Weight
110g
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Classic (1970s)
DHS Classic (1970s) is a historic blade that captures the essence of traditional Chinese table tennis craftsmanship. Its pure wood construction delivers a natural, soft feel with exceptional ball feedback, making it a favorite for players who value control and a classic playing experience. This blade excels in close-to-the-table tactical play, offering a balanced mix of moderate offensive power and precise spin generation. It's an ideal choice for developing players and enthusiasts seeking a deep connection to the ball and a piece of table tennis history.
This blade is a 7-ply pure wood construction, likely featuring traditional Chinese woods like basswood. This layered design prioritizes a soft feel, significant vibration, and excellent ball feedback, creating a cohesive and controlled playing experience suitable for spin-oriented tactics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
DHS Classic (1970s) isn't built for extreme speed. Its 7-ply all-wood design prioritizes dwell time and control, delivering a moderate pace suitable for players who rely on spin and placement. It supports controlled offensive shots but is generally outpaced by modern composite or faster all-wood blades, making it ideal for a thoughtful, tactical game.
Control is where this blade truly shines. The soft feel, pronounced vibration, and extended dwell time allow players to feel the ball exceptionally well, enabling precise placement and tactical execution. It's a top choice for consistent loops, effective chops, and nuanced short game play, providing a stable and predictable response.
DHS Classic (1970s) delivers a distinctly soft feel with significant vibration, offering a 'transparent' sense of the ball. This tactile feedback is crucial for players who rely on subtle adjustments and spin variation during play.
Given its soft feel and focus on spin, DHS Classic (1970s) produces a medium-to-high throw angle. This characteristic helps the ball arc effectively over the net, benefiting looping and chopping techniques for deeper placement.
The 7-ply all-wood construction naturally promotes a long dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This enhances spin generation and provides a controlled, connected feel on strokes like loops and chops.
The multiple wood plies create a flexible blade that works in harmony with its dwell time. This flexibility supports excellent spin generation and provides a comfortable, forgiving feel across a variety of shots.
This blade is known for its pronounced vibrations, which are a hallmark of classic wooden construction. The strong feedback aids in sensing ball contact and spin, though it may feel more active compared to modern, dampened blades.
While specific details on the 1970s model are scarce, older DHS blades are generally recognized for their solid construction and use of quality woods. Traditional manufacturing techniques contribute to a durable blade with a pleasant tactile experience, reflecting the craftsmanship of its era.
Technology
DHS Classic (1970s) represents traditional blade manufacturing, relying on multiple layers of carefully selected wood bonded with classic adhesives. The focus is on achieving a natural wood feel, optimal dwell time, and a high degree of control and feedback. Unlike modern composite blades, it showcases the inherent properties of Chinese wood species, emphasizing the tactile connection between player, ball, and blade for nuanced shot-making and tactical play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Deng Yaping
Deng Yaping, the dominant world number one in the 1990s, reportedly used a DHS 08 blade, a precursor to the Classic line. Her aggressive, close-to-the-table style—characterized by quick, flexible forehand attacks—aligned well with the blade's good elasticity and feel. The blade's responsiveness likely helped her generate deceptive power and maintain control during rapid exchanges.
Hou Yingchao
Hou Yingchao, the 2019 Chinese National Champion and a modern defender, is rumored to have used the DHS Classic 08X, a blade that builds on this classic legacy. While not the exact 1970s model, this association highlights the lineage of control-oriented, tactically precise DHS blades. His game emphasizes precise control, aggressive forehand counters, and disruptive play, qualities supported by blades in this family.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic shares the all-wood, control-oriented nature of the DHS Classic. Both prioritize feel and spin for developing players. However, our testing shows the DHS Classic, with its 7-ply construction, often delivers a softer feel and more vibration compared to the Stiga, which may feel slightly faster or stiffer.
Yasaka Extra
Yasaka Extra is another classic all-wood blade known for excellent feel and control, similar to the DHS Classic. Both are superb for spin-focused play. The DHS Classic's 7-ply build might offer a different tactile response and dwell time compared to the 5-ply Yasaka, but both excel as traditional, touch-oriented options.