Butterfly Feint Long III – High-Control Long Pips for Aggressive Defense
Butterfly Feint Long III is an advanced long pips table tennis rubber designed for aggressive defensive players seeking strong backspin, high control, and spin variation. With soft, flexible pips, an ultra-soft sponge, and precise Japanese craftsmanship, Feint Long III delivers outstanding stability, disruptive trajectories, and offensive capability. Made in Japan and ITTF-approved, this rubber is a popular choice among defenders, including ITTF World Tour player Ruwen Filus. It’s ideal for modern defensive play with 40+ plastic balls.

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Long pips

• Speed: 110/100

• Spin: 112/100

• Control: 92/100

• Stability: 8/10

• Variation: 3/10

• Sponge Hardness: 25° (super soft)

• Sponge Thicknesses: 0.5 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, OX (no sponge)

• Colors: Red, Black

• Origin: Japan

• Approval: ITTF approved

Feint Long III stands out for its construction that balances deception, control, and attacking potential, meeting the needs of aggressive defenders:

• Ultra-soft sponge (25°): Rated 25° on the Butterfly scale (around 30–35° ESN), the sponge provides exceptional feel and high control. Its porous, lightweight structure absorbs the opponent’s energy, easing heavy chops and chop-blocks. Compared to Feint Long II (38°), this sponge is softer, offering more control and stronger backspin, though less speed when attacking.

• Long pips top sheet: Features soft, flexible pips optimized for moderate bend and compliant with ITTF’s length-to-diameter aspect ratio. Slightly firmer than Feint Long II, yet more flexible than Feint AG, the pips offer strong backspin and moderate disruption (variation: 3/10). Durable and plastic-ball optimized. Compared to TSP Curl P4, Feint Long III’s pips are softer, yielding greater control and heavier spin.

• Pip geometry: Long and thin pips with optimized spacing, designed for heavy backspin and stable defensive strokes (stability: 8/10). Their medium flexibility allows for trajectory manipulation, generating heavy backspin or disruptive “flat” returns. Compared to Feint Long II, the pips are less aggressive but offer better control for strong chops.

• No High Tension tech: Unlike Feint AG, Feint Long III does not use High Tension technology, limiting its speed but enhancing natural feel, control, and spin generation. Offers more stability for distant chop strokes, but demands skill when attacking.

Available sponge thicknesses: 0.5 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, and OX:

• OX: Maximum variation and deception

• 0.5 mm: Easier for defense

• 1.1 mm & 1.3 mm: Suitable for aggressive chops with attacking possibilities
  Very lightweight (uncut ~50g, cut ~30–35g for OX, ~35–38g with sponge), similar to Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker or Nittaku Pimplemini. Colors meet ITTF standards. Butterfly recommends using Free Chack glue or Chack Sheet for mounting.

Technical ratings tailored to aggressive defenders emphasizing spin and control:

• Speed (110/100): Slow rubber typical for long pips, ideal for chops, chop-blocks, and controlled blocks. Slower than Feint Long II (126/100), prioritizing defense and spin over attack.

• Spin (112/100): Generates strong backspin, ideal for heavy chops and chop-blocks. Soft pips manipulate the opponent’s spin to create disruptive effects. Compared to Feint AG (63/100), Feint Long III offers significantly higher spin potential.

• Control (92/100): Excellent control for a long pips rubber, supporting stable chops, chop-blocks, and near-table blocks. Compared to Feint Long II (~4/10), Feint Long III provides improved control due to its soft sponge and optimized pip geometry.

• Trajectory: Low and heavy with backspin – typical of long pips. Perfect for deep defensive chops. The disruptive effect is lower than Feint Long II (variation 3/10), but it provides more stable and controlled trajectories. Users highlight the rubber’s “heavy spin” and “stability,” especially during chop strokes.

Pairs well with defensive and allround blades due to its light weight:

• Butterfly Innershield Layer ZLF: Maximizes feel and control for chop shots

• Butterfly Hadraw Shield: Enhances stability and spin, suitable for classic defense

• Butterfly Petr Korbel: Balanced for both offense and defense, used by Ruwen Filus

• Butterfly Gionis Carbon Allround: Adds stability and light speed for aggressive chops

Also works well with other defensive blades like Stiga Defensive Classic, where the soft sponge and flexible pips compensate for the blade’s hardness, improving control and spin. Recommended for backhand with OX or 0.5 mm sponge for maximum spin effect, or 1.1 mm/1.3 mm for more offensive potential. Optimized for plastic balls, as the pips generate heavy spin effectively.

Butterfly Feint Long III is designed for aggressive defenders prioritizing heavy spin and control:

• For high-level defenders like Ruwen Filus who master long pips techniques and want strong backspin and stability

• For advanced players seeking a rubber that combines defense and offensive options near the table

• For long-distance defensive play: Heavy chops, chop-blocks, and reverse backspin

• For near-table offense: Blocks, flat hits, and counterattacks

The rubber is highly effective in chop strokes (9.0/10) due to its heavy backspin and high control. In chop-blocks (8.8/10), it offers stability and disruptive effects. In blocking (8.5/10), the pips allow for controlled returns. Offensively (8.0/10), it’s limited but viable for occasional attacks. Compared to Feint Long II, Feint Long III offers more control and spin focus, with less variation. Users praise the rubber’s “heavy spin” and “control” but note it requires skill for offensive use.

Feint Long III

Feint Long III

Feint Long III