The Blade 93 (2013) thread !

[Sundan]

So,just starting a thread where we can post about our 93:s.

I'll start with my impressions so far;
Great balance,solid feel. A bit stiff at first but it came with a synthetic gut at high tension, i cut it out and replaced it with a multi/poly hybrid at 26/25kg and it was better.

However since i wanted my elbow to heal up faster i cut that out too after a few sessions in benefit for full multi(sensation) at 24kg, and it was a even better,so ill stick with that until my arm is better.

Another player at my club did the opposite,he cut the sensation out and replaced it with rpm blast and he felt that was alot better,so if you dont have arm problems it could be worth trying.

I was impressed by the 98 18/20 version regarding serve,and that has more weight in the head so i just added close to 4grams total at 3/9-ish to see if it would widen the sweetspot and add some pop to serves.

I have an overgrip on,my scale indicates it at ~6grams so balance is still about the same.

Looking forward to next session to see if i notice any difference

[marsh]

I have this racquet and it is currently strung with full 4g at 60 lbs. Before anyone makes a _ comment, I normally play full poly at 60 lbs. I really like it on every stoke except for my forehand, I get great control, but I really have to swing out.

I'm trying to figure out what string to try next. I may even try a full bed of multi in it.

Great pace and placement on serves, volley are solid with nice pop, backhand is rock solid. I really like the solid feel of the stick.

[donnayblack99]

I've been playing with the blade for over a month now... it's the modern day ProStaff 85. This is what Wilson should have done with the ProStaff line- make a PS 93... instead they called it the Blade 93.

This stick is solid from the baseline. Mine is strung with NRG 18g @ 50 lbs and plays like a dream. I'm coming off playing with the Prince Original Graphite 93 for almost 20 years. Everything about this stick is a winner for a player's racquet. It's not too stiff like a Prestige, not too dead like a Dunlop 200 series and not too noodlely like a Becker London Tour/ Volkl PB 10. It's just right...

It dampens the vibrations, it has a more than generous sweet spot, its paint job is killer and it's not string sensitive. I've strung mine with Gosen synthetic gut 18g, Technifibre blackcode 18g, prince synthetic gut w/ duraflex 18g, Luxilon Big Banger, Tourna big hitter black and Technifibre NRG18. For me, the NRG plays best either as a full string job or as a hybrid with a black code or big hitter black poly.

I'm a former NCAA DIV 1 singles player, now 40. I only play once a week, however, I can still out hit most guys out there. It you're looking for a nice and comfortable player's stick... look no further... Blade 93 is it.

[Ronski]

Originally Posted by donnayblack99

I've been playing with the blade for over a month now... it's the modern day ProStaff 85. This is what Wilson should have done with the ProStaff line- make a PS 93... instead they called it the Blade 93.

This stick is solid from the baseline. Mine is strung with NRG 18g @ 50 lbs and plays like a dream. I'm coming off playing with the Prince Original Graphite 93 for almost 20 years. Everything about this stick is a winner for a player's racquet. It's not too stiff like a Prestige, not too dead like a Dunlop 200 series and not too noodlely like a Becker London Tour/ Volkl PB 10. It's just right...

It dampens the vibrations, it has a more than generous sweet spot, its paint job is killer and it's not string sensitive. I've strung mine with Gosen synthetic gut 18g, Technifibre blackcode 18g, prince synthetic gut w/ duraflex 18g, Luxilon Big Banger, Tourna big hitter black and Technifibre NRG18. For me, the NRG plays best either as a full string job or as a hybrid with a black code or big hitter black poly.

I'm a former NCAA DIV 1 singles player, now 40. I only play once a week, however, I can still out hit most guys out there. It you're looking for a nice and comfortable player's stick... look no further... Blade 93 is it.

"Modern day ProStaff 85" I like the sound of that... Blade 93 im goint to try you out...

[Relinquis]

i really want to try this stick.

How do you like the string pattern on the Blade 93 (18x20) in terms of spin? Can you get enough spin on slices, drop shots and topspin ground strokes?

I want to try a mid with a tighter string pattern than what I currently have (mine is a 14 x 18, so pretty open, same head size 93").

[v205]

How does this 2013 Blade 93 compare with K-blade Tour (93) and BLX Blade Tour / 93?

Is it the most arm friendly of the 3 different generations?

[mykoh]

i've been eyeing this stick for the longest time.

my only worry is that i like my sticks to be around 355-360g 4-5pts HL 340-345SW, and a leather grip if possible. do you guys think those specs are possible with the blade93 and lead?

[Sundan]

So,i played a couple of days ago with the added lead,its about 3,5grams in total,split at just above 3 and 9.

I believe it added a little length in general and some extra pop in serve,if its imaginary or real i dont know

Will keep it for a while and see how it works.

[frunk]

Doesn't even come close to the KBlade tour. Also, wilson changed the handle on the tour and I really dislike it.

[Sundan]

Did anyone try low tension on this one ?
Im at about 54 pounds but considering 48-50 pounds to get a softer feel,im worried it could turn into a rocket launcher though,it does feel quite firm still so it could work.

Im using wilson sensation 16,so its a soft string but my arm is bugging me so i have to go softer tension or softer racquet.

Could be interesting to try a hybrid at even lower tension with a poly mains, to add some spin to make the shots dip down faster.

I just read that just from changing string pattern 18*20 vs 16*19, the 18*20 should be stringed up to 5 pounds lower to feel the same,and this one also have smaller head so i guess it would add even more stiffness.

That could explain why my Vcore 100s feels softer at 60 pounds and same string.

[Relinquis]

if you're not a string breaker try a thinner gauge string, 17g or so if full-bed* multi. it will feel softer at the same tension. Dropping the tension is another option.

I don't know if the headsize is another factor in feeling stiffer than the same setting in a bigger headed stick with a similar rating. It makes sense that the stringbed might feel stiffer on a smaller head at the same tension. I'm sure the resident experts will let us know if this is the case.


* Probably not the best idea to have such a thin gauge multi in a hybrid.

[Sundan]

The options on strings is very limited where i string my racquets,so its easier to drop tension first.

[Relinquis]

cool. hopefully that works out. let us know either way.

[zoobears]

how does it compare to the kblade tour? I have both but I haven't had the chance to hit with the blade 93 yet. The head size of the 93 is slimmer and more oval shaped than the kblade tour.

[gavna]

I don't play with the 93 but I will say this its the COOLEST looking FU%#ing frame out there!!!!! Wilson did a brilliant job - well done.

[zoobears]

I played with it past 2 days. The grip it comes with is SO fat. I took it off and placed a flatter one. after you put the overgrip on you can't feel the large buttcap as much.

Once the grip size was fixed and I put some lead on 3 and 9, it was the similar balance to my ag100...

to be honest... I can't feel an extreme difference with the extra 3 inches of head. It doesn't feel more or less forgiving.. I have to brush up more now because of the string pattern. I definitely miss the unintended super spin that would come off my racquet from the ag100.