Nittaku Hammond

Description Nittaku Hammond

Nittaku Hammond – High-Quality Offensive Table Tennis Rubber
Nittaku Hammond is a high-quality inverted table tennis rubber designed and manufactured in Japan, adhering to the highest standards of Japanese production. Approved by both the ITTF and JTTA, this rubber’s main strengths lie in its high speed (12.5/20), strong spin (10/20), and excellent control, achieved through a combination of a soft sponge (~40° on the ESN scale) and a firm, highly grippy topsheet. Hammond utilizes Integrated Energy (IE) technology, which minimizes energy loss on impact and efficiently transfers energy to the ball, providing a built-in speed-glue effect. Due to its high synthetic rubber content and lightweight construction (~30g cut), this rubber is popular among high-level players seeking a balance of speed, spin, and control. It is ideal for fast offensive play, including flat hits, topspin attacks, and counterattacks—making it a great choice for offensive and all-round players of various experience levels.

Key Features:
• Rubber Type: Inverted
• Speed: 12.5/20
• Spin: 10/20
• Control: 13.5/20 (approx., based on Nittaku scale)
• Sponge Hardness: ~40° (soft, ESN scale)
• Sponge Thickness: 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm
• Colors: Red, Black
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Approvals: ITTF & JTTA approved
• Weight: ~44g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~30g (cut, 157x150 mm)
• Technologies: Integrated Energy system, high synthetic rubber content, lightweight build
• Category: Offensive-Allround (OFF/ALL+)

Construction & Performance:

• Sponge (~40°): The soft sponge (~40° ESN scale) is designed for efficient energy transfer and reduced mechanical loss on impact. Compared to the Nittaku Hammond Z2 (medium-hard, ~45°), Hammond’s sponge is softer, offering more forgiveness and control—especially on topspins, blocks, and short play. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05 (36°), it's slightly firmer but offers a well-balanced "catapult effect" suitable for fast and technical play. Its fine-pore structure gives a "soft yet lively" feel ideal for attacking play.

• Top Sheet: The hard, highly grippy top sheet, with a high mix of synthetic and natural rubber, ensures strong ball grip and high spin (10/20), particularly on topspin shots, serves, and banana flicks. Compared to Nittaku Hurricane Pro 3 (15/20), Hammond’s topsheet is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it easier to control when blocking and receiving serves. Spin is higher than Nittaku Magic Carbon (9.25/20), and close to Butterfly Tenergy 80 (11/20). Excellent grip and precision with the 40+ plastic ball.

• Integrated Energy (IE) Technology: This Nittaku technology reduces energy loss during impact, boosting rebound and speed (12.5/20). It combines the flexibility of natural rubber, which “grabs” the ball, with the resilience of synthetic rubber, which “releases” it forward. This creates a built-in speed glue effect, providing a dynamic feel—especially on topspins and flat hits.

• Lightweight: At ~30g (cut), Hammond is significantly lighter than Tenergy 05 (~37g) or Nittaku Hammond Z2 (~35g). This allows pairing with heavier blades (e.g., Butterfly Timo Boll ALC) without compromising balance, giving a fast and agile racket feel suitable for offensive play.

Thickness Options:
Available in 1.8 mm for balanced play and 2.0 mm for aggressive attacks with maximum speed and spin. Colors (red and black) comply with ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends using water-based glue, such as Nittaku Fine Zip, for installation.

Technical Ratings and Playing Characteristics:

• Speed (12.5/20): Suitable for topspin attacks, flat hits, and third-ball attacks. Compared to Nittaku Hammond Z2 (16.5/20), slightly slower but offers more control. Comparable to Hammond FA (12.75/20) in speed, but with more spin due to its inverted structure. IE technology delivers a controlled “catapult effect,” ideal for fast shots close to the table.

• Spin (10/20): The grippy topsheet generates strong spin, especially in topspins, serves, and flicks. Less spin than Hurricane Pro 3 (15/20), but comparable to Tenergy 80 (11/20). Less sensitive to incoming spin than tacky Chinese rubbers, easing blocks and counterattacks.

• Control (13.5/20): The soft sponge and grippy surface offer excellent control for technical players, especially in topspins, blocks, and short play. More forgiving than Hammond Z2 (11.8/20), making it suitable for a wider range of players. Less “bouncy” than Tenergy 05, allowing better serve receive and short play.

• Trajectory: Medium-height, curved arc on topspins—ideal for attacking and spin-based techniques. Straighter trajectory on blocks, suited for stable control near the table. Compared to short pips like Hammond FA, offers a more arcing trajectory, good for both close and mid-distance play.

Game Aspects:

• Attacking (Driving): Very effective in topspin attacks (9.2/10) and counterattacks (9.1/10), especially on the forehand, generating powerful, spinny shots. Ideal for third-ball attacks and countering backspin close to the table.

• Blocking: Excellent stability and accuracy in blocks against topspin (9.0/10) due to reduced spin sensitivity. Supports both passive and active blocking, especially on the forehand. Easier to handle than tacky Chinese rubbers like Hurricane Pro 3.

• Pushing: Long pushes (8.9/10) produce strong backspin that’s difficult for the opponent to return. Short pushes (9.1/10) are very precise, thanks to the soft sponge—great for tight play near the net.

• Flicks: Banana flicks (9.0/10) are effective due to the grippy surface and speed, especially when spinning over backspin.

• Serving & Receiving: Serves (9.1/10) are spinny, especially backspin and sidespin. Passive receives (9.0/10) are stable due to reduced spin sensitivity, and active receives (e.g., flicks) are highly effective.

• Flat Hits (Smashing): Excellent for flat hits (9.2/10), producing fast, powerful trajectories suitable for both forehand and backhand.

Blade Compatibility:
Nittaku Hammond pairs well with a wide range of blades, especially:

• Offensive Composite Blades: Like Butterfly Timo Boll ALC, Nittaku Acoustic Carbon, or Stiga Carbonado 145. These enhance Hammond's built-in catapult for dynamic topspin and counter-looping.
• Allround Wood Blades: Such as Stiga Allround Classic or Nittaku Violin, where Hammond’s speed compensates for the blade’s slower character, offering a good balance for controlled offensive play.
• Stiff 5-Ply Woods: Like Yasaka Extra or DHS Power-G7, which work well for players who prefer a direct and fast game with strong hitting.
Hammond’s relatively low weight (~30g cut) means it can be used on heavier blades without making the total racket head-heavy.

Nittaku Hammond is a well-balanced Japanese offensive rubber that offers an excellent combination of speed, spin, and control in a lightweight package. Its soft sponge (~40°) and grippy topsheet work beautifully with the Integrated Energy system to give players a built-in catapult effect without the unpredictability of overly bouncy rubbers. It is an excellent choice for:

• Players seeking a fast rubber with reliable control
• Players who value lightweight setups
• Those who rely on spin variation, counterattacks, and short game precision
• Players transitioning from older speed-glue rubbers or looking for a less aggressive alternative to Z2 or Tenergy

While not the most extreme in either speed or spin, Hammond delivers stability, precision, and a versatile attacking platform, making it a great fit for modern 40+ plastic ball play.

Recommended For:
• Intermediate to advanced players
• Offensive and allround attackers
• Forehand or backhand use depending on playing style