DHS Skyline 3 Provincial (Blue Sponge)

Review of Table Tennis Rubber

After installing this rubber on my blade, I was able to beat a formidable opponent the very next day. In comparison to DHS Hurricane Neo 3 National/Provincial and DHS Skyline, this rubber excels in every aspect. It provides exceptional ease in lifting the ball and generating sharp topspin, making it a nightmare for opponents when hanging balls or looping. The control is also commendable.

The topspin on the ball is remarkably sharp, enabling over-the-net shots with precision. This rubber has proven to be an exceptional choice and will likely remain a staple on my blade for an extended period.

Specifications:

• Uncut weight: 60 grams
• Cut weight: 45 grams

Review: Province Skyline 2

I’ve played with this rubber for 14 months. Compared to its predecessor, the TG3 Prov, it provides more loop, even without a booster. I’ve also noticed improved TPB consistency, with shots going after landing on the opponent’s side. While it’s slightly bouncier than the TG2 Prov, my short game remains effective, although not quite as complete as with the TG2.

I purchased the 40-degree, 2.2 version from TT11. Konjecture’s initial review is accurate in its assessment.

Table Tennis Rubber Review

This rubber excels at generating its own power. However, it is quite sensitive when countering and has a significant bounce that requires adjusting the angle or slowing down to effectively handle opponents’ topspins. Countering topspins off the table is less demanding.

The rubber performs exceptionally well for serves and revives. Opening loops are manageable for stable loopers. It excels at blocking compared to traditional Chinese rubbers and performs better unboosted in my opinion.

This rubber is perfect for “power-blocking” against high-spinning shots due to its tackiness. It’s the tackiest rubber I’ve used, allowing me to hold the ball upside down for over two minutes.

Additionally, pushes are incredibly spinny and short, providing precise control. Boosting the rubber can result in excessive uncontrollability and is best suited for softer, flexier blades like Long 3 and Barwell Fleet.

The quality of DHS rubber on blue sponge is unbeatable. I have been playing for multiple years with H3 Neo Provincial 40 degrees for several years. I decided to try Skyline 3 as people say it is more fitting for penhold style. After playing with Skyline 3 for a couple of weeks, I decided to go back to H3. For me, the precision of skyline should have much less margin for error compared to H3. However, when the ball is hit properly, the speed and spin are quite good. Both H3 and skyline I use are unboosted.

After testing numerous different rubbers, I have settled on DHS Skyline 3 Provincial. It is the perfect combo with a super ZLC blade. Also, it lasts longer than the rubbers I tested previously.

Me: As a teenager in the 1960s (Johnny Leach blade with pimpled rubbers) I played regularly in a London league and trained with English Kent County players and could hold my own but football seduced me and I gave up table tennis until a month before Covid struck. I’ve been coached twice a week since then, got a robot, and played in a low division this last season.

Blade: DHS Hurricane 301: see https://blog.tabletennis11.com/dhs-hurricane301 for review by Patrick Hrdlicka

I read every review I could find for this blade and Patrick’s convinced me to get one eighteen months ago.

The first rubbers I put on it were 6-month-old Xiom Euro DF max on both sides from my previous unknown blade. The improvement in shot quality was significant but I soon changed the rubbers to Xiom X max FH and Xiom Japan 1.8 BH with another improvement. After a few months, I changed the Japan 1.8 to Japan max with another, albeit smaller, improvement. Then I changed to Xiom Vega Pro max on both sides with a further improvement in control and quality.

However, with all these rubbers and no matter how much I practiced, I felt dissatisfied with the amount of spin I was achieving with serves so after researching a number of rubbers I decided as the blade is DHS perhaps DHS rubbers would be best, and, again, Patrick’s reviews persuaded me to change to DHS Skyline. This rubber I use on FH.

All these rubbers were affixed using latex adhesive, one coat on the blade, and two on the rubber.

This rubber has made the biggest difference to my game: not only are my serves now loaded with whatever spin I want but so are all my other shots. My coach says he feels my loops “biting” his rubbers now. Pushing long and short has more backspin and is more consistent. Blocking (which I prefer to do on half-volley) is as good as ever and deadening the block is not difficult. I also like to chop and it only needed a minor adjustment in technique to avoid overshooting the table and my returns are more consistent.

At this moment in time, I see no reason to ever change this rubber and blade combination.

I will use the commercial H3 as a reference for this review.
Sticky, if the commercial H3 is rated 6, this one is 10. It is a spin monster, but the rubber is not as lively as the commercial H3 after boosting (3 layers of Haifu Seamoon), but the difference is too much.
This rubber needs solid technique and strong hands, and it will reward you with the most amazing spin with the weirdest arc.
Blocking needs to be more active.
Serving is a breeze, easy with heavy spin and excellent control.
I like it a lot but still need time to adapt.

Tried playing without boosting, with 1 layer, and 3 layers of boosting. It did not have enough speed.