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[translated article] An introduction to famous short pips
How pimple out rubbers perform greatly influences our choices for them. The following aims to differentiate the common types that are floating around on the market:
Friendship RICT 802 series: This series includes 802, 802-1 and 802-40 these three types. Of these the 802 and the 802-1 have smaller pimples, with the 802 being more balanced; it has good speed and good spin. This is a common choice for amateur players. The 802-1 is more geared toward speed, and is much closer in style to traditional pips-out rubbers, fast speed, noticeable sinking effect when attacking, drives tend to float a little (ie, high speed not high power), but the ability to generate spin is lowered. Both the 802 and the 802-1 are available in OX (topsheet only, no sponge), and also comes under various sponges. Prices are quite economical.
The 802-40 is a large pimpled pips out rubber, and satisfies the requirements for a pips looping stroke. Very allrounded, and is used by many professionals, including Liu Guoliang in the later years. 802-40 has a very strong ability to produce its own spin, and its attacking power exceeds both the 802 and the 802-1. However the 802-40 doesn’t have a noticeable sinking effect, and the ball trajectories are closer to that of inverted rubbers. It is rare to find it sold as topsheet alone, and typically costs a fair bit more than most Chinese pips. Typically sold under either a Japanese sponge or a German sponge. The Jap sponged version is quicker and favors a hitting style, while the German sponged version has more power and small loops are even more penetrating.
Double Happiness series: Double Happiness was once the only equipment choice for the Chinese National Team. Their famous offerings are the 651, 652.
The 651 (1980’s version), 652 (1980’s version), PF4-651, PF4-652 represent traditional pips out rubbers. The pips are slippery, small in size, and have small patterns on the pimples. This makes the rubber have good rebound speed, good sinking effect, but it reduces its ability to generate spin. However, loops are floaty which compensate the lack of spin. These are classical Chinese pip out rubbers, but are very hard to find today.
The newer versions of 651 and 652 perform dramatically different to their predecessors. However for those who like to play “weird balls”, they may still want to have a try with them.
Recently [in relation to when the article was written] DHS pushed two new pips out rubbers onto the market, namely Sharping and Dragonow. Sharping basically copied 652’s abilities, although it doesn’t play quite as well. Dragonow was developed to further players’ requirement to loop with pips, thus the pips are larger and provide better friction, but we can still see the reminiscing shadow of the 652. It could be said that the Dragonow is the 40mm ball version of the 652, and would suit players that like to small loop.
Also, DHS has used their #12 sponge on pips out rubbers for many years now, however its production is limited and usually only offered to provincial or national teams.
Dawei 388B series: Pips out rubbers that carry the traditional characteristics. Two rubbers belong in this series, the 388B and the 388B-1, both are available in OX and with sponge, prices are economical. The 388B has small pips, even smaller than those of the 802, and nearing the 651 region, its overall ability is above average and has decent speed and spin.
The 388B-1 has larger pips, the size is identical to 802-40, and the topsheet has a high percentage of natural rubber, making it lean towards a raw pip. Its speed is blazingly fast and its spin generation is not bad. This makes it a very impressive pips out rubber. Hitting with it is very crisp, and maintains that traditional feel of pips out rubbers. Just by these strong points, it can be enough to be a replacement for 652. Really quite an amazing pips out rubber that’s good at everything.
[Editor’s note: Please be adware that as of last year or so, both rubbers were removed from the ITTF approved list]
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Epoch/Bomb series; otherwise known as the Hammer series is developed by Epoch (which is sold under Bomb). Its appearance is similar to 802-40, and has similar characteristics. Fast speed, good spin, it’s not a bad rubber. Hammer is sold in OX and comes under sponge, and to a certain extent can be a substitute for 802-40. It comes under quite a few sponges, the “Japan” Bomb 4 sponge (made in China), which is quite cheap, and the other two are 1st generation and 2nd generation tensor sponge. This is the first rubber to face the glue ban problem for pips out players. There is also the Japanese sponge, which is a bit faster, and the German sponge, which bites the ball better and has greater power.
Globe series: Globe 889 was once used by both Liu Guoliang and Chen Longcan. Its spin generation is not bad, and although in sheer speed it falls below the 802, but the ball behaves strangely and sinks considerably. Suitable for those looking to play “weird” balls. Also the XuShaoFa 889 pips out rubber is a copy of this rubber.
TSP series: The two more famous ones are Spinpips and Tyranno. Spinpips is the rubber Liu Guoliang used the longest in his career, it has fast speed and strong spin generation. Afterwards it was banned, so TSP came up with Spinpips MD to replace it. Strong spin, but much slower speed. The MD has much more “normal” trajectories, it relies on the user’s ability to use effectively, and pays off good technique. and up to now is still a choice for professional players.
The Tyranno is a newer pip from TSP, it has fast speed and noticeable sink when attacking, it also has a rather strong spin generating ability, but its price is on the high side.
Stiga series: famous pips include the Clippa and the Radical. The Clippa once came on premades with the Clipper wood blade, and was tested by Liu Guoliang. It has a high percentage of natural rubber, and leans towards a half raw pip. It has good spin, and good speed, and noticeable sinking on hits.
Radical is a newer product from Stiga, it has harder pips, and slightly worse control, but it has much more sink.
Butterfly series: Butterfly is a good representation of pips in general in the Japanese and European markets, their pips aren’t separated into “cooked” [which I’ve been calling pips out] and “raw” pips, they all tend to fall into the half raw pip category. The most used rubbers include: Challenger (used by Gao Jun), Speedy P.O., Imperatial, Rein (Used by Chen Jing).
The Challenger and the Speedy P.O. both have outstanding characteristics, while the Imperatial and the Rein have considerable sink, and can be used as if they were raw pips.
Raystorm is their newest creation and claims to be a high tension pips out rubber. Its abilities are similar to that of the Tyranno.
Matching blade: just a quick mention as to what is typically chosen to fit pips out rubbers. The most common blade is a 7-ply all wood that has a hard feel to it, or a composite blade (usually carbon). Commonly seen are: Stiga Clipper Wood (Liu Guoliang), Butterfly Clearfield (Chen Jing), Butterfly SK7, Avalox P700, Butterfly Shamada, Butterfly Chinese Real, DHS “old 08”, 032, and the Sword King (from Sword).
Matching sponges: apart from using stock sponges, you can DIY and choose a sponge to match what you want. A typically thickness is around 2.1mm, and roughly 35 degrees or so. Some of the better choices are: DHS #12 sponge, Japan GP3 sponge, Bomb 4 sponge varieties, Tibhar 3 sponge, Donic sponge, ESN sponges etc.
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