New Equipment 2024

[JJ Ng]

yep
Japanese companies actually have a habit of listing the variance, and some times don't even put an exact size, it would be a range.
so, if any one really knows equipment very well, this isn't lame at all.
unless, we are talking about CNT level players where 0.05mm matters (2.05mm vs 2.1mm)

in fact, for boosting, one less than the "max" is preferred (okay, I have said too much haha)

Well we all know which USATT team member messed up in the recent team championship by boosting too much and not monitoring his overall thickness to get below the 4.0mm cut off.

Agree. Some players should not boost anything thicker than 2.0mm sponge apparently...lol

 

[mattlamperouge]

Also, is there a reason why Telson costs $10 more than the Arthur series?

Thats just the first listing from a store i saw...wasnt regular price for Arthur series between $23 & $35? I know there was some discounts around $15 or even less but i dont think that should be regular price...

 

[Migzkulit]

because that is the main seller in Taiwan and Japan in the semi pro space.
especially with Fastarc series
majority seems to prefer super thick (2.0) and these are all 2200+ ~2600+ players

amateurs should be using 2.0 too imo

they should discount the rubbers with thinner sponges xD.
I can't make use of the 2.0 > 2.2/2.3 sponge thickness on backhand. It's just more added weight.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

they should discount the rubbers with thinner sponges xD.
I can't make use of the 2.0 > 2.2/2.3 sponge thickness on backhand. It's just more added weight.

fair demand
lesser "spec", lower price
haha

 

[Wakkibatty]

Apparently Yasaka has released new versions of both the Shining Dragon AND Rising Dragon rubbers. On the surface, both look more like marginal improvements instead of radical rehauls of the rubber

== Stats for Rising Dragon 2 ==
Sponge Hardness: 47~52°
Spin: -14
Speed: 10
Control: 9+

== Stats for Shining Dragon 2 ==
Sponge Hardness: 45~50°
Spin: -14
Speed: -10
Control: 10+

When compared to the original versions:

== Shining Dragon 1 ==
Sponge Hardness: 45~50°
Spin: 13+
Speed: 10
Control: 10

== Rising Dragon 1 ==
Sponge Hardness: 47~52°
Spin: 13+
Speed: 10+
Control: 9

Based on the descriptions, I get the feeling:

- the rising dragon 2 has been made a little softer than the original for better spin & control,

- the shining dragon two has gone slightly harder than the original for a better turn of speed.

Interestingly, apparently both rubbers also seem to have all-new top sheets, and both seem to boast better spin & speed as a result.

...Think I hear a shiny new dragon calling my name 😁 Bloody itching to try one now ( being an EJ really sucks sometimes).

Links:
- https://www.nishohi.com/au/table-tennis/rubber/yasaka-rising-dragon-2

- https://www.nishohi.com/au/table-tennis/rubber/yasaka-shining-dragon-2

 

[Migzkulit]

Unexpected Development
Nittaku Hammond Z2 "Special Version" is available
It's at 35 degrees instead of 40.
You can see the white patch on the packaging, being the only difference.

NITTAKU - HAMMOND Z2 SPECIAL - Table Tennis Rubber

Authentic and brand new NITTAKU table tennis rubber NITTAKU HAMMOND Z2 SPECIAL Official and approved by JTTA and ITTF MADE IN JAPAN

www.nishohi.com

 

[Ian]

I saw yesterday that Victas have brought out a blade for Benedikt Duda and hadn't seen it mentioned anywhere. I didn't quite understand what its composition is. Sounds like it might have both inner and outer carbon layers

 

[Migzkulit]

I saw yesterday that Victas have brought out a blade for Benedikt Duda and hadn't seen it mentioned anywhere. I didn't quite understand what its composition is. Sounds like it might have both inner and outer carbon layers

Benedikt Duda's blade is Quartet AFC but with his name on it.

 

[JJ Ng]

Unexpected Development
Nittaku Hammond Z2 "Special Version" is available
It's at 35 degrees instead of 40.
You can see the white patch on the packaging, being the only difference.

NITTAKU - HAMMOND Z2 SPECIAL - Table Tennis Rubber

Authentic and brand new NITTAKU table tennis rubber NITTAKU HAMMOND Z2 SPECIAL Official and approved by JTTA and ITTF MADE IN JAPAN

www.nishohi.com

Cool, the EJ virus inside me wants to get a sheet to put on my backhand but I probably should not.... People have been raving about that rubber for a while now! And I like Fastarac C-1 and G-1. Just never touched Hammond because I know its sponge is too hard for my backhand; it would have been a waste of money. But now the 35 degree version comes out, I am very very curious....

 

[Zwill]

The dragon is rising again. 170x170mm probably around 66g without the plastic foil. That should be around 46g is on a normal blade, I guess on the Cybershape it will be around 48g. So pretty light. Sponge feels a bit more porous than the original Rising Dragon.
I'm not sure who made the original or this one, by smell I am not sure, my best guess is Double Fish.

 

[ttarc]

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The dragon is rising again. 170x170mm probably around 66g without the plastic foil. That should be around 46g is on a normal blade, I guess on the Cybershape it will be around 48g. So pretty light. Sponge feels a bit more porous than the original Rising Dragon.
I'm not sure who made the original or this one, by smell I am not sure, my best guess is Double Fish.

That's pretty light for a rubber that's around 50° ESN. I'm still looking for "the" optimal backhand rubber. Glayzer 09C (quite close if softened and boosted and also pretty light but the sponge is as brittle as many ESN rubbers). H3 37 for serves, short game and flicks, G09C or H3 39/B3 39 for everything where I can use a full stroke.
Does the topsheet feel similar "soft" compared to the sponge as with the Battle 3 or G09C?

 

[Zwill]

That's pretty light for a rubber that's around 50° ESN. I'm still looking for "the" optimal backhand rubber. Glayzer 09C (quite close if softened and boosted and also pretty light but the sponge is as brittle as many ESN rubbers). H3 37 for serves, short game and flicks, G09C or H3 39/B3 39 for everything where I can use a full stroke.
Does the topsheet feel similar "soft" compared to the sponge as with the Battle 3 or G09C?

Yes, I would say by press and basic bounce test it's in between G09c and B3. For sure it's more Chinese like than G09c, and more Chinese like than the old Rising Dragon. The old Rising Dragon had a pretty soft topsheet, this one a bit firmer. I can't help it but the topsheet reminds me of LAC.
I have to play it tomorrow, it seems to have some bounce and I think the sponge and topsheet acts more stable than G09c, less yielding.
From first look probably the old Rising Dragon is a better BH rubber and this one better FH in the classical softer BH and harder FH sense.

 

[ttarc]

Yes, I would say by press and basic bounce test it's in between G09c and B3. For sure it's more Chinese like than G09c, and more Chinese like than the old Rising Dragon. The old Rising Dragon had a pretty soft topsheet, this one a bit firmer. I can't help it but the topsheet reminds me of LAC.
I have to play it tomorrow, it seems to have some bounce and I think the sponge and topsheet acts more stable than G09c, less yielding.
From first look probably the old Rising Dragon is a better BH rubber and this one better FH in the classical softer BH and harder FH sense.

Thanks. Sounds promising Hopefully availability will be better soon (only found it on Nishohi and TT-Japan). Resonate blades still not available here and the new Exfiber blades might also not find their way to Europe.

 

[piligrim]

 

[Zwill]

Thanks. Sounds promising Hopefully availability will be better soon (only found it on Nishohi and TT-Japan). Resonate blades still not available here and the new Exfiber blades might also not find their way to Europe.

Aw man, I wouldn't hold my breath. Yasaka doesn't even list it on their site. I don't get how braindead a company can get.

 

[Migzkulit]

Xiom Hayabusa (New)
ZL Pro looks interesting since it's innerforce ZLF all over again.