Vokyll Grip Shape - Pros & Cons

[CCH4TENNIS]

Hi All

I understand that all Vokyl sticks come with a rectangular like grip.

What are the pros and cons of this grip shape ?

Thanks

[PhrygianDominant]

It's just whatever you're comfortable with. I had some head racquets for a while, they have a rectangular grip, and you get used to it. It feels nice on serve, ok on forehands, and strange on a one handed backhand, in my opinion. If you have a 2 handed backhand, it will probably not bother you.

[andress]

I have better control but less comfort with this kind of grip shape.

[vantageboy]

Originally Posted by PhrygianDominant

It's just whatever you're comfortable with. I had some head racquets for a while, they have a rectangular grip, and you get used to it. It feels nice on serve, ok on forehands, and strange on a one handed backhand, in my opinion. If you have a 2 handed backhand, it will probably not bother you.

he's right on the money--i felt the same thing--easy fix just order a attiva "s" pallet.

[gonzalocatalino]

The volkl grip is less rectangular than the head classic (tk82 and TK76 pallets). I´ve been playing prestiges for 1.5year and now switched to the C10 Pro. The Volkl Grip is, IMO, something in the middle between Head and some other brands (more square).

The rectangular handle (Head) seems to work better when grabbing the racquet with a continental grip, so it feels comfortable for serves and volleys. I can hit great flat serves with this grip.

I can take a pic later between a Volkl, head and prince buttcaps if you want

[fuzz nation]

I can say that the square-ish, box-shaped Volkl grip seemed different to me when I switched into the C10 from my more traditional oval-shaped Wilson ProStaffs, but it was good for me in a couple of ways.

First off, I've always used a larger 4 5/8" grip size. Grip feel is quite a subjective issue for everyone and I definitely prefer a handle that "fills my hand" when I'm swinging a racquet. I've tried to use smaller grip sizes from several different companies, but when they get smaller, I quickly lose the feel of the bevels and my racquet angle can vary too much. Not all too confidence inspiring when my racquet face starts to wander.

Since I also go to the net a lot, I prefer a feeling of stability and control over the racquet for more authority on my volleys. Some of our pals here find it easier to swing through the ball with a smaller grip and I can't knock that if it works for anybody, but I've never had the impression that my larger grip made it tougher to make decent racquet speed. If anything, I think that when my grip is large enough for me (there's the catch), I have more positive contact with the racquet and can swing away with more control. That's just me.

Long story long... the Volkl grip profile (shape, etc.) feels bigger to me in comparison with other grips from other makers. On the other end of the spectrum, I've found the Prince 4 5/8" grip to be borderline small for me - more like a 4 1/2" grip from someone else.

I also switched into Volkl when I was retooling my ground strokes, including a one-handed backhand. For me, the bevels of a Volkl grip are easier to sense than the others - and I have many others in my collection. Finding the right grip position, especially with my one-hander, is significantly easier with my Volkls compared with anything else, including the more traditional oval. This simply means that I've found a "good fit".

While I see no downside to the shape of Volkl's handles, you may find that if you sample or even buy one, you may be more comfortable with one size smaller in the Volkl than you're used to... maybe not.

[jrxl]

Originally Posted by gonzalocatalino

I can take a pic later between a Volkl, head and prince buttcaps if you want

That would be great. I know I would really like to see that. Thanks.

[matchmaker]

Here is a link to a thread about grip shape. If you scroll down you will find a diagram comparing Head, Dunlop, Wilson, and Prince grips. IME Volkl grips are more rectangular than head grips.

Grip shape is all about personal preference. There are people who rave about Wilson's grip shape, but I personally prefer Head/Volkl's grip shape.

I once lost a match because at 5-2 up in the last set, my Wilson racquet's grip had been digging into my fingers and on an overhead it caused a blister too burst. I couldn't hold the handle anymore. I have never been as angry as after that match. I was seething. I was crushing the other guy and after the blister, I tried to tape it, but it was open skin and hurt like hell. There was nothing to do about it, I coulnd't play a single shot anymore.

Obviously this also happened because I hadn't played in a while and my skin had become too soft. But still, loosing a match because of a blister.... not fun. This has never happened to me with Head grips, they suit my hands a lot better, especially for volleys, where I feel the Wilson grip is too square and just digs into my hands.

[Candide]

I've just given up on a Volkl Organix 10 after a year of good service. I picked up a Wilson BLX Six One and instantly felt like it was moulded to my hand. I enjoyed the X10 and played quite well with it but the grip shape, as well as the sponginess of the handle system makes the bevels feel indistinct and it was endlessly annoying on serve and overheads. The Wilson feels great in those departments. The serve just seems to sing. I know it's probably more to do with balance than with grip shape but it is certainly a factor.

[2ManyAces]

hated the head grip imo

[jrxl]

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Here is a link to a thread about grip shape. If you scroll down you will find a diagram comparing Head, Dunlop, Wilson, and Prince grips. IME Volkl grips are more rectangular than head grips.

Could you post that link? Tried searching for it with no luck.

[tball]

Head, at least, has the TK82S pallets, which are square. For me, they are perfect. So, users have a choice.

No such thing with Volkl. There are rumors of Attiva S, but I have not seen anyone positively confirming that these pallets are square, and it is not clear on which Volkl racquets they fit. The warnings say they are only for the "Attiva" racquets.

[matchmaker]

Originally Posted by jrxl

Could you post that link? Tried searching for it with no luck.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=230284

Sorry, I forgot the link.

[vantageboy]

Originally Posted by tball

Head, at least, has the TK82S pallets, which are square. For me, they are perfect. So, users have a choice.

No such thing with Volkl. There are rumors of Attiva S, but I have not seen anyone positively confirming that these pallets are square, and it is not clear on which Volkl racquets they fit. The warnings say they are only for the "Attiva" racquets.

i have both attiva s pallets on my london and x10 325 , so yes they exist they fit all bb/volkl frames and i would say they are a cross between a wilson/prince shape.

[vantageboy]

Originally Posted by tball

Head, at least, has the TK82S pallets, which are square. For me, they are perfect. So, users have a choice.

No such thing with Volkl. There are rumors of Attiva S, but I have not seen anyone positively confirming that these pallets are square, and it is not clear on which Volkl racquets they fit. The warnings say they are only for the "Attiva" racquets.

i have both attiva s pallets on my london and x10 325 , so yes they exist they fit all bb/volkl frames with the pallet system and i would say they are a cross between a wilson/prince shape.

[matchmaker]

Originally Posted by Candide

I've just given up on a Volkl Organix 10 after a year of good service. I picked up a Wilson BLX Six One and instantly felt like it was moulded to my hand. I enjoyed the X10 and played quite well with it but the grip shape, as well as the sponginess of the handle system makes the bevels feel indistinct and it was endlessly annoying on serve and overheads. The Wilson feels great in those departments. The serve just seems to sing. I know it's probably more to do with balance than with grip shape but it is certainly a factor.

For me it is exactly the other way around.

Originally Posted by 2ManyAces

hated the head grip imo

Yep, grip shapes are totally personal. It makes me think about discussions over bike saddles on cycling forums; what feels heavenly to one feels like hell to another.

[CCH4TENNIS]

Originally Posted by gonzalocatalino

The volkl grip is less rectangular than the head classic (tk82 and TK76 pallets). I´ve been playing prestiges for 1.5year and now switched to the C10 Pro. The Volkl Grip is, IMO, something in the middle between Head and some other brands (more square).

The rectangular handle (Head) seems to work better when grabbing the racquet with a continental grip, so it feels comfortable for serves and volleys. I can hit great flat serves with this grip.

I can take a pic later between a Volkl, head and prince buttcaps if you want

Yes, looking at your pic would be enlightening

[Top Jimmy]

Tried and organix 10 a few weeks ago. Grip felt really bad shape wise. Dunlop is my favorite at this point, then Wilson, then Head.

[Candide]

Originally Posted by matchmaker

For me it is exactly the other way around.



Yep, grip shapes are totally personal. It makes me think about discussions over bike saddles on cycling forums; what feels heavenly to one feels like hell to another.

Interesting. Different strokes for different folks eh?

[mjnchen]

I am a Volkl user. I like Volkl's grip shape and I can easily transit to any Wilson, Yonex, Babolat and Dunlop rackets. I found Tecnifibre and Head's grip shapes are much more rectangular and I am not very used to their grip shapes.