it because of the price that you didn't consider higher end defensive blades with a bigger surface?
Such as:
1. https://revspin.net/blade/victas-koji-matsushita.html
2. https://revspin.net/blade/butterfly-joo-se-hyuk.html
3. https://revspin.net/blade/andro-wanokiwami-midori-def.html
etc.
But you also have cheaper def-sized blades thats pretty cheap (although sliiightly more than the instinct+)
1. https://revspin.net/blade/donic-defplay-senso-v3.html
2. https://revspin.net/blade/tibhar-stratus-power-defense.html
3. https://revspin.net/blade/butterfly-defence-2.html

Also, modern defence, who is your defensive idol? Joo Sae hyuk? Gionis panagiotias? Ruwen Filus?
You stated your best shot, but do you have an idea for your ideal playing style? do you like chopping more with bh or fh, or do you prefer to keep both 50/50? Also when you go attacking, would you prefer more like Gionis or Ruwen? or perhaps more balanced like JSH?

so, my favourite player is suh hyowon won. and i play modern defence, but the thing is even though i twiddle and do attack a lot, my attack has gone down in power and spin, in order to increase my attacking strength i decided to make another bat that’s rock hard so i could practice attacking with really hard circumstances to get better.
Also, WOW thanks for all the info! i’ll take a look into that. (My first bar is a def+ custom made bat that has a large head size so i’m not looking for a defensive blade right now but thanks for the reply!) I’m more chopping/attacking 60/40. Also if on the table i will only attack with the backhand flick. Away from the table it’s mostly chopping and forehand counter looping and driving with the occasional backhand drive.

 

[Half_Ch1n9_Ch0n9]

Also i had been looking into a VKMO or a BTY Diode V but due to the price i haven’t been able to make up my mind, (i’m still a student and don’t get paid much even for casual work) Also chop on both sides sorry for not clarifying around bh/fh 60/40 but i do prefer chopping with forehand.