Need Input for Testset

Hello guys,

I'm putting together a test set for a friend. It will be 4 blades and 8 rubbers.
However, I'm not really sure what will be good combinations, so I'd like to have some input from ppl who have played with partly similar setups and can provide some insight.

This is the list so far:

Blades:

Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon
Andro Treiber K
Victas Fire Fall FC
Stiga Clipper

Rubbers:

MX-P
MX-S
EL-S
Rasanter R47
H8
Bluestorm Z1
Mantra M
V>15 Limber

So what will be good combinations FH/BH wise?
And what fits best on which blade?

He is an agressive two wings looper with classic european technique. USATT points would be around 1600.
Somebody sold him way too soft rubbers which caused all sorts of problems (essentially turning him into a passive blocker). He plays a balsa composite but wants to change that into a setup that enables him to play powerful and spinny from mid distance.

I’m tempted to suggest to use either the same rubbers on different blades or different rubbers on the same blade, but perhaps that’s part of the plan?

I would pair EL-S with the MX-P to do a direct comparison. The blade is going to feel like a dumbell though.

Rasanter 47 should be compared to the Bluestirm Z1.

Mantra M can be matched with the V>15.

And the H8 with Genesis M. ☺

And definitely report back the results!

Im using a true carbon with omega iv pro on backhand and fh recently switched to 14 dollar gambler burst on thors hammer sponge .

With OTC , I think h8 on forehand and a 45 deg rubber from the list you provided would be a good combo. (Been away for half a year from equipment stats, so i cant say which rubber exactly)

Edited by asifgunz - 11/25/2017 at 11:21am

Ok, so first test session, with 2 blades mounted:

OTC with MX-P and EL-P
Treiber K with R47 and MX-S

First Impressions:

The blades seem to be 100% identical. Optically there is absolutely no difference, and when bouncing the ball on the blade, I can confidently say that it makes the exact same tone for both blades.
Handle and weight maybe a bit different, but whatever, still identical blades.
Rubbers feel bouncy as expected.

First playing impressions:

Blades are pretty stiff. Medium hard. Countering is easy. Blocking is superb. Short game and serving is excellent. Compared to my PG12, serves bounce twice as often. A well executed high toss side-backspin serve bounces around 4 times and is super flat. (MX-P)

Blades are good for generating own power, I like them for FH. BH I miss a bit of flex to give extra power / control. Lobbing also felt easy.

Since blades are the same, rubbers were evaluated:

MX-S: Pretty technical rubber, too high demand for my friend, only is ok on my FH, but not so good with plastic balls overall. Plays like a boosted soft version of a low-throw chinese rubber. Neither consistent nor rewarding enough for any of us.

EL-P: Wimpy rubber. Plays like how I imagine a dead sheet of MX-P. Lacks power and control compared to MX-P. Maybe it plays better on a slower, softer blade.

R47: Numb allround rubber. Feels as numb as baracuda and does everything ok but doesn't excel in anything. I wonder why this was so unimpressive.

MX-P: Very good rubber! Does everything well, I tried hard to find any faults. I only find it too soft for my forehand, but I use really hard chinese rubbers there anyways, so this might not apply to you. Still very good on FH. I find it superb for BH and so did my friend. Consistency was impressive. It was especially forgiving to bat angle. Whether I flicked hard or soft, played with power or with touch, everthing landed with good speed and spin.

Will test more blades and rubbers later this week.