Fortissimo (Killerspin)

The Ultimate Innovation in Rubber Technology! The Killerspin FORTISSIMO is an extremely innovative rubber made especially for high-level topspin players. The Fortissimo synchronizes modern table tennis technology to make this rubber unlike any other! The rubber consists of a hybrid top-sheet made of an elastic compound, which generates amazing rebound, as well as a soft compound that helps grab the ball and create more spin. Equal components of natural and synthetic rubber give an extra spring effect.

The Fortissimo features the best of 'East meets West', incorporating a made-in-Japan sponge, ideal for powerful top-spin shots, as well as German 'Torqsion Technology', which is stronger than normal tension standards, giving the rubber an added performance edge. All of this technology is protected by Killerspin's plastic bag to maintain the rubber's integrity from production to the court. Made in Germany. ITTF approved.

Speed 106
Spin 94
Control 94
Available thicknesses 2.0mm, max
Weight (cut to racket size) 42-43g

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Average user rating from: 1 user

Overall rating		3.5
Speed (1 rating)		4.5
General spin (1 rating)		3.5
Mechanical spin (1 rating)		4.0
Topsheet spin (1 rating)		2.5
Sponge hardness (1 rating)		3.0
Topsheet hardness (1 rating)		3.0
High throw angle (1 rating)		1.0
Weight (1 rating)		1.5
Speed glue effect: feel (1 rating)		4.5
Speed glue effect: sound (1 rating)		4.0
Control (1 rating)		2.5
Durability (1 rating)		4.0
Serve (1 rating)		3.5
Short game (1 rating)		3.0
Flip (Flick) (1 rating)		4.0
Over the table loop (1 rating)		3.5
High arc loop (1 rating)		2.0
Counterloop (1 rating)		4.0
Smash (1 rating)		4.5
Block (1 rating)		4.5
Chop (1 rating)		3.0
Value for money (1 rating)		3.0

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Saturday, 28 August 2010

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

Overall rating		3.5
Speed		4.5
General spin		3.5
Mechanical spin		4.0
Topsheet spin		2.5
Sponge hardness		3.0
Topsheet hardness		3.0
High throw angle		1.0
Weight		1.5
Speed glue effect: feel		4.5
Speed glue effect: sound		4.0
Control		2.5
Durability		4.0
Serve		3.5
Short game		3.0
Flip (Flick)		4.0
Over the table loop		3.5
High arc loop		2.0
Counterloop		4.0
Smash		4.5
Block		4.5
Chop		3.0
Value for money		3.0

The Killerspin Fortissimo is Killerspin's answer to post-ban speed-glue effect rubbers. First off, I want to make it clear that Fortissimo IS NOT A TENERGY REPLACEMENT. There is very few similarities between the two, the playability and appearance are very different. With that said, I will begin the review. Some physical features: the rubber is tuned and came with a reverse dome out of the package. The sponge felt fairly firm and the topsheet had a very shiny sheen to it. All in all, Fortissimo looked of very high quality. In regards to actually playing with it: the rubber was fast but controllable (I had it in MAX sponge). I was also very impressed with its glue effect: the feel was there, and the sound was very similar to a glued up rubber. The spin was decent, although I was a bit disappointed since the topsheet looked very grippy, almost tacky. Loops were good, however, you have to penetrate the sponge (drive loop) rather than use solely the topsheet (brush loop) in order for the rubber to be effective. It was a bit hard to make ridiculous arcs with Fortissimo because of the topsheet, and also because of the low throw. Smashes were very good and easy to perform. The short game was good and controllable: pushes and touch shots could be done easily, however I occasionally dumped my pushes in the net or overshot off the table. Serves were good, but were not extremely spinny. Blocks were a breeze and easy to place. Some unique features I noticed about this rubber (good and bad) is: its mushiness in rallies, its extreme low throw, and the way the ball tends to slip a lot on extreme brush looping. Just pressing on the rubber itself, the sponge was firm; however, during play, the rubber felt a bit too mushy for my taste, softer than a comparable rubber like Boost TX (and of course Tenergy 05). The low throw was a bit ridiculous to me as well, and it took me some time to adjust. At first, counterhits went into the net, pushes went into the net, and brush loops/arc loops dived into the net. However, as you hit a bit harder, fully using the sponge, the throw got a little higher, and the result would be a devastating shot loaded with power and spin. Many of my opponents dumped my low-arc/spinny loops into the net, surprised at how fast and low my loops were. Another negative was the ball slipping, that I experienced a lot. The grippy/almost tacky topsheet disappointed me in rallies, and it almost seemed impossible for me to brush loop or make a serve extremely spinny. All of my spin shots required some usage of the bouncy sponge. As a result, the mechanical spin of Fortissimo is quite high, but the topsheet spin - not so much. In conclusion, the Fortissimo was a fast speed-glue effect rubber that I enjoyed using on my backhand (not so much on the forehand though). The Fortissimo is a bit on the pricey side compared to what it can do ($49.99), but I occasionally see it on sale for ($39.99). I would recommend it for offensive players who are looking for a good fast backhand rubber, especially those who want to use Tenergy but cannot afford it on both sides. I personally am using Tenergy 05 on the forehand and Fortissimo on the backhand, and I am loving this setup for my two-winged looping game! Special thanks to TableTennisRatings.com and Killerspin for making this review possible!

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