Weight
80g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
HC.5S
Sanwei HC.5S is a versatile offensive blade that masterfully balances speed with exceptional control. Its 7-ply hybrid construction, featuring Hinoki outer plies and two inner soft carbon layers, delivers a medium-soft feel and a high throw angle perfect for spin-oriented play. The blade offers a large sweet spot and stable performance, making it forgiving for both powerful attacks and delicate shots. With a relatively light weight for its category, it provides excellent maneuverability and dwell time, appealing to intermediate and advanced players who value consistency and touch in their game.
The blade features a 5+2 construction with six distinct material layers in a symmetrical arrangement. From the outside in: Hinoki wood, soft carbon fiber, Ayous wood, Kiri wood core, soft carbon fiber, and Hinoki wood. This places the soft carbon layers internally near the core to enhance the sweet spot and provide a softer touch.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
HC.5S delivers very good offensive speed, particularly effective for loops and drives. It sits comfortably in the Off- to Off range, providing a significant speed boost over all-wood blades while maintaining a controlled, manageable pace that supports consistent attacking play rather than raw power.
Control is where this blade truly shines. The soft carbon and Hinoki construction provides an outstanding feel and dwell time, allowing for precise placement and consistency during rallies, blocks, and touch shots. Players report a superb sense of being in command, making it exceptionally forgiving and reliable.
The blade delivers a distinctly soft, responsive touch. This medium-soft feel comes from the Hinoki outer plies and the internally placed soft carbon layers, providing excellent feedback and a comfortable connection with the ball that enhances spin and control.
HC.5S produces a high throw angle, which is excellent for lifting backspin and executing aggressive topspin shots with a steep, penetrating trajectory that gives attackers a distinct advantage.
Dwell time is notably good, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This extended contact is crucial for generating heavy spin on loops and provides that satisfying 'holding the ball' sensation that aids controlled, spin-oriented attacks.
Flexibility sits in the medium range. The blade has enough give to enhance dwell time and spin generation for loop-based play, without being overly stiff or too flexible for controlled offensive shots.
Vibration is moderate, contributing positively to the blade's overall feel. It provides enough feedback to sense ball contact clearly without being overwhelming or distracting during play.
Build quality is consistently praised, with very good veneers and a clean finish. Aesthetic details like the metal inlay add a classy touch. TTSensei experts note it represents superb value for money, indicating solid manufacturing standards and reliable construction for its price point.
Technology
Sanwei HC.5S utilizes a patented multi-layer structure with two inner 'soft carbon' layers integrated into a 5-ply wood core. This technology optimizes carbon fiber efficiency by placing it internally rather than on the outer layers. The result is an enlarged sweet spot and a softer playing feel compared to outer-carbon blades. Combined with Hinoki outer plies, this construction enhances dwell time and spin generation while maintaining a stable balance between offensive power and defensive control.
Similar Blades
Yinhe/Galaxy T-6S
Yinhe T-6S is frequently mentioned as a close comparable. Both are 5+2 constructions with soft inner carbon and Hinoki outer plies, offering very similar playing characteristics in feel, control, and spin generation. Our testing shows the HC.5S might be slightly slower and softer, but they share the same core performance profile.
Sanwei HC.5
HC.5S is the direct successor to the HC.5 model. While specific technical differences aren't detailed, the HC.5S represents an evolution of the original design, likely incorporating updated features and refinements based on the predecessor's performance.