Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread

JGads

G.O.A.T.
I received the Blade Pro 16x19 and also ordered a Ultra Pro 16x19. I was able to get the specs from a friend of mine who has an old Babolat machine that measures stiffness. Here is what he told me for the specs of my strung racquet:

Weight: it was 306g with plastic and is now 332g
Balance: was 7pts HL with plastic but now 2pts (sorry he didn’t give me cm)
Swingweight: 301 unstrung - 330 strung
Stiffness: 63 strung

His machine is old and used to be a pro shop for years but it appears to work and haven’t noticed obvious misreadings.

I typically play with a modified 16x19 blade that is 7pts HL, 338g and 327sw so we will see how I gel with this one. I ordered the Ultra Pro as have been wanting something a bit more headlight (naturally).

Dream spec here. I would just add a heavier grip and it would seem fully ripe.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Thanks.. well that's good news.
Same mold is one thing and doesnt'make two rackets identical.
Same layup.. I hope this mean same materials and same build quality
Looking forward to get the 2 16x19 I've bought
Wilson H22 come in many different flavors. I’ve seen from 59ra up to 65ra but I’m pretty sure the gap is wider than that. Weight of hairpins seem to vary quite a lot (290g-330g)as well as balance and SW, string pattern (16/19, 18/17, 18/20) and length.

Now I’m not a H22 master (I owned a pair), but the specs are all over the place. It seems Wilson can built H22 to many different specs probably based off what the pro wants. The SW stock on my H22s was 357 and 359 iirc. That doesn’t mean that a H22 that isn’t as beasty isn’t a real H22. These were XL so cut at 27 they’d be ~337. That’s still high for a stock H22.

So H22 in the wild come in many different specs so it’s safe to at least guess that:
-there are many different layup for pros
-Wilson may or may not have chosen a unique (read different) lay up for retail.
-QC at Wilson is so poor that even the retail version will come in many different specs. ;)

What my H22s had is great power (as you can imagine with 357sw) but great plush feel. It would crush the ball not your arm. I’m interested in the BP because if I could have that sweet feeling frame in a more manageable weight/sw it’d be great. So far reviews seem to point that the frame feels great.

Is the BP using a true layup from their pro stock H22? I don’t know if we’ll ever have the answer. But as H22 owners try the BP we might have a better idea. So far so good. Only QC is letting us down.
 

haqq777

Legend
First hit indoors with my Blade Pros (and that too very early this morning as have a family trip planned over the weekend). Temps were cooler than average even for indoors. I mentioned specs for both my frames in first post of this thread and before I get into details, the racquet specs for both sticks strung up with Cyclone 16:

Racquet #1 is 322g, 33.1 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip. Swingweight is 331.

Racquet #2 is 330g, 32.5 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip as well. Swingweight for this puppy is 340.

As you guys can already surmise, both played very differently. Things that were similar though: both racquets weren't pick-up-and-play sort like you would expect from tweeners. The power is there though. Feel is fantastic and nothing like Babolats. Smooth on ball contact, you can feel the ball sinking in. And then the sound. It is like a loud whip for me. Very nice feelings overall.

Baseline play is very comfortable with these racquets if you can set up and dial in. I did not gel with either instantly but I know it takes time. The heavier one, despite being more headlight, was sluggish and cumbersome but when it connected, it crushed the ball. The lighter one moved through the air much quicker but hit a less substantial ball by comparison. Also I felt both racquets wobble a bit.

I loved @Power Player's review and totally see where he mentioned that if you are used to brushing the ball like with most tweeners you will need to adjust your swing a bit and drive the ball more. I had the same experience. I wasn't leaving the balls short after first few exchanges, but the action on the ball wasn't like how I get with my Babolats.

The control for me simply wasn't there. I couldn't pick targets and sprayed a lot. Inside out forehand which is my bread and butter stroke was inconsistent and ending up being a very neutral shot instead of the heavy ball I'm used to hitting. At the net I had some twisting with the lighter racquet so just a touch maybe at 3 and 9. The heavier one was better at volleying. The lighter one also fluttered a bit more at baseline exchanges. It was easier to hit cleaner for me with lighter racquet, but I was hitting a bigger ball with heavier one, if that makes any sense. Both racquets feel very polarized despite such a difference in specs, and I think both need a bit more torsional stability.

I didn't do serves this time and next time will focus more on serving.

Overall if I'm being honest, it was an underwhelming experience for me but that is a bit unfair to the racquets as I need time to adjust, which is very normal. The fact that both racquets played so different wasn't helping as well. If the specs weren't that off I would have tried to match them and then give it a go to streamline the adjustment period for me a little. But once matched, these two will come in at specs that are going to be out of my wheelhouse. I am thinking about choosing one of these and working with it, and then trading other off for something closer spec wise.

I'm also taking them to get checked out on RDC this Monday. They seem like low 60s for sure and very UT like feel to me.

Will keep you guys updated on further thoughts as they come.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
First hit indoors with my Blade Pros (and that too very early this morning as have a family trip planned over the weekend). Temps were cooler than average even for indoors. I mentioned specs for both my frames in first post of this thread and before I get into details, the racquet specs for both sticks strung up with Cyclone 16:

Racquet #1 is 322g, 33.1 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip. Swingweight is 331.

Racquet #2 is 330g, 32.5 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip as well. Swingweight for this puppy is 340.

As you guys can already surmise, both played very differently. Things that were similar though: both racquets weren't pick-up-and-play sort like you would expect from tweeners. The power is there though. Feel is fantastic and nothing like Babolats. Smooth on ball contact, you can feel the ball sinking in. And then the sound. It is like a loud whip for me. Very nice feelings overall.

Baseline play is very comfortable with these racquets if you can set up and dial in. I did not gel with either instantly but I know it takes time. The heavier one, despite being more headlight, was sluggish and cumbersome but when it connected, it crushed the ball. The lighter one moved through the air much quicker but hit a less substantial ball by comparison. Also I felt both racquets wobble a bit.

I loved @Power Player's review and totally see where he mentioned that if you are used to brushing the ball like with most tweeners you will need to adjust your swing a bit and drive the ball more. I had the same experience. I wasn't leaving the balls short after first few exchanges, but the action on the ball wasn't like how I get with my Babolats.

The control for me simply wasn't there. I couldn't pick targets and sprayed a lot. Inside out forehand which is my bread and butter stroke was inconsistent and ending up being a very neutral shot instead of the heavy ball I'm used to hitting. At the net I had some twisting with the lighter racquet so just a touch maybe at 3 and 9. The heavier one was better at volleying. The lighter one also fluttered a bit more at baseline exchanges. It was easier to hit cleaner for me with lighter racquet, but I was hitting a bigger ball with heavier one, if that makes any sense. Both racquets feel very polarized despite such a difference in specs, and I think both need a bit more torsional stability.

I didn't do serves this time and next time will focus more on serving.

Overall if I'm being honest, it was an underwhelming experience for me but that is a bit unfair to the racquets as I need time to adjust, which is very normal. The fact that both racquets played so different wasn't helping as well. If the specs weren't that off I would have tried to match them and then give it a go to streamline the adjustment period for me a little. But once matched, these two will come in at specs that are going to be out of my wheelhouse. I am thinking about choosing one of these and working with it, and then trading other off for something closer spec wise.

I'm also taking them to get checked out on RDC this Monday. They seem like low 60s for sure and very UT like feel to me.

Will keep you guys updated on further thoughts as they come.


Great review. Confirms that I am not crazy, we had pretty much an identical experience.

My issue so far with this frame besides the torsional instability (which lead will possibly fix) is that it it's designed like a frame meant for spin hitters due to its open pattern and lower level of control, but it really encourages more of a flat game. Your lighter frame sounds like it plays exactly like mine did.

I mean it was really satisfying to hit big winners with it. The feel on those shots is really special. But that's a small % of shots hit in a match. For the highest % of shots, especially when under pressure I personally had a little trouble dialing it in, but that was only day 1.

Still glad I own at least one of these frames. Its such a unique racquet and probably a big reason we are having issues adjusting quickly.

The one frame it reminds me of a little is the PK Black Ace 315. The feel to me is better, but they both hit a huge ball and have a wide open pattern, yet encourage more of a classic style of hitting.
 

BoxbeamsFTW

Semi-Pro
After the dust settles, these racquets are really meant for very solid 4.5 players at a minimum... true 4.5's, not self rated ones.
Probably true. Unless you happen to be really good at customising... or experimenting with string choices at least.
First hit indoors with my Blade Pros (and that too very early this morning as have a family trip planned over the weekend). Temps were cooler than average even for indoors. I mentioned specs for both my frames in first post of this thread and before I get into details, the racquet specs for both sticks strung up with Cyclone 16:

Racquet #1 is 322g, 33.1 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip. Swingweight is 331.

Racquet #2 is 330g, 32.5 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip as well. Swingweight for this puppy is 340.

As you guys can already surmise, both played very differently. Things that were similar though: both racquets weren't pick-up-and-play sort like you would expect from tweeners. The power is there though. Feel is fantastic and nothing like Babolats. Smooth on ball contact, you can feel the ball sinking in. And then the sound. It is like a loud whip for me. Very nice feelings overall.

Baseline play is very comfortable with these racquets if you can set up and dial in. I did not gel with either instantly but I know it takes time. The heavier one, despite being more headlight, was sluggish and cumbersome but when it connected, it crushed the ball. The lighter one moved through the air much quicker but hit a less substantial ball by comparison. Also I felt both racquets wobble a bit.

I loved @Power Player's review and totally see where he mentioned that if you are used to brushing the ball like with most tweeners you will need to adjust your swing a bit and drive the ball more. I had the same experience. I wasn't leaving the balls short after first few exchanges, but the action on the ball wasn't like how I get with my Babolats.

The control for me simply wasn't there. I couldn't pick targets and sprayed a lot. Inside out forehand which is my bread and butter stroke was inconsistent and ending up being a very neutral shot instead of the heavy ball I'm used to hitting. At the net I had some twisting with the lighter racquet so just a touch maybe at 3 and 9. The heavier one was better at volleying. The lighter one also fluttered a bit more at baseline exchanges. It was easier to hit cleaner for me with lighter racquet, but I was hitting a bigger ball with heavier one, if that makes any sense. Both racquets feel very polarized despite such a difference in specs, and I think both need a bit more torsional stability.

I didn't do serves this time and next time will focus more on serving.

Overall if I'm being honest, it was an underwhelming experience for me but that is a bit unfair to the racquets as I need time to adjust, which is very normal. The fact that both racquets played so different wasn't helping as well. If the specs weren't that off I would have tried to match them and then give it a go to streamline the adjustment period for me a little. But once matched, these two will come in at specs that are going to be out of my wheelhouse. I am thinking about choosing one of these and working with it, and then trading other off for something closer spec wise.

I'm also taking them to get checked out on RDC this Monday. They seem like low 60s for sure and very UT like feel to me.

Will keep you guys updated on further thoughts as they come.
Have you thought about using the thinnest gauge string for the 2nd one? That would lessen the SW a bit. You might be surprised. Maybe if you get them to the balance you normally like if you haven't yet. You could also try shaving the bumper guard if you really want. Putting leather grips later on.
I will stay optimistic a bit but stability issues at 330 SW and such variability in specs may make this a one racquet keeper just for fun. Ok back to optimism for a bit
If they were more HL, that SW wouldn't be as much an issue. More stability, minimum of increase to SW. I know the H22s traditionally have been much more towards HH or even balance. Part of the reason why I never sought them out as the 'answer'. But for us mortals, I think that would make them easier to manage.
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
@haqq777 - nice review man! Sounds like the lighter one with a little weight added to the hoop is the pick of the litter fwiw. Excited to see how things evolve as you tweak the setup and spend more time with it. After reading your and @Power Player ’s review I’m super pumped this is a “driver” stick that rewards hitting through the ball more so than brushing.

Does the grip feel true to size? My 3/8 felt slightly bigger/boxier than the v7 Blade 3/8.
 
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BoxbeamsFTW

Semi-Pro
Yeah stability issues at 330sw.. not mastery of control..not ideal for me.. 18x20 could be a different beast.
@gutfeeling did you hit with 18x20 yet?
For the 16x19, is this perhaps the reason they are so few Pro stocks of these floating around? Even with the 8 mains in the throat? Not exceptional at spin either from what I'm hearing too anyway.
 
Racquet #1 is 322g, 33.1 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip. Swingweight is 331.

Racquet #2 is 330g, 32.5 balance strung with Wilson Pro overgrip as well. Swingweight for this puppy is 340.

This is kind of like ordering 2 Yonex Ezone 98's, but getting a standard and a Tour. Nice one Wilson...
 

El_Yotamo

Hall of Fame
Seeing the reviews so far something that sticks out is some instability off center implying low TW. To be honest I'm pretty happy about that, despite the comments that it's not a spin frame my game thrives off low TW with high SW for loopy shots, and more often than not I play racquets that aren't "spin frames" by any means. Actually I usually prefer tight 18x20 patterns so definitely not "spin oriented" as it were
 

topspn

Legend
My BP unstrung was 309.6 and 33cm bal. Strung with hyper-g 16L and OG brings it to 331.1g and 33.7cm balance. Actually feels pretty nice swinging in the air. Trying to find a a quick hit this afternoon although i hit in the morning for a couple of hours.
 

danbrenner

Legend
What really strikes me as the chunky feel which I absolutely love I don’t like the razor thin feel of the blade 98. The chunkier frame field gives me that feeling that I can get some tweener action And just for reference to tell you guys I ordered it in a 4 1/2. The three eights in this particular line of rackets seems a little small to me maybe because it’s a little bit rounded so the half gives me a fuller feel. I’m just Putting that out there in case some of you are experiencing some slippage or instability try adding an over grip to make sure that it’s not the grip it’s self. So now when I get this strung up with hyper G 17Iand let the games begin
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
What really strikes me as the chunky feel which I absolutely love I don’t like the razor thin feel of the blade 98. The chunkier frame field gives me that feeling that I can get some tweener action And just for reference to tell you guys I ordered it in a 4 1/2. The three eights in this particular line of rackets seems a little small to me maybe because it’s a little bit rounded so the half gives me a fuller feel. I’m just Putting that out there in case some of you are experiencing some slippage or instability try adding an over grip to make sure that it’s not the grip it’s self. So now when I get this strung up with hyper G 17Iand let the games begin

Its not the grip. You will understand more after you hit with it.

I think the thing is that the frame probably shines at 12 plus ounces. You add a leather grip and lead at 3 and 9 and it becomes an absolutely plush cannon. Question is if you want to play at that spec or not.
 

danbrenner

Legend
Its not the grip. You will understand more after you hit with it.

I think the thing is that the frame probably shines at 12 plus ounces. You add a leather grip and lead at 3 and 9 and it becomes an absolutely plush cannon. Question is if you want to play at that spec or not.
Will do. I can’t wait to get it strung up and put it through its paces. Question for you. I’m just curious it must be a mistake on the Wilson website the recommendation of string tension for the blade Pro is 40 pounds for polyester and their recommendation for the ultra pro is 50 pounds for the same string. This is obviously an error ??
 

snoflewis

Legend
Do you think having a paint job done on a racket affects its playability?

if we're specifically talking types of paint? no idea. some folks here claim type of paint affects playability, but those posts also seemed more prevalent after Federer had issues with his tuxedo pj. i would guess there would be some weight variance after though.
 

topspn

Legend
Added leather gip and OG so now sitting at 336.5g and 33.2 cm balance. Will hit it in the morning

slMLR9A.jpg
 

colan5934

Professional
On the twistweight comment...I find that sticks with low twistweight--I was testing some prototypes for a company this summer, and when I asked they stated it was "very low, like 10 if you go by TW's method"--and found I could just keep adding weight and maintain maneuverability and swing speed. I had them at 355g and 347sw and felt like I was swinging faster than I was with my blades, speed pros, and pure strike vs tours that I was hitting concurrently. All balances were the same, and the prototypes were the heaviest in the other two specs by at least 15g and 12sw points, so I'd chalk it up to the twistweight.
 

danbrenner

Legend
I’m going to drop mine off at my stringer. I’m going to use hyper g 17. Amy recommendations for tension ? Amd is there any stringing obstructions I need to give him ?
 

THAAS909

Rookie
Here you go:


Some good advice by some good posters in this thread as well.
As I posted last night, your stringer will end up not following these instructions because they don't make sense in terms of tie offs and starting knots.. there is no way any stringer is getting a second string through 6H.. the Main tie off(s) should be 8H and the starting knot for the crosses should be 5H if doing two piece.

these instructions provided by Wilson are flawed as are the specs of some of the frames If anyone disagrees please chime in..
 

colan5934

Professional
As I posted last night, your stringer will end up not following these instructions because they don't make sense in terms of tie offs and starting knots.. there is no way any stringer is getting a second string through 6H.. the Main tie off(s) should be 8H and the starting knot for the crosses should be 5H if doing two piece.

these instructions provided by Wilson are flawed as are the specs of some of the frames If anyone disagrees please chime in..

Just tie as close to the last main and cross as possible without enlarging holes would be the “right” answer when the manufacturer doesn’t provide a pattern. Manufacturers provide stringing instructions based on the frames, though, so follow them if you can to maintain the integrity of your racquet and in case you have to send for warranty.

Really, you will almost always be fine enlarging holes on the second-to-last mains and crosses, and that will get you the least amount of tension drop due to slack between the clamp and tie-off. But, the goal of good stringing is to install the strings while changing the racquet as little as possible. A stringer with decent experience will know what to do just by looking at the racquet nearly every time.
 

haqq777

Legend
I posted specs in the other thread. Weight is after I subtracted 2.5g for the handle plastic. The balance has the plastic on the handle as I'm not ready to remove it yet.

The 18x20 is 307g Balance is 32 cm
The 16x19 is 310g Balance is 31.5 cm

Here's some pics though:

GgrL8CG.jpg

0Q2kxPn.jpg

fLvWEhm.jpg
Great pictures there. But keen minds want to know, is that the new Bond Seamaster Diver 300M with milanese titanium bracelet I see there in the first picture? ;) - if yes, how do you like the faux patina design? Check out Odds and Ends section for a few pics of my watch collection I shared in that 'Pictures of your watches' thread.
 

Vicious49

Legend
Great pictures there. But keen minds want to know, is that the new Bond Seamaster Diver 300M with milanese titanium bracelet I see there in the first picture? ;) - if yes, how do you like the faux patina design? Check out Odds and Ends section for a few pics of my watch collection I shared in that 'Pictures of your watches' thread.

Haha. Good eye. Yes it is. I’ll go look for that thread and post in there so I don’t clutter up this one.
 

Addxyz

Hall of Fame
Added leather gip and OG so now sitting at 336.5g and 33.2 cm balance. Will hit it in the morning

slMLR9A.jpg

So even with leather grip + OG, can't get below 4pt HL... ouch. Guess I'd have to add a lot more weight into the handle...
 

topspn

Legend
So even with leather grip + OG, can't get below 4pt HL... ouch. Guess I'd have to add a lot more weight into the handle...
Of the variety of balances I’ve seen from others, I got one leaning less HL at 33cm unstrung
 

THAAS909

Rookie
curious if anyone got in touch with Wilson regarding restock of 16x19s in the two sold out grip sizes and(or) grommet sets?
 

haqq777

Legend
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