Victas Curl P5V is a high-quality long pips table tennis rubber, previously known as TSP Curl P-H, developed in collaboration between German and Japanese material experts (GJ Tec). Approved by the ITTF, this rubber features a base structure of long, thin pips similar to the legendary Curl P1V, but with very hard pips combined with a soft sponge (~35° hardness), ensuring maximum pressure and exceptional control.
Victas Curl P5V is characterized by low speed (66/100, ~8.3/20), extremely high control (94/100, ~11.8/20), and sufficient spin (71/100, ~8.9/20), making it an excellent choice for defensive players who emphasize blocking close to the table, chopping in deep zones, and spin reversal. The rubber stands out due to its hard pips, which ensure a flat ball rebound when blocking, making it difficult for opponents to execute their next shot, as well as excellent control in chops. It is suitable for the backhand side of players who combine deep defense with effective close-to-the-table blocking. Victas Curl P5V is all about control, pressure, and defensive versatility!
Key Features:
Rubber Type: Long Pips (Long Pimples)
Sponge Hardness: Soft (~35°)
Sponge Thickness: OX (no sponge), 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm
Speed: 66/100 (~8.3/20 on the general scale)
Control: 94/100 (~11.8/20 on the general scale)
Spin: 71/100 (~8.9/20 on the general scale)
Top Sheet Properties: Long, thin, and very hard pips, similar to Curl P1V, maximum pressure, flat blocking trajectory, spin reversal
Technologies: Hard long pips, soft sponge, optimized for defense
Color: Red, Black (top sheet)
Country of Origin: Japan
Certifications: ITTF-approved
Suitability: Close-to-the-table blocking, deep-zone chopping, spin reversal, passive play, unexpected counterattacking shots
Victas Curl P5V distinguishes itself with its hard, long pips (similar to Curl P1V), soft sponge, and ability to combine effective blocking close to the table with deep-zone chopping, making it ideal for defensive players seeking pressure and control:
Top Sheet Composition: Long, thin, and very hard pips, similar to Curl P1V, ensure maximum pressure when blocking, generating a flat ball rebound that makes the opponent's next shot difficult. The top sheet effectively alters incoming spin, making it suitable for chops, passive returns, close-to-the-table blocking, and unexpected counterattacks. Compared to Victas Curl P1V (~35° sponge, ~6.8/20 speed, ~10.6/20 spin), Curl P5V offers higher speed (~8.3/20 vs. ~6.8/20), higher control (~11.8/20 vs. ~10.8/20), and lower spin (~8.9/20 vs. ~10.6/20) due to its harder pips optimized for blocking.
Sponge: The soft (~35°) sponge (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm) or OX (no sponge) enhances control and spin reversal, ensuring stability during chops and precise blocks close to the table. Compared to Dr. Neubauer A-B-S (~35° sponge, ~7.0/20 speed, ~9.5/20 control), Curl P5V offers higher speed (~8.3/20 vs. ~7.0/20), significantly higher control (~11.8/20 vs. ~9.5/20), and lower spin (~8.9/20 vs. ~10.0/20). Compared to TSP Curl P-4 (~6.5/20 speed, ~10.0/20 control), Curl P5V provides higher speed (~8.3/20) and significantly higher control (~11.8/20).
Spin and Trajectory: The hard long pips ensure a low trajectory (6.7/10), facilitating deep-zone chops and flat blocks close to the table. The rubber is effective in generating backspin variations and neutralizing incoming spin, making it suitable for both defensive play and close-to-the-table blocking. Compared to Butterfly Feint Long II (6.8/10 trajectory, ~10.0/20 spin), Curl P5V offers a similar trajectory and lower spin (~8.9/20 vs. ~10.0/20) but higher control (~11.8/20 vs. ~10.5/20).
Handling: Due to the hard pips and soft sponge, the rubber provides extremely high control, especially when chopping, blocking, and making passive returns. Compared to DHS Cloud & Fog 3 (~9.5/20 control), Curl P5V offers significantly higher control (~11.8/20). Compared to Yasaka Phantom 0012 (~10.5/20 control), the control is higher, making the rubber suitable for players seeking maximum stability and precision.
Technical Indicators and Playing Characteristics:
Speed (66/100, ~8.3/20): Victas Curl P5V is a slow rubber optimized for defensive play, chopping, and effective close-to-the-table blocking, while still allowing precise counterattacking shots. The soft sponge and hard pips ensure stability and pressure. Compared to Victas Curl P1V (~6.8/20 speed), Curl P5V offers higher speed (~8.3/20), making it more versatile. Compared to Butterfly Feint Long III (~7.5/20 speed), the speed is higher, and control is significantly better.
Control (94/100, ~11.8/20): The hard pips and soft sponge ensure extremely high control, especially when chopping, blocking, making passive returns, counterattacking, and varying serves. Compared to Victas Curl P2V (~12.0/20 control), the control is very similar. Compared to TSP Curl P-4 (~10.0/20 control), Curl P5V offers significantly higher control (~11.8/20).
Spin (71/100, ~8.9/20): The hard long pips generate sufficient spin, especially when chopping and varying backspin, with good spin reversal. Compared to Victas Curl P1V (~10.6/20 spin), Curl P5V offers lower spin (~8.9/20) due to its harder pips. Compared to DHS Cloud & Fog 3 (~10.5/20 spin), the spin is lower, but control is higher.
Trajectory (6.7/10): The low trajectory facilitates deep-zone chops and flat blocks close to the table. Compared to Victas Curl P1V (6.5/10 trajectory), Curl P5V offers a slightly higher trajectory, making it more versatile. The trajectory is stable, suitable for both deep-zone play and close-to-the-table play.
Sponge Thickness: OX (no sponge) maximizes spin reversal and chopping, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm offer a balanced mix of control and speed, while 1.5 mm enhances attacking potential, making it suitable for counterattacks and close-to-the-table blocking.
Playing Aspects:
Topspin Shots: 7.9/10 – The rubber allows for light topspin shots, especially with a 1.5 mm sponge, suitable for unexpected counterattacking shots close to the table.
Blocking: 9.5/10 – Extremely effective when blocking topspin shots close to the table, thanks to the hard pips generating a flat rebound and the soft sponge providing stability.
Pressure Pushes: 8.8/10 – Allows precise pushes against backspin or no-spin balls, with good spin reversal.
Chopping: 9.7/10 – Effective when chopping in deep zones, especially due to the hard pips and soft sponge generating dangerous backspin variations.
Counter-Hitting: 8.7/10 – Effective for precise counterattacks close to the table, especially with a 1.5 mm sponge, due to the sponge’s elasticity and the hard pips’ pressure.
Attacking Shots (Smashing): 8.2/10 – Allows unexpected flat shots, especially with sponge, providing good pressure.
Serves and Receives: 9.2/10 – Effective in varying serves, especially with spin reversal, and in passive receives (9.6/10) and active receives (9.2/10) due to control and spin variations.
Flick Shots: 8.6/10 – Banana flicks are executed effectively with sponge, ensuring control and spin reversal.
Compatibility with Blades:
Victas Curl P5V pairs well with defensive and all-round blades that complement the rubber’s control, spin reversal, and blocking potential:
Nittaku Barwell Fleet (~8.5/20 speed, DEF): Enhances the rubber’s control and chopping potential, ideal for backhand-side defenders.
Donic Defplay Senso (~8.0/20 speed, DEF): Provides an excellent balance of control and spin reversal, suitable for the backhand side.
Butterfly Joo Sae Hyuk (~8.8/20 speed, DEF): Complements the rubber’s spin reversal and blocking capabilities, suitable for elite defenders.
Yasaka Sweden Defensive (~7.5/20 speed, DEF): Suitable for players seeking maximum control in chops and blocks.
DHS Power G7 (~11.0/20 speed, OFF-): Suitable for players seeking a faster blade for counterattacks and close-to-the-table blocking.
It is recommended to use Curl P5V OX or 0.5 mm on the backhand side with defensive blades (e.g., Nittaku Barwell Fleet) or 1.0 mm/1.5 mm with all-round blades (e.g., DHS Power G7) to maintain racket balance and maximize control, spin reversal, and blocking potential. Due to its hard pips and soft sponge, the rubber is more suited for the backhand side, paired with a traditional inverted rubber on the forehand.
Additional Information:
Victas Curl P5V, previously known as TSP Curl P-H, is a high-quality long pips rubber distinguished by its hard pips (similar to Curl P1V) and soft sponge, ensuring extremely high control, spin reversal, and blocking pressure. Compared to Victas Curl P1V (~6.8/20 speed, ~10.6/20 spin, ~10.8/20 control), Curl P5V offers higher speed (~8.3/20), higher control (~11.8/20), and lower spin (~8.9/20), making it suitable for a more versatile defensive style that combines deep-zone chopping with close-to-the-table blocking. Compared to TSP Curl P-4 (~6.5/20 speed, ~10.0/20 control), Curl P5V provides higher speed (~8.3/20) and significantly higher control (~11.8/20), making it a modern alternative.
Users highlight the rubber’s "unmatched control," "flat rebound when blocking," "dangerous backspin variations," and "durability," but note that it requires proper technique to fully exploit its potential, especially in counterattacks. The rubber is long-lasting, offers excellent value for money, and is easy to handle for defensive players, particularly those seeking long pips with pressure. It is recommended to clean the surface regularly with a specialized cleaner (e.g., Victas Rubber Cleaner) and use a protective film to avoid damage.
ITTF-approved, Victas Curl P5V is suitable for competitions and is ideal for players seeking long pips rubber with high control, spin reversal, and effective blocking.
Who is Victas Curl P5V For?
Victas Curl P5V is designed for players who prioritize control, spin reversal, and effective blocking:
Intermediate to advanced players (3–15+ years of experience): Those seeking long pips rubber with extremely high control and spin reversal, suitable for the backhand side.
Defensive players: Those emphasizing deep-zone chopping, close-to-the-table blocking, spin reversal, and unexpected counterattacks.
Long pips players: Those who want to disrupt opponents with flat blocking rebounds and dangerous backspin variations.
Deep-zone and close-to-the-table play: Effective for chopping, blocking, passive returns, and counterattacks.
Serves and receives: Effective in passive receives (9.6/10) and active receives (9.2/10) due to control and spin reversal.
Players seeking versatility: Optimized for those combining deep defense with effective close-to-the-table blocking.
Advantages of Victas Curl P5V:
Speed (8.3/20): Low speed, suitable for chopping, spin reversal, and blocking, with the ability to execute precise counterattacking shots.
Control (11.8/20): Extremely high control, especially when chopping, blocking, making passive returns, counterattacking, and varying serves.
Spin (8.9/20): Sufficient spin in chops and backspin variations, with good spin reversal.
Trajectory (6.7/10): Low trajectory, facilitating chops and flat blocks.
Hard pips: Ensure maximum pressure and flat blocking rebounds.
Soft sponge: Provides stability and control.
Durability: The long pips ensure a long lifespan if properly maintained.
Value for money: Affordable price for high quality and performance.
High quality: ITTF-approved, suitable for competitions.
Compared to Victas Curl P1V, Curl P5V offers higher speed, higher control, and lower spin, making it suitable for a more versatile defensive style with strong blocking. Compared to TSP Curl P-4, the rubber provides higher speed and significantly higher control, making it a modern alternative.
Victas Curl P5V is ITTF-approved, suitable for competitions, and ideal for players emphasizing control, spin reversal, and effective blocking. Its hard pips and soft sponge ensure exceptional performance and feel. Victas Curl P5V is all about control, pressure, and defensive versatility!