Customer review for Yasaka Rakza 7

External Review for Yasaka Rakza 7 on October 25, 2011

My backhand rubber atm. My originall backhand rubber was DHS Skyline 3 Neo and it was good. But I had an injury and wasn't able to play for 3 weeks. After that pause, my Skyline 3 was completelly different. Much slower (it was almost like a def rubber), weird sound. I tryed to reglue it but it didn't help... My forehand Skyline 2 Neo survived that pause well without any problems, really dunno what happened. After that, I started searching some alternatives. Tryed Donic Baracuda, Xiom Vega Europe and Rakza. Rakza is the best of these rubbers for me. It's sponge hardness is medium-soft (if you check the ratings, you can see that DHS Skyline 2 Neo should be softer - 5.1 comp. to Rakza's 5.8. It isn't correct at all, just try to press both rubbers between fingers and you can see Rakza is significantly softer. Another example why you shouldn't believe in the ratings here). It produces decent spin but it isn't a spin monster like Skyline or Tenergy (+- same as Baracuda, much more than Xiom Vega Euro). Speed isn't high, almost the same like Skyline 2 Neo or Baracuda. Controll is good but you can get rubbers with better ball feeling. It performs best in mid distance looping, slightly worse in fast drives and close to the table game. It is a good rubber overally but I think I'll not keep it for a long time.

EDIT (November 2011): I've changed my mind. I'm keeping Rakza, it rocks. Good speed (not extra fast, slightly under Tenergy 05), ideal throw angle, awesome controll and pretty good in looping. Ok, spin is slightly lower comparing to DHS Neo rubbers but you don't need so much effort and power to get a ball over the net from a strong chop. I have Tenergy 05 and Rakza 7 on my blade atm and Rakza dominates in everything. I'll remove Tenergy soon, 2nd sheet of Rakza is on a way to me. I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a Tenergy alternative, it can work better! I'm a proof of that.

EDIT (December 2011): I use this Rakza on my forehand side, replaced it by Stiga Boost TX on my backhand. The reason is simple - it's throw angle was too high for my backhand (lower than Tenergy's anyway). On the other hand if it's throw was higher, it could be a 10/10 rubber for my forehand. It is because I usually play mid distance forehand loops, oftenly fighting with opponent's strong chop. I can handle that but the throw angle for that could be slightly higher for perfection, something between T05 and Rakza. But nothing is perfect, Rakza is an awesome rubber.

EDIT (December 2011): I'm back with Rakza on my backhand. I was thinking about it for a long time and this is better. Rakza's attacking potential is higher and as a both winged looper I need more spin and speed from the mid distance. Boost isn't bad but it is much worse in mid distance looping. It's about a compromise.

EDIT (Feb 2012): My forehand Rakza didn't last longer than 3 months. It is an awesome rubber but it doesn't last ages if your style is agressive.

EDIT (Feb 2012): After many test I've finally stabilized my setup. Rakza is the best offensive rubber I've ever played with. Using both rubbers in max thickness atm but I'll buy the 2.0 version on my bh next time. Many people prefer Tenergy but I don't. Rakza is better in everything from my point of view.

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