Blade V8 Official Thread.

1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Roquestil said:
I think the blade v7 is pretty much one of the only Head Heavy frames, low weight high SW that are really plush and old school feel. Yonex doesn’t have a racquet like that stock. They should stick with that IMO. On the other hand the blade is basically a cult line and whatever they do will sell.
Click to expand...
-yonex had a "racquet-feel" like the w.b.v7.2019 and/or the w.b.v4.2015, it was the y.vcore.tour.Gs/dual.Gs,, then they started to mess with the racquet thickness and stiffness (n)
-ever since then, its been one disappointing release after another
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Yamin said:
Probably just a sales thing. What are there like 2 rackets that sell decently at 95"? I also don't need think flex feel or whatever would work in smaller head size and lighter rackets. Too jarring/stiff on harder hitting. Maybe we'll see it this coming iteration.
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-yes, agree ^
-and still, the 95" sticks are being asked-for/demo at the shops
-the y.vcore.95 and the h.prestige.pro, and 95.ultra(nishikory) are the ones i know of
-i hated the y.vcore.95 (n), i traded that sucker eventually
-i tried to modify it ,(in soo many ways) to no good result
-the newest y.v.95 i did not even wanna waste my time with, the new tech was nothing more than "lipstick on a pig!!"

-the head.prest.pro is a 93" stick, solid, with the right tension/string, it sings!! (y)

-the w.ultra.95 is a no go for me, 70+RA stiffness,, :eek:(n)(n)

-the smaller head sizes are simply better for the 1HBH
 
Y

Yamin

Hall of Fame
1HBHfanatic said:
-the smaller head sizes are simply better for the 1HBH
Click to expand...

Hmm since you're the 1HBH fanatic, you may be able to help me. Have you had any experience with the Blade Pro 16x19? I'm trying to figure out what I like about the blade pro compared to my blade for 1hbh.

They both have the same balance, Blade is at 340 swing weight and Blade Pro at about 350. The way it comes through the air is what I'm trying to figure out. The BP feels like an extension of my arm (although too heavy) and comes through smoothly. The blade feels like it comes through.... inconsistently. Is there a spec out there I'm missing? I'm guessing both these frames are very polarized so that wouldn't make the difference...

Also what's bad about larger head sizes for 1HBH? I haven't used a 100 inch head that often but was interested in the new blade 100.
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
-the smaller head sizes 97"> just simply "cut through the air" better for the 1HBH
-the larger head sizes 98"< feel nice at impact (bigger sweet spot) but they simply "drag through the air" more
-i find myself fighting the bigger head sizes on the 1HBH, specially when i am rushed!!
-the differences i am describing are very noticeable when test hitting side by side

-i do not have personal hitting experience with the blade.pro, but i think it comes with SMOOTH paint finish, vs the velvet paint that the v7 have ??!!, could that be it??
-the blade.pro is a more "boxier" design!!, again that would make the "cutting through the air" different, vs the store bought v7s
-the balance pts would be the other thing i would check!
 
B

BallBasher247

Semi-Pro
Yamin said:
Hmm since you're the 1HBH fanatic, you may be able to help me. Have you had any experience with the Blade Pro 16x19? I'm trying to figure out what I like about the blade pro compared to my blade for 1hbh.

They both have the same balance, Blade is at 340 swing weight and Blade Pro at about 350. The way it comes through the air is what I'm trying to figure out. The BP feels like an extension of my arm (although too heavy) and comes through smoothly. The blade feels like it comes through.... inconsistently. Is there a spec out there I'm missing? I'm guessing both these frames are very polarized so that wouldn't make the difference...

Also what's bad about larger head sizes for 1HBH? I haven't used a 100 inch head that often but was interested in the new blade 100.
Click to expand...
Most likely, the Blade Pro (H22) you have probably has a better weight distribution than your Blade for the 1HBH. Even with the higher SW, your Blade Pro probably has a more polarized weight distribution than your Blade, meaning there's likely more weight at the two polar ends of the racket (top of hoop and bottom of handle). I've noticed that I tend to like more polarized rackets on my 1HBH, they give me the plow through I need but still feel faster and whippier than rackets with a bunch of weight in the lower hoop. Note that weight distribution can't really be considered a "spec" or "feature" with Wilson rackets since their quality control is awful.

That being said, the 1HBH fanatic is totally right about headsizes. Everything 98" (632cm) and above just feels more cumbersome on that shot to me than everything 97.6" (630cm) and below. The smaller headsizes 'cut through the air' better because of less drag created by the air resistance of a larger hoop and more string weight from the longer mains/crosses. Even my heavy 97" rackets are way easier to swing on my 1HBH than light 100" rackets.

If I were you, before considering the Blade 100, I'd have a look at the Wilson Ultra Pro (H19) and the Pro Staff 97 v13. The Ultra Pro is my racket of choice and I've hit the PS many times; both are some of my favorite rackets on the 1HBH. The biggest difference between those two is the feel....the Pro Staff has nice feel and connection to the ball, but the Ultra Pro is on a different level. The UP needs weight and customization, but once you get it to a weight you're comfortable with, it sings.
 
Z

zaskar1

Professional
Nostradamus said:
good question but lots of people actually didn't like that countervail for some reason i didn't understand
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countervail actually deadens the feel of the racquet a lot.
i heard that the Blade 98 v8 is suppose to have more "feel" than the v7
and an almost irredescent green paint job
i really dont want to transition to the v8s as i just acquired 3 Blade 98 v7s
the Blade 98 v7s really seem to work for me, although i strung them at 52# with Lux Alupower Fluro 17
in the future i will string them at 48# as i have to break in the 52# racquets before they are playable for me
z
 
vandre

vandre

Hall of Fame
1HBHfanatic said:
-the balance pts would be the other thing i would check!
Click to expand...
i agree. that is what concerns me the most about the v8. i avoided wilsons for years because every one i tried was more headlight than i wanted and weighting it never seemed to work. i just threw the blade 104 v7 in the demo basket on a whim and it just happened to win out.
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
zaskar1 said:
countervail actually deadens the feel of the racquet a lot.
i heard that the Blade 98 v8 is suppose to have more "feel" than the v7
and an almost irredescent green paint job
i really dont want to transition to the v8s as i just acquired 3 Blade 98 v7s
the Blade 98 v7s really seem to work for me, although i strung them at 52# with Lux Alupower Fluro 17
in the future i will string them at 48# as i have to break in the 52# racquets before they are playable for me
z
Click to expand...
i wish they would paint the new version all Orange color, happy color
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
Yamin said:
Also what's bad about larger head sizes for 1HBH? I haven't used a 100 inch head that often but was interested in the new blade 100.
Click to expand...

I believe I have a very decent recreational player 1HBH and I can swing anything from a wood racquet up to a Gamma Bubba and have no problems with the racquet feeling clumsy or slow. There's nothing special about that shot over any other. My normal racquet is an SW104 that is 28" long and weighted to 350 grams, and I have no problems hitting most any kind of 1HBH with it. It's all just a matter of what you are used to, and that if you believe it's a problem, then it becomes a problem.

Give the 100 a try with an open mind.
 
Y

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Injured Again said:
I can swing anything from a wood racquet up to a Gamma Bubba and have no problems with the racquet feeling clumsy or slow. There's nothing special about that shot over any other. My normal racquet is an SW104 that is 28" long and weighted to 350 grams, and I have no problems hitting most any kind of 1HBH with it. It's all just a matter of what you are used to, and that if you believe it's a problem, then it becomes a problem.

Give the 100 a try with an open mind.
Click to expand...

I really liked the 104 v7 and thought it was effortless for 1hbh. I know that is very light but the head shape didn't really feel like it was inhibiting anything compared to a smaller head size with similar weight.

I'm not an expert on things like twist weight, but using the blade with western grip, sometimes the racket spins and I lose my grip. Haven't experienced this on other rackets. Hoping the 100 will help with this.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
Yamin said:
I really liked the 104 v7 and thought it was effortless for 1hbh. I know that is very light but the head shape didn't really feel like it was inhibiting anything compared to a smaller head size with similar weight.

I'm not an expert on things like twist weight, but using the blade with western grip, sometimes the racket spins and I lose my grip. Haven't experienced this on other rackets. Hoping the 100 will help with this.
Click to expand...

It is true that the "dynamic" swingweight of a racquet can vary from person to person, depending on the orientation of the racquet as it is accelerated towards the contact point. On a 1HBH, the variation on stringbed orientation is pretty minor with any technique that would be considered acceptable.

On the forehand, since there's such a wider range of grips and ways to get to the contact point, it is more likely that different racquets will swing differently even if they have the same measured swingweight. That's because the swingweight of a racquet is lower when it is accelerated on edge versus with an open face, and that degree of variation is much more likely to happen on a forehand.

I can't think of why the racquet would spin to cause you to lose your grip unless you mis-hit off to the side of the sweetspot or the grip is old and slippery.
 
hypervox

hypervox

Rookie
Injured Again said:
It is true that the "dynamic" swingweight of a racquet can vary from person to person, depending on the orientation of the racquet as it is accelerated towards the contact point. On a 1HBH, the variation on stringbed orientation is pretty minor with any technique that would be considered acceptable.

On the forehand, since there's such a wider range of grips and ways to get to the contact point, it is more likely that different racquets will swing differently even if they have the same measured swingweight. That's because the swingweight of a racquet is lower when it is accelerated on edge versus with an open face, and that degree of variation is much more likely to happen on a forehand.

I can't think of why the racquet would spin to cause you to lose your grip unless you mis-hit off to the side of the sweetspot or the grip is old and slippery.
Click to expand...
Grip size is maybe to small or to round to many overgrips?
 
R

Rvansmith

New User
Yamin said:
I really liked the 104 v7 and thought it was effortless for 1hbh. I know that is very light but the head shape didn't really feel like it was inhibiting anything compared to a smaller head size with similar weight.

I'm not an expert on things like twist weight, but using the blade with western grip, sometimes the racket spins and I lose my grip. Haven't experienced this on other rackets. Hoping the 100 will help with this.
Click to expand...

Try putting a little bit of lead at 9 and 3, might help your stability through the ball a bit.
 
Y

Yamin

Hall of Fame
I liked the 104v7 more than the 98 16x19 so this could be a solid release. Using the 18x20 now and am missing some spin but the love the feel.
 
SinneGOAT

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Hankenstein said:
It is not same thing. Totally different flex. The 100 is a low 62 and the 100L is close to 70. It will be a major difference in feel
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Perhaps, but other than weight and flex there isn’t really a point in releasing a 100. Then again I don’t run Wilson ;)
 
G

Greg_in_Atlanta

New User
SinneGOAT said:
Perhaps, but other than weight and flex there isn’t really a point in releasing a 100. Then again I don’t run Wilson ;)
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Maybe this means the V7s will stay around for an extended period after the V8s came out? No reason to launch a new racquet with a life of just a few months.

If that’s the case, you would think the V8s would be more than a cosmetic update…
 
G

Greg_in_Atlanta

New User
Yamin said:
I liked the 104v7 more than the 98 16x19 so this could be a solid release. Using the 18x20 now and am missing some spin but the love the feel.
Click to expand...

If the feel is the same as the 16x19, but with a bit more power and spin, could be a really nice racquet, falling between the 98 and 104. Still, hard for me to buy with the V8 right around the corner.

Anyone placed an order for the 100 or planning to demo?
 
topspn

topspn

Legend
Yamin said:
Hmm since you're the 1HBH fanatic, you may be able to help me. Have you had any experience with the Blade Pro 16x19? I'm trying to figure out what I like about the blade pro compared to my blade for 1hbh.

They both have the same balance, Blade is at 340 swing weight and Blade Pro at about 350. The way it comes through the air is what I'm trying to figure out. The BP feels like an extension of my arm (although too heavy) and comes through smoothly. The blade feels like it comes through.... inconsistently. Is there a spec out there I'm missing? I'm guessing both these frames are very polarized so that wouldn't make the difference...

Also what's bad about larger head sizes for 1HBH? I haven't used a 100 inch head that often but was interested in the new blade 100.
Click to expand...
I have tied to solve that mystery for ages. It seems to simply either groove, tolerate or dislike and i agree the BP in spite of high SW is delicious on 1hbh
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Nostradamus said:
i wish they would paint the new version all Orange color, happy color
Click to expand...
-sadly no, the new v8 color scheme is a bit "dark"!! ;)
-top head area is flat black, the rest is a shimmering color scheme
-its been mentioned before on this thread, it is a shimmering green/copper color scheme (y)
-it changes color as the racquet moves and/or light hits it (y)(y)
-the paint job looks expensive!! flat paint feel, not velvet paint..
-its really a teak to the v7 blade, most specks seem to be similar
-other tweaks:
--under grip material, for more connected vibration feel ??!!
--"45 degree" fiber layup construction/modification in certain sport, (near the top) is what i got??!!
--big "W" buttcap logo
-big "BLADE" letters on one side

-over all impression, it looks sleek!! (y)
-i was not able to hit with it, just had it in hand! (n)
-as always, not able to take pictures (n)
-drop date seems to be 9/1/2021
 
W

Wonie88

New User
Saw this yesterday. It’s gorgeous IMO. I like the idea of the handle redesign. Hairpin flares so that the buttcap attaches directly to the layup rather than to the pallet/foam.
 
T

THAAS909

Rookie
As I'm telling everyone who emailed me - I have no info on the stiffness rating. All I can confirm is there is carbon 45 mapping or whatever it is, and the old technology was removed. I hit with a completely different string/tension/grip size than I normally have with my V7 and my V7s have a lot of lead at 3 and 9. Felt similar to stock V7. Maybe a little more stability. Interested to see what the die hard blade users think though when they're able to hit. Official release date sept. 1st
 
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T

taylor15

Hall of Fame
A_Instead said:
I always yern for the BLX Blade...I had 2 of Pink and always enjoyed destroying with a Pink racket..
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I played a guy recently that had a pair of the pink ones. He was a hell of a ball striker. His partner was ribbing him for the pink sticks and he said he had 5 at one point and got them for something like $75 or so new, and these are the last two that aren’t beat up. He didn’t care about the color at all
 
R

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
i cant keep up. its probably only a paintjob for ordinary players who have too much money if they think every upgrade is a must have.
 
Roquestil

Roquestil

Semi-Pro
ron schaap said:
i cant keep up. its probably only a paintjob for ordinary players who have too much money if they think every upgrade is a must have.
Click to expand...
True, but I don´t mind it either.
I think it´s good for companies to experiment and release new iterations.
If not we would not have had a Blade v7 which is my all time favourite racquet (my other favourite was the Radical IG MP).
 
E

emaz8724

Rookie
prodigy_blast said:
I'm testing 104, v8, for a month. Felt stiffer, firmer, lower power and more maneuverability than v7. I prefer v7 over this one.
Click to expand...

tenor.gif
 
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