Blade Review 7: DHS Hurricane Wang Chuqin, an Easy-to-Drive Light Sniper

Originally published 2023-10-27 · Translated & republished with permission

This installment of the Blade Review / Mushroom Field Guide covers the DHS Hurricane Wang Chuqin, an easy-to-drive light sniper rifle.

Test setup: forehand NEO Provincial Hurricane 39 degrees 2.1, backhand GEWO Grape 450

Background

Although DHS’s design is mediocre and its quality control is worrying, you have to admit its eye for signings is pretty good. The two young players’ blades launched together, the Hurricane Wang and the Hurricane Sa, predictably set off a wave of shortages and price gouging. Prices stayed high, and I couldn’t be bothered chasing stock.
Since there were a lot of inquiries about these two blades, I originally wasn’t very interested, but my friend Old Wang happened to have one, so I borrowed it to try. So, being straight with you, I wrote this piece to talk about the performance.

One: Look and Feel

Quality control is still poor. When you peel off the rubber it strings (pulls threads), and the edges are rough. The same problems the Long 5 has, the Hurricane Wang and Sa have too. The color scheme is plain but easy on the eyes, and the Hurricane Sa’s core looks a bit thicker than the Hurricane Wang’s.

Two: A Quick Word on the Hurricane Sa

I mounted Pulse domestic rubber + Grape 450 on the Hurricane Sa, and the experience was fairly average. An ordinary blade that didn’t show much character. Overall the feel is similar to the Hurricane Wang: forehand fast attack and loop, with the backhand done more like an outer blade, in line with mainstream trends, but it didn’t leave a deep impression on me.

Three: Actual Performance of the Hurricane Wang

Let’s evaluate the DHS Hurricane Wang across five dimensions:

Feel: Fairly crisp and springy, fairly clear, comfortable enough, but on closer inspection there’s a roughness to it. Not as refined as Butterfly. I’d give it 6.5 to 7 points.
Arc: The arc is fairly low and flat, but the landing isn’t as deep as the Hurricane Long, and there’s no arc amplification. That said, it often produces “fast loop” feeling shots.
Spin: Spin is moderate to slightly above, also worth 6.5 to 7.5 points. Although the style leans outer, the Hurricane Wang is essentially an inner blade. The outer wood protection gives it some spin and control. I’d suggest pairing it with Hurricane, which matches the blade better.
Power: Power is moderate, with no amplification. There’s a fairly pleasant metallic ring when you drive through it. Although it’s fast, the impact isn’t strong and ball quality isn’t high, so it’s fairly easy to defend against. It suits mid-to-close-table fast attack. After backing off the table, the power drops further. If your ability allows, you can pair it with a 2.15 thickness or a Hurricane sponge over 40 degrees to make up for the lack of power.
Speed: Speed sits between traditional inner and outer blades, clear and quick, like a light sniper rifle, with a clack… clack… clack feel.

Four: Usage Suggestions

This is a typical mid-to-close-table fast-attack loop blade, with a low barrier to entry and use. Hurricane on the forehand is recommended; on the backhand you can choose a tacky or outer rubber, but not pips.
To wrap up, I think the Hurricane Wang suits players who play a mid-to-close-table fast-attack loop style, or fans and looks-focused buyers. You could compare the Hurricane Wang to the feel of a light semi-auto sniper rifle in a shooter game.

PS: Everything in the Mushroom Field Guide is my own subjective impression. Rubbers vary from sheet to sheet, and blade pairing changes things too. Comments and corrections welcome.