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Oioioi
06-13-2008, 03:18 PM
Hello everybody,

This is my first post here so I'll quickly give you some background info. I know VERY little about pingpong equipment and pingpong lingo, but I'm not a beginner in terms of playing. I've played for fun pretty much my entire life, and while I lived in China (7 years), I played almost daily. So, I'm a recreational player and I'm certainly not THAT good, but I'm not a beginner either.

I already have a blade since many years and I like it a lot (it's a gift from a good friend and I really want to continue using it). It's a "Butterfly TAKSIM Acrolate-CARBON." What I need is some new rubber and sponge for both sides of this pad, and I was hoping that someone here could give me some expert advice. I want to spend as little as possible on this but still get something halfway decent, and it would be especially nice if I could purchase everything online. I live in the UK (Liverpool).

I play "pen-style" using both sides of the pad (like Ma Lin plays). I THINK that I'm an aggressive player (perhaps I'm an allround player, but I'm certainly not defensive). I like to stand relatively close to the table (but not "hang" over it) and hit the ball with "top spin" on both forehand and backhand (I do not do "loops"). I seldom use "fancy" spins. I "cut" or use "backspin" on my forehand (if I can't attack) but really seldom on the backhand side of the pad (on the backhand I would only do this over the table or if the ball is really far out on my backhand). If I need to "cut" on the backhand side and it's not over the table or very far out on the left (I'm right handed), I'd normally try to use the forehand side of the pad (I can do this since I play "pen style"). On my backhand, I usually try attack (or "semi attack") with a lot of "topspin"

I realize that this description the terminology I'm using is super ridiculous, but I hope that you can at least imagine (roughly) how I play. If you have some suggestions of rubber (and sponge) that you think would fit this style (and my old "TAKSIM"), I'd be really grateful.

Cheers,
Magnus

DaveR
06-13-2008, 03:26 PM
First of all Welcome oioioi !

And we welcome all levels of player from zero to Campions so you are at home on the site.

I realize that this description the terminology I'm using is super ridiculous, but I hope that you can at least imagine (roughly) how I play. If you have some suggestions of rubber (and sponge) that you think would fit this style (and my old "TAKSIM"), I'd be really grateful.


The quote above is certainly not super rediculous and we have many on the site that will give "sound" advice very soon, so yes keep watching and posting.

Regards

Dave

NativeNewYorker
06-13-2008, 03:30 PM
I play "pen-style" using both sides of the pad (like Ma Lin plays). I THINK that I'm an aggressive player (perhaps I'm an allround player, but I'm certainly not defensive). I like to stand relatively close to the table (but not "hang" over it) and hit the ball with "top spin" on both forehand and backhand (I do not do "loops"). I seldom use "fancy" spins. I "cut" or use "backspin" on my forehand (if I can't attack) but really seldom on the backhand side of the pad (on the backhand I would only do this over the table or if the ball is really far out on my backhand). If I need to "cut" on the backhand side and it's not over the table or very far out on the left (I'm right handed), I'd normally try to use the forehand side of the pad (I can do this since I play "pen style"). On my backhand, I usually try attack (or "semi attack") with a lot of "topspin"


Hi oioioi since you play pen and are close to the table with little spin imparted one would probably be better in the harder sponge area with a counter hit style. The spin element and "off" the table is relative to softer sponges and rubber but i would guess TS has a good idea on the type of rubber and sponge when he gets on the site in a while.

Oioioi
06-13-2008, 03:52 PM
Thanks for your quick replies!

NativeNewYorker: Can you think of a specific rubber/sponge (like a brand or something) that isn't too expensive "in the harder sponge area with a counter hit style" Also, should I use the same sponge/rubber on both sides? I like the idea of having a relatively light pad. Right now I have 2mm sponge on both sides of my pad and it's pretty heavy to be honest (I THINK it's 2mm; maybe it's more, I looks pretty thick...)...

btw: after having read DaveR's description of table tennis in this thread, I realize that I actually do "loops" although not with a crazy amount of topspin (I thought "loops" referred to something else when I wrote my first post).

DaveR
06-13-2008, 04:16 PM
Thats the great thing about the site oioioi its a place to learn and also give any input you have too.

Oioioi
07-02-2008, 01:43 PM
Hi again, just wondered if TS or someone else has any good suggestions. I'm especially interested in Chinese rubbers. Cheers, Oioioi

Oioioi
07-02-2008, 01:50 PM
Suggestions anyone? I'm especially intersted in Chinese rubbers since I travel there very often. I currently have R.I.T.C. Friendship 729 on both sides (that's all it says on them). They are perfectly fine but I don't know if these rubbers are ideal for my style of playing and the pad I'm using (Butterfly TAKSIM Acrolate-CARBON). Cheers, Oi

Mr Wilko
07-02-2008, 08:22 PM
a good person to ask would be TS (i keep finding myself saying this) but as he is a part of the Tees Sport team then who better on this site

Leeston
08-15-2008, 05:52 PM
Suggestions anyone? I'm especially intersted in Chinese rubbers since I travel there very often. I currently have R.I.T.C. Friendship 729 on both sides (that's all it says on them). They are perfectly fine but I don't know if these rubbers are ideal for my style of playing and the pad I'm using (Butterfly TAKSIM Acrolate-CARBON). Cheers, Oi

Hi - The Friendship rubbers are very repectiful - They offer very good control and great spin with average speed ( not as fast as the Japanese rubbers normally ). All very much depends on your style and the sponge thickness you have. 2mm is ideal for offensive play, 1.5mm for all round / defensive.

Give us a description of your style and this will help with any advice. Describe your forehand / backhand capabilities and general style ( positves & negatives ).

TS
08-15-2008, 07:10 PM
729 Friendship is very hard and it is very hard to find two sheets that are the same. i would suggest that you try the new "729 FX Supersponge". It is a softer, more advanced version of the original Friendship. Good price aswell at 8.99 per sheet. It's not on our website yet but you can order over the phone on 08004584141.

JKC
08-15-2008, 10:02 PM
If you are looking for a hard sponge, you will find that the weight will become an issue with Chinese rubbers.
If you really want a harder sponge then the 'God Favored' versions from Friendship are good traditional Chinese style tacky rubbers with the SP version having the best topsheet. Personally I would recommend something like DHS G666 which has a medium hardness sponge but is still quite tacky or if you want to try something non-Tacky, Sword RG is a good quality spinny rubber which is a little quicker.
The G666 will cost around £8 and the other 2 probably £6-7 from a well known Chinese internet retailer.