Getting back into the play

[UK Member 74]

Hi,
I used to play 30 years ago. My style was offensive. I played with Mark V for the forehand, and Sriver for the backhand, on a Butterfly carbon blade ( don't remember the exact model). I'm looking to buy new rubbers and bat, I see that Mark V is still available, and Sriver as well, but I'm wondering what the recommended or new brands are. For example, I saw Stiga has the DNA series now.
Thank you

 

[NetProphet]

Hi,
I used to play 30 years ago. My style was offensive. I played with Mark V for the forehand, and Sriver for the backhand, on a Butterfly carbon blade ( don't remember the exact model). I'm looking to buy new rubbers and bat, I see that Mark V is still available, and Sriver as well, but I'm wondering what the recommended or new brands are. For example, I saw Stiga has the DNA series now.
Thank you

You're in the same position I was 3 yrs ago.
I started with Mark V M2 (it's Mark V with harder sponge) in max sponge thickness on an all wood blade, played this setup for the 1st year and it was great for getting back into it.

However, the game has moved on from Mark V and as I advanced (and opposition got better) I changed to Yasaka Rakza series (7,X,Z) for my 2nd year and this has also worked well.

You'll get many differing opinions and most people will just laugh at Mark V but there is nothing wrong with it as a tool for reintroduction.

I give my Mark V racket to friends whenever they come to play (most of them have played years ago too) and while they're just casual players they can have fun with that racket and can often find some of their old shots fairly quickly!

If you're really getting back into it and joining a larger club and getting a coach etc then I'd skip straight past Mark V to a 5 ply all wood blade and Yasaka Rakza 7 rubbers.
The Rakza 7 is a great rubber that's not too fast or too spinny and is really great to learn with.
Welcome back and have fun!

 

[Lazer]

MarkV is still a great rubber. It may have the best topsheet in the industry. It lasts longer than any other rubber. However it’s a little deadish due to the old fashioned sponge. This is great if you are a beginner but as you advance you probably want something a little more lively. It is also too expensive for what it is. I personally think it is a much better rubber than sriver. Sriver is faster but less spinny.

Don’t expect to stay with Mark V if you select it. If you were good before I would suggest you to start with a cheaper rubber until you figure out the new market. There is so many to choose from.

Neotec katana (you can get at Tabletennis11 it’s on sale this week but you need to hurry up) is a good one to start with. There are many Chinese options, but make sure you don’t pick a tacky one to start with, they come with more maintenance… This you can explore later. A Chinese rubber I here a lot about on this site is Yinhe AK47. It comes in different flavors so read up on them before ordering.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Tyce]

Ak47 is Palio actually, and the flavours are pretty simple: soft (blue sponge) medium (yellow sponge) and hard (red sponge).

I like medium, it works on basically any blade. Soft doesn't pair well with hard surfaces, hard can be a bit too much to get a proper feel for it.

 

[Lazer]

Ak47 is Palio actually, and the flavours are pretty simple: soft (blue sponge) medium (yellow sponge) and hard (red sponge).

I like medium, it works on basically any blade. Soft doesn't pair well with hard surfaces, hard can be a bit too much to get a proper feel for it.

OK, there are so many can’t keep track of them all😁

Cheers
L-zr