Nittaku Fastarc G1 vs. Yasaka Rakza 7 Test

Nittaku Fastarc G1

The Nittaku Fastarc G1 is a fast rubber that provides high power and speed. It has a strong but linear catapult effect (what is linear catapult?), which generates extra spin and speed to outmaneuver opponents. However, as Fastarc G1's sponge is a bit harder than most medium sponges (we would categorize it in the medium-hard section), you will need to hit the ball a little harder than with softer sponges which requires additional skill and experience but if you can manage to pull this off, you will be rewarded with the ability to fire absolute rockets at your opponent. However, if this is a playing style you struggle with, you might want to try out Nittaku Fastarc C1 which is a little bit softer and therefore requires less effort to activate the catapult.

Our all-time favorite, the Nittaku Fastarc G1, is made from a combination of top-quality natural and synthetic materials, and its sponge hardness of 47.5 degrees makes it slightly harder than the Yasaka Rakza 7. This balance of control and power results in a harmonious playing experience. The main advantage of the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is its high speed, spin and control making it an excellent choice for players who want to overpower their opponents. Other than extremely springy rubbers like Butterfly Tenergy 05, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 doesn't have the characteristic of letting the ball jump off the racket too fast and unexpectedly. Some tensor rubbers with non-linear catapult effect make it difficult to predict how hard you need to hit the ball, especially in the short game when doing pushes. With Fastarc G1, this is no problem because this rubber never lets the ball jump off the racket in an unexpected way. The main drawback of the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is that a certain skill level is required to activate all its power as mentioned earlier in this article.

Yasaka Rakza 7

Yasaka is a Japanese company that has been producing high-quality table tennis equipment for over 90 years. With a strong commitment to performance and innovation, Yasaka was one of the leading brands in the 90s and especially their top seller rubber Mark V was widely used by players around the world, especially in Sweden which is one of Yasaka's key markets, and the company has a long-standing relationship with the Swedish table tennis community. Yasaka has sponsored and supported many of Sweden's top players, helping them to achieve success on the international stage. One of the most notable examples of Yasaka's relationship with Swedish players was Jan-Ove Waldner. Waldner, widely regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players of all time, used Yasaka equipment throughout his career and helped to popularize the brand in Sweden. Today, Yasaka is supporting players like Double World Champion Mattias Falck who is using both, blade and rubbers, from Yasaka.

The Yasaka Rakza 7 is known for its outstanding balance of speed, spin and control. This rubber is made from a mixture of natural and synthetic materials, and its sponge hardness of 46 degrees makes it only barely softer than Fastarc G1. It has a pronounced catapult effect as well, providing ample power to put your opponent under pressure. The small difference in sponge hardness however, allows the player to use the catapult effect with a bit less effort which means that you need to put less power into the stroke in order to generate speed through the catapult effect.

Differences in speed, spin and control

When it comes to speed, both the Nittaku Fastarc G1 and Yasaka Rakza 7 are fast, making them excellent options for players who prefer an energetic style of play. However, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is slightly faster, making it an excellent choice for players who are looking to maximize their speed and power. In terms of spin, both rubbers perform exceptionally well. The Yasaka Rakza 7 is renowned for its spin-generating abilities and this is evident on all types of shots, including serves and returns. The Nittaku Fastarc G1 also generates great spin on all types of shots, making it a great choice for players who want to take their spin game to the next level. In terms of control, we do see both rubbers on a similar level. Overall, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is slightly faster, which may make it a bit harder to control for players who are not used to playing with fast rubbers. However, its high quality materials and slightly harder sponge (47.5 degrees) provide good control, making it suitable for skilled players looking to maximize their speed and power.

Which rubber for which skill level?

Both of these rubbers are suitable for players of intermediate to advanced skill levels, with the Yasaka Rakza 7 being a better option for players who have less power in their strokes, and the Nittaku Fastarc G1 being ideal for energetic players looking to maximize their speed and power which makes this rubber also an option for semi-professionals and even fully professionals like world class player Mima Ito (JPN) who uses Fastarc G1 on her backhand while Rakza 7 is not being used by any of world's top table tennis professionals.

Rakza 7 – Skill level recommendation

• For intermediate and advanced players
• Good if you cannot stroke very hard
• Decent option if your game is very spin-oriented

Fastarc G1 – Skill level recommendation

• For intermediate, advanced and (semi-) professional players
• Good if you can hit the ball very hard
• Can generate lots of speed when player puts in lots of power

Summary: Main differences between Fastarc G1 and Rakza 7

• Fastarc G1 is a bit harder than Rakza 7
• Fastarc G1 requires more power to activate catapult effect
• Fastarc G1 has more top end speed than Rakza 7
• Rakza 7 can activate catapult effect with less effort
• Rakza 7 has less top end speed compared to Fastarc G1
• Both are very similar in terms of spin and control
• Both are available at similar prices around $45

Softer alternatives: Fastarc C1 & Rakza 7 Soft

For players who prefer a softer touch and increased control, there are also the Nittaku Fastarc C1 and Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft available. Both of these rubbers are designed with a softer sponge and are ideal for developing players. Please keep in mind though that Fastarc C1's sponge at 43° is only slightly softer than Fastarc G1 (47.5°) while Rakza 7 Soft is extremely soft at 39° and therefore very different in terms of playing characteristics.