DHS Skyline 2 Provincial Blue Sponge

Used this rubber on the Fang Bo B2X at 40 degrees hardness on the forehand. This rubber (at this hardness) is definitely not for beginners; it demands a big stroke with good acceleration and timing to get a shot with both spin and speed. As a result of this, almost all attacking strokes require better precision to pull off. However, the results achieved when executed correctly are far better than any other rubber I have used: slow and spinny shots come close to the net and kick after landing on your opponent’s side, making them hard to counter; kill loops have an abnormal amount of spin and speed; and counter-topspins and loops are unreturnable for amateurs.

Despite these characteristics, serving short, pushing short, blocking passively, drop shots, lobbing, and other skills that require good touch are all easy to perform. So unless you are a high-level player and have a game and technique that is very similar to Xu Xin’s or Ma Lin’s, I find this rubber difficult to recommend. But for those who can utilize the full potential of the rubber, you won’t want to play with another rubber after trying this.

This is probably the spinniest rubber I’ve used. The rubber feels like it “bites” the ball and throws it to the table. Forehand flicks are really strong with this rubber, and this rubber is really strong for third-ball attacks. Hurricane 3 is better at topspin-to-topspin.

Update: After using it for a long time, the sponge got pretty damn hard. It didn’t matter if I boosted it; it remained curled and hard, too hard.

This review discusses the 40’ version of the table tennis rubber, highlighting its performance when played both unboosted and boosted. The unboosted rubber performs better on softer, more flexible blades, while boosting with one layer of FT Long Booster yields better results on harder, stiffer blades.

In terms of specific ratings:

• Looping: 9.7/10
• Driving: 8.5/10 (performing better when boosted)
• Serve/Receive: 10/10
• Blocking: 9/10 (note that the ball’s trajectory isn’t linear, as it tends to curve, which may not be ideal for training)
• Countering: 9/10 (both spinning and hitting back the ball are relatively easy and adjustable).

Overall, the rubber is best utilized on mildly stiff blades such as the Barwell Fleet, Gauzy SL, or Infinity VPS when unboosted, or on the Viscaria when boosted. These recommendations are based on above-average looping mechanics and emphasize that this rubber requires more effort to master compared to T05 or even the Dignics series. However, it offers a significant safety advantage under pressure, ensuring the ball will land regardless of the shot.

The opening third ball with this rubber remains classic and is much more powerful than the Hurricane series, in my opinion. I appreciate the rubber’s flexibility in hitting, looping, and even loop driving. Weighing in at a modest 48-49 grams on a 157/150 blade, it’s not excessively heavy.

This rubber is particularly suitable for players who prefer heavy, hard countering without the bottoming out associated with the Hurricane or Tenergy series. It provides immaculate control for short games and allows for flat hits against heavy topspins, offering ease of redirection without any loss of control.

While it takes more work than tensors, the shots are much more fulfilling and can be deadlier, especially with unusual ball spins such as flat or sidespin from opponents. I tested this rubber on various blades, including the Nobilis, Gauzy SL, Nittaku SKC, and some basic five-ply blades. My least favorite pairing was with low dwell blades, as they didn’t allow the rubber to sink and generate the necessary energy for effective spinning.

This rubber is not particularly speedy; its speed is medium-fast, even after boosting. The throw angle is low, which means that if you’re too relaxed when shooting, the ball may not clear the net.

The topspin and serve characteristics are phenomenal, and the chop block topspin is impressive. Additionally, countering topspin shots is easy with this rubber. In my experience, it performs better when paired with a harder blade.

However, it does require good technique and is more physically demanding to produce effective shots.

The speed rating of this table tennis rubber is over-exaggerated, even with three layers of national yellow.

However, the spin capability is incredible! The serves are extremely spinny, and making pushes is very easy as well.

As someone who hits very hard, I found the speed to be satisfactory. It didn’t bother me at all.

This rubber is excellent for hard-hitting players who want to achieve powerful topspins.

40° version. Played unboosted and boosted. Unboosted works better on softer, flexier blades. Boosting one thin layer of FT Long Booster is better on harder, stiffer blades.

Looping: 9.7/10
Driving: 8.5/10 (better when boosted)
Serve/Receive: 10/10
Blocking: 9/10 (the ball isn’t linear, but will curve and land; not for training people)
Countering: 9/10 (spin and hitting back balls are both relatively easy and adjustable)

Overall thoughts: Best played with on mildly stiff blades such as Barwell Fleet, Gauzy SL, or Infinity VPS (unboosted), or Viscaria. All thoughts are based on above-average looping mechanics and require more work than T05 or even the Dignics series, but it is much safer when under pressure by making the ball land no matter what or how. Opening the third ball is still classic with this rubber and much more powerful than the Hurricane series, imo. I like it for its flexibility between hitting and looping, and even loop driving.

Not super heavy at 40°: 48–49 grams on a 157×150 blade. I would suggest it for people who like heavy, hard countering and not bottoming out like the Hurricane or Tenergy series. Absolutely immaculate short game control and ability to counter with flat hits on heavy topspins, and also just have ease of redirection without loss of control. Takes more work than tensors, but much more fulfilling, with deadlier shots and a higher percentage with strange balls like flat or sidespin from opponents. Tried on Nobilis, Gauzy SL, Nittaku SKC, and some basic 5-plies. Least favorite was low-dwell blades because it wouldn’t sink and give energy options for spinning.

The ratings here for this rubber in terms of speed are overexaggerated. This rubber isn’t very fast; it’s kinda slow actually. If you swing as hard as you can, then you might get decent speed, but I strongly disagree with the speed rating. I just wanna share this critical detail so no expectations are made. I’d say it’s about 8.5 in the speed category. Everything else is pretty accurate.

The throw angle is pretty low too, and this rubber doesn’t shoot the ball as far as Hurricane 3, so be warned. I’m still trying to figure it out, but it’s consistent, and the short game and service are good, but not as fast as these ratings lead on to make it. I’m using this boosted too btw, with Haifu Seamoon. Three layers until the sheet curled like a taco.

The ratings for this rubber in terms of speed are exaggerated. In reality, this rubber isn’t very fast; it’s actually quite slow. If you swing as hard as you can, you might achieve decent speed, but I strongly disagree with the speed rating. I want to share this critical detail to ensure no false expectations are set. I would rate the speed at about 8.5.

Everything else about the rubber is fairly accurate. The throw angle is relatively low, and this rubber doesn’t propel the ball as far as Hurricane 3, so be warned. I’m still trying to figure it out, but I can say that it is consistent. The short game and service are good, but it doesn’t perform as fast as the ratings suggest. I am using this rubber boosted with Haifu Seamoon, applying three layers until the sheet curled like a taco.

Have played Skyline 3 and Hurricane 3 Provincial. The difference being mostly that the angle of the racket has to be more closed on harder shots and more flat on touches when receiving spin serves. Apart from that, this rubber has incredible spin qualities. You must have a solid foundation of spin rotation to be able to control this rubber, as well as arm strength for drives, as the rubber’s speed is dependent on your technique and strength. TPB is good. When looping underspin successfully, you create hard-to-return shots. This rubber feels faster than Hurricane 3 and Skyline, despite reading that it’s spin-control based, with Hurricane being the most controlled and Skyline 3 having the best loop quality, which felt safest for play. I believe everything comes down to technique and your personal preference in strategies and gameplay in obtaining the best results of the rubbers you choose.

I have played with both Skyline 3 and Hurricane 3 Provincial. The main difference between the two is that the angle of the racket needs to be more closed on harder shots and flatter on touches when receiving spin serves.

Aside from that, this rubber has incredible spin qualities. To control this rubber effectively, you must have a solid foundation of spin rotation, along with sufficient arm strength for drives, as the rubber’s speed is largely dependent on your technique and strength.

The touch and playability (TPB) is good. When successfully looping underspin, you can create shots that are hard to return. This rubber feels faster than Hurricane 3 and Skyline 3, despite its reputation for being spin-control based. I find Hurricane to be the most controlled, while Skyline 3 offers the best loop quality, which feels the safest during play.

Ultimately, I believe that achieving the best results with these rubbers comes down to technique and your personal preferences in strategies and gameplay.

Table Tennis Rubber Review

Update 26/6/22: In comparison to the Prov Skyline 3 “UNBOOSTED,” this rubber offers a unique feeling. I found it easier to play from a distance from the table and to manage short balls near the net. Keeping serves short has become simpler as well.

The TPB plays exceptionally well. The unique feeling allows you to absorb energy when receiving balls with TPB, enabling a more effective short game. This rubber can generate enormous spin and power, making it a versatile choice.

I use this rubber with the YEO7 blade. I have also tried the boosted version, which features a 3-layer Falco. However, I found it quite difficult to control due to its low throw angle. In contrast, the unboosted version is much easier to play with, providing a more enjoyable experience.