I’m waiting for my new custom blade. During this time, I thought this is a good time to test some anti-rubbers and long pips behavior on some hard woods. I have decided to try Dr. Neubauer Gladiator which was recommended to be a good blade for anti-spin rubbers. I have tried Dr.Neubauer Anti Special rubber on few blades, and I have found higher rebound from the blade core is an enemy to Dr.Neubauer’s antis. I could not continue my test of the antis with some harder blades at that time.
The Dr.Neubauer Gladiator is a faster blade, faster than other blades Dr.Neubauer manufactures. The shape is regular, so it is different from other blades. The defensive choppers who have liked Butterfly Joo Se Hyuk defensive blades may not like it’s size. The Dr.Neubauer Gladiator is compact enough for top spin play - both in thickess and facial size.
I have tried TSP Curl P3 and Butterfly Tenergy on the Gladiator. I’m waiting for Dr.Neubauer’s new A-B-S anti rubber, so I could not test Dr.Neubauer Gladiator with any anti. The Dr.Neubauer Gladiator table tennis blade has medium hard feeling. The feel is between Dr.Neubauer soft blades like Dr.Neubauer Combination Effect or TSP BalsaFiber 3.5 and the XIOM Aigis.
The Dr.Neubauer Gladiator is not surely a close to the table paddle with pips on it - even with OX version of long pips. The blade is faster and the rebound is high. I had hard time keeping the ball on the table against heavy loops. It lacked control when I was doing it. The dwell time is less compared to other Dr.Neubauer blades. However, this story would be different with anti. But still, I’m not convinced that an antispin table tennis rubber on this blade can replace a frictionless pips game.
What I liked about this blade is it’s ability to play offensive shots. My loops where springy with a good amount of top spin. In that respect, it plays better than Dr.Neubauer Barricade table tennis blade. With Butterfly Tenergy on my forehand, I have felt this blade to be categorized as OFF rather than ALL.
I’m not 100% convinced that Dr.Neubauer Gladiator with Dr.Neubauer Gorilla or Grizly anti rubbers can replace a frictionless pips game that many defensive players enjoyed before the ban. Dr.Neubauer may have to go to a slower blade than Gladiator but with same feel.
Dr.Neubauer plays with Gladiator in the video. This is from his pips training video. Dr.Neubauer practices with Bastian Stegar. Like you see in the video, the distance Dr.Neubauer keeps away from the table and little further is the distance I have found to safe my defensive chopping game.
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do yuo know data about Butterfly Super Anti Special?