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DHS Hurricane Long 5
Blade description:
The DHS Hurricane Long 5 is a top-tier table tennis blade tailored for aggressive players who prioritize speed and spin without sacrificing control. Constructed with a unique composition of 7 plies that incorporates aryl-carbon fiberboard and pith-film technology, the Hurricane Long 5 boasts a thickness of 5.7mm and a weight averaging around 92g, which offers a well-balanced feel conducive to both power and finesse. This blend of materials delivers an excellent stiffness rating of 5.1 and a hardness of 6.2, creating a blade that channels a potent mix of speed and stability, particularly beneficial for looping and driving.
The blade’s medium flex adds an extra layer of adaptability, allowing players to execute varied strokes from both near and far off the table. Many users praised its ability to maintain control during powerful shots, thanks to the large sweet spot and superior dwell time, thus making it less likely for the ball to sail long if properly executed. The Hurricane Long 5 is not just fast; it is also extremely forgiving, which allows for touch play and precision shots to be executed effectively, making it ideal for all levels from intermediate to advanced players.
For those seeking alternatives, the Hurricane Long 5 is often compared with blades like the Timo Boll ALC and Stiga Infinity VPS V. However, this blade stands out for its unique blend of speed and control, especially when paired with hard and tacky Chinese rubbers. Players who favor European-style rubbers may find less success with it, highlighting its design that is inherently suited for players who embrace the Chinese looping technique. In summary, the DHS Hurricane Long 5 is a must-try for any serious table tennis enthusiast looking to elevate their game through a combination of power, control, and versatility.
Recent Reviews
#1 — April 2023
I first tried it with the recommended H3 but didn’t like it; it was too fast and lacked control. I changed to H3-50, which is much better and easier to play with. Maybe when I’ll get used to it I’ll switch back to H3.
If it’s your first Chinese-style setup, don’t start with the classic, hard H3; glue something softer (but still with a sticky top sheet or you’ll miss the point).
A thing that I like with this HL5 is that despite the ALC layer, it doesn’t behave like other ALCs I have tried; it has a much softer all-wood feeling. This is thanks to the inner structure and limba-limba outer plys. So if you don’t like the feeling of ALC (let alone pure carbon), try this one.
Also, this blade is a little “difficult” to master because it clearly has two distinctive speeds that aren’t linear. Slow game and servicing are easy, with huge spin abilities. But when you attack hard, at mid-to-long distance, the blade becomes a wild beast requiring some pretty advanced skill to be tamed. Hence I don’t recommend this blade to beginners.
Anyway, although not being among the fastest blades around, it’s fast enough for Ma Long, so I doubt anyone needs anything faster.
A bad point of this blade is the finish: on mine, the wings had fibers protruding, and the handle base was almost sharp. I had to sand all that, which is a shame considering the price of the blade.
My conclusion: it’s one of the few blades designed for advanced players, fast, and still offering an excellent feeling. But I’m pretty sure you can find similar, cheaper options, with a better finish; they just won’t have Ma Long’s mojo :).
#2 — January 2023
Review: 91g St Handle
This review pertains to the 91g St handle blade, featuring a forehand Provincial H3 Neo 38 degree rubber and a backhand Gold Arc 5 rubber, both professionally tuned with three layers. The total weight is 194g.
This blade is highly recommended for players who are proficient in utilizing its versatile capabilities. While some reviews have categorized it as excessively fast or excessively slow, it can be ascertained that it excels in delivering solid high-end shots and can be adjusted to an all+ level of play based on the player’s skill level.
The ST handle is one of its standout features, offering a slightly large size that provides excellent comfort and control. It enhances backhand shots, surpassing the flare handle that previously posed challenges. However, handle preference is subjective, and some players may find other handle styles more suitable.
The weight distribution exhibits a slight bias towards the head, which contributes to a comfortable playing experience. This blade shares similarities with the Tibhar Power Wood but incorporates a more flexible carbon layer and slightly increased speed, resulting in a woody feel characteristic of the HL5.
The HL5 is an exceptional choice for loopers, demonstrating proficiency even in chopping techniques. It is highly recommended for players with refined spin capabilities.
#3 — March 2022
Amazing blade, but you really need a coach to get the full potential. Not recommended for beginners.