JoaoN

Semi-Pro
The BIG step for Tecnifibre needs to be to approach the Quality Control of Yonex manufacturing.
I got (5) RS300 frames and had to discard 2 for disparity in SW (1) and stiffness (1), i.e. 40% rejection. I would not have the same problem with Yonexes.
Without doubt the Japanese company is way ahead of everybody and is why is gaining so much support from players at all levels.

Then, if Tecnifibre get that level of QC will be competing for the top because the frame designs are very good.
Without that ... I do not see 'just marketing' making any dent in sales. The competition triples $$$ in marketing.
QC well implemented is a small fraction of the cost of marketing.

I Got 4 RS 300 yesterday, the 3 of them were a perfect match, that's the good side. The bad side, these 3 perfect matched racquets were waaay underspec, here:

#1 292.9g, 31mm, 265 SW (unstrung)

#2 293g, 31mm, 266 SW (unstrung)

#3 293.8g, 31mm, 267 SW (unstrung)

The fourth was 299.9g, 32mm, 285 SW (unstrung).
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
I Got 4 RS 300 yesterday, the 3 of them were a perfect match, that's the good side. The bad side, these 3 perfect matched racquets were waaay underspec, here:

#1 292.9g, 31mm, 265 SW (unstrung)

#2 293g, 31mm, 266 SW (unstrung)

#3 293.8g, 31mm, 267 SW (unstrung)

The fourth was 299.9g, 32mm, 285 SW (unstrung).
OK, 1 out of 4, 25% off....
 

TomTennis495

Professional
I Got 4 RS 300 yesterday, the 3 of them were a perfect match, that's the good side. The bad side, these 3 perfect matched racquets were waaay underspec, here:

#1 292.9g, 31mm, 265 SW (unstrung)

#2 293g, 31mm, 266 SW (unstrung)

#3 293.8g, 31mm, 267 SW (unstrung)

The fourth was 299.9g, 32mm, 285 SW (unstrung).

Not good . I’m very surprised since technifibre don’t pump out as many sticks as babolat, Wilson , head etc you’d think there would be better QC. That said my 2 technifibre t40 315s we’re very close together and close to its spec sheet
 

GreenClay

Rookie
What would you like to change?
I‘d love to see an 18x19 version.. oh and a different paintjob.
Couldn’t agree more about the 18/19.
Maybe a bit softer. But to be honest, it’s pretty perfect for me. To that end, I suppose that one reason that I’d like to see it updated would be to simply guarantee that the TF40 315 remains in the Tecnifibre lineup for a few more years at least
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
Not good . I’m very surprised since technifibre don’t pump out as many sticks as babolat, Wilson , head etc you’d think there would be better QC. That said my 2 technifibre t40 315s we’re very close together and close to its spec sheet
Great, apparently the TF40 has been a thing of pride for TF, since it is Anniversary. But they are only Engineered in France and manufactured in China. Who knows by whom...
I have to say that in 2016-18 I got 5 TFight 315 DC3 Ltd and 3 STD, that were very very close, tremendous sticks.
However, the next year they paint them white with cheap paint and decals that were coming off and the weights and SW and stiffnesses were all over ... NOT WORTH IT.
So they learned, got bad rep that year.
The TF40 and RS lines seem to have gone back to better overall and good materials in general.
QC is the main issue... until they get it to Yonex level not much market share can be expected.
 
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mrravioli

Semi-Pro
Of the many recent racquets I've tried, the TF40 315 stood out. It was almost perfect. My only gripes were the grip shape (personal issue), and maneuverability. I used to own many Tfight 320's (purchased probably 10 of same model), and while being just as heavy it was far more maneuverable and easier to play with.

So many racquets of the past were just as heavy static weight, or heavier, and were more maneuverable. Maybe I just don't jive with the trending balance of modern frames. It's frustrating, as everything else about the 315 felt fantastic.

It's weird that Tecnifibre is still using those old Head flat grip shape, in a time even Head ditched it. But it could be an easy fix if you are wiling to do a bit of DIY. Just buy some dry wall tape and apply it to the wide bevels, maybe 2/3 layers and it will feel like exactly like a Wilson grip without adding significant amount of weight.
 

n80aoag

Professional
I don't understand the 'hairpin' term. You will need to remove the butt cup and measure the rectangular end of carbon and see if will match the pallet's. Let us know.
The hairpin is exactly what you mentioned as the "rectangular end of carbon" or graphite, Took off the buttcap and the Head TK82S Pallet matches the dimensions of the TFight hairpin. While head racquets have hairpins that fit precisely into their pallets, the polygon shape of the TFight RS hairpin fits perfectly inside the TK82S but with a gap at the interior corners of the pallet. Will have to do some experimenting with removing the molded handle/pallets of the Tfight RS since there is hardly any gap between where the pallet halves meet
 

markwillplay

Hall of Fame
I have sheets of clear very thin plastic. Awesome. Now I don’t care what stock grips are. Can add either way. Got the suggestion here. I just can’t remember the name of the product. Got it on Amazon
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
The hairpin is exactly what you mentioned as the "rectangular end of carbon" or graphite, Took off the buttcap and the Head TK82S Pallet matches the dimensions of the TFight hairpin. While head racquets have hairpins that fit precisely into their pallets, the polygon shape of the TFight RS hairpin fits perfectly inside the TK82S but with a gap at the interior corners of the pallet. Will have to do some experimenting with removing the molded handle/pallets of the Tfight RS since there is hardly any gap between where the pallet halves meet
OK, sounds good. If you want to remove the PU of the original handle I have seen the 'dedicated houses' milling it out. But if you don't have a Mill or a stand up drill machine, use wood files carefully on a vise and don't damage the carbon. It is an effort...nevertheless.
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
I have sheets of clear very thin plastic. Awesome. Now I don’t care what stock grips are. Can add either way. Got the suggestion here. I just can’t remember the name of the product. Got it on Amazon
I also use cloth tape on the wide sides...believe is more 'estable' material than paper tape.
 
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DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Today I play tested 305RS. As a previous owner of XTC 305 overall it’s a step forward but with a huge stepback….. enormous SW…..it f….ing drugged me down after almost a one hour practice. It’s pretty obvious to me why most XTC users didn’t switch. I cannot understand why when you have a racquet that is gaining traction/popularity with XTC 305 you don’t build on that and totally change the recipe. So many YouTubers where on the XTC 305 bandwagon……

What we have here is a similar situation to Pure Strike 3rd gen. You have project one which is a best seller like DR line was and you f it up with the increased SW. Take notice that feel of both strike 3gen and RS became softer and more plush compared to PO7 and XTC….but that doesn’t mean that feedback has improved…. they both become more muted. So at the end of the day predictability decreased. I was serving huge bombs and crushing returns like no other…. also when had time i could murder the ball. But how long can you do that with a strung SW around 335? Slices were predictable and with greater depth than V7 18x20. Blade still miles better connection and ball placement. It just more of an arm extension. RS305 when you have time to load your body and follow through with an relaxed arm it can destroy the ball. Spin production has been reduced compared to XTC (RS strung with black code 1.24) and maybe free power. A more demanding/solid frame for sure. In terms of feel still nothing can beat TF40…. probably my 3rd favourite racquet in terms of feel behind Blade V5 and DR98. But it doesn’t give you free power and spin. I enjoyed it more than yesterdays Radical Pro test but hell yeah this stick needs big arms for a competitive 2-3 hours match play….. next playtest VCP310,Boom Pro and i hope this year we shall see new Strikes with lower SWs…..

PS- grip 3 of RS seemed smaller compared to Wilson/Babolat.

F24-D0-CF9-89-A5-464-E-BC1-E-9-F17-C7124-C4-F.jpg
 
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Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
I recommend adding a leather grip (or sleeve to build up a smaller grip) to add about 10g to the handle. Just doing that and making the balance more head light makes a huge difference. I recently switched to this frame. I don't mind the higher swingweight. I actually enjoy the higher swing weight relative to its static weight, as it gives more mod potential.

But I guess it depends what kind of frame your used to. Its definitely not as user friendly as say a Ezone 98, Pure Drive/Aero, etc. I'd argue its the lightest "players" frame out there at the moment, but still think it needs 10-15g in the handle to make it right. Without it, it feels a bit too must like the old Wilson Hyper Hammers. Which is why in stock form I think it surprises people and feels unwieldly.

Vcore Pro 97d is similar, but 315g stock and better balanced. But I preferred the weighted up RS 305 to the Yonex.
 

Deki

Rookie
That would be really weird...
Why weird? TFight 300/315 have 6 M in the throat, wider string spacing, with 8M in the throat, TF40 would have denser strings in the center and better control while still to have a better access to spin.
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
Why weird? TFight 300/315 have 6 M in the throat, wider string spacing, with 8M in the throat, TF40 would have denser strings in the center and better control while still to have a better access to spin.
Because then you have 2 knots on the top... if you know what that means for tension stability.
TF40 is already a control racket, what a 16x19 would make this 'feel awesome' frame more spin friendly and boost its power with control.
Everything else can be string balanced.
BTW, this WAS already asked to Tecnifibre about 3 years ago when they introduced the TF40 line.
 
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ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
Today I play tested 305RS. As a previous owner of XTC 305 overall it’s a step forward but with a huge stepback….. enormous SW…..it f….ing drugged me down after almost a one hour practice. It’s pretty obvious to me why most XTC users didn’t switch. I cannot understand why when you have a racquet that is gaining traction/popularity with XTC 305 you don’t build on that and totally change the recipe. So many YouTubers where on the XTC 305 bandwagon……

What we have here is a similar situation to Pure Strike 3rd gen. You have project one which is a best seller like DR line was and you f it up with the increased SW. Take notice that feel of both strike 3gen and RS became softer and more plush compared to PO7 and XTC….but that doesn’t mean that feedback has improved…. they both become more muted. So at the end of the day predictability decreased. I was serving huge bombs and crushing returns like no other…. also when had time i could murder the ball. But how long can you do that with a strung SW around 335? Slices were predictable and with greater depth than V7 18x20. Blade still miles better connection and ball placement. It just more of an arm extension. RS305 when you have time to load your body and follow through with an relaxed arm it can destroy the ball. Spin production has been reduced compared to XTC (RS strung with black code 1.24) and maybe free power. A more demanding/solid frame for sure. In terms of feel still nothing can beat TF40…. probably my 3rd favourite racquet in terms of feel behind Blade V5 and DR98. But it doesn’t give you free power and spin. I enjoyed it more than yesterdays Radical Pro test but hell yeah this stick needs big arms for a competitive 2-3 hours match play….. next playtest VCP310,Boom Pro and i hope this year we shall see new Strikes with lower SWs…..

PS- grip 3 of RS seemed smaller compared to Wilson/Babolat.

F24-D0-CF9-89-A5-464-E-BC1-E-9-F17-C7124-C4-F.jpg
SW 335 ?.... spec was 323-326. No QC can do that... is a big problem. Tecnifibre better get their act together on that fundamental subject, we reported those problems already. SW of plus or minus 1.5 Kg-cm^2 need to be the goal. Hopefully that will be accomplished in the next production.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
SW 335 ?.... spec was 323-326. No QC can do that... is a big problem. Tecnifibre better get their act together on that fundamental subject, we reported those problems already. SW of plus or minus 1.5 Kg-cm^2 need to be the goal. Hopefully that will be accomplished in the next production.
Maybe you got lucky with an underspec. XTC was on the range of 325-300. RS SW increased at 330-335. Most YouTubers have reported this :)

26-EDBC28-34-BF-4015-A89-C-CD5500649-C46.jpg
 

ClaudTT

Semi-Pro
Maybe you got lucky with an underspec. XTC was on the range of 325-300. RS SW increased at 330-335. Most YouTubers have reported this :)

26-EDBC28-34-BF-4015-A89-C-CD5500649-C46.jpg
Well then, those 305 RS are really different QC, of the RS300 that I got (5) NOT one was above SW318 strung. OK, different pattern than 305 etc... but that is what I got. I tuned all frames to SW322 for my game. However, I still switch to my LTD frames if my arm gets fatigued, little less power but much total ball direction control and overall game.
So, I am reeeally looking forward to something that will give me the goldilocks and I suspect the new TF40 could be IT in a 16 pattern... ;)
 
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