DHD Switchblade Review

The DHD Switchblade is an all-round performance shortboard built for average surf. DHD positions it as a complete daily board for waves up to around 4ft, with a single-to-double concave and a medium-to-low rocker that keeps speed moving through turns.

View on DHD

Quick specs

Type: All-round performance shortboard
Rocker: Medium to low
Bottom: Single to double concave
Glassing: 4 x 4 x 3/4 patch
Carbon: Comp tail
Fin setup: Five fin, FCS II or Futures

DHD describes the Switchblade as a complete all-round performance shortboard for waves up to 4ft, designed to generate speed through turns in average conditions. The listing notes the concave was slightly reduced compared with earlier double concave models, which DHD says helps stop the board catching a rail in small, sucky waves.

Stock dimensions published by Dive N' Surf run from 5'6" at 25.5 litres to 6'6" at 41.5 litres, so the same outline covers light intermediates through to larger surfers. Standard glassing is listed as 4 x 4 x 3/4 patch with a carbon comp tail.

Pros & cons

DHD lists an unusually wide ability range, from beginner through advanced
Reduced concave is described as less likely to catch a rail in small, sucky surf
Five-fin layout leaves thruster and quad both open
Twelve stock sizes from 25.5 L to 41.5 L

DHD caps the intended wave size at roughly 4 to 5 ft, so it is not a step-up
No published customer rating for this model
Custom orders through dealers can carry long lead times

How it surfs

Retailer specifications list a five fin box layout in FCS II or Futures, which means the Switchblade can be run as a thruster in cleaner surf or as a quad when the waves are softer. Pair it with a neutral set such as the Futures Rasta Quad if you plan to ride it four-fin most of the time.

In the DHD range it sits below the more volume-focused 3DX and away from step-up shapes, so it reads as the model to pick when most of your surf is waist to head high.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'8"	27.5 L	60 to 70 kg	Intermediate
5'10"	29.5 L	68 to 78 kg	Intermediate
6'0"	31.5 L	75 to 85 kg	Intermediate
6'2"	34.5 L	85 to 95 kg	Improver
6'4"	38 L	95 kg plus	Improver

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
DHD 3DX	Volume and wave count	Weak to fun surf	8.8
Channel Islands Happy Everyday	Daily driver	Knee to overhead	8.9

Verdict

An all-round shortboard aimed squarely at everyday surf. The wide size run and five fin layout make it flexible, though DHD's own wave range caps it well short of step-up territory.

Independent source check

Estimated from 2 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Sources checked

2

Source	Score	Summary
DHD Surf product listing	No numeric score	"The Switchblade is your complete all round performance shortboard for waves up to 4ft."
Dive N' Surf dimension table	No numeric score	"Published stock dimensions from 5'6 at 25.5 litres through to 6'6 at 41.5 litres."

Frequently asked questions

What waves is the DHD Switchblade made for?+

DHD lists an ideal wave size of 1 to 5 ft and positions the board for generating speed in average surf rather than for powerful, overhead conditions.

What sizes does the Switchblade come in?+

Published stock dimensions run from 5'6" at 25.5 litres to 6'6" at 41.5 litres, covering most rider weights in a single outline.

Can the Switchblade be ridden as a quad?+

Yes. DHD lists a five fin setup in either FCS II or Futures boxes, so thruster and quad configurations are both available.