DHS Hurricane 301 vs Sanwei Fextra 7: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane 301 | Sanwei Fextra 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | medium-hard, crisp, direct inner arylate-carbon with deep dwell on power shots | Medium, woody and well-damped with moderate vibration; controllable offensive feel close to a Stiga Clipper but a touch crisper and not quite as stiff |
| handle | FL | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Aramid-Carbon (Koto outer, Ayous middle and core, inner Arylate-Carbon) | 7-ply all wood (Limba/Ayous) |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6 |
| type | — | OFF- |
| weight_g | 90 | 88 |
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Both blades chase the same goal at budget prices, but they get there differently. The DHS Hurricane 301 is a 5W+2 inner arylate-carbon blade rated OFF, with a hard Koto top that gives a crisp, direct feel and deep dwell on power loops. The Sanwei Fextra 7 is a 7-ply all-wood build with Limba outer plies and an Ayous core, a medium woody feel and a more controllable OFF- pace.
On speed and power the Hurricane 301 has the edge: the inner carbon and harder top push it from controllable touch up to OFF on power loops, while the Fextra sits at OFF- with limited far-table punch. For pure feel and forgiveness the Fextra is warmer and woodier with good defense at all distances, though its sweet spot can feel smaller and the crisp sound only comes on centered hits. The Hurricane 301, the higher rated of the two at around 8.6, also pairs naturally with tacky Chinese rubbers thanks to its strong spin potential.
Pick the Hurricane 301 if you are a forehand-dominant looper who wants more gears and a spin-friendly carbon blade. Pick the Fextra 7 if you want an even cheaper all-wood blade with a softer learning curve, ideal stepping up from a premade or 5-ply setup. Both stay light around 88 to 90 grams and work with tacky or non-tacky rubbers.
FAQ
Which blade is faster, the Hurricane 301 or the Fextra 7?
The Hurricane 301 is rated OFF and reaches OFF on power loops thanks to its inner arylate-carbon, while the Fextra 7 is a controllable OFF- all-wood blade with more limited far-table power.
Is the Hurricane 301 or the Fextra 7 better for tacky Chinese rubbers?
The Hurricane 301 is especially spin-friendly and pairs well with tacky Chinese rubbers, while the Fextra 7 is versatile and works with both tacky and non-tacky sheets.
Which is the better choice for a developing player on a budget?
The Fextra 7 is a controllable all-wood blade often priced around 20 to 30 dollars, ideal for players stepping up from a premade or 5-ply setup. The Hurricane 301 offers a wider gear range for improving offensive players who want more attack.
How heavy are these two blades?
Both are light: the Hurricane 301 sits around 90 grams and the Fextra 7 around 88 grams, though Fextra weight varies a lot between units, reported from 84 to 94 grams.