How many braided graphite/kevlar stick out there?

[tnsanydy]

I absolutely have no idea how many sticks are still out there old or new that's based on braided graphite and kevlar composite? Correct me if I'm wrong but can I safely say that all of the Wilson's original Prostaff lines was made of these materials? I know that all Prostaff users at one point or another tried other sticks that they hope can duplicate it's feel and control because their Prostaff are getting old and really worn out only to get frustrated and end up going back to it! I certainly can relate to this as I have 4 very old PSC 6.1 95 that I take care of because there's nothing new out there that can replace it except maybe one....the re-introduction of the Slazenger Pro Braided. It's got the braided graphite/kevlar composite but it does not say how much of each in percentages. There's also the issue of it's weight at only 11.5 .oz. Prostaff users are so comfortable with it's original weight of 12.6 .oz because there's enough mass to return the ball fast and heavy to their opponents. Some can't get enough of it's heft and add even more lead like Sampras do. Here's a partial list of sticks made of this composite materials that I know of.

Wilson Prostaff 6.0 85
6.0 95
6.0 110
6.0 125
6.1 95
Slazenger Pro Braided

 

[scotus]

Some Dunlop Revelation models

 

[Fed Kennedy]

pure drive

 

[dje31]

Volkl C-10 Pro is graphite/kevlar, though I don’t know if the graphite is braided.

The early Head Prestiges and others had Twaron, which is another brand of aramid, similar to DuPont's Kevlar. I believe the new Innegra stuff in current Heads is supposed to be yet another cheap relation / variation of aramid.

It might be helpful to add material or construction to the racquet finder, even as a keyword.

 

[Bartelby]

team or current?

pure drive

 

[tennisnoob3]

are you talking both braided graphite and kevlar? the entire dunlop 4d range is just braided graphite.

 

[vsbabolat]

pure drive

Is not braided graphite. It is unidirectional. The OP asked for Braided graphite and Kevlar.

 

[vsbabolat]

Volkl C-10 Pro is graphite/kevlar, though I don’t know if the graphite is braided.

The early Head Prestiges and others had Twaron, which is another brand of aramid, similar to DuPont's Kevlar. I believe the new Innegra stuff in current Heads is supposed to be yet another cheap relation / variation of aramid.

It might be helpful to add material or construction to the racquet finder, even as a keyword.

While those frames have aramid fibers they are not Braided graphite. The OP asked for Braided graphite and Kevlar.

 

[Hidious]

I know Kevlar gives a great feel to a frame but what are the pros of braided graphite? More stiffness in key areas?

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Is not braided graphite. It is unidirectional. The OP asked for Braided graphite and Kevlar.

Good call, did not know that. What about the YT instinct?

 

[tnsanydy]

While those frames have aramid fibers they are not Braided graphite. The OP asked for Braided graphite and Kevlar.

Thanks for your insights on this topic. I'm just curious what's so special about "braided" graphite/kevlar as opposed to just regular graphite/kevlar composite? I mean they all get cooked, melted and fused into one solid racket right? Braided graphite/kevlar composite it turned out makes for a heavy material to use in a racket that it was phased out in favor of newer & exotic materials we see today that are lightweight and strong which is more popular to a wide range of players.

 

[Keifers]

I'm not sure this famed composition will be appreciated by players of the modern, heavy-topspin baseline game. After all, the game doesn't require great touch and feel.

Those who place a premium on touch and feel will fall in love with it. 8)

 

[tnsanydy]

I'm not sure this famed composition will be appreciated by players of the modern, heavy-topspin baseline game. After all, the game doesn't require great touch and feel.

Those who place a premium on touch and feel will fall in love with it. 8)

I wonder if I will see the day where Wilson or any other racket manufacturer resurrect this composite in a 100 head size.... I bet heavy-topspin baseline players will love it's combination of power, control, touch and feel! I'm just assuming of course.

 

[wallymann]

Donnay Pro Cynetic 1 --> braided graphite/kevlar

 

[wallymann]

I know Kevlar gives a great feel to a frame but what are the pros of braided graphite? More stiffness in key areas?

Kevlar emphasizes strength, graphite emphasizes stiffness. Braiding can provide better vibration absorption.

I think braided is more of a marketing thing...modern composites mostly use unidirectional plies with very particular layups oriented in certain ways to achieve a desired flex/stiffness in key areas and overall stiffness and weight targets.

the good looking woven stuff aka "braided" is used mostly for aesthetics, the desired structural traits generally come from the unidirectional stuff underneath.

It's funny to me that the tennis industry still calls it "graphite" when literally *every* other industry calls it "carbon". Call Toray or ATR and you'll buy unidirectional "carbon" pre-peg sheets.

 

[wallymann]

snauwaert graphite and boron are braided graphite/kevlar...along with glass and ash!

 

[wallymann]

the OG wilson RF97A is braided graphite/kevlar

and any wilson "double braid" will have the braided kevlar/graphite combo: