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Review: Dignics 05

Author: Karel Malík

DIGNICS 05 is a rubber that revolutionized the world of table tennis, as the majority of the world's TOP players have switched to it.

It’s not every day that you see the absolute elite of world table tennis switch to a single type of rubber in such massive numbers. In the past, whenever this happened, it always marked a fundamental and groundbreaking moment in TT history. The common denominator has always been the brand that sets the trends in equipment—BUTTERFLY.

Sriver, Bryce, and Tenergy 05 were rubbers that progressively and fundamentally changed the world of table tennis. Now, it seems a new giant has emerged: Dignics 05. Judge for yourself—within a very short time, stars like Timo Boll, Tomokazu Harimoto, Lin Gaoyuan, Jun Mizutani, Liu Shiwen, and many others have made the switch.

What happened in the world of TT equipment? Why is this happening, and what kind of rubber is it exactly? Can Dignics 05 truly become the next legend in history? I will try to answer these questions in the following review.

So, if you love "ping pong" and enjoy reading about equipment, don't hesitate. Grab a coffee or a cold beer from the fridge, and settle in.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Before I get into the rubber itself, I must go back deep into history. Around 1998, Butterfly began developing a brand-new rubber that would eventually become a legend: Tenergy 05. The goal back then was clear: to create a rubber with an integrated "speed glue effect" without players needing volatile glues to "help" it.

That development took 10 years. When the speed glue ban took effect in 2008 (the Beijing Olympics being the last "gluing" event), Tenergy 05 hit the market and completely dominated the competition. The entire world elite started playing with it.

But the Japanese wouldn't be themselves if they didn't try to improve things further. Around 2010, Butterfly’s research team began preparing an upgraded version of the now-famous Spring Sponge. The initial development of Dignics 05 took five years, followed by four years of fine-tuning details to account for the introduction of plastic balls.

According to Butterfly.co.jp, over 200 samples were tested by top stars. With the help of players like Zhang Jike, Jun Mizutani, and Timo Boll, they chose the same pimple structure as Tenergy 05 for Dignics 05. However, the sponge, labeled Spring Sponge X, has a different character, color, and hardness, and the top sheet is technologically different from Tenergy 05.

Putting Dignics 05 to the Test

Thanks to the courtesy of the TT shop vsenastolnitenis.cz, I was able to test Dignics 05 in 2.1 mm (Red). I ask for some indulgence—I am not an elite-level player. My ceiling was the Czech 2nd League in my younger years. Now I play in lower divisions with an ELO around 1850. My level is on the boundary between recreational and competitive. Therefore, this review is intended primarily for players in these "waters." Professionals may have a completely different opinion.

Having played with all versions of Tenergy and Bryce High Speed, I will occasionally compare Dignics 05 to the current icon, Tenergy 05.

Technical Specs (Manufacturer Data):

• Dignics 05: Speed 13.5 / Spin 12 / Sponge Hardness 40

• Tenergy 05: Speed 13 / Spin 11.5 / Sponge Hardness 36

Looks tempting, doesn't it? A faster and spinier Tenergy 05. Butterfly claims that thanks to Spring Sponge X, the arc and "range" have increased, with the ball penetrating 14% deeper into the sponge.

Test Setup:

• Blade: Moonbeam

• Dignics 05 RED 2.1 mm vs. Tenergy 05 2.1 mm

• Glue: Free Chack PRO (2 layers on rubber, 1 on blade, no boosting).

• Tested multiple times against division-level attackers, material players, and long-pips defenders.

First Impressions: Spring Sponge X is not as "porous" as its predecessor and absorbs glue very quickly. The top sheet has the same pimple geometry as T05, but the rubber is lighter in color, more translucent, and feels softer to the touch. The weight (95g packaged) is almost identical to T05.

Performance Breakdown

• Speed: I find Dignics 05 slightly—and I mean slightly—faster than T05. I’d put it at the speed level of Tenergy 80.

• Spin: Here I disagree with the manufacturer. In my opinion, Dignics 05 doesn't have the same spin potential as Tenergy 05. There was "a hair" less spin. It doesn't have the same "GRIP" as T05. You feel the ball "bite," but less so than with Tenergy.

• Catapult: Dignics 05 has a higher catapult than T05. Again, similar to Tenergy 80, but the ball goes much deeper into the rubber.

• Arc (Trajectory): On topspin, the arc feels roughly the same (maybe a tiny bit higher). However, on counters and drives, the arc of Dignics 05 felt lower than T05.

• Accuracy / Control: Incredibly precise. No erratic scattering. Even on high-power shots, the rubber obeys perfectly. It feels easier to play with than T05. It might be the most accurate high-performance rubber I’ve ever tried.

• Hardness: On paper, it’s 4 degrees harder, but on my blade, it feels much softer than T05—reminding me of Tenergy 80. (Note: My Moonbeam blade has a very "soft feel," which might bias this).

• Dwell Time: Here the manufacturer is telling the truth. You feel it on the first hit—the ball stays on the rubber significantly longer. A phenomenal difference compared to T05.

• Sensitivity to Incoming Spin: I felt that Dignics 05 is less sensitive to the opponent's spin, making it easier to play with than T05, which "eats" incoming spin quite a lot.

• Durability: After a month and about 25 hours of play, there are zero signs of wear—not even the usual "thumb spot." Butterfly promised high durability, and so far, they are right.

The Game Experience

• Topspin: The dominant stroke. I don't know any other rubber where topspin is played with such dynamics, yet so easily and accurately. From any distance, topspin is hard to miss. Excellent for the "first ball."

• Counter-topspin: Very safe and easy, especially at the table. From a distance, it loses a bit of that "sharpness" compared to T05 due to the softer feel.

• Service: If you can utilize the longer dwell time, you’ll be happy. Personally, I can't generate as much spin on serves as I can with T05, likely due to the higher catapult effect.

• Service Return: Excellent. You can be much more active. However, if you return passively with a "push," the catapult doesn't help much.

• Block, Drive, Smash: Very easy and more consistent than T05.

• Against Underspin (Defense): Phenomenal. I haven't played such easy, sharp shots against heavy underspin since the days of speed-glued Bryce FX.

Summary and Recommendation

Dignics 05 is a pure topspin rubber par excellence. It performs better the harder you hit. It is most suitable for aggressive topspinners playing close to the table. I believe it will pair best with blades like Viscaria or Boll ALC, where the Arylate-Carbon will further enhance its properties.

Will it become a legend like Sriver or Tenergy? It’s hard to say in an era where new products are released constantly. Furthermore, the price—2090 CZK—is a significant "catch." In our region, this is a price barrier few players will cross once the initial curiosity fades.

Regardless of the price, one thing is certain: Butterfly really nailed it with Dignics 05.

Karel Malík