Wilson new Blade 98

[P4p4r4zzo]

I have noticed that the weight in the 16x19 and the 18x20 new Wilson Blade 98 are quite different. Is that an error in the information or the weight in those two rackets are actually THAT DIFFERENT??

[vetinari]

I don't know about the blades, but I don't think it's that unusual. Look at the IG speeds (18x20 v 16x19): different lengths, different stiffness, different beam widths, different weights.

[eleventeenth street]

TW's specs are an average of several racquets. the difference in weight is probably due to the less than stellar quality control of wilson's frames. i think officially, they are supposed to weigh the same

[vetinari]

Wilson QC is that bad?

[eleventeenth street]

Originally Posted by vetinari

Wilson QC is that bad?

wilson is probably the worst in terms of quality control

[hersito]

It's been talk a few times, probably grommet and strings make the small difference.

[barry]

I just received my Blade 98 (16x19) unstrung it weighed 10.7 ounces; strung 11.2 (just like TW says); and changing the grip to a pro hybrid it is 11.4 before the over grip. So my racket was spot on. It is an L5 (4 5/ and only complaint was the grip shipped with the racket was soft and mushy. I like either leather or the older Pro Hybrid grips (more feedback).

I string 1 piece and with most Blade frames the mains end at the bottom of the racket and you string the crosses from bottom to top. With the new Blade the mains ends at the top and crosses go down the racket. Not bad to string, but a little different than the BLX 98 (18x20) and the six.one 95 series.

So far the racket swings nice, have a match today. I have been using the Blade 98 (18x20) series for a couple of years, and find them easy on the joints with good power and control.

[Power Player]

Barry, great info thanks!

Few questions -

It looks like the Pro Hybrid adds no extra weight..is this correct? I definitely want to switch back to a pro hybrid.

I string 2 piece. Safe to assume nothing has changed there if so?

[donnayblack99]

Just ordered mine today! Should be getting 3 "Darth Vaders" in the mail next week. All strung with Big Hitter Black 17g @ 53 lbs.

This stick will be the new PS 85. It has immense plow thru, power, yet plush on the arm like a VOLK PB 10or Becker DC London Tour. An instant classic. I hear from my Wilson contact that this will be Pete's new stick. He was playing with a Babolat PST 95 but wanted more weight... Wilson supposedly changed their BLX design with him in mind. Pete played in Philly last month and was using a blacked out 93 sq inch, tight patterned, Blade-look a like stick.

I'm looking for pics to back this claim up...

[Power Player]

wow..that is really awesome if so. Pete back to Wilson - as it should be.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by donnayblack99

Just ordered mine today! Should be getting 3 "Darth Vaders" in the mail next week. All strung with Big Hitter Black 17g @ 53 lbs.

This stick will be the new PS 85. It has immense plow thru, power, yet plush on the arm like a VOLK PB 10or Becker DC London Tour. An instant classic. I hear from my Wilson contact that this will be Pete's new stick. He was playing with a Babolat PST 95 but wanted more weight... Wilson supposedly changed their BLX design with him in mind. Pete played in Philly last month and was using a blacked out 93 sq inch, tight patterned, Blade-look a like stick.

I'm looking for pics to back this claim up...

Pics would be nice. Can't find any.

Pete was/is playing with a blacked out PureStorm, with a 98sq.in. head size, a 16x20 pattern and weighted exactly like his old ps85s, balanced even as well. The PstLtd is indeed a 95, 18x20, but it's not the frame Pete was/is rockin'.

Just can't see Pete switchin' to an 18x20 pattern at this point. The Blade98, 16x19, maybe.

[YesTennis]

Waiting for some feedback on the new Blade 16X19. The specs look great, but was somewhat surprised by the relatively cool response from the play testers. Do you think people will like the higher SW of this racquet(for plow) or do you think it will be too much, as people seemed to complain about with the Head YT/Ig Radical Pro?

[Power Player]

I honestly think the Blade is meant to be an 18x20. The 16x19 was made by Wilson probably since it is so popular they could make two versions and some people asked for a 16x19 pattern. It is still a relatively light stick and as a result, the spin with an 18x20 pattern is very high due to racquet head speed.

It trumps the Radical Pro by far for me. Far easier to swing and it's just a lighter stick in general. The YT Rad Pro really grabbed me when I first got it, but the SW was 345 (my blades are 331) and bugged my shoulder.

[thecrusher956]

For someone coming from Babolat Aero Storm Tour, would the Blades swing weight make up for the slightly dropped regular weight?

[barry]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Barry, great info thanks!

Few questions -

It looks like the Pro Hybrid adds no extra weight..is this correct? I definitely want to switch back to a pro hybrid.

I string 2 piece. Safe to assume nothing has changed there if so?

The pro hybrid added .2 of an ounce, but 11.4 is the same as the old BLX 98 (18x20)
Skip 7 & 9 on the old BLX blade 98 (18x20). The 16x19 skip 8t and 8h. The string is more open at the throat.

[barry]

Originally Posted by YesTennis

Waiting for some feedback on the new Blade 16X19. The specs look great, but was somewhat surprised by the relatively cool response from the play testers. Do you think people will like the higher SW of this racquet(for plow) or do you think it will be too much, as people seemed to complain about with the Head YT/Ig Radical Pro?

I have been playing with the Blade 98 (18 x 20) for the last couple of year. I can honestly say the (16x19) has a lot more pop. Serves were much better with the new model, gained about 10 MPH. Only disappointment with the racket was volleying did not seem as sharp. Will give it a few more matches before deciding. Also the (16x19) seems a little stiffer, but no vibrations.
We played on clay today (2 ½ hours) and the courts were wet so difficult to compare ground strokes. This weekend plan a full workout practice session on hard courts.
The racket is one of the better looking Wilson frames, Black and Silver.

[YesTennis]

Thanks PP and Barry. Much appreciated. Interesting that the SW difference of 331 to 345 was so significant.

[tlimster]

Has anyone tried the new 98 versus the H22 or H19? I am curious mainly because the new Blade 98 18x20 looks to get good marks on TW for arm friendliness, and the H22 has caused some people with arm issues some tenderness.

[gplracer]

My son hit with the 16x19 version and he likes it. The problem is that we are gun shy because he broke all of his blade 98 rackets near the grip.

[ALC]

Can anyone compare the Prince Rebel 98 to the new Blade 98 16x19? I like the Rebel after demo but haven't had the chance to hit the new blade yet. I'm a 3.5-4.0 player, mostly flat hitter trying to gain some spin. Ive had some elbow issues so i like the feel of the Rebel. Should I wait to demo the new blade before I take the plunge?