DHS Hurricane 301 vs Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane 301 | Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium-hard, crisp, direct inner arylate-carbon with deep dwell on power shots | medium-hard carbon, controllable, excellent value |
| handle | FL | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Aramid-Carbon (Koto outer, Ayous middle and core, inner Arylate-Carbon) | 5 ply wood + 2 ply Carbon (limba/ayous with a carbon layer) |
| speed | OFF | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6 |
| weight_g | 90 | 88 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Both are budget carbon blades that ask you to supply your own power, so this is about feel and ceiling rather than borrowed pace. The Ma Lin Carbon is thin, light and very forgiving, with a large sweetspot, excellent control and a carbon kick that climbs on strong impact. The Hurricane 301 is the crisper, faster of the two, rated OFF versus the Ma Lin’s OFF-minus, with deep dwell on power loops and a wider gear range.
The Ma Lin Carbon is the easier blade for the short game, blocks and fast forehand-to-backhand transitions, and is extremely versatile across rubbers. The 301 leans more toward the committed spin looper, with a sharper feel that some find polarizing.
Pick the Ma Lin Carbon for a forgiving, controllable carbon blade with a big sweetspot, especially for penholders and all-round attackers. Pick the 301 for more speed, deeper dwell and a wider attacking range. Both are outstanding value, and both can be picky about rubber and need care with the surface.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Hurricane 301, rated OFF, edges out the OFF-minus Ma Lin Carbon. Neither is fast at light impact; both reward a full swing, but the 301 has a higher top end.
Which has the larger sweetspot?
The Ma Lin Carbon. Its large sweetspot and forgiving response make it very easy on short play, blocks and touch, and it is the more beginner-friendly carbon blade of the two.
Is the carbon noticeable in either blade?
Yes in both, though differently. The 301 uses inner arylate-carbon for a crisp, direct feel, while the Ma Lin Carbon has a stiff carbon kick on smashes that some intermediates find a bit much.
Which is the better value?
Both are exceptional value. The Ma Lin Carbon is sometimes found near 20 to 55 USD, and the 301 is often cited at around one third the price of premium inner-ALC blades.