Customer review for DHS Gold Arc 8 - 50 Hardness

External Review for DHS Gold Arc 8 - 47.5 Degrees on November 24, 2019

Just have a couple of sessions with this rubber 47.5 degree hardness on my backhand. I played with a Sword Blue Feather blade. I have to say that I am warming up to this rubber very much. I think that the strength of this rubber is in its control area. Blocking is a breeze and if you play close to the table and have to make a quick block if you are out of position, the ball will be blocked back with ease.

I played Tenergy 05 fx before and in comparison, GA8 is much easier to control. First off, GA8 is a lot firmer for the sponge. It feels like playing Xiom Vega Pro to some extents. So it is slower than T05 fx in passive block. But in active block, it is about the same or may be a tad faster. GA8 is very linear. So it is very predictable on your shots. Over the table flip or chiquita backhand flip is quite easy. The ball spins quite well. But you do have to put a bit effort to create the proper pace.

The rubber has no tackiness. But it is grippy enough to spin the ball well. Smashing the ball is quite easy. I do have to adjust my angle a bit to be more open than T05 fx due to the fact that this is a harder rubber. So you need to hit with a more direct way instead of the rolling style stroke when playing softer rubber like T05 fx.

Overall, this is a good rubber and a good start for DHS to start producing ESN rubbers for the European market. If you are a classic Chinese style player, this will make a good backhand rubber especially if you play close or medium distance from the table.

For long distance shots on BH, this will require some effort. But many rubbers out there will need that anyway. So this is not new for me.

I will stick with this rubber for a while and see if it stops my EJ itches...:)

09/09/2022: Update - after 3 years, I come full circle back to use this rubber for my FH play on Stiga Energy Wood. I have T05 on my BH with this. I like GA8 for service than T05. Very good combination of Speed/Spin/Control. Well Done DHS!

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