Friendship/729 Higher 3

I have used this rubber on my backhand for half a year now, and I have to say that the quality of the shots is extremely inconsistent. This inconsistency is primarily due to the low throw angle combined with the medium-hard sponge.

The rubber does not lift backspin well during an offensive flick, especially with a fairly closed bat angle. When the angle is opened, the results vary; the ball either goes off the table or barely stays on. Pure spin shots are relatively easy to execute over the table, but achieving both power and spin poses a significant challenge.

On the other hand, pushes are effective and can be kept close to the net. The first shot at mid-range to the table feels very controlled and stable, delivering good power and spin. However, after the initial shot, counter topspins become difficult and require substantial effort, which is not ideal for a backhand stroke that demands quick recovery.

Looping feels easy with this rubber. I found that it is better suited for play from a distance, as the power required to make a shot effectively keeps the ball on the table, unlike when playing closer, where the ball tends to fly off.

In conclusion, pure spin shots are excellent, while power and spin become challenging to control when close to, or over, the table. However, this rubber excels at blocking. I do not recommend it for third-ball attackers or offensive players in general, but it may suit all-round players who like to spin the ball and move their opponents.

I have used this rubber twice on two different blades, and it has proven to be a great choice.

It offers very good control and impressive speed. Additionally, it lasts a long time, making it a reliable option for players.

A good racket for backhand players. It offers great control, proper speed, and soft handling.

The Higher III Japanese sponge version is slower and heavier than the Transcend version. Additionally, the sponge appears to be about two degrees firmer.

While it is not bad for serving, if you are accustomed to an ultra tacky topsheet, this rubber may not meet your expectations.

Overall, I am pleased with the quality of this rubber.

Faster and spinnier than the other rubbers I have tried, such as Sriver FX, 729 Lightning Super FX, and Sky Wing, this rubber can be challenging to control.

Perhaps I should have opted for a thinner sponge, like 2.0mm, to enhance my gameplay.

However, it excels at looping if you possess good technique. Additionally, it is quite durable compared to other Chinese rubbers.

This is a great looping rubber. I have it in 2.2mm red on my forehand, paired with Butterfly Feint Long III LP on my backhand, all mounted on a Friendship Dynasty 2 Speed Carbon Blade. After practicing with it for about three hours, I really liked its performance. I plan to review this rubber in comparison to the Gambler Outlaw.

Rubber: The quality is excellent, featuring a very nice and dense pip structure. Upon opening the sheet, it has a slight shine to it. The topsheet is slightly tacky—nothing like traditional Chinese rubbers, but more so than the Outlaw. It has an average weight for Chinese rubbers, which indicates that the sponge is of medium hardness at least.

Hitting/Blocking: The rubber was pretty average for hitting, and I tend to smash and flat hit a lot. However, blocking was pleasantly easy.

Looping/Counter Looping: This rubber is definitely designed for looping. The brush loops are amazing, far outperforming the Outlaw, even though I don’t consider myself very skilled at looping. Loop driving was a breeze, which is a technique I frequently use. The speed was almost similar to that of the Outlaw. Counter looping was effective when I was closer to the table, though it felt a bit less effective when playing from a distance. This could be due to my need for further adjustment. The sponge did feel somewhat firm during loop drives, which aided my performance a little, but not significantly when away from the table.

Serves/Chopping/Pushing: Serving with this rubber was definitely better than with the Outlaw, primarily because of the slightly tackier topsheet, though it still doesn’t compare to traditional tacky Chinese rubbers. Chopping and pushing close to the table resulted in the ball popping up too high, which set my opponents up for easier returns. I wasn’t very pleased with this aspect. I experienced a similar effect while chopping away from the table, even after making several adjustments.

In conclusion, this rubber excels as a close-to-the-table looping option. However, its performance in other areas seemed average. It could be a great choice for beginners or all-round players, especially if they offered a thinner sponge option. For now, I think I’ll stick with my Outlaw.

This is a Euro-style rubber that leans more towards the grippy side, particularly after the new factory tack comes off. It requires speed glue; without it, the rubber feels very slow and dead, even after extensive priming.

The serves produced with this rubber are good, but everything else is just average. If you have a fast blade that you want to tame, this rubber might be suitable for you. It is also a good option for those looking to learn proper strokes.

For the price, I recommend this rubber over the Shriver. It performs well on a carbon blade or any fast blade. Overall, I rate this rubber a 7. If speed glue were legal, I would rate it an 8 or 9.

One of the better Friendship rubbers, in my opinion. It performs well in all aspects.

Its looping at mid-distance is superior to that of Cream. However, it may not be as proficient in this area as Focus 3.

Additionally, it is offered at a great price.

An outstanding looping rubber, it offers very high spin, good control, and decent speed. It glues up very well, providing a significant boost in speed.

While it is only mildly tacky, when combined with the Japanese sponge, it generates a huge amount of spin. The quality and quality control of this rubber are very good, making it one of the best options among Chinese rubbers.