Wilson new Blade 98 - Page 2

Power Player · 12-09-2012, 08:10 AM

Rebel 98 is softer, does not hit as big and has the annoying port hole grommets that are tough to string. All that aside, it is a great racquet with awesome feel and would probably sell as well as the blade if it had traditional grommets. The prince sticks are awesome but the port holes plus the low flex can be overkill imo.

ALC · 12-09-2012, 08:42 AM

Thanks PP. I have to say that the port holes don't really bother me. But full disclosure, I had been playing with the EXO3 Red 105. I was surprised that the flex was that low. it didn't play that way IMO. I did hit the old BLX 98, and didn't like the comfort. But most seem to feel that the new blade has more comfort. As much as Im wanting to pull the trigger, guess I'll wait to demo the new blade.

parasailing · 12-09-2012, 08:48 AM

I second the port holes being a pain to string up and with those port holes, the racquet has too much flex and when you string it with natural gut, it makes it worse.

gplracer · 12-09-2012, 09:01 AM

We are waiting on the new steam before making a decision.

zapvor · 12-09-2012, 02:39 PM

i hit with the 18x20 and i was surprised how well it played. it was full bed of poly too. reminds me a lot of the k. that flat light swingspeed is very easy

sargeinaz · 12-09-2012, 03:24 PM

I saw the new blades at my local shop. Nice paintjobs, but the Tour paintjob is just plain awesome. I want to demo the 98, though I would need to throw on a gammi hi-tec grip or leather grip to add some weight to the bottom. Also, I feel like the 4 1/2 grip felt bigger than usual. Anyone notice this?

tyu1314 · 12-09-2012, 09:48 PM

what type of handle is the new blade?or the new steam?Is it the old amplifeel or the amplifeel 360.

Power Player · 12-10-2012, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sargeinaz

I saw the new blades at my local shop. Nice paintjobs, but the Tour paintjob is just plain awesome. I want to demo the 98, though I would need to throw on a gammi hi-tec grip or leather grip to add some weight to the bottom. Also, I feel like the 4 1/2 grip felt bigger than usual. Anyone notice this?

Its because they changed from the hybrid pro grip. Id personally want to switch back if I got one.

skeeter · 12-10-2012, 10:56 AM

Anyone finding some nice string setups with the new Blade (18x20)? I tend to like gut/poly hybrids so wondering if this might work well (or not) in the Blade.

Power Player · 12-10-2012, 10:58 AM

Gut poly is great in the blade. I am loving 4G and OGSM crosses a lot.

thecrusher956 · 12-10-2012, 05:42 PM

How is blade with full mulit (18x20).

MikeHitsHard93 · 12-10-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecrusher956

How is blade with full mulit (18x20).

It plays beautifully. Nuff said.

zapvor · 12-10-2012, 07:14 PM

i played with full poly. and i still liked it!

bigdaddy · 12-12-2012, 03:41 AM

I want to buy the new blade 98 16/19 or 18/20. Have played with the blx blade 98 since they came out. But the new ones didn't score very well on the review. The blx blade did vey well when reviewed. I may have to go with the APD 2013, or buy some blx blades now that they are on sale.

Power Player · 12-12-2012, 05:45 AM

From my experience, the 18x20 is not string sensitive at all. I demoed it with multi, have used full poly and basically just prefer the 4g/ogsm setup. But all setups play great in it.

bigdaddy - they are the same racquet with different paint and amplifeel. I thought they scored fine, but the prior model is the way to go if you want to save $$.

Boricua · 12-12-2012, 06:48 AM

Is there a big difference between the new and the past Blade?

sundaypunch · 12-12-2012, 07:19 AM

It is the same racquet with different paint and amplifeel. The prior model is the way to go if you want to save $$.

Power Player · 12-12-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boricua

Is there a big difference between the new and the past Blade?

I literally answered that exact question right above you.

barry · 12-12-2012, 12:27 PM

My experience with the new 16 x 19 blade 98 was the similar to the TW reviewers. Had more power, but less control. Serve was increased about 10 MPG, but that was the only improvement. The paint job was much improved, but when hitting ground strokes it reminded me of a Babolat frame. Stiffer than the old model Blade and similar to the radical. I put my new one up for sale and picked up a new BLX 98 Blade at a good price.

It was one of the rackets on the try list, the 16 x 15 Wilson will be next.

LanEvo · 12-12-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry

My experience with the new 16 x 19 blade 98 was the similar to the TW reviewers. Had more power, but less control. Serve was increased about 10 MPG, but that was the only improvement. The paint job was much improved, but when hitting ground strokes it reminded me of a Babolat frame. Stiffer than the old model Blade and similar to the radical. I put my new one up for sale and picked up a new BLX 98 Blade at a good price.

It was one of the rackets on the try list, the 16 x 15 Wilson will be next.

So is the old one better?

12-09-2012, 08:10 AM	#21
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,602	Rebel 98 is softer, does not hit as big and has the annoying port hole grommets that are tough to string. All that aside, it is a great racquet with awesome feel and would probably sell as well as the blade if it had traditional grommets. The prince sticks are awesome but the port holes plus the low flex can be overkill imo. __________________ 🐐ing

12-09-2012, 09:01 AM	#24
gplracer Semi-Pro Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 776	We are waiting on the new steam before making a decision. __________________ Wilson 6.1 95

12-09-2012, 02:39 PM	#25
zapvor Legend Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: tennis courts Posts: 7,963	i hit with the 18x20 and i was surprised how well it played. it was full bed of poly too. reminds me a lot of the k. that flat light swingspeed is very easy __________________ Member of TW MAC. yes, we are better than you. and we bout to hop on a court to make another 'mil

12-10-2012, 10:56 AM	#29
skeeter Rookie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northern California Posts: 346	Anyone finding some nice string setups with the new Blade (18x20)? I tend to like gut/poly hybrids so wondering if this might work well (or not) in the Blade. Last edited by skeeter : 12-10-2012 at 10:57 AM. Reason: added text

12-10-2012, 10:58 AM	#30
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,602	Gut poly is great in the blade. I am loving 4G and OGSM crosses a lot. __________________ 🐐ing