Description Frienship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37

Friendship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37 is a high-performance Chinese-style table tennis rubber produced by Friendship (729 brand), renowned for its tacky topsheet and innovative dual-layer sponge. It is a new iteration in the Battle series, optimizing the dual-layer sponge ratio, offering explosive speed, exceptional spin, and reliable control, making it a favorite among intermediate to advanced offensive players. This rubber is particularly praised for mimicking the feel of DHS Hurricane 3 without requiring boosting, excelling in heavy topspin shots and stable blocks and fast counterattacks. Available with a unique dual-layer progressive sponge (39° upper layer and 37° lower layer), it is ITTF-approved and suitable for competitive play with 40+ mm balls.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Inverted offensive rubber, ITTF approved.
• Topsheet: Highly tacky natural rubber, ensuring excellent grip and spin potential.
• Sponge: Dual-layer (duplex) structure with progressive design: harder upper layer (39° on DHS scale, ~43° ESN/German scale) for increased speed and softer lower layer (37° on DHS scale, ~41° ESN/German scale) for better control, with Energy Preset System (EPS) technology for enhanced elasticity.
• Thickness Options: 2.1 mm (standard for maximum performance).
• Weight: Approximately 45–48 g uncut (2.1 mm), ~35–40 g cut on a standard 157x150 mm blade.
• Colors: Black or red; dual-color sponge (blue/orange).
• Production: Made in China, eco-friendly with low-VOC composition.

Description and Key Features

Friendship presents Battle Taichi 39/37 as a versatile offensive rubber, breaking traditions and innovating for the future, combining the tackiness of classic Chinese rubbers with modern speed:

• Speed Rating: OFF (8.5–9/10) – faster than standard Battle II, with a dynamic catapult effect for powerful flat drives and topspins.
• Spin Rating: 9.2/10 – exceptional tackiness (8.7/10) grips the ball deeply, enabling massive topspin shots and spinny serves; less sensitive to incoming underspin than softer rubbers.
• Sponge Hardness: Dual-layer progressive structure – harder 39° upper layer ensures speed and power for topspins and fast counterattacks, while softer 37° lower layer provides control in short game and serves.
• Notes: Built with EPS technology for optimal energy transfer; the dual-layer sponge balances speed and control, allowing players broader possibilities for professional play. Cleaning is simple with water and a sponge wipe after each game.

Performance Characteristics

• Speed: Explosive rebound for flat drives and powerful topspins, surpassing Hurricane 3 in unboosted speed; suitable for mid-distance fast counterattacks and blocks with good placement despite tackiness.
• Spin: Superb ball grip for heavy topspins and banana flicks; the tacky topsheet creates a high throw angle (~40–45°), ideal for serves and topspin rallies, even from mid-distance on backhand.
• Control: Excellent (8.7/10) in short game and passive blocks; forgiving dwell time reduces errors on incoming spin, though it requires stronger strokes for full power away from the table.
• Feel: Crisp, vibrant feedback with a “dead yet powerful” sensation similar to tuned Hurricane 3; minimal vibration, but tackiness fades after 3–6 months of heavy use (10–15 hours/week).
• Durability: High resistance to wear; maintains tackiness longer than many Chinese rubbers.

Pairing Recommendations

• Blades: Pairs best with OFF or inner-carbon blades, e.g., Nittaku Acoustic Carbon Inner, Sword Blue Feather, or Stiga Clipper CR, for balanced power; avoid overly stiff outer-carbon blades for better dwell time.
• Forehand: Ideal for spinny topspins and serves; 39° upper layer recommended for powerful offense.
• Backhand: Effective for fast counterattacks and blocks; 37° lower layer recommended for easier placement.
• Accessories: Use water-based glues, e.g., Friendship, for clean adhesion; clean with water post-game to preserve tackiness.

Conclusion

Friendship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37 stands out as a cost-effective powerhouse in the tacky rubber category, delivering Hurricane 3-like spin and speed without the need for boosting. With its unique dual-layer progressive sponge (39° upper and 37° lower), it offers versatile performance for spin-dominant attackers, earning high marks (9.1/10) for grip, durability, and value. It’s a go-to for players seeking pure Chinese aggression in a modern package.

Frienship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37

Frienship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37

Frienship 729 Battle Taichi 39/37