OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Is Spectol 21 the same topsheet as Spectol with the only difference being the softer sponge?

From what I read softer sponge seems to be recommended on SP, so if so why don't we hear more about it?

I believe it is the same topsheet. I tried the 21 sponge once and absolutely hated it. The ball springs away way to fast for me but I'm sure a lot of people like it.

The one time I tried a 21 sponge (on a sheet of Winning 738) I found that I hit wood on anything close to a flat hit. Possibly with speedglue things would be different, but then it might be too bouncy for me.

If you like really soft sponge though, it may be just the thing, especially if you get it in one of the thicker varieties. One of my coaches, a former teammate of Wang Liqin's and professional player and #15 in the U.S. likes really soft (like 28 hardness) and thick (like 2.3) sponges on his short pips.

_________________
-- Andrew

Spintech All Around Penhold blade
Spinlord Keiler II 1.5 black
Nittaku FastArc G1 red

729 all around blade
Tibhar Grass D-Tec S Red
Nittaku FastArc G1 black

I am contemplating trying out Spectol 21 2.1 mm or 1.9 mm.
Is this sponge too fast and lacking control?

Would the the regular Spectol be better?

Does the Spectol perform similar to RITC 802-1 or Clippa?

Thanks.

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TSP Spectol Soft - 2.1 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
Stiga Clipper CR WRB
--------------and--------------------
TSP Spinpips 21 - 2.0 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
BBC 9-10-9

I tried the TSP Spectol 21 last night and here are my initial comments.

Spectol 21 is very bouncy and fast but I do not think control is an issue. It has surprisingly excellent control despite the supposedly very speedy 21 sponge.

Compared to Clippa, Spectol felt stiff and and I could "feel the wood" more which I am really starting to like. The feel reminds me of my RITC 802-1 but with slightly better control.

The spin was definitely less than Clippa (which has a very inverted feel) but not that significant.

I still could spin with Spectol but had to let the rubber dig into the ball more on contact.

I could still put some good spins on my serves.

Compared to Clippa, the throw is a little lower.

Now one may ask which is better - Clippa or Spectol?

Its really hard to say. Clippa has its unique qualities due to its inverted feel and spinnier pips (which allow more spin variations), but in my view, Spectol is ahead in the control/speed ratio. Spectol, being less spinny, is also closer to classic pip out play.

In no manner am I suggesting that Clippa is inferior - just different. It depends on the player's style of play.

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TSP Spectol Soft - 2.1 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
Stiga Clipper CR WRB
--------------and--------------------
TSP Spinpips 21 - 2.0 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
BBC 9-10-9

Thank you 101,
A good read on the spectol and the clippa

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the re-evolution of war
Bty Gergely Palio Macro Era 42.5 Max DHS H2 Max

The 21 sponge reminds me of the quattro sponge. It is also dense and springy. The feeling upon ball impact is similar, but the 21 also seems to be lighter in weight overall.

_________________
TSP Spectol Soft - 2.1 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
Stiga Clipper CR WRB
--------------and--------------------
TSP Spinpips 21 - 2.0 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
BBC 9-10-9

Are you talking about yang shigang right now?

JW

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Stiga Clipper FL- Haifu BW2 2.2- Hammond Pro Beta 2.1

Yes, but recently he switched to Spintech rubbers (Stealth Storm and Spinpower) and blade (7th Wonder).

_________________
-- Andrew

Spintech All Around Penhold blade
Spinlord Keiler II 1.5 black
Nittaku FastArc G1 red

729 all around blade
Tibhar Grass D-Tec S Red
Nittaku FastArc G1 black

spintech stelth storm? heard of spin tech stealth, but not stealth storm...., and i cant find it ont eh ittf approved rubbers.......hmm
cool, ur lucky to have him as a coach, i saw him at the nationals with ethan jin.

my coach is #33 woman in us. shes a good player but not much of a coach.

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Stiga Clipper FL- Haifu BW2 2.2- Hammond Pro Beta 2.1

Spintech did not pay their ITTF sanctioning fee and a year ago it was not legal to use their rubber at the US Open. Oner of the junior players at my club found this out two days before the tournament a year ago. He now uses Butterfly. I wonder if that situation has changed since then?

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Butterfly Viscaria Black tag
2.2 mm Nexy Karis M on FH and BH

They seemed to have paid it now as their rubbers are back on the list.

_________________
-- Andrew

Spintech All Around Penhold blade
Spinlord Keiler II 1.5 black
Nittaku FastArc G1 red

729 all around blade
Tibhar Grass D-Tec S Red
Nittaku FastArc G1 black

Andrew, do you have any observations on these Spintech SPs?
Thanks.

_________________
TSP Spectol Soft - 2.1 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
Stiga Clipper CR WRB
--------------and--------------------
TSP Spinpips 21 - 2.0 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
BBC 9-10-9

I used the original Stealth, my review is posted on the Spintech site. Basically it was a medium pip with smoooth tops and a thin base sheet, so returned a lot of spin blocking but you could generate spin on a full stroke. Not what I was expecting.

I've heard that the new Stealth Storm is more similar to Dawei 388B, a sticky, but no longer approved pip similar to Stiga Radical, so I plan to try it but haven't yet as i like my 802-1 currently.

_________________
-- Andrew

Spintech All Around Penhold blade
Spinlord Keiler II 1.5 black
Nittaku FastArc G1 red

729 all around blade
Tibhar Grass D-Tec S Red
Nittaku FastArc G1 black

I have been playing with the Darker Speed 90 and love the speed.
However, I am looking for a more solid or crispier feel on the FH.

I am considering getting thinner and/or harder sponges.

My alternatives are using:

1. Spectol 21 - 1.9 mm
2. Spectol Speed 1.9 mm (1.5 mm perhaps?)
3. Spectol 1.9 mm

Any suggestions on this?

_________________
TSP Spectol Soft - 2.1 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
Stiga Clipper CR WRB
--------------and--------------------
TSP Spinpips 21 - 2.0 mm - FH
TSP Spectol 21 - 2.1 mm - BH
BBC 9-10-9