Friendship 2-in-1 new sponge?

This user has no status.
I saw the link. Interesting idea. I really cannot think of an advantage to this set up unless you can loop the ball differently by a) using the top sheet to spin the ball only so you barely engage the top sponge v.s. b) using the sponge to loop the ball so you are engaging both layers of the sponge???

Why don't you order one and let us know how it feels?

I have spent way too much money on rubbers so far. I don't need to order any rubber for a year and I will still be working on wearing down my existing rubber in my inventory.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2014
1,617
1,215
2,885
Read 3 reviews
So what about rule 2.4.3.2

Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0mm.
 
says Fair Play First
says Fair Play First
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Jan 2012
1,715
578
2,399
KTL made some rubbers like this, they were kinda cool, got banned pretty quick tho. Called Golden Star or something
Yes, those got now banned for the competitive sport all over. For the actual Law , refer to ITTF M4 document.
 
Last edited:
says Fair Play First
says Fair Play First
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Jan 2012
1,715
578
2,399
ITTF DESERVES CRITICISM A LOT.

Yes, you got it right, indeed. ITTF little care about maintaining fair commerce by manufacturers. We can now observe a lot of the "bastard rubbers" coming out on market, mostly of China origin.

With this in mind, we submitted to ITTF a formal proposal of having an ID label on every sandwich rubber intended for market. Players all are bound to solely use the labeled rubbers during a competition. Upon a racket control, the sandwich rubber that is found unlabeled (without a standard ID label) is deemed an outlaw product and should be dealt with accordingly.

5. SANDWICH RUBBER. MATERIAL & MARKETING.

-- 5.2.4 Marketing or distributing sponges of different materials in combination with the same topsheet is not allowed and shall be a subject to penalty sanctions.

--------------------------
FAIR PLAY FIRST

PS// "Bastard rubbers" is a common naming of the non-approved sandwich rubbers being produced and marketed illicitly.
 
Last edited:
says Fair Play First
says Fair Play First
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Jan 2012
1,715
578
2,399
China 729 manufacturer does claim the advertised sponge sheet to be a monolayer structure in compliance with the ITTF technical standards. Upon our own investigation over the China Patent Datebase we looked out a real manufacturing process to produce the complex sponge material.

Two layers of raw rubber material C and D are merged together without any visible seam. Nonetheless, it still represent a TWO LAYER structure of one same composition. -- that is explicitly prohibited by ITTF technical regulations M4.

We strongly expect ITTF to issue an official public announcement regarding the illegal product in next month or two.

wTE_tFaSJfk.jpg
___________
FAIR PLAY FIRST
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Active Member
Mar 2013
975
1,317
2,858
Read 3 reviews
I don't know if rubber with two sponges is a good idea, but I am obligated to try it due to being infected with EJ
Well, of course. I have some on the way, see how it compares to Golden Star. Want to try it before it gets banned.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2022
350
188
707
KTL had beef with LARC so golden star and all their products were banned. No one cares about KTL btw.
729 is great company when you value in price/ performance ratio. Battle 3 and Battle 2 are top notch rubbers and their pips are world class. This shop has great prices
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Active Member
Mar 2013
975
1,317
2,858
Read 3 reviews
KTL had beef with LARC so golden star and all their products were banned. No one cares about KTL btw.
729 is great company when you value in price/ performance ratio. Battle 3 and Battle 2 are top notch rubbers and their pips are world class. This shop has great prices
If you look at the packaging, both 729 and KTL are mentioned...a collaboration perhaps? Igor might call it a deal with the devil ;-)
 
says Fair Play First
says Fair Play First
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Jan 2012
1,715
578
2,399
HISTORICAL RETROSPECTION.

TIBHAR was the first to start a complex sponge on market back in 1993, the rubber brand of SUPRA. Banned in a short while afterwards.

The KTL Golden Star rubber (launched on market in 2011) has always argued to be a monolayer structure. Banned a bit later as well.
Perhaps ITTF got tired through making explanations of the Racket Rules repeatedly, so they introduced a specific rule to the ITTF M4 document. 🤓

The 729 Battle Taichi seems an another endeavour to get around the Law. May it be a happy experience. 🤗🤓😜.

IMG_20240710_100538.jpg
 
Last edited:
Top