DHS ‘Hurricane 301Z’ is the new model added to ‘Hurricane 301’ series. ‘Hurricane 301’ series is the family of inner fiber blades with dyed Koto top layers. So far the major characteristics of ‘Hurricane 301’ series compared to standard inner fiber blades has been the higher elasticity when player hits the ball lightly. Therefore, with ‘Hurricane 301’ series, the players of lower level can play more easily thanks to the higher speed of ball. However, new ‘Hurricane 301Z’ seems to aim at different goal. ‘Hurricane 301Z’ fits for the playing style that the players hit the ball more actively with there own power instead of relying on the high elasticity of the blade.

The artificial material of ‘Hurricane 301Z’ is new Z carbon (= ZC) which includes Z fiber that provides bigger deformation and more transparent feeling than existing aramid/arylate fibers. From the letter ‘Z’ we may think of ‘Zylon’, but DHS isn’t saying that it is Zylon or PBO fiber, but just explaining that it is enhanced aramid (or arylate) fiber. There is the fiber whose initial is Z but it isn’t Zylon, for example Zxion which is a kind of arylate fiber.

Nothing is printed on the head of the high-class models in DHS blade range. Instead the printing is applied on the transparent plastic cover. The graphic design of handle is different from those of existing models of ‘Hurricane 301’ series.

‘H301’ series is the family of inner-fiber blades whose top layer is dyed Koto. Middle layer is Ayous, and ZC is placed under the middle layer. (Still we don’t know whether the ‘Z’ means Zylon or not. There is possibility that it is Zxion.) Z fiber is arranged in the vertical direction, and carbon fiber is arranged in the horizontal direction. Center layer is softer than ordinary Ayous that is used for the other models in ‘Hurricane 301’ series. Overall thickness is around 5.8mm.

The graphic design of handle seems to be motivated by the letter ‘Z’. It means newly applied Z fiber.

Because of the new design theme, the handle looks quite different from thos of ‘H301’, ‘H301X’ and ‘H301T’.

Differently from the rounded transparent plastic lens of existing blades of ‘Hurricane 301’ series, logo panel made of meta (probably brass) is applied at the end of handle.

On the back side of blade, there isn’t any lens or printing.

Serial number is printed on the right side of handle. BCXDAA means 230411. This blade is the one that was produces on 11th April 2023. (Final character ‘F’ means that this blade is the one that was produced after June 2020.)

Now there are four models in ‘Hurricane 301’ series – ‘Hurricane 301’, ‘Hurricane 301X’, ‘Hurricane 301T’ and ‘Hurricane 301Z’ from left to right.

Following are the performance indices of Hurricane 301Z (avg.weight = 88.2g) :

– Ep = 1.64

– Ec = 1.36 (Ec/Ep = 0.83)

– Vp = 1.11

– Vl = 1.24 (Vl/Vp = 1.12)

Please note that above are average values and can be updated by further measurement.

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