Nittaku DO Knuckle

Nittaku DO Knuckle – is a medium pips-out table tennis rubber made by the Japanese manufacturer Nittaku, intended for players seeking a disruptive "wobble" effect, high control, and the ability to perform fast offensive shots (ALL, OFF, DEF). With a medium-soft sponge (~32.5°, Soft+), vertical pips, and a unique rubber formula, DO Knuckle offers an excellent balance between control, speed, and disruption, suitable for both offensive and defensive players at the table. ITTF approved, made in Japan, this rubber is used by professional players such as Hitomi Sato and Honoka Hashimoto.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Medium Pips-Out

• Speed: 7.5/10

• Spin: 6/10

• Wobble: 11.75/15

• Control: 90/100

• High tension: No

• Tackiness: Slightly grippy

• Strategy: ALL, OFF, DEF

• Surface: Vertical pips

• Sponge hardness: Soft (~32.5°, Soft+)

• Sponge thickness: 1.4 mm, OX

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Japan

• Approval: ITTF approved

Nittaku DO Knuckle features a unique medium pips-out construction:

• Sponge (medium-soft): Fine-pored, very soft sponge (~32.5°, Soft+), softer than Nittaku Super DO Knuckle (~42.5°, Medium) or Yasaka Phantom 0012 (~35°, Soft). The sponge provides a slow, controlled response, ideal for chop shots, blocking, and disruptive play. Sponge thickness: 1.4 mm (ALL/OFF) and OX (DEF), suitable for both offense and defense. The 1.4 mm sponge allows faster shots, while OX provides maximum disruption.

• Top sheet: Vertical, stiff, medium-length pips (medium pips-out), with slight grip (slightly grippy), less grippy than Nittaku Fastarc G-1, but grippier than long pips rubbers such as TSP Curl P1-R. The pips generate a strong "wobble" (knuckleball) effect, disrupting the opponent and enabling spinny shots (e.g., cut tsutsuki).
  Durability: ~150–200 hours, requires less cleaning than tacky rubbers.

• Wobble effect: Due to the vertical pip structure and soft sponge, the rubber creates a strong disruptive effect, returning the ball with an unpredictable trajectory (knuckle effect). The disruption is stronger than Nittaku Super DO Knuckle (due to horizontal pips), but less than long pips rubbers such as Dr. Neubauer Super Block.

• Low throw angle: DO Knuckle generates a low, straight throw angle, suitable for chop shots, short blocks, and tsutsuki. The arc is lower than Nittaku Super DO Knuckle, ideal for close-to-table play.

• Spin sensitivity: Low sensitivity to opponent’s spin due to stiff pips, making it easy to return spinny serves and topspin shots, causing discomfort for the opponent.

The rubber weighs ~30–35 g (1.4 mm, cut), lighter than Nittaku Best Anti (~35–40 g) or Yasaka Phantom 0012 (~35–40 g). Offered in red and black, compliant with ITTF rules. Water-based glues (e.g., Nittaku Fine Glue) and protective film are recommended.

Nittaku DO Knuckle technical specifications:

• Speed: 7.5/10 (medium). The rubber is fast enough for attacking shots (e.g., counter-attack, flick), but slower than Nittaku Super DO Knuckle (73/100) or Yasaka Mark V M2 (~80). Suitable for ALL/OFF players; faster with 1.4 mm sponge than OX.

• Spin: 6/10 (medium). Allows generating slight spin (e.g., cut tsutsuki, chop), but spin is lower than Nittaku Best Anti (39/100) or spin rubbers. Spin depends on technique.

• Wobble: 11.75/15 (high). Strong disruptive effect, superior to Super DO Knuckle, but less than long pips rubbers like TSP Curl P1-R.

• Control: 90/100 (high). Higher control than Super DO Knuckle (due to softer sponge), suitable for chop shots, blocking, and serve returns. Some sources rate it: 10/10.

• Sponge hardness: ~32.5° (Soft+), softer than Super DO Knuckle (~42.5°).

Trajectory: Low, straight throw angle, suitable for disruptive play close to the table. Users praise “control,” “wobble effect,” and “stability,” but note that spin reversal is limited, and speed requires good technique.

• Nittaku Super DO Knuckle: Speed (73/100), Spin (59/100), Control (90/100). Super DO Knuckle is faster, harder (~42.5), with horizontal pips, lower wobble effect, but easier control, suitable for OFF players.

• Yasaka Phantom 0012: Speed (~60), Spin (~40), Control (~95). Phantom 0012 is slower, with longer pips, stronger disruption, but lower speed, suitable for DEF players.

• TSP Curl P1-R: Speed (~50), Spin (~60), Control (~98). Curl P1-R is slower, with longer pips, stronger spin reversal, suitable for DEF++ players.

• Nittaku Best Anti: Speed (67), Spin (39), Control (95). Best Anti is slower, with anti-spin top sheet, less disruption, but higher control, suitable for DEF+ players.

DO Knuckle stands out with wobble effect, control, and speed, suitable for ALL/OFF/DEF players.

Nittaku DO Knuckle fits various blades:

• Nittaku Acoustic: Maximizes control, suitable for ALL+ players.

• Yasaka Sweden Extra: Provides stability, suitable for ALL players.

• Butterfly Defensive Pro: Harmonizes disruption, suitable for DEF players.

• Tibhar Stratus Power Defense: Balances speed, suitable for DEF+ players.

• Nittaku Septear: Emphasizes wobble effect, suitable for ALL/OFF players.

The rubber works best with ALL, DEF blades, as the soft sponge complements the blade’s stability. Suitable for OFF blades with 1.4 mm sponge. Ideally suited for the backhand side for combination play, with spin rubber on the forehand side.

Nittaku DO Knuckle is intended for players seeking disruption and control:

• For offensive and defensive players (ALL, OFF, DEF), who value the wobble effect and control.

• For disruptive play close to the table, suitable for backhand side, especially for blocking, chop shots, tsutsuki, and counter-attacks.

• For close-to-table play: Effective in chop-block, knuckle push, cut tsutsuki, and flick shots.

• Serve returns: Low sensitivity to spinny serves, returns disruptive balls.

• Blocking: High control, suitable for chop-block and passive blocks.

• Counter-attacks: With 1.4 mm sponge, enables fast flick and counter shots.

Rubber performance ratings:

• Blocking: 9.4/10

• Chop shots: 9.3/10

• Tsutsuki: 9.2/10

• Knuckle shots: 9.1/10

• Topspin: 8.0/10

• Regular shots: 7.8/10 (limited by speed)

Users highlight “control,” “wobble effect,” and “stability.”

• Speed: (7.5/10), medium, suitable for counter-attacks.

• Spin: (6/10), medium, effective for cut tsutsuki.

• Wobble: (11.75/15), high, strong disruptive effect.

• Control: (90/100), high, easy to handle the ball.

• Top sheet: Stiff, vertical pips, strong wobble effect.

• Sponge: Soft (~32.5°), long dwell time, stability.

• Disruption: Causes opponent errors due to knuckleball.

• Durability: ~150–200 hours with minimal maintenance.

• Affordable price: Competitive among medium pips rubbers.

Speed: Limited for aggressive OFF+ strokes.
Spin reversal: Lower than long pips or anti-spin rubbers.
Sponge: Soft (~32.5°), great for control, not for pure speed.
Pips structure: Medium pips-out with vertical alignment, produces a strong knuckleball effect.
Durability: ~150–200 hours with minimal cleaning needed.
Affordability: Competitively priced among medium pips rubbers.