Weight
89g
Thickness
5.9mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x152
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
W968 Hurricane Long 5 National
DHS W968 Hurricane Long 5 National is a limited-edition, professional-grade blade crafted for elite players like Ma Long. This premium iteration of the Hurricane Long 5 features superior materials and enhanced quality control. Its advanced 5+2 Arylate-Carbon inner layer construction delivers an exceptional balance of power, stability, and sensitive feel, enabling devastating topspin loops and aggressive counter-attacks. Designed for maximum performance, it offers a large sweet spot and high throw angle for precise ball placement and explosive offense, representing DHS's commitment to top-tier equipment.
W968 features a 7-ply construction with 5 wood layers and 2 inner Arylate-Carbon layers. This configuration blends speed and control, with ALC adding power and stability. Outer Limba plies offer good touch and spin, while the Ayous core provides structure and responsiveness. This inner ALC placement creates a crisper feel compared to outer carbon designs.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
W968 Hurricane Long 5 National is renowned for its exceptional speed, fitting its OFF+ designation. The 5+2 ALC construction allows for aggressive looping and powerful drives, making it ideal for players who rely on speed to win points. Our testing shows it offers a significant power boost compared to its commercial counterpart, providing explosive offensive capabilities that demand precise timing and technique.
Despite its high speed, the W968 maintains excellent control, particularly for advanced players. The ALC layers and precise construction contribute to a large sweet spot and consistent feedback, allowing for accurate shot placement. Players report that while fast, the blade offers control through its multiple 'gears', enabling both delicate touch and explosive power with confidence.
W968 offers a feel described as crisp, sensitive, and springy, with vibration more centered in the head than the handle. It provides direct feedback that feels stiffer and less flexible than the standard Hurricane Long 5, giving players a responsive and commanding connection with the ball.
This blade produces a very high throw angle, creating powerful arcs on shots—especially topspin loops. That high trajectory allows for aggressive play with a good safety margin over the net, helping players execute offensive shots with confidence.
Dwell time on the W968 is considered good to very good for an ALC blade. This extended contact allows for significant spin generation, especially on powerful loops. The construction lets the ball 'sink' into the wood and fiber layers effectively, creating that crucial pocketing effect for spin-oriented play.
W968 sits on the stiffer side for an ALC blade, though it may have more flex than the standard Hurricane Long 5. This medium-stiffness allows for powerful shots while maintaining control, but doesn't offer extreme flex for defensive maneuvers or the most exaggerated spin generation.
Vibration on the W968 is moderate and well-dampened by the ALC layers. While some players feel it more in the head for better ball feedback, it's controlled enough to prevent excessive harshness. This balanced vibration contributes to both the feel and consistency during aggressive rallies.
As a national team version, the W968 is praised for its superior build quality and material selection, undergoing extensive quality control that reflects its premium status. TTSensei experts note the elite craftsmanship justifies its high price point for discerning players, offering a refined and consistent performance that stands out in professional play.
Technology
DHS W968 utilizes an advanced 5+2 Arylate-Carbon inner layer construction. This technology places ALC fibers between wood plies—specifically between the second layer and the core—to enhance power and stability without sacrificing feel. Outer Limba layers provide an excellent spin surface. Combined with meticulous material selection and rigorous quality control, this design delivers explosive power, a large sweet spot, and sensitive touch tailored for professional offensive play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ma Long
Ma Long is the primary player associated with the W968, which was specifically designed and tuned for him. He used this blade extensively during a significant period of his career, including around the 2015 World Table Tennis Championships. His dominant forehand loop, explosive power, excellent footwork, and seamless transitions between offense and defense are perfectly complemented by the W968's combination of speed, spin, and control, enabling precise and consistent shots at close to mid-distances.
Wang Chuqin
Wang Chuqin, another prominent Chinese national team player, has been noted to use variations like the Q968 (Provincial Hurricane King) that share similar construction lineage. While not explicitly using the exact W968 National version, Chinese national team players often use customized blades based on these high-performance models. His aggressive, modern style with powerful loops and quick attacks aligns well with the Hurricane Long series characteristics.
Similar Blades
DHS Hurricane Long 5 (Commercial)
W968 is the premium national team version of the commercial Hurricane Long 5. While both share 5+2 ALC construction and offensive design, the W968 features superior material selection, stricter quality control, and often a different feel with more flex or distinct vibration. Players find the W968 offers more refined performance, a larger sweet spot, and enhanced power, making it a significant upgrade at a higher price point.
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria is another highly regarded 5+2 ALC blade favored by top professionals. It shares similarities in offensive capabilities, speed, and spin potential. However, Viscaria often feels stiffer with a slightly different throw angle. Players who enjoy Viscaria's direct feel might find W968 offers a comparable but distinct alternative, with many reporting better control and dwell time from the DHS design.