Friendship/729 Battle 3
Rubber description:
This rubber is a hybrid type, designed to bridge the gap between traditional hard-feeling Chinese rubbers and the more dynamic, user-friendly performance associated with European or Japanese styles. It features a tacky top-sheet paired with a sponge that provides a moderate, controlled level of catapult effect. While it displays a distinct chemical odor out of the box—common in many Chinese-manufactured sheets—this dissipates with time.
Playing Characteristics
- Spin and Dwell: The rubber offers high spin potential, particularly on serves, pushes, and loops. It requires a short break-in period to reach optimal performance, during which the sponge becomes more responsive and the dwell time improves.
- Speed and Trajectory: While it maintains the control necessary for short-game precision, it performs effectively during mid-to-far distance rallies. It offers more speed and a slightly higher arc compared to traditional Hurricane-style rubbers, making it easier to lift backspin and flick.
- Control and Feel: The rubber provides high levels of consistency for blocking and counter-attacking. It is less sensitive to incoming spin than many pure tacky rubbers, and it lacks the volatile, unpredictable catapult effect found in high-tension European tensors, resulting in a more linear and reliable response.
- Durability: The top-sheet retains its gripping capabilities well over time. Once broken in, the sponge remains stable and exhibits strong performance longevity under regular use.
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Recent Reviews
#2 — August 2024
Tried out 40 degrees Battle 3(B3)
I tried out 40 degrees Battle 3(B3) on forehand for one day (Going to keep going at it), normally playing with BS Hurricane 3(H3) Neo 40 degrees National. I boosted both with haifu yellow 1 thick layer.
B3 sponge feels harder after boost
The rubber is much softer, and every so slightly skinnier pips. I can move the rubber with my finger and see the pips move back and forth. In comparison, Hurricane 3 Neo rubber pips don’t move separately from the sponge in the same manner. The H3 BS 40 sponge appears to move more and feels a bit more elastic than when you interact with the sponge during hitting.
When looping
The trajectory of B3 is only a small amount of degrees higher, I believe because of the slightly skinner pips. The spin from H3 feels a bit higher, but it feels like you’re using the sponge, and it grips the ball more. I believe as I break in the B3 sponge it will become softer and spin will increase.
Other observations
The rubber is shiny and smelly like old Hurricane 3 rubbers. I let it air for 2 days and it reduced a lot. Wierdly enough its still feels pretty similar to H3, slight less spin, not by much, better feeling, slightly faster, easier for my to push and loop from back spin. I forgot to measure weight, but it’s also similar to H3.
#3 — August 2024
Quite smelly but very spinny rubber.
The smell can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it does dissipate over time. Once you get past the smell, you’ll be rewarded with a rubber that produces a lot of spin. This is thanks to the tacky surface of the rubber, which grips the ball well and allows you to generate a lot of spin on your shots.
The rubber is also quite durable, so it will last you a long time. Overall, this is a great rubber for players who want to generate a lot of spin on their shots.
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