Nittaku Hammond Pro Beta
Rubber description:
Overview
Nittaku Hammond Pro Beta is a high-performance offensive rubber widely utilized for its balance and consistency, particularly on the backhand side. It is categorized as a tensor rubber, utilizing mechanical grip rather than tackiness to generate spin. The rubber is known for its relatively low weight and high durability compared to many other tensor alternatives, offering a long-lasting, reliable feel.
Playing Characteristics
- Spin and Speed: The rubber provides moderate to high spin potential, relying on the player’s ability to engage the sponge. It offers a respectable amount of speed, making it suitable for both close-to-the-table play and mid-distance rallies. It is highly effective for driving, looping, and smashes.
- Throw Angle and Trajectory: It features a notably low throw angle. This characteristic favors aggressive, flat hitting and precise blocking, though it requires players to adjust their stroke when lifting heavy underspin to prevent the ball from hitting the net.
- Control and Dwell Time: A standout feature is its high level of control, especially during service returns and blocking. The rubber is relatively insensitive to incoming spin, making it predictable and easy to handle during passive play. It performs best when the ball is allowed to sink into the sponge, allowing for deep, accurate placements.
Tactical Suitability
- Versatility: Due to its linear behavior and reliability, it is suitable for a wide range of skill levels. It is particularly effective for players who prioritize precise shot placement, consistent blocking, and aggressive open-ups on the backhand.
- Equipment Pairing: To maximize its performance, users generally recommend pairing this rubber with 7-ply wood or carbon blades. Because of its low throw, it is often best suited to blades that possess a natural medium-to-high throw to compensate for the rubber’s trajectory.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — February 2018
Perfect backhand rubber if you are looking to keep the overall weight down. Low throw, which I love, great control and a really nice feel. An ideal partner to Tenergy 05 on forehand.
#2 — February 2017
Nittaku Hammondpro Beta is a solid backhand rubber. It features good speed and a low throw angle. The relatively soft sponge and long trajectory make it comparable to Tenergy 64 in those aspects, but it is more forgiving and easier to push with.
Despite relative insensitivity to incoming spin, you will need to adjust to the low throw.
This rubber performs adequately in most areas, but excels in blocking and open-ups. Power loops and drives/smashes tend to go long if you are not at least mid-distance from the table. It is recommended on a 7-ply OFF blade with a higher throw to complement the low throw of the rubber.
Hammondpro Beta improves upon its predecessor, Hammondpro Alpha, especially in spin. It is recommended for offensive players with a passive backhand who rely on open-ups, blocking, and counter-looping.
Notes:
- An uncut sheet weighs 55g, while a cut sheet (normal sized Stiga head) weighs 38g.
- The review was conducted on a 7-ply OFF blade - Stiga Super Carbon WRB.
- The reviewer’s playstyle is backhand dominant two-winged shakehand looper.
#3 — December 2016
Amazing for my cpen backhand. It adds a lot of speed and spring to backhand flicks. Not too tacky, but very good at reverting spin and driving the ball over the net and on the table. It feels really easy to control. This is the best rubber I’ve tried for RPB. It uses more mechanical grip than tackiness, so be sure to get it in 1.9 or greater sponge thickness. Without the ball being able to sink into the rubber from sponge thickness, I couldn’t imagine this rubber being very good.
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