Friendship/729 Battle 2 Provincial Gold

Rubber description:

Friendship/729 Battle II Provincial Gold table tennis rubber is a high-performance inverted rubber designed for advanced players seeking exceptional spin, speed, and control. With an overall rating of 9.1, this rubber delivers a balanced combination of all-around performance. Its unique tacky surface provides excellent grip on the ball, enabling players to execute precise spins and power shots with ease.

The Battle II Provincial Gold features a speed rating of 9.1, allowing players to generate fast and dynamic strokes. The high spin rating of 9.3 makes it a devastating weapon for creating deceptive spins and angles, keeping opponents off balance. Despite its impressive speed and spin capabilities, the rubber maintains a remarkable control rating of 8.5, providing players with the precision and consistency needed for accurate placement and tactical play.

The rubber's 8.5 sponge hardness offers a perfect blend of power and control, allowing players to adjust their playing style and adapt to various situations. The 9.3 gears rating indicates the rubber's ability to generate multiple levels of spin and speed depending on the stroke and technique used. The throw angle of 3.5 provides a medium to high trajectory, ideal for creating looping shots and topspin attacks.

The consistency rating of 8.3 ensures that players can maintain a consistent level of performance throughout a match, even under pressure. The rubber's durability rating of 8.5 adds to its longevity, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.

Overall, the Friendship/729 Battle II Provincial Gold rubber is a top-tier choice for experienced players seeking a balance of speed, spin, and control. Its tacky surface, high ratings, and exceptional performance make it a favorite among those seeking an edge in competitive table tennis matches.

Recent Reviews

#1 — February 2021

Review:

This hard rubber necessitates boosting. Post-boosting, it delivers exceptional spin and speed while maintaining solid control. Its speed surpasses that of Battle2 Provincial Blues Sponge, but control is marginally reduced. Additionally, despite boosting, flat hitting remains an issue with this rubber.

If maximizing power from topspin is your priority, then this rubber is highly recommended.

#2 — January 2021

Yinhe Jupiter II Review

I recently unboxed the Yinhe Jupiter II and attached it to my Yinhe V-14 Pro ALC blade. I chose the Red version with a thickness of 2.15mm and a hardness of 40 degrees. I compared its performance to DHS Hurricane 3 NEO H41 Commercial and 729 Battle II Provincial rubbers.

The most noticeable difference I observed upon installation was the weight. Yinhe Jupiter II is lighter than its predecessors (63g uncut and 47g cut), resulting in a 6g weight reduction in my setup.

In terms of playability, the Jupiter II strikes a balance between Hurricane 3 NEO’s catapult effect and the crisp feeling of Battle II Provincial. It lacks the extreme bounciness of Hurricane 3 NEO, but offers a more direct response than Battle II Provincial, possibly due to its lighter weight.

Initially, the Jupiter II exhibited a high level of tackiness. However, after several cleaning sessions, it became slightly more bouncy and less tacky. I will provide further updates after additional playtime.

#3 — Long Time Ago...

Updated: 2024 July 20

Blade: Nittaku Factive Carbon (“NFC”) (81g)

Forehand (FH): B2 Gold 40H (“B2G”) (50.5g; 3 layers of booster; gained 2.5g over 3 weeks likely due to moisture absorption)

Backhand (BH): Moon Pro (45.5g) replaces AK47 Red (41g) for a heavier setup (177g).

Performance:

  • B2G has surpassed its initial peak on 2024 Jun 28 and continues to improve until July 19.
  • Speed: Equal to or greater than Jupiter Asia 3 H40 (“J3”) (47g)
  • Tackiness: Significantly higher than J3
  • Backspin serve: Superior to J3
  • Mid-far looping: Equal to or greater than J3
  • Spin and arc: Superior to J3
  • Throw: Higher than J3 (requires a smaller angle due to the stiffer NFC and harder B2G combination)

Limitations:

  • Lifting/flicking against backspin serve: Inferior to J3

Additional Notes:

  • B2G offers better control, serve, and loop than J3.
  • Flat hits have a lower success rate with B2G (requires brushing rather than flat smashing).

Updates (2024 Jun 12):

  • After 3x1 hours of play over a week, the rubber has broken in and improved its controllability.
  • Tackiness is maintained (clean with water and palm after each session).
  • High-quality top sheet.

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