Does anyone use head tape?

TonyB · 10-18-2006, 02:33 PM

I have never used head tape before, so I figured I'd give it a try and see if I can protect my older racquets from further damage. I ended up buying the Babolat tape, which was the highest rated tape here at TW.

At first, I thought it was going to be good protection, as the tape itself is rather thick and easy to apply. But I was extremely disappointed with its performance.

What a joke this stuff is! Honestly, I just BARELY nicked the frame on the ground during a slice backhand and the tape IMMEDIATELY scraped away right down to the frame. Honestly, I just barely grazed the ground with my racquet and the tape offered absolutely ZERO protection.

All I have to say is that to get any amount of protection from this tape, you'd have to touch the ground SO LIGHTLY that your racquet probably wouldn't have been damaged anyways.

And it's heavy, too! I weighed a strip of this stuff after I peeled it off my racquet and it adds about 3 grams to the head.

As I said, what a joke.

Ripper · 10-19-2006, 05:16 AM

I use head tape on new raquets, which I'm not sure I'm going to keep for long. Some brands of head tape are better than others, but they all offer very limited protection. The thing is, if they make the tape thicker (or if you use a double layer), obviously, the weight would be, even, more. Babolat makes two kinds; I've just used the cheaper one and I suspect it offers better protection than the other. I'm sure there's tape out there, that's made for other applications (I've read about people who use electrical tape, but don't know how it works), that will do a better job at protecting bumpers from scrapes, but watch out for the weight factor.

TripleB · 10-19-2006, 05:20 AM

I use the Gamma Guard clear head tape and love it. It's clear so it doesn't distract from the frames colors and it's pretty tough. I've used it for 7 or 8 years and most of my racquets look brand new.

Unfortunately Tennis-Warehouse doesn't carry this type and I end up ordering 4 or 5 rolls from somewhere else when I need some (everything else I order from T-W).

TripleB

goober · 10-19-2006, 05:38 AM

I use head tape. They pretty much are good for one scrape. If you want to go cheap, I just cut out a tiny piece of tape to patch up holes and my head tape lasts till my next string job. All my racquets look new and if I sell them I often get comments on what good shape they are in for how long I have use them.

I like klipper head tape it is slightly stronger.

TennezSport · 10-19-2006, 05:49 AM

I used to use the Babolat Head protection tape that was made from cloth, but Babolat has stopped making that and now makes the new rubberized head tape.

The old tape was pretty good, a little heavy so I used to double it up for protection and weight instead of using any lead tape. However this new stuff they make is rubberized junk! Doesn't have much weight, but also does not protect the racquet worth a damn; even doubled up.

My racquets are 3 yrs old and look like they were just purchased, but they will not look like that long with this new head tape. I wish they would go back to their old cloth tape, or at least make both so we have a choice. Until then, I have to look for another brand of head tape.

TS

Keifers · 10-19-2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennezSport

I used to use the Babolat Head protection tape that was made from cloth, but Babolat has stopped making that and now makes the new rubberized head tape.

The old tape was pretty good, a little heavy so I used to double it up for protection and weight instead of using any lead tape. However this new stuff they make is rubberized junk! Doesn't have much weight, but also does not protect the racquet worth a damn; even doubled up.

My racquets are 3 yrs old and look like they were just purchased, but they will not look like that long with this new head tape. I wish they would go back to their old cloth tape, or at least make both so we have a choice. Until then, I have to look for another brand of head tape.

TS

I, too, have tried both types of Babolat tape -- much prefer the cloth one.

Have gone to the cloth tape made by Gamma. You might like to try it.

Good luck.

Nuke · 10-19-2006, 05:18 AM

Duct tape.

basil J · 10-19-2006, 07:36 AM

I use the Gamm and Wilson. Both protect pretty well but they do not act as a guard, only another layer of protection against light scrapes. My racquets always literally look new regardless of how old they are. I always use head tape and I think it helps in a limited fashion, but good enough for me.

Ed Lee · 10-19-2006, 07:50 AM

Agree with Keifers and TennezSpot,

I really liked the Babolat tape on a roll as it offered the best protection against court rash. I actually liked the fact that it added weight to the racquet and changed the balance point as I prefer my racquets to be about 5pts HL. The only problem that it limits my choice of frames. The Gamma tape not as good as the old Babolat, but much better than the Babolat Supertape.

diredesire · 10-19-2006, 10:12 AM

I rarely use head tape, but when I do, i only tape up the shoulder-area (10/2) of my racquets, as that's the only place I really tend to scratch anyways. It changes the balance point less, and the affected areas get some protection. As a stringer, though, I hate tape. Especially on the Prince TT/etc series with the "hole-y" bumperguards.

Keifers · 10-19-2006, 11:02 AM

To remove the sticky residue left after head tape is removed, I've found Pure Acetone to be very effective. Does not hurt the paint or plastic on racquets.

Available in the nail care section of your drug store. I usually use cotton buds for this job.

tennis_nerd22 · 10-19-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyB

I have never used head tape before, so I figured I'd give it a try and see if I can protect my older racquets from further damage. I ended up buying the Babolat tape, which was the highest rated tape here at TW.

At first, I thought it was going to be good protection, as the tape itself is rather thick and easy to apply. But I was extremely disappointed with its performance.

What a joke this stuff is! Honestly, I just BARELY nicked the frame on the ground during a slice backhand and the tape IMMEDIATELY scraped away right down to the frame. Honestly, I just barely grazed the ground with my racquet and the tape offered absolutely ZERO protection.

All I have to say is that to get any amount of protection from this tape, you'd have to touch the ground SO LIGHTLY that your racquet probably wouldn't have been damaged anyways.

And it's heavy, too! I weighed a strip of this stuff after I peeled it off my racquet and it adds about 3 grams to the head.

As I said, what a joke.

lol i'd have to agree with you. i tried it too but it changed the balance way too much and scraped too easily. now i still have 5 strips of it (the babolat one) left

TonyB · 10-19-2006, 02:05 PM

Yeah, it was a complete waste of money. 100% disappointed with that product. Frankly, I'm very surprised that TW carries it. It's total garbage, and yet it got good reviews. Amazing.

Honestly, I think masking tape would do a better job than this junk.

10-18-2006, 02:33 PM	#1
TonyB Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,731	Does anyone use head tape? I have never used head tape before, so I figured I'd give it a try and see if I can protect my older racquets from further damage. I ended up buying the Babolat tape, which was the highest rated tape here at TW. At first, I thought it was going to be good protection, as the tape itself is rather thick and easy to apply. But I was extremely disappointed with its performance. What a joke this stuff is! Honestly, I just BARELY nicked the frame on the ground during a slice backhand and the tape IMMEDIATELY scraped away right down to the frame. Honestly, I just barely grazed the ground with my racquet and the tape offered absolutely ZERO protection. All I have to say is that to get any amount of protection from this tape, you'd have to touch the ground SO LIGHTLY that your racquet probably wouldn't have been damaged anyways. And it's heavy, too! I weighed a strip of this stuff after I peeled it off my racquet and it adds about 3 grams to the head. As I said, what a joke.

10-19-2006, 05:20 AM	#3
TripleB Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,235	I use the Gamma Guard clear head tape and love it. It's clear so it doesn't distract from the frames colors and it's pretty tough. I've used it for 7 or 8 years and most of my racquets look brand new. Unfortunately Tennis-Warehouse doesn't carry this type and I end up ordering 4 or 5 rolls from somewhere else when I need some (everything else I order from T-W). TripleB __________________ Microfracture knee surgery-11/26, doc pulled out 6 pieces of cartilage/shaved off other, tennis in the future questionable; Philippians 4:13

10-19-2006, 05:49 AM	#5
TennezSport Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern NJ, USA Posts: 1,865	Protection I used to use the Babolat Head protection tape that was made from cloth, but Babolat has stopped making that and now makes the new rubberized head tape. The old tape was pretty good, a little heavy so I used to double it up for protection and weight instead of using any lead tape. However this new stuff they make is rubberized junk! Doesn't have much weight, but also does not protect the racquet worth a damn; even doubled up. My racquets are 3 yrs old and look like they were just purchased, but they will not look like that long with this new head tape. I wish they would go back to their old cloth tape, or at least make both so we have a choice. Until then, I have to look for another brand of head tape. TS __________________ Yonex VCore98D;Tecnifibre Duramix @ 50/46lbs USTA,USPTA,USRSA*MRT,IART,TIA :Tennis begins with Love

10-19-2006, 05:18 AM	#7
Nuke Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: location, location Posts: 2,880	Duct tape. __________________ I just got a new racquet for my wife. Pretty good trade, huh?

10-19-2006, 07:36 AM	#8
basil J Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: boston area Posts: 2,384	I use the Gamm and Wilson. Both protect pretty well but they do not act as a guard, only another layer of protection against light scrapes. My racquets always literally look new regardless of how old they are. I always use head tape and I think it helps in a limited fashion, but good enough for me. __________________ "Get busy living, or get busy dying BB Melbourne/ PK KI5 gut/poly hybrid