Friendship 729 Battle II vs Yasaka Mark V: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Yasaka Mark V | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| best_side | FH | both |
| control | 8 | 9.5 |
| speed | 8 | 8.4 |
| spin | 9 | 8.5 |
| sponge_hardness | hard | medium (around 43 degrees ESN) |
| type | tacky | inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 47 |
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These rubbers come from different eras and philosophies. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese sheet built for spin, with elite serves, a low diving arc and long dwell, offered at a fraction of premium prices. The Mark V is a classic inverted rubber prized for class-leading control and ball placement that several reviewers rate near a perfect 10, with forgiving low spin sensitivity, excellent consistency and a very long lifespan.
On style, the Battle II is far spinnier, rated 9 for spin, and demands full committed strokes, weakening on flat smashes far from the table. The Mark V is the control specialist, rated 9.5 for control, but it has below-average spin with a flat trajectory, lower outright speed and weak passive blocking, and it was designed for celluloid balls and performs noticeably worse with modern plastic balls. It is also remarkably light at around 47 grams uncut versus 68 for the Battle II.
Pick the Battle II if you are a forehand attacker who wants to learn Chinese-style tacky spin and serving on a budget. Pick the Mark V if you are a beginner or value-focused all-rounder who wants maximum control while building technique and prizes feel, consistency and a long-lasting forgiving rubber over raw spin. The Battle II rates 8.5 to the Mark V’s 8.
FAQ
Which has more control?
The Mark V is the control leader, with class-leading control and ball placement rated near a perfect 10 and forgiving low spin sensitivity. The Battle II is controllable but hard and demanding.
Which has more spin?
The Battle II generates much more spin, rated 9 with elite serves from its tacky topsheet. The Mark V has below-average spin and a flat trajectory that does not bite the ball on loops.
Does the Mark V handle the plastic ball well?
Not as well. The Mark V was designed for celluloid balls and performs noticeably worse with modern plastic balls, whereas the Battle II handles the plastic poly ball well.
Which is lighter?
The Mark V is dramatically lighter at around 47 grams uncut, versus around 68 grams for the Battle II.