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Composite/carbon
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 :).
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.
Amazing blade, but you really need a coach to get the full potential. Not recommended for beginners.
I’m quite perplexed about this blade. I understand that the quality of the Long5 can vary significantly. I’ve experimented with several Innerforce-type ALC ZLC blades, and this one provides the most unsatisfactory experience overall.
Weighing in at 88 grams, I paired it with Dignics 09C rubbers on both sides. The speed is subdued and manageable during gentle strokes, but it lacks the pronounced ALC “punch” sensation during forceful swings. The forehand performance is adequate, while the backhand is mediocre, earning a 3 out of 5 rating.
The throw angle is unusually low and erratic. It’s the most unpleasant playing experience I’ve had with a composite blade. Despite its generally positive reviews, I have not had a similar experience. As a result, my Long5 now gathers dust in my storage, awaiting more favorable circumstances.
My lovely blade.
It’s a beautiful blade with a nice touch and feel. It’s well-made and durable. I’ve been using it for a while now and it’s still in great condition.
The blade is also very versatile. I can use it for all types of strokes, from attacking to blocking. It’s also very good for looping.
Overall, I’m very happy with this blade. It’s a great all-around blade that’s perfect for any level of player.
Using the FL version with Dignics09C on FH and D05 on BH, here are my thoughts after 2 months of playing. Before purchasing the blade, I read some reviews, and one said it was physically demanding. Back then, I couldn’t make up what that meant. Well, now I know that it perfectly describes this blade, and it does so in 2 aspects. One is that you always need to be in a good position to hit decent shots, the blade doesn’t really support the hustle shots, so good footwork is definitely needed. The other thing is the throw angle. Some reviews say that it has a high angle, well, not in my case, that’s for sure. Especially in topspin to topspin rally, you really need to move your arm upward to get the ball back on the table, and it can be tiring. Once you master the blade, it does a decent job. It’s quite slow primarily (even my all-round Yasaka Sweden Classic feels faster while driving), but it can be very fast if needed. Short game and serve return are easy due to soft outer layers. Control is high, but sometimes I experience sudden ball drops (well, it is not W968). The upside of the blade is the spin potential; it makes the ball barely pop up on the other side of the table, it’s quite difficult to play against. I don’t know if this is the best option of these types of blades, but it surely has a high potential if you’re a good player. Aaand it died after 6 months of playing, did not suffer any big falls or anything, I think the carbon layer just got broken. Every 5th ball drops, unusable. Still think W968 can be the best blade out there, but not this commercial version for sure.
This blade is highly versatile. Dropshots are easy to execute due to the limba and inner alc layers. When power is required, it can generate powerful loops. The blade flexes slightly during hard looping, propelling the ball with great speed.
Forehand play is excellent with this blade. Backhand is stable and controlled. It also provides good feedback.
Overall, this blade is highly recommended for its versatility and performance.
Such disappointment! If you are using Chinese rubbers with this blade, you will need a lot of booster and Chinese technique.
Paired with T05, it is fast but still slower than BTY ALC and ZLC. This is not a super fast blade as others describe it. It is faster than most others but not even close to BTY Zhang Jike ALC, for example. I would also state it is as fast as the Stiga Infinity VPS V all-wood blade (I owned both with the same rubbers).
It has perfect control.
Too many vibrations for my taste.
Small handle, big head size, build quality like DHS blades for 30 euros.
Just not my cup of tea…
Wood with a great bounce. A sensation of wood. Great ball control. Moderate speed, not superspeed. This blade is about feel and control. However, it has different gears. If you hit hard, you can try a winner ball. One of the most complete woods, whether or not you are a Ma Long fan. P.S: I am a user of tuned Chinese rubbers.
Using Tibhar Evolution MX-S Max on both sides, this blade offers everything you need to excel in table tennis. Its speed, control, and blocking capabilities are all top-notch. The blade also stands out with its attractive design.
Tabletennis11 not only offers this blade at the best price, but they also provide exceptional packaging and shipping services. Their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction are commendable. I highly recommend them and give them an A++++ rating.
Best blade I’ve ever used, providing perfect control and spin, with controllable speed. I’m using Hurricane Neo 3 Provincial Blue Sponge on my forehand side, and Tenergy 64 on my backhand side, which is the best setup for me. This blade has really improved my game a lot.
This blade is outstanding. I paired it with Hurricane 3 rubbers, which provided excellent performance. Blocking, countering, and other techniques were flawless and executed with great speed. I managed to purchase it at an exceptional price from [URL].
DHS Long 5: Forehand: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo 40-degree Provincial Backhand: DHS Hurricane 8 Medium/Hard
This is undoubtedly the best blade I’ve played with. It’s incredibly fast and, when handled properly, offers tremendous control and feel. However, if you don’t impart sufficient spin with good technique, the ball will travel excessively long. The control and feel are outstanding, allowing you to vary the arc height at will. You can effortlessly execute low and fast shots, as well as deep and high looping spins. The blade provides exceptional feedback, letting you sense the ball’s trajectory while also imparting explosive power. This is a testament to the blade’s exceptional quality.
The feel and control are equally impressive in the serve and short game. The paddle’s construction, with the ALC layer positioned deeper within the blade, contributes to these qualities. Previously, I used a Timo Boll ALC but found it lacked the necessary feel due to its stiff carbon composition. I switched to an all-wood Stiga Infinity VPS V blade, which offered excellent feel and maintained good speed. However, the Ma Long 5 surpasses the Stiga Infinity in both feel and speed when compared to the Timo Boll ALC.
The combination of the Long 5 and DHS Hurricane rubber enables me to generate incredible speed and spin.
The aesthetic quality and craftsmanship of the paddle are exceptional. My only minor complaint is that the beautiful blue handle tends to gather sweat, making it look unclean. However, if I intended to showcase it rather than use it, I would display it in a glass case. In fact, I love it so much that I might purchase a second one just for display.
My Blade weighs 89g, making it very fast but easy to control. It boasts a sleek design, and its thin handle provides comfort and suitability for various hand sizes.
With this Blade, you can play both close to and far from the table. Its flexibility makes it excellent for topspins, while its versatility allows for effective blocking and smashing. Its user-friendliness makes it accessible for players of all skill levels.
Despite not being a professional player and lacking perfect technique, I have found this Blade to enhance my performance significantly. Currently, I use it with Tenergry 05 FX rubbers in 1.9mm thickness for my forehand and 1.7mm for my backhand. I am highly satisfied with this combination, as it has proven to be a winning choice.
I use this blade with Hurricane 3 provincial blue sponge on the forehand and Tenergy 05 on the backhand. This blade has a particular extra gear. I noticed it the moment I changed from Viscaria with the same rubbers. This blade has a second gear when you hit the ball with more force, releasing extra power. It’s convenient for looping far from the table.
The combination of rubbers, like the Hurricane 3 provincial blue sponge in the forehand, helps a lot with flicks near the net. However, when it comes to looping against backspin, you need to do the full mechanism; otherwise, you’re more likely to sink into the net.
Another advantage is that counterlooping is really amazing. I can say without a doubt that it’s the principal characteristic of this blade and rubber combination. On the other hand, the backhand using Tennergy 05 helps when using blocks or active blocks and when you find the opportunity for looping with control.
This blade is for players who prefer Chinese philosophy over European, with long strokes and perfect techniques. Otherwise, avoid this selection; it’s not for you.
Mine is the new version (not HL5X) (around 157 mm, not 162 mm, 6.1 mm thickness, 91-92 grams). My old blade was Viscaria (hologram, 91 grams). When I try HL5, the feeling of this blade is very fantastic. My game improves a lot in speed, spin, ball placement, and blocking. I can control every shot I play. I sold my Viscaria and will stick with this one from now on. (FH: T05, BH: DG05 sticked with both blades I told you).
This is a high-speed blade. Only highly professional players can handle the speed. However, consistency is less for me. The ball is not landing where I am expecting it to.
I think the review of HL5 is the exact reason why reviews on revspin can be misleading. That is, you have to take them with a grain of salt. Anyone with some level of knowledge in TT equipment would know that there is just no way this blade can be faster than some of the obviously faster blades like Primorac/Schlager carbon, many of the ZLCs or ALCs with outer carbon placement.
HL5 is a great blade in the sense that it does offer more control than the aforementioned blades and is more suitable for loopers. However, if you don’t have a well-developed looping technique, you will not realize the potential from the blade and will find it rather slow versus the other OFF/OFF+ rated blades.
Review
The blade is fast yet still in good control. I tried both tacky rubber and tensor rubber on it and the blade gave fantastic performance in different styles of play. No wonder Ma Long trusts this blade for years.
Now I used Nittaku Hurricane Turbo on this blade. Blue sponge on the forehand and orange on the backhand.
The blade has a good balance between speed and control. It’s fast enough for aggressive shots, but not too fast for controlled play. The blade also has a good amount of dwell time, which allows for more spin and control on shots.
Overall, the blade is a good choice for players who want a balance between speed and control. It’s also a good choice for players who want a blade that allows for more spin and control on shots.
Excellent CONTROL. I recommend this as the second blade for mature professional, old, handicapped players, and especially ladies who prefer an ergonomic approach. The first blade can be any beginner blade. The second blade is for comparing with the first and for conditioning and developing shots. In time (not far away), this blade will also retire, but for now, if you’ve decided to play forehand loop and fast counter, don’t waste time, money, or effort on soft control bats. Training is training, not accustoming comfort and letting the racket help the player. You are either good with full power swings, or you are second-class and need material to help you; if you need material to help, why follow that path? I am not striving to win only. I treat table tennis as physical exercise and mental development, so I play Calderano FOCO instead. I like big, powerful swings. You cannot say that a Boeing 777 has more control than a Mig25. Control by the racket for me is measured by: 1. speed of slam, 2. speed of loop, 3. speed of ball reverse back to the net, 4. reduced movements for altering, placements, and the speed a wide shot is achieved - it’s all about speed. Ultimately, CONTROL is not assistance in play. We need to train control and discover God’s gift. I recommend this blade for ladies. (All wood for men!) But the cheaper Donic Waldner Ultra Senso blade is very similar.
I was using Euro/Jap rubbers when I first bought this blade and was underwhelmed. In fact, I switched to my Hurricane Hao 3 because I preferred the feel, balance (less head heavy), and handle, although it was lower powered.
This all changed when I put a Chinese rubber (Hurricane 3 Neo) on the forehand of the Long 5, and the whole thing came alive. Everything instantly felt perfect: counter-looping, short pushes, chop-blocks…this setup (Nittaku Hammond Pro-Beta b/h) could do everything quicker and with as much control as anything I’d tried before.
If you don’t get on with Chinese rubbers (F/H), this blade might not be for you, but if you like to go Chinese on the forehand, you have to try this blade.
Great blade for both extremes of the spectrum: control shots (such as blocking, pushing, and drop shots) and power shots (loops, smashes, drives, punches). Before having the Ma Long 5, I had the Ovtcharov Carbospeed 5 (which was also very good), but when I switched to the Ma Long 5, I could much more easily lift underspin balls. I also felt more speed and more consistency on my attacks.
If you are upgrading to this blade from an all-wood or a slower blade, just be wary that your hits will probably go long at first, will take some time to adjust.
The only con about this blade for me is the handle, which is quite thin. I have small hands and theoretically it should be great for small hands, but I prefer the thicker handles such as the Timo Boll ALC and Viscaria.
Otherwise, it is the best blade for its price (~$150).
The blade weighs 92g and has a thickness of 6.0mm. It features a soft wood surface that is prone to splintering and requires sealing. The packaging is high-quality and includes a Ma Long signature card. It comes with a DHS double zip bag.
It requires a break-in period of approximately two months. It is faster than the PG7 and PG9 blades but has less vibration than the Power Wood blade. However, it vibrates more than the Innerforce ZLC and Timo B ZLC blades, maintaining a medium wood feel.
This is a powerful blade suitable for skilled players with fast and strong hands. It is not recommended for beginners. It is ideal for Ma Long-style players and excels in topspin-to-topspin exchanges away from the table.
The only drawback is its high price point.
It’s a very good blade that offers speed, control, and decent dwell time. However, it’s not recommended for beginners who should start with all-wood blades. This blade is versatile and can be paired with various rubbers. It’s not advisable to use excessively soft rubbers with this blade.
Have several HL 5’s, but have not really developed to like either one. Maybe this blade is for the 2200+ level players. Under 2000 players might not appreciate this blade.
Updated: used rasanter R47 on HL5 and loved it instantly.
The DHS Hurricane Long 5 is a fast and high-end composite blade for relentless offensive play, while still allowing an excellent short game.
The high speed of the Hurricane Long 5 allows for more compact and controlled strokes even when playing with relatively slow and tacky Chinese rubber like the Hurricane 8. If combined with faster rubbers, this will yield a blistering fast set-up.
Compared to the 7-ply Hurricane Long 3, the 5+2 ply Hurricane Long 5 is faster, stiffer, and more direct. Read our full review of Long 5 and Long 3: http://blog.tabletennis11.com/dhs-hurricane-long-3-and-long-5-review.
I’m using Goldarc 8 (50 hardness) on both sides, and it works really well with this blade. I had to make slight adjustments with my forehand side because the dwell time is much higher than my backhand. You can create strong spin with these rubbers, and looping is such a delight. You can execute various strokes, including blocking, pushing, flicking, top spinning, counter top/looping, and opening up easily. To fully utilize the blade’s potential, focus on refining your technique. Enjoy!
Fantastic blade that plays excellently in short games and has a very high catapult effect far from the table. Underspin balls and counterloops are dominant aspects of Hurricane Long V.
I recommend only hard Chinese tacky rubber (I use H3NEO 40 degrees) for FH and soft rubber for BH (Yinhe Moon Soft).
Blade Specs:
DHS Long 5 with Butterfly Tenergy 05 BH 2.1mm + Tenergy 64 FH 2.1mm
Performance:
This combination is lightning-fast, providing exceptional control. However, for some players, the blade may exhibit a slight tendency towards flexibility.
Strengths:
The DHS Long 5 excels in forehand looping and backhand flicking, offering ample dwell time for precise shot placement.
Weaknesses:
Smashing with the DHS Long 5 may be somewhat underwhelming due to its combination of blade flexibility and moderate feel.
Alternative Recommendation:
For players seeking a different blade option, the Butterfly Garaydia T5000 offers a slightly adjusted performance profile.
This blade is nice, but it’s heavy when I put Hurricane 8 and Tenergy 05 FX on it. It really has a good feel.
This blade is great. I use DHS Hurricane 3 Neo National on the forehand and Andro Rasant Grip on the backhand. I can loop a ball far away from the table very easily. I feel it is very easy to return.
Magnificent blade that pairs beautifully with the Hurricane Neo 3 National and Tenergy 05.
If you’re a looper, then this is the best blade for you! I’m currently using Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial blue sponge in forehand and Tenergy 64 in the backhand. I really love this setup, and this is my common setup for any blade.
I know you are wondering why I’m using T64 in an off++ blade. HL5 is definitely a super-fast blade but has a soft touch that gives a huge amount of control in every contact. I was using Viscaria for the past years and I really loved it, but after using this HL5, my whole game improved a lot! I sold my Viscaria and stuck to this one. It’s a beast in all aspects!
You just need to learn the proper stroke of the rubber that you will put on it because for sure it will act differently in different kinds of rubber. It takes time to learn how to properly use this but it will be all worth it!
The blade is heavy, weighing in at 94 grams for the one I received. The handle is a bit thin, but once you get used to it, you can play some powerful shots from close, mid-distance, and far away from the table. Even though the outer wood is limba, it feels medium-hard. It’s easy to hit powerful smashes and loops from near and far off the table. This blade is also good for loopers. Overall, it’s a great blade from DHS.
I’m using this blade with Nittaku Fastarc G-1 on FH and Tibhar 5Q+ (power update) on BH. This blade truly brings out the great spin/speed potential of both these rubbers. It’s fast but has excellent control in blocks and pushes. The appropriate amount of flexibility and stiffness makes strokes over the table and away easy to execute. Power is unleashed when you hit hard. You can enjoy touch play and pushes at extreme angles. It’s excellent for looping/driving. I’m even able to hit good B/H topspins/counter from mid/far.
Moreover, it has a thin handle that very well suits my small palm size.
Compared to my previous choice (Carbonado 190), this blade is not overly stiff, which helps in over the table B/H loops/flicks, but stiff enough for good blocking. Also, it is not a low throw blade unlike Carbonado 190, so the ball clears the net safely.
The carbon layer in the blade is not close to the surface, and hence control in soft touches, blocks, and pushes is always maintained. Power is unleashed when you drive through the ball.
Highly recommended for people who attack more and use block defense in between to maintain the rally and then again go for attacking strokes!
The blade is very fast, with an insane catapult effect. Mine came in at 93g with a 5.7mm thickness. I tried putting two max Rasant Powergrip/Grip rubbers (very heavy, 52g cut) on it, and the blade flexed all the time (looping/blocking).
I’m now using two max rubbers again, but with lighter ones (Calibra Tour H and Joola MaxxXP “47g cut”). I’m very happy with the setup.
If your setup exceeds 190g, this blade will bend.
Ma Long’s Weapon Review
The blade boasts a fine finish and features two types of fiber between its wooden layers. It has clean cut corners and a comfortable handle. The handle is markedly flared in the typical DHS style and is well-suited for medium-sized hands. Amusingly, there’s an image of Ma Long at the base of the handle.
Weight and Size
My blade is notably heavy, weighing around 100g. Its size appears to be average.
Play and Feel
This blade exhibits remarkable stability with an exceptionally large sweet spot. Its speed is extraordinary, likely attributed to its material composition, gluing, or sheer weight. The blade requires controlled swings to avoid overshooting the table, especially for serves, high-speed loops, and openers. The blade’s weight puts some strain on the wrist during flicks.
Despite its weight, the blade exhibits minimal vibration or flex. It consistently catapults the ball at high speed, often resulting in winning shots even with moderate power.
Price and Recommendation
This blade is quite expensive, retailing at over $200. Given its performance requirements, it may be the last time I purchase a Ma Long blade. I lack the skill to fully utilize its potential.
This blade is ideal for blockers or pushers, offering speed and stability with minimal swing. Loopers are advised to avoid this blade unless they possess an ITTF rating of at least 1300, typically associated with professional players. Even higher-rated players may benefit from using this blade. Its price remains a significant consideration.
89 grams. 65% bounce. Large Sweet Spot. Deep Hold but really consistent and safe catapult on nearly every stroke enabling consistent above-average speed if you choose. Looping- 9.7 Drives - 8.5 Blocking - 9.3 Serve/Receive - 9.5 Counterlooping - 9.4 Smash/flat hitting (hard) - 8.3
High arc, works best with mid or low throw rubbers in most cases. Used G-1 and was not suitable for backhand, too much catapult, no shot selections or versatility. T05 on BH or FH are nice but You won’t get the kick that Chinese rubber provides. The blade works best in tandem with unboosted or mildly boosted Chinese rubbers. Current and favorite out of 3 different types of rubber combos. Skyline 2 Provincial 40’ Blue on FH and H3Neo 39’ on BH. The combo of Chinese rubbers takes a little more work in some shots but far more rewarding. It rewards smooth loopers and relaxed stroke patterns of all kinds. High speed combined with control of a chopping blade when passive. If you can consistently spin or hit, play Chinese on both sides as it works cohesively with flex catapult and loads of spin.
Currently using D09c on forehand and Xiom Jekyll&Hyde V47.5 on backhand. Prior to D09c, I used H3N for two weeks. Before using this blade, I used Viscaria for about two years, also with H3N on forehand, so I’ll try to make a comparison between the two.
The greatest difference I noticed is feeling. For me, Viscaria with H3N has a somewhat muted feeling in hand, and I need to hit very hard just so I can feel the ball. On the other hand, I can clearly feel the ball when I’m hitting with HL5, which is much more woody. Some players described HL5’s feeling as “hollow” and perceived it negatively. In my opinion, “feeling” is subjective and very much a personal preference. In this case, I definitely favor HL5’s feeling much more.
The blade also feels soft to the point that hard H3N rubber doesn’t feel that hard. This leads me to think that HL5 is designed to be paired with hard rubber. In the forehand warm-up, hitting with Viscaria often clips the ball into the net, but when I’m using HL5, the ball clears the net without a problem. HL5 has plenty of gears; slow shots like serve returns are low and slow, while fast shots are blazing fast. Slow loop is controllable.
On a hard loop, the blade produces huge catapult, even with H3N. While looping, I can really feel the ball contact with the paddle and the flex of the blade, leading to extended dwell time. That’s not the case when I used Viscaria. I read somewhere that looping with Viscaria requires more “snappy” action, while looping with HL5 needs a more relaxed motion, and I somewhat agree with that.
Backhand block with HL5 is definitely different from Viscaria, but still okay, as well as other varieties of flat hits and smashes. (I’ve always been a backhand dominant player, so I got no problem doing backhand block with it.) HL5 is faster than Viscaria; spin potential is about the same, I think.
HL5 is a great blade for anyone who prioritizes looping.
I found the forehand side to be better and more dwell can be achieved thanks to the larger stroke.
The backhand side is slightly weaker than some more balanced blades but still good.
A blade designed for professional players, this high-quality blade features a heavy head at 94 grams and a small FL grip. Its low permanence and enhanced speed, surpassing the Viscaria, make it suitable for intermediate and advanced players. However, its weight may hinder the chances of success for beginners. The blade’s inner ALC layer contributes to its exceptional performance.
Been using this for 6 months. This blade is not for beginners and only for those who are forehand dominant. It sacrifices a little bit of backhand power because of the large sweet spot. I use Hurricane 3 boosted Provincial on the forehand and Dignics 05. The forehand feels amazing. I’m definitely more confident with my forehands combined with H3.
It’s a very head-heavy blade (depending on the rubber) that may take some time to get used to. If you’re not sure what to get or if you’re not forehand dominant, just get Viscaria, a very balanced attacking blade. Ma Long 5 offers great forehand loops and attacks that are fast with control. Backhands are not bad.
Recommended.
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