New Racquet suggestion

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

I have been playing with the blx and kblade for almost three years. Recently I haven't been playing as much as I would have liked and I feel that it is time for a change. I am an aggressive baseliner type of player and I have a lot of top spin on my forehand. I want a racquet that is good on the serve and that can maximize my spin but one that's not too overpowered that it is hard to control.
I am open to all brands. I was thinking something like the pure storm GT. The one thats 98 square inches and 12.1 ounces

 

[dyldore]

APD. I just got mine and I am in love, so I'm telling everyone to get it. :razz: Seriously, though, it's worth a demo.

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

I used to play with the APD. I may try it again, but I think a heavier racquet would suit me better.

 

[Fuji]

Why not demo the BLX 6.1 95 18x20? It's basically a beefier version of your blade?

-Fuji

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

My pro open, despite its medium power level, has lower power than the APDGT. It also has about the same amount of spin. It's basically, in my opinion, a more controlled pure drive or APD. Great topspin, I'm telling you. Also decent on the arm and I hit aces pretty often with this racket.

 

[Mick3391]

Why not demo the BLX 6.1 95 18x20? It's basically a beefier version of your blade?

-Fuji

Or a K-Factor 95, it's heavy, wide head so lots of room for spin and great plough through.

 

[Fuji]

Or a K-Factor 95, it's heavy, wide head so lots of room for spin and great plough through.

Good call as well. The K Factors are really really stiff however, and the new BLX's have a lower flex which may be slightly more comfortable for the OP who is coming from the Blade series.

-Fuji

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

I will definitely try the 6.1 18x20. What about the pure drive roddick GT?

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

I will definitely try the 6.1 18x20. What about the pure drive roddick GT?

Tons of power and you need a ton of topspin to tame it. That's my experience. I owned it for a short time.

 

[Fuji]

I will definitely try the 6.1 18x20. What about the pure drive roddick GT?

The PDR is a bit unwiedly IMO if you are looking for controllable power. Serving is honestly one of the best I've ever had, but off the ground it does sometimes get that random "I'm going to fling this ball into oblivion" feeling. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I got that every once in a while. The 6.1 series is definitely really powerful, but a much more refined and controlled power. Just speaking from my own personal experience of course!

-Fuji

 

[dyldore]

My pro open, despite its medium power level, has lower power than the APDGT. It also has about the same amount of spin. It's basically, in my opinion, a more controlled pure drive or APD. Great topspin, I'm telling you. Also decent on the arm and I hit aces pretty often with this racket.

I like the Pro Open, it did feel soft to me compared to the APD, probably better for your arm. I got similar amounts of spin/power with both rackets, but they were strung differently.

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

well thank you for the advice. I'm just gonna have to try both of them and see which suits me better. I do like the blx blade but I want some more mass behind my strokes.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

well thank you for the advice. I'm just gonna have to try both of them and see which suits me better. I do like the blx blade but I want some more mass behind my strokes.

Try the six one like Fuji said. Also try out some lead tape! Fuji says it can totally change the way the frame feels. I'm about to do that myself

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

I will, and I definitely want to lead up my blades before I give them up. I'm attached to them and its gonna be tough to switch. I know that sounds a little sad, but yeah I think trying some lead tape is a good idea

 

[Fuji]

Try the six one like Fuji said. Also try out some lead tape! Fuji says it can totally change the way the frame feels. I'm about to do that myself

For sure! I'm a huge advocate of lead tape. It definitely really alters the way a frame plays. The only thing is, is the Blade is so close to even balance stock, you'll need to do some counterweighting on the handle as to not go actually HH.

-Fuji

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

How much weight to you recommend I put on the head? Ad then I should counter it with the same weight in the handle?

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

How much weight to you recommend I put on the head? Ad then I should counter it with the same weight in the handle?

It's all personal preference. The blade already has a fairly hefty SW, you I would start by adding 5g of lead tape to the grip or under the butt cap.

 

[Fuji]

How much weight to you recommend I put on the head? Ad then I should counter it with the same weight in the handle?

It depends where you put it on the head as well. If you don't want to increase the already semi-high swingweight then 3 and 9 is the way to go.I'd start with 2grams on each side to see if you like that. Then put 4g in the buttcap or more. I'd probably counterbalance in the buttcap with as much lead as you can fit. Blue stick tac works well too. The handle is foam filled and there is maybe a half inch of play where you can put some lead or tac.

-Fuji