I play with the DHS Cloud and Fog 3 long pips in 1.0mm on my backhand. It is quite fast and has a medium-low grip.
From what I understand, there are basically 4 different types of chopping pips:
High reversal/low grip pips: These long pips have minimal grip on the ball, so reverse the spin of a ball sent at them WITH ENOUGH SPIN. They have stiff pips, so the spin sent at them is retained and therefore reversed, from the point of view of the opponent. So a heavy topspin ball is sent back with heavy backspin, but these pips have difficulty with playing spin against no spin balls. They are difficult and deceptive to play against for an opponent and are considered by some to be ‘junk rubbers’. They are generally used in OX (no sponge) for at the table chop blocking, but some people use them for chopping. You will not have much control over the spin though. They are probably quite difficult to use to chop against very skilled opponents and further away from the table, because you have less control over the rubber. Pros don’t use them. Eg include Spinlord Dornenglanz
Medium reversal/medium grip pips: These long pips have some grip, but also reverse the spin a decent amount, so you can vary the spin between backspin, backspin-sidespin and no spin and have some spin reversal. These are the most used long pimples for chopping and can create the most total backspin out of all long pips but only have medium grip. They are better for chopping during the rally than in the opening chop, because they with have more spin to reverse as the rally goes on. Grippier long pips are better for the first chop, when the ball needs to be spun by the chopper because there is less spin already on the ball. Eg DHS Cloud and Fog 3, TSP Curl P1R (more grip than C&F3, I have heard), Butterfly Feint Long 2, Yinhe Neptune (considered a cheap alternative to the P1R) and Joola Octopus (a rubber Chen Weixing made so he could continue to essentially play with the P1R, without violating his Joola sponsorship contract)
High grip/low reversal long pips: These pips have a small amount of spin reversal (like all long pips) but have the highest grip of all long pips, so you can create more of your own spin with these, if that makes sense. So these are best if you want the control and impact absorption of long pips, but want to create your own spin. They are typically better for chopping earlier in the rally, when high grip is needed because there is less spin to reverse, better than lower grip/higher reversal pips and for attacking (because of their good control and soft sponge). They are a rare kind of long pips and have a very soft sponge, so are quite slow and not for everybody. Eg TSP Curl P4 or Butterfly Feint Long 3
Short Pips: Chopping short pips have no spin reversal and much more grip than long pips, so are much better for varying the spin than long pips. They can also deal well with no spin balls, because a lot of spin can be generated by the player and they are better at flat hitting than most long pips. They don’t have the impact absorption and chopping control of long pips, so are a significant challenge to chop with. However, there are more professional short pip choppers than long pip choppers, because of their attacking ability and spin variation ability and even Joo Se Hyuk, a chopping legend, has suggested in an interview that he would play with short pips if he began his career again, because they are better for creating and varying your own spin than long pips. Make sure you get a slower or chopping short pip, high tension attacking short pips are far too fast. Most pro choppers and a lot of female choppers now use short pips. Eg include TSP Super Spinpips Chop 2 and 729 802
Inverted chopping: Spin creation principle is similar to short pips. So even less control than short pips, but more spin creation. I used to chop with inverted classic rubbers on both sides and if you get the wrong angle, the ball will sail off the table. Much control is needed, but many chops have massive backspin and must be pushed. By all means try it, but you need amazing control and footwork and it is not recommended, but it is deadly if you can do it. I only know of 1 low ranked pro who chops with inverted.
So in conclusion:
If you play close to the table and don’t mind not making your own spin, a thinner sponge is recommended, for greater spin reversal and control. Low grip/high reversal pips can be used.
If you play from mid distance, pips with sponge are recommended for extra power. Medium to high grip long pips or short pips are good for varying spin (to confuse the opponent into missing the table, hitting the net or playing a weak shot).
If you want to create your own backspin, play with high grip long pips or chopping short pips.
If you are playing against extremely heavy loopers, play with grippyish long pips with a harder sponge, to absorb the impact, such as the Joola Octopus. If you want a deceptive attack, play with a softer tension sponged long pips, like the DHS Cloud and Fog 3 or the Tibhar Grass D Tecs (in sponge).
If you are playing very high level chopping, what you need most of all is spin variation and good control. So pros who value control over variation choose the TSP Curl P1R and the pros who value variation and ease of attack over control choose short pips (Joo Se Hyuk sometimes use the Tibhar Grass d tecs long pips for its attacking ability).
If you want cheap chopping long pips, I play with the DHS Cloud and Fog 3 and have a lot of fun with it. Other people have recommended the Yinhe Neptune, which is probably slower that the C&F3. Both are probably about £10-15. If you want a more expensive, higher grip long pimple, try the TSP rubbers.
------------- Blade: Xiom Power Hinoki (J-pen) Fh: Nittaku Fastarc G1 (Red, 2.0mm)
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