Friendship/729 Cross Blue Sponge

Rubber description:

The 729 Cross Blue Sponge is an excellent choice for players looking to combine speed, spin, and control in their table tennis game. Made by Friendship, a renowned brand in the sport, the rubber features a blue sponge that is designed to provide exceptional elasticity and responsiveness.

With a speed rating of 10, the rubber enables powerful and fast shots. The high spin rating of 10 indicates that players can generate a lot of spin with the rubber, making it ideal for aggressive strokes such as topspins and drives. The control rating of 10 ensures that players have excellent control over their shots, allowing them to place the ball precisely. The tackiness rating of 8.3 adds to the rubber's ability to grip the ball, making it easier to generate spin and control.

The weight of the rubber is 4, which is relatively lightweight. This makes it easy to maneuver and suitable for players who prefer a light setup. The sponge hardness of 6.3 indicates that the rubber is medium-hard, providing a good balance of speed and control. The gears rating of 7.5 suggests that the rubber is versatile and can be used for a variety of playing styles and techniques.

The throw angle of 4 means that the rubber produces a medium to high trajectory, making it suitable for looping and attacking play. The consistency rating of 9 indicates that the rubber performs consistently, providing reliable and predictable shots. The durability rating of 9 suggests that the rubber is long-lasting and can withstand regular use.

Overall, the 729 Cross Blue Sponge is a high-quality rubber that offers a combination of speed, spin, control, and durability. It is suitable for a wide range of players, from beginners to advanced, and can be used for various playing styles.

Recent Reviews

#1 — January 2023

Absolutely need to be boosted. Put baby oil three times for 3 days and you’ll get more speed.

Put 3 layers of olive oil on the top sheet and it becomes like Yinhe Jupiter II with more control.

Good rubber!

#2 — July 2019

The 729 Battle 3 requires several layers of booster to reach its full potential. Even with the booster, it may still have some deficiencies in speed. However, it offers advantages over other 729 rubbers, including its reduced weight, affordability, and blue sponge, which responds favorably to boosters.

It remains to be determined whether its lower speed compared to the Battle 2 will hinder its performance in competitive play. It may not reach the same level as the Feng Hun or B2, but it could potentially surpass the harder and heavier 729 rubbers.

The blue sponge used in the 729 Battle 3 is noteworthy. It exhibits compatibility with boosters that may even exceed that of the Haifu Seamoon. As the 2019/2020 season progresses, we will gain a clearer understanding of its capabilities.

#3 — September 2018

729 Cross: A Budget-Friendly Control Rubber

This budget-friendly rubber excels in spin and control, making it ideal for training and developing technique. Despite its affordability, its tacky surface provides a surprising amount of spin generation on serves and small motions.

However, the rubber’s primary drawback is its low speed, which becomes noticeable during drives and loops. Full swing drives and loop drives with weight transfer and waist movement still feel slow, lacking the desired catapult effect. This sluggishness may be attributed to its hardness (46 degrees).

Despite its lack of speed, the 729 Cross offers remarkable control, making it one of the most controllable rubbers on the market. Beginners looking to experiment with tacky Chinese rubbers may find this a suitable option. However, for intermediate or advanced players seeking faster and more dynamic rubbers, Hurricane 3, Skyline 3, or Battle II are recommended.

Get Notified of New Equipment and Reviews

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.