thoughts on Fastarc G1

[zeio]

Ito is a rare one. She has always played with Nittaku equipment, even when she used H3 in the 2nd half of 2017, it was the Nittaku Turbo Orange.

OTOH, quite a few Nittaku-sponsored players don't play with Nittaku equipment. Hayata has never played with either Nittaku rubbers or blades, until well after she won the All-Japan Championships this year, when she switched to an unreleased blade in 8/2020 that is assumed to be made by Nittaku, but looks rather like one by Butterfly. The last time Ishikawa played with G-1 was back in 1/2016 and she used to play the Kasumi Basic in her junior days. Shibata last played with G-1 in 3/2018 and Goriki in 1/2018.

 

[virtuososiu]

Since we're talking about "old" rubbers, I thought some might find the following interesting. Baracuda and Baracuda Big Slam have recently been re-released in Japan because many comments from overseas say it's compatible with the ABS ball.

https://world-tt.com/renew/archives/1221

"Barracuda", a spin-type tension back software that was temporarily discontinued in Japan, has been revived. It was first released in Japan about 10 years ago. Although it was not a hit at that time, it was decided to re-release it in Japan as it was re-evaluated overseas as being compatible with the current mainstream hard material plastic balls. With a stiff top sheet and sponge, it demonstrates high rotation performance. In addition to "Barracuda" with a sponge hardness of 47.5 degrees, "Barracuda Big Slam" equipped with a mid-soft sponge with a sponge hardness of 43.5 degrees will reappear at the same time.

are they talking about the original Barracuda? cause I thought it was softer than 47.5 degree..?

 

[darkmoor1]

are they talking about the original Barracuda? cause I thought it was softer than 47.5 degree..?

Yes, 45 deg, and 42.5 for Big Slam.

 

[virtuososiu]

i wish they make a 47 degree version

 

[darkmoor1]

The specific stiffness of the G-1's topsheet and its interaction with the sponge makes it a pretty unique rubber; I don't know of anything similar, to be honest. You need to get used to the fact it is necessary to apply some decent power to the stroke to loop using a topsheet (it is stiff but very grippy once you manage to find how much power is necessary to get that grip), and even more to reach the sponge, which is not difficult on the forehand side, but it can be a problem on backhand, especially if you want to consistently loop from close to the table - it is not very forgiving there. That's also because of another typical trait of G-1, which is the change in stroke power and trajectory (it becomes significantly higher) when you dig into the sponge. Somehow, this makes it extremely good for blocking, driving, smashing