Blade 98 16x19 2013 Short review

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by parasailing

I would agree that the Juice is less demanding than the Blade but my problem is I can't keep the ball in when I hit with the Juice. It has too much power and I tend of overhit a lot.

Everything about the Blade 98 16x19 is good except issue with control which I guess you can fix by using a full poly setup but my shoulder will not be happy so a 18x20 string pattern might be the right choice.

I might demo a 18x20 one just to see how it plays.

I just don't understand when people make comments that they "can't keep the ball in". You can lesson the power by A LOT with strings and tension. There are Pros using Pure Drives and APD's a Juices and they swing as hard as they can and they keep the ball in. I think this is a technique issue or a refusal to try different stringing setups. If you have arm issues, put a full set of NXT Control in your Juice at 60 lbs. and tell me you still can't keep the ball in.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I just don't understand when people make comments that they "can't keep the ball in". You can lesson the power by A LOT with strings and tension. There are Pros using Pure Drives and APD's a Juices and they swing as hard as they can and they keep the ball in. I think this is a technique issue or a refusal to try different stringing setups. If you have arm issues, put a full set of NXT Control in your Juice at 60 lbs. and tell me you still can't keep the ball in.

The pros don't use Pure Drives, APDs, and Juices in stock form. They have them customize to a much heavier weight usually over 12 oz with silicone injected into the handle and lead at various places of the hoop.

For me, when I say I can't keep the ball, I am referring to using my current swing path which tends to make the ball go long on the Blade. Sure I can adjust my swing path and fiddle with different string tensions but do that when I don't have any issues keeping the ball in using either one of my PSTGT and TGK 260.2.

I am just making a comparison using the same string tension and string type and comparing it to what I currently using. I just a racquet junkie who loves to test out new racquets and compare them against what I currently use.

[sargeinaz]

Originally Posted by parasailing

The pros don't use Pure Drives, APDs, and Juices in stock form. They have them customize to a much heavier weight usually over 12 oz with silicone injected into the handle and lead at various places of the hoop.

For me, when I say I can't keep the ball, I am referring to using my current swing path which tends to make the ball go long on the Blade. Sure I can adjust my swing path and fiddle with different string tensions but do that when I don't have any issues keeping the ball in using either one of my PSTGT and TGK 260.2.

I am just making a comparison using the same string tension and string type and comparing it to what I currently using. I just a racquet junkie who loves to test out new racquets and compare them against what I currently use.

That would make the rackets even more powerful. I do agree with you though that with my flat swingpath on groundies, pure drive type rackets just dont work. I dont think anybody should alter their strokes for a racket.

[GTI]

Originally Posted by Frankauc

i hit with both for an hour and definetly, both racquets produce a VERY low trajectory for the ball. I didnt see much difference between the 2.

Originally Posted by teocem

I simply can not disagree more With 16x19 my top spin was definitely enhanced and trajectory was obviously different from 18x20. In order to clear the net with my double handed backhand I had to increase the spin or else I had some unforced errors with this shot.

I believe that 16x19 must have bit higher trajectory than 18x20. But thinking if Blade 16x19 could still produce those nice low shots, lower than i.e. BLX Pro Open?

If so, I'll push the 'order'-button. I'm now playing with old KBlade98 (modified more HL) and before that BLX Pro Open (modified to 335g). Very interested about 16x19 Blade but can't demo around here.

I'll appreciate all your experiences,
GTI

[teocem]

Originally Posted by GTI

I believe that 16x19 must have bit higher trajectory than 18x20. But thinking if Blade 16x19 could still produce those nice low shots, lower than i.e. BLX Pro Open?

If so, I'll push the 'order'-button. I'm now playing with old KBlade98 (modified more HL) and before that BLX Pro Open (modified to 335g). Very interested about 16x19 Blade but can't demo around here.

I'll appreciate all your experiences,
GTI

I have two 16x19 and two 18x20 at this time. I will lower the tension slightly with my second 18x20 and hope to reach heaven ! I hope this helps you...

[Shangri La]

Originally Posted by teocem

Now I can start comparing the new Blades; 98 2013 16x19 vs 18x20...
I was surprised that string patterns could effect a racquet characteristics this much.
18x20 has a less lively string bed, I felt as if it as a smaller sweet spot, and it is definitely a control racquet with a lot of stability, power and spin potential.
I can call it a better racquet than 16x19 or a racquet that is more suitable for a better player.
18x20 generated surprisingly a lot spin and I felt it was enough; not too much to give my opponent a chance to hit my balls in his comfort zone.
Downsides are that it seems to have a smaller sweetspot and serves are more demanding. It is overall a more demanding racquet than 16x19.
The string set up was the same with my 16x19 and tommorrow I will be picking up the 18x20 first; I think I will prefer it if I can get a bit more used to it; it is like a more tamed but slightly more demanding version of 16x19.
I hope to write about this more soon.

For a true apple-to-apple comparison, you'd lower the tension on the 18x20 by 3-5 lbs. At the same tension the 18x20 will feel more boardy and smaller sweetspot.

[dgoran]

Originally Posted by raguhtheman

Interesting to see how this stick compares to Head IG Radical Pro. Specs of both these racquets seem to be very similar. Anybody hit with both these racquets? Can you share your thoughts?

...maybe on paper written by TW they are close but in all reality they are not.
I have "on specs" both rad pro and "black blade"™ strung with poly 18grams string bed and they are different and harder to compare since radical is tons more comfortable flexible has higher swing weight and more of a pros choice as in its as close as it gets to pro stock racquet for retail market.
If you can handle it its a better racquet. But as with everything else there are downsides it's harder to control harder to swing (open pattern plus flexy racquet plus 340 sw ).
If I was on pro tour I would probably play with IG rad if I did not have access to pt57 or pro tour 630, yes its that comfy.but....
Since I am down to 2 -4 hers of tennis per week I welcome faster racquet head speed due to lower sw stiffer easier to volley and serve of black blade™

[raguhtheman]

Originally Posted by dgoran

...maybe on paper written by TW they are close but in all reality they are not.
I have "on specs" both rad pro and "black blade"™ strung with poly 18grams string bed and they are different and harder to compare since radical is tons more comfortable flexible has higher swing weight and more of a pros choice as in its as close as it gets to pro stock racquet for retail market.
If you can handle it its a better racquet. But as with everything else there are downsides it's harder to control harder to swing (open pattern plus flexy racquet plus 340 sw ).
If I was on pro tour I would probably play with IG rad if I did not have access to pt57 or pro tour 630, yes its that comfy.but....
Since I am down to 2 -4 hers of tennis per week I welcome faster racquet head speed due to lower sw stiffer easier to volley and serve of black blade™

Thanks dgoran! That's very clear and concise comparison. That's exactly what I was looking for. Any inputs on how does this Blade compare to BLX Pro Open?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by raguhtheman

Thanks dgoran! That's very clear and concise comparison. That's exactly what I was looking for. Any inputs on how does this Blade compare to BLX Pro Open?

Blade is nothing like the Pro Open. The Pro Open is a user friendly tweener, while the Blade is a players racquet through and through.

[teocem]

It has been 10 days since I am comparing these two sticks and I play almost everyday. I tend to stick with 18x20 version more and more. It is a spin friendly racquet with a lot of power and heft. When I switch to 16x19 I loose a lot of control and have to apply extra spin to keep the balls in. I believe that as time passes by the 16x19 version hype will fade and it will be on sale soon. Even if you are a spin player I advise you to grab the 18x20 version.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by teocem

It has been 10 days since I am comparing these two sticks and I play almost everyday. I tend to stick with 18x20 version more and more. It is a spin friendly racquet with a lot of power and heft. When I switch to 16x19 I loose a lot of control and have to apply extra spin to keep the balls in. I believe that as time passes by the 16x19 version hype will fade and it will be on sale soon. Even if you are a spin player I advise you to grab the 18x20 version.

Today I played for 3 hours. I started with 18x20. It was not a good day, I made a lot of unforced errors and could not concentrate; and the racquet did not help me at all. With a sudden decision, at the middle of a game, I changed to 16x19 and felt and played much better with it. It was so much more forgiving and more lively that I hardly believed these were the same sticks with only different string patterns. So I have to admit that my recent comparison was too harsh on 16x19 and on a day that I am less than perfect it seems to be a better companion.

[realplayer]

Originally Posted by teocem

Today I played for 3 hours. I started with 18x20. It was not a good day, I made a lot of unforced errors and could not concentrate; and the racquet did not help me at all. With a sudden decision, at the middle of a game, I changed to 16x19 and felt and played much better with it. It was so much more forgiving and more lively that I hardly believed these were the same sticks with only different string patterns. So I have to admit that my recent comparison was too harsh on 16x19 and on a day that I am less than perfect it seems to be a better companion.

I had the same experience. The 16x19 is much more forgiving and it gives me some extra acceleration at approach shots which definitely helps at net.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by realplayer

I had the same experience. The 16x19 is much more forgiving and it gives me some extra acceleration at approach shots which definitely helps at net.

I also felt that it is more responsive at the net, did you too?

[realplayer]

Originally Posted by teocem

I also felt that it is more responsive at the net, did you too?

With volleys the ball comes faster from my racket which makes it easier to end the point instantly.

[Brocolt]

My son and I both just switched from babolats to the 16x19 blade. tried the 18x20 and could not really tell much diffrence in spin or control but the big diffrence was just in the feel and the 16x19 was just a nicer feel. i am a 4.5 player used the pure drive and he is a top junior using the aeropro.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by Brocolt

My son and I both just switched from babolats to the 16x19 blade. tried the 18x20 and could not really tell much diffrence in spin or control but the big diffrence was just in the feel and the 16x19 was just a nicer feel. i am a 4.5 player used the pure drive and he is a top junior using the aeropro.

I wonder if I will have a more forgiving stick with a larger sweetspot if I decrease the tension of 18x20. I like the control but it feels too boardy on a day that I am less than my best.

[Shangri La]

Originally Posted by teocem

I wonder if I will have a more forgiving stick with a larger sweetspot if I decrease the tension of 18x20. I like the control but it feels too boardy on a day that I am less than my best.

Do you have the same tension on both? Usually it's an automatic 3-5 lbs of adjustment.

[Joun S.]

got my blade 98 18x20 today.nice stick with lots of control.groundstrokes were amazing as well as serves with good spin.havent tried 16x19 yet.maybe i will go with hybrid setups with lower tension.

[CheekyMullet]

A couple of comments on customer reviews section say that the handle is a little short for a DHBH. Care to comment?

[Joun S.]

Originally Posted by CheekyMullet

A couple of comments on customer reviews section say that the handle is a little short for a DHBH. Care to comment?

i checked it with my other frame.same length with pro staff 90.i think its not short for dhbh