Donic Waldner Dotec Hinoki

This is a very unique blade. First, 3-ply all Hinoki blades are rare. Second, it’s thick at 8 mm. Third, the Dotec handle is comfortable but takes time to adjust to due to its unusual curve.

The blade angle is closed on FH and more open on BH, which makes for interesting changes. It helps with FH looping and BH flat game, but hurts BH on-the-table short game and looping. However, if you can fully adjust to it, you’ll be glad you did.

The blade combines the advantages of 1-ply Hinoki with the flexibility of 3-5 ply blades. It attacks, blocks, and loops well with great control in the short game, covering all styles from ALL+ to OFF.

It’s pricey and Donic has stopped manufacturing it, but if you can get used to the Dotec handle, this is the best of its kind.

Hi,

I’ve had this Donic dince since yesterday. I am an off player, but with this Hinoki, I can also defend, and it’s very accurate when I am returning the ball back. I can feel every ball where it hits on the Hinoki.

I recommend it to anyone who plays an off game and needs to defend sometimes.

Wow, look at that price tag! But wow, look at that handle, and wow, look at that topspin! It truly is a case of money versus performance. I do not regret buying this blade, but I am not sure if I would be up to buying another down the road.

For me, I am a Hinoki nut. I love the feel and pretty much refuse to use other woods now. The Hinoki is perfectly layered and gives you that lovely and unique feel. The handle is great; it looks comfortable and feels the same as it looks. It has the speed and control that two-winged loopers like me dream of. Very consistent, no “What the…” moments at all.

If you can’t afford it or if you prefer carbon or any other kind of wood, just stay away because it might disappoint. But if you have the cash and the Hinoki blood running through your veins, pick this up and put your opponents to shame.

A very good blade for almost any offensive style. It offers excellent touch and the speed and flex for good pace and spin from any distance. The ergonomically designed handle felt comfortable in my hand right away. I noticed the bulge where it sits in your palm subtly changed the way I would normally fold my wrist while looping on the backhand, but I quickly adapted and it actually improved my shot.

I use fairly tacky Chinese rubbers, and typically play quite close to the table. This blade hasn’t compromised that at all, but it has made me far more dangerous from the deep. The blade is light, vibrates enough to give good feedback, but not enough to distract and has a large and powerful sweet-spot. It is exceptionally well put together and of very high quality, but the downside to this is, of course, the price.

I was fortunate enough to receive this as a gift, but for that amount of money, it’s almost inevitable that you could find something cheaper, which would behave at least similarly. However, as a now officially cured EJ (at least as far as blades go), if you have the money — or a wealthy sugar-mommy — and know what to expect from Donic’s unique Dotec handles, then this is an absolutely brilliant weapon to own.

This blade is somewhere between all+ and off-. It offers very good control.