DHS Hurricane 9 Blue

Rubber Review

This rubber offers a mediocre performance, resulting in a poor feel for the ball. Contrary to its description, it does not exhibit the characteristics typically associated with Chinese-style rubbers.

Just got it,

I always played Hurricane 3 neo.

Wanted this for the looks.

I will write a proper review after using it for a couple of weeks.

Review After Playing Several Matches

Rubbers Tested:

• H9 Blue FH, Pink BH (39deg 2.15)
• H3 Prov Blue/Orange (40deg)
• H8 (40deg)
• Battle II Pro (40deg)

No boosters applied.

Feel and Characteristics:

The H9 rubber has a feel similar to the Hurricane series but with reduced spin and increased speed. H9 Pink is an excellent backhand rubber, providing heavy backspin and effective blocking. It also performs well on flicks. H9 Blue can be used as a forehand rubber, as it excels in all strokes.

Weight:
H8 > Battle II > H3 > H9

Speed:
H3 Blue > Battle II > H9 Blue > H9 Pink > H8 > H3 Orange

Spin:
H3 Orange > H8 > H9 Pink > H9 Blue > Battle II

Predictability:
H9 Pink > Battle II = H8 > H9 Blue > H3

H9 Blue #22 Sponge:
The H9 Blue #22 sponge has a “kick effect” that alters the arc of the ball when hit hard.

Other Performance:

• Service: H3 > Battle II = H8 > H9 Blue = H9 Pink
• Short push: H3 > H8 > H9 Pink > H9 Blue > Battle II
• Block: H9 Pink > H8 > Battle II > H9 Blue = H3
• Flick: H9 Pink > H8 = Battle II > H9 Blue = H3
• Flat hit: H8 = Battle II > H9 Blue = H9 Pink > H3
• Topspin loop drive: H3 > Battle II > H8 > H9 Blue > H9 Pink

This rubber is heavy (73gr uncut and there are no edges). It is boosted (smells chemical) and plays like watching wet paint drying (watching Downtown Abbey is more exciting). The pink one is much better.

Pros:

• Excellent topspin generation
• Good overall speed

Cons:

• Ball sticks to the rubber on forehand looping, requiring more force to play correctly
• Rubber is on the heavier side

Recommended use:

Backhand on a carbon blade

2. Update! Unfortunately, this rubber is sold under two different names: DHS Hurricane 9 Blue and DHS H9 Blue.

Facts:

• My (blue) H9 in 2.15 mm thickness weighs 96 grams in the original packaging,
• 70 grams uncut including protective film,
• And 51 grams when cut to 157 x 150 mm (heavy).

Despite the stated sponge hardness of 39 degrees, my Shore Meter could only measure 36 degrees.

This H9 (glued with conventional solvent-based glue, unboosted!!!) was an absolute disaster. I hope I didn’t buy a fake! No matter how fast the blade, there was simply no speed to be gained from the rubber.

Although it is slightly sticky, it does not even achieve mediocre spin values. Softer, more elastic woods “play along” with it but do not change the completely poor performance. Only the catapult behavior feels higher and more pleasant.

Conclusion:
For me, this rubber is “the master of disaster.” ;-P There are plenty of cheaper rubbers that are better, like Lokis Arthur China or Europe.

It is more like a beginner’s rubber, but the sponge is #22 blue. For some reason, the rubber loses its tackiness in cold weather, maybe because of moist air.

Good sponge, bad top sheet. High control.