DHS W968 Gold Slam, poor layer thickness uniformity

[Migzkulit]

My friend used to play for Tianjin in China. He recently moved to New Zealand. With one ankle twisted, he still beat the hell out of our club.

He told me only 968 blades with player's name AND with a number less than 20 are worth buying. Even you have the money (~800-1000 USD) you still need a reputable connection.

Hence why I stay with Butterfly.

Whats wrong with the non-player versions? and heck, its hard finding player versions that aren't no.3 or lower (for me).

 

[mightymouse]

I try to stay away from DHS products for these kinds of reasons. They have too many varieties and when you choose the more expensive one, you can't really tell it's more special. Also, you need legitimate special source for getting the "special" type, and I can't be sure that the special source is indeed "special" nor legitimate.

For example, DHS Hurricane 3: Commercial, Neo, Provincial, National, Blue Sponge, Orange Sponge, etc. All are priced differently, and then are they really different? I read somewhere long time ago, that DHS does not really differentiate anything in production, but just choose the better quality ones, and mark the price higher, claiming it's the "special" version.

Of course, for the national player they do custom made. But for commercial versions, they don't.

Sorry, my opinion is very subjective and I am probably wrong. And for not a DHS user, I stand corrected.

But every time my friends bring the "special" W968 or "special" H3, etc., I can't feel anything special (yes, they are better, but not by much).

Other reason why I stay away is that I don't like boosting, so H3 is just not special without boosting (I believe that Zhang Jike also mentioned in his video regarding boosting H3 is a must, kind of confirming that all Chinese national players boost their rubbers).

 

[JC69]

Crazy to me that it's within their margin of error -- the top ply on one side is literally twice as thick as on the other!

I'm not sure what it says about DHS's manufacturing process that this is even possible. For every Butterfly blade I've owned, it's been clear from examining the grain patterns/spacing on the blade faces that the two top plies were taken from right next to each other in a single piece of wood, along the same grain. Obviously I can't see beneath the top ply, but I assume they do the same for the inner plies as well. More knowledgeable blade-makers/wood-workers should correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd imagine this helps minimize cupping/warping from temperature/humidity fluctuation since the the blade expands/contracts symmetrically on both sides. It also guarantees that the two plies are virtually the same thickness.

If DHS is taking plies from completely different pieces of wood for the outer plies in their blades, it's hard to imagine their blades could be made to that consistent of a standard. Which makes sense given their reputation for poor QC, but it's frustrating for such an expensive product.

All that said, I have no idea whether that would necessarily make this particular blade play poorly. Maybe it is a bit more vulnerable to warping/cupping, but that could be true for any DHS blade even if the top plies happened to be the same thickness.

Yeah, I agree
The advertise blade variation for the whole thickness is +-0.1mm, which is 0.2mm. Most of the variance is on the outer layer and I calculated the variance in the outer layer to be 0.24mm, which is more than 0.2mm. The outer layer on one side is 40% thicker than the other side BTW. I gave them this info as well, as well a close up photo of thicknesses which I had calculated from.

DHS didn't deny my calculations, but they said their margins of error for each layer is bigger than the whole blade thickness for their QC, and that it was within their margins, which still doesn't make sense IMO. Looking at blades from like Butterfly and Nittaku, they don't seem to have this issue and they are like less than a quarter of the price.

But aside from the layer thickness issue, at least I would say, based on just looking and touching it, the finish and quality of the blade seems higher than my Viscaria

 

[SDC]

Some of these big brands, have huge wood planers that they use to bring the blades down to the correct thickness. So, they glued the blades a little thicker than needed, then use the planer to sand each side separately. They sand one side, lower the planer, turn the blade around and sand the other. What it seems to me, is that someone forgot to turn the blade around the same side was sanded twice. It can happen, what it can't happen is that blade passing QC afterwards, specially for such an expensive product.

 

[JC69]

I try to stay away from DHS products for these kinds of reasons. They have too many varieties and when you choose the more expensive one, you can't really tell it's more special. Also, you need legitimate special source for getting the "special" type, and I can't be sure that the special source is indeed "special" nor legitimate.

For example, DHS Hurricane 3: Commercial, Neo, Provincial, National, Blue Sponge, Orange Sponge, etc. All are priced differently, and then are they really different? I read somewhere long time ago, that DHS does not really differentiate anything in production, but just choose the better quality ones, and mark the price higher, claiming it's the "special" version.

Of course, for the national player they do custom made. But for commercial versions, they don't.

Sorry, my opinion is very subjective and I am probably wrong. And for not a DHS user, I stand corrected.

But every time my friends bring the "special" W968 or "special" H3, etc., I can't feel anything special (yes, they are better, but not by much).

Other reason why I stay away is that I don't like boosting, so H3 is just not special without boosting (I believe that Zhang Jike also mentioned in his video regarding boosting H3 is a must, kind of confirming that all Chinese national players boost their rubbers).

In my opinion at least, If they selected better ones from their line and charged more for them, and they did so correctly, I actually wouldn't mind. Can look as it as they took 10 tries just to make a "good" one, they are spending more resources to make it, and selling the scraps for cheap. If it actually performs better, I think it's justified to charge more.

They actually do this for like computer CPUs, and GPUs as well, they call it "binning". Like if try to make some i9s, but for some reason, it doesn't get up to the specs of an i9, but can it can still meet the spec of like a slower proccesser like i5, they sell it as such.

Of course I am saying this only if it actually is better. Don't know how easy is it to test and quantify performance for rubbers.

I agree, without boosting, H3 is nothing special. Unboosted though, I haven't seen another rubber like boosted H3. I never boosted other rubbers before, but aside from other chinese rubbers, doesn't seem like other rubbers get the as much increase in performance from boosting (at least that's what it seems from reading on forums)?

 

[JC69]

Some of these big brands, have huge wood planers that they use to bring the blades down to the correct thickness. So, they glued the blades a little thicker than needed, then use the planer to sand each side separately. They sand one side, lower the planer, turn the blade around and sand the other. What it seems to me, is that someone forgot to turn the blade around the same side was sanded twice. It can happen, what it can't happen is that blade passing QC afterwards, specially for such an expensive product.

I don't think it's the case for this one though, because the outer layers on the opposite edge looks pretty even. I think the layers are a bit slanted or curved, which of course, like you said, shouldn't pass QC for such an expensive product.

 

[SDC]

I don't think it's the case for this one though, because the outer layers on the opposite edge looks pretty even. I think the layers are a bit slanted or curved, which of course, like you said, shouldn't pass QC for such an expensive product.

Of course they are even, they glue pre-sanded veneers, the blade has to be perfectly flat when it goes into the machine, otherwise the sanding is uneven. That's another option right there, just a piece of debris under the blade is enough to cause uneven sanding.

 

[JC69]

Of course they are even, they glue pre-sanded veneers, the blade has to be perfectly flat when it goes into the machine, otherwise the sanding is uneven. That's another option right there, just a piece of debris under the blade is enough to cause uneven sanding.

Yeah, that would make sense, if a small piece debris was there while planing

BTW, I clicked on your site there, and your blades look beautiful, have you made anything with similar composition and feel as a W968 before?

 

[Grahf]

I think they save money by not doing the logo.

I have this blade and it is better than w968 national. But I don't think every blade will be the same as mine

Just got the blade, 102g and 1227 Hz lmao, I dont think its the same as yours or is it?

 

[TensorBackhand]

Just got the blade, 102g and 1227 Hz lmao, I dont think its the same as yours or is it?

Which link did you buy from?

This is totally different. The logo is werid, the carbon is weird, weight and frequency is bad

 

[Grahf]

Which link did you buy from?

This is totally different. The logo is werid, the carbon is weird, weight and frequency is bad

the one you posted:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809254974750.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.70635A8m5A8mHT&algo_pvid=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae&algo_exp_id=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2113.26%2113.26%21%21%2194.68%2194.68%21%402103201917528803526195014ec84b%2112000049109272508%21sea%21US%211644340096%21X&curPageLogUid=EVLmVal2tbsf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiCMk2bJcECEwY9iSoCFcWuXp0Y8exFXDEB7n-dIEYp-AyDA9m4oktSItMzg2dNtMJvbXg

But hey, I did not expected a real blade for 9 dollars LMAO

 

[TensorBackhand]

the one you posted:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809254974750.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.70635A8m5A8mHT&algo_pvid=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae&algo_exp_id=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2113.26%2113.26%21%21%2194.68%2194.68%21%402103201917528803526195014ec84b%2112000049109272508%21sea%21US%211644340096%21X&curPageLogUid=EVLmVal2tbsf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiCMk2bJcECEwY9iSoCFcWuXp0Y8exFXDEB7n-dIEYp-AyDA9m4oktSItMzg2dNtMJvbXg

But hey, I did not expected a real blade for 9 dollars LMAO

If I were you, you can apply for a refund. Clearly the blade in the page is not the same as the blade they sent you.

 

[TensorBackhand]

the one you posted:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809254974750.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.70635A8m5A8mHT&algo_pvid=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae&algo_exp_id=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2113.26%2113.26%21%21%2194.68%2194.68%21%402103201917528803526195014ec84b%2112000049109272508%21sea%21US%211644340096%21X&curPageLogUid=EVLmVal2tbsf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiCMk2bJcECEwY9iSoCFcWuXp0Y8exFXDEB7n-dIEYp-AyDA9m4oktSItMzg2dNtMJvbXg

But hey, I did not expected a real blade for 9 dollars LMAO

BTW, How is the Stuor Harimoto SZLC?

Mine is catchy and powerful at the same time. A great blade and great feeling.

 

[Grahf]

BTW, How is the Stuor Harimoto SZLC?

Mine is catchy and powerful at the same time. A great blade and great feeling.

Its really good, its has great feeling and can really manage power shots as well, the best cheap blade I have ever bough tbh

I became a Stuor fan after such a pleasant experience, I really want to try their zhang jike, fan zhendong and hurricane sha blades as well, do you have any insights on them?

 

[TensorBackhand]

Its really good, its has great feeling and can really manage power shots as well, the best cheap blade I have ever bough tbh

I became a Stuor fan after such a pleasant experience, I really want to try their zhang jike, fan zhendong and hurricane sha blades as well, do you have any insights on them?

I had the Lemuria ZJK ZLC, and it was quite good. quite fast but of course somewhat stiff.

Stuor Fanzhendong also felt stiff to me. So outer blades are not really my style.

Never tried the Sha, but I had Stuor Long 5 and it was too soft. Didn't have the snap and responsiveness.

 

[TensorBackhand]

the one you posted:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809254974750.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.70635A8m5A8mHT&algo_pvid=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae&algo_exp_id=f50a8665-465f-4bbe-b74b-be9ab14a21ae-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2113.26%2113.26%21%21%2194.68%2194.68%21%402103201917528803526195014ec84b%2112000049109272508%21sea%21US%211644340096%21X&curPageLogUid=EVLmVal2tbsf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiCMk2bJcECEwY9iSoCFcWuXp0Y8exFXDEB7n-dIEYp-AyDA9m4oktSItMzg2dNtMJvbXg

But hey, I did not expected a real blade for 9 dollars LMAO

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806931262157.html?spm=a2g0o.home.pcJustForYou.14.468a6278wZW3h7&gps-id=pcJustForYou&scm=1007.13562.416251.0&scm_id=1007.13562.416251.0&scm-url=1007.13562.416251.0&pvid=555ad353-615d-41b2-96ec-f4a35f14ecd1&_t=gps-id:pcJustForYou,scm-url:1007.13562.416251.0,pvid:555ad353-615d-41b2-96ec-f4a35f14ecd1,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238113%231998&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2234%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223562%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2162.14%2126.72%21%21%2162.14%2126.72%21%402101c71a17540202549185492e401d%2112000039458089217%21rec%21US%211644340096%21XZ&utparam-url=scene%3ApcJustForYou%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiCMk2bJcECEwY9iSoCFcWuXp0Y8exFXDEB7n-dIEYp-AyDA9m4oktSItMzg2dNtMJvbXg

I think you will have better luck with this one.