The most comprehensive guide to Ma Long’s legendary blade — every version, every code, and how to tell them apart.
Why the W968 Matters
The DHS W968 is not just a table tennis blade. It is the personal weapon of Ma Long — the most decorated player in the history of the sport — and the foundation of an entire family of blades that has shaped modern Chinese table tennis.
But here’s the problem: the W968 exists in multiple versions, grades, and variations that are extremely confusing, even for experienced players. Provincial, national, commercial, old model, new model, Structure 12, ebony surface, anatomic handle, Sun Yingsha edition, Wang Chuqin Q968… the list goes on.
Most players hear “W968” and assume it’s one blade. It’s not. And the differences between versions are significant — in construction quality, playing characteristics, and price.
This guide will explain every version, how to identify them, and which one is right for your level.
The DHS Hierarchy: How Internal Distribution Works
Before diving into specific W968 versions, you need to understand how DHS produces and distributes equipment. Unlike Western brands that sell one version to everyone, DHS operates a tiered system inherited from China’s sports infrastructure.
Commercial (市售 — shì shòu) Mass-produced blades sold worldwide through authorized retailers. This is the Hurricane Long 5 (HL5) you’ll find on Tabletennis11, Amazon, or your local table tennis shop. Good quality, consistent, and affordable. The entry point to the DHS flagship blade line.
Provincial (省队 — shěng duì) Selected from production runs for China’s provincial team players. Better wood selection, more consistent glue application, improved fiber integration. The “alphabet code” versions — serial numbers start with HL5 followed by letters and numbers (e.g., HL5A2B1234). These blades go through an additional quality screening that rejects roughly 60-70% of the production batch.
National (国家队 — guó jiā duì) Hand-selected for national team members. The “digital code” versions — serial numbers start with W968 followed by a date code and serial number (e.g., W968-20230415-001). The absolute top tier of quality control. Fewer than 10-15% of a production batch meets this standard. This is what Ma Long actually plays with.
Player Version (球员专属 — qiú yuán zhuān shǔ) Custom blades made for specific top players. Not commercially available under any circumstances. These are one-off productions adjusted to a player’s exact preferences — weight, balance, handle shape, flex. We won’t cover these further as they cannot be purchased.
The key insight: all versions share the same blueprint — 5+2 inner arylate-carbon construction with limba outer plies. What changes is the quality of materials selected and the precision of assembly. Think of it like wine from the same vineyard: same grapes, same soil, but the Grand Cru selection is on a completely different level.
W968 Version Breakdown
1. DHS Hurricane Long 5 — Commercial Grade
What it is: The mass-produced, commercially available version of Ma Long’s blade design.
Code format: Standard DHS product code, no special serial number system.
Construction: 5+2 inner arylate-carbon. Limba outer plies. Standard handle size.
Playing characteristics: Fast, stiff, powerful. Carbon engagement is noticeable and direct — the blade feels responsive but less forgiving than higher grades. Good power from mid-distance, effective blocking, and strong topspin capability.
Who it’s for: Intermediate to advanced players who want the HL5 architecture without the premium price. Club players who compete regularly and want a modern inner-carbon offensive blade.
How it compares to the W968 National: Players who have tried both consistently report that the HL5 commercial feels “stiffer” and “more direct” — the carbon kicks in earlier and more abruptly. The W968 National has a wider dynamic range: softer on slow shots, yet more explosive on full power strokes. The commercial version has roughly 20-25 “gears,” while the National version has 30+.
Price range: $60–$90 USD
→ Browse Standard Commercial Blades
2. DHS W968 — Provincial Grade (Alphabet Code)
What it is: The version produced for provincial team players across China. Often referred to as the “alphabet version” because of its serial code format.
Code format: Starts with HL5 followed by a mix of letters and numbers. Example: HL5A3C2456. The letter-number combination identifies the production batch, quality tier, and sequential number.
Construction: Same 5+2 inner arylate-carbon blueprint, but with hand-selected limba plies and more precisely integrated carbon layers. Larger handle than commercial. Better glue bonding between layers.
Playing characteristics: Noticeably different from commercial HL5. The fiber feels more “blended” into the wood — the transition from wood feel to carbon engagement is smoother and more linear. More ball-holding ability (dwell time), better control at low speeds, and higher ceiling at full power. The handle is slightly larger and more comfortable.
Who it’s for: Advanced players and serious competitors who want the W968 experience at a more accessible price than the National version. Tournament players who need that extra gear range for both short game and power loops.
Key differences from commercial: Better wood consistency, smoother carbon integration, larger handle, wider dynamic range. The most commonly cited difference is control — the provincial version absorbs pace much more effectively, making blocking and counter-looping significantly easier.
Price range: $150–$300 USD depending on age and specific batch
→ Browse Provincial Grade Blades
3. DHS W968 — National Grade (Digital Code)
What it is: The top-tier version, hand-selected for national team players. This is the closest thing to what Ma Long himself uses (short of his custom player version).
Code format: Starts with W968 followed by a digital date code and serial number. Example: W968-20231015-003. The date indicates production date; the final digits are the sequential serial within that batch.
Construction: Same architecture, but the very best materials from each production run. Every wooden ply is inspected and matched for weight, density, and grain consistency. Carbon sheets are positioned with precision that maximizes feel transmission. The handle is shaped and sanded by experienced craftsmen.
Playing characteristics: This is the blade that earned its legendary status. Players describe it as having “30 gears” compared to the commercial version’s “20 gears.” At low speed, it feels soft, forgiving, and controllable — perfect for touch play, serves, and short pushes. As you increase power, the blade progressively engages through multiple stages of acceleration. At full power, it’s faster and more explosive than the commercial version, yet somehow more stable and predictable.
Who it’s for: High-level competitive players and serious enthusiasts who want the ultimate W968 experience. Players with strong fundamental technique who can take advantage of the extended dynamic range.
Important note: The W968 National rewards good technique and punishes bad habits less than cheaper blades. However, it requires solid fundamentals to unlock its full potential. It is not a blade that will compensate for poor stroke mechanics — it will simply give you more of what your technique already produces.
Price range: $300–$600+ USD depending on age and availability
→ Browse Pro Personal / National Blades
4. DHS W968-5 — Ebony Surface Provincial
What it is: A variation of the W968 where the traditional limba outer ply is replaced with a thin layer of ebony wood.
Code format: Provincial grade coding system (alphabet format).
Construction: Based on the W968 structure, but with an ebony surface replacing limba. The ebony is harder and denser, which changes the blade’s playing characteristics.
Playing characteristics: Faster and stiffer than the standard W968 limba version. The ebony surface increases ball speed, adds a crisper feel on impact, and enhances the elastic response of the carbon layer. Less dwell time than the limba version, but more direct power. Think of it as a W968 that’s been shifted slightly toward the aggressive end of the spectrum.
Who it’s for: Players who love the W968 architecture but want more speed and directness. Aggressive attackers who prioritize power loops and finishing shots over touch play.
5. DHS W968-18 — Sun Yingsha Edition
What it is: A dedicated edition of the W968 platform designed for Sun Yingsha, the women’s world champion. This is not simply a rebranded W968 — it has specific modifications to suit her playing style.
Code format: W968-18 designation.
Construction: 5+2 inner arylate-carbon, limba outer plies, but with tuning adjustments that differentiate it from the standard W968. Made in DHS’s top-tier workshop with professional-grade consistency.
Playing characteristics: Designed for fast attacks, precise placement, and ultimate control under pressure. Compared to the standard W968, the Sun Yingsha edition is optimized for close-to-table speed and precision rather than raw mid-distance power. Exceptional spin capability and stable feedback even at high stroke frequencies.
Who it’s for: Players who prefer a close-to-table offensive style. Those who value speed and precision over raw power. Fans of Sun Yingsha’s aggressive yet controlled playing style.
→ See W968-18 Sun Yingsha Edition
6. DHS W968 Anatomic Handle (AN)
What it is: The W968 National grade blade with an anatomical handle instead of the standard flared (FL) handle.
Construction: Identical to the W968 National in blade head composition (5+2 inner carbon, limba outer plies). The only difference is the handle shape — ergonomically contoured to fit the natural grip of the hand.
Playing characteristics: Same playing characteristics as the W968 National, but with improved grip comfort and stability during high-intensity rallies. The anatomical handle distributes pressure more evenly across the palm, reducing fatigue during long matches.
Who it’s for: Players who prefer AN handles for comfort. Those who experience hand fatigue with standard FL handles. Anyone who wants the W968 National performance with a different grip feel.
7. DHS Q968 — Wang Chuqin Edition
What it is: Wang Chuqin’s signature blade, built on the W968 platform but with modifications specific to his explosive playing style. This is the “next generation” of the 968 family.
Construction: Based on the W968 inner structure but with adjustments that make it bouncier, faster, and requiring less physical strength to generate power. Same quality tiers exist (commercial and provincial).
Playing characteristics: Faster than the standard W968. More elastic and responsive — the blade does more of the work for you. Wang Chuqin’s style demands explosive speed and quick transitions between forehand and backhand, and the Q968 reflects this. More forgiving than the W968 on off-center hits.
Who it’s for: Players who want the 968 DNA with more inherent speed. Those transitioning from European-style blades who find the standard W968 too demanding. Fans of Wang Chuqin’s explosive style.
Provincial vs Commercial: The same DHS hierarchy applies. The provincial Q968 has noticeably better feel and craftsmanship than the commercial version.
→ See Q968 Wang Chuqin Provincial
How to Read W968 Serial Codes
Understanding the serial code is the fastest way to identify what you have:
Alphabet code (e.g., HL5A2B1234) → Provincial grade. The “HL5” prefix identifies it as a Hurricane Long 5 family blade selected for provincial distribution.
Digital code starting with W968 (e.g., W968-20231015-003) → National grade. The date indicates production date. Genuine W968 National blades can be verified on the DHS official website by entering this code.
Standard product code / no special serial → Commercial grade Hurricane Long 5.
Q968 prefix → Wang Chuqin signature edition. Same grading system applies (commercial vs provincial).
W968 vs Hurricane Long 5: Quick Comparison
| Feature | HL5 Commercial | W968 Provincial | W968 National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Standard | Alphabet (HL5…) | Digital (W968…) |
| Wood selection | Standard | Screened | Hand-selected |
| Carbon integration | Direct | Smoother | Seamless |
| Handle size | Standard | Larger | Larger |
| Dynamic range | 20 gears | 25 gears | 30+ gears |
| Control at low speed | Good | Very good | Exceptional |
| Power at high speed | Good | Very good | Explosive |
| Touch / short game | Average | Good | Outstanding |
| Price range | $60–90 | $150–300 | $300–600+ |
Which W968 Version Should You Buy?
You’re an intermediate club player? → Start with the Hurricane Long 5 Commercial. It’s an excellent blade at its price point and will serve you well as you develop your technique.
You compete in tournaments and want an upgrade? → The W968 Provincial is the sweet spot. Significant upgrade over commercial at a more accessible price than National. This is where most serious players find the best value.
You’re a high-level player or serious enthusiast? → The W968 National is the ultimate version. If you have the technique to take advantage of it, nothing else feels the same.
You want more speed from the 968 platform? → Look at the W968-5 Ebony for a harder, faster feel, or the Q968 Wang Chuqin for a more elastic, explosive response.
You prefer close-to-table offense? → The W968-18 Sun Yingsha is optimized for speed and precision at the table.
How to Verify Authenticity
Counterfeit W968 blades are a real problem, especially for the National and Provincial grades. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Check the serial code. Every genuine W968 has a unique serial number that can be verified on the DHS official verification page.
- Examine the handle. Genuine provincial and national W968 blades have a noticeably larger, more refined handle than commercial HL5. The sanding is smoother and the finish is more uniform.
- Look at the carbon integration. On genuine higher-grade blades, the carbon layer is virtually invisible between the plies — it looks blended in rather than sitting as a distinct layer.
- Buy from verified sources. The safest way to get an authentic W968 is to buy from a dealer with direct access to DHS’s internal distribution channels.
At Ping Pong 3T, every W968 we sell comes with its original serial code and can be verified directly on the DHS website. We photograph each blade individually so you can see exactly what you’re buying.
→ Browse all DHS blades | → Contact us for advice
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the W968 really worth the premium over the HL5? If you have the technique to take advantage of it, yes. The difference is immediately noticeable — not subtle. Players consistently describe it as a different blade entirely, not just a “better version” of the HL5. The wider dynamic range gives you access to shots that simply aren’t possible on the commercial version.
Is the W968 evolving over time? Yes. Experienced players report that newer W968 productions tend to be slightly smaller in head size and harder than older batches. If you can find an older model W968 (pre-2020), many consider these to have a slightly softer, more flexible feel that some players prefer.
What rubber pairing works best with the W968? The classic Chinese setup: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (National or Provincial) on the forehand for maximum spin and control, paired with a tensor rubber like Butterfly Dignics 09C or Tenergy 05 on the backhand for speed and consistency. The W968’s inner carbon construction pairs especially well with hard Chinese rubbers on the forehand side.
Can a club player benefit from the W968? The W968 won’t compensate for poor technique — it amplifies what you already have. If your strokes are fundamentally sound and you’re looking for equipment that grows with your game, the Provincial version is a safe investment. If you’re still developing basic consistency, stick with the commercial HL5 until your technique is solid.
Have questions about which W968 version is right for you? Contact us — we’ll give you honest, personalized advice based on your level and playing style.