Nittaku Jewel Large

Nittaku Jewel Large – High-Quality Short Pips Rubber Optimized for the 44 mm Ball

Nittaku Jewel Large is a high-quality short pips-out table tennis rubber, designed and manufactured in Japan. It is specially tailored for play with the larger 44 mm ball but is also effective with standard 40 mm and 40+ plastic balls. Approved by the ITTF and JTTA, the rubber's main highlight is its new pips geometry, which facilitates high spin generation while maintaining strong speed (14.5/20) and spin (15/20). Utilizing Nittaku's ACTIVE CHARGE technology, Jewel Large ensures an excellent balance of speed, spin, and control, making it ideal for aggressive close-to-the-table attackers who emphasize fast, spinny strokes and flat hits. The very soft sponge (20°) and unique pip structure give this rubber remarkable versatility and performance, especially for topspin shots and banana flicks.

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Short pimples-out, optimized for the 44 mm ball
• Speed: 14.5/20
• Spin: 15/20
• Sponge Hardness: 20° (very soft, approx. 25° on ESN scale)
• Sponge Thickness: 2.0 mm, MAX
• Colors: Red, Black
• Origin: Japan
• Approval: ITTF and JTTA approved
• Weight: ~43 g uncut (180x170 mm), ~30 g cut (157x150 mm)
• Technologies: ACTIVE CHARGE system, new pip geometry

Modern Construction with Exceptional Spin and Control:

• Sponge (20°): Extremely soft sponge (20° Nittaku scale, ~25° ESN) among the softest in short pips, offering a strong "catapult effect" and excellent bounce. Its fine-pored structure absorbs incoming energy and converts it to speed and spin, delivering a lively yet controllable feel. Compared to Moristo 44 (25°), Jewel Large is softer, allowing more forgiveness and control in blocking and short play, while retaining high attacking speed.

• Top Sheet and Pip Geometry: The new pip structure is vertically aligned, with a grippy surface on a thin, elastic top sheet. This unique design allows very high spin generation (15/20) for a short pips rubber—approaching that of inverted rubbers like Tenergy 05 (61/100). The pips are small, flexible, and optimized for strong spin in topspins, serves, and banana flicks. Compared to Moristo 44 (12.5/20 spin) and Moristo SP AX (8.5/20 spin), Jewel Large offers significantly more spin. The slightly tacky top sheet reduces sensitivity to incoming spin, making blocking and counter-attacking easier.

• ACTIVE CHARGE Technology: Enhances elasticity of the top sheet, giving extra speed and spin without the need for boosters. Delivers a crisp impact feel, helping players fine-tune power and spin during fast and spinny strokes. Compared to Moristo 44, Jewel Large offers a more lively feel due to the softer sponge and improved technology.

• Lightweight: Jewel Large is lightweight (~30 g cut), comparable to Moristo SP (~31 g) and lighter than Yasaka Rakza PO (~35 g). This makes it ideal for pairing with heavier blades like the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC without disturbing the racket's balance.

Available in two sponge thicknesses:
• 2.0 mm – for a more balanced playing style
• MAX – for aggressive offensive shots, especially flat hits and topspin attacks.
Colors – Red and Black – comply with ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends water-based glue such as Nittaku Fine Zip for assembly.

Technical Ratings and Playing Characteristics:

• Speed (14.5/20): Very fast for a short pips rubber. Suitable for flat hits, backhand and forehand drives, and third-ball attacks. Slightly slower than Moristo 44 (15/20), but still close to Nittaku Royal Large (15/20). Strong catapult effect, especially for flat hits, but requires precision to avoid overshooting.

• Spin (15/20): Exceptional spin for a short pips rubber due to pip geometry and ACTIVE CHARGE tech. Effective for topspin strokes, serves, pushes, and banana flicks. Outperforms Moristo 44 (12.5/20) and Moristo SP AX (8.5/20) in spin. Less sensitive to incoming spin, great for blocking and countering.

• Control: The very soft sponge (20°) and flexible pips ensure high control in blocks, short pushes, and precise hits. Compared to Moristo SP, Jewel Large offers more forgiveness due to its softer sponge, making it suitable for a broader range of players including intermediate ones transitioning to short pips.

• Trajectory: Low, flat, and slightly unpredictable—ideal for flat hits, blocks, and fast close-to-table attacks. Trajectory is straighter than with inverted rubbers (e.g., Tenergy 05 arc: 63/100), less suited for mid-distance play, but excellent for aggressive close-in shots.

Playing Aspects:

• Smashing (9.4/10): Extremely effective for flat smashes, especially with the 44 mm ball. Produces powerful, unpredictable trajectories. The soft sponge and ACTIVE CHARGE tech enable fast, accurate hits on both forehand and backhand.

• Driving (9.3/10): Very fast for both forehand and backhand drives, offering great speed and strong spin. Flat trajectory with high spin makes attacks pressure opponents. Compared to Moristo 44, Jewel Large has more spin, slightly less speed.

• Blocking (9.2/10): Fast, flat, and stable blocks against topspin. The soft sponge reduces sensitivity to spin, forgiving even on strong incoming topspins. Compared to Moristo SP, Jewel Large has more spin, but a bit less disruptive effect.

• Pushing (8.9/10): Long pushes are controlled with strong spin but require good feel due to speed and elasticity. Short pushes and touch shots are high-quality (9.1/10) as the rubber plays "deader" on low-impact shots, ensuring stability in short play.

• Flicks (9.5/10): Excellent for banana flicks, especially against backspin, due to high spin and speed. Effective if executed at the peak of the ball's bounce.

Blade Compatibility:

Nittaku Jewel Large pairs well with many blades, especially those emphasizing speed and feel:

• Nittaku Acoustic: Great feel and control – ideal for all-round players
• Nittaku Violin: Balanced speed and feel – good for fast attacks
• Butterfly Timo Boll ALC: Maximizes speed – suited for offensive players
• Butterfly Viscaria: Stability-focused – good for blocks and counters
• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Extra speed – fits aggressive hitters