@@@@@----------The OFFICIAL Pro Kennex Ki5 Support and Discussion Thread--------@@@@@

[KenC]

Lately there has been a lot of threads all over the TW forums concerning the PK Ki5 frame. I recently bought 2 Ki5 315 and used this forum to get ideas and opinions to support my decision to use this stick. I always found the PSLGT support group to be very helpful and thought it would be great to have one for the KI5, which is much more popular. And considering that many migrate to this racquet because of arm and shoulder issues, having a centralized thread would be of great use to them.

Over time I will go through the forums and find the most relevant and interesting threads and highlight them here in the inaugural post.

TW User Feedback (Seems to combine the295 e 315 together)
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-KI512.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-KI5N12.html

User Reviews and General Discussions
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=355297
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413091
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=427897
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413091

About the "Sand" Sound
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=412810
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=424827

[KenC]

I bought 2 frames yesterday and weighed them before they were strung. Interestingly I measured one at 308g and the other at 310g. Strung with overgrip they come in at 331g and 333g. The racquet I used as a demo weighs in at 331g strung with overgrip.

While everywhere on the racquet I find 315, I think PK must be aiming for more like 310g +/- a few grams. Of course i am not using lab grade scales but the one in the shop and my scale at home have always agreed.

I don't know how significant the extra 5 or so grams is, but the racquets seem to play very well and handle heavy balls just fine. But I am interested to know if anyone ever got the 315 with an actual weight of 315g. Maybe 315 just sounds better than 310?

[canadad]

I am in, this racquet is awesome. After trying out many different frames, I have landed with this and could not be happier.

[jwbarrientos]

I am in, 3 PK Ki5 315, so far no complain
(only adjustement)

[Ramon]

When I switched from the APDGT to the Ki 5x it didn't take long at all for my elbow to heal up. 2 weeks later, I'm serving as if I took 10 years off my life! I thought my serve slowed down because I was getting older, but the truth was I held back physically and subconsciously because of my arm. When your arm gets a chance to heal, your game has a way of getting better in all areas beyond the mere playing aspects of the racquet (which are already good).

Many people think that switching to an arm-friendly racquet is something they do out of necessity so they can play regularly without pain, and hopefully, the racquet will play as well as the old one. However, I think a lot of people would be surprised at the noticeable improvment in their game once the arm heals up.

[KenC]

I liked this racquet long before I developed a bit of TE. I always told people the 315 is everything the Pure Drive should be. While I was super content with my PSLGTs, once the TE crept in I am glad I demo'ed the Ki5 315 and probably will just stick with this racquet, even after the TE is gone. The more I play with it the more I am dialing in everything and playing just as well with it.

Anyone want to buy some used PSLGTs?

Questions for all users: If not already stated, which model do you use? Have you modified your Ki5? What strings and tension work best for you?

I am currently using the frame unmodified and seem to be able to manage fine without customizing it. I strung up both my new racquets with the new XCel Black 1.30 and strung one at 54lbs and one at 50lbs. The one at 54 plays well and I think I will later on move to this tension. The one at 50 plays fine and my elbow is appreciating the low tension, although I seem to have to be more careful not to step on the gas too much.

Unfortunately I am a string breaker and really don't want to keep using the way overpriced XCel Black. I am thinking about trying out the Discho Microfibre next. I will probably miss the black color of XCel as it really makes the racquet look mean

[Ramon]

I have the Ki 5x, which I think is nothing more than a Ki 5 with a longer handle. Right now, my modifications include:

Wilson Shock Shield grip
Yonex Supergrap overgrip
1.5" Gamma head tape over the bumper
Tourna Sampras Dampener
2 grams of lead at 3, 12, 9

My measurements are:

Weight: 361 grams
Balance: 5 points HL
Swingweight: 383 (measured with SwingTool)

I basically think of this as a balanced setup to counterbalance my heavy replacement grip since I think the racquet is very head light as it is. I actually like a more polarized setup for groundstrokes where I only put lead at 12, but my volleys and slices seem to suffer with that, and I play the net a lot.

I've tried several multis, including some very good ones, but none of them will go more than 10-12 hours without breaking or feeling lifeless at the end. I tried Klip Legend natural gut, and it played better than any multi and lasted about 30 hours with no deterioration in play, so for now my go to setup is full gut, and I'll use my leftover stash of multis and polys for bad weather backup and experimentation. Gut/poly is actually my favorite setup as far as playability, but I'll have to find a poly that doesn't die in 3 hours like Discho Iontec.

[Bartelby]

A kI Q5 315 seems to be a new offering just up on the site so presumably no one has tried it?

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

A kI Q5 315 seems to be a new offering just up on the site so presumably no one has tried it?

The specs are very different from the Ki 5. I haven't tried it yet, so maybe I'm wrong, but the Q5 315 seems to be a closer match to the Juice Pro, while the Ki 5 is closer to a Pure Storm. It seems to me that the closest match to the Ki 5 in the Q-series is the QTour. Right now, I'm in no hurry to switch, but I'll keep those Q-series racquets in mind.

I'm not sure if I see a benefit in going to 4 kinetic chambers versus a continuous kinetic strip around the head. It sounds "less kinetic" to me. Maybe PK did it to lessen the sound when you shake it, but I don't notice the sound at all when I play.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I have the Ki 5x, which I think is nothing more than a Ki 5 with a longer handle. Right now, my modifications include:

Wilson Shock Shield grip
Yonex Supergrap overgrip
1.5" Gamma head tape over the bumper
Tourna Sampras Dampener
2 grams of lead at 3, 12, 9

My measurements are:

Weight: 361 grams
Balance: 5 points HL
Swingweight: 383 (measured with SwingTool)

I basically think of this as a balanced setup to counterbalance my heavy replacement grip since I think the racquet is very head light as it is. I actually like a more polarized setup for groundstrokes where I only put lead at 12, but my volleys and slices seem to suffer with that, and I play the net a lot.

I've tried several multis, including some very good ones, but none of them will go more than 10-12 hours without breaking or feeling lifeless at the end. I tried Klip Legend natural gut, and it played better than any multi and lasted about 30 hours with no deterioration in play, so for now my go to setup is full gut, and I'll use my leftover stash of multis and polys for bad weather backup and experimentation. Gut/poly is actually my favorite setup as far as playability, but I'll have to find a poly that doesn't die in 3 hours like Discho Iontec.

FYI, the Head tape sticks better to the 7G bumper guard than the Gamma. I'm not sure if they use the same bumper guard for your racket though.

[drummerboy]

Just bought this frame. Still in the process of getting used to it but overall I feel it's a good stick. Very hefty stick, no arm issues, plays well in all departments. I have a little pain in my wrist atm but it could be my technique. Shoulder and elbow feel great.

[Fusker]

Bought mine a month or so ago. No mods other than Yonex overgrip. I'm running Lux Alu at 55 in the mains and Babolat n.vy at 57 in the crosses. While arm comfort wasn't the primary concern for me, this racquet has allowed me to run the poly/syn gut hybrid a little tighter than on other racquets with far less shock. Since I live at altitude, the tighter setup has given me more ability to keep balls short of the baseline.

I actually just played a few days ago at the clay courts in Frick Park, Pittsburgh. That was my first time playing at somewhat close to sea level in years, and the difference is not minor. I only mention this because I felt like the ki5 had a ton of spin potential and was great at whipping around for sharp angles; yet I was also able to hit through the court when necessary. It felt almost tough to hit too long, but I didn't leave many short balls either. If I was playing here full time, I might consider dropping the string tension a pound or two.

[GrandSlam45]

I'm in... I just finished playing an entire week with the TW demo, and I'm ordering 2 this week.

Ramon... I hear you about serving! My serve has definitely improved with this racquet because of the lack of pain. In the past I was only able to serve for a couple of games until my arm turned into a rag.

KenC... thanks for starting this club. It's great to see how everyone else is moding their frames.

[Steve Huff]

Guess I should weigh in here. I just bought my 3rd ki 5 (used). I also still have 2 of the very 1st gen 5gs. I had several of their models between these and either sold them (thinking I was going to something else) or broke them (the white, yellow, black 5g just before the ki series was kind of brittle in my opinion). Mine are all modified. I take the butt cap off, remove the cylinder shape piece in the handle then add cotton and rubber cement. I've experimented with various amounts. I replace the butt cap (1 has a Head butt cap), then put a 1" piece of heat shrink around the butt cap to make it just a little larger. I use a ribbed grip with a soft, tacky overgrip. I use a Gamma Shockbuster I worm. I string with a gut/syn hybrid at around 62#. Of course, I experiment a lot, test many strings, etc. Overall wt of the racket I use most is 11.7oz strung. It's solid and plays great.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

Guess I should weigh in here. I just bought my 3rd ki 5 (used). I also still have 2 of the very 1st gen 5gs. I had several of their models between these and either sold them (thinking I was going to something else) or broke them (the white, yellow, black 5g just before the ki series was kind of brittle in my opinion). Mine are all modified. I take the butt cap off, remove the cylinder shape piece in the handle then add cotton and rubber cement. I've experimented with various amounts. I replace the butt cap (1 has a Head butt cap), then put a 1" piece of heat shrink around the butt cap to make it just a little larger. I use a ribbed grip with a soft, tacky overgrip. I use a Gamma Shockbuster I worm. I string with a gut/syn hybrid at around 62#. Of course, I experiment a lot, test many strings, etc. Overall wt of the racket I use most is 11.7oz strung. It's solid and plays great.

How would you compare the Ki 5 to the 5G? I heard the 5G is softer and the Ki 5 is more crisp. Is there a difference in arm-friendliness?

[Bartelby]

So build quality and spec reliability is excellent with pro kennex?

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Ramon

How would you compare the Ki 5 to the 5G? I heard the 5G is softer and the Ki 5 is more crisp. Is there a difference in arm-friendliness?

For what it's worth, I preferred the feel of my 7G to the Ki5, though I don't think I've ever tried the Ki5x, which would be the proper side-by-side comparison. 7G just felt kind of 'alive' to me compared to the Ki5, which felt a little more dead to me..

Originally Posted by Bartelby

So build quality and spec reliability is excellent with pro kennex?

It's not perfect. My three 7Gs varied in balance, so if buying from TW, best to use the matching service for exact specs you're after.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

So build quality and spec reliability is excellent with pro kennex?

Build quality seems fine and the two racquets that I have play identically. The only problem I have is that the two frames weigh in at 308 and 310g before stringing and overgrip. Seems like PK have a tolerance of +/- 7g. I prefer heavier racquets so I kinda' wish they erred on the heavier side rather than the lighter side...

I'll live with it, but I would rather prefer stricter tolerances for if and when I decide to get a third frame. If a third one weighs in at 320g bare frame I would probably be annoyed.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by KenC

Build quality seems fine and the two racquets that I have play identically. The only problem I have is that the two frames weigh in at 308 and 310g before stringing and overgrip. Seems like PK have a tolerance of +/- 7g. I prefer heavier racquets so I kinda' wish they erred on the heavier side rather than the lighter side...

I'll live with it, but I would rather prefer stricter tolerances for if and when I decide to get a third frame. If a third one weighs in at 320g bare frame I would probably be annoyed.

Ken, do you have any experience of the Ki5 295g. looking at it as a more maneuverable version of the 315 for quick net exchanges in doubles. Anyone else able to comment. TW doesn't seem to carry it except in Europe so maybe it not available in the US?

[KenC]

Originally Posted by smirker

Ken, do you have any experience of the Ki5 295g. looking at it as a more maneuverable version of the 315 for quick net exchanges in doubles. Anyone else able to comment. TW doesn't seem to carry it except in Europe so maybe it not available in the US?

I know a guy who uses it here, but he strings it with Alu Rough and I am afraid to even ask to try it. The balance is a little less head light but evidently they play very similarly. I find the 315 be be just as maneuverable as my PSLGTs, which are great at the net.