Victas Curl P1V Review – The“Hexagonal Warrior”of Long Pips Rubbers

When I was younger, I used to wonder what kind of long pips rubbers professional table tennis players used. I always guessed it might be something like the Dawei 338D series, since that one was so popular and classic. But later I found out that most pros actually use Victas Curl P1V — a real legend among long pips rubbers, and one that never goes out of style. As many players know, TSP has always been famous for its pimpled rubbers. Their short and medium pips are well-known, and even in long pips, they’ve been at the top for years. According to a recent sales ranking from Table Tennis Kingdom magazine in Japan, four out of the top ten long pips were TSP rubbers — including Curl P-3, P-3 OX, P-1R, and P-4 Chop. Meanwhile, Victas VO>102, one of their best short pips rubbers, is still among the top three best sellers. So I decided to do an in-depth review comparing the Victas Curl P1V, my personal favorite Dawei 338D-1, and the highly popular Tibhar Grass D.TecS. I’ll take a close look at their strengths and weaknesses to see how each one performs overall.

Overall Impression of  Victas Curl P1V

The Victas Curl P1V is the successor to the legendary TSP Curl P-1R long pips rubber. The original P-1R became world-famous not only for its exceptional variation and speed but also because it was used by the renowned Korean chopper Joo Se Hyuk. This long pips rubber was known for its high level of spin reversal, unpredictable trajectory, and excellent control—making it one of the top choices among professional defensive players. It offered outstanding value for its performance, producing tricky and floating returns that made it a true weapon for choppers. After TSP discontinued the P-1R, Victas Curl P1V took its place as the modern successor. It is currently used by Ni Xialian, another world-class defensive player. Overall, the P1V features thin and flexible pips that can bend easily to create rich spin variations. When chopping, it generates a strong floating and sinking effect that makes it difficult for opponents to predict the ball’s movement. At the same time, it’s not limited to defense — the P1V is versatile enough for both defense and counterattack. Players can use it to control the pace and direction in defensive play, or take advantage of its pip elasticity for quick counter-hits, making it ideal for modern all-round defensive players who like to mix defense with sudden attacks.

Attack and Speed

I tested the Victas Curl P1V in three different sponge thicknesses — OX, 0.5mm, and 1.0mm. Overall, the word that best describes this rubber is stability. It performs well in every aspect and doesn’t really have any major weaknesses. In terms of speed and attacking ability, the Tibhar Grass D.TecS is definitely faster and more elastic — probably the bounciest long pips I’ve ever used. But that extra speed comes with a big downside: when facing a strong loop or smash, the ball can easily fly off the table, making it harder to control. The Victas P1V, on the other hand, isn’t as fast or bouncy as the Grass, but it’s still noticeably more powerful than the Dawei 338D-1. Whether you’re pushing or flat-hitting with a penhold or shakehand grip, the ball comes off the racket solidly and lands on the table more consistently. Lately, I’ve been practicing attacking with long pips, trying to imitate players like Ni Xialian, who can lift backspin balls or drive with added force like traditional penhold long pips players. When I used the Dawei 338D-1, I felt I had to hit the ball right in the sweet spot to keep it on the table. But with the Victas P1V, the experience is totally different — it feels like the “sweet spot” is larger. Of course, “sweet spot” usually refers to the blade, not the rubber, but it’s a good way to describe how forgiving the P1V is. The margin for error is much wider, and even slightly off-center hits still produce solid, controllable shots. Honestly, after testing it, I’m seriously considering switching to the Victas Curl P1V for my future matches. That said, if your game is purely close-to-the-table attacking, I’d still recommend the 0.5mm version, which is a more classic setup for that style. However, since I often rely on chopping and defensive play, I personally prefer the OX version, which gives me better control and feel when defending.

Spin Reversal

When it comes to close-to-the-table defense, the Victas Curl P1V produces very heavy and sinking returns. This has a lot to do with its pip structure — the pips are thin and tall, which makes the ball behave unpredictably and creates a wide range of spin variations. Many long-pip players, especially amateurs, love this kind of “weird” effect — one shot floats, the next one suddenly drops — leaving opponents guessing what’s coming next. In this aspect, the P1V performs really well. However, if we compare it to the Dawei 338D-1, the P1V’s disruptive effect is slightly less extreme. That said, stability is where the Victas P1V truly shines. While the 338D-1 is more unpredictable, it’s also harder to control and tends to cause more unforced errors, requiring a higher skill level to handle effectively. The provincial version of the 338D-1 performs better, but still doesn’t match the overall balance and reliability of the P1V. So, if your budget allows, the Victas Curl P1V is definitely worth trying — especially for players who want a good mix of spin reversal, variation, and solid control.

Control

When it comes to control, there’s no question that the Victas Curl P1V outperforms both the Dawei 338D-1 and Tibhar Grass D.TecS. No matter what type of long-pip technique you use — chopping, blocking, brushing, or short pushes — the P1V offers exceptional precision in ball placement. In this area, very few long pips can even come close. The Grass D.TecS clearly falls behind here. Its extreme elasticity gives it incredible speed, but that also means you need excellent touch and timing to keep the ball on the table. A slight misjudgment, and the ball can easily pop up or fly long. The provincial version of the 338D-1 actually has impressive control as well — nearly perfect, in fact. It performs very well in short play, attacking, and chopping, which are among its biggest strengths. Still, when comparing the two, I personally prefer the Victas Curl P1V for its unmatched balance between precision and stability.

Chopping

As a defensive chopper, what I care about most is how a rubber performs when chopping. In the Victas Curl series, there’s actually a model designed specifically for chopping — the Curl P4V. But interestingly, many of the world’s top choppers, like Joo Sae Hyuk and Seo Hyo Won, still prefer to use the Curl P1V. In my own testing, the P1V delivered very stable chops with strong backspin. The Dawei 338D-1, on the other hand, tends to produce a bit more float, which can sometimes cause opponents to misread the spin. In real matches, consistency matters more than unpredictability, so it makes sense that most professional choppers choose the more stable and well-balanced P1V. Compared to the P1V, the Curl P4V has softer pips, giving a gentler and smoother feel when chopping. Chinese chopper Ma Te is known for using this one. The P1V’s pips are slightly harder, creating a crisper, more “cutting” sensation when slicing the ball. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. I usually play with all-wood blades, which are relatively soft, so I prefer pairing them with a firmer long pips rubber like the P1V. But if your blade is harder — especially if it has carbon layers — then a softer rubber like the P4V might be a better match.

Last Thought about Victas Curl P1V

Overall, the Victas Curl P1V is one of the most well-balanced long pips rubbers on the market. It doesn’t have any obvious weaknesses — every aspect of its performance is steady and reliable. At higher levels of play, consistency and control matter more than unpredictable spin, and that’s exactly where the P1V shines. I’d call it the “all-round warrior” among long pips rubbers. For players who are looking for high cost-effectiveness, the Dawei 338D-1 is an excellent choice. It’s very affordable, and once your skills improve, you can upgrade to the provincial version, which delivers even better performance at a reasonable price. If you’re after powerful offensive play, then the Tibhar Grass D.TecS is the one for you. It’s fast, elastic, and built for aggressive shots — though it requires good control and a solid technique to handle. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s also quite durable, so it lasts a long time. Finally, if what you want is stability and all-round performance, then the Victas Curl P1V is hard to beat. It performs well both close to the table and away from it, making it a great choice for players who like a balanced style and want a rubber that can handle all kinds of techniques. Which rubber or blade would you like me to test next? Let me know in the comments below!