Help w/ Aliexpress haul (amateur/equipment advice)

[Belly]

Hi. I am returning to table tennis after a four year hiatus.

Currently, I use the "hunter flame" which is an extremely lightweight balsa blade. My rubbers are extremely dead tibhar rapid. I enjoy the lightweight feeling of the Hunter paddle, but the rubbers are so slippery, my form is not great but it's difficult to loop against backspin and I have to hit very low arc because I can't generate much spin. Anyways, the paddle is too damaged so I will be buying a new one.

Rubbers I am planning to try:

Yinhe Big Dipper (Forehand)
- I like the name, and I wanted to try playing with tacky Chinese rubbers. I understand it is not usually recommended to amateurs but I am set on at least giving one a try. Hoping my tennis background helps here.

Yinhe Moon 12 (Backhand)
- Heard that this is more like European style rubber. I like the blue color. That's it haha, I was recommended AK47 but read that this is similar and the color/name is way cooler.

Can someone recommend a good paddle to put with these? Also, what hardness to get for each rubber?

Price range is ideally <$30 but if someone really sells me on it I could do more.

I am seeking:
- Reasonably light weight
- Excellent control/feel.
- Longer dwell time.
- lower power so that I can rally with my girlfriend and brother.

Hopefully the equipment gurus can help me out here. Thank you for your recommendations!

 

[Ultravisitor]

Hi. I am returning to table tennis after a four year hiatus.

Currently, I use the "hunter flame" which is an extremely lightweight balsa blade. My rubbers are extremely dead tibhar rapid. I enjoy the lightweight feeling of the Hunter paddle, but the rubbers are so slippery, my form is not great but it's difficult to loop against backspin and I have to hit very low arc because I can't generate much spin. Anyways, the paddle is too damaged so I will be buying a new one.

Rubbers I am planning to try:

Yinhe Big Dipper (Forehand)
- I like the name, and I wanted to try playing with tacky Chinese rubbers. I understand it is not usually recommended to amateurs but I am set on at least giving one a try. Hoping my tennis background helps here.

Yinhe Moon 12 (Backhand)
- Heard that this is more like European style rubber. I like the blue color. That's it haha, I was recommended AK47 but read that this is similar and the color/name is way cooler.

Can someone recommend a good paddle to put with these? Also, what hardness to get for each rubber?

Price range is ideally <$30 but if someone really sells me on it I could do more.

I am seeking:
- Reasonably light weight
- Excellent control/feel.
- Longer dwell time.
- lower power so that I can rally with my girlfriend and brother.

Hopefully the equipment gurus can help me out here. Thank you for your recommendations!

Sanwei Fextra 5 can be really light and cheaper than 20$
I'd start with 38° for the big dipper and medium soft for the Moon12.

 

[riemsesy]

my first blade was a lightweight balsa too and I loved the ak47 on it..
just go for the blue or yellow sponge.
another overlooked cheap option is Sanwei T88-III not much bounce and reasonably tacky.. if you clean the rubbers after playing with some water and put a plastic cover on them, then they tacky for a long time.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Hi. I am returning to table tennis after a four year hiatus.

Currently, I use the "hunter flame" which is an extremely lightweight balsa blade. My rubbers are extremely dead tibhar rapid. I enjoy the lightweight feeling of the Hunter paddle, but the rubbers are so slippery, my form is not great but it's difficult to loop against backspin and I have to hit very low arc because I can't generate much spin. Anyways, the paddle is too damaged so I will be buying a new one.

Rubbers I am planning to try:

Yinhe Big Dipper (Forehand)
- I like the name, and I wanted to try playing with tacky Chinese rubbers. I understand it is not usually recommended to amateurs but I am set on at least giving one a try. Hoping my tennis background helps here.

Yinhe Moon 12 (Backhand)
- Heard that this is more like European style rubber. I like the blue color. That's it haha, I was recommended AK47 but read that this is similar and the color/name is way cooler.

Can someone recommend a good paddle to put with these? Also, what hardness to get for each rubber?

Price range is ideally <$30 but if someone really sells me on it I could do more.

I am seeking:
- Reasonably light weight
- Excellent control/feel.
- Longer dwell time.
- lower power so that I can rally with my girlfriend and brother.

Hopefully the equipment gurus can help me out here. Thank you for your recommendations!

Those 2 rubbers are excellent.

For blades, you are spoiled for choice. Maybe try the Friendship 729 inner KLC.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

Hi. I am returning to table tennis after a four year hiatus.

Currently, I use the "hunter flame" which is an extremely lightweight balsa blade. My rubbers are extremely dead tibhar rapid. I enjoy the lightweight feeling of the Hunter paddle, but the rubbers are so slippery, my form is not great but it's difficult to loop against backspin and I have to hit very low arc because I can't generate much spin. Anyways, the paddle is too damaged so I will be buying a new one.

Rubbers I am planning to try:

Yinhe Big Dipper (Forehand)
- I like the name, and I wanted to try playing with tacky Chinese rubbers. I understand it is not usually recommended to amateurs but I am set on at least giving one a try. Hoping my tennis background helps here.

Yinhe Moon 12 (Backhand)
- Heard that this is more like European style rubber. I like the blue color. That's it haha, I was recommended AK47 but read that this is similar and the color/name is way cooler.

Can someone recommend a good paddle to put with these? Also, what hardness to get for each rubber?

Price range is ideally <$30 but if someone really sells me on it I could do more.

I am seeking:
- Reasonably light weight
- Excellent control/feel.
- Longer dwell time.
- lower power so that I can rally with my girlfriend and brother.

Hopefully the equipment gurus can help me out here. Thank you for your recommendations!

I returned after a few years too and my first setup I liked included both Big Dipper 39 on FH and Yinhe Moon 12 (it only started growing on me after like 4ish months) on a Sanwei F3 Pro.

The setup is around 188 grams so not the lightest but maybe something to think about. Given my physique and health, I could do with a bit less weight.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Hi. I am returning to table tennis after a four year hiatus.

Currently, I use the "hunter flame" which is an extremely lightweight balsa blade. My rubbers are extremely dead tibhar rapid. I enjoy the lightweight feeling of the Hunter paddle, but the rubbers are so slippery, my form is not great but it's difficult to loop against backspin and I have to hit very low arc because I can't generate much spin. Anyways, the paddle is too damaged so I will be buying a new one.

Rubbers I am planning to try:

Yinhe Big Dipper (Forehand)
- I like the name, and I wanted to try playing with tacky Chinese rubbers. I understand it is not usually recommended to amateurs but I am set on at least giving one a try. Hoping my tennis background helps here.

Yinhe Moon 12 (Backhand)
- Heard that this is more like European style rubber. I like the blue color. That's it haha, I was recommended AK47 but read that this is similar and the color/name is way cooler.

These two are good rubbers for sure. But I always prefer two different brands per side, for practically no reason.

Price range is ideally <$30 but if someone really sells me on it I could do more.

I am seeking:
- Reasonably light weight
- Excellent control/feel.
- Longer dwell time.
- lower power so that I can rally with my girlfriend and brother.

Hopefully the equipment gurus can help me out here. Thank you for your recommendations!

I've never been a good paddle guy ehe, but Voodoo is a paddle I've heard is straight gas. Kokutaku Mermaid is also a good choice, if you want really cheap stuff.

 

[Jan_]

I'd go with yinhe n10s and mercury 2. If you want a bit better blade, yinhe w6.