What Are Your Thoughts on Prokennex?

[stru31]

Your thoughts and opinions on any one of their racquets? I'm curious since no one I know or play uses one. What do some of them play like in comparison to other racquets?

[galain]

Great company doing a very good job to bring high quality thoughtfully designed frames to the tennis community.

There is a quite a range of frames so answering your question is difficult, but have a read - they have a lot of fans on this board. Their Kinetic system is a bone fide technology that actually does do what it says and makes for a very comfortable hit, and I thought their Core series from a few years back was sensational.

I'm not currently using their sticks but I will always be a vocal supporter.

[anirut]

Originally Posted by stru31

Your thoughts and opinions on any one of their racquets? I'm curious since no one I know or play uses one. What do some of them play like in comparison to other racquets?

Just order one to your specs and play it.

And you'll be free, breaking away from the "marketing leash" of the big names.

[Squidward]

I currently use the Redondo MP and the Black Ace 98. Excellant racquets by any standard!

Give'm a try, you may be the next convert!!

[Gee]

Originally Posted by anirut

Just order one to your specs and play it.

And you'll be free, breaking away from the "marketing leash" of the big names.

I completely agree. PK racquets are really underrated due to lack of fame.

They don't spend a lot of money on sponsoring top players like Head, Wilson and Babolat.

Lately I was demoing the Head IG Prestige MP because of the many positive comments on this forum. All these Prestige fans should demo the PK Black Ace or Redondo as well.

I can only say that I really prefer the PK feel. Just 100% graphite!

[KenC]

So far so good with me. The PK Ki5 315 is helping my elbow recover from mild TE even though I still play way too much.

I kind of like that ProKennex keeps a low profile and doesn't go overboard with all the marketing BS. It's better to underpromise and overdeliver rather than vice versa. It inspires long term confidence and brand loyalty in the products.

[danotje]

Can't say anything just yet on their new frames, but I received a shiny new 7G last night. I, too, have a mild bout of TE and am hoping the 7G can help. Everything I've read (which is a lot) says it will, plus people just seem to like it as a racquet regardless of TE. It has a good, solid feel with a nice bit of heft, so I'm pretty excited.

In the meantime, though, in trying to find anything to help my arm, I started using the first racquet I ever bought--a Pro Kennex Silver Ace 110. It is really heavy, but incredibly awesome to hit with. So much so that if the 7G doesn't work out, the Ace will become my main stick, and I'll try to source another. I think it's been said many times, but PK makes good stuff, just nobody knows about it. Added benefit of the 7G (and SA for that matter) is a little exclusivity at my local club. I'll report back after playing later today.

Two random, interesting facts: my racquet timeline spans 22 years and begins and ends with PK; this is my first post.

[Ramon]

My first Pro Kennex was the Silver Ace back in the early 80's. It was a graphite/fiberglass composite that only cost about $80. It was one of the cheapest graphite composites at the time and also one of the best. It had more flex than most graphite racquets, which made it comfortable and gave me confidence to take full swings. I was very upset when I cracked it and was told they stopped making it.

My second Pro Kennex is the Ki 5x, which I'm using right now. I'm very happy with it. My elbow feels much better since I switched from the APDGT, and my game is better too. It's quite a bit heavier than most modern frames, but you do get the benefit of more plow and stability.

Pro Kennex was one of the first manufacturers to make graphite racquets, and as another poster noted, they were the brains behind a lot of the technology you see from the big name manufacturers.

[ced]

Originally Posted by galain

Great company doing a very good job to bring high quality thoughtfully designed frames to the tennis community.

There is a quite a range of frames so answering your question is difficult, but have a read - they have a lot of fans on this board. Their Kinetic system is a bone fide technology that actually does do what it says and makes for a very comfortable hit, and I thought their Core series from a few years back was sensational.

I'm not currently using their sticks but I will always be a vocal supporter.

You are right about the core series , the core 1 #6 was fantastic; I also liked and played the 7G for about 3 years it was another great stick (and its still popular today), but the best is their latest offering the Qtour quite possibly the best racquet I've ever used !

[Chotobaka]

Originally Posted by KenC

So far so good with me. The PK Ki5 315 is helping my elbow recover from mild TE even though I still play way too much.

I kind of like that ProKennex keeps a low profile and doesn't go overboard with all the marketing BS. It's better to underpromise and overdeliver rather than vice versa. It inspires long term confidence and brand loyalty in the products.

It is not by design. The company has been cash-poor for many years now. I am happy that they not only continue, but have been able to come out with new products recently. Hopefully, more players will use and appreciate these excellent racquets. I am a big fan and have an extensive PK collection, going back to the Black Ace 90 and also have several prototype racquets made for ATP players that PK was attempting to sponsor years ago.

[slowfox]

Had an old Silver Ace 90 Ceramic way back, loved it but it cracked (my fault). Demo'd the Black Ace and Redondo several times recently. Although I didn't switch to them, I did like them a lot. Great racquets.

[slymule]

I currently play with an old 80's Pro Kennex Silver Ace and my son plays with a Copper Ace. Before we picked up these racquets we demo'd about a dozen different new racquets with the Redondo and the Black Ace being a couple of our favorites. We occasionally try out other racquets but so far we both favor the older racquets we play with.

[Dgdavid]

Originally Posted by Squidward

I currently use the Redondo MP and the Black Ace 98. Excellant racquets by any standard!

Give'm a try, you may be the next convert!!

Can you compare the Redondo and Black Ace Squidward?

I currently play with the Blade BLX 98 and have an incoming IG Prestige MP too but been interested in the Redondo and Black Ace for a while (sadly missed the boat on two that Gee was selling).

[levy1]

Rock Solid sticks that do everything well. Feels somewhat like my Vantages

[danix]

My only complaint is that current frames are priced like their Wilson and Head competitors. The new Q5 should be $149, not $179.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by danix

My only complaint is that current frames are priced like their Wilson and Head competitors. The new Q5 should be $149, not $179.

My guess is that adding lead particles in small chambers to the head adds to the production costs. When you look at it that way, you're getting a real bargain when their older frames with Kinetic technology are selling for $119-149. They have to make money somewhere to compete with these companies that sell lower cost products for $189-199.

[athleticstennis]

Very good quality frames from a user that has used ki5 and ki5 pse. Totally recommend them.

[djNEiGht]

I have been interested in trying a redondo mid and a mid+.

I wonder how it would played compared to a volkl pb10 325 mid+ w leather and a bb london w leather and lead at 3/9 & 5/7

[anirut]

Originally Posted by djNEiGht

I have been interested in trying a redondo mid and a mid+.

I wonder how it would played compared to a volkl pb10 325 mid+ w leather and a bb london w leather and lead at 3/9 & 5/7

I've only tried BB London mid in standard form.

Comparing the London to the Redondo mid is like comparing a refine gentleman dining in a restaurant to a guy in T-shirt and blue jeans munching on his burgers respectively.

The London is "subtle" while the Redondo is "raw". That's how I feel it. Result-wise, it's up to the player (and strings).

[GrandSlam45]

I recently started playing with the Ki5 315 and love it! It took a while to get used to, but now I think it's the best racquet I've every played with.

I get funny looks from a lot of people I play with, who aren't familiar with ProKennex. I have to admit I never would have considered a PK racquet if I didn't have arm problems.

So it's a little annoying that you can't buy them in stores, but the racquets (at least some of them) are top notch.

It's kind of like being in on a best kept secret.