Ashaway Kevlar+ / Zyex Pro hybrid. Works really well on my APD2013.
Live by the Blade...Die by the Blade...
- Thread starter danbrenner
- Start date
AtTheNet
New User
As a devoted Blade user, this has been a great thread to enjoy. I play with the 2014 Blade 98 16x19--when the 2015 came out with the green graphic (which I don't like), I looked around and bought 8 of the 2014 frames. Which was all I could find, or I'd have more!
In response to LaZeR's question though, I play with the Blade 90% of the time, but carry a couple other racquets in the bag for variety: An RF97A, which I like but is very different than the Blade; and then, if I ate my Wheaties that morning, an RF85 to have fun with. But gotta be on my game to use the 85, not much forgiveness with that stick.
TennisHound
Legend
Nice. I prefer the 2013-14 Blade to the 2015s as well.
danbrenner
Legend
I brought my old blade back to life. Put some new rpm and it feels amazing again. It’s the 2013 black blx blade. I played it along side the new cv. The cv doesn’t cut through the air at all compared to the blx. This is become of the rubber paint. It doesn’t cut through. I if you want to try the best blade possible try a blx.
Doubles
Legend
I own a copy of at least every single 18x20 Blade Wilson has made. I don’t think the CV swings slower than the BLX.
TennisHound
Legend
The 13 swings fast and smooth with a crisp feel off the stringbed.
The 15 swings fast and smooth with a dampened feel off the stringbed.
The CV swings medium and clubbish, with no feel off the stringbed.
The 15 swings fast and smooth with a dampened feel off the stringbed.
The CV swings medium and clubbish, with no feel off the stringbed.
danbrenner
Legend
That’s exactly right on the money
danbrenner
Legend
For anyone reading this. Take a cv 98. And take the same blx. Swing them through the air The blx feels like you’re wielding a samurai sword that literally makes a whoosh sound as it glides through the air. The cv swings more like a babolat. And this is because of the rubber paint. The smooth glossy paint cuts through the air that much better.
danbrenner
Legend
And yes the cv I have is weighted identically to my blx. Same balance as well. I had to add 4g of lead at 12 to my cv to match them.
Don’t get me wrong I like the cv But I love the blx
Don’t get me wrong I like the cv But I love the blx
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Just spray a glossy finish over your CV.
TennisHound
Legend
Wilson doesn’t know what to do with the Blade.Wilson should release a Blade Tour as the retail version of the H22 like they did with the Ultra tour.
(Troll mode ON)
Doubles
Legend
Not sure, but I know mine have identical swingweights and don’t swing through the air differently.
TennisHound
Legend
It doesn’t matter, it’s subjective.
prostaffsampras
New User
Hey guys,
I've been hitting with the Blade 98 18x20 (2015 version) for almost 2 years now, and it's definitely a tremendous racket.
Like many of you, I've made some modifications to the rackets: added a fairway leather grip with 4g of lead underneath and also 3g at 12, which makes the frame around 343g strung (with overgrip).
Not sure about how HL it is, but I'd say 6-7 pts.
Currently using MSV Focus Hex 1.23, but I'm missing a bit of control and comfort, reason why I'm thinking about a change. What do you guys recommend?
I've been hitting with the Blade 98 18x20 (2015 version) for almost 2 years now, and it's definitely a tremendous racket.
Like many of you, I've made some modifications to the rackets: added a fairway leather grip with 4g of lead underneath and also 3g at 12, which makes the frame around 343g strung (with overgrip).
Not sure about how HL it is, but I'd say 6-7 pts.
Currently using MSV Focus Hex 1.23, but I'm missing a bit of control and comfort, reason why I'm thinking about a change. What do you guys recommend?
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TennisHound
Legend
^^^My wrist or arm have never hurt with any Blade but the CV. I used it several times and the last time, nothing hurt.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Don’t think you meant this?
TennisHound
Legend
Well, when I initially tried the CV, my wrist hurt. I tried it several months later and same thing. Tried one about a year later, and no wrist pain.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Interesting. I do get a tender elbow when I spend too much time with the blades.
I agree with you, bro!
This is true. That's why a lot of young guns on the Tour (and also the college/advanced club players) use this racquet.
Doubles
Legend
The 2015 BLX was the best feeling out of any of the blades, imo, but I really like the CV. It's probably my third favorite behind the 2015, and the 2011.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Is the 2011 blade the black blade or the black/gold one?
Doubles
Legend
Black and Gold. Black/silver was 2013, which had a different feel to it.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Ok. I have a 2011, 2015 and CV.
TennisHound
Legend
The CV is not all negative. It’s still has Blade specs. The ones I’ve used have seemed a little clubbier than the previous models, but I played pretty well with the CV (16x19). I am just not thrilled about the lack of feel. But I could use it no problem.
danbrenner
Legend
If your favorite is the black 2013 why not use that ?
TennisHound
Legend
I’m playing pretty well with my RF97 right now (no leather grip, two over grips). Im not sure why I stopped using the ‘13.
Probably cause the ones I had were pretty stress-cracked in the throat. Dang Dan, now you got me thinkin about it.
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danbrenner
Legend
Yeah. Well it’s a beast. And there is a cool factor about it as well. It’s all black. Swings the fastest. Impossible to get now. Sells for $209 if in great condition. And no one has it. I love all those reasons.I’m playing pretty well with my RF97 right now (no leather grip, two over grips). Im not sure why I stopped using the ‘13.
TennisHound
Legend
Yep, I’m still debating if it’s too much of a beast for me. If I find a new (ish) ‘13 I’m gonna buy it and post pics
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
High swingweight but the paint was the glossiest so cuts through the air the fastest due to the lowest coefficient of friction.
danbrenner
Legend
I thought the paint was the same glossiness from the 13 to 15 ?? On the 16x19 ?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
My 2015 18/20 is a matte finish.
TennisHound
Legend
Yep, still looking for some that don't have throat cracks. Common thing with this model. I even had an h22 of this iteration that had the same cracks in the throat bridge.
danbrenner
Legend
And what about the 16x19. @TennisHound is that matte as well? the 2015 ? i thought the 16x19 was glossy on the 15 as well as the 13?
TennisHound
Legend
Yep, both '13 and '15 16x19s are glossy. The '15 18x20 was matte.
danbrenner
Legend
great.. so the 18x20 got theshort end of the stick. glossy just cuts through the air that much better. fashion can be detrimental to the true performance of a racquet.
danbrenner
Legend
also the handle shape of the 13 and 15 is more rectangular in feel. the butt cap has a more defined feel. esp the 13. . can @TennisHound confirm that?
my cv is rounder not as defined in fee.l.
my cv is rounder not as defined in fee.l.
TennisHound
Legend
Hmm, I wish I could confirm, but I'm not sure on the handle shapes. I'll try to confirm this. I have a '15 so, I'll try and compare to a CV.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Caught a glimpse of the new Blade for 2019-2020. It is basically the Clash PJ with green up top and a green WILSON.
TennisHound
Legend
pics?
danbrenner
Legend
When is I he release date.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Ill try!
edit: Its a screen grab from here (14:22) I dont know who the girl is thats holding it. Ostapenko?:
No idea
TennisHound
Legend
^^^^Hmm tough one
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
TennisHound
Legend
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mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I like it more than the CV pj but for god's sake make it glossy so it lasts longer than 10 hours un-chipped
