So I demoed a Wilson blade 98s with countervail and really liked it. Thought the guy told me it was 159 on the phone the other day so I hopped on to buy it. That's when I realized it's actually the old blades that are on sale and not the countervail. The old blades are 70 cheaper was is pretty significant because I plan on buying two. I'm just getting back into tennis after a 15 year layoff so wasn't sure I wanted to drop almost 500 on two countervail once I pay for string too. Anybody else have experience with both racquets? Are the CV rally worth the extra 70 dollars per racket? Thanks for any input.
Wilson blades vs Wilson blades with countervail
- Thread starter Shane
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- blade98s countervail wilson
jersey34tennis
Professional
if you decide you want the previous blades please hit me up. i have 2 or 3 laying around but i fell in love with the pro staff 97s with the thinner beam. graymatter4you@aol.com
projectone7
Rookie
The older Blades are softer and have better touch IMO. I currently use the CV Blade 98S, and I honestly think that you'd be better off buying the older ones.
TennisHound
Legend
Some people have raved about the CV. It didn't work for me. You may like it though. The older versions are completely different racquets than the CV ones. I would demo both before making your decision.
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
No CV in the new Blade 104 - not the Serena Williams autograph. How did that racket feel in comparison to the CV sticks? Can anyone comment on that?
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TennisHound
Legend
I only tried the SW Auto 104, but I liked it, even though the Head was a little big. I also tried the 98L. I liked it too but it needs some weight. The CV 16x19 and 18x20 felt all jacked up unfortunately.
Mike Bascombe
New User
2015 blades are better. Flexier and more headlight with better touch.
Yao_guai_nz
New User
One man's rubbish is another man's treasure....not insinuating anything.
I'm a blade for life guy.
Disclaimer: ALL mine have been 18x20
NBlade (so plush and luxurious - a bit heavier, suited for longer, traditional strokes)
K Blade (best in all aspects, accurate AF, excellent feel, but I broke it)
2015 Blade (a good blend of everything)
Blade CV (sold - no feel and lacking power)... if you are a young whippy player and your dead polys stay in there for weeks on end, then you may not mind this racket.
I'm a blade for life guy.
Disclaimer: ALL mine have been 18x20
NBlade (so plush and luxurious - a bit heavier, suited for longer, traditional strokes)
K Blade (best in all aspects, accurate AF, excellent feel, but I broke it)
2015 Blade (a good blend of everything)
Blade CV (sold - no feel and lacking power)... if you are a young whippy player and your dead polys stay in there for weeks on end, then you may not mind this racket.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I really like the new version so much more. I don't know what it is, but I seem to be able to hit much bigger shots with the new version. Strangely, though, I like The 16X19 version more in this updated version, whereas I went for the more buttery feel of the 18x20 before. For this series, the 18x20 feels more HH than the 16x19, so that must be the reason. I just seem to play more aggressive tennis with the 16x19. Don't get me wrong. The updated 18x20, to me, is still better than the older version. The shots, to me, are much more penetrating.
re_ipsa
Rookie
I also prefer the newer version too.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I can't quite give an exact reason why I play better with the new version. I think it's the feel at the impact that helps me to be more aggressive with my shots. While some call it muted, I like its plush and soft feel.
Notirouswithag
Professional
used to use the 2015 blades(16x19) and compared to the CV blades(98/98s) I could not get down with them and played like ****. I switched string setups and overgrips and could not get down with them.
I ended up switching to the Pro staff 97 LS and havent looked back since, although I picked up a reverese PJ 98L(non cv) for teaching and occasionally play with it. I love it much better than the CV junk
I ended up switching to the Pro staff 97 LS and havent looked back since, although I picked up a reverese PJ 98L(non cv) for teaching and occasionally play with it. I love it much better than the CV junk
TennisHound
Legend
Man, I am still baffled at what your saying. I even bought one and literally couldn't play with it. Did you play well with it right away?
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Actually, no. It took me probably two long sessions of rallying to get more familarized with the frame. I was actually spraying the balls all over at first because it was more powerful than I expected and the feel was something I did have to get used to. I did love the feel right from the start. I think that's why I stuck with it.
I don't know. I did like the previous Blade 98 a lot. I just feel that this version feels buttery, powerful and really accurate once you get used to it.
I think being a racketaholic, I usually don't give too long of a look if I didn't like something about the frame. With this racket, I really loved the "hated" muted feel. It's probably love or hate thing with Blade 98 CV's.
PeterFig
Professional
Admittedly, I had limited experience with the non-CV Blade. I love the CV Blade. This may be due to the 'muted' feeling as I have been a Pro Staff user for years and years and years so maybe the CV to me has a more familiar feel. I'm playing with the 98 16x19 CV model now and loving it. But again as it's been stated here I really don't think one is 'better' than the other - it's more of a preference in feel and feedback.
PeterFig
Professional
I should add i use a fairly 'lively' string combo. Mains: Luxilon Gut 17 at 57lb. Crosses: Alu Power Feel at 55lb. That may counter some of the 'muted' feel people mention. I could see it feeling more muted with a full bed of poly.
TennisHound
Legend
Hmm. I may have to just demo it again. Thanks for the response
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