It’s hard to know everything about every table tennis rubber out there. But if I told an experienced player that a particular rubber was just a little quicker than Sriver, with a bit more spin than Mark V, he’d have a pretty good idea what to expect. This is because the characteristics of classic ping-pong rubbers such as Sriver and Mark V are known throughout the table tennis world.
In search of another eight classic rubbers, I asked the About.com table tennis forum to name their candidates for classic rubbers, and here is the results of their suggestions. So if you looking for a classic rubber to try, look no further!
Update 4 January 2020 – updated the list for modern times.
Added – Tibhar Evolution MX-P, DHS Hurricane 3 Neo, TSP Curl P-1R, XIOM Vega Pro, Yasaka Rakza 7.
Removed – Stiga Mendo MP, Donic Coppa, Butterfly Bryce, JUIC Driva Smash Ultima.
1. Butterfly Tenergy 05 |
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Tenergy 05 has become an “instant classic” rubber since the speed glue ban. While there are also Tenergy 25, Tenergy 64 and Tenergy 80 variations, it is the Tenergy 05 version that has become one of the most popular choices for elite players.
Tenergy 05 seems to polarize opinion, with players seeming to either love it or hate it. Butterfly is charging a lot of money for this rubber, but fans show no sign of slowing down their demand, as they claim they can’t find another rubber with the same power and spin. Love it or hate it, it’s clear that “05” has become the measuring stick by which the other speed glue replacement rubbers are measured. An “instant classic” indeed. You can read a full review of Butterfly Tenergy 05 here. |
| Interested in Purchasing Butterfly Tenergy 05? |
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2. Tibhar Evolution MX-P |
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Given the dominance of Butterfly’s Tenergy 05 once it arrived on the scene, it was inevitable that other manufacturers would do their best to come up with their own ‘Tenergy Killer’.
The Evolution series was Tibhar’s attempt, and of these Evolution MX-P has proven to be the most popular. It is not meant to be a Tenergy clone, more an alternative. The general consensus of Evolution MX-P vs Tenergy 05:
Considering the outrageous prices Butterfly is charging for Tenergy 05, Tibhar Evolution MX-P is well worth a try. |
| Interested in Purchasing Tibhar Evolution MX-P? |
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3. DHS Hurricane 3 Neo |
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DHS Hurricane 3 Neo. Photo courtesy megaspin.net |
Known as the secret weapon of the world champion Chinese players, DHS Hurricane 3 is the epitome of hard and tacky Chinese rubbers.
Arguments still rage on the Internet regarding whether the three listed versions are all legitimate (Neo, Provincial, and National), with many arguing that there are no National quality sheets available to the general public, these being reserved for Chinese team members only. Regardless, the Hurricane 3 Neo version is a best seller worldwide, being known for value for money, a grippy topsheet and a linear response (hit soft, ball goes slow – hit hard, ball goes fast). Many players will also claim that Hurricane 3 needs to be heavily boosted to really reach its potential, although there are thousands upon thousands of players worldwide who manage just fine without boosting. Not to everybody’s taste, but at the price you can’t go wrong with picking up a sheet to see for yourself. Beware paying exorbitant prices for National versions though – there is apparently a flourishing counterfeit industry producing Hurricane 3 National fakes. |
| Interested in Purchasing DHS Hurricane 3 Neo? |
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4. Butterfly Sriver |
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Butterfly Sriver has long been considered a classic table tennis rubber, and with good reason. Possessing good feel coupled with strong speed and spin, Sriver was the rubber used by many world class players in the 1970’s and 1980’s to generate powerful attacks while retaining good ball control.
Even in the late 2000’s (before the arrival of Tenergy 05 on the scene) there were still many elite players, such as Germany’s Timo Boll, who preferred Sriver’s classic qualities. For those interested, I’ve now added a full review of Butterfly Sriver. |
| Interested in Purchasing Butterfly Sriver? |
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5. Yasaka Mark V |
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Forum member bes wrote: It is significantly spinnier than Sriver, but (again, to me) has a bit of a tradeoff in the short game. It is exceptional for looping, driving, serving, and, if you hit them right, spinny pushes. Once you get used to the high throw, it is also a very good blocking rubber too. I find that its spinniness and bounciness makes it a bit touchy for drop shots and passive pushes. It also reacts to incoming spin more than Sriver, so makes serve returns slightly more demanding. I’ve also found it to lose its “max grippiness” after a few weeks. It remains pretty grippy, but loses its “razor edge”. I’ve now added an in depth review of Mark V of my own for those readers who want to know more. |
| Interested in Purchasing Yasaka Mark V? |
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6. TSP Curl P-1R |
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TSP Curl P-1R is almost the de facto standard for the backhand side of professional table tennis defenders’ rackets. Usually combined with 1.4-1.7mm sponge, Curl P-1R is famous for producing lethally heavy backspin against loops, with decent control. Thinner sponge will give a little more control, with the loss of some of the ability to vary spin.
This is not a rubber for beginners. It requires good touch and an aggressive swing speed to get the most out of this rubber. It is also not considered to be one of the trickier long pips – you won’t get a lot of disturbing wobble. But when you need the ability to generate scary amounts of backspin against loops, and you have high level chopping technique and touch – this is the rubber for you. |
| Interested in Purchasing TSP Curl P-1R? |
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7. XIOM Vega Pro |
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XIOM Vega Pro is a step down in spin and speed compared to Tenergy 05, with less of a catapult effect that only really kicks in on fast swings.
The general consensus is that this is a good all-round rubber with good speed, spin and control which allows you to attack fiercely as well as play a controlled topspin game. |
| Interested in Purchasing XIOM Vega Pro? |
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8. Yasaka Rakza 7 |
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Yasaka Rakza 7 has proven to be quite popular in my particular neck of the woods, and around the world according to its sales figures.
With a common comment being that it plays like the speed glued Mark V of yesteryear, advocates claim it has excellent control and is fast and spinny without being too sensitive to incoming spin. A good rubber for both the attacking looper and allround player. |
| Interested in Purchasing Yasaka Rakza 7? |
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9.Friendship 802 |
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Forum member AGOODING2 writes: Friendship 802, the classic “do everything” short pips rubber which can be used by hitters, blockers and even choppers. Comes in a number of versions, 802-40 has wider, spinnier pips while 802-1 is more widely spaced smaller pips for more deception. Generally what I recommend for someone trying short pips for the first time. Keep the sponge thin (1.5-1.8mm) and soft (35 degrees or less) for best control. |
| Interested in Purchasing Friendship 802-40? |
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10. Friendship 729 |
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Table Tennis rubber manufacturer Friendship has now brought out more 729 products than you can poke a stick at, but I still have fond memories of the old Friendship 729 that came with blue sponge and a topsheet that always looked dirty. It wasn’t the fastest of rubbers, but it had great spin and control, and could produce heavy spin loops and really heavy pushes and chops. Great for serving as well.
Friendship Super 729 FX has similar characteristics with a slightly softer sponge, and has also survived the test of time, being found on the rackets of countless players around the world. It’s cheap without being at all nasty. |
| Interested in Purchasing Friendship Super 729 FX? |
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