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Yasaka Rakza 9 Review

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Topic: Yasaka Rakza 9 Review
Posted By: yogi_bear
Subject: Yasaka Rakza 9 Review
Date Posted: 05/24/2012 at 8:52pm
received this test rubber from yasaka japan along with the rakza 7 for direct comparison through the kindness of pingpongonline.com


Specs:

Color: red
Size: 170 x 170mm
Thickness: Max
Weight: 72 grams
Sponge hardness: Hard (like 38-39 degrees DHS Scale)
Test blade: Yasaka Galaxya flared, Adidas Challenge Speed blade


At first look the topsheet and sponge are obviously ESN made rubbers. I decided to as kfor the rakza 7 because i need a baseline comparison with the Rakza 9.The R9 has larger pores in its sponge compared to that of the R7. The R9 has a harder sponge. if the R7 is 36-37 degrees DHS scale, then the R9 is about 38-39 degrees. The topsheet is almost  similar to that of the Joola Rhyzm and Tibhar 1Q.


What it feels like?

Hitting with it had a very loud sound. Doing drives and loops have a lower throw and it felt like an Acuda S1 turbo but a bit spinnier. Felt more like that of Tibhar 1Q and Rhyzm. Compared to the R7, the R9 has a longer but lower arc. The R9 is suited mid distance from the table whereas the R7 is best near the table. When hitting with the R9 it felt stronger on the smashing and driving part, it has lesser dwell time compared to the R7. R7 however is better at looping near the table. Counter driving for the R9 is a bit stronger. I would say the increase in the speed between the R9 and R7 by my estimate would be 10-15% with the the R9 being faster. 


How is the R9 inside the table?

I was impressed with it while using it in my backhand. Receiving serves were not a problem as the rubber has less sensitivity to spin. Although its not as spinny as the R7, the R9 is good in making spinny pushes. It produces sharp and controllable pushes inside the table. 


To summarize the R9 is better at the following:

Pushing - push chops are very spinny. Low, sharp and spinny pushes are very good with it. 

Driving, smashing and hitting - its hard and bouncy sponge is good during power shots that require more on speed and less emphasis on spin.

Counter looping - away from the table the R9 performs really well adding to that a loud sound. its very long trajectory is suitable mid distance to far away from the table. 

The R9 needs a lil bit of these:

a lil bit more spin - i find the R7 really spinny. Although the R9 has an above average spin, the R7 is still spinny on loops.

a reduction in weight - at 72 grams uncut this rubber is heavier than Tenergy 05. Though i belve a reduction of density to reduce weight would decrease its power also. 

Speed:

R9 > R7 
R9 = Tibhar 1Q, Joola Rhyzm, Tibhar Aurus
R9 < S1 Turbo, Stiga Calibra LT & LT+

Spin:

R9 < R7
R9 > Tibhar Aurus, S1 Turbo, Calibra LT
R9 = 1Q and Rhyzm

One thing I also noticed with the R9 is that its a bit choosy on the blades you attach to it. I tried a 7 ply all wood blade that is very thin and it didn't felt right. It felt slow. I changed the blade to a stiffer 7 ply all wood blade and it felt better and faster. The R9 works well with stiff carbon blades as long as they are not on the heavy side. I would suggest to avoid using the R9 with 5 ply all wood blades that feel softer. Stiffer blades are ideal with the R9. 






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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach



Replies:
Posted By: Nagatito
Date Posted: 05/24/2012 at 10:13pm
Waiting :D

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Blade: Timo Boll ALC
FH: T05
BH: Roundell


Posted By: jinlai
Date Posted: 05/25/2012 at 9:44pm
Very impatient to see your review.


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/25/2012 at 9:55pm
im still testing it today. i found out its not good for blades that are not stiff and i had to change it to another blade a 7 ply all wood blade and try to see what the results are. ill post probably tonight

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/26/2012 at 10:28am
review added

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: Snakefish
Date Posted: 05/26/2012 at 11:38am
Originally posted by yogi_bear yogi_bear wrote:

im still testing it today. i found out its not good for blades that are not stiff and i had to change it to another blade a 7 ply all wood blade and try to see what the results are. ill post probably tonight
 
Why did you find it's not good for a non-stiff blade ?
 
I have 1 Razka9 sheet & still deciding what blade to try it on 


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Andro Treiber Z - fl
FH: Tibhar MX-D max
BH: Tibhar Quantum ProX-blue,max


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/26/2012 at 7:47pm
snakefish, because it feels slow on blades that are not stiff

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: GeneralSpecific
Date Posted: 05/26/2012 at 9:59pm
Would you say that since Rakaz 7 is a competitor to Tenergy 05, that Rakza 9 is a competitor to Tenergy 64?

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Blade - Xiom 36.5 ALX FL
Forehand - Xiom Omega V Asia 2.0mm
Backhand - Victas Curl P5V with Der Materialspezialist Firestorm Soft/Outkill 1.8mm sponge


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/27/2012 at 12:35am
generalspecific, still not as good as T05 in some areas but the gap is not that big. The R9 wouldnt be comparedt o the T64 since they have different hardness in sponge.

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: cotdt
Date Posted: 05/27/2012 at 1:34am
Originally posted by yogi_bear yogi_bear wrote:

generalspecific, still not as good as T05 in some areas but the gap is not that big. The R9 wouldnt be comparedt o the T64 since they have different hardness in sponge.


Sponge hardness should be the same, no? Both are medium-hard.


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Nittaku Resound
FH: Joola Timeless
BH: Joola Timeless


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/27/2012 at 2:37am
yes almost the same some times the sponge feels harder than the T05's

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 09/21/2012 at 6:20pm
tried rakza 9 2.0 today. it is very similar to bluefire m1, a bit lower throw (but still sharp arc) and a bit more control, more stable.

surprisingly, the speed was slower than coppa x2 (but it makes sense because it has more spin).


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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: frogger
Date Posted: 09/21/2012 at 10:15pm
 Nice review as usual yogi! Thumbs Up

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Wood Paddle
Red side
Black side.




Posted By: dauntless
Date Posted: 12/16/2012 at 2:52am
Anyone know if Razka 9 is suitable as a backhand rubber? I am thinking of using a 1.8 sheet on an Innerforce ZLC. Right now I am using Roundell 2.1 and it is fine & stable, maybe a little soft... but I tried Razka 9 the other night and it was not nearly as bouncy as T05, way lower throw -- even lower on average than T64 2.1 IMHO, but with plenty of control AND speed. Lots of guys are using various versions of Razka at my club and I am impressed with the results of the blades (confirming 2 out of 3 were stiff blades) I have tried it with. My experience is that it is very stable considering it is an ESN rubber (last ESN rubber was hexer and I hated it much) and word is its durable as well. 




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1. BTY Primorac, Nittaku H3N, T64 2. BTY Primorac, H3N, Mendo MP http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56416 - Feedback


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 12/16/2012 at 6:19am
i tried it in the backhand it was good. the weight was the one that turned me off using max though 1.8 is light

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: Roger Stillabower
Date Posted: 12/16/2012 at 10:14am


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Shifter


Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 12/16/2012 at 11:25am
I would imagine using R9 to a less stiff blade because of R9's hardness. I would use R9 to a stiff blade but only if the stiff blade is soft, or softer.   

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Yasaka Galaxya

Butterfly Amultart SI



Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 12/16/2012 at 11:28am
Originally posted by seguso seguso wrote:

tried rakza 9 2.0 today. it is very similar to bluefire m1, a bit lower throw (but still sharp arc) and a bit more control, more stable.

surprisingly, the speed was slower than coppa x2 (but it makes sense because it has more spin).
 
Did you try R9 on your Xiom Extreme S? Does it feel too hard (the sponge) or too stiff on that blade? Thanks (I finally bought the Extreme S).


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Yasaka Galaxya

Butterfly Amultart SI



Posted By: garwor
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 3:12am
R7 seems still best choice for most players. Versatile, durable, not too expensive.

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http://stonitenis.rs/equipmentreviews" rel="nofollow - Equipment database

Yinhe MC-2 FL
fh: Xiom Vega pro
bh: Xiom Vega pro

Boycott Marcos Freitas for hidden services!


Posted By: debraj
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 1:21pm
Happy that Rakza 9 discussion came up again. 

I am using Rakza 9 on my FH these days with 1QXD bh, but good chance i may use it for FH and BH as well. Rakza 9 is an excellent rubber for mid distant play.. with good control close to table and good power away from table.

Rakza 9 has ZERO correlation with Rakza 7... it is from different genre. so naturally it is closer to modern esn rubbers like 1Q, bluefire, rassant etc.

Rakza 9, in my opinion is structurally an improved Bluefire M1....more predictable. Functionally its improved Aurus....being more forgiving in opening loops than aurus.


Also Rakza 9 gives very close to Tenergy feeling, with the throw angle between 64 and 05. the same has been said for many rubbers, i know.

Rakza 9, is not a very hard rubber. Yogi, i think you may have got a wrong sheet, or you confused since you tested too many rubbers. Rakza 9 feels marginally softer than aurus, but not a soft rubber overall.


Rakza 9's hardness is actually in 1Q level, but playing characteristics are very different. 1Q has a weird extreme low throw.. not that you cant adjust to it, but still striking. Rakza 9 is more mainstream throw, without any weirdness. 

Rakza 9 has a compartively firm topsheet and porous sponge... and hence it gives you a fluffy cushioned feel while you loop or drive. Normally this type of rubbers are easier to loop with but bouncy on the table...Rakza 9 somehow managed to stay tamed on table.. but not as tamed as H3 or Aurus. 

Rakza 9 blocks exceedingly well, opens loop easily, and with very good spin.. but not crazy spinny like 1Q-XD. Also it counterloops extremely well.. better than 1QXD, better than Aurus, better than Hexer HD, as good as 1Q, and as good as T05.

on Serves Rakza 9 is failry spinny but H3 is definitelly spinnier.. even T05 may be spinnier in serves. T64 is not. 

Blocking with rakza 9 is a dream.. feels like you are blocking with a much thinner rubber.. and both active and passive blocks are easy to execute. 

I would ideally not recommend Rakza 9 low sponge thickness.. max or 1.9... but not below that.
And yes it is very durable.... like all new generation tensors are. Even if you hit the corner of the table with Rakza 9 or 1Q-XD you will not make it chip.

that's my take...




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729-F1||Rhyzm-P(FH)|| Rasant Grip orRhyzm-P max(BH)
http://youtu.be/y9y9nE9g778" rel="nofollow - vid1
http://youtu.be/xqNy786yGOs" rel="nofollow - Vid 2


Posted By: Lestat
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 1:45pm
Originally posted by debraj debraj wrote:

Rakza 9, is not a very hard rubber. Yogi, i think you may have got a wrong sheet, or you confused since you tested too many rubbers. Rakza 9 feels marginally softer than aurus, but not a soft rubber overall.

Agreed, hardness is right in between Rakza 7 and Rakza 7 soft. But faster than both and dare I say more spinny - close and far from the table, despite official Yasaka ratings which still list Rakza 7 soft as the spinniest of all. Lovely rubber overall.

Debraj, have you used Hexer (standard not hd, duro etc.) on the same blade and if yes, how would you compare the two? 


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 1:53pm
this is strange... I have both rakza 9 and aurus regular, and my rakza 9 is definitely harder than aurus. also harder than t05. it is really hard, like sigma pro. 

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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: dauntless
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 2:51pm
Everything I hear about this rubber from people who are using it tells me this will work very well on my backhand.  I have used Razka on several blades and it has speed and spin on faster harder strokes and an amazing ability to have the lower gears on block. Its actually a pain to play against folks using this as you think you have their game dialed in and there is just so much variation and control, a strong forehand loop is fast and with lots of spin, and the next block back after your counter-loop goes into the net because it is so slow and spin-less. Frustrating.

I think it bridges that gap well for people like me who need something in-between a "pro level" rubber and "club level" rubber. From everything I've read and from my limited use of the rubber, its medium hard and gets a bit softer after some play. Very playable and almost zero stroke change for me.

I ordered red 1.8mm to give me a chance to have controlled blocks on BH and expect it this week sometime. If its great I can always dial it up to 2.0 later


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1. BTY Primorac, Nittaku H3N, T64 2. BTY Primorac, H3N, Mendo MP http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56416 - Feedback


Posted By: debraj
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 3:00pm
Seguso new sheets of rakza 9 may feel different if you are comparing with old sheet of aurus. because aurus and rakza 9 both softens after playing some time. 

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729-F1||Rhyzm-P(FH)|| Rasant Grip orRhyzm-P max(BH)
http://youtu.be/y9y9nE9g778" rel="nofollow - vid1
http://youtu.be/xqNy786yGOs" rel="nofollow - Vid 2


Posted By: debraj
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 3:07pm
Originally posted by Lestat Lestat wrote:

Originally posted by debraj debraj wrote:

Rakza 9, is not a very hard rubber. Yogi, i think you may have got a wrong sheet, or you confused since you tested too many rubbers. Rakza 9 feels marginally softer than aurus, but not a soft rubber overall.

Agreed, hardness is right in between Rakza 7 and Rakza 7 soft. But faster than both and dare I say more spinny - close and far from the table, despite official Yasaka ratings which still list Rakza 7 soft as the spinniest of all. Lovely rubber overall.

Debraj, have you used Hexer (standard not hd, duro etc.) on the same blade and if yes, how would you compare the two? 

Lestat: yes i have played with hexer.. when it first came out i was in love with hexer, because the ESN rubbers before hexer (plasma or roson) were not spinny at all. Hexer/baracuda/genius/xplode/vega pro generation ESN rubber for the first time introduced spin even in slow/mid shot...not just fast shots. 

Unfortunately Hexer, though spinny, becomes pretty slow after the initial tuning wears off. And then it creates challenge for blocks, and also for pressing on opponent in counterloops. 


i think ESN rubbers have come through 3 generations after hexer. And the current generation has overcome the speed problem and durability problem ...still retaining the spin and feel. Thats where Rakza 9 differs from original hexer. 










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729-F1||Rhyzm-P(FH)|| Rasant Grip orRhyzm-P max(BH)
http://youtu.be/y9y9nE9g778" rel="nofollow - vid1
http://youtu.be/xqNy786yGOs" rel="nofollow - Vid 2


Posted By: slevin
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 3:25pm
So how soft does R9 really feel after a couple of weeks: T05 soft?
Yogi says R7 spin is better. Is that corroborated by others here?


Posted By: Lestat
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 3:46pm
Originally posted by debraj debraj wrote:

Originally posted by Lestat Lestat wrote:

Originally posted by debraj debraj wrote:

Rakza 9, is not a very hard rubber. Yogi, i think you may have got a wrong sheet, or you confused since you tested too many rubbers. Rakza 9 feels marginally softer than aurus, but not a soft rubber overall.

Agreed, hardness is right in between Rakza 7 and Rakza 7 soft. But faster than both and dare I say more spinny - close and far from the table, despite official Yasaka ratings which still list Rakza 7 soft as the spinniest of all. Lovely rubber overall.

Debraj, have you used Hexer (standard not hd, duro etc.) on the same blade and if yes, how would you compare the two? 

Lestat: yes i have played with hexer.. when it first came out i was in love with hexer, because the ESN rubbers before hexer (plasma or roson) were not spinny at all. Hexer/baracuda/genius/xplode/vega pro generation ESN rubber for the first time introduced spin even in slow/mid shot...not just fast shots. 

Unfortunately Hexer, though spinny, becomes pretty slow after the initial tuning wears off. And then it creates challenge for blocks, and also for pressing on opponent in counterloops. 


i think ESN rubbers have come through 3 generations after hexer. And the current generation has overcome the speed problem and durability problem ...still retaining the spin and feel. Thats where Rakza 9 differs from original hexer. 


Hmm, I thought you might be saying something along these lines. I have Rakza 9 mounted on a Zhang Yining ZLC - call it innerforce ZLC - and it feels a tad fast at blocks and sometimes at over the table/lateral topspins which have a tendency to go into the net (for the fear of shooting over the table). Once I'm past that however, it absolutely shines mid distance. I found its slight softness to be the perfect compromise between speed and control.

I'd sacrifice some speed mid distance for more control at blocks, but not much. I suppose I oughta try Hexer just to get it out of the way.


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 6:24pm
Originally posted by debraj debraj wrote:

Seguso new sheets of rakza 9 may feel different if you are comparing with old sheet of aurus. because aurus and rakza 9 both softens after playing some time. 

actually I am comparing two new sheets, max vs max. 

but I think you're right that rakza becomes softer. Actually the reason I bought it is that I had tried another sheet, used, and it did not feel so hard.


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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 12/17/2012 at 7:46pm
if you brush like using a chinese rubber then R9 can be spinnier but if you use the sponge more then R7 can make spinning easier

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Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS

ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach


Posted By: vic#74
Date Posted: 12/18/2012 at 12:40am
Bought it yesterday, hope it'll help me Smile

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ITC Premier XR
Nittaku Sieger Pk50
Tibhar Evolution EL-S


Posted By: Imago
Date Posted: 12/18/2012 at 1:45am
Congrats, this is one of the best new rubbers I tried in the last 3 months.
 
Of course, nothing compares to H2Neo Wink


Posted By: vic#74
Date Posted: 12/18/2012 at 3:19am
I loved Rakza 7 and think it to be highly underrated but it could be on slow side sometime. But spin  - is really enough and more 4 amateur and more :) So, I have very high expectations for Rakza 9.  

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ITC Premier XR
Nittaku Sieger Pk50
Tibhar Evolution EL-S


Posted By: salsaking
Date Posted: 04/29/2013 at 1:10am
Digging up an older thread, but wanted to comment as I've been playing with Rakza 9 on my FH for about 5 sessions now.

It's simply been a joy to play with this rubber. I've played Rakza 7 & Bluefire M2 on my FH prior to this, but prefer 9 over both. One of the folks I play with regularly said 7 generated better penetrating spin, but the feel and control from my perspective is so much better with the 9. I've been feeling like I couldn't miss with 9, no matter how out of form/position I was on my FH. =P

Rakza 9 compared with M2 is an improvement as well. Although both have the same kind of dwelly feel, M2 was so inconsistent for me especially on full stroke/powered FHs. Whereas the ball would go straight down on these shots on the M2, Rakza 9 still gave me output exactly as I had intended.

I think I'll stick with this on my FH for awhile (that is until I can try Vega Japan and the new Bluefires JP 01 & 03). =P

Salsaking


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/11/2014 at 4:14pm
My coach, who grew up in China, used Rakza 7 for years and then switched to Rakza 9.  I told him it was softer than R7 b/c that's what the data said, but he insisted it was harder.  Said serves and opening loops (backspin) were a bit more difficult.  But he liked it and made the switch.

There seems to be disagreement about the hardness of R9.  I demoed it, inspected it...noticed that the sponge looked very similar to R7 soft, and also seemed to come apart in exactly the same way that R7 soft does when you try to remove glue.  So, maybe the sponge is softer than R7 but the top-sheet is harder??


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 05/11/2014 at 4:23pm
the rakza 9 sponge is much harder than the rakza 7 sponge. It feels around 50 deg, probably harder than m1. rakza 7 feels about 45 deg. The topsheet of rakza 9 might be softer but I am not sure. For sure it is much softer than the m1 topsheet.


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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: AMonteiro
Date Posted: 05/11/2014 at 5:48pm
Rakza 9 topsheet has the same pips alignment and geometry of T64 while Rakza 7 uses the same as T05, so R9 topsheet feels softer.

Actually Yasaka doesn't help us when japanese catalog says R9 sponge is softer and Sweden website says it's harder.




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Dynaryz AGR /Yasaka Goiabao 5 / Dynaryz AGR


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/11/2014 at 8:48pm
how can you tell if the softness you are feeling is sponge or rubber?


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/11/2014 at 9:10pm
and...on TTdb Rakza 9 is rated faster than Tenergy 05, however I've read reviews that say it's slower.  Any experts out there used both rubbers can comment on which is faster?


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 2:50am
Originally posted by bschap bschap wrote:

and...on TTdb Rakza 9 is rated faster than Tenergy 05, however I've read reviews that say it's slower.  Any experts out there used both rubbers can comment on which is faster?


razka9 is a rather slow rubber. Much slower than t05, m1, or even m2. no kick at full power, similar to vega pro.


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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 3:04am
Rakza 9 slow?  That is not the take at my club.  Def faster than R7.


Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 3:13am
I have to say that my rakza9 has been cut one year ago. but it has been used less than one month. the topsheet shows almost no ball marks.


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pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video


Posted By: ttping85
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 10:10am
Rakza 9 is quite a fast rubber. Your sheet must be too old.

A year old rubber is not comparable to a new one even if not used much. I also have a Bluefire M2 rubber used for testing but already opened 1 year ago. The grip is still very good but the speed is nothing like a new M2.

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My list of blades for sale https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYci9423byd3X43DhSsaXOmysNKMfK-RnPWSo3UfpkQ/edit?usp=drivesdk


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 2:02pm
Will a rubber in an unopened package age too?  Or only if you take it out and glue it (and then don't use it)?


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 3:21pm
This is interesting to me b/c I frequently store blades with rubber on them for months/years.  This is the first I've heard that the rubber can go bad w/o being used.  Can a rubber go bad in 6 months just sitting on a blade?


Posted By: ttping85
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 5:40pm
yes and yes. That doesn't mean that the rubber will not be useful anymore. It will just be less fresh.

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My list of blades for sale https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYci9423byd3X43DhSsaXOmysNKMfK-RnPWSo3UfpkQ/edit?usp=drivesdk


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 6:02pm
an unopened rubber has a shelf-life?  wow.  The manufacturers should stamp a "made on" date on the package.


Posted By: Bran
Date Posted: 05/12/2014 at 6:54pm
Modern rubbers are factory-tuned (though not too heavily, as they want them to retain their properties on a long enough period – I'd certainly complain if my rubber felt dead after one month). So it does wear off with time, though less quickly if kept in a sealed or close to sealed package.


Posted By: sonykurniawan
Date Posted: 05/13/2014 at 1:44am
Originally posted by bschap bschap wrote:

an unopened rubber has a shelf-life?  wow.  The manufacturers should stamp a "made on" date on the package.

Dont forget the expiry date as well...


Posted By: regiz.rugenz
Date Posted: 05/13/2014 at 2:32am
Originally posted by bschap bschap wrote:

 Can a rubber go bad in 6 months just sitting on a blade?

definitely.. anything exposed to air ages over time, unless you preserve it in a vacuum. I've actually noticed a few times when buying new rubbers that went on sale usually last less than normal, these perhaps were old stocks, I suppose.

So I shy away now  from buying sale rubbers, unless if the sale was intended to Promote an item, an event, etc.. but if the sale was for no obvious reasons, think wisely before buying, or at least ask the vendor.


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Regiz°ᆗ
Rosewood_Carbon/Huricane_King   °FH:Vega_Japan/T64FX   °BH:OmegaV_Euro/Rasant
°°°°


Posted By: regiz.rugenz
Date Posted: 05/13/2014 at 2:34am
Originally posted by bschap bschap wrote:

an unopened rubber has a shelf-life?  wow.  The manufacturers should stamp a "made on" date on the package.

good luck on that.. Big smile


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Regiz°ᆗ
Rosewood_Carbon/Huricane_King   °FH:Vega_Japan/T64FX   °BH:OmegaV_Euro/Rasant
°°°°


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 05/13/2014 at 3:09am
so I guess it'd be smart to store unopened rubbers in zip-lock bags.  That packaging isn't really air-tight.


Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 06/17/2014 at 9:33pm
Originally posted by bschap bschap wrote:

My coach, who grew up in China, used Rakza 7 for years and then switched to Rakza 9.  I told him it was softer than R7 b/c that's what the data said, but he insisted it was harder.  Said serves and opening loops (backspin) were a bit more difficult.  But he liked it and made the switch.

There seems to be disagreement about the hardness of R9.  I demoed it, inspected it...noticed that the sponge looked very similar to R7 soft, and also seemed to come apart in exactly the same way that R7 soft does when you try to remove glue.  So, maybe the sponge is softer than R7 but the top-sheet is harder??

And I believe now Yasaka has edited their website to indicate R9 is indeed harder than R7.


Posted By: Clarence247
Date Posted: 07/30/2014 at 5:54pm
When my sheet of Rakza 7 Soft has done it's time - I am looking for a BH rubber with similar properties but which:

1) does not suffer so much when blocking a spinny loop (with Rakza 7 Soft one has to close the angle tooo much - it is hardly natural and can only be done if one consciously has the time to think about it)

2) Is as good as R7 Soft for 3rd ball BH loop vs underspin

3) can help with returning spinny fast side spin mixed with underspin serves with a BH loop

4) retains the strengths of R7 Soft (very controllable, excellent short game, but nice spin and attacking game too!) 

Initially I was thinking R7 is the best candidate - but seeing this thread it seems R9 is also a very nice BH rubber... does anyone have opinions of which rubber is better for BH?

I also consider other rubbers such as Calibra LT Spin, Adidas P7, Donic Bluefire JP01 or JP 03.

Hope I can get some opinions on this one


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OSP Virtuoso (Off-)
MX-P (Max)
Mantra M (Max)

Backup:
Yasaka Extra Offensive,
Nittaku H3 Prov
729-802 SP


Posted By: ttping85
Date Posted: 08/03/2014 at 4:43pm
I would recommend Bluefire JP03. Great spin and great control in the blocking game. 

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My list of blades for sale https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYci9423byd3X43DhSsaXOmysNKMfK-RnPWSo3UfpkQ/edit?usp=drivesdk


Posted By: Roger Stillabower
Date Posted: 08/03/2014 at 4:46pm
Can't beat Baracuda 2mm for b/h imo..

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Shifter


Posted By: Clarence247
Date Posted: 08/03/2014 at 5:07pm
@ttping85

From what I read the Bluefire JP03 was a rubber I was seriously considering! 

Will opening BH top spins vs underspin be a shot I could execute with confidence? ( I can confidently do it With R7 Soft - grip and spin are so good - even heavy underspin can be lifted)

I like the fact that people label it as dead on slow shots - to me that means classic feel which I love. Will it still deliver spin though on soft contact pushes?




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OSP Virtuoso (Off-)
MX-P (Max)
Mantra M (Max)

Backup:
Yasaka Extra Offensive,
Nittaku H3 Prov
729-802 SP


Posted By: stancuzi
Date Posted: 01/08/2015 at 7:52pm
Hey man, these all rubbers you mentioned are more suitable as FH use,
cause of the high throw angle they have...JP 02 however could do the job i think.
Big smileBig smileBig smile


Posted By: Fehrplay
Date Posted: 01/08/2015 at 8:27pm
Has someone tried Rakza 9 with Stiga Infinity Vps and can share their experience? Smile


Posted By: slevin
Date Posted: 01/08/2015 at 9:22pm
If you haven't bought R9 yet, I'd recommend buying the RX instead - better grip, spin & control & works great on the V VPS

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Trade feedback:
http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50787" rel="nofollow - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50787


Posted By: HappyHarry
Date Posted: 01/15/2015 at 5:26am
How is this rubber compared to Tenergy 05? Tenergy is a bit expensive for me and I want cheaper rubbers that is also good. 


Posted By: Fehrplay
Date Posted: 01/17/2015 at 2:36am
Originally posted by slevin slevin wrote:

If you haven't bought R9 yet, I'd recommend buying the RX instead - better grip, spin & control & works great on the V VPS

Ok thanks will give it a try, I had problems with Rakza 7 because I often got like bubbles on the rubber, nothing you have notice on the RX? 


Posted By: Ahmad-ar
Date Posted: 11/27/2017 at 6:22am
can anyone compare it with Rasant for BH ?? flicks, topspin with polly balls ?? I will be glad for that 



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