Looking for a new Backhand Rubber

[pong99]

Honestly I'm not sure.

The durometer was applied on the sponge with the rubbers laid on a flat table.

I can't tell if the hardness is lower for D80 vs D05, because the sponge is softer in it self or it's because of the topsheet difference.

I don't think it's within normal variation because I tested two D80 (1 black and 1 red) and got the same measure.
Same for the few T05 and D05 that I have.

But playing with both rubbers, it's clear that D80 feels softer than D05 and requires much less engagement to get decent speed.

Read the durometer documentation. It will say that for the measurement to be valid, the sample thickness must be at least X mm. Typically at least 6mm for consumer grade meters you find online.

A sample of at least the minimum thickness cannot have a rubber topsheet attached to it. No professional lab would do a test this way.

 

[NetProphet]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on switching my backhand rubber.


I’ve been playing with Butterfly Tenergy 05 on both sides for many years. My playing style is quite forehand-dominant; in rallies I use my forehand about 80% of the time. Typically, I serve short backspin or sidespin with my backhand to the opponent’s forehand, or long backspin/sidespin to the backhand. After that, I almost always look to open with a strong forehand topspin on the third ball, which is my biggest weapon. Often the point ends there, or I get an easy ball to finish. So overall, I play fairly aggressive.

My backhand is more controlled. I don’t really use it to initiate attacks, but I do use it for occasional topspin in rallies, for serving, and for receive (pushing short, some blocking, etc.).

A bit of background on my “rubber journey”: I’m currently 25 years old, with a rating between 1800–1870, and I use a Butterfly Viscaria blade. After years with Tenergy 05, I tried Butterfly Dignics 05 during the hype, but I felt I produced less spin compared to Tenergy 05. I then switched back, and later tried Butterfly Dignics 09C on both sides.


Dignics 09C suited me in some ways; I even had a peak result beating a 2150-rated player and competing well with ~1900 players. However, I felt I had to work much harder to generate the same spin as with Tenergy 05, and it was a bit too slow for my style, where I want to finish points quickly in short rallies. A big advantage was counter-topspin, which felt easier and more stable than with Tenergy 05. Still, I eventually switched back to Tenergy 05 because it feels freer and allows me to win points more easily. Recently, I’ve had good wins again against 1900–2000 players with it.

At this point, I believe Tenergy 05 is ideal for my forehand, and I don’t really want to change that (maybe I’ll test Dignics 05 again in the future, but I don’t want to keep switching).

My main issue is on the backhand:

• I struggle to control very fast, deep serves to my backhand with Tenergy 05
• I find it difficult to keep my backhand serves really short due to the bounciness
• At the same time, I don’t think Dignics 09C is the right solution either, as my return quality becomes too passive

So I’m looking for an attacking backhand rubber that still offers good control, especially:

• Better control on serve receive (especially against fast/deep serves)
• Good touch for short play and pushing
• High spin potential for serves and pushes

Do you have any recommendations for my backhand?

Thanks in advance!

Wow, quite a read.

My take on it is that Dignics 05 didn't suit because Tenergy has you spoiled in so far as it gives easy spin and speed.

If you are writing to say Dignics 05 isn't spinny enough and Dignics 09c isn't an option then I'm not sure you're being very realistic; like seriously, for who is D05 not spinny enough? It can produce as much spin as T05.

The reason you feel that you had to work harder to generate the same spin as T05 with Dignics 09c (or indeed Dignics 05 for that matter) is because you DO have to work harder for the spin
(I think it's an adjustment and technique challenge)

But the upside is the control that Tenergy doesn't have.

Personally I'd bet on you finding Dignics 05 to be the answer if you give it long enough. You will adapt and it does seem like the answer to the things that T05 lacks for you.

Everything is a trade off at your stage and at ~1850 you have the skill to adapt so adapt is what you have to do.

Personally I use D80 and would also recommend this but D05 does have more speed and spin potential imo.

 

[NextLevel]

Wow, quite a read.

My take on it is that Dignics 05 didn't suit because Tenergy has you spoiled in so far as it gives easy spin and speed.

If you are writing to say Dignics 05 isn't spinny enough and Dignics 09c isn't an option then I'm not sure you're being very realistic; like seriously, for who is D05 not spinny enough? It can produce as much spin as T05.

The reason you feel that you had to work harder to generate the same spin as T05 with Dignics 09c (or indeed Dignics 05 for that matter) is because you DO have to work harder for the spin
(I think it's an adjustment and technique challenge)

But the upside is the control that Tenergy doesn't have.

Personally I'd bet on you finding Dignics 05 to be the answer if you give it long enough. You will adapt and it does seem like the answer to the things that T05 lacks for you.

Everything is a trade off at your stage and at ~1850 you have the skill to adapt so adapt is what you have to do.

Personally I use D80 and would also recommend this but D05 does have more speed and spin potential imo.

Spin potential sure, speed potential, depends on what you are measuring. And on average, D80 probably has a slight advantage for spin for many players because it is easier to spin with except for the powerful 10% of tournament players.

 

[mvibritannia]

Read the durometer documentation. It will say that for the measurement to be valid, the sample thickness must be at least X mm. Typically at least 6mm for consumer grade meters you find online.

A sample of at least the minimum thickness cannot have a rubber topsheet attached to it. No professional lab would do a test this way.

You're confusing an absolute lab measurement with a relative comparison.

I'm not trying to certify Butterfly's official sponge hardness; I'm comparing the overall firmness of assembled rubbers under the same conditions.

I've done this on 50+ rubbers, and the relative Shore O readings perfectly map to how they actually play on the table.

It's good enough for me.

If you are the type of guy that needs a lab to make a great meal, I understand your position

 

[exotick]

Zyre is clearly faster!

Zyre feels a bit harder than D80 when not boosted.

Both are relatively similar in terms of spin sensitivity, but the ball rebounds faster on Zyre.

I would say Zyre is harder to engage, but even when you don't engage you already have really decent speed.
Maybe a bit less spin.

However at full potential Zyre is much more powerful!

I would totally advise against using Zyre on the side being your weak point.

Overall D80 is an easy to play and forgiving rubber, Zyre is the opposite: Very powerful but way less tolerance.

Used D80 more than a year ago and as far as i remember the feel - i agree. The thing with me is my bh is the weakest side, but i do lots of chop block, side swipes, rubbing the ball from it’s momentum etc. and for this i believe Zyre is better as it’s more dead at those “shots”. Agree? Don’t fancy buying D80 just to see but pretty sure its gonnabw more bouncy. What do you think?