Tibhar Hybrid K3

Edit: I first left a review based on my initial impressions, saying I was quite disappointed because the sponge felt harder than expected and lacked control. The communication from Tibhar around this rubber isn’t clear. What kind of game is it for? What kind of blade pairs well?

From my findings, it’s a rubber for advanced players (below average control and spring), to be used at mid distance from the table (players with enough power can use it far from the table too). Not good for blocking, chopping or DEF game. It’s clearly an OFF rubber where you have to be active all the time.

I usually prefer having the same rubber on both sides but don’t find K3 optimal for BH. I like MX-D, MX-P or Quantum X Pro better for BH. K3 top sheet offers some tackiness but is not at all sticky like a Chinese rubber. Spin is excellent (based on grip rather than tack).

Pairing with the right blade isn’t easy. It should go on a fast blade offering some flex but not soft. I have first tried several blades (JRE, Nobilis, Gauzy SL) without getting satisfying results so I left the rubber aside for some time. Then my son wanted to try it in his Tibhar BS1 (7-ply all-wood) so he would have the same setup as BS, and he was satisfied although he said it lacked control.

Finally, following Tomigaya’s advice, I glued it in a VS Unlimited (outer ALC) and it’s wonderful. I get all the spin, speed and control one can hope. But, again, it’s only balanced if it’s paired with the right blade.

I have been using this rubber since one month after using T05 in the forehand position. I’m not impressed with this rubber. It seems like a lower quality DHS Hurricane 3, but faster. I’m disappointed with the durability because the somewhat sticky appearance only lasts a few weeks before fading away. However, this rubber is easy to play, and the feeling is very hard, like the advertised 53 degrees. The amount of rotation is less than T05 or Rascanter. Buying a DHS Hurricane 3 or a Glazer 09C would be more advantageous.

I am a Penhold player and use a Stiga Allround Wood NCT racket (nano composite technology), also Penhold. I switched to the K3 because I wanted something faster than the H3 Forehand. It is much less sticky than the H3.

The K3 is very fast, in my opinion, and has an incredible catapult effect for a Forehand. I thought it was good, but I still need to get used to it because the game was much faster and dangerous. The game control decreased, but the game became much faster and easier to miss. However, I believe that with time I will get used to it.

Overall, it’s a great rubber with H3-like effects and is not sticky. For those looking for speed and effect, this rubber is very good.

After playing with this rubber for one week, my conclusion is that it is the same as Yasaka Rakza Z.

I was intrigued by this new hybrid rubber, weary of continually boosting my H3 Neo every few weeks. I chose the 2.0 thickness, as weight is crucial to me. After over a month of use, here’s my assessment:

It’s a highly controllable FH rubber. It lacks the spin of a boosted H3 Neo or Butterfly rubbers and offers less speed than 09C or MXP. However, the combination of decent spin and adequate speed makes this rubber easy to use and enjoyable. Additionally, the high curve and medium-long throw trajectory enhance forgiveness.

It emits a pleasant high-pitched sound, reminiscent of an H3 Neo. It necessitates power from the body to engage the sponge fully, yet it feels relatively soft - like a 47.5 rather than the claimed 53. This softness, combined with the slight tackiness of the topsheet, contributes to its user-friendliness.

While it may not be particularly exhilarating during practice due to its moderate power, it proves advantageous during matches, allowing users to keep more balls on the table and experience improved performance.

Highly recommended for those transitioning from standard tensor rubbers to harder and more powerful ones.

Very similar to Dignics 09c, except for the throw, which is a little bit higher. It’s slightly faster and spinier but has less control.

This review is for the 2.0 version. The 2.3 version, which is much heavier and faster, is the one that half of the Bundesliga is playing with.

This is a Butterfly Dignics 09C clone, but it lacks the great control and low throw of the original 09C.

Surprisingly, its weight is low compared to other 50-degree tacky hybrids. However, I still prefer the 09C over this one.

If you enjoy Chinese rubber but crave more speed (dynamic), this rubber might be an excellent choice. However, active play is essential with this rubber. Note that it comes factory boosted, and its durability remains to be determined.

FH Max red.

This rubber pairs well with OUTER CARBON blades such as TB ALC. In max thickness, it weighs approximately 49g. When paired with Tibhar hybrid AC (an inner carbon blade), it does not perform as well, resulting in a harder feel and reduced speed compared to outer carbon blades. Therefore, outer carbon blades appear to be a more suitable pairing. The new Tibhar Krypto ALC blade (A. Lebrun), which is expected to be released soon, may provide similar results to TB ALC due to its outer carbon construction. As such, I believe the speed rating of 8.7 or below 9.0 is likely due to testing on an inner blade.

If used with an outer carbon blade, I can attest that this is a fast rubber, meriting a speed rating of 9.2. At least on TB ALC, K3 excels as a FH rubber for counter, opening spin, block, short push, and mid distance play. It is comparable to D09C, but offers a softer feel and increased responsiveness. Smashes are stable, and this rubber provides multiple gears, enabling effective defense at mid distance. It strikes a good balance between all-round and aggressive play. However, it can be slightly more challenging to use on BH, unless possessing strong counter technique.

Update:

Fresh K3 max thickness performs exceptionally well in FH, but after approximately two months of use, the ball tends to fly when playing close to the table. While spin remains, the ball trajectory becomes slightly longer. This rubber bears similarities to Victas V20, which exhibits the same issue with durability. The MK Pro now also resembles K3 and V20, featuring a softer feel and grippier top sheet.

I got my first sheet a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised with this rubber.

I’ve been using it on the forehand of an inner carbon blade. The level of control is insane. Short touches and blocking are extraordinarily precise. Forehand drives and smashes are very consistent and the bat produces a characteristic click sound when hitting through the ball.

Looping is also excellent. The spin generated is less than my previous Razka Z but still very high, especially when serving. Countering against top spin is excellent, too: I noticed that using this bat I tend towards hitting through the ball more than I used to with my previous Razka Z.

Control and blocking are unreal. I’m enjoying it.

I’m slightly concerned about durability: I haven’t noticed any major degradation in terms of performance after using it for 2 months 2 times per week. Maybe the spin has started decreasing a little, but I’m using a rubber clean/rejuvenator which I think has helped with durability a little.

The price is a bit high though, if the durability does turn out to be as bad as other reviews say. Not sure I’ll buy it again in the immediate future.

Best rubber ever, tried over 80 rubbers, not super fast, but on fast carbon blade creates excellent combo for advanced players, not for unexperienced beginners. Deadly topsins, similar smashing ability like Andro Rasanter series, similar speed as R42 but better spin, control, dwell time, counterspin ability and throw angle, highly recommended.

If your rating is 1900 or more and you love insane spin and aggressive play, this rubber is made for you. It’s the best I’ve ever played with.

The throw angle is high, so you’ll need to adjust and improve your strokes to fully appreciate it. The sponge is hard, and once you activate it, it’s serious. You better be ready. It’s faster than Fastarc G1 and the offensive top Donic rubbers, but with more control. This feels like a physical impossibility, but Tibhar did it.

The topsheet rubber is soft and as spinny as DHS H3neo, but without the tackiness. My serves are deadlier than ever. It grips the ball even more than G1 and even better than my DHS serves.

The control is better than all other rubbers I’ve tried. However, I wouldn’t have said that the first 2-3 weeks of playing it as I was basically overwhelmed with its many gears and potential. In fact, I disliked the rubber very much.

I had to grow to be able to unleash this beast, but the good news is that goes fast as the rubber simply demands it of you. I can’t believe how easy it is to do both active and passive precise blocks, placing the ball in any corner. My opponents smash, and when it comes back in odd places with precision, they are caught with their pants down.

Its weakness?.. Well, none, and this means it will show you your weaknesses. If you can’t do it, it’s you, not this rubber. I use it max both sides on Viscaria. My former pro friend was flipping out trying this for the first time. I ordered 2 sheets on TT11 for $104. Tibhar deserves my money for this one.

Review:

After my 5th trial with this rubber (max thickness) paired with a Joola HRD Freeze (outer carbon) blade for my backhand, I’ve come to love it. It’s less sticky than Hurricane 3, Joola ZGX Dynaryz, and D09c. However, it offers better blocking capabilities than all three of those rubbers, making it very reliable in this aspect.

The throw angle is very similar to Hurricane’s, but with more catapult. It’s lower than D09c and slightly lower than DZGX. While the durability is not as good as the others, after two months of use, the rubber becomes less responsive, causing balls to go slightly long and consistency to decline rapidly.

Despite this, I enjoy using this rubber. It doesn’t grip the ball as well as Hurricane or DZGX, so you have to rely more on the sponge for feel. The gears are decent, but in my opinion, flicking is a bit more challenging with this rubber, as I can feel the other rubbers holding onto the ball better. Overall, this is a great rubber that’s worth trying.

Very nice grip. Very nice and stable arc. You need to put some trust in this rubber before hitting, and you will be rewarded. Great one.

High Tackiness, Easy Control, and Above Average Spin

This rubber is characterized by its high tackiness, which provides excellent grip on the ball for easy control. Additionally, it generates above-average spin, making it a great choice for players looking for a rubber that offers both control and spin.

I come back here for the third time to change my review. I reglued this rubber with Haifu glue and noticed a 10 percent increase in speed and spin. Now I can play with this rubber with higher speed and enormous spin.