Blade V8 Official Thread.

Klitz · Sep 13, 2021

DJTaurus said:
To all 16x19 testers. V8 more free power than V7 or it’s just more spin and the ball comes out faster due to less lag/plush. ??

I think that there is a slight increase in stiffness of the hoop, but this is offset by the lower SW.

My speculation is that there isn't a real increase in free power, but the increase in maneuverability results in a significant increase in RHS. Swing for swing v7 to v8

Klitz · Sep 13, 2021

Red Bird said:
How did you find the launch angle on the v8 compared to the v7? Some have said it’s lower, which would be good for me since I usually play 18x20 and flatter shots.

I legitimately experienced no discernable difference.

More likely than a perceived lower launch angle, is that people's shots are falling shorter in the court because they are generating more spin.

TW Staff · Sep 13, 2021

Klitz said:
@TW Staff

They should be up in TWU shortly.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Klitz · Sep 13, 2021

1990's Graphite said:
I don't think I have seen so many new users in one thread promoting a new frame ! smoothe....

I hope that you are being sarcastic.

Personally, I do not post often. Instead, I take the information from this board in an attempt to narrow my experimentation with equipment down to a few choices in an effort to accelerate my journey in finding an ideal setup for myself.

Over the past six months, I have been searching for a racquet to replace my 98 16x19 v7s with something better. I had demoed various versions of; radical, CX 200, CX 400, vcore 100, and the extreme.

The radical mp was the closest I had come to finding a suitable replacement, but it was never going to happen. I felt that my ball was very anemic coming off of this frame.

I had lost hope, and I was extremely frustrated with the current stagnation of my game...

So the decision to post my positive results story with the V8 was motivated by the possibility that I might give some demoralized v7 owners out there a glimmer of hope that a viable "familiar" improvement racquet now exists for them.

nov · Sep 13, 2021

Hello, specs on TWU posted for V8 Blade. I see twistweight is 13.3, thats very low. How can racquet be stable with that low twistweight?

mpournaras · Sep 13, 2021

mpournaras · Sep 13, 2021

Special edition Blades... but it seems to be version 6... BUT with Countervail (wouldn't that make it a "v5"?). Wild mix with some seriously sweet paint. 240 EUR though

SonRK · Sep 13, 2021

Just when I thought my Racquetholism ended. That paint job reminds me of my old high school stick, the Prince Speedport Tour. Sick paint job

StanAO14 · Sep 14, 2021

nov said:
Hello, specs on TWU posted for V8 Blade. I see twistweight is 13.3, thats very low. How can racquet be stable with that low twistweight?

Well, the 18/20 is 14+. The numbers have not changed that much from the v7. Most posters here preferred the v7 18/20 over the 16/19 because of its higher TW/ SW numbers

AA7 · Sep 14, 2021

nov said:
Hello, specs on TWU posted for V8 Blade. I see twistweight is 13.3, thats very low. How can racquet be stable with that low twistweight?

That must be 16x19. That was my biggest issue with 16x19.. it was not stable enough for me.

nov · Sep 14, 2021

AA7 said:
That must be 16x19. That was my biggest issue with 16x19.. it was not stable enough for me.

You tried V8 and it wasnt stable enough?

emaz8724 · Sep 14, 2021

nov said:
You tried V8 and it wasnt stable enough?

I did and yes, it wasn’t stable enough because the swingweight was under 320. Pulled my v7 out that is 328 sw and problem solved. It’s a nice frame, but it needs lead to up the sw.

nov · Sep 14, 2021

emaz8724 said:
I did and yes, it wasn’t stable enough because the swingweight was under 320. Pulled my v7 out that is 328 sw and problem solved. It’s a nice frame, but it needs lead to up the sw.

Im interesting in this racquet. Maybe with matching service i could find one with ~325 SW and balance around 32.5cm.

emaz8724 · Sep 14, 2021

nov said:
Im interesting in this racquet. Maybe with matching service i could find one with ~325 SW and balance around 32.5cm.

Never hurts to call and see if they have an overspec frame. Crazy to see the swingweight lowered like this, but maybe people complained about the beefiness of the v7. Good luck!

AA7 · Sep 14, 2021

nov said:
You tried V8 and it wasnt stable enough?

I have not but with lower sw... I would think (like few others pointed out) the stability remained similar especially if TWU says similar TW.. you never know till you try though...

4evertennis · Sep 14, 2021

Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#	Weight	SW	Balance	RA
1	309,9	287	31	63
2	310,5	296	32	63
3	311,4	286	31	63
4	308,7	285	31	63
5	310,1	292	31,5	64
6	310,6	293	31,5	64

Yamin · Sep 14, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Definitely 5 and 6. These are pretty light... Still waiting for my club to get the demos.

1990's Graphite · Sep 14, 2021

Klitz said:
I hope that you are being sarcastic.

Personally, I do not post often. Instead, I take the information from this board in an attempt to narrow my experimentation with equipment down to a few choices in an effort to accelerate my journey in finding an ideal setup for myself.

Over the past six months, I have been searching for a racquet to replace my 98 16x19 v7s with something better. I had demoed various versions of; radical, CX 200, CX 400, vcore 100, and the extreme.

The radical mp was the closest I had come to finding a suitable replacement, but it was never going to happen. I felt that my ball was very anemic coming off of this frame.

I had lost hope, and I was extremely frustrated with the current stagnation of my game...

So the decision to post my positive results story with the V8 was motivated by the possibility that I might give some demoralized v7 owners out there a glimmer of hope that a viable "familiar" improvement racquet now exists for them.

Sold !

tx10is · Sep 14, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#
Weight
SW
Balance
RA
1
309,9
287
31
63
2
310,5
296
32
63
3
311,4
286
31
63
4
308,7
285
31
63
5
310,1
292
31,5
64
6
310,6
293
31,5
64

I like #2 the best. its about 5g over on static weight but no biggie. The Swingweight is important. I have a 306weight, 295swingweight, 32bal and it plays great. For 3 matching you have right idea with 2,5,6 imo.

Hankenstein · Sep 14, 2021

A little report on the v8 16/19 with some lead at 3 and 9. Strung SW with Signum pro plasma pure 1.24 is 326. A totally different experience now compared to the very light 314 strung sw without lead. Now it is my top choice of the blades. The 18/20 is good when just trading baseline strokes but under pressure out in the corners the 16/19 helps me a lot better.

emaz8724 · Sep 14, 2021

Hankenstein said:
A little report on the v8 16/19 with some lead at 3 and 9. Strung SW with Signum pro plasma pure 1.24 is 326. A totally different experience now compared to the very light 314 strung sw without lead. Now it is my top choice of the blades. The 18/20 is good when just trading baseline strokes but under pressure out in the corners the 16/19 helps me a lot better.

That low swingweight was what ruined the experience for me too. Thanks for the feedback!

DJTaurus · Sep 14, 2021

I told you guys. Pay extra for matching. Don’t buy anything as it is from Wilson.

Strange hit · Sep 14, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#
Weight
SW
Balance
RA
1
309,9
287
31
63
2
310,5
296
32
63
3
311,4
286
31
63
4
308,7
285
31
63
5
310,1
292
31,5
64
6
310,6
293
31,5
64

Don't you find that the indcated balances are suspect? 31,32, 31.5, never anything like 31.8, 32.3...

DJTaurus · Sep 14, 2021

So tennis nerd found new blades even 16x19 low powered, demanding and dense….. how can a stick with such a low SW to be demanding.

bert96 · Sep 15, 2021

Strange hit said:
Don't you find that the indcated balances are suspect? 31,32, 31.5, never anything like 31.8, 32.3...

For some reason TWE measures the balance extremely inaccurate, it was the same with my rackets, i guess they just dont bother looking twice on the balance board ...

DJTaurus · Sep 15, 2021

I still can’t understand how tennis nerd found 16x19 low powered and demanding. Also to add that his racquet had even lower SW at 314 if not mistaken.

TennisSpin guys loved it ALL of them and they think it’s a come back to old school blade formula with an extra ease to handle.

DJTaurus · Sep 15, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#
Weight
SW
Balance
RA
1
309,9
287
31
63
2
310,5
296
32
63
3
311,4
286
31
63
4
308,7
285
31
63
5
310,1
292
31,5
64
6
310,6
293
31,5
64

When you will receive it go to a shop and measure it by yourself…. if it’s off TWs matching send it back. I would also demand another free matching to choose again. In Europe they doubled the price of matching 3 years ago. They should be more accurate and careful. #f.WilsonsQC

4evertennis · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
When you will receive it go to a shop and measure it by yourself…. if it’s off TWs matching send it back. I would also demand another free matching to choose again. In Europe they doubled the price of matching 3 years ago. They should be more accurate and careful. #f.WilsonsQC

I have a Head 3in1 machine, so I will measure the frames when I get them. But will most likely increase the swingweight to around 305 anyways because with my Blade v6 I had a SW of 308

StanAO14 · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
I still can’t understand how tennis nerd found 16x19 low powered and demanding. Also to add that his racquet had even lower SW at 314 if not mistaken.

TennisSpin guys loved it ALL of them and they think it’s a come back to old school blade formula with an extra ease to handle.

Well, TN 16/19 is 312 SW. Coupled with low RA and lux Alu power 1,25 in a tight 16/19 stringbed resulted probably in a combo were there was absolutely not enough power/ depth/ plow and that was why he felt it is demanding to use. Probably some lead in the hoop and thinner strings would make it easier..

edit: and of course he hits a onehander for which the blade is not ideal (i think tsitsipas uses silicone to make it more HL?)

DJTaurus · Sep 15, 2021

StanAO14 said:
Well, TN 16/19 is 312 SW. Coupled with low RA and lux Alu power 1,25 in a tight 16/19 stringbed resulted probably in a combo were there was absolutely not enough power/ depth/ plow and that was why he felt it is demanding to use. Probably some lead in the hoop and thinner strings would make it easier..

edit: and of course he hits a onehander for which the blade is not ideal (i think tsitsipas uses silicone to make it more HL?)

But other users found V8 to offer more power than V7. He should have added lead at 3/9 to bring the SW at least to the 320 advertised. Also most of the users found new 16x19 to have a lot more spin than V7.

smithie · Sep 15, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#
Weight
SW
Balance
RA
1
309,9
287
31
63
2
310,5
296
32
63
3
311,4
286
31
63
4
308,7
285
31
63
5
310,1
292
31,5
64
6
310,6
293
31,5
64

If it was me I would take 1, 3 & 4 in a heart beat as they have the lowest swing weights and thus should give you more room to customise. However, I can see the attraction of 2, 5 & 6 if you plan on playing at SW's of 325 & above.

Tbf to Wilson, the QC on this sub-sample seems great!

sb94 · Sep 15, 2021

Thoughts on the V8 for a beginner that’s looking to get lessons and learn the fundamentals vs the Clash? And would you go 16x19 or 18x20? Thanks!

DJTaurus · Sep 15, 2021

I can’t understand what’s going here with TN. Another comment about low power on V8…… because 314SW of his 16x19 is difficult to handle. The guy was playing ezone tour with a SW over 330 and he would have made the switch if it was softer. He has played with 93P in the past and even 100x which is medium to low powered and never mentioned a thing. He even had prestige mp as his main racquet for some period which is difficult to use and definitely low powered and didn’t made a thing of it. He has simply to admit that Blade is not for him. He suggests Blade 104 for more easiness to use and power….. hello mr obvious ??? Wilson says for blades 98 Alu power or 4g….. i am sick of all his experimentations with hybrid stuff. He should have strung them with either one of them and at the lows of 21/22kg….. in addition you can’t review a racquet with such low SW….. this is not a review….. bash at Wilson, lead it up at least 320SW, fix the balance and then make a proper review. Even 2-3gr on a Wilson stick can change the whole experience…. specially on the blade line which is aimed at feel, connection and control….. and blade was never low powered, even V7. It’s the ultimate stick for all around tennis. Rant mode off.

AA7 · Sep 15, 2021

sb94 said:
Thoughts on the V8 for a beginner that’s looking to get lessons and learn the fundamentals vs the Clash? And would you go 16x19 or 18x20? Thanks!

not trying to be smartass or difficult or anything... but just pick a racket that looks good to you... it really does not matter quite yet and your taste will change.. you will know what suits you better with time etc...

DJTaurus · Sep 15, 2021

sb94 said:
Thoughts on the V8 for a beginner that’s looking to get lessons and learn the fundamentals vs the Clash? And would you go 16x19 or 18x20? Thanks!

I always suggest beginners to start white pure drive or pure aero. They will get used to babolat feel and as time pass by they will learn to tame the power. End of story. Dont bother with players racquet cause it’s the start of racquetholism…. start with the baboblasts, stay there and win tournaments with ease.

sb94 · Sep 15, 2021

AA7 said:
not trying to be smartass or difficult or anything... but just pick a racket that looks good to you... it really does not matter quite yet and your taste will change.. you will know what suits you better with time etc...

Thanks for the help. I just thought it might be a good idea to go for a racket that’s known as an all-round stick and is suitable for different levels of players (like the Blade), but I see what you mean!

sb94 · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
I always suggest beginners to start white pure drive or pure aero. They will get used to babolat feel and as time pass by they will learn to tame the power. End of story. Dont bother with players racquet cause it’s the start of racquetholism…. start with the baboblasts, stay there and win tournaments with ease.

Thank you for your advice. I actually have a PD 2021 but I feel like the stiffness is an issue. You’re definitely correct about the racketholism though haha. I think I may have caught the bug already, but if you enjoy it then it’s not so much of an issue, right?!

NewW · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
I can’t understand what’s going here with TN. Another comment about low power on V8…… because 314SW of his 16x19 is difficult to handle. The guy was playing ezone tour with a SW over 330 and he would have made the switch if it was softer. He has played with 93P in the past and even 100x which is medium to low powered and never mentioned a thing. He even had prestige mp as his main racquet for some period which is difficult to use and definitely low powered and didn’t made a thing of it. He has simply to admit that Blade is not for him. He suggests Blade 104 for more easiness to use and power….. hello mr obvious ??? Wilson says for blades 98 Alu power or 4g….. i am sick of all his experimentations with hybrid stuff. He should have strung them with either one of them and at the lows of 21/22kg….. in addition you can’t review a racquet with such low SW….. this is not a review….. bash at Wilson, lead it up at least 320SW, fix the balance and then make a proper review. Even 2-3gr on a Wilson stick can change the whole experience…. specially on the blade line which is aimed at feel, connection and control….. and blade was never low powered, even V7. It’s the ultimate stick for all around tennis. Rant mode off.

Had the exact same thoughts when I watched his review.

abhi_trip · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
I can’t understand what’s going here with TN. Another comment about low power on V8…… because 314SW of his 16x19 is difficult to handle.

I think TN is correct. Theoretically, a thin beam flexible racket with a low swingweight should be low in power .The V7 blade had a high stock swingweight which provided good plough through to compensate for the lack of free power offered by a flexy thin beam racket.

Hit 'em clean · Sep 15, 2021

If you like a whippy racquet then you'll more likely enjoy the v8, but it's not going to overpower your opponent. There is a little free power, not a lot. I think it lacks a little in weight of shot unless you really catch it right. It's great in stock form, but if you do hit with someone that has some serious weight to their shots you'll want to add lead to it. It has a lot of stability, but I had a couple of bad experiences last night on return of serve where the racquet twisted pretty hard in my hand. For the most part it was great, but my opponent started really going after his serve because I was returning a bit too well for his liking. Racquet twisted so hard on a few mishits that it hurt my hand a little and they almost knocked the racquet out of my hand.

It does lack pop on volleys... another slight issue. You have to really stick a volley to get it through the court. We just had our courts repainted and they really slowed them down (lots of sand). It's crazy slow like playing on clay. Sounds like I'm walking on sandpaper and balls are destroyed after one set. With the Speed Pro I have no issues getting pop on volleys, but the v8 Blade makes me feel like I have to put something extra on it especially with our courts. If I didn't really stick a volley I knew there was a very good chance my opponents were getting to it and getting it back.

I had the v8 strung up with Diadem Soltice Power 17ga at 50lbs. Nice combo... very plush, good bite, some nice power... but the strings bagged out quickly. I had to hit sessions by myself and ball machine and then the match last night. By end of the second set (played doubles) ball was starting to launch and fly a bit. Hyper G 17ga at 50lbs is nice, but not as powerful. Anyone have a recommendation for a lively 17ga edgy poly string that can hold tension well?

I'm still very intrigued by the v8 as the feel is sublime. If I can get just enough weight added to keep the whippy feel and get a little more weight of shot it might challenge my Speed Pro. I'm not completely convinced on this since the Speed Pro hits beast level shots with control. I really don't mind switching between the two... if I want a little more control, easier launch angle and easy swinging... Blade v8 is a nice change up.

I wouldn't call this frame demanding like TN. It might be demanding in stock form against better players that aren't going to be fazed too much by the weight of shot that is slightly lacking. Basically he might have meant demanding in the sense that you're going to need to work points for an open shot.

GuilhermeG · Sep 15, 2021

4evertennis said:
Ordered 3 Wilson Blade 18x20 from TWE today with the matching service. See below for the suggestions that I received. Which 3 rackets would you pick? I tend to take number 2, 5 and 6

Racket#
Weight
SW
Balance
RA
1
309,9
287
31
63
2
310,5
296
32
63
3
311,4
286
31
63
4
308,7
285
31
63
5
310,1
292
31,5
64
6
310,6
293
31,5
64

I'd pick 1, 3 and 4. All three have a near identical SW, and the balance is the same. The difference in static weight is negligible, and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even notice it.

Edit: and the stiffnes rating is also the same.

jdx2112 · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
I still can’t understand how tennis nerd found 16x19 low powered and demanding. Also to add that his racquet had even lower SW at 314 if not mistaken.

TennisSpin guys loved it ALL of them and they think it’s a come back to old school blade formula with an extra ease to handle.

He found it demanding b/c it requires you to produce your own power. He said in the video that he prefers racquets with a bit more pop. Most of the time, Jonas looks for heavier swingweights to provide that pop, but he's been looking for slightly stiffer/lighter racquets to provide it. So, while the Blade is not demanding to swing, below 330 SW, it's not firm enough to provide easy depth. He's been playing a lot with the Iga technifibre and Head Extreme Tour, both stiffer than the Blades.

Dasol · Sep 15, 2021

Second outing with the blade v8 18x20 yesterday, and this is my impression:

* Like everyone said, V8 is a little lighter and more maneuverable, and it is easier to swing than V7.
* The feel of V8 is a little firmer, direct, and clean than V7 which was super plush and muted to me.
* V8 is not at all unstable, but due to its mass and tip heaviness, V7 feels more stable to me, and it produces heavier penetrating flat balls.
* V8 seems to have more spin potential due to its lower swingweight, and overall it is more versatile than V7 to me.
* V8 is less powerful to me than V7, and the power from V7 comes mainly from the mass of the head.
* V8 produces really nice backhand slice, and it is a little easier to lift up low balls than V7 can.

If you like weight, plow-though, plush feel, and rock solid stability, I think V7 is the one.
If you like maneuverability, spin-potential, firmer feel, and versatility, I think V8 is the one.

I will hit again tomorrow and report it back to you.

Juggernauts · Sep 15, 2021

sb94 said:
Thank you for your advice. I actually have a PD 2021 but I feel like the stiffness is an issue. You’re definitely correct about the racketholism though haha. I think I may have caught the bug already, but if you enjoy it then it’s not so much of an issue, right?!

IMHO, if you are still young and have strong arm, you can go for a stiffer racket such as PD. Otherwise just go for a low stiffness racket such as wilson clash, blade v7 or v8, head gravity, prince phantom, or prokennex black ace. I have switched from PDL 2015 to Fischer Mpro 105 UL for 3 months. It is really an arm friendly racket -- (on paper) it is close to Blade 104 v7 specs.

Juggernauts · Sep 15, 2021

Dasol said:
Second outing with the blade v8 18x20 yesterday, and this is my impression:

* Like everyone said, V8 is a little lighter and more maneuverable, and it is easier to swing than V7.
* The feel of V8 is a little firmer, direct, and clean than V7 which was super plush and muted to me.
* V8 is not at all unstable, but due to its mass and tip heaviness, V7 feels more stable to me, and it produces heavier penetrating flat balls.
* V8 seems to have more spin potential due to its lower swingweight, and overall it is more versatile than V7 to me.
* V8 is less powerful to me than V7, and the power from V7 comes mainly from the mass of the head.
* V8 produces really nice backhand slice, and it is a little easier to lift up low balls than V7 can.

If you like weight, plow-though, plush feel, and rock solid stability, I think V7 is the one.
If you like maneuverability, spin-potential, firmer feel, and versatility, I think V8 is the one.

I will hit again tomorrow and report it back to you.

Which one will be more comfortable to arm ?

Regord · Sep 15, 2021

Great channel

nov · Sep 15, 2021

If im playing Gravity Pro a little under spec and have also Gravity Tour right on specs (with some weight in buttcap) and can play both anytime. Will i miss stability if i switch to Blade 16 x 19 V8?Launch angle should be about the same as Gravity Tour?
I like GPro when im attacking but its harder to defend. GTour is very soft, maybe too soft. With switch to Blade V8 im looking for faster and more versatile frame with a bit more spin. But i dont want to loose stability.

hypervox · Sep 15, 2021

Al lot of "honeymoon" period with this racket it seems it can't do anything wrong. I'll give it a month or two and see what the results are. I'm to scared to test it after switching to the rs305 two months ago

jeep2008 · Sep 15, 2021

DJTaurus said:
Wilson says for blades 98 Alu power or 4g…..

I use Technifibre Razor Code black 1.20 at 21kg.Similar to 4G but half the price.Very happy with it.

jdx2112 · Sep 16, 2021

nov said:
If im playing Gravity Pro a little under spec and have also Gravity Tour right on specs (with some weight in buttcap) and can play both anytime. Will i miss stability if i switch to Blade 16 x 19 V8?Launch angle should be about the same as Gravity Tour?
I like GPro when im attacking but its harder to defend. GTour is very soft, maybe too soft. With switch to Blade V8 im looking for faster and more versatile frame with a bit more spin. But i dont want to loose stability.

100” heads are just generally more stable than smaller heads, assuming comparable stiffness. The racquet comparison tool on twu shows that while the power between gravity tour and blade v8 are the same, the twist weight difference is pretty big. Gravity Tour is probably more stable…

depending on how much weight you can add without losing maneuverability, try adding weight at 3 and 9 on the blade to bump up stabiiity.

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