Weight
90g
Thickness
5.99mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x150
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Fang Bo W968
DHS Fang Bo W968 is a premium 7-ply hybrid blade built for advanced offensive players. Its 5+2 construction with inner Arylate Carbon layers delivers a masterful balance of explosive power, heavy spin generation, and exceptional control. The blade offers a crisp, sensitive feel with outstanding dwell time, enabling powerful looping with high arcs and precise short-game play. While it demands refined technique to unlock its full potential, it stands as a benchmark for high-performance equipment favored by top professionals.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction features Limba outer plies for a soft touch and spin, Ayous wood layers for balance and feel, and two inner Arylate Carbon layers. The inner carbon placement enhances dwell time and a controlled catapult effect, creating a blade that is powerful yet retains a wood-like sensation and excellent control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
W968 is a fast, offensive blade with more than enough pace for aggressive topspin play and counter-hits. The inner carbon layers provide a lively catapult effect that feels powerful on strong strokes. While not the absolute fastest blade available, its speed is highly effective and often compared favorably to other top-tier offensive models, making it a potent weapon for finishing shots.
Despite its speed, W968 offers remarkable control—a rare and prized balance. Its softer feel and extended dwell time allow for precise ball placement, excellent touch on serves and pushes, and very stable blocking. The blade provides clear, communicative feedback, letting players feel the ball and make accurate adjustments. This high level of control supports a dynamic, all-around offensive style.
W968 delivers a crisp yet sensitive feel with a noticeable dwell. The Limba outer plies and inner carbon placement create a sensation that is softer and more wood-like than many stiff, outer-carbon blades. This allows for excellent ball feedback, particularly during touch shots and active looping, offering a blend of flex and responsiveness.
W968 consistently produces a high throw angle, which is ideal for generating powerful topspin loops with a significant arc. This high trajectory helps clear the net easily and lands the ball deep on the table, making it challenging for opponents to counter.
Exceptional dwell time is a signature trait of this blade. The extended contact period is crucial for brushing and imparting heavy spin, especially on topspin loops. This dwell also contributes significantly to the blade's controllable power, making it easier to execute precise shots and manage incoming spin effectively.
W968 is moderately flexible. This flexibility, combined with the inner carbon, creates a balanced catapult effect that supports both power and spin generation. It feels more flexible than many stiff, outer-carbon blades, which aids in touch play and allows for a pronounced, powerful shot when fully engaged.
The blade provides a moderate level of vibration, offering sufficient feedback without being jarring. Players often feel this vibration more in the head of the blade, which enhances the sense of dwell and ball contact. This level is generally viewed as a positive attribute that aids feel and control.
Build quality on the W968 is generally excellent, particularly for provincial and national versions. TTSensei experts note meticulous workmanship in material selection and layer bonding, contributing to a premium, consistent performance. While occasional minor cosmetic imperfections like exposed carbon strands have been mentioned, the overall construction and material integrity are considered top-tier.
Technology
W968 utilizes a sophisticated 5+2 construction, pairing five wood layers with two inner layers of Arylate Carbon, often called 'Fang Carbon.' This innerforce carbon placement is a key technology designed to boost dwell time and elasticity without the harsh stiffness of outer carbon designs. The careful selection and bonding of premium materials, refined through supplying the Chinese national team, prioritize creating high-arcing, spin-loaded shots. This synergy between wood and advanced composites delivers exceptional performance for the modern attacking game.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ma Long
Ma Long, one of the greatest players of all time, is famously associated with a customized version of the W968. The blade's exceptional spin generation, high arc, and controllable power perfectly complement his aggressive, all-around playing style. His long-term success and preference have cemented the W968's legendary status among advanced players.
Fan Zhendong
Fan Zhendong has been noted to use the W968 or blades with very similar construction. The blade's blend of speed, control, and spin-producing capability aligns well with his powerful, modern attacking style that emphasizes heavy topspin and fast counter-attacks, allowing him to execute his dynamic game with precision.
Jang Woojin
South Korean professional Jang Woojin has used the W968, pairing it with tensor-style rubbers. His aggressive, modern game, built on strong forehand and backhand attacks, benefits from the blade's power, dwell time, and spin capabilities, demonstrating its effectiveness for top international players beyond the Chinese team.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria is a renowned outer-carbon blade that shares the W968's offensive prowess and professional appeal. Both offer significant speed and spin. However, the Viscaria typically feels stiffer due to its outer carbon construction, resulting in a different performance profile. Players report the W968 often provides more dwell and a softer, more wood-like touch compared to the Viscaria's direct feel.
DHS Hurricane Long 5
DHS Hurricane Long 5 is often considered the commercial counterpart to the W968, sharing the same 5+2 inner carbon construction. The W968 is generally viewed as a premium version with higher-grade materials, stricter quality control, and potentially refined characteristics like a thicker handle and a softer, more flexible feel. The HL5 serves as a more accessible alternative for players seeking a similar playing experience.