Which do you prefer? Long 5 or Harimoto ALC?

[TensorBackhand]

In theory, they have a similar construction and should be somewhat similar. But I find that they play quite different. Long 5 is longer, has bigger sweet spot, and catches the ball better for me. Long 5 feels better on loops and touch shots.

Harimoto ALC makes my arm feel like it's "short". Obviously, the blade is basically the same length, but the feeling of having shorter arms is real for me. I think the blade is more head-light, and therefore it feels like the blade is closer to my hand. Long 5 is head heavier and feels like it is farther away.

I feel Long 5 loops heavy underspin easier. Harimoto is easier to maneuver, but just by a bit.

Also I feel dense Chinese rubbers feel better on Long 5, whereas tension rubbers feel a bit better on Harimoto.

Who else has experience with both blades and what do you find?

 

[FZD999]

Good question. I'm curious as to what you guys think.

 

[d3nium]

Long 5 is longer

Makes sense.

 

[banbekas]

In theory, they have a similar construction and should be somewhat similar. But I find that they play quite different. Long 5 is longer, has bigger sweet spot, and catches the ball better for me. Long 5 feels better on loops and touch shots.

Harimoto ALC makes my arm feel like it's "short". Obviously, the blade is basically the same length, but the feeling of having shorter arms is real for me. I think the blade is more head-light, and therefore it feels like the blade is closer to my hand. Long 5 is head heavier and feels like it is farther away.

I feel Long 5 loops heavy underspin easier. Harimoto is easier to maneuver, but just by a bit.

Also I feel dense Chinese rubbers feel better on Long 5, whereas tension rubbers feel a bit better on Harimoto.

Who else has experience with both blades and what do you find?

Being better in handling is actually the best possible reason why you should play with Harimoto ALC

 

[Crillo]

Following!

 

[OSA]

which one has handle grip is better?

I am currently using TMXi pro but the ceiling is bad. I am considering secondry setup with commercial long 5. Do you recommend long 5?

 

[TensorBackhand]

which one has handle grip is better?

I am currently using TMXi pro but the ceiling is bad. I am considering secondry setup with commercial long 5. Do you recommend long 5?

I like Long 5, but i prefer tmxi pro.

So if you want something snappier, you could try sanwei 75 inner.

Lemuria long 5 has more dwell than tmxi pro

 

[JustANoob]

Whichever when you hold it feels better in your pants ... I mean hands.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Whichever when you hold it feels better in your pants ... I mean hands.

No big difference for me.

 

[JustANoob]

No big difference for me.

Then isn't it more about play-style decision. If you want to play with a chinese rubber on forehand you go hl5, if not hari, and I havent played much with the blades, just borrowed a little at some points in time, but from your explanation my understanding is that hari is a little easier to play and hl5 takes a bit more effort to "tap" into its potential, so again more of a personal choice on that matter.

 

[Robin0910]

which one has handle grip is better?

I am currently using TMXi pro but the ceiling is bad. I am considering secondry setup with commercial long 5. Do you recommend long 5?

Flare Harimoto Alc is very thin, Straight handle feels nice.
With the Long 5, you may need to sand it down at the edges around the grip because they’re very sharp. Flare version feels alright but I would like it more if it was slightly thicker.
But at this price point I’d just pay a little extra for Hina Hayata H2. That has a very good FL grip and nice touch

 

[TensorBackhand]

Then isn't it more about play-style decision. If you want to play with a chinese rubber on forehand you go hl5, if not hari, and I havent played much with the blades, just borrowed a little at some points in time, but from your explanation my understanding is that hari is a little easier to play and hl5 takes a bit more effort to "tap" into its potential, so again more of a personal choice on that matter.

I mean there isn't a big difference in the handle, or how it feels to hold.

Overall, I think the HL5 plays better.

 

[FZD999]

Then isn't it more about play-style decision. If you want to play with a chinese rubber on forehand you go hl5, if not hari, and I havent played much with the blades, just borrowed a little at some points in time, but from your explanation my understanding is that hari is a little easier to play and hl5 takes a bit more effort to "tap" into its potential, so again more of a personal choice on that matter.

What about Dignics09c on the forehand? Does that go better with HL5 or Harimoto?

 

[JustANoob]

What about Dignics09c on the forehand? Does that go better with HL5 or Harimoto?

I am going to be completely honest, have not even smelled a dignics 09c in the real world/club/playground. My understanding from reading a lot of comments is that people who play chinese forehand prefer the 09c as a backhand rubber 🤷‍♂️

 

[robot2]

which one has handle grip is better?

I am currently using TMXi pro but the ceiling is bad. I am considering secondry setup with commercial long 5. Do you recommend long 5?

bad claims I heard on commercial long 5:

• weak for backhand
• qc issues, shorter lifespan

no idea how exagerated they are

 

[banbekas]

which one has handle grip is better?

I am currently using TMXi pro but the ceiling is bad. I am considering secondry setup with commercial long 5. Do you recommend long 5?

If you have to choose between DHS commercial stuff and Butterfly, always go for Butterfly. DHS commercial stuff is good but it's not as good as Butterfly. If you go for the provincial and national stuff, then it's a coin toss.

TMXi is already a clone of National W968, IIRC? It's actually better than Long 5 already, why would you change it?

 

[vossi39]

Based on measurements for TT Gear Lab the BTY Blade should be a bit faster and stiffer than DHS HL5. The Harimoto should not feel so much different from the TMXi (non Pro). All based on the measurements.
From own experience I can tell that TMXi Pro is a bit stiffer and faster than W968 and both have a bit more flex than a commercial HL5.

 

[OSA]

If you have to choose between DHS commercial stuff and Butterfly, always go for Butterfly. DHS commercial stuff is good but it's not as good as Butterfly. If you go for the provincial and national stuff, then it's a coin toss.

TMXi is already a clone of National W968, IIRC? It's actually better than Long 5 already, why would you change it?

I dont like the surface quality of TMXi pro. The top limba surface locally get off from the blade. And also it is a little slow from my viscaria and Lin gaoyuan alc.

 

[jaghaimo]

What about Dignics09c on the forehand? Does that go better with HL5 or Harimoto?

I play with D09c on HL5. On a FH it is good. On BH, I am looking to change it after our local league finishes. Maybe someone with a stronger BH could use it, but for me it is too hard.

My two teammates have BTY Ovtcharov (it's inner ALC but fast, yet loopy) and playing D09c on that blade feels easier (up to where I can play it on BH as well).

Having access to both, I decided on HL5 (vs Ovtcharov's) due to a more comfortable handle and a bit more control (HL5 being slower). I tried both with flared handles but I have rather medium-small hands the BTY handles felt a bit too large / uncomfortable. I liked Stiga Clipper handle a lot, but HL5 was even better for me that is.

I never tried Harimoto blade.

 

[FZD999]

I play with D09c on HL5. On a FH it is good. On BH, I am looking to change it after our local league finishes. Maybe someone with a stronger BH could use it, but for me it is too hard.

My two teammates have BTY Ovtcharov (it's inner ALC but fast, yet loopy) and playing D09c on that blade feels easier (up to where I can play it on BH as well).

Having access to both, I decided on HL5 (vs Ovtcharov's) due to a more comfortable handle and a bit more control (HL5 being slower). I tried both with flared handles but I have rather medium-small hands the BTY handles felt a bit too large / uncomfortable. I liked Stiga Clipper handle a lot, but HL5 was even better for me that is.

I never tried Harimoto blade.

Would you strongly consider Tenergy 19 as your next Backhand rubber?

I was thinking of buying that setup: HL5 paired with D09c FH and T19 BH