The Wilson 85s

MichaelChang · 12-03-2012, 07:36 AM

Would like to see how people think of the Wilson 85s. Jack Kramer prostaff 85, the Prostaff 6.0 85, and the Prostaff 6.6 85. (Is there any other "modern" 85 that I missed?)

How do these 3 compare against each other? I have hit with JK 85 and 6.0 85 (China) and I liked the JK 85 a little better. It feels a little stiffer.

Edit: There is a Staff 85 which comes before Prostaff. And I actually have hit with it briefly and it felt heavier I just can't generate decent pace with it. It felt very flex.

Dave M · 12-03-2012, 07:40 AM

Aggressor? Had a yellow stripe?(or maybe red)

retrowagen · 12-03-2012, 10:24 AM

There are dozens of 85-square-inch composite Wilson mids that came about in the 1980's-2000's, and the Pro Staff wasn't the first of them.

(and the Staff came after the original 1983/4 PS Mid...)

There were numerous models, ranging from the Ultra 2 at one end of the spectrum, to the "chain discount store" models such as the Matrix and Aggressor.

MichaelChang · 12-03-2012, 10:35 AM

Sorry for my ignorance haha. I always thought the Ultra and Ultra2 were smaller than 85? I guess I was refering to the particular "mold" that is used in making the Staff/JK/ProStaff 85.

Bobby Jr · 12-03-2012, 02:16 PM

You could get the Ultra FPK in 85sq in I thought? They were great racquets.

retrowagen · 12-03-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

You could get the Ultra FPK in 85sq in I thought? They were great racquets.

The 85 sq-in Ultra FPK was super duper limited production, for Hana Mandlikova. I don't believe it was ever marketed to the general public. The "production" Ultra FPK was available in 95 and 110 sizes.

Ronaldo · 12-03-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrowagen

The 85 sq-in Ultra FPK was super duper limited production, for Hana Mandlikova. I don't believe it was ever marketed to the general public. The "production" Ultra FPK was available in 95 and 110 sizes.

Imagine a cross between the PC600 and Ps 6.0 85. Have all three FPK, 85, 95, 110 and used all unused, NOS. FPK 85 has no bumperguard. Best Wilson IMHO ever.

embot · 12-03-2012, 07:00 PM

I believe the Wilson Sting Mid from that era is also 85 sq. inches.

Bobby Jr · 12-03-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrowagen

The 85 sq-in Ultra FPK was super duper limited production, for Hana Mandlikova. I don't believe it was ever marketed to the general public. The "production" Ultra FPK was available in 95 and 110 sizes.

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure our local shop had them at the time. I got one the same time as my brother - both 85s from what I recall. They definitely weren't 95s.

Ronaldo · 12-03-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure our local shop had them at the time. I got one the same time as my brother - both 85s from what I recall. They definitely weren't 95s.

Easy to remember, no bumperguards like the Chicago PS 6.0 85.

retrowagen · 12-03-2012, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure our local shop had them at the time. I got one the same time as my brother - both 85s from what I recall. They definitely weren't 95s.

Well, I never make mistakes. I once thought I did, but I was wrong...

I could definitely be mistaken about the production FPK 85.

Ronaldo · 12-03-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrowagen

Well, I never make mistakes. I once thought I did, but I was wrong...

I could definitely be mistaken about the production FPK 85.

Not sure about whether they were production models. Had a pair from TW. And still do. And have Hana's Auto.

mltaylor · 12-04-2012, 03:57 PM

I still have it. Beautiful racquet. 2 pts. HL

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=306384

hrstrat57 · 12-04-2012, 04:20 PM

Don't forget the mostly white PJ Ceramic 85....

max · 12-05-2012, 06:41 AM

I once played with something, borrowed it when a string broke on my max 200 g, called the Wilson Ultra Matrix graphite. Looked a lot like a Wilson PS 6.0/85, perhaps a bit more flexible (which seemed to me to ADD to its control) but said "made in Brazil" on the side. It played very nicely. Anyone see this?

MichaelChang · 12-05-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max

I once played with something, borrowed it when a string broke on my max 200 g, called the Wilson Ultra Matrix graphite. Looked a lot like a Wilson PS 6.0/85, perhaps a bit more flexible (which seemed to me to ADD to its control) but said "made in Brazil" on the side. It played very nicely. Anyone see this?

Could it be the Wilson Graphite Matrix? It does have a 85ish head size I think, just without the PWS. I had one of those before. The one I had is black paintjob, I have seen silver paint job as well.

Hannah19 · 12-05-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

Could it be the Wilson Graphite Matrix? It does have a 85ish head size I think, just without the PWS. I had one of those before. The one I had is black paintjob, I have seen silver paint job as well.

The Graphite Matrix was not made in Brasil....Come to think of it, did Wilson ever have a manufacturing plant in Brasil..??

FedererClone · 12-05-2012, 08:16 PM

I never quite liked the 80/20 fiberglass comp of the Kramer sticks... the older braided 80/20 kevlar was best. This is probably why you don't like the "pop" of the Kramer's - way flexier than the 6.0 for sure... Hit a long time ago w/6.0 that required precision like no other frame. Lots of hours rewarded you with a pristine game... never compared it to later 85s from China etc.. so can't give you a comparison....

I liked the Sting SC (not the SC2000, but the SC with no stabilizer bar), the ceramic felt very good in the frame.

Wilson reflex 85 is also a nice stick, a slimmer PS85 with a narrower throat - but at least 80% graphite in the comp... and the Wilson Graphite Force was a great stick (maybe 88sq in headsize?) that many have said copied, or followed, the Head Edge feel and style... Graphite Matrix / Pro matrix are also 85 sq PWS sticks, but too flexible, less control for me than even the Kramer's ( ... maybe the Graphite Matrix / Pro matrix were only 60% graphite? ) never liked them... I do have an Ultra 95 tapered beam, doesn't fit my game, and wish I had the 85...

As for the stars and stripes 85 that courier pushed (until he didn't like the stick and dropped it from the tour: if he ever played with it?). I prefer the S&S 85 over the S&S 95, but neither rocked my world... The only 95 I've ever felt somewhat comfortable with is the original 6.0 .

... Also hit with Hyper Carbon Pro Staff 90 "tour 90" that came in after the PS85 that was a very difficult sword to wield, and finally I recall one other frame fondly; N code 90 red and white, the older Fed frame ... that was a sweet ride...

tennis005 · 12-05-2012, 08:24 PM

I have a few Wilson 85 composites. My favorite is the PS 85 Ceramic! Nice colorway and good flex!

MichaelChang · 12-06-2012, 03:41 AM

Thanks F.C. for the reviews.

12-03-2012, 07:36 AM	#1
MichaelChang Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,039	The Wilson 85s Would like to see how people think of the Wilson 85s. Jack Kramer prostaff 85, the Prostaff 6.0 85, and the Prostaff 6.6 85. (Is there any other "modern" 85 that I missed?) How do these 3 compare against each other? I have hit with JK 85 and 6.0 85 (China) and I liked the JK 85 a little better. It feels a little stiffer. Edit: There is a Staff 85 which comes before Prostaff. And I actually have hit with it briefly and it felt heavier I just can't generate decent pace with it. It felt very flex. Last edited by MichaelChang : 12-03-2012 at 07:38 AM.

12-03-2012, 10:24 AM	#3
retrowagen Professional Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,498	There are dozens of 85-square-inch composite Wilson mids that came about in the 1980's-2000's, and the Pro Staff wasn't the first of them. (and the Staff came after the original 1983/4 PS Mid...) There were numerous models, ranging from the Ultra 2 at one end of the spectrum, to the "chain discount store" models such as the Matrix and Aggressor. __________________ Psalm 100:4

12-03-2012, 02:16 PM	#5
Bobby Jr Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 4,543	You could get the Ultra FPK in 85sq in I thought? They were great racquets. __________________ Original Pro Staff 85, leaded to 370g, hybrid poly/syn gut set-up, 48-52-ish lbs.

12-04-2012, 03:57 PM	#13
mltaylor Rookie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 123	Wilson Ultra FPK 85 - Hana Mandlikova I still have it. Beautiful racquet. 2 pts. HL http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=306384 __________________ Head Youtek IG Prestige MP 18x20 Dunlop Pro Stock (MW PJ) Last edited by mltaylor : 12-04-2012 at 04:09 PM.

12-04-2012, 04:20 PM	#14
hrstrat57 Professional Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: RI Posts: 1,009	Don't forget the mostly white PJ Ceramic 85.... __________________ Head Youtek Prestige MP(2) i Prestige MP(3) i Radical MP(3) ti radical MP paintjob, PS 85(2) Max 200G(2) many others in hiding