Nittaku
Specialist
Long pipsDEFClassicITTF
Nittaku Specialist is a 2005 long-pips-out sheet for chopping, reversal and disruption made in Japan. It belongs to the Specialist series, is ITTF-approved, and is aimed at defensive (DEF) players who want defensive chopping, fishing and disruption.
8.2 community score · 90 reviews · €32
About Specialist
Specialist uses classic (non-tensor) sponge with longer dwell and a more linear feel and a pips-out topsheet. Manufacturer sponge hardness is 0° (Classic); a cut sheet is about 26 g. Factory sponge thicknesses: OX, 0.5, 0.9, 1.2.
On the TableTennisReview 0–100 index the Combined figures are speed 46, spin 72 and control 88 (official mapping 46 / 72 / 88). That is a control-first long pips profile for defensive chopping, fishing and disruption. Hardness, weight and thickness above are factory facts — not lab tests.
Community score 8.2 / 10 from 90 reviews. Indicative European street price €32. Compare Specialist with other Nittaku Specialist and long pips rubbers on the same scale, or open the catalogue filters for DEF long pips sheets.
Playing specs
Blend of official and community. Community weight 47% with 90 reviews (20–60% as sample size grows).
Speed46
Spin72
Control88
Tick mark on each bar is the official value.
Factory specifications
- Hardness
- 0°
- Weight
- 26 g
- Year
- 2005
- Made in
- Japan
- Series
- Specialist
Factory thicknesses
Factory options: OX, 0.5, 0.9, 1.2. OX means no sponge. Combined figures describe this SKU; an OX sibling with its own product page is a different sheet.
- OX
- 0.5
- 0.9
- 1.2
- OX
- No sponge. On long pips this usually means more reversal and a deader return; on antispin it is a very dead ball. It is a different SKU from the sponged sheet when the shop lists both.
- 0.5
- A very thin sponge under pips or anti. Slightly more speed than OX, still disruption-first.
- 0.9
- Thin pips sponge. More controllable than OX, less float. A common chopping thickness.
- 1.2
- Mid pips sponge. Faster chops and blocks than OX; less reversal.
Factory sponge hardness is unlisted on this sheet. That is a missing catalogue fact, not a zero-feel rubber.
Vs type average
Combined index against other long pips rubbers. Toggle Official / Community in the spec card — the chart stays on Combined so filters stay comparable.
- Specialist
- Type avg
Zoomed 20–100 scale · the inner ring is 20, not 0, so gaps around the average actually show.
Speed
46
-6 vs Type avg
Spin
72
+15 vs Type avg
Control
88
+2 vs Type avg