Blade 93- my first impressions...

[donnayblack99]

Hi guys, I'm a former NCAA Div 1 player, now 40... 5.5 rated. Played primarily with the Wilson PS 6.1. since I've been about 15, however, I've ocassionally played with the PS 85, POG mids/CTS series, Dunlop 200 series and Donnay Pro One mid sticks over the years. I got to hit with the Blade 93 last night.

WOW... if you like a mid (90-95 sq. in frame) like I do, you'll love this puppy. It's sold as a rock, however you can feel a little flex, which is a good thing. It's not as rigid as the PS 6.1 series or Prestige. It feels like an old school Donnay Pro One or PS 85 mid (except with a larger sweet spot).

The Blade absolutely crushes ground strokes with little to no vibration upon impact. When volleying, it handles hard passing shots very well and touch volleys and drop shots are easy due to the feel of the 18/20 pattern. My Blade was strung with a soft poly at around 55 lbs, however, to increase power, I'm going to restring it with NRG2 for a little more power and forgiveness.

As a teaching pro and self-proclaimed expert on player's frames, I can honestly compare it to a Dunlop 200 series or more accurately, if a Pro Staff 85 came with a 93 sq inch head and tight pattern, Wilson would rename it the Blade. The Blade crushed the ball like a ProStaff 85.

The paintjob is neat- very low key, not a lot of flash, neon colors or decals like the new crap from Prince or Babolat.

If you're a high school or college kid or advanced club player who is looking for great control from a rock sold stick, yet comfortable with little to no shock to your shoulder or arm, you need to try this stick out. It swings fast and is probably about 7-10 pts head light. The sweet spot is quite generous for a 93" frame. After thinking about it and writing this review, it really reminds me of my old Prince CTS Approaches and CTS Graduates from the late 80's/ early 90's. It has that solid feel yet heavy, comfortable feel of an old school racquet.

Take one out... you won't be disappointed. It has to be the best player's stick made in the last 5 years.

[Power Player]

Nice review.

Wow. The Dunlop 200 is a holy GOAT of frames, so this thing must be awesome. I currently use the 98, and it is a wonderful stick.

[dhdriver]

I agree... I had an awesome time demoing it! It was a big update (to me at least) from the BLX blade (half gold half black model).

[JGads]

Oh boy.

Must. Resist...

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by JGads

Oh boy.

Must. Resist...

You can not.

You will not.

You shall not.

[sundaypunch]

Have you ever hit the old K-Blade Tour 93? If so, how does this one compare?

[donnayblack99]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

Have you ever hit the old K-Blade Tour 93? If so, how does this one compare?

I hit with the K Blade tour last year. As I remember, it was harsh and "tinny." It was ok, but nothing like the new Blade 93. The new Blade is not "tinny" at impact... when you hit the ball, you hear the thwap sound and you don't feel it in your hand, wrist or arm. I was never into "technology" for racquets, but the amplifeel in the handle makes this stick muted and cushioned. I love it...

[dhdriver]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

Have you ever hit the old K-Blade Tour 93? If so, how does this one compare?

I loved the old K-Blade Tour 93. I would say the new blades are an improvement as it was easier to hit groundstrokes with. The manueverbility of the racquet was improved as well. Overall it was a great racquet. I prefer it over my Prestige Mids but I don't got the money to buy the new Blade 93s

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

can you people stop posting reviews of this damn thing?????

Must. Not. Buy. More. Racquets.


AARRRRRRGGHHHH!!!!!!


I LOVE my Volkls, but everything anyone says about this stick..ohhh!

[aimr75]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

can you people stop posting reviews of this damn thing?????

Must. Not. Buy. More. Racquets.


AARRRRRRGGHHHH!!!!!!


I LOVE my Volkls, but everything anyone says about this stick..ohhh!

Thats the problem with these forums I havent been on here so much and i dont get as much urge to try new frames.. just browsing through reviews like this and the steam99s reviews makes me want to try them.. time to log off!

[roundiesee]

Originally Posted by aimr75

Thats the problem with these forums I havent been on here so much and i dont get as much urge to try new frames.. just browsing through reviews like this and the steam99s reviews makes me want to try them.. time to log off!

I second that! Just be happy with what we have now......

[vegasgt3]

How does it serve compared to a Dunlop 200?

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by donnayblack99

I hit with the K Blade tour last year. As I remember, it was harsh and "tinny." It was ok, but nothing like the new Blade 93. The new Blade is not "tinny" at impact... when you hit the ball, you hear the thwap sound and you don't feel it in your hand, wrist or arm. I was never into "technology" for racquets, but the amplifeel in the handle makes this stick muted and cushioned. I love it...

Have you tried hitting with the Pro Staff BLX 90 or Pure Storm Tour GT and how would either one of them compare?

Originally Posted by dhdriver

I loved the old K-Blade Tour 93. I would say the new blades are an improvement as it was easier to hit groundstrokes with. The manueverbility of the racquet was improved as well. Overall it was a great racquet. I prefer it over my Prestige Mids but I don't got the money to buy the new Blade 93s

Now I am tempted to give this racquet a shot.

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

can you people stop posting reviews of this damn thing?????

Must. Not. Buy. More. Racquets.


AARRRRRRGGHHHH!!!!!!


I LOVE my Volkls, but everything anyone says about this stick..ohhh!

You know if you visit this forum, you will end up buying something. With all the reviews coming out from the Head Speeds, Wilson Steams and Blades, it's impossible.

[donnayblack99]

Originally Posted by vegasgt3

How does it serve compared to a Dunlop 200?

I played with the Dunlop200 Aerogel for 9 months and played several tournaments with it. The Dunlop200 series is a heavy, solid racquet, unfortunately it lacks power. The Blade is a heavy, solid racquet, with a small amount of flex but has much more pop than the 200. The 200 feels like a battle club, much like the Hotmelts.

The Blade is much smoother through the air and the sweetspot is about the same on both sticks, however the Blade will give you that extra forgiveness most people (including me) prefer. I like both sticks, but for a 40 yr. old, "player," I like the Blade because it gives me the extra power and forgiveness over the 200. If I were 20 again, I'd be all over the 200...

Hope this helps.

[donnayblack99]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Have you tried hitting with the Pro Staff BLX 90 or Pure Storm Tour GT and how would either one of them compare?



Now I am tempted to give this racquet a shot.



You know if you visit this forum, you will end up buying something. With all the reviews coming out from the Head Speeds, Wilson Steams and Blades, it's impossible.

The Blade 93 compares very favorably to the BLX 90... EXCEPT the Blade is MUCH more forgiving and has more pop. Both have a great feel and very comfortable. As for the comparison to the Babolat PST GT, the Blade is a MUCH more solid stick. The Babolat PST is a good stick but doesn't have that punch and impact the way the Blade does. The Babolat is flexier and has less power than the Blade. If you were to add some led tape at 3 and 9 on the babolat, it would probably feel very much like the Blade... (I've only hit with the Babolat a couple of sessions... so take my review with a grain of salt).

[Sundan]

Got mine this tuesday,will try it out tonight

[Mulach]

Very interested in this racquet. I've been using the YIG Prestige Pro but recently changed to the prestige MP and have really enjoyed the improved control from the MP. With the MP I feel as if I can swing away without too much concern of going long.

Any comments on how the Blade 93 compares to these two Prestige (pro & MP)?

Thanks!

[Relinquis]

Looks lovely. This is what a Wilson should look like, not the paint job on the Steam 100 that I bought this summer.

I think this or the PS 90 will be the stick I get next summer.

[cluckcluck]

If it only came in a 16x19 pattern. I love the live feeling of the open patterns.

[quest01]

A got this racquet less then a week ago and its awesome. One word that describes this racquet is "precision". I could hit a dime with my forehand or serve with 100% accuracy, its so nice. I strung it with luxilon alu power and it doesnt matter how hard I swing, the ball just goes in the court. Its just an amazing feeling. I dont think I've hit with a racquet that has more control then this, maybe the ps 85 reissue but nothing else from what I've used.

Thats kind of neat that your racquet came with a cover.