Live by the Blade...Die by the Blade...

FedGR

Professional
My main 2015 Blade 98 18/20 is 332gr strung with leather grip and overgrip. Balance is 32.5. SW is probably around 330 but too lazy to measure it accurately. Strung with AP Rough at 50/48.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Popped strings in both my VCORE 95s, so I had to hit with the 2013 Blade despite initially not liking the ALU Power Ice in it. Long story short: I loved it last night. Maybe the tension dropped a bit, but everything was working well. I'm just a racket addict and will probably never be cured.

what tension and what balance point do you have your sticks at??
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
I believe I strung the ALU Power Ice at 49/46 lbs. No idea as to the balance point.
very curious, i also like mine at that tension range

i currently have 2x 2013 w.blades(16/19) strung at 46lbs, FB polys (1x lux.element, 1x yptp), they feelgood 2me also at that LOW-ISH tension,, ill provably try 47/45lbs next time,,
i have them at 11pts HL for the 1HBH,,
i just looked and have my y.v.95(16/20), strung with w.sensation multifilament strings at 54lbs..
 

snoflewis

Legend
Just tested ice code 1.25 at 46# on the 2015 blade 18x20. It just might be the next string of choice. waiting to see how it plays the next 6-8 hours. really highlights the plushness of the 2015 blade
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Just tested ice code 1.25 at 46# on the 2015 blade 18x20. It just might be the next string of choice. waiting to see how it plays the next 6-8 hours. really highlights the plushness of the 2015 blade

Tomorrow I am gonna test it too on my 98s 2015.
 

anhtuanngo

Semi-Pro
Got my 2015 18x20 racquet, need to string it up and will hit tomorrow morning.

I noticed something different with the paintjob; the 16x19 is a glossy finish, and the 18x20 is a mattted finish.

Is this normal?
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anhtuanngo

Semi-Pro
Well, I hit an hour with it. Like you guys previously said, the 18x20 plays totally different from the 16x19. For me the 18x20 seems alot more head heavy, which messed up my timing, keep framing the ball more than usual.

I'm going to hit again tonight, hopefully I'll adjust better to the racquet. If not, you'll see it on the FS thread real soon :)

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mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Well, I hit an hour with it. Like you guys previously said, the 18x20 plays totally different from the 16x19. For me the 18x20 seems alot more head heavy, which messed up my timing, keep framing the ball more than usual.

I'm going to hit again tonight, hopefully I'll adjust better to the racquet. If not, you'll see it on the FS thread real soon :)

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The 18/20 has a higher SW than the 16/19 and depending on what the actual SW is for your specific stick, it could be REALLY high (over spec) due to Wilson’s wild QC variation.

I sold my first one because I needed something with a lighter SW. The two i now have are under spec with a lighter SW and Iove how they play.
 
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Lozannois

Rookie
The 18/20 has a higher SW than the 16/19 and depending on what the actual SW is for your specific stick, it could be REALLY high (over spec) due to Wilson’s wildly QC variation.

I sold my first one because I needed something with a lighter SW. The two i now have are under spec with a lighter SW and Iove how they play.
What are the sw (unstrung) of your underspecs 18x20 Blade ?

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anhtuanngo

Semi-Pro
I just matched my two blades, stripped them of strings and grip before adding lead tape.

Each blade has a static weight of 292g, 1 has a SW of 300 and the other has a SW of 298.

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mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Nice ! And you know strung ? 291 is not too low ?

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No. I prefer to use 16g poly mains in the 18/20 blades because the pattern is fairly open. I also prefer a lower SW stick because I can always add lead to increase. I can’t remove graphite to remove SW if it’s too high for me.
 
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hotasice

Semi-Pro
Does anyone know if the Blade 98 CV 18X20 grommets fit the 2013 Blade 98 18x20?

I know the 2015 one doesn't fit due to the 2013 not having parallel drilling
 

acintya

Legend
Popped strings in both my VCORE 95s, so I had to hit with the 2013 Blade despite initially not liking the ALU Power Ice in it. Long story short: I loved it last night. Maybe the tension dropped a bit, but everything was working well. I'm just a racket addict and will probably never be cured.
until you try Wilson six.one 95s :)
blade is so stiff compared to six one.
 
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esm

Legend
just remembered there is a Blade thread - not fully read it yet, but am excited by it. have also posted at the racquet of the decade thread.

am waiting for delivery of 2 x 2013 Blade 98 18x20. i believe it is a re-issue version. have read loads about the Blade line, so am quite excited about it and keen to find out what the spec variance between the two will be.

i think i will leave the spec as is, only to add the string (fb of multi or syn gut) and an 0.70mm OG (on L3). would be keen to understand how the lower strung weight and higher SW/more HH setup will play. i think the SW should be around 330/low 330?

my current main stick strung spec is around 344g/31.5cm/low 330SW - this is a 95 sq" and 16x19 racquet @54lb on fb of either multi or syn gut (1.30mm). wouldnt mind to lower the strung weight a little. lol

is there anything i should be aware of? should i string it lower than the 16x19 to start with? maybe start at 50lb for the mains and crosses and see how that plays?

TIA
 

esm

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
are you still looking for new 2013 Blades?

edit - finally read the whole thread. good red.
have also read that you have got another one in May this year, so pls ignore my post :)
 
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esm

Legend
Right lol, nah I’m good on racquets atm :)
Lol.

The Blades arrived today and done a quick spec check

#1 307g & 32.2cm
#2 306g & 31.6cm

Not measured the SW yet - how can there be this much difference in headlight balance?

looks like #1 is closer to the unstrung spec. I think I will strung up the #1 and see how I like it and maybe try to match the #2 to it afterwards.....
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
Lol.

The Blades arrived today and done a quick spec check

#1 307g & 32.2cm
#2 306g & 31.6cm

Not measured the SW yet - how can there be this much difference in headlight balance?

looks like #1 is closer to the unstrung spec. I think I will strung up the #1 and see how I like it and maybe try to match the #2 to it afterwards.....
Variance can be all over the place. I recently measured two blades that had the same static weight and swingweight, however there was a 3 point difference in balance. Go figure...
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
What's the Blade aficionados verdict on 2015 18x20 versus the V7 18x20? Equally divided or leaning one way?
Having played the v7 and 2015 extensively, I actually prefer the kblade. It has a raw direct response and different weight distribution. It swings much faster than the others at the same spec (304 gram, 32.5 cm, 300 sw all unstrung). It has less weight in the head, which is concentrated at the tip (lower twist weight), and more weight in the throat. Love all three models though.
 

esm

Legend
Variance can be all over the place. I recently measured two blades that had the same static weight and swingweight, however there was a 3 point difference in balance. Go figure...
Thanks for that. Can I ask how did you match both in the end?
I looked at the serial number on both sticks and they are quite far apart, guess they were from different batches?
Even with the different spec/numbers, aren’t they supposed to play the same at the end of the day if all things equal..... Hahahaa
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
Thanks for that. Can I ask how did you match both in the end?
I looked at the serial number on both sticks and they are quite far apart, guess they were from different batches?
Even with the different spec/numbers, aren’t they supposed to play the same at the end of the day if all things equal..... Hahahaa
Added weight to the butt of the one that was more head heavy. Added weight to the throat of the one that was more headlight.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
looks nice with the blue one. I am thinking blue and purple for mine.

at the time of the picture it was head lynx
i currently have these 2x strung up with yptp and lux.element,, both feel nice to me
I think I prefer the feel of the luxilon element a bit more!!
 
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esm

Legend
at the time of the picture it was head lynx
i currently have these 2x strung up with yptp and lux.element,, both feel nice to me
I think I prefer the feel of the luxilon element a bit more!!
interesting, thanks for sharing. i am currently off poly/co-poly, so i will start with syn gut (1.30mm) first on both to find my starting range.
will try to "match" both the Blade 98s and see how far i will get with the "new numbers/spec", then will try to string both to tomorrow when i get a chance.
i think what i try to achieve is low/mid 330g, 3 pt hl balance & around 330-335SW strung to start with and see how i like it.. lol
 
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