DHS Hurricane 301 vs Nittaku Violin: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane 301 | Nittaku Violin | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium-hard, crisp, direct inner arylate-carbon with deep dwell on power shots | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback |
| handle | FL | FL |
| plies | 5W+2 Aramid-Carbon (Koto outer, Ayous middle and core, inner Arylate-Carbon) | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| type | — | ALL+ |
| weight_g | 90 | 86 |
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The DHS Hurricane 301 is a 5-ply wood plus inner arylate-carbon blade rated OFF, with a very wide gear range from controllable touch to OFF or OFF+ power loops, long dwell, high spin potential and a crisp, direct hard Koto top. The Nittaku Violin is a 5-ply all-wood blade of Kiri core and White Ash outers rated ALL+, built around exceptional control, pinpoint placement and a warm, soft feel with long dwell.
In style, the Hurricane 301 is the faster and more powerful blade, light at around 90 grams and well suited to forehand-dominant loopers and third- or fifth-ball attackers, with lab-confirmed deep ball-holding on strong impacts. The Violin prioritizes control and feel over pace, comes alive with tensor rubbers and is slower than its billing suggests, weak at long-distance power and relatively stiff when new.
Choose the Hurricane 301, the higher-rated blade at around 8.6, if you want a spin-friendly inner arylate-carbon blade with a wide control range and more power at an affordable price. Pick the Violin if you prize control, feel and spin over raw speed and want a premium all-wood blade for looping and precise close-to-mid play, including as a first custom blade leaving fast carbon setups.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Hurricane 301 is faster, rated OFF with a gear range reaching OFF or OFF+ on power loops. The Violin is rated ALL+ and is slower than its billing suggests, with weak long-distance pace.
Which is better for control?
The Violin leads on control, with pinpoint placement and a warm, soft feel. The Hurricane 301 is still controllable on touch thanks to its wide gear range, but is the more offensive blade.
Which is better value?
The Hurricane 301 is the value pick, often cited at around one third the price of premium inner-ALC blades, while the Violin carries a premium price that some question versus cheaper blades.
What should I know about the Hurricane 301 surface?
The Koto top can splinter when changing rubbers, so sealing or sanding the surface is recommended. It gives a crisp, direct feel that rewards close-to-table topspin.