Friendship 729 Focus 3 Snipe vs DHS Hurricane 8: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Focus 3 Snipe | DHS Hurricane 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| best_side | backhand; also suitable forehand with 44 or 46 sponge | forehand |
| control | 11 out of 15 | medium-high |
| speed | 12 out of 15 | high |
| spin | 11 out of 15 | extreme |
| sponge_hardness | 42, 44, or 46 degrees (Chinese scale; approximately 36-40 European) | 39-40 (DHS scale, medium-hard) |
| type | pips-in, non-tacky tensor/hybrid | hybrid tacky tensor |
| weight_uncut_g | approx 50-54g uncut | 70 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Focus 3 Snipe is control and forgiveness at entry-level price. Non-tacky, very light, blocks and short-game friendly. Not a rubber for aggressive players or forehand-dominant games. Sponge durability is weak.
Hurricane 8 is faster and easier to drive than Hurricane 3 family. Excellent spin and tack on serves, receive, and short pushes. Capable of fast low-arc loopdrives and counterloops. Strong control and feel. Works fine unboosted for some players, responds well to boosting. Heavy (often over 50g cut), demands stronger technique and proper footwork. Tacky topsheet inconsistency between sheets and fadeout after two weeks. Weak in passive and flat game. Not recommended as backhand for most.
Choose Focus 3 Snipe to learn and drill backhand. Pick Hurricane 8 if you are developing-to-intermediate forehand-dominant attacker who wants tacky Chinese rubber spin and feel but with more speed and easier driving than boosted H3-NEO, and you have footwork and physique for a heavy rubber.
FAQ
Which is faster?
Hurricane 8 is high speed; Focus 3 Snipe is 12/15. H8 is a clear upgrade for aggressive play.
Can I use Hurricane 8 on backhand?
Not recommended. It is a forehand-dominant rubber. Focus 3 Snipe is ideal for backhand.
Do both need boosting?
H8 responds well to boosting but works unboosted. Focus 3 Snipe never needs boost and plays great as-is.
What is the durability issue with H8?
Tacky topsheet is inconsistent between sheets and fades after two weeks. Focus 3 Snipe is stable, though sponge durability is its weakness (regluing risks damage).