W968 different handle sizes?

[Yxoons]

I've read somewhere that W968 has different handle sizes dependent on the numbered version, whereas the player versions might be bigger than the normal national W968.

Have anyone had this experience or have multiple blades that can check? I know quality control will have an impact, but would be nice to see if there is a pattern to this, as this could help define which number to go for.

Would also be nice with example of handle measurements on your # W968. Remember to also note your #.

Measurements would be:
Width/thickness top of handle, middle of handle and bottom.

 

[The0rigina1]

I saw a seller selling a SYS No1 with a thicker handle on taobao

 

[Conehead]

I own two W968, they feel identical in all aspects.

 

[Yxoons]

I own two W968, they feel identical in all aspects.

What numbers though?
No. 1 is Ma Long player edition
No. 2 - 4 is player edition
No. 5+ is normal national.

So if both yours are numbered higher than 5, that would be expected.

 

[jonol]

What numbers though?
No. 1 is Ma Long player edition
No. 2 - 4 is player edition
No. 5+ is normal national.

So if both yours are numbered higher than 5, that would be expected.

968 is higher than 5, so they should all be the same 🤓

 

[vossi39]

What numbers though?
No. 1 is Ma Long player edition
No. 2 - 4 is player edition
No. 5+ is normal national.

From a pure manufacturing purpose, I seriously doubt that this the truth. I know it is spread so that sellers can get better prices, but really, what do you think happens in the DHS plant(s)? They produce new numbers everyday (production date is part of the serial number), the numbers will be laser engraved to the blade as part of the process. After that the blades will go to QC, which then might sort out the ones with specific characteristics (weight, thickness, balance point etc) to be sent to the players.
Every other procedure would be difficult or way to time consuming to be implemented in a mass production.
What would happen if not enough 2-4 blades are good enough for the national teams? What about the other DHS sponsored players outside china, do they receive less quality (No 5+)?
No way.
But to answer the question (width x thickness):
Top of handle: 25.8 x 23.0 mm
Middle: 26.6 x 23.3 mm
Bottom: 33.3 x 25mm
Blade number: 23

 

[Yxoons]

From a pure manufacturing purpose, I seriously doubt that this the truth. I know it is spread so that sellers can get better prices, but really, what do you think happens in the DHS plant(s)? They produce new numbers everyday (production date is part of the serial number), the numbers will be laser engraved to the blade as part of the process. After that the blades will go to QC, which then might sort out the ones with specific characteristics (weight, thickness, balance point etc) to be sent to the players.
Every other procedure would be difficult or way to time consuming to be implemented in a mass production.
What would happen if not enough 2-4 blades are good enough for the national teams? What about the other DHS sponsored players outside china, do they receive less quality (No 5+)?
No way.
But to answer the question (width x thickness):
Top of handle: 25.8 x 23.0 mm
Middle: 26.6 x 23.3 mm
Bottom: 33.3 x 25mm
Blade number: 23

Well what I heard by a store, is that large amount of No. 1 blades are sent off to Ma Long, the ones he doesn't want, go back to DHS and are then sold as a Ma Long player edition. Same goes with number 2 - 4 to other main players, whereas 5+ are just regular national player versions. The ones we can actually get on the market (No. 1-4), is the ones the national players returned to DHS. Could be the top wood is too uneven, or the handle doesn't fit how they want. Nonetheless not every blade is the same, and it's basically a double QC on No. 1 - 4. Ma Long is known for wanting a slightly thicker handle though, hence why it also could be a sign in those being slightly thicker.

Also W968 isn't fully mass produced. I believe they make 40 per day.

 

[Yxoons]

968 is higher than 5, so they should all be the same 🤓

Definitely every blade is the same

 

[Ninja26Go]

Definitely every blade is the same

no 002 and 003 are player. 001 is also player but more expensive

 

[Yxoons]

no 002 and 003 are player. 001 is also player but more expensive

I was being ironic to his "joke" lol

 

[Ninja26Go]

lol

 

[Vrael]

I have Jang Woojin's one. It had very big handle and more squarish before I sanded it

 

[Migzkulit]

I have Jang Woojin's one. It had very big handle and more squarish before I sanded it

I also have Jang Woojin's, his handle was as small as the normal national w968.
Handle preferences change with the player, mines a 2022.

 

[vossi39]

Well what I heard by a store,.....

Says it all for me...But you are free to believe it. But what's more likel? That DHS is handling a lot of back and force shipping + a totally weird numbering, where every first blade a day needs to be a Ma Long blade, just so that the sellers can sell them at a higher price (assuming that the sellers order them at the higher price from DHS), or that this is some myth told by the seller to rip more money out of your pocket, just because they won the lottery of getting a number one blade of a production day.

 

[Vrael]

I also have Jang Woojin's, his handle was as small as the normal national w968.
Handle preferences change with the player, mines a 2022.

might be, mine is from 2019

 

[Yxoons]

I have Jang Woojin's one. It had very big handle and more squarish before I sanded it

Serial number?

 

[Yxoons]

Says it all for me...But you are free to believe it. But what's more likel? That DHS is handling a lot of back and force shipping + a totally weird numbering, where every first blade a day needs to be a Ma Long blade, just so that the sellers can sell them at a higher price (assuming that the sellers order them at the higher price from DHS), or that this is some myth told by the seller to rip more money out of your pocket, just because they won the lottery of getting a number one blade of a production day.

Of course no one outside the "circle" knows, we can only go from what info we get.

DHS Korea store is the one I saw being official DHS supplier talking about them sending Ma Long and other players blades, which are then returned and sold through stores. Zhang Jike and other pros also mentioned many times that they get sent batches of blades, and only keep a few of the ones they like, and send back the rest.
You can check video below:

You can also check DHS sponsored players which number they play with, e.g. Andreas Levenko who's a YouTuber uses No. 1

 

[t.t.s.t.a.r]

From what I've seen once you get to a certain level they will make you a custom handle shape, I once saw a 10 year old girls w968, she was on one of the national level chinese teams. Her handle was absolutely tiny, might have been a smaller blade head as well, I can't remember, it has been a few years.

 

[Vrael]

Serial number?

tgis I can't say, cause it was directly from someone who would be found out, but I can post photos later when I find something before sanding it

 

[Vrael]

here