Blades that are similar to DHS W968

[dingyibvs]

Why not just get DHS Fang Bo or the Butterfly Innerforce ALC? Those should be reasonably close substitutes with same construction

Haven't tried the FB, but the Innerforce ALC plays nothing like the W968. I tried a clubmate's Innerforce ALC and it plays more like a softer Viscaria. Much stiffer and lower throw than the W968.

 

[dingyibvs]

I second this. Especially the pro. Check the reviews. The player itself (AJH) used to play with w968 before.

The reason he stated he doesn't want a W968 is because he doesn't want a blade with a player's name on it. At least the W968 has no writing on it, the AJH has his name written on the blade face.

 

[Robin0910]

The reason he stated he doesn't want a W968 is because he doesn't want a blade with a player's name on it. At least the W968 has no writing on it, the AJH has his name written on the blade face.

Same with Fanb Bo. Then there truly aren’t any aside from other Chinese manufacturers

 

[mcfly]

sometimes I feel like almost every topic about equipment on this forum is about gaslighting. It starts with a random question then ends up with people arguing on a whole different conversation while the OP gets confused and eventually stops responding.

 

[jk1980]

No Athletico Power blade from Stiga.

The correct name and model should be Athletico Power blade from Yasaka.

you are correct, sorry. I mixed that up. I actually got that one, but was too lazy to look up the vendor

 

[ai_yo]

Hina Hayata H2 from Nittaku has the W968 construction too. Might be something worth looking at

 

[SlowPower]

Hina Hayata H2 from Nittaku has the W968 construction too. Might be something worth looking at

But has a name on it...

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

But has a name on it...

Your best solution is to get custom blade maker. You can tell them exactly what you want... You are Da BoSS!

 

[Doralikesmath]

That actually is a good ideal. Does anyone know some custom makers who can make good W968-like blades? Thank you.

 

[Doralikesmath]

Ended up spending around $35 for a Sanwei 75 inner ALC. I'm not hoping it will play anything like the W968, but it will be my first inner carbon blade.

 

[Brozi]

That actually is a good ideal. Does anyone know some custom makers who can make good W968-like blades? Thank you.

A bit late to the party, but I suppose OSP blades can tweak the design of their Virtuoso AC a bit to match that of the W968. They are quite similar afaik (if you take the large headsize), although its quite a pricy blade.

 

[kindof99]

I know that w968 can be someone’s dream blade, but W968 is not for everyone. W968 is for players that can engage body to play.

 

[Doralikesmath]

The Sanwei Inner 75 turns out to be very nice, especially for the price I paid. It's head heavy and very FH oriented, while the BH side is kinda meh. I will just use it for FH focusing practice sessions and sticking to outer ALC blades for now.

 

[SlowPower]

What about the Xiom Calderano blades- those are supposed to be flexy too.
Are they comparable to the w968?

 

[RefereeNumber2]

Just learned an interesting fact which reminded me of this thread:

The Tibhar Shang Kun Hybrid AC is an inner ALC blade with a limba surface and larger head size (160mm x 151mm approximately), so it has a lot of properties in common with the w968, at least on paper -- and it has very good reviews. It's branded with Shang Kun's name, so doesn't meet the OP's requirements. BUT, it turns out the version sold in Japan is branded as "Hybrid AC Inside" with no mention of any player's name whatsoever.

The Japanese version (w/o the player's name) is available from TT-Japan, and the price is less than 100 USD (excluding shipping). I'm tempted to buy it myself...

 

[SlowPower]

I had a shang kun ac which was way stiffer than the hl5 and wasnt similar at all- I dont know the w968 though...

 

[Migzkulit]

Just learned an interesting fact which reminded me of this thread:

The Tibhar Shang Kun Hybrid AC is an inner ALC blade with a limba surface and larger head size (160mm x 151mm approximately), so it has a lot of properties in common with the w968, at least on paper -- and it has very good reviews. It's branded with Shang Kun's name, so doesn't meet the OP's requirements. BUT, it turns out the version sold in Japan is branded as "Hybrid AC Inside" with no mention of any player's name whatsoever.

The Japanese version (w/o the player's name) is available from TT-Japan, and the price is less than 100 USD (excluding shipping). I'm tempted to buy it myself...

Shang kun is too stiff, it lacks the additional kick w968 has or my TMXi Pro has currently.

 

[Doralikesmath]

I've tried many inner carbon blades past few months, to name a few here:
- Sanwei 75 inner
- Sanwei 75 inner PBO
- Sanwei Vita ALC
- Xiom 36.5 ALXi
- Nittaku So-ten

So far, my favorite is the So-ten. Composition-wise, it's really close to the W968, please refer to the attached picture here. The top limba plies are a bit thicker, while the 2nd ayous layer is thinner, so it's a tad softer and slower. At first, the blade seemed underwhelming, but it grows on me. Doesn't have the W968's killer FH, but much more balance and with appropriate technique, you can still get loads of spin and speed on both FH and BH. The handle is thicker than W968, but thinner than Viscaria. And for shot qualities, it stands in between those 2 blades as well:
FH: W968 > So-ten > Viscaria
BH: Viscaria > So-ten > W968
I can see why it's not a popular choice for top players, but for amateurs, the So-ten should be a solid choice, given its balance and good control.

 

[andrymyzik]

I've tried many inner carbon blades past few months, to name a few here:
- Sanwei 75 inner
- Sanwei 75 inner PBO
- Sanwei Vita ALC
- Xiom 36.5 ALXi
- Nittaku So-ten

So far, my favorite is the So-ten. Composition-wise, it's really close to the W968, please refer to the attached picture here. The top limba plies are a bit thicker, while the 2nd ayous layer is thinner, so it's a tad softer and slower. At first, the blade seemed underwhelming, but it grows on me. Doesn't have the W968's killer FH, but much more balance and with appropriate technique, you can still get loads of spin and speed on both FH and BH. The handle is thicker than W968, but thinner than Viscaria. And for shot qualities, it stands in between those 2 blades as well:
FH: W968 > So-ten > Viscaria
BH: Viscaria > So-ten > W968
I can see why it's not a popular choice for top players, but for amateurs, the So-ten should be a solid choice, given its balance and good control.

Have Sanwei 75 inner (weight 86g), interested in new vita alc and figured out what there are no any info about this blade, but seems it have Innerforce structure and quite similar to 75 inner. How it feels compared to 75 inner? What is the layers composition? Speed, control, spin?

 

[TensorBackhand]

I've tried many inner carbon blades past few months, to name a few here:
- Sanwei 75 inner
- Sanwei 75 inner PBO
- Sanwei Vita ALC
- Xiom 36.5 ALXi
- Nittaku So-ten

So far, my favorite is the So-ten. Composition-wise, it's really close to the W968, please refer to the attached picture here. The top limba plies are a bit thicker, while the 2nd ayous layer is thinner, so it's a tad softer and slower. At first, the blade seemed underwhelming, but it grows on me. Doesn't have the W968's killer FH, but much more balance and with appropriate technique, you can still get loads of spin and speed on both FH and BH. The handle is thicker than W968, but thinner than Viscaria. And for shot qualities, it stands in between those 2 blades as well:
FH: W968 > So-ten > Viscaria
BH: Viscaria > So-ten > W968
I can see why it's not a popular choice for top players, but for amateurs, the So-ten should be a solid choice, given its balance and good control.

How is the Vita ALC compared to W968? I imagine it feels harder more like the Long 5X