Blade 98 16x19 2013 Short review

[teocem]

As I am getting more used to my Blade 98 16x19 I am noticing that unless I tame it with a lot of spin has too much power for a full swing. This makes me even more excited about the 18x20 version that I will play with on Sunday.
Any suggestions ?

[realplayer]

.................................

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by teocem

As I am getting more used to my Blade 98 16x19 I am noticing that unless I tame it with a lot of spin has too much power for a full swing. This makes me even more excited about the 18x20 version that I will play with on Sunday.
Any suggestions ?

Not sure what you mean. Just go hit balls. It will sort itself out.

[parasailing]

I finally got a chance to hit with the racquet today given all the recent storms we had in the past two weeks.

I was initially concerned with the high SW and 1 pt HL balance since my current racquet, PSTGT, is more like 6 pts HL but I guess due to the low static weight, I didn't have much issues generating racquet speed.

My initial impression is that it is a very solid racquet that allows you to generate a good amount of topspin. The Wilson Amplifeel definitely dampens the racquet and combined with gut mains/poly crosses, it feels so plush. The sweet spot on this racquet is pretty generous as I feel like almost every ground stroke I hit feels like I struck it in the middle of the racquet.

This racquet can definitely handle the incoming heavy balls without getting pushed around which for a lighter 11+ oz racquet is pretty amazing. The SW definitely helps in this department and doesn't seem to hinder my ability to generate racquet speed.

If you take big cuts with the racquet, balls do have a tendency to fly out on occasions but I think can be corrected once you get use to the timing of hitting with this racquet. I do understand why some have suggested to go with the 18x20 string pattern to reign in the power and increase control but for now, I am going to hold off on trying the 18x20 one until I had more time hitting with this racquet.

For now, I think it's one of the best 11+ oz racquets on the market offering good stability, power, spin, and comfort. Control is the only thing that might be missing.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by parasailing

I finally got a chance to hit with the racquet today given all the recent storms we had in the past two weeks.

I was initially concerned with the high SW and 1 pt HL balance since my current racquet, PSTGT, is more like 6 pts HL but I guess due to the low static weight, I didn't have much issues generating racquet speed.

My initial impression is that it is a very solid racquet that allows you to generate a good amount of topspin. The Wilson Amplifeel definitely dampens the racquet and combined with gut mains/poly crosses, it feels so plush. The sweet spot on this racquet is pretty generous as I feel like almost every ground stroke I hit feels like I struck it in the middle of the racquet.

This racquet can definitely handle the incoming heavy balls without getting pushed around which for a lighter 11+ oz racquet is pretty amazing. The SW definitely helps in this department and doesn't seem to hinder my ability to generate racquet speed.

If you take big cuts with the racquet, balls do have a tendency to fly out on occasions but I think can be corrected once you get use to the timing of hitting with this racquet. I do understand why some have suggested to go with the 18x20 string pattern to reign in the power and increase control but for now, I am going to hold off on trying the 18x20 one until I had more time hitting with this racquet.

For now, I think it's one of the best 11+ oz racquets on the market offering good stability, power, spin, and comfort. Control is the only thing that might be missing.

If you check the TW reviews for both racquets they gave the 18x20 higher points for all aspects but spin and control and accepted it as a better allround stick... I would like to hear from you after you give the denser string pattern version of this Blade a chance..

[barry]

I purchased a Blade 16x19 used it for 2 matches and found the racket to be stiffer than my old BLX Blade (18x20). Plus it lacked stability. Serves were better, but control was lacking. Volleys were equally better with the older BLX model. Playing heavy hitters you need good timing to stay in points and the 16 x 19 model failed for me. I got pushed around and had to go for winners earlier in the points.

Also after 2 matches, my forearm was sore; could be the new handle setup (shorter), or the swing weight difference. Also the new grips were really soft and mushy; the older pro hybrids were much better.

I will be skipping this generation of the blade and stick with the BLX model.

The 18x20 might be different, but it has the same stiffness rating.

[Power Player]

Its the same racquet though. Maybe the amplifeel bugged you.

Anyway i strongly feel that the blade is more lethal as an 18x20 with specs like this.

[JackB1]

Anyone try the Blade 104? I would really consider if it weren't 27.5 length. Extended racquets give me trouble because I get too close to the ball very often and this would only work against me.

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by parasailing

I finally got a chance to hit with the racquet today given all the recent storms we had in the past two weeks.

I was initially concerned with the high SW and 1 pt HL balance since my current racquet, PSTGT, is more like 6 pts HL but I guess due to the low static weight, I didn't have much issues generating racquet speed.

My initial impression is that it is a very solid racquet that allows you to generate a good amount of topspin. The Wilson Amplifeel definitely dampens the racquet and combined with gut mains/poly crosses, it feels so plush. The sweet spot on this racquet is pretty generous as I feel like almost every ground stroke I hit feels like I struck it in the middle of the racquet.

This racquet can definitely handle the incoming heavy balls without getting pushed around which for a lighter 11+ oz racquet is pretty amazing. The SW definitely helps in this department and doesn't seem to hinder my ability to generate racquet speed.

If you take big cuts with the racquet, balls do have a tendency to fly out on occasions but I think can be corrected once you get use to the timing of hitting with this racquet. I do understand why some have suggested to go with the 18x20 string pattern to reign in the power and increase control but for now, I am going to hold off on trying the 18x20 one until I had more time hitting with this racquet.

For now, I think it's one of the best 11+ oz racquets on the market offering good stability, power, spin, and comfort. Control is the only thing that might be missing.

How does it compare with the PSTGT.. is it a bit tougher to swing through the contact zone..meaning a bit more sluggish or not? Will you be considering this racquet as your new one?

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

How does it compare with the PSTGT.. is it a bit tougher to swing through the contact zone..meaning a bit more sluggish or not? Will you be considering this racquet as your new one?

The Blade is actually pretty easy to swing which I was surprised since it has such a high SW and I was still able to generate good swing speed. It's a good racquet but compared to my PSTGT and TGK 260.2, it would be my third choice. With customization, it might turn out to be comparable but that would mean require quite a bit of lead. It's probably the best 11oz+ racquet I have hit with.

The good thing about the Blade is the generous sweet spot, ease of swing, and good power. The only downside is that 16x19 might not have enough control and the 18x20 swing pattern might be the better racquet.

The only thing I noticed after 3 hours hitting with it is when you hit against tennis partners who hit with massive topspin and power. Though the racquet is solid, the Amplifeel doesn't seem to absorb the energy of the ball. My shoulder started to feel a bit pain even though the racquet is strung with VS gut mains.

[4sound]

2 days ago I hit with the Blade 16x19 and the 18x20. I like them both much better than the previous gold version. 18x20 was very accurate on flat shots. 16x19 easier to get spin and power but I needed to top spin a bit to keep it in. I'd probably go with the 16x19 if it was me.

I'm sticking with the IG Prestige MP 18x20. It feels more comfortable to me with more flex.

Blades feel a bit too stiff to me. I liked the feel of the nCode Blade.

[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.

[parasailing]

Day 3 of hitting with the Blade 16x19 and after 6 hours with it, I can say this is one of the best 11oz+ racquet out there.

The racquet provides plenty of power and there is a very generous sweet spot. I add more lead tape in the handle to make the racquet more headlight and whippy and that helped somewhat on reigning in the power and adding some control as I am used to hitting with 5-7pts HL racquets. The racquet is very easy to swing.

The Blade definitely is more solid than the Juice 100 and doesn't ping as much as the Juice 100 while the Juice offers more power.

I plan on keeping this racquet for the time being as I enjoy hitting with it and would rate it as follows:

PSTGT > TGK 260.2 > Blade 98 16x19 > Juice 100

[GTI]

Those who has hit both, do you think 16x19 Blade really produces much higher ball trajectory? (compared to 18x20 Blade?)

According to TW's Racquet Shot Trajectories 16x19 Blade has really low launch angle. Lower than most other 16x19 frames and even lower than 18x20 Blade. I'm thinking if this is true?

GTI

[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?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Day 3 of hitting with the Blade 16x19 and after 6 hours with it, I can say this is one of the best 11oz+ racquet out there.

The racquet provides plenty of power and there is a very generous sweet spot. I add more lead tape in the handle to make the racquet more headlight and whippy and that helped somewhat on reigning in the power and adding some control as I am used to hitting with 5-7pts HL racquets. The racquet is very easy to swing.

The Blade definitely is more solid than the Juice 100 and doesn't ping as much as the Juice 100 while the Juice offers more power.

I plan on keeping this racquet for the time being as I enjoy hitting with it and would rate it as follows:

PSTGT > TGK 260.2 > Blade 98 16x19 > Juice 100

Have you tried playing any competitive matches with it? I found it fine in casual rallying, but when playing a match where you are pressured a lot, I found the Juice a lot easier to use and the Blade quite demanding. The Blade does feel a little nicer overall, but the Juice gives me a better chance to win the point.

[teocem]

Originally Posted by GTI

Those who has hit both, do you think 16x19 Blade really produces much higher ball trajectory? (compared to 18x20 Blade?)

According to TW's Racquet Shot Trajectories 16x19 Blade has really low launch angle. Lower than most other 16x19 frames and even lower than 18x20 Blade. I'm thinking if this is true?

GTI

Definitely 16x19 has a higher trajectory and is more prone to spin and has a larget sweetspot at the same string setting. But I am leaning towards 18x20 which is also a powerfull racquet has more control. I will try to lower the tension slightly though...

[parasailing]

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?

For me, the Blade is a lot easier to swing than the Radical Pro IG and has a larger sweetspot. I struggled to generate racquet speed with the Pro IG but didn't have issues with the Blade. I had high hopes for the Pro IG when it came out as I was looking for a 16x19 string pattern 98 sq inch racquet at the time which I now have courtesy of the TGK 260.2.

Originally Posted by JackB1

Have you tried playing any competitive matches with it? I found it fine in casual rallying, but when playing a match where you are pressured a lot, I found the Juice a lot easier to use and the Blade quite demanding. The Blade does feel a little nicer overall, but the Juice gives me a better chance to win the point.

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.

[Frankauc]

Originally Posted by GTI

Those who has hit both, do you think 16x19 Blade really produces much higher ball trajectory? (compared to 18x20 Blade?)

According to TW's Racquet Shot Trajectories 16x19 Blade has really low launch angle. Lower than most other 16x19 frames and even lower than 18x20 Blade. I'm thinking if this is true?

GTI

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. These are not spin friendly racquets, they hit pretty flat. I just found a bit more control with the 18x20 and more power for the 16x19 but i dont need it. I hoped i would like these sticks but this wasnt the case. On the other hand, i tried the blx pro satff 95 and wow this frame is perfect for me! So much more accurate, so much better feel on every shot and very low powered (wich i love) . Too bad its an ugly stick but i will probably buy it, it's so good (if people are willing to sell me one, pm me please)

[teocem]

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. These are not spin friendly racquets, they hit pretty flat. I just found a bit more control with the 18x20 and more power for the 16x19 but i dont need it. I hoped i would like these sticks but this wasnt the case. On the other hand, i tried the blx pro satff 95 and wow this frame is perfect for me! So much more accurate, so much better feel on every shot and very low powered (wich i love) . Too bad its an ugly stick but i will probably buy it, it's so good (if people are willing to sell me one, pm me please)

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.