Ask The Experts: Truong Tu, No: 98
Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question: Hello,

I have been playing table tennis for about 4 years and I am looking to upgrade my racket. Currently, I play on the Stiga Evolution Premade racket and I am ready to take my skills further. I have been doing research with my coach’s recommendations and I have listed out blade and rubbers that I liked:
My style of play is primarily looping, counterattacking, and some close to the table attacking play, with some short chops over the table if the ball comes short. My skill rating is about 1200-1350. Could you please give me your recommendations?

Blade: Not exactly sure but my coach recommended a 5-ply wooden All+ or Off- blade; Could you please suggest something; I am thinking that carbon blades would be a little too fast but I am open to explanations and opinions.

Forehand Rubber:
1) DHS Gold Arc 3
2) DHS Hurricane 3
3) DHS Hurricane 8
Also, I am open to more suggestions and opinions. I am not exactly sure if Tenergy is the right rubber for my skill level though. My coach recommended a slightly more tacky rubber for my forehand for looping.

Backhand Rubber:
1) Yasaka Mark V
2) Tibhar Evolution FX-P
3) A Butterfly rubber that matches my style of play (I have heard mixed reviews about the Sriver Series so if you could possibly recomend something else.)
4) A Stiga rubber that matches my style of play
5) Donic Acuda Blue P2 or Donic Bluefire JP 02

Again, I am open to more suggestions and opinions. My coach recommends a more control, yet power rubber for backhand but still able to do backhand loops.

I have been hesitant with the Tenergy series because they seem to be very fast and spinny rubbers, which would not let me develop my skills properly. But I am still interested in when I could be possibly ready to manage playing with the Tenergy series.

I look forward to your response, wisdom, and insight.

Thank you very much,
Neel

Answer: Hi Neel,

Blade: Petr Korbel is perfect for you! If you want a little more speed you might also like the Innerforce Layer ALC. Arylate-Carbon is a soft carbon which give you a little more speed without losing control.

Forehand: Spin Art would be the best choice, tacky top-sheet and more control.

Backhand: Roundell Soft should be good, it will give you more dwell time for control. But if you use Korbel, then Roundell would be good since Korbel is a soft blade already.

Best of luck!

Truong Tu