Hi. I am currently using Clipper wood with FH Battle 2 Provincial Gold and BH H3Neo commercial. I have the same rubber setup for my DHS 301.
As my TT sessions on clubs and groups are getting more often and longer- I tend to think and feel that my rubbers are wearing off. Although my setup is inexpensive to most people, not myself, there is a budget restraint I would adhere.
Asking for a cheaper but relatively the same performance, and durability. For both FH & BH.
Thanks
Ok, I am going to go out on a limp here. Background, I have tried H3 (my main rubber), Sanwei Target National, Big Dipper, AK 47 blue, CJ8000, Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin and Battle II provincial blue sponge and Mercury II.
Mercury II is dirt cheap. Like 1/3 of a price of H3 neo and 1/4 of the price for Battle II provincial blue sponge. It is a great rubber for the price. You lost some power of H3 neo when you go down to Mercury II medium hardness. It is up to you if you want to try that.
Not to offend anyone here, I did not like most of the H3 neo alternative I tried. They feel dead in my hand.
The only other one that impressed me is Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin. It is NOT tacky like Mercury II. It is like regular european tensor rubber without the tensor. I think on a budget, that is the backhand rubber I would recommend. Again, hey, for six to seven dollar a sheet, I would choose that over AK 47 or CJ8000, etc.
Finally, if the top sheet losing grippiness is your concern, then do you want to try ESN rubber on the backhand side. I know money is a concern but Rakza 7 soft and C-1 are very very durable. If you can get 30% bulk discount with your friends buying from TT11, Xiom Vega Europe will "only" cost $25.37.
Quite frankly, my H3 neo from Aliexpress is $22-$23 a sheet and my Battle II Provincial blue sponge is $25-$27 a sheet on Aliexpress. When you check out from Aliexpress, they will tag shipping fee and import tax on it so it is not as cheap as it seems when you first click on a rubber.
On TT11, when you check out, there is no additional fee.
There is a reason I am no longer buying anymore sheets from Aliexpress. I have bought enough and I am done. Blades, well, I might buy more from Aliexpress. Rubber. Nay, no need. I still have 8 sheets of Mecury II and 4 sheets of T88 Ultra Spin I have not opened. I am going to find a few spare blades to put my Big Dipper, Ak47, CJ8000 and Battle II on. But that's it. Done. No more EJ'ing with Chinese rubbers.