greg's Rubber Ratings/Reviews

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Here are greg's ratings and reviews. These ratings are useful because greg has his/her own standard and will rate and review the ping pong equipment accordingly, giving you accurate and useful ratings and reviews to aid you in your next online purchase.

Butterfly (1)

Butterfly Tenergy 05

Speed	9.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	7.0
Control	8.0
Weight	4.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	10.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	0.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	4.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	3.0
Consistency	10.0
Overall	10.0

Review of Butterfly Tenergy 05

Speed is good, controllable, slower than high speed rubbers. Spin is not bad. So far it's been impossible for something to be really spinny and really fast at the same time. Tacky rubbers have the spin, euro/japanese rubbers have the speed.
Tenergy 05 tries to put these two together. The spin does not match tacky stuff and it's not very fast, but it's close. Currently it's the best or at least, one of best rubbers at combining spin and speed.
The sponge is rated 36, touching it with your finger it feels medium. However, when you're hitting/looping it feels very soft, like playing with a 33 degree sponge. Touch shots are easy to control and keep low. This rubber has gears!
Overall, I would like more spin and a harder sponge, but I shouldn't ask for too much. It's currently one of the best rubbers available on the market. I rate it 10/10.

Dec 14, 2008

Double Happiness (DHS) (1)

DHS Hurricane 3 (H3)

Speed	6.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	6.0
Control	9.0
Weight	8.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	4.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	5.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	6.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	10.0
Consistency	5.0
Overall	6.5

Review of DHS Hurricane 3 (H3)

The h3 commercial version, is not very tacky. 729 sp, is a lot tackier and softer feeling. It's a slow rubber, that is ONLY for short game. Even a few steps back from the table, might get you in trouble.
Speed glue can make this rubber very nice, but without speed glue it's a rock with no power, and average spin.
H3 commercial unglued, I recommend to a beginner close to table penhold player. But these days, there are lots of rubbers with built in effects, so think twice about getting this, or at least get provincial version.

Nov 01, 2008

Friendship/729 (4)

Friendship/729 GeoSpin Tacky

Speed	7.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	8.0
Control	9.0
Weight	4.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	7.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	2.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	6.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	7.0
Consistency	10.0
Overall	8.0

Review of Friendship/729 GeoSpin Tacky

I read some review about this rubber being very tacky. However, it's not super tacky. I rate the tackiness at 7 or 8. If you press the ball down hard with the rubber it will lift the ball about 4 inches and fall. The sponge is hard and the top sheet is somewhat medium soft. Power is decent. Everything is not bad. Possible to do Chinese and Euro strokes with this. Serves are spinny and loops are not bad. Overall for the price I rate it 8. The black and red are a little different in tackiness, gets more noticeable as you play more. I did not use speedglue

Oct 26, 2008

Friendship/729 SP Transcend

Speed	6.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	6.0
Control	8.0
Weight	8.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	4.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	10.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	8.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	7.0
Consistency	5.0
Overall	8.0

Review of Friendship/729 SP Transcend

People have been wondering about the hardness of the sponge. The sponge is hard but, the top sheet is soft and tacky. Total rubber feels really soft when hitting, like 38 hardness. Pressing just the sponge with my finger, felt around 44 hardness. So the 2.0 sponge will feel softer than 2.2 sponge, because obviously you get more hard sponge. I prefer 2.2 sponge(more springy). Don't forget to prime the rubber, to make it more soft and lively. This rubber is meant to be used with speed glue, it's pretty slow without speed glue. If you're not using glue, use a very fast blade!(still may be too slow) The dwell time is huge even on a stiff blade. serving, looping, and pushing, are so so. Driving and counter loop drives is this rubber's specialty. If speed gluing was still legal, I would give this rubber a 9 or 10. In the new age I give it 8. Without glue, this is suitable for a beginner. Advanced players can still use this rubber, just would need to put this on a rocket blade. Again, don't forget to prime it.
Like Jeff said, best used for chinese style strokes, not good for euro strokes and long game.

Oct 27, 2008

Friendship/729 Higher 3

Speed	6.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	7.0
Control	8.0
Weight	6.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	7.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	2.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	6.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	5.0
Consistency	10.0
Overall	7.0

Review of Friendship/729 Higher 3

This is a euro style rubber, that's more towards the grippy side(once the new factory tack comes off). It needs speed glue! Without speed glue it's very slow and dead feeling(even after super priming)
Serves with this rubber are good, everything else is so so.
If you have a fast blade that you want to tame, this rubber may be for you, or if you want a rubber to learn strokes. For the price, I recommend it over shriver. Good if used on a carbon blade or fast blade. Overall, I give this rubber a 7. If speed glue was legal an 8 or 9

Oct 27, 2008

Friendship/729 Focus 3

Speed	6.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	6.0
Control	6.0
Weight	4.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	4.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	0.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	0.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	3.0
Consistency	5.0
Overall	7.0

Review of Friendship/729 Focus 3

Very strange rubber! I agree with gatisubbu, "better if glued to soft feel and medium fast blades"
Very bad match on a carbon or stiff blade. Feels like dead jello with weird low throw angle on a fast carbon blade.
But, on a wood or soft/medium blade, plays and feels actually pretty good(still slow though) If you're a relatively new player, that uses euro strokes, this may be for you, but DON'T put on a fast/carbon blade!

Oct 27, 2008

Gambler (1)

Gambler Shadow

Speed	6.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	7.0
Control	7.0
Weight	4.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	4.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	5.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	6.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	5.0
Consistency	5.0
Overall	7.0

Review of Gambler Shadow

Plays very similar to a tacky 729/chinese rubber. The product description says it's made for the post speed glue era, which is misleading! It does not have any click at all. I believe outlaw and six shooter are the only tuned rubbers from gambler. Also the sponge is Not Soft, it's about a medium, about 38-40. Anyway back to the rubber, it's a mildly tacky rubber, that requires chinese strokes. Counter looping/driving is okay. Blocking and flat hit are not good. Pushing so so. Really bad for euro strokes/short strokes, or passive play. The only way to win with this rubber is to swing fast and hard at everything..
Some good aspects, it's really cheap! It's slow, so you have to use technique to generate power which could be good for a serious new player.

Dec 28, 2009

Palio (1)

Palio Thors

Speed	8.0
Spin $<b>Spin</b> is the amount of ball rotation generated by the rubber. This is affected by the rubber\'s tackiness, sponge thickness, sponge hardness as well as the blade\'s flexibility.$	8.0
Control	6.0
Weight	8.0
Gears $<b>Gears</b> refers to a rubber\'s ability to produce a wide range of speeds. A rubber with a wide range of speeds (many gears) can produce slow speeds (on gentle strokes) and high speeds (on hard strokes). With few gears, you may always produce fairly slow balls, or always produce fairly fast balls on lighter and harder strokes.$	4.0

Tackiness $<b>Tackiness</b> refers to the level of stickiness of the rubber surface. Traditional Chinese rubbers are usually tacky enough to lift a ball off the table by pressing the rubber on top of the ball, whereas traditional European and Japanese rubbers do not.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Very tacky</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Tacky</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium tacky</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Slightly tacky</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Completely non-tacky</td></tr></table>$	2.0
Throw Angle $<b>Throw Angle</b> is the angle that the ball is projected from strokes like the loop. For a topspin loop, a high throw angle will lift the ball higher. Tacky rubbers often have a higher throw angle. <br><br><b>Note: This rating refers to the topspin strokes only.</b> On an underspin chop, the same rubber with a high throw angle will actually produce a very low angle on a chop (it is reversed). This rubber should still be rated as high throw since the rating refers to topspin.<br><table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>9+</td><td>Very high</td></tr><tr><td>7 - 9</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>5.5 - 7</td><td>Medium-high</td></tr><tr><td>3.5 - 5.5</td><td>Medium</td></tr><tr><td>1.5 - 3.5</td><td>Medium-low</td></tr><tr><td>Under 1.5</td><td>Low</td></tr></table>$	4.0
Sponge Hardness $<b>Sponge Hardness</b> refers to the density of the sponge. This is measured in degrees:<table class=\'smalldata\'><tr class=\'head\'><td>Rating</td><td>Description</td><td>Degrees</td></tr><tr><td>8+</td><td>Hard</td><td>45+ degrees</td></tr><tr><td>6 - 8</td><td>Medium Hard</td><td>43-44 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>4 - 6</td><td>Medium</td><td>41-42 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>2 - 4</td><td>Medium Soft</td><td>38-40 degrees</td></tr><tr><td>Under 2</td><td>Soft</td><td>under 37 degrees</td></tr></table>$	5.0
Consistency	10.0
Overall	7.0

Review of Palio Thors

Thor is very picky on it's user, blade, and stroke. I agree with almost everything nicefrog said in his long article. Blade must be slow and stiff. Stroke must be drastically changed to fit thor, the diagram that Nicefrog made is very helpful (ball must be contacted a little lower on the rubber to stretch the topsheet and work the sponge). Caution: by using this late stroke/contact, you will recover slower. A rubber that makes you slower..hmm.. Counterlooping/looping rallies are a nightmare! So who will like this rubber? Low level players. Or a player that only plays weaker/passive players, a la Nicefrog. Thor works well when your opponent gives you a weak/passive ball. If you're playing someone close to your level giving you speed and spin, thor is very bad. Again, because of time loss in the swing and counterlooping issues/"mebd." Thor is too picky, demanding, and does not offer high level play qualities. I don't recommend thor for beginners either/under 1500, because it's too volatile to learn with and will really mess up your swing. Overall, not a bad attempt, but no cigar.

Jul 04, 2012

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