Japanese rubber recommendation please

Hi richrf,

Welcome back to the game! Yes, while there are many new Japanese rubbers to the game.
The leading one with most spin is the Butterfly Tenergy 05 - This can be disputed though.
Other options include rubbers from German ESN factory. Which are also class-leading in their own ways.
To answer your question on Jap + Spin I would say T05.

Otherwise, if you can consider other rubbers (ESN). It opens you to even more options.
Our forum members have very good recommendations.

Hi Chewy,

Thanks for the recommendations. In the past I stayed away from ESN for lack of durability which translated into inconsistent performance over time.

I tried, Tenergy, but cost aside, it felt heavier than I like, but if course v excellent overall characteristics.

The Calibra LT, has been a real champ in regards to durability. But it does not have the spin capabilities of ESN or Tenergy so I am wondering if anything new (last three years or so) had been introduced that I might consider. Otherwise I'll stick with Calibra LT which is a real work horse. I don't think Calibra Spin will make a big difference though it might. I didn't at all like the Calibration Tour series.

Thanks again!

Hey richrf,

You are most welcome.
I see. Understood your points.

Some of the older/natural gum ESN rubbers are reported to have better durability.
I cannot comment much on durability as it is subjective up to some point.
Stiga Mantra is supposed to be a Jap-like rubber. And it's pretty new, have you tried it?

Personally, Nittaku FastArc (G-1 & C-1) are some of my favourite rubbers. Due to the extremely grippy topsheet - personal preference of mine.

wanchope wrote: Nittaku fastarc series is pretty good as well.

That's a German rubber though (ESN).

Nittaku Flyatt Spin, Stiga Mantra, Nexy Karis and Joola Samba 19 or 27 are all made in Japan and have gripper topsheets than previous generation Japanese rubbers. 

Stiga Mantra series is made in Japan.

Chewy wrote: Hey richrf, You are most welcome. I see. Understood your points. Some of the older/natural gum ESN rubbers are reported to have better durability. I cannot comment much on durability as it is subjective up to some point. Stiga Mantra is supposed to be a Jap-like rubber. And it's pretty new, have you tried it? Personally, Nittaku FastArc (G-1 & C-1) are some of my favourite rubbers. Due to the extremely grippy topsheet - personal preference of mine.

I'm using the s1 on BH. It works pretty well. Do you think c1 might be better on BH V

richrf wrote: Baal wrote: Stiga Mantra series is made in Japan. Thanks! If anyone had a comparison to Calibra, I would appreciate it. Seems like it is a relatively new rubber.

It comes in three versions.  yogi bear has reviewed it.  I only tried Mantra M, which is slower, spinner a lot more linear than Calibra LT for sure, and probably better for the vast majority of players.  Yogi likes the Mantra H version better, which is harder and faster than M.  Yes, it is new in the last year or so.  It follows a trend with a lot of new rubbers of being a bit more predictable for the user.

It definitely has some similarity to Nexy Karis series, also made in a Japanese factory (the same one as Mantra in fact), but the company is Korean.  I love Karis M, but it is not going to be loved by everyone.  It is probably the most "linear" and predictable rubber in existence, but that means it punishes lazy technique.  That one also comes in harder versions (M+ and H) which are said to be faster.  I didn't find that true for M+ and I have not tried H.  This is one of those rubbers that is quite blade-dependent and if you are not using a pretty fast blade I would go with Mantra rather than Karis.  Karis needs a pretty fast blade.

HarmonicTT wrote: Stiga mantra m or have on off-off+ are way to hard to control especially those being smashing and hard hitting setups. I have tried it on off- and lower. I could easily loop and drive both sides of the blades. Tried max no feeling. 1.9mm is what I liked. 1.7mm was too hard to control. Mantra I think isn't a good newcomer especially being made from the same factory as many Japanese style rubbers. I just didn't like it. Switched back to 729 or other esn rubbers. Prefer the aurus, elpis, fastarc, or mxs over this.

Thanks for describing for me your experiences. It is very helpful. While Table Tennis Daily gave it a fairly nice review, their skill level is in a different ballpark than mine, and as you pointed out control is an important characteristic.

ESN for me is definitely out. I've tried many with poor trails. Chinese doesn't fit my playing style and I also found consistency an issue. The Calibra has been a reasonably good fit but I'll continue investigating the other recommendations on this thread. First hand accounts such as the ones you shared with me are always very helpful. Thanks!

Chewy wrote: Hey Richrf, You can check out the reviews for Stiga Mantra here: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78165 And for Nexy Karis: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=77991&PN=1&title=nexy-karis-m-and-m-reviews Hope it can help you with your comparison. @wanchope C-1 feels harder and gripper than S-1. The S-1 is a very light & soft rubber, but if weight is not an issue and you're looking for something gripper with a harder feel. Then you can try the C-1 for the BH. As Nittaku markets it, the C-1 is actually a rubber with G-1 topsheet & S-1 Sponge combined. 😁

C1 is not much heavier than s1, I guess? I'll try c1 the next time. I try to do a lot of banana flick, more grip might help.

Edited by wanchope - 09/20/2017 at 10:00pm

@richrf
Mon22 mentioned about the Nittaku Alhelg rubber. Which is also a Japanese rubber.
Here is a link from Patrick’s review: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73730&PID=910080
In it, he compares the Airoc to the Calibra too. I think the information, you would find useful.

@mon22
The Alhelg is made in Japan, while the FastArc is made in Germany.
Yes, pretty sure you will not be disappointed with the G-1 & C-1.

@wanchope
If you’re looking for a grippier Rubber. Yes C-1 can help. The G-1 is on a harder sponge which suits FH better for most.