OOAK Table Tennis Forum

One clearly measurable one is weight per surface area.

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Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter

I agree... Some of the parameters which can easily be defined and measured should be done... Sponges hardness is the most obvious one. It's rediculous having several (undefined) scales! tackiness is sometimes defined... but then again sometimes they misinterpret the meaning...

However it's not in the manufacturer's interest to do this, since this would allow us to directly compare rubbers, and possible discover that one rubber of brand A, is significant better than another rubber of brand B. So I think it will never happen, unless the ITTF impose it....

I've actually been hunting around for a device that can measure sponge hardness. I know Japsko have one that they use, but I Emailed them several times and no reply...

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OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

That's probably because this is NOT something they sell, but I hear it's something they use. I was hoping they could just tell me what they use, so i could try and find it...

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OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

I have always believed the speed and spin ratings to be very misleading. Certain strokes play rather dead, while some others lively, with the same rubber. The same goes for spin, especially on a non-tacky rubber w/Jap-Euro sponge. I think it is about impossible to quantify all the different dynamics - everyone hits and swings different. I can rip the cover off on certain loops, but put relatively pathetic spin on certain defensive shots, all with the same rubber. The glue job and type of blade changes up the performance as well.

Conclusion, we gonna have to stick to absolutely defineable and fair/consistant measurabe criteria, like weight, thickness of sponge and topsheet, responsiveness to speed glue (low/med/high), along GOOD OLE MARKETING.

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Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter