Hammond (Nittaku)

Extremely soft but very fast rubber sheet with a maximum spin. Even though it is very fast, you still get outstanding control. Made in Japan in accordance with the finest Japanese production methods. Hammond is well-liked by top players. Great for fast play: smashing, attacking and topspin. With the right sponge thickness this is the ideal rubber sheet for all offensive and allround players.

• User reviews

Average user rating from: 1 user

Overall rating		3.4
Speed (1 rating)		4.0
General spin (1 rating)		3.5
Mechanical spin (1 rating)		3.5
Topsheet spin (1 rating)		2.5
Sponge hardness (1 rating)		3.0
Topsheet hardness (1 rating)		3.0
High throw angle (1 rating)		2.0
Weight (1 rating)		2.0
Speed glue effect: feel (1 rating)		3.5
Speed glue effect: sound (1 rating)		3.5
Control (1 rating)		3.0
Durability (1 rating)		3.0
Serve (1 rating)		3.5
Short game (1 rating)		3.5
Flip (Flick) (1 rating)		3.5
Over the table loop (1 rating)		4.0
High arc loop (1 rating)		2.5
Counterloop (1 rating)		3.5
Smash (1 rating)		4.0
Block (1 rating)		4.0
Chop (1 rating)		3.0
Value for money (1 rating)		3.5

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Written by AllezCho - Top 50 reviewer - View all my reviews

Overall rating		3.4
Speed		4.0
General spin		3.5
Mechanical spin		3.5
Topsheet spin		2.5
Sponge hardness		3.0
Topsheet hardness		3.0
High throw angle		2.0
Weight		2.0
Speed glue effect: feel		3.5
Speed glue effect: sound		3.5
Control		3.0
Durability		3.0
Serve		3.5
Short game		3.5
Flip (Flick)		3.5
Over the table loop		4.0
High arc loop		2.5
Counterloop		3.5
Smash		4.0
Block		4.0
Chop		3.0
Value for money		3.5

The Nittaku Hammond is an older generation rubber, however, I find it a really good rubber for those who want a speed-glue feel rubber with a good amount of pop, but without too much bounciness or speed. If I would cite a good comparison, I would choose the Killerspin Fortissimo. I was quite surprised at the similarities in both the physical characteristics and the playability of both. Hammond is basically an older version of Fortissimo, but with less speed. Both have that "sheeny-glossy" topsheet and a low throw angle. Both have that nice "pop" and enough power to play away from the table and enough control to play close-to-the-table. If you ever want to upgrade from Hammond but want something similar, I would recommend the Fortissimo. I personally used Hammond on my backhand, and I think its characteristics are more suited for backhand play (i.e. blocking, punching, and looping).

Pros:
- Nice "pop" and bounce for power shots
- Retains a fair amount of control; good for blocking
- Affordable, decent price (one place that sells this rubber is Paddle Palace)
- Nice backhand rubber

Cons:
- Slick "glossy" topsheet; possibly some slight durability issues?
- Low throw

I would describe Hammond as a "stepping stone" for intermediate players moving away from control rubbers to speed-glue feel rubbers. Overall, an excellent, affordable rubber that I would recommend to intermediate players of all styles!

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