What is there NOT to like about the Blade?

Ross K

Legend
Recently started playing the 16x19 Blade, and that's impressed me so much I've also not only looked at the gold/black 18x20 (which has automatically shot to being one of my fave closed pattern frames ever - and I'm usually totally an open pattern fan), but even an old K Blade too.

Anyhow, I just find these frames to offer great control and precision, crispness, impact feel, solidness, spin I'm still deciding on (but certainly with 16x19 it seems enough), way of swinging, etc, that I just wondered...

What is there not to like about the Blade?
 

Broly4

Rookie
The black and gold has been my racket of choice for two years. I find it too stiff when going full poly ( for me a must), altough a soft poly might do the trick.
As with the rest of Wilsons, the handle runs a bit short, noticeable if you hit 2 hd, other than that, great stick.
 

Xonemains

Semi-Pro
There's nothing wrong with the blade 16 x 19 at all.

It's just that the Donnay P1 is better in all areas except paint job, ie P1 paint chips everywhere :)
 

Torres

Banned
All a matter of personal preference, but for me it would be (a) the balance (b) the amount of mass at 12 and in the upper hoop. Just a bit too polarized for my liking even if you weight the handle. Then again, some people like those characteristics.
 

Dgdavid

Professional
Cumulative build up of discomfort did it for me. Otherwise I would still be swinging the Black/Gold BLX.
 

KFwinds

Professional
Not much. It's still my feeding stick, but when I was using it for match play it was aggravating my TE. I own the black/gold & black/pink ones and they play fantastic, but unfortunately my elbow doesn't agree with them :(
 

SteveI

Legend
All a matter of personal preference, but for me it would be (a) the balance (b) the amount of mass at 12 and in the upper hoop. Just a bit too polarized for my liking even if you weight the handle. Then again, some people like those characteristics.

Well... yes.. the frame is like 11 oz and a SW of 340 and is 1-2 points HL? Not to my liking. Very popular frame... but you asked??
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Not much. It's still my feeding stick, but when I was using it for match play it was aggravating my TE. I own the black/gold & black/pink ones and they play fantastic, but unfortunately my elbow doesn't agree with them :(

Had the same issue. Took 6 months to build up though.

It was more me than the racquet. I seem to hit the sweet spot on the regular with a lower sweet spot and higher static weight instead of the opposite.

So basically my amazing ability to frame a lot caused the issue.
 
Thats not true for every player though.

For example, if you are a fan of the APD, the blade is going to work great.

I used to play with the APD GT and just made the switch to the blade and i love it!!!!! i might at a little weight to it to make it heavier but other than that nothing.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
There's nothing wrong with the blade 16 x 19 at all.

It's just that the Donnay P1 is better in all areas except paint job, ie P1 paint chips everywhere :)

I agree the P1 is an awesome racquet and VERY similar to the Blade 16x19. They BOTH feel very weighty in the head and both have lots of plow for 11.5 oz class racquets. P1 has a little more power IMO and hits a slightly lower trajectory ball. Both have super solid feel. Problem for me with the P1, is that nobody stocks enough of them so you never have much to choose from. This makes it tough to get one with the specs you want. Most of them come in way over the specs of 327 saw.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
All a matter of personal preference, but for me it would be (a) the balance (b) the amount of mass at 12 and in the upper hoop. Just a bit too polarized for my liking even if you weight the handle. Then again, some people like those characteristics.

Agree with this. Very polarized feeling when swinging thru the air. But that's also what gives it such plow and mass behind the ball.
 

Doubles

Legend
It's all personal preference. For me, it's because it's a Wilson, and I don't really care for the feel of Wilson rackets.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Thats not true for every player though.

For example, if you are a fan of the APD, the blade is going to work great.

For me, I would be very happy if they just shifted a little mass towards the tail and brought the swing weight down to around 325. That would make it perfect for me.
 

UCSF2012

Hall of Fame
Can't keep the ball in the court against 4.5 players. It's fine against old men who only play doubles, because they don't have the legs anymore.
 

Ross K

Legend
I used to play with the APD GT and just made the switch to the blade and i love it!!!!! i might at a little weight to it to make it heavier but other than that nothing.

Thats not true for every player though.

For example, if you are a fan of the APD, the blade is going to work great.

EastAngels and PP - Spot on for me being APD Original user on/off for few years, but always nagged away at with thoughts re desiring more control, solidness and feel.

Not much. It's still my feeding stick, but when I was using it for match play it was aggravating my TE. I own the black/gold & black/pink ones and they play fantastic, but unfortunately my elbow doesn't agree with them

Pink and black are exactly the same as gold/black playing/specs-wise? These are designed with woman in mind, no?

I tried the k blade once. Worst racquet i ever hit. No ****. Mighta been the strings though

Only brief time with K but found it pretty similar to later versions.
 

Ross K

Legend
I know it's been covered a bit in other threads but as I've far less experience with the gold/black VS the black latest version, just interested to hear from experienced Blade users - how do these really differ? What are the individual traits or whatever that makes you prefer one version over the other?
 

marosmith

Professional
I had to play with an 18x20 recently and hated it. Stiff, no feel, nearly impossible to hit a good slice. While specs are similar to my racket I much prefer a radical, prestige, or pro tour.
 

SteveI

Legend
Just a little????? Damn... I can't imagine swinging that monster.

I would have to start my swing right after my follow thru to get the frame into position for the next shot.

"BLX Blade 98. 13.91oz., 12.52", 375 SW.
Ashaway Kevlar 18g/Zyex Monogut Red 16g, 49 lbs."
 

The Meat

Hall of Fame
I would have to start my swing right after my follow thru to get the frame into position for the next shot.

"BLX Blade 98. 13.91oz., 12.52", 375 SW.
Ashaway Kevlar 18g/Zyex Monogut Red 16g, 49 lbs."

I thought my setup was bad enough at the low 13oz range, but 13.91oz and with kevlar as well??!!!!
 

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
I would have to start my swing right after my follow thru to get the frame into position for the next shot.

"BLX Blade 98. 13.91oz., 12.52", 375 SW.
Ashaway Kevlar 18g/Zyex Monogut Red 16g, 49 lbs."

It must be quite delightful, if you swing it smooth and slow
Like Kimiko Date-Krumm :)
 
The 18x20 Black Gold Blade may be the most versatile racquet I've ever hit with and may some day be considered a classic. It does everything well and then some. Started playing with the 16x19 this year and fell in love with it, but I did start having some annoying shoulder problems and went back to the older 18x20s. The biggest complaint you'll here about the Blades are the swing weight, but that's what make the Blades unique. You'll get the amazing plow that you'll only get in a 12oz racquet. If you can handle the swingweight and it doesn't cause arm issue, you can't go worng with a Blade in any string pattern.
 

bad_call

Legend
got a blx 18x20 blade to try out. liked hitting with PP's but not crazy about the string setup/tension as i recall. coming off GE so going full syn gut 1st. SW measured like 331 or so.
 

Ross K

Legend
The 18x20 Black Gold Blade may be the most versatile racquet I've ever hit with and may some day be considered a classic. It does everything well and then some. Started playing with the 16x19 this year and fell in love with it, but I did start having some annoying shoulder problems and went back to the older 18x20s. The biggest complaint you'll here about the Blades are the swing weight, but that's what make the Blades unique. You'll get the amazing plow that you'll only get in a 12oz racquet. If you can handle the swingweight and it doesn't cause arm issue, you can't go worng with a Blade in any string pattern.

Think I agree, Roy. I'm still fairly new in with the Blade but, yep. can see it's clearly a great frame.

got a blx 18x20 blade to try out. liked hitting with PP's but not crazy about the string setup/tension as i recall. coming off GE so going full syn gut 1st. SW measured like 331 or so.

Interested to hear how you like it bc.
 

keithfival

Professional
As I demo'd the black 16x19 tonight I recalled this thread and understood why you asked! One of the best all around stock demo's I've ever tried. There were two, one multi and one poly, both felt great, never thought it needed lead anywhere (can't remember the last time I felt that way about a 325g stick!)

Has that pure Radical feeling but quite a bit more pop, super solid and a very nice, plush feel. It does have some extra power that when I wasn't in attack mode I had to be a "tad" mindful of, but for a first hit it was hardly an issue. Enough to make me curious about the 18x20 though.
 

Ross K

Legend
As I demo'd the black 16x19 tonight I recalled this thread and understood why you asked! One of the best all around stock demo's I've ever tried. There were two, one multi and one poly, both felt great, never thought it needed lead anywhere (can't remember the last time I felt that way about a 325g stick!)

Has that pure Radical feeling but quite a bit more pop, super solid and a very nice, plush feel. It does have some extra power that when I wasn't in attack mode I had to be a "tad" mindful of, but for a first hit it was hardly an issue. Enough to make me curious about the 18x20 though.

Agree with every single word you've said here, Keith. :wink:
 

tennis007

New User
I agree the P1 is an awesome racquet and VERY similar to the Blade 16x19. They BOTH feel very weighty in the head and both have lots of plow for 11.5 oz class racquets. P1 has a little more power IMO and hits a slightly lower trajectory ball. Both have super solid feel. Problem for me with the P1, is that nobody stocks enough of them so you never have much to choose from. This makes it tough to get one with the specs you want. Most of them come in way over the specs of 327 saw.

Try contacting Tenniswarehouse and request them to find a frame with specs you're looking for. I was able to purchase 2 frames with exact specs. The cost was $10 for this service. Good luck.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Try contacting Tenniswarehouse and request them to find a frame with specs you're looking for. I was able to purchase 2 frames with exact specs. The cost was $10 for this service. Good luck.

Tried that, but they have very limited stock of P1's in 4 1/2

On a related note...I will be posting one of my (3) 16x19's today in the F/S forum. It is 9+/10 condition.
Check it out if you are interested in picking up one of these badboys.
 
Last edited:

mikeler

Moderator
got a blx 18x20 blade to try out. liked hitting with PP's but not crazy about the string setup/tension as i recall. coming off GE so going full syn gut 1st. SW measured like 331 or so.

I'd go with a soft multi instead of synthetic gut. A tender elbow can tell a difference in stiffness between the two.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I'd go with a soft multi instead of synthetic gut. A tender elbow can tell a difference in stiffness between the two.

Agree. Also...the 16x19 is softer feeling than the 18x20. I tried a 16x19 demo that had Wilson NXT Tour in it and it felt dreamy.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It's a powerful stick, but you should be good. I have my tecs at 56#s with full syn gut..they are lower powered compared to the Blade, but this tension seems to be really comfy and depth is perfect.
 

Bmr

Rookie
Recently started playing the 16x19 Blade, and that's impressed me so much I've also not only looked at the gold/black 18x20 (which has automatically shot to being one of my fave closed pattern frames ever - and I'm usually totally an open pattern fan), but even an old K Blade too.

Anyhow, I just find these frames to offer great control and precision, crispness, impact feel, solidness, spin I'm still deciding on (but certainly with 16x19 it seems enough), way of swinging, etc, that I just wondered...

What is there not to like about the Blade?

Played with it a bit more last night. I'm not sure this is going to be the racquet for me. I know we've played with pretty much the same racquets thus far, but I just can't get into it. It could very well be simply the RPM blast string, but the balance is not quite where I like it. The Juice/Black are playing very well for me. It's too bad you guys don't live closer to me so we can go out and playtest more of these things. Anyone in the L.A. area, let me know :p
 

niktub

Professional
Many thanks
what makes the graphene different to the previous speed 300 version?
More stable? Softer?
 
Last edited:

bad_call

Legend
I'd go with a soft multi instead of synthetic gut. A tender elbow can tell a difference in stiffness between the two.

like the full syngut in the blade but elbow a bit sore (probably too much time hitting for 1st time back). think restring with syngut/multi for next time out.
 

Torres

Banned
Which frame would be similar to the Blade 16x19 or Donnay P1 but with a lower SW?

Possibly also the Prestige S, and BLX Tour. With both sticks, you'll also have headroom to customize the weight upwards to suit your tastes.
 
Last edited:

Ross K

Legend
swingweight is too high....

Well, it's been some weeks now and I'm still finding I can handle the SW, and just generally the range of qualities this frame possesses has meant I've yet to do my customary racketaholic dabbling.

The only issue I might have is actually I'm a little hard-pressed to choose between the 16x19 Black Blade and the older (and closed pattern) black/gold. Both are so good.
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Of course you disagree. You're the same person who (wrongly) thinks that the BLX Tour is nothing to do with the Hammer line, and that the Vcore 95d is somehow similar to the Biomimetic 200g.

Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. This is all preference-based, so theres probably a few qualities and flaws that stood out to him that you may not have recognized.
 

rich s

Hall of Fame
Well, it's been some weeks now and I'm still finding I can handle the SW, and just generally the range of qualities this frame possesses has meant I've yet to do my customary racketaholic dabbling.

The only issue I might have is actually I'm a little hard-pressed to choose between the 16x19 Black Blade and the older (and closed pattern) black/gold. Both are so good.

Glad to hear you able to reign in the SW... I thought it had great feel and a nice combination of control and power when I demo'd it, but couldn't overcome the higher swingweight after a while when I demo'd it.... my preference is 16x19
 
Top