Did you end up buying new blades after you sold yours? Did you use a matching service?
I own 2 18x20 Blades v7s and 2 16x19 blades v7. Love both equally!
2019 Wilson Blade
- Thread starter TennisCounrty
- Start date
I own 2 18x20 Blades v7s and 2 16x19 blades v7. Love both equally!
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Don't recall if I posted this, but dropped tension down another couple to 46lbs. Still not getting a spongy fishing net feel and liking the pop and pccketing. Not sure I will test at 44lbs, but will see. Thinking that 44-46lbs is the sweet spot for me.
EDIT TO ADD: Did this frame grab from some video I shot and was cool to see how well the strings are grabbing the ball. Will impressed with YTex Square C as a full bed.
EDIT TO ADD: Did this frame grab from some video I shot and was cool to see how well the strings are grabbing the ball. Will impressed with YTex Square C as a full bed.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
Did you end up buying new blades after you sold yours? Did you use a matching service?
I own 2 18x20 Blades v7s and 2 16x19 blades v7. Love both equally!
Yes, I bought another one after impulsively selling my original pair. No, I didn't use the matching service. I will try to get the same specs on the next one I buy. I will be buying and selling after this fiasco, lol.
I just came back from stringing. They offered me for free weighing the racket so I agreed.
Balance: 316mm
Weight: 313g
Swingweight: 299
first I was very confused, but then they remembered that it was weighted with an overgrip. So weight and Balance goes align with the measurements of TW europe prior buying.
Swingweight TW europe told me 302.
Do you guys know if a SW difference of 2-3 pts is normal, depending on measuring?
Balance: 316mm
Weight: 313g
Swingweight: 299
first I was very confused, but then they remembered that it was weighted with an overgrip. So weight and Balance goes align with the measurements of TW europe prior buying.
Swingweight TW europe told me 302.
Do you guys know if a SW difference of 2-3 pts is normal, depending on measuring?
n8dawg6
Legend
caint get away from mine either ... although ive got 2 countervails and 2 v7s in the bag
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Yes. It’s a measurement so there are a lot of factors that can influence it. You can even get a variance of 2-3 points on the same machine depending on who is taking the measurement or what the conditions are that day. Your blade seems dead on spec though so congrats and enjoy!
djNEiGht
Legend
I am liking 43# CP on my 18m
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I have one and here are the specs-Has anyone tried a custom painted Blade directly from Wilson? I really like the camo style paint-job, but I'm afraid if I ordered one, the specs would be way different than my current 18x20, which only weighs 318g strung. This discrepancy annoyed me at first, but now that I have gotten used to it, I think I love it. The racquet plays great!
Custom- 11.29 oz, 3pts HL, 331 SW
parasailing
Legend
I got my Blade v7s strung at 40lbs mains and 36lbs crosses and 36lbs mains and 32lbs crosses and haven't noticed a loss of control even at these lower tension. I think the string I use Hyper-G 17G has something to do with being able to still hit with control and not lose power on it.
If I use a round shape poly, definitely wouldn't be able to go this low on tension without loss of control but Hyper-G really bites the ball and allows for good amount of spin production. The reason I need to go down in tension is due to the stiffer feel of Hyper-G.
If I use a round shape poly, definitely wouldn't be able to go this low on tension without loss of control but Hyper-G really bites the ball and allows for good amount of spin production. The reason I need to go down in tension is due to the stiffer feel of Hyper-G.
how much power gives you that low tension?
For ppl who wanted to know how the thin multifil string, Tecnifibre NRG² 1.18mm plays in a v7 Blade 18x20:
just had a very short session, only groundstrokes but there it gave me all what I missed with my previous hybrid. Much more power, spin more or less the same (maybe slightly less than with hybrid), good feel. Slice didnt change too much, still very stable with the blade.
I can imagine that this setup, strung @23/22kg is much too powerful for most people here but for me atm it feels great. Also I noticed a much higher launch angle. It feels overall very soft and you can hear the strings jumping a lot while hitting, almost like playing natural gut...
will see next sessions how its doing with volleys/serves.
just had a very short session, only groundstrokes but there it gave me all what I missed with my previous hybrid. Much more power, spin more or less the same (maybe slightly less than with hybrid), good feel. Slice didnt change too much, still very stable with the blade.
I can imagine that this setup, strung @23/22kg is much too powerful for most people here but for me atm it feels great. Also I noticed a much higher launch angle. It feels overall very soft and you can hear the strings jumping a lot while hitting, almost like playing natural gut...
will see next sessions how its doing with volleys/serves.
Since my string issue with my blade seems to be solved, I have one other question.
I have quite big hands and my optimal size of handle would be L5/L6. On my previous racket I played a L3 size with a shrink sleeve, a big Babaolat replacement grip and 1 overgrips. This made it quite useful for me and was still from the feel ok.
My blade ordered in L4 and played like always with 1 OG Wilson pro, but I got terrible blasters everywhere in the beginning. So I put another OG over it.
It's much better regarding blisters now, but the issue I have, foremost with my forehand is that the handle seems really round and I do not feel the buckles and corner. Subconsequently I often ghit with a very western grip which ends in hitting into the net. I just dont feel where my fingers are gripping.
I think its because of the different replacement grip Wilson installed on the stock version.
Which replacement grips would you recommend? I heard leather grips are best for feel, but I am afraid I get blisters from it again, and I dont want to play with 2-3 OG because of the weight and balance shift then
I have quite big hands and my optimal size of handle would be L5/L6. On my previous racket I played a L3 size with a shrink sleeve, a big Babaolat replacement grip and 1 overgrips. This made it quite useful for me and was still from the feel ok.
My blade ordered in L4 and played like always with 1 OG Wilson pro, but I got terrible blasters everywhere in the beginning. So I put another OG over it.
It's much better regarding blisters now, but the issue I have, foremost with my forehand is that the handle seems really round and I do not feel the buckles and corner. Subconsequently I often ghit with a very western grip which ends in hitting into the net. I just dont feel where my fingers are gripping.
I think its because of the different replacement grip Wilson installed on the stock version.
Which replacement grips would you recommend? I heard leather grips are best for feel, but I am afraid I get blisters from it again, and I dont want to play with 2-3 OG because of the weight and balance shift then
tennis347
Hall of Fame
I highly recommend the Wilson Contour grip which I exclusively use. It builds the grip up slightly an adds some nice cushioning and prevents getting blisters. I have a western grip on more forehand and a fairly extreme grip on my OHB and the Contour grip works well for me. I have no issues at all and now play exclusively with the Blade v7 98 16 x 19.
Znak
Hall of Fame
Holy moly! I'm picturing Andre the Giant playing tennis.
Why can't you shrink sleeve your current Blade to bump it up a full size (or use Siz-Up)? You can also refer to here if you want to replace it with a thicker grip:
Let's Gather All Grip Specs (Weight & Thickness) Into One Thread
Hi All, 1. We have grip specs scattered all over the board in roughly 70-80 threads, dated all the way back to 2004. Seems like somebody is always asking what is the lightest, heaviest, or thinnest grip. I've gotten us started with my own records and by compiling info from most all posts on the...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
If you apply this rule with the small finger should be inbetween, than I am a L6 user, yes. However before measuring this for tennis, I never thought or never heard that I have unusual big hands...Holy moly! I'm picturing Andre the Giant playing tennis.
Why can't you shrink sleeve your current Blade to bump it up a full size (or use Siz-Up)? You can also refer to here if you want to replace it with a thicker grip:
Let's Gather All Grip Specs (Weight & Thickness) Into One Thread
Hi All, 1. We have grip specs scattered all over the board in roughly 70-80 threads, dated all the way back to 2004. Seems like somebody is always asking what is the lightest, heaviest, or thinnest grip. I've gotten us started with my own records and by compiling info from most all posts on the...
Ok I will try Contour grip if I find it in europe
Charlesincharge
New User
Holy moly! I'm picturing Andre the Giant playing tennis.
Why can't you shrink sleeve your current Blade to bump it up a full size (or use Siz-Up)? You can also refer to here if you want to replace it with a thicker grip:
Let's Gather All Grip Specs (Weight & Thickness) Into One Thread
Hi All, 1. We have grip specs scattered all over the board in roughly 70-80 threads, dated all the way back to 2004. Seems like somebody is always asking what is the lightest, heaviest, or thinnest grip. I've gotten us started with my own records and by compiling info from most all posts on the...
doesn’t putting in a shrink sleeve materially change the balance and static and swing weight of the racket though? Like what are the negatives of doing this? I’m thinking of buying a blade that’s a grip size low for me.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
A full length heat shrink sleeve that increases a full grip size adds about 20 grams of weight. The heat shrink sleeve that adds a half size seems to weigh about 11-12 grams, so a bit more than half of the full grip size sleeve.
I'm an old guy so I'm used to using a large grip. I played previously with a size seven and am now using about a size 6, through two layers of heat shrink sleeve plus a thicker replacement grip. Because I use a one hand backhand, I only run the sleeve up as high as I need for my one hand. Still, the two layers adds 20 grams. Here's a post from another thread:
Znak
Hall of Fame
Looks like everyone got to the answers ahead of me! But yeah for me it's mostly having the sleeve round off the bevels... that's why if you can find Siz-Up near you it's a great option that I've used in the past. Still, if you like the balance in stock form this also adds weight which you'll need to compensate for.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
If you tightly apply the heat shink sleeve, the amount it rounds the bevel is pretty minimal. It's definitely less rounding than an extra overgrip. Take a look at the photo - the bevel is still distinct and that is with **two** heat shrink sleeves.
You are right. Actually on my old Wilson there is a heat shrink on it, a thick replacement grip, and 1 Wilson pro OG and it feels much sharper than my blade with 1 stock replacement grip and 2 OG.
Does someone know if a heat shrink + leather grip makes sense? I guess yes, but the added weight is immense, right?
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
If you play two handed backhand, you're looking at a total of about 30 grams in added weight. That will considerably change the feel of your racquet. If you play one handed backhand and don't mind the funky look of a stairstep size down like I have, you could do a half-length heat shrink sleeve plus leather grip for about 20 grams of added weight.
DaylightBlue
New User
The blade feels nice to hit with but seriously Wilson QC on this line is pretty bad. I'm still trying figure out what I should do about the paint because it's starting to rub off where I hold it in ready position...
BevelDevil
Hall of Fame
Two questions:
1. What it the main difference in feel between Blades and something like the Babolat Drive?
2. For my kid, I noticed there's the regular Wilson Blade 25" (around $100), but that there's also a $50 version sold called the "Wilson Blade Feel". There have been no reviews about it, but it has the exact weight and balance as the regular Blade. Anyone know, or have an educated guess, about what the difference might be, if any?
1. What it the main difference in feel between Blades and something like the Babolat Drive?
2. For my kid, I noticed there's the regular Wilson Blade 25" (around $100), but that there's also a $50 version sold called the "Wilson Blade Feel". There have been no reviews about it, but it has the exact weight and balance as the regular Blade. Anyone know, or have an educated guess, about what the difference might be, if any?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
It’s a night and day feel. The Babolat is stiffer and crisper. The new Blade is softer and muted. Old Blades were stiffer and crisper though.
No idea about #2.
No idea about #2.
every babolat has a hollow feeling on impact regardless of stiffness or weight. the 18x20 blades are rock solid and reminiscent of the solid feeling of the wilson 6.1
Schmetterball
New User
I'd say the 2017 Pure Strikes feel quite solid as well, not as sweet as a Blade but when strung at lower tensions sensations are pleasant
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
It’s been so long since I’ve been able to play that I can’t remember what my racquets feel like anymore.
nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
Interesting! Are they the exact same racquets and feel the same? Are the serial numbers close together? I’ve heard some claim (possibly on these forums if I recall) that Wilson changes their production factories relatively frequently depending on cost and layup material availability, bids, etc and this accounts for odd variations even in the same model. I don’t have any data to support this but maybe more knowledgeable people can chime in. Maybe most manufacturers do this?So...I noticed my two blades have different hairpins. What gives???
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
djNEiGht
Legend
SN W2916628
SN W2915297
Weight and balance was pretty much the same. I haven't used them with the same string set up though. That will be my next thing to do and compare. I can understand that racquets may come out of different factories but one would guess that the molds would be the same.
thanks for chiming in...yes, hope that more could chime in.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-i kinda agree, not much, but some
-when you hit the center of the racquet on a Babo. its not soo bad!!, but miss it by just an inch on any direction outside of that center sweetspot and the vibration resonates through the arm
-wilson blade racquets have a much more forgiving sweetspot, and they are even thinner than the babos,,
-imo the v7 blades are even nicer now!!
-you can easily see why they show up soo much in college tennis,, its just a nice stick for heavy hitting!!
jmysun
Rookie
most likely made from different factories look for the three-letter code imprinted on the butt cap. for ex: "ghn" "ghk". wouldn't worry about it too much. the specs are close which is rare regarding wilson.
RVAtennisaddict
Professional
is that leather on the french rackets?
D
Deleted member 768841
Guest
I bet it’s just synthetic colored to look leather, they do it with overgrips.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I like mine with Prince tour XP 1.30/prince tour XR 1.25 @ 50/48# strung on a constant pull machine.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Wow. Yes. That frenchie pj may be my 3rd blade.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Tourna Silver 7 tour.
D
Deleted member 768841
Guest
Tension?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
Has anybody measured their unstrung swingweight for 18x20?
I have three. Two of them have 300 and one 312 unstrung. There is quite a bit of variability in weight and balance also. Weights are 304g, 308g and 310g and balance 32.4cm, 32.7cm and 33cm.
What are yours?
I have three. Two of them have 300 and one 312 unstrung. There is quite a bit of variability in weight and balance also. Weights are 304g, 308g and 310g and balance 32.4cm, 32.7cm and 33cm.
What are yours?
