Hit a wall with my BH on OSP Virtuoso Off- – Rubber recommendations or time to change blades?

[Tyce]

I don't know if it's of any help, but here's a short video of me (green shirt) a couple of years ago. This is how I typically want to play with my backhand - relatively close to the table with quite high tempo. Blade was Yasaka Sweden Extra, but I cannot remember which rubber I used. Maybe Evolution FX-D . How does Rozena compare to FX-D?

It is, because I now agree with @Der_Echte about how your current blade and a soft rubber will absolutely suffice. I'd go even further and say this isn't an equipment issue at all, and encourage you to try and get the shot you want out of your current equipment.
Don't get me wrong, your shot looks stable and dependable, but you're missing some elements that could make it lethal. A little more finger tension on contact, a little more whip action, just a tiny bit of both and your shot will start to feel like a rocket.

 

[matti77]

It is, because I now agree with @Der_Echte about how your current blade and a soft rubber will absolutely suffice. I'd go even further and say this isn't an equipment issue at all, and encourage you to try and get the shot you want out of your current equipment.
Don't get me wrong, your shot looks stable and dependable, but you're missing some elements that could make it lethal. A little more finger tension on contact, a little more whip action, just a tiny bit of both and your shot will start to feel like a rocket.

Thanks to both of you for your valuable comments! I think I'll try a softer rubber with your advice in mind. The feeling is way too off with R48 and won't be better with a harder rubber.

 

[Haito]

I don't know if it's of any help, but here's a short video of me (green shirt) a couple of years ago. This is how I typically want to play with my backhand - relatively close to the table with quite high tempo. Blade was Yasaka Sweden Extra, but I cannot remember which rubber I used. Maybe Evolution FX-D . How does Rozena compare to FX-D?

I've been using FX-D from April till October. One sheet lasted me 6 months and still lives. Its much slower after booster wears off. I feel its slow, but good grip.

 

[matti77]

I've been using FX-D from April till October. One sheet lasted me 6 months and still lives. Its much slower after booster wears off. I feel its slow, but good grip.

Thanks. Not easy to find modern rubbers around 42-43 degrees...

 

[Haito]

Thanks. Not easy to find modern rubbers around 42-43 degrees...

FX-D is 45. They advertise the 43-45, but mine came at 45.

 

[Archosaurus]

Archo,

You have developed a LOT over a long time, but are very naive about how equipment works. I do not need nor want ur dollar. use that dollar for TT research.

On the blade in my sig (OFF- PPP) with Aurus soft on the BH, I can do BH hits vs slow balls a few inches above the net that are CLEARLY FASTER than many Players' FH Smash with modern carbon blades.

There is a star developing youth girl in Freemont TTA who POUNDS the ball relentlessly on FH, I told her she is going to the DOG POUND she hits so damn fast... but when I lift my bat up to strike a BH, she ducks under the table and runs for cover.

All this with an older SOFT rubber on BH. The key to final fast ball is fast bat, acceleration in a short space, and timing of the firming of grip. That final aspect really delivers the big bang boom. Try it yorself... hold bat loose and no firming of grip at impact and see how fast the ball goes.

Archo, you have no idea about collision dynamics of physics and power transfer to ball in TT, or you wouldn't be doubting that soft rubber can hit hard.

The rationale to ditch the med hard to hard sponge on BH is that is becomes WAY EASIER to get the ball into the topsheet (and sponge) long enough to use your acceleration to make fast bat and heavy spin easy to generate- way easier than hard rubber of same stroke. I am discussing a spin stroke, not a hard hit, but I can hit hard if not harder with Aurus soft 42 sponge over regular Aurus 47.5 sponge or at a minimum just as fast on my hits.... and my spin shots are so spinny players look at their bat in disbelief.

Ask the last two mods of this forum if you still do not believe... and that was ten years ago when they last saw me. I was using soft sponged rubber on BH then too, often FX-P or some rubber similar. I have the impact to do it with med/med-firm rubber too, but I land 1-2 more out of 100 and I like to play the percentages.

That's all well and good that you can hit the ball very well and suggest the OP does so as well (probably the best advice), but OP asked what kind of equipment change would give him more power in a specific kind of shot. He was talking about penetrating shots so I assumed he is sinking into the sponge a lot.

I just told OP to not be surprised if going softer actually makes his shots slower. If he is already using his sponge well, then it would, at least if it's the same sponge model.

I commented that before OP posted his (admittedly old according to him) video of him hitting backhands.
Upon seeing that video I would have to agree with Der_Echte. My reasoning is that I can't hear a cracking sound which suggests a weak impact.

Nowhere did I say you can't get speed out of a soft sponge. Feel free to quote the part where I did if I'm mistaken.

EDIT: By the way, if the OP wants a super soft semi-tacky rubber, Yinhe Moon Speed Soft is a good bet. Mine measured 41-42 Shore O (ESN) hardness. It's what I used for a while to build more confidence in my backhand, because it was so easy to hit through it and make it crack. Eventually I switched off it because it's not really my style; but it helped for that purpose. It's also bloody fast sometimes, especially when blocking.