Blade 98 16x19 2013 Short review

[Power Player]

Just put most of the weight in the handle and you will be fine.

[Pure Babs]

I'm struggling picking a string pattern to stay with. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses... I might have to get one of each!

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by Pure Babs

I'm struggling picking a string pattern to stay with. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses... I might have to get one of each!

Same here though I am also tempted by the Tour 93 as well. Argh, so many new racquets, so little funds .

[JackB1]

question for anyone with the new Blade....I found a used one that has some of the foam in the handle dug out to make room for some rolled up leadtape to be placed under the buttcap. I don't want the lead there so I can remove it, but do you think that little bit of removed foam will have any effect at all on the racquet? Thanks.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by JackB1

question for anyone with the new Blade....I found a used one that has some of the foam in the handle dug out to make room for some rolled up leadtape to be placed under the buttcap. I don't want the lead there so I can remove it, but do you think that little bit of removed foam will have any effect at all on the racquet? Thanks.

It would have no effect at all weightwise but for the sake of ease of mind you can just fill into the place similar foam

[JackB1]

tried the 16x19 again today.....

its a very nice stick....feels great on impact...slightly flexy and comfortable. Almost plush. I just feels it's a little out of my ability range and I hit better with my Juice. The swingweight was SLIGHTLY high but nothing I wouldn't eventually adjust to.

[mrmo1115]

^ Have you tried the 18/20 ? Any racquets out there that you find similar to the 16/19?

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by JackB1

tried the 16x19 again today.....

its a very nice stick....feels great on impact...slightly flexy and comfortable. Almost plush. I just feels it's a little out of my ability range and I hit better with my Juice. The swingweight was SLIGHTLY high but nothing I wouldn't eventually adjust to.

I hit the 16x19 yesterday for a couple hrs. It really is an awesome stick.
I was a little worried about the stiffness (66 compared to the BLX Team @ 53). Absolutely a non issue. The 16x19 was strung w/Sensation (don't know the tension) and had ample power and I felt like I was placing the ball well. Groundies were deep & heavy, 1H backhand was clicking, volley's were chrisp....I just hope it wasn't an anomaly!!!
I promptly ran to the pro shop to get the 18x20. I have both to demo over the weekend.
I've played the Blade "team" since the nBlade (skipped the kBlade) always thinking I needed a larger sweet spot, never giving sub 100" frames a chance.
The Blade 98 is a no brainer "slam dunk" for me. I just need to decide which one....16x19 for power & spin, or 18x20 for control. I can enhance power, spin & control to a degree with string & tension so......the quest continues

Merry Christmas, peeps!!!!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by dgdawg

I hit the 16x19 yesterday for a couple hrs. It really is an awesome stick.
I was a little worried about the stiffness (66 compared to the BLX Team @ 53). Absolutely a non issue. The 16x19 was strung w/Sensation (don't know the tension) and had ample power and I felt like I was placing the ball well. Groundies were deep & heavy, 1H backhand was clicking, volley's were chrisp....I just hope it wasn't an anomaly!!!
I promptly ran to the pro shop to get the 18x20. I have both to demo over the weekend.
I've played the Blade "team" since the nBlade (skipped the kBlade) always thinking I needed a larger sweet spot, never giving sub 100" frames a chance.
The Blade 98 is a no brainer "slam dunk" for me. I just need to decide which one....16x19 for power & spin, or 18x20 for control. I can enhance power, spin & control to a degree with string & tension so......the quest continues

Merry Christmas, peeps!!!!

What level do you play at? Didn't you find the 98 heavier coming from the Team?

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by JackB1

What level do you play at? Didn't you find the 98 heavier coming from the Team?

NTRP 3.5 computer rated.....consistently beat 4.0. Not sure why the rating....whatever. 51y/o....not that age matters.
The 98's definitely heavier. That's what I liked after hitting for a while. I've always had this "thing" in my head about low stiffness rating and OS head.
I'm a definite convert....

[JackB1]

if you are like me and 330 swingweight is the max you want to go, you have to be careful if you order one of these new. You may get one that is 11.7 oz. and sw of 335.

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by JackB1

if you are like me and 330 swingweight is the max you want to go, you have to be careful if you order one of these new. You may get one that is 11.7 oz. and sw of 335.

Gotcha....I buy from a local pro shop so I can "dry-swing" a few. Not that I could really conclude a hole lot by that.
It's not a lot heavier than the BLX Team....it's deff more stiff with a much higher s/w. I gave it a pretty good go yeaterday for 2+ hrs and felt fine. It was loaded w/Sensation 16g. Not sure of the tension.
I've never had arm issues (only w/BB of any kind....BB makes my arm fall off). I've been using VS Team and SPPP for a while. Pretty soft, nice feeling combo for me.
I'm really struggling BTW the 16x19 & 18x20 tho.
My thinking is, w/out adequate court time with both....is the 16x19 has the edge just due to the open pattern and the fact that, of the two, the open pattern "can" be more forgiving and still maintain a pretty high level of control.
Do you agree????

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by dgdawg

Gotcha....I buy from a local pro shop so I can "dry-swing" a few. Not that I could really conclude a hole lot by that.
It's not a lot heavier than the BLX Team....it's deff more stiff with a much higher s/w. I gave it a pretty good go yeaterday for 2+ hrs and felt fine. It was loaded w/Sensation 16g. Not sure of the tension.
I've never had arm issues (only w/BB of any kind....BB makes my arm fall off). I've been using VS Team and SPPP for a while. Pretty soft, nice feeling combo for me.
I'm really struggling BTW the 16x19 & 18x20 tho.
My thinking is, w/out adequate court time with both....is the 16x19 has the edge just due to the open pattern and the fact that, of the two, the open pattern "can" be more forgiving and still maintain a pretty high level of control.
Do you agree????

I would go with the open pattern. From what I recall, it wasn't "that" open in the center of the racquet, so you should have plenty of control. At the 3.5 level, spin and consistency win over pinpoint accuracy and that's why I would pick the 16x19.

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I would go with the open pattern. From what I recall, it wasn't "that" open in the center of the racquet, so you should have plenty of control. At the 3.5 level, spin and consistency win over pinpoint accuracy and that's why I would pick the 16x19.

Yo man.....I actually think I'm with ya on this. I just got back from hitting with them both again. 30 min with one, then the other. Trading off b-line to b-line....x court.....x court in the service box, basic drill stuff. We hit the water jug and I grabbed what I thought was the 18x20 and lit it up for a set.
I opened it up was able to place the ball really well. I thought "man, this thing is awesome", then realized I was swinging the 16x19....This is the most comfortable frame I think I've ever played.
I have some court time tomorrow as well so, I'll take another spin.

[Power Player]

Yeah you wont have to work as hard with the open pattern to get net clearance and spin, but you will not have the level of control, string durability and better feel of the 18x20.

Its a trade off either way. I think open pattern is better if you are not a big spin hitter.

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yeah you wont have to work as hard with the open pattern to get net clearance and spin, but you will not have the level of control, string durability and better feel of the 18x20.

Its a trade off either way. I think open pattern is better if you are not a big spin hitter.

Gotcha.... I actually do hit w/quite a lot of spin. Dude I was hitting w/thought the spin on my ball was about the same off both frames. He did say he thought the 16x19 had more depth and was heavier. Spin didn't seem to be an issue w/either one.
Too bad one couldn't blow the other away. It'd make the choice a lot easier....

[dgdawg]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I would go with the open pattern. From what I recall, it wasn't "that" open in the center of the racquet, so you should have plenty of control. At the 3.5 level, spin and consistency win over pinpoint accuracy and that's why I would pick the 16x19.

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yeah you wont have to work as hard with the open pattern to get net clearance and spin, but you will not have the level of control, string durability and better feel of the 18x20.

Its a trade off either way. I think open pattern is better if you are not a big spin hitter.

...I don't wanna sound too obsessive here, but my thought on the power vs. control thing is: the 18x20 would deff give optimal control, and I can enhance power with string & tension......string doesn't produce spin, the way a player hits does, but string can enhance that as well...I've always hit w/spin....though I've only been playing for 12yrs, or so....just another dimension
.....AND, I don't plan on staying @ 3.5, not that a specific frame will be the difference. I do believe the right equipment can bring out the best is a player

[Power Player]

Its a trajectory thing. Do you want more control and a lower trajectory? Or less control and a higher trajectory?

[Bartelby]

With the 18/20 you can more easily go skinny string, so I think it gives you slightly more options.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Its a trajectory thing. Do you want more control and a lower trajectory? Or less control and a higher trajectory?

I think the "control" part is overrated at anything less than 4.5 level.
You can add more control with string types and tension. You will not be hitting the back fence. If you want to paint the lines at the 3.5 -4.0 level, you are going to play low percentage tennis which won't translate to winning at this level. Only valid reason I see for 18x20 at this level is if you prefer hitting a flatter ball or lower trajectory. Lower trajectory = more risk = more errors.