DHS H301z to replace my Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition?

[Ultravisitor]

I look for more flex and crispier backhand.

I tried several innercarbon blades before, all limba inners. I tried Viscaria and Pro01. All of them to fast for my skill level.

I play well with my current blade, but want to trade some stiffnes to flex and want harder top ply.

I want to be a 2 wing looper, currently my BH is stronger and safer than amy FH.

I'm winning many points with blocks and counterdrives, but I'm not as consistent with opening up backspin. I played a Koto 5ply (Fextra 5) before and really like the flex and feel of koto, but is lacks the stability.

Has anyone made a similar transition? I have read good reviews of the 301z.

Is anyone playing it?
Is it like a faster 5ply? How does it feel of fast blocks or counters? Is it stable?
Will it be flexier than my current blade?

 

[jk1980]

The 301z is allegedly also a deep hold blade according to ttgearlab measurements. I got one and let's just say that it was not a revelation coming from a w968 provincial, so not different enough to switch to it. Playing an Acoustic now which is a totally different ballpark

 

[Tyce]

Falcima, Hadraw 5 come to mind, or in general harder surface (Koto, walnut?) all wood blades.
If you want both more flex and more crisp, hard top layer sounds like the right direction.

Expect both of these to have better quality and stability than a Fextra 5. Still, 5ply in general has less lateral stability than 7.

You mention Viscaria to be too fast for your skill level... Honestly I think it's a matter of commitment if you want to master these blades. And you might end up a higher skill level if you do.
Have you considered downtuning that Viscaria with a slower rubber? Vega Europe is probably the most used example on the forums for that purpose.

Rather than the z, I think the regular 301 fits your question better. Look at ttgearlab for a review of the whole 301 series.

 

[Ultravisitor]

Falcima, Hadraw 5 come to mind, or in general harder surface (Koto, walnut?) all wood blades.
If you want both more flex and more crisp, hard top layer sounds like the right direction.

Expect both of these to have better quality and stability than a Fextra 5. Still, 5ply in general has less lateral stability than 7.

You mention Viscaria to be too fast for your skill level... Honestly I think it's a matter of commitment if you want to master these blades. And you might end up a higher skill level if you do.
Have you considered downtuning that Viscaria with a slower rubber? Vega Europe is probably the most used example on the forums for that purpose.

Rather than the z, I think the regular 301 fits your question better. Look at ttgearlab for a review of the whole 301 series.

Jeah I read that review a few times now, which made me think that maybe the regular 301 is too fast for me. It has similiar ratings as other inner carbon alc blades and I don't need that spees right now.
Im quite happy with the Aurus on my bh. I think i could control it on the pro1 too, FH is the problem zone. I need some flex here to loop.
I tried Persson Powerplay too, and its nice and all, but i don't like the balance of the blade and the handle is not ny favorite.

I read in a revspin review the 301z feels more stable than the 301. Can someone confirm?

 

[Tyce]

Reason why I say it is that z feels softer so it could be a mismatch with your request for a crisp BH.
What rubber did you test on Pro 01 and/or Viscaria FH?

 

[Ultravisitor]

Reason why I say it is that z feels softer so it could be a mismatch with your request for a crisp BH.
What rubber did you test on Pro 01 and/or Viscaria FH?

Yinhe Moon 12
Fastarc G1/C1
Loki Arthur china
DHS Goldarc 8

Tensors where hard to control on fh and LAC was kinda hard to loop backspin. BH was super nice with the pro01

But do you really think its softer than my current blade? Its very soft, but stiff.
Id like a little harder and a little more flex, hoping to keep speed similar. I guess I'll need to try it.

 

[Topspinslinger]

Perhaps try a rosewood/ ebony 7 ply blade, those are pretty hard and forgiving.
The best way to improve strokes is still technique

 

[Ultravisitor]

Perhaps try a rosewood/ ebony 7 ply blade, those are pretty hard and forgiving.
The best way to improve strokes is still technique

Good call, ill look into that. Do you know one with a weight below 90g?

 

[Kazama]

Jeah I read that review a few times now, which made me think that maybe the regular 301 is too fast for me. It has similiar ratings as other inner carbon alc blades and I don't need that spees right now.
Im quite happy with the Aurus on my bh. I think i could control it on the pro1 too, FH is the problem zone. I need some flex here to loop.
I tried Persson Powerplay too, and its nice and all, but i don't like the balance of the blade and the handle is not ny favorite.

I read in a revspin review the 301z feels more stable than the 301. Can someone confirm?

I played extensively with N301, 301 and 301z.

Speed: 301 > 301z
Spin: 301 > 301z
Support and stability: 301 > 301z
Dwell: 301z > 301
Serve and receive: 301z > 301
Throw angle: 301z > 301
Block: 301 > 301z
Forehand: 301z > 301
Backhand: 301 > 301z

301 feels snappier with a quicker rebound while 301z feels sharper/crisper with a deeper ball hold. I prefer N301 and 301z over 301.

Edit: 301 has a significantly higher low-end speed than 301z. 301 feels quite clumsy at times, N301 solves this issue with more gears.

 

[Ultravisitor]

I played extensively with N301, 301 and 301z.

Speed: 301 > 301z
Spin: 301 > 301z
Support and stability: 301 > 301z
Dwell: 301z > 301
Serve and receive: 301z > 301
Throw angle: 301z > 301
Block: 301 > 301z
Forehand: 301z > 301
Backhand: 301 > 301z

301 feels snappier with a quicker rebound while 301z feels sharper/crisper with a deeper ball hold. I prefer N301 and 301z over 301.

Edit: 301 has a significantly higher low-end speed than 301z. 301 feels quite clumsy at times, N301 solves this issue with more gears.

Thanks for those insights.
Can you compare support/stability of 301z to a clipper-type blade?

 

[Kazama]

Thanks for those insights.
Can you compare support/stability of 301z to a clipper-type blade?

Never played with Clipper or 7 ply wood so I can't tell.

301z is stable enough for amateurs, it is just that it feels like playing with piece of cardboard going all out in open rallies.

 

[victorwei]

I have played 301 penhold provincial version for a while, It is so solid and hard not good for loop but for hitting hard, not a very flex blade but if you have strength to make it hard hitting it is a good weapon.

 

[Topspinslinger]

Good call, ill look into that. Do you know one with a weight below 90g?

Simon gauzy SL should be under 90 grams, I'm going to test some 7 ply wood blades this month. I bought a really cheap one from ali but I doubt it is really ebony.

 

[Topspinslinger]

My Tibhar MK7 should arrive this week, really excited for that one

 

[Ultravisitor]

Simon gauzy SL should be under 90 grams, I'm going to test some 7 ply wood blades this month. I bought a really cheap one from ali but I doubt it is really ebony.

My concern is that these harder 7 ply are even stiffer than limba 7 plys.

Never played with Clipper or 7 ply wood so I can't tell.

301z is stable enough for amateurs, it is just that it feels like playing with piece of cardboard going all out in open rallies.

I consider myself intermediate level, but at my level you don't see many open topspin to spin rallys. What rubbers did you play with the 301z?

 

[Kazama]

I consider myself intermediate level, but at my level you don't see many open topspin to spin rallys. What rubbers did you play with the 301z?

FH: Hurricane 3 Neo or Battle 2
BH: Hurricane 8 or Hurricane 8-80

 

[job59]

Since last Wednesday I'm giving another try to my 301X. Last time I moved, cause it felt too fast. I switched to the TSP Balsa 6.5 (old version!), then after a while moved to the Illusion Killer from Tibhar. This was the best feeling of a blade (using H3) I ever had. But the balsa core needs a strong stroke to get activated. So I was missing power on more controlled top spin.

First two sessions worked well. No more easy mistakes as usual (was my fear). More winning medium shots, especially playing double. I need to adapt to the higher weight. My BH sometimes is not "pressing" the ball.

Setup: 301X - H3 Neo BS - Tibhar Hybrid MK.

 

[Ultravisitor]

I got a really good deal for a 301z:
with Summersale and coins I git one for 43€!
I will circel back to you once I tried it

 

[Ultravisitor]

I tried the 301z now for 2 training sessions. Here's my brief review/comparison to the Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition and Fextra 5:

It's basically what a thought it would be. It's a little slower than the 7ply until yku put a lot of force into the shot. Then the 301z gets faster.
It has more flex, it is nicer to loop than pro black edition. Also harder feeling, nicer for backhand.
301z is more headheavy but fine.
Sweetspot is big and the feeling is great. Loopps are easy to do and have good quality.

Still for the 301z is not for me. The handle is not comfortable for me. Even after carefully rounding and removin excess strands of fiber from the wings, they come down to low and shorten the handle. I can't fit it in my hand in a comfortable way.
It's a shame, because it had great feeling and has the right speed.

I'll be trying the yinhe pro 03 next. I hope i can get a light one, so it's not to fast for me.