Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is a professional-class long pips table tennis rubber, designed for defensive and all-round players seeking maximum disruption effect and spin, especially when playing with the plastic 40+ ball. ITTF approved, this rubber’s medium-hard sponge (~45° on the ESN scale, estimated from its Medium characteristic) combined with a unique pip geometry and new rubber composition ensures very low speed (40/100, ~4.5/20), high spin (90/100, ~9.5/20), and excellent control (97/100, ~12.5/20). The special pip structure (widely spaced, broad, and hard pips) creates an extremely strong disruption effect (102/100, ~10.2/10) and enables powerful backspin generation, forcing opponents into making errors. Optimized for the plastic 40+ ball, Hellfire offers a unique opportunity to control the game through spin and precision, both at the table and from a distance. With light weight (~40 g cut) and durability, Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is a high-quality choice suitable for high-level competition.

Main Features:

• Rubber type: Long pips
• Rubber category: Defensive (DEF) / All-round (ALL)
• Characteristics: Defensive (DEF)
• Speed: 40/100 (~4.5/20 on the general scale)
• Spin: 90/100 (~9.5/20 on the general scale)
• Control: 97/100 (~12.5/20 on the general scale)
• Disruption effect (Störfaktor): 102/100 (~10.2/10)
• Precision: 9.2/10
• Trajectory: 6.5/10 (low, suitable for chop and blocks)
• Sponge hardness: ~45° (medium-hard, based on ESN scale, estimated)
• Sponge type: Medium-hard
• Sponge thickness: 0.5 mm, 0.9 mm, OX (no sponge)
• Surface type: Long pips, hard, slightly textured
• Pip structure: Broad, hard, widely spaced pips
• Colors: Red, black
• Country of origin: Germany
• Approval: ITTF approved
• Weight: ~60 g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~40 g (cut, Stiga standard, 157x150 mm)
• Technologies: Unique pip geometry, new rubber composition, optimized for 40+ ball
• Category: Defensive (DEF)

Sauer & Tröger Hellfire stands out with its unique construction, combining a medium-hard sponge and hard, widely spaced long pips, ensuring maximum disruption effect, spin, and control:

• Sponge (~45°): The medium-hard sponge (~45° on the ESN scale) provides low speed (40/100) and excellent control (97/100), allowing precise ball placement when blocking and performing chop shots. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (35/100 speed, 105/100 control), Hellfire is slightly faster, offers less control, but more spin and disruption. Compared to JOOLA Rhyzen CWX (~50°, 57/200 speed), Hellfire is slower but delivers more spin (90/100) and control. Compared to Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker (~45°), Hellfire offers higher disruption and spin.

• Surface: A hard, slightly textured long pips surface with widely spaced, broad-tipped pips ensures high spin (90/100) and exceptional disruption effect (102/100). The pips allow the ball to “stick” between them, generating strong backspin that forces the opponent to push the ball a second or third time. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (100/100 spin), Hellfire's spin is slightly lower, but its disruption effect is greater. Compared to TSP P1R, Hellfire has a harder surface, providing more power in offensive strokes.

• Pip structure: Broad, hard, and widely spaced pips create a unique pattern that maximizes backspin and disruption (102/100). This structure allows effective countering of topspin strokes at the table or from a distance and enables powerful attacks immediately after the ball bounces. Compared to Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker, Hellfire’s pips are harder and more widely spaced, ensuring stronger spin and disruption.

• Weight and durability: Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is very lightweight (~40 g cut), lighter than JOOLA Express Ultra (~42 g) and Sanwei Target (~44 g). This lightness allows pairing the rubber with heavier blades like Butterfly Hadraw Shield without compromising racket balance. The rubber is durable, maintaining its pip hardness and spin properties even after intensive use, making it a cost-effective option.

The rubber is available in 0.5 mm, 0.9 mm, and OX (without sponge) variants, allowing choice between maximum control (OX) and slightly more speed (0.9 mm). Colors – red and black – comply with ITTF standards. It is recommended to use water-based glues like Sauer & Tröger Glue or JOOLA Lex Glue when mounting the rubber.

Technical ratings and play characteristics:

• Speed (40/100, ~4.5/20): Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is an extremely slow rubber, suitable for chop, blocks, and offensive strokes at the table or from a distance. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (35/100 speed), Hellfire is slightly faster but offers more spin and disruption. Compared to Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker (~4/20), the speed is similar, but Hellfire offers stronger disruption.

• Spin (90/100, ~9.5/20): Hard long pips generate high backspin, especially on chop shots and blocks, creating a strong disruption effect (102/100). Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (100/100), the spin is slightly lower, but disruption is higher. Compared to TSP P1R (~9/20), Hellfire offers similar spin but greater disruption.

• Control (97/100, ~12.5/20): The medium-hard sponge (~45°) and hard pips ensure excellent control, especially when blocking and chopping. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (105/100), control is slightly lower, but still sufficient for technical players. Compared to JOOLA Rhyzen CWX (112/200), Hellfire offers less control but stronger disruption.

• Disruption effect (Störfaktor, 102/100, ~10.2/10): The rubber generates an extremely strong disruption effect, especially when performing chop shots and blocks, forcing opponents to make errors. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (92/100), Hellfire’s disruption is greater, especially against topspin balls.

• Trajectory (6.5/10): Low trajectory, suitable for chop and precise blocks at the table or from a distance. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Easy P (7/10), the trajectory is slightly lower, facilitating powerful backspin strokes. When blocking, the trajectory is very stable, ideal for effective blocks against topspin strokes.

• Precision (9.2/10): High precision allows players to direct the ball to desired areas of the table, especially when blocking, chopping, and executing offensive strokes.

Game Aspects:

Blocking: 9.8/10 – Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is extremely effective for blocking topspin shots at the table, allowing the ball to be stopped even as it is still rising. The hard pips absorb the opponent’s spin, ensuring stability and precision.

Backspin strokes: 9.7/10 – With its wide and hard pips, Hellfire enables strong backspin shots, especially from mid-distance. The rubber allows the ball to get “caught” between the pips, generating heavy spin, forcing the opponent to lift or make mistakes.

Attacking: 8.2/10 – While Hellfire is primarily a defensive rubber, it offers solid attacking potential when used with good technique. The hardness and structure of the pips allow for flat hits and disruptive counterattacks. Compared to Easy P, Hellfire delivers more power in attack due to its harder pips.

Chopping: 9.4/10 – In defensive play far from the table, Hellfire shines with its stable chops and powerful backspin. The medium-hard sponge and pip structure allow precise control over the spin level and trajectory. Compared to TSP P1R, the chopping feel is more direct and compact.

Pushes and short game: 9.3/10 – Sauer & Tröger Hellfire performs very well in the short game, offering precise pushes and drop shots with strong spin. The low speed and high control help keep the ball short and low, reducing the opponent's opportunities to attack.

Final Evaluation:

Sauer & Tröger Hellfire is a top-tier long pips rubber designed for high-level defensive and all-round players seeking maximum disruption, spin, and control. Optimized for the 40+ plastic ball, Hellfire offers a unique combination of features:

• Maximum disruption effect (Störfaktor 102/100) – exceptional at neutralizing spin and destabilizing the opponent’s rhythm.
• High backspin generation (Spin 90/100) – perfect for defensive chopping and passive blocks.
• Excellent control (Control 97/100) – ideal for precision-based gameplay and safe ball placement.
• Medium-hard sponge (~45°) – balances speed and control for flexible defensive and offensive strokes.
• Unique hard pip structure – enhances both passive and active strokes with a direct feel.
• Very lightweight (~40 g cut) – compatible with heavier blades without affecting racket balance.
• Durable construction – maintains playing characteristics over long periods.

Recommended for players who prioritize strategic defense, disruptive gameplay, and high spin variation. Suitable for both near-table blockers and classical defenders. Compatible with ITTF-approved equipment and adheres to competition standards.

Available in red and black, with sponge thicknesses of 0.5 mm, 0.9 mm, and OX (no sponge), Sauer & Tröger Hellfire stands out as a professional-grade long pips rubber built for modern table tennis.

Sauer&Troger Hellfire

Sauer&Troger Hellfire

Sauer&Troger Hellfire