Pro Kennex Graphite Ascent 90?

[kennydredrum]

I recently bought a Pro Kennex Graphite Ascent 90 from local thrift store. I searched online but couldn't find any information about it. It is turquoise in color with a very similar paint job as the Head Graphite Pro (USA version). It is made of graphite/fiberglass and has a silver full cover.

Some measured specs:
12.5oz
8 point head light
beam width probably 17mm
string pattern 16x19

I wonder if anyone ever heard about this racket? Thanks!

[leroy_sunset]

I also just picked up one of these sticks, $5 at Goodwill. Seems like it will be right up my alley. It's a bit more teal than the picture lets on.

[Hannah19]

Originally Posted by leroy_sunset

I also just picked up one of these sticks, $5 at Goodwill. Seems like it will be right up my alley. It's a bit more teal than the picture lets on.

Very HEAD-like appearance from the mid 80's. They made a ton of models in that period, also for large retail chains. Maybe it's from one of those chains.

[leroy_sunset]

Wait, so are you saying Head might have made this and slapped a PK paintjob on it?

[Mister drool]

Probably more the other way around. i have felt that, for example, the redondo mid, is as close as youl get these days to a p600, even in direct competition with the prestige mid. Less power potential for the redondo vs P600 for sure, but with the right string setup in there, and your good to go.

Not that unusual for some companies to share ideas and tecnitians man power regarding the birth of a certain type of racquet (or golf clubs, or paddels, or skiis,, etc..)

[leroy_sunset]

Fair enough. Stringing pattern available here, only lists 1 piece job: http://www.sptennis.com/patterns/PatternOther2.html

[leroy_sunset]

Ya, that string pattern listed in the last link was not really right. Here is the one that worked for me:



Here's the result, with a new overgrip. I might touch the paint up in the future as well. This teal is a much more accurate color representation.

[Hannah19]

Originally Posted by leroy_sunset

Wait, so are you saying Head might have made this and slapped a PK paintjob on it?

No, Pro Kennex was a trend follower, so they looked at the large brands for style and make up and would copy.

[leroy_sunset]

Hit with it today. Pretty meh. It wasn't as headlight as advertised, so I found myself late on my backhands. If I got the racquet back way early, then I was rewarded. Decent spin potential. Fairly stable, although off-center shots were very unforgiving.

It just didn't have the same feel of old graphite sticks. However, it did have the high-pitched "ping" when hitting the ball. Worth $5? Maybe. Regular player? Unlikely. I'll give it another chance tomorrow.

[leroy_sunset]

Nope, no interest. The spin was good on the forehand side, but I just had nothing from the backhand. After I shanked like 6 balls with it, I got my HGE out and started pounding forehands again.

Who knows, maybe someone will want it on craigslist for $10?

[tbuggle]

Originally Posted by Hannah19

No, Pro Kennex was a trend follower, so they looked at the large brands for style and make up and would copy.

at the same time, didn't PK make lots of frames for lots of brands/"manufacturers"?

kinda like Giant Bicycles used to be.

[Hannah19]

Originally Posted by tbuggle

at the same time, didn't PK make lots of frames for lots of brands/"manufacturers"?

kinda like Giant Bicycles used to be.

Yes, Kunnan made for several brand names such as Wimbledon and Rucanor, just to name a few.