Wilson rackets: Foam in the handle?

[Alex78]

Hi there,

just opened the trap door to the handle of my new BLX2 6.1 to see what it looks like inside - and I am surprised to see that the handle is filled with some foamy substance.
Since I am contemplating getting a Blade 104 and bringing it up to some 315 grams by placing lead INSIDE the handle, I am now wondering if all Wilson rackets have their handles stuffed up to the rim?
I would appreciate any information. Right now, I'm wondering why there's a trap door if the handle is already completely filled...

 

[Fuji]

It's filled, but you can easily scrape out the foam if you really want to add weight. I've done it to some blades before to add silicone.

-Fuji

 

[Alex78]

Thanks, Fuji!
- Interesting information.

 

[Fuji]

Thanks, Fuji!
- Interesting information.

No problem. A ton of the new wilsons are foam filled handles, even on some of the prostock stuff as far as I know.

-Fuji

 

[pistolero]

Excuse my ignorance, but what does it feel like when filled w silicone? (in general, any racquet)

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Excuse my ignorance, but what does it feel like when filled w silicone? (in general, any racquet)

Don't people just use it as a way to add weight to the handle? If it changes the feel of a racquet, that'll make me think twice about using it.

So yeah, what does it feel like with silicone?

 

[Fuji]

Don't people just use it as a way to add weight to the handle? If it changes the feel of a racquet, that'll make me think twice about using it.

So yeah, what does it feel like with silicone?

For me it feels a lot different than foam or nothing. It adds almost a rubbery feel to the frame. I really really enjoy it. That being said, I usually add at least 15g, so I could be out of the ordinary. It really makes the frame play softer in my experience. Not too sure why, but it definitely changes the feel.

For example: Foam usually feels solid and crisp. Silicone changes that to a softer more organic feeling.

-Fuji

 

[pistolero]

Sounds like 15g of shock absorption.

 

[Fuji]

Sounds like 15g of shock absorption.

Yup!

That being said, almost all the prostocks I've played with have been modified with silicone. I've come to really enjoy the feeling that it has, so I do it to almost all my frames. A less permanent mod is to use blue tac or postertack instead. Gives a pretty similar feel without the permanentness of silicone.

-Fuji

 

[Gee]

Yup!

That being said, almost all the prostocks I've played with have been modified with silicone. I've come to really enjoy the feeling that it has, so I do it to almost all my frames. A less permanent mod is to use blue tac or postertack instead. Gives a pretty similar feel without the permanentness of silicone.

-Fuji

Hi Fuji,

I put 7 grams of poster tack just right behind the buttcap into the handle of my Head IG Prestige MP because I wanted to lower the balance.

How do you use to put the postertack into the handle if you want to soften the feel? Do you mold a long bar and press it as deep as possible within the handle?

 

[pistolero]

This sounds like a v good idea, the only draw back being the huge weight gain. My blx90 is already 10pts HL, some 15g's over stock, making it more so is going to significantly affect my game. Ideally I would want to fill the entire handle. Is the tack much lighter?

 

[Fuji]

Hi Fuji,

I put 7 grams of poster tack just right behind the buttcap into the handle of my Head IG Prestige MP because I wanted to lower the balance.

How do you use to put the postertack into the handle if you want to soften the feel? Do you mold a long bar and press it as deep as possible within the handle?

I manage to shove about 22grams total on average. Yup, you roll it into a long strip and carefully lay it down the sides of the handle.

-Fuji

 

[Fuji]

This sounds like a v good idea, the only draw back being the huge weight gain. My blx90 is already 10pts HL, some 15g's over stock, making it more so is going to significantly affect my game. Ideally I would want to fill the entire handle. Is the tack much lighter?

Oh man, if you want to fill the entire handle that's going to be at least 15+ grams. Easily 20-25 if you can get it to fit.

-Fuji

 

[pistolero]

22g's of silicone in, 22g's of leather grip off.

It was my one major knock on these tour racquets, they are not as good on the arm as one might imagine. This may be the best solution.

 

[pistolero]

Okay, so I did it: subbed leather for silicone(!) and it felt v good! I hit w a good hitter, some big exchanges and deep top spins, my arm is thanking me. It actually gave me additional confidence to whip some half volley type bh from baseline... more confidence all around really. In a nutshell, better! Thanks!

 

[Jster]

if i am not wrong, digging out the foam will void the warranty. try putting tungsten putty on the buttcap itself.

 

[Fuji]

Okay, so I did it: subbed leather for silicone(!) and it felt v good! I hit w a good hitter, some big exchanges and deep top spins, my arm is thanking me. It actually gave me additional confidence to whip some half volley type bh from baseline... more confidence all around really. In a nutshell, better! Thanks!

No problem!

It also probably helps that your frame is more Headlight now. The more HL the better for my arm at least.

-Fuji

 

[darklore009]

been injecting silicone into my wilson frames and it felt a lot more better with the foam. sure it makes it heavy, but it makes it more headlight and manuverable in the head. i like the feel of silicone cuz it makes it feel nice.

 

[Lefty78]

The entire racquets are filled with foam, not just the handles.

 

[pistolero]

For the blx90, 10 pts HL is pretty good; Unstrung stock is 12 pts.

I took the leather grip off to keep it at 10 pts.

 

[CVT]

You can screw some metal screws into the foam to add weight in the handle instead of using silicone - it will certainly provide the weight, but I don't know if you have other feel considerations.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Hi there,

just opened the trap door to the handle of my new BLX2 6.1 to see what it looks like inside - and I am surprised to see that the handle is filled with some foamy substance.
Since I am contemplating getting a Blade 104 and bringing it up to some 315 grams by placing lead INSIDE the handle, I am now wondering if all Wilson rackets have their handles stuffed up to the rim?
I would appreciate any information. Right now, I'm wondering why there's a trap door if the handle is already completely filled...

FWIW The Pro Staff 97 has foam / sponge in the handle. My Blade 104s 18x19 (6 but not the latest) don't have foam and I have weighted them to about 11.8 / 328 g. (strung) and they play much better than stock at that weight.
I switch between the Blades and Pure Strike 98 16x19, but I always miss the extended length (27.5) of the Blade 104.