The Wilson 85s - Page 2

joe sch · 12-06-2012, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedererClone

I never quite liked the 80/20 fiberglass comp of the Kramer sticks... the older braided 80/20 kevlar was best. This is probably why you don't like the "pop" of the Kramer's - way flexier than the 6.0 for sure... Hit a long time ago w/6.0 that required precision like no other frame. Lots of hours rewarded you with a pristine game... never compared it to later 85s from China etc.. so can't give you a comparison....

I liked the Sting SC (not the SC2000, but the SC with no stabilizer bar), the ceramic felt very good in the frame.

Wilson reflex 85 is also a nice stick, a slimmer PS85 with a narrower throat - but at least 80% graphite in the comp... and the Wilson Graphite Force was a great stick (maybe 88sq in headsize?) that many have said copied, or followed, the Head Edge feel and style... Graphite Matrix / Pro matrix are also 85 sq PWS sticks, but too flexible, less control for me than even the Kramer's ( ... maybe the Graphite Matrix / Pro matrix were only 60% graphite? ) never liked them... I do have an Ultra 95 tapered beam, doesn't fit my game, and wish I had the 85...

As for the stars and stripes 85 that courier pushed (until he didn't like the stick and dropped it from the tour: if he ever played with it?). I prefer the S&S 85 over the S&S 95, but neither rocked my world... The only 95 I've ever felt somewhat comfortable with is the original 6.0 .

... Also hit with Hyper Carbon Pro Staff 90 "tour 90" that came in after the PS85 that was a very difficult sword to wield, and finally I recall one other frame fondly; N code 90 red and white, the older Fed frame ... that was a sweet ride...

What did you think of the ROK racket ?

FedererClone · 12-06-2012, 08:35 AM

... have never hit with the ROK... that with hyper carbon in the make up? like 10% I think... I tried the 5.0 95 hyper carbon, but it lacked feel to me... pinged like a tweener... not sure about the hyper carbon vibe, maybe others can comment?

I really have an affinity for the older 80s sticks in general because of the different feel of the graphite... newer, stronger yet lighter materials are too responsive for me - but I like wielding a heavy stick balanced out w/ lead to match my swing.

BTW .. there was one other Wilson 95 that I forgot to mention in the Wilson 85s tradition that I played w/ for a number of years - the pro staff 6.1 95 80% graphite/ 20% kevlar stick - even reminiscing now I love the "feel" of it in my memory... you can pick up that racquet and always be comfortable on the court once you familiarize yourself with its capabilities.... It still fetches a petty penny on the big site, and rightly so.

Ronaldo · 12-06-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe sch

What did you think of the ROK racket ?

Feels quite firm for a supposedly flexible racquet. May be that tight string pattern. Still own one.

MichaelChang · 12-06-2012, 08:56 AM

I never owned a 6.0 85 made in SV, have only owned Taiwan and chinese versions. Does it really make that much a difference? When Federer was playing with 6.0 85 in 2001, was his 6.0 made in China?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSIx60skGJM
What a classic match, 85 vs 85, nice.

FedererClone · 12-09-2012, 11:16 AM

MichaelChang, that's an awesome match and really high quality image on youtube - I recommend this classic to any avid tennis fan... real changing of the guard... and the game has so slowed down since then - had Djoker peaked around this time he'd barely make the top five IMHO...

Both Fed and Sampras were indeed hitting with 6.0 85s but Sampras has a much heavier frame here. If you dig deep on the boards here you can uncover his stick stats - pretty insane the weight of his weapon, but he still stands as the best server of all time. Anyone give us the Fed lowdown re: 6.0 ?

He also went on to win Wimbledon the following year after this loss to FedEx before retiring...

Bobby Jr · 12-09-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedererClone

He also went on to win Wimbledon the following year after this loss to FedEx before retiring...

No, he did not.

mltaylor · 12-09-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedererClone

MichaelChang, that's an awesome match and really high quality image on youtube - I recommend this classic to any avid tennis fan... real changing of the guard... and the game has so slowed down since then - had Djoker peaked around this time he'd barely make the top five IMHO...

Both Fed and Sampras were indeed hitting with 6.0 85s but Sampras has a much heavier frame here. If you dig deep on the boards here you can uncover his stick stats - pretty insane the weight of his weapon, but he still stands as the best server of all time. Anyone give us the Fed lowdown re: 6.0 ?

He also went on to win Wimbledon the following year after this loss to FedEx before retiring...

2002 U.S. Open

FedererClone · 12-10-2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

No, he did not.

My bad, thanks mltaylor - he won Wimbledon the year before...

tbuggle · 12-10-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrowagen

There are dozens of 85-square-inch composite Wilson mids that came about in the 1980's-2000's, and the Pro Staff wasn't the first of them.

(and the Staff came after the original 1983/4 PS Mid...)

There were numerous models, ranging from the Ultra 2 at one end of the spectrum, to the "chain discount store" models such as the Matrix and Aggressor.

the original Aggressor was a fine racket. there were later rackets labeled "aggressor" (in some fashion) which were not so much...

VGP · 12-11-2012, 12:16 PM

I've been curious to know if the Aggressor was the PWS version of the Graphite Force....

superdave3 · 12-16-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbuggle

the original Aggressor was a fine racket. there were later rackets labeled "aggressor" (in some fashion) which were not so much...

The original Aggessor was indeed a fine raquet, and yes they have used the same name on other cheaper racquets later that played like garbage. I used the original Aggressor for years and strung it at 68lbs, which you would have thought would give me TE, but I never had a problem with it and never had a racquet like that with so much control.

MichaelChang · 01-02-2013, 06:59 AM

I have been hitting with a PS 6.6 85 recently, I have to say it feels better than the 6.0 85 and the JK 85. The 6.6 feels very flex and yet powerful on ground strokes, probably helped by its slightly wider beam. I really like the stick, its power make it feel more like a modern racket, rather than a vintage old-school flat hitting racket.

Ronaldo · 01-02-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

I have been hitting with a PS 6.6 85 recently, I have to say it feels better than the 6.0 85 and the JK 85. The 6.6 feels very flex and yet powerful on ground strokes, probably helped by its slightly wider beam. I really like the stick, its power make it feel more like a modern racket, rather than a vintage old-school flat hitting racket.

S&S 85 had 18 Mains?

MichaelChang · 01-02-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

S&S 85 had 18 Mains?

I think it is 16 mains but I can double check tonight when I get home.

Ronaldo · 01-02-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

I think it is 16 mains but I can double check tonight when I get home.

16x18 according to Klippermate site

12-06-2012, 08:35 AM	#22
FedererClone Semi-Pro Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 431	... have never hit with the ROK... that with hyper carbon in the make up? like 10% I think... I tried the 5.0 95 hyper carbon, but it lacked feel to me... pinged like a tweener... not sure about the hyper carbon vibe, maybe others can comment? I really have an affinity for the older 80s sticks in general because of the different feel of the graphite... newer, stronger yet lighter materials are too responsive for me - but I like wielding a heavy stick balanced out w/ lead to match my swing. BTW .. there was one other Wilson 95 that I forgot to mention in the Wilson 85s tradition that I played w/ for a number of years - the pro staff 6.1 95 80% graphite/ 20% kevlar stick - even reminiscing now I love the "feel" of it in my memory... you can pick up that racquet and always be comfortable on the court once you familiarize yourself with its capabilities.... It still fetches a petty penny on the big site, and rightly so. __________________ “Everybody loves success, but they hate successful people." -- John McEnroe

12-09-2012, 11:16 AM	#25
FedererClone Semi-Pro Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 431	MichaelChang, that's an awesome match and really high quality image on youtube - I recommend this classic to any avid tennis fan... real changing of the guard... and the game has so slowed down since then - had Djoker peaked around this time he'd barely make the top five IMHO... Both Fed and Sampras were indeed hitting with 6.0 85s but Sampras has a much heavier frame here. If you dig deep on the boards here you can uncover his stick stats - pretty insane the weight of his weapon, but he still stands as the best server of all time. Anyone give us the Fed lowdown re: 6.0 ? He also went on to win Wimbledon the following year after this loss to FedEx before retiring... __________________ “Everybody loves success, but they hate successful people." -- John McEnroe Last edited by FedererClone : 12-09-2012 at 11:19 AM.

12-11-2012, 12:16 PM	#30
VGP Legend Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 6,309	I've been curious to know if the Aggressor was the PWS version of the Graphite Force.... __________________ "The secret is to find your motivation every single time - your inner motivation - so I always want to improve myself..." - EV

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode