DHS Hurricane Long 5 vs Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane Long 5 | Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| feel | hard, powerful | stiff outer oak veneer, medium throw, solid dwell, consistent blocking |
| handle | FL/ST | Flared, Straight, Anatomic |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | carbon composite (oak outer + carbon fleece CFNW inner, 5+2 layers) |
| speed | OFF+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.9 | 5.5-5.6 |
| weight_g | 89 | 87-90 |
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The Hurricane Long 5 is a heavy (around 89-93g) OFF+ inner-carbon blade with outstanding control, large sweet spot, and deep catapult designed to excel with tacky Chinese rubber on the forehand. The Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon is a lighter (87-90g) outer-carbon OFF blade emphasizing genuine carbon speed, excellent blocking consistency, and all-round pairing versatility with softer rubbers like Rakza 7 Soft. At 8.6 vs 8.0, the Long 5 rates higher but serves a more specialized forehand-looper niche, while the Yasaka is built for club and intermediate all-rounders transitioning to carbon.
The Long 5 is faster and delivers forgiving dwell for developing Chinese-rubber looping technique. The Yasaka provides real carbon speed at accessible cost and wider rubber pairing flexibility. The Long 5 is not ideal for players who dislike tacky rubber or play far-from-table; the Yasaka’s early ball release actually makes heavy topspin harder to produce. For dedicated forehand loopers using tacky Chinese rubber, the Long 5 is superior; for club players seeking a balanced first carbon experience, the Yasaka is the better choice.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Hurricane Long 5 is OFF+ and noticeably faster. The Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon is OFF speed with genuine outer-carbon speed but slower overall.
Which blade is better for topspin loops?
The Long 5 is designed specifically for looping with tacky rubber. The Yasaka’s early ball release actually makes heavy topspin harder to produce.
Which blade pairs better with diverse rubber types?
The Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon pairs well with softer rubbers. The Long 5 strongly favors tacky Chinese rubber and may disappoint with other rubber types.
Which is the better first carbon blade for intermediate players?
The Yasaka is designed specifically for club and intermediate players making their first move to carbon. The Long 5 is an inner-carbon specialized looper, not a traditional first-carbon option.