DHS Hurricane Long 5 (W968) Review: China's Blade of Kings at Around $178

Why this review matters: The DHS Hurricane Long 5 sits at the crossroads of professional table tennis heritage and modern 40+ ball technology. At around $178, it represents the sweet spot where Chinese national team engineering meets accessible pricing—but how does it really perform?

What Makes the Long 5 Legendary

The DHS Hurricane Long 5 (W968) is the blade that Ma Long used to dominate international competition for over a decade. It's not just a blade—it's a philosophy of table tennis built around maximizing spin and power through the arc.

Technical Architecture

Specification	Detail
Structure	5-wood + 2-arylate carbon (ALC) - Inner Carbon
Face Material	Limba
Core Material	Ayous with BBT (Bounce Breath Technology)
Thickness	5.9-6.0mm
Weight	85-90g
Speed Rating	OFF+
Feel	Medium-hard, excellent dwell

The "Core-Protecting" technology is the secret sauce: the thicker core provides massive energy storage during the contact phase, then releases explosively on the follow-through. This creates that signature Chinese "ball-grabbing feel"—the ball literally sticks to the face longer, giving you more time to generate maximum spin.

Real-World Performance Analysis

The Contact Zone: Where Magic Happens

In my testing with 40+ plastic balls, the Long 5's dwell time is exceptional. The blade doesn't just hit—it engages. You feel the ball sink into the wood layers before the energy releases. This is critical with the 40+ ball, which requires 20-30% more spin generation than the old 40mm ball.

Small/medium force: The blade behaves almost like pure wood. Control is precise, and the arc is naturally elevated. Perfect for:

Opening up on receives
Controlled topspin rallies
Mid-distance loops

Full power: The ALC fibers activate progressively. As you increase stroke speed, the carbon layers engage, creating explosive power without sacrificing the feel that makes Chinese blades famous. The 40+ ball gets crushed with heavy, late-fork spin.

Spin Generation: The Real Test

With Hurricane 3 Neo rubber (Shore A 39°), the Long 5 achieves spin ratings that rival blades costing twice as much. The key is the synergy between:

The soft-ish inner carbon (vs. stiff outer carbon blades)
The BBT core's energy return
The naturally high arc trajectory

Test Scenario	Long 5 + H3 Neo	Typical Outer-ALC + Tenergy
Forehand loop vs. backspin	★★★★★	★★★★
Counter-topspin speed	★★★★	★★★★★
Control at net	★★★★	★★★
40+ ball compatibility	★★★★★	★★★★

40+ Ball Era Reality Check

Here's where the Long 5 truly shines. The 40+ ball is larger, slower, and requires more active spin to penetrate. The Long 5's inner carbon structure—combined with proper tacky Chinese rubber—handles this better than most outer-carbon blades:

Tacky rubber + inner carbon = match made in heaven for 40+ play
The longer dwell time helps generate the extra RPM needed
High arc loops become weapons again, not liabilities

The Around $178 vs. $50 Question: Long 5 vs. Galaxy Pro-05

The most common question I get: "Is the Long 5 really worth 3.5x the Pro-05 price?"

Let's break down both blades objectively:

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	DHS Long 5 (W968)	Galaxy Pro-05
Price	around $178	$49.99
Structure	Inner ALC + BBT	Inner ALC (KLC)
Core Tech	BBT (Bounce Breath)	Standard Ayous
Spin Potential	★★★★★	★★★★
Power/Clean Hit	★★★★★	★★★★
Control	★★★★	★★★★½
Sweet Spot	Large, forgiving	Medium
Target User	Competitive/Tournament	Intermediate-Advanced

The Honest Verdict on "Value"

The Pro-05 IS a legitimate alternative for players who:

Are developing their technique
Want inner-carbon feel without the investment
Plan to upgrade later and need a "learning blade"

The Long 5 justifies its premium through:

BBT Technology: The breath-tech core provides more consistent energy return across the face
Proven at Highest Level: Ma Long's weapon of choice speaks for itself
Refined Sweet Spot: Slightly larger and more forgiving than the Pro-05
Resale Value: Chinese national team blades hold value in the used market

My Recommendation Matrix

Your Situation	Better Choice
Beginner to Intermediate transitioning	Pro-05 ($49.99)
Competitive player on budget	Pro-05 ($49.99)
Advanced player wanting Ma Long feel	Long 5 (~$178)
Tournament player, no budget constraint	Long 5 (~$178)
Already own Pro-05, considering upgrade	Save money, Pro-05 is excellent

Bottom line: The Pro-05 is arguably the best value in inner-carbon blades. The Long 5 is for players who can feel (and benefit from) the 15-20% performance differential. If you're unsure, start with the Pro-05.

Recommended Setups

Configuration A: "The Affordable Ma Long" (~$223)

Component	Product	Price
Blade	Long 5 (W968)	~$178
Forehand	Hurricane 3 Neo (Shore A 39°)	$34.99
Backhand	Hurricane 8-80 (Shore A 34°)	$34.99
Total		~$248

Note: H8-80's lightweight construction (~80g per sheet) prevents the "double-tacky" weight issue that affects many players' wrists with dual H3 setups.

Configuration B: "The Pro Path" (~$120)

Component	Product	Price
Blade	Galaxy Pro-05	$49.99
Forehand	729 Battle 2 (NEO) (~Shore A 38°)	~$15
Backhand	Jupiter 3 (~Shore C 37°)	$19.99
Total		~$85

Common Misconceptions Debunked

"You need tensor rubber for 40+ balls"

FALSE. While European tensor rubbers excel at speed, Chinese tacky rubber + inner-carbon blades remain the gold standard for spin dominance in the 40+ era. National team players (including Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqin, and Ma Long) still predominantly use tacky rubber on both sides.

"Outer carbon is better for modern table tennis"

IT DEPENDS. Outer-carbon blades excel at speed and first-ball attacking. Inner-carbon blades excel at spin generation and control under pressure. Neither is universally "better"—it's about match your playing style.

"The Long 5 is too fast for amateur players"

FALSE for most. The Long 5's inner-carbon construction actually makes it more controllable than many outer-carbon blades at similar price points. The BBT technology provides a "kick" only when you generate the stroke speed to activate it.

Final Rating

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Spin Generation	★★★★★
Power	★★★★★
Control	★★★★
Sweet Spot Size	★★★★½
Value for Money	★★★½
40+ Ball Performance	★★★★★
Overall	★★★★½

Best for: Advanced loopers, competitive players, and anyone seeking that Ma Long feel without butterfly pricing.

Skip if: You're a beginner, strictly prefer speed over spin, or are happy with the Pro-05's performance.

Reviewed: June 2026 | Equipment tested with 40+ Yinhe A3+ balls | All prices from verified AE/Amazon sellers

This article was originally published on PaddleWiz. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission and proper attribution is prohibited.