Just scraped the racquet finish off with the edge of a razor blade and used a green scotchbrite to clean anything up. It is actually a surprisingly good method and is very easy to control depth of removal. Very little fiber was touched. Rustoleum painters touch ultracover primer/paint. Goes on very nice. Not even a hint of any paint runs.
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
Thanks, I might give it a try on some old frames although if I wait a few more months all the paint will have probably fallen off my Blade V8 without any help from me
.SwissServe
Rookie
Have ordered two BP 98 (18x20) V9 rackets from the European Wilson Website in the morning today. But there seem to be still available (Grip 2, 3 and 4)
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Interesting. The Blade Pro will not be available for retail sale here in the US. The production is so small that they won’t sell them. I’ve got some coming sometime early summer.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
TW has stated that they are getting them and will be reviewing them.
Teddie
New User
what is the website you ordered from? ...can you share a link please?Have ordered two BP 98 (18x20) V9 rackets from the European Wilson Website in the morning today. But there seem to be still available (Grip 2, 3 and 4)
Raizu
Semi-Pro
They get a lot of frames during development that never make it to production or to the public.
The racquets are already available for purchase on Wilson's website.
People literally already own them...
Raizu
Semi-Pro
The H22 maybe. The one I played with and am getting will not be. We aren’t even sure why reps got them but from what I was told only pros and a handful of us will be able to get this particular frame.The racquets are already available for purchase on Wilson's website.
People literally already own them...
KC!
Hall of Fame
Is it the 18x19 version? There was a rumor of limited release of it. But I didn’t think it would actually happen.
The Blade Pro is available for retail sale, which is exactly what you said would not be available for retail sale in response to someone.
Yes, there are a million (or whatever) iterations of the H22, there are only two versions of the Blade Pro 16M or 18M.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Ok. I’m telling you what I’m being told directly from HQ. ♂️ I’ve got no reason to BS anyone.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Sounds like you’re talking to the wrong people my guy
I mean it's 2024, use the internet and google "blade pro v9," you'll see the racquet for sale on Wilson's website.
I've got no reason to BS anyone either because everyone in this thread knows about it.
If you're speaking about the 18x19, yes, that is a totally different story.
It’s literally on Wilson’s site now
If your rep is a dumb as mine is (he had no idea blade pro existed when he saw mine) I would question a $500 purchase
Raizu
Semi-Pro
I like my reps. At least the 3 I deal with lol. Don’t know the rest.
I've experimented with quite a few different poly setups/tensions looking for the mythological perfect setup. Currently, settling towards, gut mains/poly cross concept being the best. Now to replicate characteristics but as poly/poly. I don't care about durability or tension maintenance. I want pure performance without going gut$$ or Lux-ALU or RPM-blast. I have zero arm/elbow problems regardless of racket/string stiffness. High swing acceleration/speed.
Characteristics I want:
poly main: High elasticity & Max resilience (snapback speed) response with forces similar to contacting ball. In other words, I don't necessarily care about the stiffness/snapback of the string when its static/non playing conditions. I guess this is called the strings dynamic stiffness. Gut has the highest dynamic stiffness. It's very responsive and snappy during contact when the tension of the string increases for a few milliseconds.
poly cross: Feel / slickness / Low power / within a similar tension range as the main. I don't think the crosses do more than that but I can't find any science on it. I don't think crosses directly effect launch angle because I've tried ultra stiff/dead crosses @60lbs and mains at like 35lbs on a wilson shift and that sumofbich flew like I've never seen.
Both strings at lowest possible tension that gives crisp pocketing feel and appropriate launch angle. Also, lower tension = less stiffness bed, better energy transfer to the strings from ball. In other words if you play with ultra stiff string bed @ high tensions with low stiffness ball (flat/used) the strings take in less energy, less spin, less response. Try one of those stiff unpressurized wilson trinity balls and see how spinny & responsive it is.
18x20 blade pro, currently messing around with
Main: Weiss Cannon Scorpion (1.22mm) @43 lbs. (supposedly high marks on elasticity & resilience for poly).
K. Max Power (1.25mm) @ 39 as cross but I can see many strings fill this role but I do like the string a lot.
On anecdotal note this is why I think 18x20 or any dense string pattern in contact zone is superior than these open patterns. The number of strings that touch the ball is one of those attributes you can't change. I assume this is why most pro rackets look super dense, maybe more strings impede the incoming spin. I have no idea nor could find anything about it. Take EVERYTHING in this post with grain of salt, good chance I could be completely wrong.
SwissServe
Rookie
And back in stock again
Any 16x19 available in other european regions? How difficult can it be to get a f00kin blade pro in Europe..
SwissServe
Rookie
Sorry, only 18x20 at the moment, but if you are based in Europe, I would suggest to https://www.wilson.com/de-de/produc...9-frm-wr15050#artderauenhaut=46640&size=46826 select your desired grip size (e.g. 4 3/8) and then click on "notify me" - so you will receive a mail, as soon as the rackets are available. As I did with the 18x20 version...
So I have been playing with blade pros 18x20 for the past 3/4 years. One of my students just picked up Yonex Percepts 97. I hit with it for about three hours. Same string setup as my pros tier one FireWire and tier one ghostwire.
Thoughts. The 16x19 forced me to shape my fh more. I am old school eastern almost continental fh that is long. I was sailing fh. Once I switched over to a semi western I had better control.
Bh was like butter. Super nice. Volleys were the biggest difference. Just super solid and amazing. It was a tad light for me. I might fiddle around with the 97D to see the difference. It was nice having more stable volleys than the BP though.
Thoughts. The 16x19 forced me to shape my fh more. I am old school eastern almost continental fh that is long. I was sailing fh. Once I switched over to a semi western I had better control.
Bh was like butter. Super nice. Volleys were the biggest difference. Just super solid and amazing. It was a tad light for me. I might fiddle around with the 97D to see the difference. It was nice having more stable volleys than the BP though.
I've been with the BP v8 for about 1.5 years, and just picked up a BP v9 last month. After about 12 hours of singles, I'd have to say they are identical.
Note - I've got mine carefully matched / customized...but only with tungsten in the handle to make things a little more balanced (instead of HH) and to match the mass of each. Haven't computed a SW, but they feel the same to me.
Rock on!
Note - I've got mine carefully matched / customized...but only with tungsten in the handle to make things a little more balanced (instead of HH) and to match the mass of each. Haven't computed a SW, but they feel the same to me.
Rock on!
Only l4...damn
I am from Europe...
NattyGut
Semi-Pro
Hopefully back in stock in Europe soon ...I am from Europe...
SwissServe
Rookie
Well, in grip 3 and 4 there are still some available in Europe: https://www.wilson.com/de-de/product/blade-pro-98-16x19-v9-frm-wr15050#artderauenhaut=46640I am from Europe...
even 18x20 https://www.wilson.com/de-de/product/blade-pro-98-18x20-v9-frm-wr15040#artderauenhaut=46640
SwissServe
Rookie
Had to measure my to BP 18x20 V9 in my SW1:
Racket 1:
unstrungWeight: 305.4g
BP: 32.2cm
SW: 301
TW: 12.46
==> Added 1.1g at 12 o'clock (to match Racket #2)
strung (Luxilon Eco Power 1.25)
Weight 324.6g
BP: 33.4
SW: 338
TW: 14.05
Racket 2:
unstrungWeight: 306.5g
BP: 32.6
SW: 304
TW: 12.86
strung (Luxilon 4G Soft 1.25)
Weight: 324.3
BP: 33.6
SW: 336
TW: 13.56
The rackets are heftier than the stock V9 (static weight is higher, slightly more head heavy, an a tad higher SW).
NattyGut
Semi-Pro
Wrong thread
Last edited:
I have a few Blade Pros but I have realized that I’m in way over my head with this racket.
My current level is about 3.5. I’ve been playing for about 1.5 years after being a lifetime basketball player and have a long way to go to be a decent tennis player.
I feel like my game is suffering because my unrefined strokes and serves don’t allow me to get the most of this racket. The one thing I absolutely love with this racket (minus the beautiful glossy paint job) is the feel. I feel so connected with the ball and really feel the ball sinking into the strings. The feedback I get from it is great and I haven’t really experienced it with other rackets I’ve tried (Head Speed MP/Wilson Shift/Pro Staff X).
For context, I generate a lot of spin on my strokes and would call myself an aggressive baseliner.
Does anyone know of any other less demanding rackets with similar feel? Any advice you can offer for me regarding my racket journey would be appreciated!
My current level is about 3.5. I’ve been playing for about 1.5 years after being a lifetime basketball player and have a long way to go to be a decent tennis player.
I feel like my game is suffering because my unrefined strokes and serves don’t allow me to get the most of this racket. The one thing I absolutely love with this racket (minus the beautiful glossy paint job) is the feel. I feel so connected with the ball and really feel the ball sinking into the strings. The feedback I get from it is great and I haven’t really experienced it with other rackets I’ve tried (Head Speed MP/Wilson Shift/Pro Staff X).
For context, I generate a lot of spin on my strokes and would call myself an aggressive baseliner.
Does anyone know of any other less demanding rackets with similar feel? Any advice you can offer for me regarding my racket journey would be appreciated!
julianokay
New User
I think the main thing that makes the Blade Pro a very advanced frame is the high stock swing weight and the relatively small sweetspot. In terms of feel it comes from the thin-ish classic constant beam shape, which is really hard to replicate. TF40 305 comes to mind as a similar spec with good (not as good) feel and more forgiving.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah nothing feels like the blade pro besides old head radicals.
Maybe consider a 100 blade. It won’t feel the same though. To get that level of feel, unfortunately you need to use demanding frames. The small sweet spot and pure graphite is why they feel so good and are also demanding to use.
on a recent pod TW didn't give a date but said that they would be stocking them and doing a play test
Sounds like head heavier and higher SW is the difference for the v9 BladePro 98
its exactly what i would prefer
z
Does anyone here happen to have all 3 of the following in their possession?
- Blade Pro 18x20
- Ultra Pro 18x20
- 6.1 95 18x20
If so, would you ever be so kind as to help me out with some string density comparisons? I’m curious if the Blade Pro 18x20 does indeed have the exact same drill pattern density as the Ultra Pro 18x20, and then also whether or not the 6.1 95 18x20 is any denser than those.
The way that I usually go about comparing, is to line up the grommets of the crosses at the central-most cross (not the top or bottom, since I’m concerned with density in the sweetspot where we hit). From there, I look up and down a few crosses to see if any frame’s pattern deviates from another. I stop worrying once I’ve gone up or down enough crosses that I’m outside of the area where we’d be hitting.
I also do this for the mains, lining up one of the center-most grommet holes on the two frames, and then moving out to the side to compare.
Thanks very much in advance if anyone is able to report back on which frame is densest! I really appreciate anyone that’s willing to take the time to help out a stranger on the internet
- Blade Pro 18x20
- Ultra Pro 18x20
- 6.1 95 18x20
If so, would you ever be so kind as to help me out with some string density comparisons? I’m curious if the Blade Pro 18x20 does indeed have the exact same drill pattern density as the Ultra Pro 18x20, and then also whether or not the 6.1 95 18x20 is any denser than those.
The way that I usually go about comparing, is to line up the grommets of the crosses at the central-most cross (not the top or bottom, since I’m concerned with density in the sweetspot where we hit). From there, I look up and down a few crosses to see if any frame’s pattern deviates from another. I stop worrying once I’ve gone up or down enough crosses that I’m outside of the area where we’d be hitting.
I also do this for the mains, lining up one of the center-most grommet holes on the two frames, and then moving out to the side to compare.
Thanks very much in advance if anyone is able to report back on which frame is densest! I really appreciate anyone that’s willing to take the time to help out a stranger on the internet
gold325
Hall of Fame
Does anyone here happen to have all 3 of the following in their possession?
- Blade Pro 18x20
- Ultra Pro 18x20
- 6.1 95 18x20
If so, would you ever be so kind as to help me out with some string density comparisons? I’m curious if the Blade Pro 18x20 does indeed have the exact same drill pattern density as the Ultra Pro 18x20, and then also whether or not the 6.1 95 18x20 is any denser than those.
The way that I usually go about comparing, is to line up the grommets of the crosses at the central-most cross (not the top or bottom, since I’m concerned with density in the sweetspot where we hit). From there, I look up and down a few crosses to see if any frame’s pattern deviates from another. I stop worrying once I’ve gone up or down enough crosses that I’m outside of the area where we’d be hitting.
I also do this for the mains, lining up one of the center-most grommet holes on the two frames, and then moving out to the side to compare.
Thanks very much in advance if anyone is able to report back on which frame is densest! I really appreciate anyone that’s willing to take the time to help out a stranger on the internet
I an also curious about UP18 vs BP18 - since I no longer have one - and wasnt curious about this when I did.
The UP/UT 18 vs K6.1-95 18 I can do for you - if you are still interested
I have a real H22 18m but I am not sure if BP 18 is same as H22 18m as my H22 is very slightly more open than ny UP/UT 18
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