legrandLeconte
Rookie
I also
Wilson PS85 discussion thread...
- Thread starter VGP
- Start date
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Are opponents using the bigger more modern frames impressed by your success and/or intrigued by the 85? i've had my St Vincents in storage and am now considering playing matches with them. When trading groundies for fun with friends I don't feel a drop off from my RF97 or my H19's.
Defenetely..
marxknight
Rookie
Thought I should also share my St. Vincent PS 85
I did not go through all of this thread; for a couple of days now I am rather - well... perplexed...
I am trying to find at least photos of the one particular Wilson racquet from the same era.
The color was light or open green, exactly same type of frame as Pro Staff 6.0, same head size (85 sq. in.)... virtually identical frame, from what I vaguely remember (from the practice session 1990. - 1991. - 1992.) with or without (most probably with) the PWS, same cosmetics of the frame, great, crisp feel, in somewhat (possibly) lighter package. Same type of frame, same beam width, boxy frame, same as the black Pro Staff 6.0 85 (Sampras, Courier, Edberg, many other pros before them as well).
Would appreciate any help, links, pics.
I am trying to find at least photos of the one particular Wilson racquet from the same era.
The color was light or open green, exactly same type of frame as Pro Staff 6.0, same head size (85 sq. in.)... virtually identical frame, from what I vaguely remember (from the practice session 1990. - 1991. - 1992.) with or without (most probably with) the PWS, same cosmetics of the frame, great, crisp feel, in somewhat (possibly) lighter package. Same type of frame, same beam width, boxy frame, same as the black Pro Staff 6.0 85 (Sampras, Courier, Edberg, many other pros before them as well).
Would appreciate any help, links, pics.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
So I bought one for cheap and got another one for free because it has a crack. They're black butt cap China models with what looks like matte finish.
One has 'GFT' on the butt cap.
The other one has 'GFX' on the butt cap.
What do these letter codes mean?
One has 'GFT' on the butt cap.
The other one has 'GFX' on the butt cap.
What do these letter codes mean?
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
It’s manufacturing batch code..... ending in i means Chicago, ending in q means st. Vincent. For Taiwan and China made, the code don’t matter.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
Thank you!
racquetfreak
Semi-Pro
**b code and single sticker are hallmarks of belgian mid ps85 from ca 1983/4
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Thank you for the reply.
One thing that strikes me as odd is the grip. It didn't had the original grip (I already order a Fairway leather online) and underneath the replacement black that you can see in the pictures it had some kind of cardboard material on it. I though Wilson grips where already foam in the 80s. And it has some kind of black tape on it that has written Babolat VS but I´m not sure.
What do you guys think has happen in here?
One thing that strikes me as odd is the grip. It didn't had the original grip (I already order a Fairway leather online) and underneath the replacement black that you can see in the pictures it had some kind of cardboard material on it. I though Wilson grips where already foam in the 80s. And it has some kind of black tape on it that has written Babolat VS but I´m not sure.
What do you guys think has happen in here?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That black tape is the old Babolat head protection tape. Looks like someone might have built up the grip.Thank you for the reply.
One thing that strikes me as odd is the grip. It didn't had the original grip (I already order a Fairway leather online) and underneath the replacement black that you can see in the pictures it had some kind of cardboard material on it. I though Wilson grips where already foam in the 80s. And it has some kind of black tape on it that has written Babolat VS but I´m not sure.
What do you guys think has happen in here?
Okinawa Puroresu
Rookie
This is my racquet of choice, up until I switched to the Phantom Pro 93p. Even after switching though, I still come back to it because it’s so much more stable and I had just bonded to it so much.
Do any other frames come close to being the PS 85, but just sliiiightly more forgiving? I’ve tried the Federer 90’s, but even those don’t stack up somehow.
How does the RF 97A compare to these? Is it the same but just more forgiving? Or entirely too different?
Do any other frames come close to being the PS 85, but just sliiiightly more forgiving? I’ve tried the Federer 90’s, but even those don’t stack up somehow.
How does the RF 97A compare to these? Is it the same but just more forgiving? Or entirely too different?
slipgrip93
Professional
I started looking for an upgrade about a year ago from my only ps85, (last ps85 reissue "v13, china 5, TW release", 2014), but could not find any tour 90's or ktour 90's in both good condition and at reasonable enough prices. So I'd splurged (~ $210) on a kps88 in preserved new (2009) condition late last year. It took me months to get acclimated to it, but I guess it's closer enough somewhat to the ps85 with a bigger mp head for me now. Although some say the kps88 is like a "heavier k90". "asifasleep" seems to think it's close to the ps85 (his post #995) It might even be thinner by 0.5mm than my "v13" ps85! at 17mm box beam width. (the cheap paint on this ps85 reissue is lousy. All the red/yellow lines and white letters chips and flakes off very easy. ) I stayed away from the RF97's so far, so I don't have anything to comment on those except that I dislike the 21mm or thicker beams. I wish Wilson would someday return to 17-18mm beams or at least variable for the throat area kind of like how Prince does it now.
(kps88 TW review)
(kps customer reviews)
past old threads on ps85 vs. tour90 vs. kps88: (I had fun finding these threads and reading them)
("pro staff 88 vs. Prostaff 88")
("Wilson PS88 pointless, 85's best racquet of all time")
("Tried the KPS88 and still prefer the PS85")
("all PS85 users will you switch to the KPS88?")
("PS 85 St Vincent: is there anything that can replicate it.")
("PS85 vs KPS88")
("PS tour 90 vs KPS ?")
("KPS88 or PS Tour 90?")
("Sampras goes to Babolat! (pics incl.)")
("we said federer needs to switch and he listened to the 2.0 TW hacks")
("Rank top 5 racquets that hit the heaviest ball in your opinion")
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onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
To me, the RF97 feels completely different. Way softer stringbed, more power, less feedback.
My Yonex 95D feels closer to PS85 than the RF97.
Join the club... if only Wilson could make a true 90-93 sq.in ps ala the 85.
To me Prince 93 was very different, RF97 too, 6.1 is actually more like the 85.. Dunlop NT tour 18x20 is sweet. But nothing is like the 85.
Okinawa Puroresu
Rookie
Thanks for this post because it really exhaustively summarized a lot. I think the sad consensus though is that there really isn’t anything like the 85. I used it today after using Phantom Pro 93p almost exclusively lately, and the stability and precision I got was just unmatched. I even let an RF97 user hit with it and they actually loved it too.
I have a K90 and maybe I’ll give it another chance.
I have a K90 and maybe I’ll give it another chance.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I gave up on my holy grail quest of finding a racquet that plays like the PS85 but slightly bigger.
Settled on the Yonex 95D, which is a bit different but has good control.
I suspect the Babolat Pure Strike Tour 16x19 might play like a PS85. Basing this on my experience with trying my friend’s 18x20 Pure Strike.
Okinawa Puroresu
Rookie
That’s funny because I’m actually waiting on a shipment for a secondhand Pure Strike Gen 2 18x20. It’s a really different spec than the PS 85, but I’m hoping it gives me a modern, lighter version of the PS 85.
What made you think more of 16x19 version as the successor to the PS 85, rather than the 18x20 version (or the Tour models)?
What made you think more of 16x19 version as the successor to the PS 85, rather than the 18x20 version (or the Tour models)?
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Pure Strike Gen2 18x20 was the racquet my friend had. I only hit with it for a few minutes but it felt much more comfortable compared to to the gen1 18x20 I had tried before. Gen2 had really good feedback and feel but felt slightly boardy to me. Good control and I felt like I could really tell where ball was going after contact and feel from the racquet.
The 16x19 might feel a little softer and have a higher launch angle and make it easier to hit spin.
Sorry but the pure strike series is good but pretty far from the 85, 18x20 the first white version was best for me.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Btw, do you still use your PS85?
I rarely use it these days.
Have found using my 95D with full poly much more effective in competitive play. I am less precise but the additional spin and easier power make up for it — especially when I am stretched wide.
I see what you mean.. i am part time injured now but could use it but slowly on my way to something else.. always demoing and buying.. i like stiff poly at really low tension, like 39lbs. Almost all my 130 rackets improved. I like Dunlop NT tour and Pure Drive 2021(surprisingly) a lot at the moment
ProTourAngel
New User
I have the option of buying a PS85 Chicago or a PS85 China manufactured by Chiao Ta, what would you buy? (I have never played with a PS85, use a Head Pro Tour 630 PT57)
wangs78
Legend
If you’ve never played with a PS85, then I don’t think it will make any difference which one you buy. Both will deliver the unique PS85 feel and performance. I believe the Chicago version is the earliest version of the PS85 and should be a bit stiffer, maybe a sliver heavier and I think early versions did not have a headguard. Bc of that, I would go for the Chiao Ta version which will play a bit flexier and lighter (more comfortable and playable, basically). It will still be a heavy and stiff racquet of course. I have both the St. Vincent and Chiao Ta and play with the latter (occasionally). Chiao Ta is the version Federer played with, so that’s another data point to consider. While Pete Sampras played with a St. Vincent. Not sure who played with a Chicago one, maybe Connors.
Chicago would be the best of best! Chicago is more less same as the first few batches of st. Vincent bumperless ones. In my personal opinion, those bumperless ones are far better than ones with gromments. They hold up higher tensions. China ones are far apart from Taiwan made . It’s a totally different racquet. Though I won’t say it’s bad. But it’s not the original,ps85 we all love.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Hi tennis friends, I already posted this question on another thread here, but probably this one is more appropriate and with higher chance to get a reliable answer.
I would need the help of any Sampras racquets expert.
Question is: did Sampras ever play with a "J...B" buttcap coded PS Midsize (Belgium made by Donnay, if I'm right) early on his career?
Thanks in advance for your help
I would need the help of any Sampras racquets expert.
Question is: did Sampras ever play with a "J...B" buttcap coded PS Midsize (Belgium made by Donnay, if I'm right) early on his career?
Thanks in advance for your help
Noop, noop, and No! Only st. Vincent made. Ending with Q.Hi tennis friends, I already posted this question on another thread here, but probably this one is more appropriate and with higher chance to get a reliable answer.
I would need the help of any Sampras racquets expert.
Question is: did Sampras ever play with a "J...B" buttcap coded PS Midsize (Belgium made by Donnay, if I'm right) early on his career?
Thanks in advance for your help
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I actually did eventually find my "holy grail" 95 inch version of the PS85, but I had already switched to a Yonex 95D and now a Blade 98.
I have it for sale now. 95 sq inch version of PS85. Same beam width, etc. (different from regular retail pro staff 95)
I have it for sale now. 95 sq inch version of PS85. Same beam width, etc. (different from regular retail pro staff 95)
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Thanks for your insight...I was too of the same idea and glad to get a confirm about it.
forzmr_b
Rookie
Unfortunately, 373g was just too much for me to handle. I tired after 10 mins and struggled with topspin on my forehand. Most solid racket I've played with though. Didn't need to generate any power, just block and the ball will travel hahaha.
wangs78
Legend
$219 is pretty steep pricing. A few years ago when the PS85 was last available, TW was selling for something like $120-130. Racquet prices have gone up maybe another 10-15% since then, but not 80% (!)
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
My Toalson PowerSwing 400 plays a bit like my old Wilson K90 + lead at the top. They both have boxy beam and PWS at 3 and 9 o'clock and 16X9 string pattern.
wangs78
Legend
Sounds like they put the summer intern in charge of this "limited edition" run - off spec weight, misprinted labeling. $219 is kind of shameful pricing if you ask me (and I'm a huge PS85 fan).
Yeah. I was ready to get a pair until I saw the price. At $219, I would rather get a used stick that I could actually compete with. Don't worry. At this price, this King ain't going nowhere anytime soon.
People with $ to burn.
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
That's a shame. I won't buy the new PS 85.
