Ultra-thin sponge?

[RefereeNumber2]

Saw a Japanese Youtube review of an "ultra-thin" rubber -- an inverted rubber but with a very thin sponge (i.e., less than 0.7mm).

I'd never heard of such a thing before, but it seems like it actually has some interesting properties. Does anyone know more about these kinds of rubbers? Are they basically like short pips, or do they behave differently? What are the strengths and weaknesses in case I encounter somebody using these rubbers? lol

 

[rbtitco]

uNlEsS uR pRo, yOu hAvE zErO bUsInEsS uSiNg a RUbBeR tHis ThIcK

 

[enoxzr]

While 0.7 is very thin, long pimple with sponge thin even, its not uncommon for people, especially more experienced/older players, to play with 1.2 ~ 1.7 sponges, speaking of control and spin.

I can see a use for it being a backside rubber for a traditional penhold player. Rubber is likely to be thin and light, but not completely useless. Possibly twiddling it while having some pimple on the other side?

 

[Kenspin]

Saw a Japanese Youtube review of an "ultra-thin" rubber -- an inverted rubber but with a very thin sponge (i.e., less than 0.7mm).

I'd never heard of such a thing before, but it seems like it actually has some interesting properties. Does anyone know more about these kinds of rubbers? Are they basically like short pips, or do they behave differently? What are the strengths and weaknesses in case I encounter somebody using these rubbers? lol

I use it and it has several positive aspects.

It is good for service returns, especially placing them short with backspin and unless you have a very fast blade it is difficult to overhit the return off a fast serve. A fast low and long dig return is a good feature.

It is great for serving and can generate very high levels of spin. Because it is slow, this can be deceptive, as a light brush looks innocuous.

Great for blocking but will need an active block if you receive a slow loop or flat hit. Also can generate very heavy chop and its easy to put in a disguised float as there is little difference in the speed generated.

Good for flicking back short serves flat as the tackiness holds the ball well. Flat kills work well. Hard sponge then kicks in so speed generated can catch receiver out.

Easier to spin up from backhand than forehand when looping and the kick is deceptive as it accelerates off a slow pace due to the dwell on the tacky surface. Not great from long distance unless chopping.

Needs frequent cleaning.

Probably best as a backhand rubber with a faster rubber on forehand for contrast and variety.

 

[andymagata]

Why would thin sponge create spinnier serves? Fo myself, I notice that my bh underspin serve is very spinny with 729 Super FX 1mm.

Why is thin sponge better for chopping, which seems to be an established fact. Is that a fact? If so why?

Does a thick sponge countereffect the spin unless a certain amount of speed is achieved? A speed that is very hard to achieve with the chop?

 

[merlin el mago]

For inverted rubbers you can't confuse spin, speed, power & control:

Less sponge = Less speed = Less power = Less spin = More control
More sponge = More speed = More power = more spin = Less control

About serves:

Serves no needs power, no need to activate too much the sponge so no problem with thin sponge inverted rubbers and of course are better for short services with any kind of spin: back, side or top.

Also and not less important is how is the topsheet because plays an important role of the rubber....

As I see the cons using thin inverted rubbers to chop is the lack of power to chop far from the table, the pros mid & close to the table are fine, enough power and a lot of more control.

 

[Kenspin]

Less power from distance can be solved by using a faster blade. I use ultra-thin sponge on the equivalent of a Tibhar IV-S blade and there is no lack of power. The tackiness of the topsheet still gives plenty of control.

 

[latej]

Why would thin sponge create spinnier serves? Fo myself, I notice that my bh underspin serve is very spinny with 729 Super FX 1mm.

Where did you get 729 Super FX in 1mm, if you can disclose? Thanks.

 

[andymagata]

Where did you get 729 Super FX in 1mm, if you can disclose? Thanks.

It is named Hi-sport Store
I just found this on AliExpress: | 729 Friendship Super FX with Large Pores Soft Sponge pips-in table tennis pingpong rubber

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuXj9B2

 

[Larshos]

For inverted rubbers you can't confuse spin, speed, power & control:

Less sponge = Less speed = Less power = Less spin = More control
More sponge = More speed = More power = more spin = Less control

About serves:

Serves no needs power, no need to activate too much the sponge so no problem with thin sponge inverted rubbers and of course are better for short services with any kind of spin: back, side or top.

Also and not less important is how is the topsheet because plays an important role of the rubber....

As I see the cons using thin inverted rubbers to chop is the lack of power to chop far from the table, the pros mid & close to the table are fine, enough power and a lot of more control.

It don’t believe it’s made to be a chopping rubber, despite having some similar traits.

In pushes, flicks and slow, spinny open ups against heavy backspin I believe these rubbers can rival just about everything in terms of spin generation.

 

[TenPercentWinRate]

Pairing Zyre 03 2.7mm with this turns you into Waldner. You loop the biggest shots, and then somehow have the next ball taking two bounces on the table.

 

[belllfador]

It is named Hi-sport Store
I just found this on AliExpress: | 729 Friendship Super FX with Large Pores Soft Sponge pips-in table tennis pingpong rubber

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuXj9B2

I have it in 1.5mm red, weight 38g cut to 161x156. The sponge is very soft and mushy, with pores so large that the working surface appears uneven when the rubber is fixed to the blade. Is very slow in a passive game. Hitting hard unlocks a faster gear in ALL speed zone. Chop is easy, slow and spiny. Good to cancel incoming spin with a push or side brush. Everything else is lacking speed and spin. Just not dangereus, easy rubber for beginers or fans of cheap equipment. Donic Slice 40 CS is so much better. Dr. N Dominance Spin Hard, also very good in 1.5mm.

 

[Reaper]

accidentally left my H9 near a hot window and the sheet came off, took the opportunty to customize it with a 1mm kokutaku sponge from ALI. I really like this combo, it lacks power but the super sticky rubber is amazing for my chopping.

0.7mm seem to extreme to me, i appreciate the diverse of offerings but i wouldn't pay USD 50 for it.

 

[Larshos]

Just want to point out that in contrast to the 729-offering(s) mentioned, the Yinhe ultra-thin rubbers have very hard sponges, usually 41 degrees unboosted.

 

[latej]

Just want to point out that in contrast to the 729-offering(s) mentioned, the Yinhe ultra-thin rubbers have very hard sponges, usually 41 degrees unboosted.

By chance, can you provide link to this/these Yinhe rubbers? My friend dislikes the default 729 Super FX sponge, I think he'd enjoy the hard dense sponge.

 

[merlin el mago]

It don’t believe it’s made to be a chopping rubber, despite having some similar traits.

In pushes, flicks and slow, spinny open ups against heavy backspin I believe these rubbers can rival just about everything in terms of spin generation.

Spin yes, power & speed no. Read carefully my post.

 

[merlin el mago]

Saw a Japanese Youtube review of an "ultra-thin" rubber -- an inverted rubber but with a very thin sponge (i.e., less than 0.7mm).

I'd never heard of such a thing before, but it seems like it actually has some interesting properties. Does anyone know more about these kinds of rubbers? Are they basically like short pips, or do they behave differently? What are the strengths and weaknesses in case I encounter somebody using these rubbers? lol

The Jupiter thin sponge is used by Japanese like a Hammer to smash all balls that bounce more high than the net.

 

[Larshos]

By chance, can you provide link to this/these Yinhe rubbers? My friend dislikes the default 729 Super FX sponge, I think he'd enjoy the hard dense sponge.

極薄・超極薄[Ultra-Thin] - 【WRM】ワールドラバーマーケット

卓球用品（ラバー・ラケット・ウェアなど）を世界各国から直輸入。日本で市販されていない商品を中心に販売しています。

rubber.ocnk.net

I believe these are custom orders to Yinhe from this store, so they’re only available here AFAIK

 

[yheloury]

Do you think we have to boost sun pro ultra thin 1.2 mm rubber or isn’t it necessary?

 

[Kenspin]

Do you think we have to boost sun pro ultra thin 1.2 mm rubber or isn’t it necessary?

I would not recommend it. It curls up like a swiss roll and gluing is then problematic. I also think you'd lose some of the flat kill benefit of the combination of high tackiness and thin hard sponge.