Blade 98 16x19 2013 Short review

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Spec looks good but tried it out and not really impressed with Donnay in general. I tried out a lot of their different model racquets and the Pro One was the best of all the Donnays but still no match for the PSTGT.

When I hit with it, my tennis partner told me to stick with the PSTGT and he was using one of the old school Agassi Donnay's . He said I hit a heavier ball with the PSTGT.

I see. It might just have to do with a "Donnay feel" that might not be something I might be interested in. Are you totally satisfied with your PSTGT's at this moment? Can you relate at all to the gripes I'm having lately with mine? Just seems that there are times when I'm not grinding at the baseline where the racquet can feel sluggish. I'm finding that more as I'm trying to attack more, being closer to the baseline, attacking the short balls and using my transition game. The Blade demos I had were strung with multis and I don't think I got as good of a read on them as I could if they were strung with poly. So I'll reserve my judgement on those and re demo them but strung with polyester...I really hope between the 2 Blades and the 18/20 Graphene Speed I find something that I'm looking for... a PSTGT solid feeling racquet but a bit more whippy. A reason why I'm hesitant on the 16/19 is because the PSTGT is more closed than open IMHO with it being 16/20 that extra cross definitely makes a difference. In the past I've tried 16/19s and they just haven't worked for me... too much power and not enough control. Won't give up on this Blade 16/19 though.

And I'm assuming you took the 16/19 Pro One out? The 18/20 sounds very enticing still even though I might not like the Donnay feel

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

I see. It might just have to do with a "Donnay feel" that might not be something I might be interested in. Are you totally satisfied with your PSTGT's at this moment? Can you relate at all to the gripes I'm having lately with mine? Just seems that there are times when I'm not grinding at the baseline where the racquet can feel sluggish. I'm finding that more as I'm trying to attack more, being closer to the baseline, attacking the short balls and using my transition game. The Blade demos I had were strung with multis and I don't think I got as good of a read on them as I could if they were strung with poly. So I'll reserve my judgement on those and re demo them but strung with polyester...I really hope between the 2 Blades and the 18/20 Graphene Speed I find something that I'm looking for... a PSTGT solid feeling racquet but a bit more whippy. A reason why I'm hesitant on the 16/19 is because the PSTGT is more closed than open IMHO with it being 16/20 that extra cross definitely makes a difference. In the past I've tried 16/19s and they just haven't worked for me... too much power and not enough control. Won't give up on this Blade 16/19 though.

And I'm assuming you took the 16/19 Pro One out? The 18/20 sounds very enticing still even though I might not like the Donnay feel

Yes, I tried the 16x19 Donnay as I never found a 18x20 that would work for me. I always end up hitting it short and when I try to lower the tension by 5lbs to adjust for the tighter string pattern, it still didn't help.

The Blade 16x19 does have more power than the PSTGT and does take some time to get use to but I feel I am slowly getting the hang of it. I like the bigger sweet spot though the PSTGT allows me to hit a more wicked slice. I modified the Blade with more lead tape in the handle making it more like 4pts HL to give it a bit more whip while still maintaining stability.

I am happy with the PSTGT but I like trying new racquets and will be giving the Steam and Head Speed MP a shot when they come out later this month. I do understand what you mean by the PSTGT being a bit sluggish and mainly on serves. Hopefully they will improve this when they release a new version in 2014.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

I see. It might just have to do with a "Donnay feel" that might not be something I might be interested in. Are you totally satisfied with your PSTGT's at this moment? Can you relate at all to the gripes I'm having lately with mine? Just seems that there are times when I'm not grinding at the baseline where the racquet can feel sluggish. I'm finding that more as I'm trying to attack more, being closer to the baseline, attacking the short balls and using my transition game. The Blade demos I had were strung with multis and I don't think I got as good of a read on them as I could if they were strung with poly. So I'll reserve my judgement on those and re demo them but strung with polyester...I really hope between the 2 Blades and the 18/20 Graphene Speed I find something that I'm looking for... a PSTGT solid feeling racquet but a bit more whippy. A reason why I'm hesitant on the 16/19 is because the PSTGT is more closed than open IMHO with it being 16/20 that extra cross definitely makes a difference. In the past I've tried 16/19s and they just haven't worked for me... too much power and not enough control. Won't give up on this Blade 16/19 though.

And I'm assuming you took the 16/19 Pro One out? The 18/20 sounds very enticing still even though I might not like the Donnay feel

Might want to try the standard Pure Storm or even the Team, leaded up a bit? Played a pro at a club in Palm Springs and he had a Team version of the Pure Storm with a fair amount of lead at 3 and 9. He could really crack the ball and his slices stayed ridiculously low with it.

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Yes, I tried the 16x19 Donnay as I never found a 18x20 that would work for me. I always end up hitting it short and when I try to lower the tension by 5lbs to adjust for the tighter string pattern, it still didn't help.

The Blade 16x19 does have more power than the PSTGT and does take some time to get use to but I feel I am slowly getting the hang of it. I like the bigger sweet spot though the PSTGT allows me to hit a more wicked slice. I modified the Blade with more lead tape in the handle making it more like 4pts HL to give it a bit more whip while still maintaining stability.

I am happy with the PSTGT but I like trying new racquets and will be giving the Steam and Head Speed MP a shot when they come out later this month. I do understand what you mean by the PSTGT being a bit sluggish and mainly on serves. Hopefully they will improve this when they release a new version in 2014.

I see. For me the 18/20 pattern has been one that I've used for most of my tennis playing career so giving up on it since I've been using the 16/20 for the past year won't be something I'm doing. Although you're right that with the 18/20 you sacrifice a lot of pop the control you receive especially directional control is usually spot on. I've never tried experimenting with lead and I probably won't touch it anytime soon.. so it concerns me that maybe the Blades won't be statically heavy enough, although the SW of 330 definitely beefs up the 11-11.5 oz frames. Yes, the PSTGT definitely doesn't help you on the serve.. but approach shots, balls that are high in my strike zone, and finesse on volleys are things I am finding difficulty to deal with. I've never played with any racquet better at grinding from the back of the court just hitting deep balls, absorbing pace from my opponents shots.

Originally Posted by JGads

Might want to try the standard Pure Storm or even the Team, leaded up a bit? Played a pro at a club in Palm Springs and he had a Team version of the Pure Storm with a fair amount of lead at 3 and 9. He could really crack the ball and his slices stayed ridiculously low with it.

My brother uses the PS unleaded and I tried it before deciding I wanted to use something heavier and more stable with the PSTGT. Like I said previously, I've never thought of tinkering around with lead. As of now the 3 frames I'm really looking at to achieve what I'm looking for (basically a PSTGT in a lighter package, more whippy, more maneuverable) are the 2 Blade 98's and the new Head Graphene Speed Pro (315g). It'll be an interesting month of playtesting.

[Power Player]

the Blade plays like a 12 oz racquet. I compare it to my dunlop Mfil 200 and it hits rather similar, just easier to get racquet head speed.

[heftylefty]

I have been playing with the Yonex RQiS Tour 1 for about a year. It has really help my game. I'm an all-court player with a nice sized serve and one-handed backhand. I'm very happy with my Yonex...until I demo the new Blade 98 16x18!

This is a very sick stick. I am not a Wilson guy. Not that they are bad sticks; just didn't work with my game. But the new Blade changed that. I could do whatever I want with the ball. I feel a lot lighter than the weight indicates, but I felt I still had nice plow through the ball. I have demo Blades in the past and was not moved. The new one makes me think about another stick switch. Wilson has really stepped it up.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Only on the 16x19 version with tension around 55lbs on gut mains and 50lbs on poly cross. My usual setup is 58/52 but the recent 40s degree day temperatures had me drop it by a few lbs to reduce the stiffness.

Thanks. I'm seeing a wide variety of string setups being used by folks for the new BLX Blades (and previous versions), but haven't seen much on gut/poly. Maybe just goes to show how versatile this racquet is.

[CheekyMullet]

Can any of the Blade owners measure the lenght of the handle, please?

[parasailing]

Strung up the Blade with 55lbs gut mains and 50lbs poly cross to accommodate for the colder weather but looks like I should have kept it at 58lbs and 52lbs instead. The setup provided a tad too much power and didn't have as much control as the previous setup which was 16g natural gut strung and poly strung at the same tension.

I guess the 17g natural gut added a bit too much power thus I will have to stick with 58lbs for natural gut and 52lbs for poly cross instead.

[JaggerT]

Originally Posted by CheekyMullet

Can any of the Blade owners measure the lenght of the handle, please?

When holding the blade in my hands before playing with it, I was concerned that the handle felt a tad short and would be a problem as I play with a 2hbh.

When playing however, I never noticed anything odd or short about the handle. Part of the reason it looks/feels shorter is because of the widely fluted butt of the handle, but my right hand slides down into normal position.

[Ross K]

Just curious to know people's best string set ups in this frame. In the new Black Blade 16x19 thus far I've only tried Signum Firestorm, but am about to look at my go to - full TB.

Anyhow, I haven't done a lot of research on this, so 16x19 new Blade, strings/tensions, what are others liking?

Also, just any general thoughts on this frame and strings that suit/ do not suit it?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Just curious to know people's best string set ups in this frame. In the new Black Blade 16x19 thus far I've only tried Signum Firestorm, but am about to look at my go to - full TB.

Anyhow, I haven't done a lot of research on this, so 16x19 new Blade, strings/tensions, what are others liking?

Also, just any general thoughts on this frame and strings that suit/ do not suit it?

Would love to know this too

[Power Player]

Id suggest a poly main of your choice and a syn gut cross. I string at 51/54.

The syn gut cross really brings out some crisp feel. I use the 18x20, but this probably translates to the 16x19.

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Just curious to know people's best string set ups in this frame. In the new Black Blade 16x19 thus far I've only tried Signum Firestorm, but am about to look at my go to - full TB.

Anyhow, I haven't done a lot of research on this, so 16x19 new Blade, strings/tensions, what are others liking?

Also, just any general thoughts on this frame and strings that suit/ do not suit it?

How does the Firestorm play? Can you compare to TB or Poly Tour Pro? Just trying to figure out what string to start with in the Blade. I have some Yonex Poly Tour Spin that may suit this stick well due to it's lower power and spinny nature.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Id suggest a poly main of your choice and a syn gut cross. I string at 51/54.

The syn gut cross really brings out some crisp feel. I use the 18x20, but this probably translates to the 16x19.

Cheers PP. Noted. Maybe worth looking at my old Nvy as a cross string poly hydrid then...


Muzza,

I can't compare those polys in Blade as I've only yet played Firestorm thus far. TB later this week. Firestorm is a bit like 4G IMO. More than decent feel/spin/oomph, not uncomfortable, not overpowered. Saying that, not quite my thing TBH.

[JackB1]

I am trying a hybrid of ZoVerve / Thunderblast at 52/55.

funny thing is Wilson recommends (on the racquet throat)
NXT for power or NXT Control for control. No mention of poly???

[dflores]

Currently using Solinco TB 17 on mains @52, and Gosen Sheep Micro White 17 @55 on Crosses. This has been a beter feeling setup over Full Gosen or NXT Tour.

Just purchased the new Solinco TB soft to try. To be honest, I dont find the regular Solinco to be harsh at all on this frame.

[Murray_fan1]

Strung my New Blade with Yonex Poly Tour Spin at 52lbs. PITA to string but I think this string has some potential. Edges are very pronounced like TB and does not seem to have that plasticky feel like other pentagonal or hex like strings( i.e Focus hex). I have heard this string is a little under powered which may be a good match for the Blade. I will hopefully going out for a hit with it over the next couple days and will let you know what I think of it. Anyone else here have any experience with this string?

[Ross K]

Murray, others,

Tried full-bed Cyclone yesterday @ late 40 lbs and instantly liked it in the Blade a lot. If you really want soft and crisp poly, would recommend this.

[JackB1]

Anyone try full multi in the Blade 16x19 or a multi/poly hybrid?