TW Review: New Wilson Blade Racquets

rlau

Hall of Fame
I'm kind of surprised to see the 18x20 getting significantly lower scores than the previous model, even though the specs are practically the same, but it seems like Chris' scores are somewhat taking it down, as Jason, Sean and Andy gave higher marks.

Killer paint job though -- I love it.
 

cmendez79

Semi-Pro
I want the 93 !!!!!

But anybody has try them out?? the only thing that scares me is the flex rate, at 67 is going to kill my elbow, I have te !!!
 

Ashanti

Rookie
Im liking the 104 or the 98 18x20 blades they seem to be winners as well as the 93 but that's to small for my taste
 

TW Staff

Administrator
I'm kind of surprised to see the 18x20 getting significantly lower scores than the previous model, even though the specs are practically the same, but it seems like Chris' scores are somewhat taking it down, as Jason, Sean and Andy gave higher marks.

Killer paint job though -- I love it.

My overall score was incorrect. It should be 80. It is being corrected.

Chris, TW
 
Every time I see the fantastic scores for the 11.7 ounce plus rackets, I get tempted but when I use them, they remind me that I'm not 30 anymore(heck, I'm not even 40 anymore).
 

hersito

Rookie
In contradiction with most of the people I don't like the PJ i think golden lines in stead of silver one would have been better. That said im considering getting 2 pink blade 98 instead of 1 B98 2013, just trying to convince my brain that having a pink racket is not that big of a deal if it costs 50% less than a golden one... Maybe when blade 2013 are 150 U$D I'll buy one.
 

Doublebounce

Professional
What type of polyester string would you reccomend for the 98 18x20 and at what tension? I am thinking about switching to this frame but not sure what setup to try it with
 

Sumo

Semi-Pro
just trying to convince my brain that having a pink racket is not that big of a deal.

Pink is where it's at, and I think looks badass.
Just watch any of the breast cancer awareness nfl games and you'll no longer have any qualms about it.
 

Xonemains

Semi-Pro
I was looking forward to the testing the 16 x 19, but now I got my eyes on the mid.

If it is better than the old k blade, that will be a huge seller.

I know so many guys still still hitting the k blade tour, mayb their new stick has finally arrived.
 

1st Seed

Professional
Shame the 93" wasn't a 16x19 ala pb10.Would you agree Chris?,And elaborate on the flex if u could please
Still great review TW,
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
Hey T-dub?

Nice job getting the reviews out with the pre-sale, great way to inform the consumer.

Had one question, the grip `wilson sublime', is this a variation on the hybrid-leather grip or a completely new synthetic grip?
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Hey Jason, just wondering since you mentioned in the 18x20 review that you prefer the 16 19 because it felt easier to swing.. I just checked up on the stats and it looks like the 16 19 actually is 1 point higher on the SW.. what do you think made it feel lighter to swing for you? I found that the BLX Blade was too tough to swing so I'm hoping the 16 19 will be easier!
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Hey Jason, just wondering since you mentioned in the 18x20 review that you prefer the 16 19 because it felt easier to swing.. I just checked up on the stats and it looks like the 16 19 actually is 1 point higher on the SW.. what do you think made it feel lighter to swing for you? I found that the BLX Blade was too tough to swing so I'm hoping the 16 19 will be easier!

The new blades have similar swingweights to the old ones, so I wouldn't expect anything drastically different. There is always the lighter oversize model though.
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
The new blades have similar swingweights to the old ones, so I wouldn't expect anything drastically different. There is always the lighter oversize model though.

The odd thing is that I find that swinging my PSTGT to be easier than the previous Blade 98.. when the PSTGT has a higher SW.. which baffles me. Maybe things could be different with the new Blade? I've always been a huge Blade fan since I loved playing with the N and K versions. As for any other future racquets I might be interested in.. the new Head Speed catches my attention so hopefully that one plays nicely :)
 

Hankenstein

Hall of Fame
I tried the 16/19 yesterday. Strung with Wilson Sensation.

I have to say i like the 16/19 more then 18/20. 16/19 have more power, more response in the stringbed. The tighter 18/20 is a tad stiff imo and its much easier to play with the 16/19. For me, the choice is easy

Only downside with the 16/19 version is the new wilson-grip "sublim" or what its called. It is the worst base-grip in tennis history. It must be a misstake or something. A bad batch. If you are a player only using the base-grip, remove it straight away, dont even try it. It gets slippery after 2 minutes
 

tyu1314

Semi-Pro
So, is the blade tour heavier,if i replace the grip with the same leather grip as the previous model? since it used to be leather and now with different grip? Or the new grip weight about the same as the leather?
 

Shangri La

Hall of Fame
I tried the 16/19 yesterday. Strung with Wilson Sensation.

I have to say i like the 16/19 more then 18/20. 16/19 have more power, more response in the stringbed. The tighter 18/20 is a tad stiff imo and its much easier to play with the 16/19. For me, the choice is easy

Only downside with the 16/19 version is the new wilson-grip "sublim" or what its called. It is the worst base-grip in tennis history. It must be a misstake or something. A bad batch. If you are a player only using the base-grip, remove it straight away, dont even try it. It gets slippery after 2 minutes

Does the 16*19 have a lot less control than the 18*20 like TW's score indicates?
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Hey Jason, just wondering since you mentioned in the 18x20 review that you prefer the 16 19 because it felt easier to swing.. I just checked up on the stats and it looks like the 16 19 actually is 1 point higher on the SW.. what do you think made it feel lighter to swing for you? I found that the BLX Blade was too tough to swing so I'm hoping the 16 19 will be easier!

Great question! It all could be a figment of my imagination. But I decided to take this question to our TW Professor. This is what he said, "Strings are most of the aerodynamic drag, not the frame. So there will be more (drag with the 18x20), but don't know what players can or can't feel and how much change in pattern is necessary."

Jason, TW
 

jjl

Rookie
Tough call between the 16x19 and 18X20 for me. had a nBlade 98 18x20 that i liked but wished had a bit more power, so 16x19 seems the way to go, but not sure i want less control as a result. guess i'll have to demo both.
 

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
Chris,

Since you are a former PB10 Mid player, how would you compare it to the blade 93? Also, if you could only play with either the PB10 Mid or the Blade 93, which would you pick and why?
 

lefty001

Rookie
Why is there a huge difference in weight between the 16x19 and 18x20?
I thought Wilson advertised these 2 sticks having the same weight

304g unstrung

I wonder what the specs say on the racquet itself.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Why is there a huge difference in weight between the 16x19 and 18x20?
I thought Wilson advertised these 2 sticks having the same weight

304g unstrung

I wonder what the specs say on the racquet itself.

It's Wilson's QC. Just make sure you get your sticks weighed before you buy them.
 

mykoh

Rookie
Why is there a huge difference in weight between the 16x19 and 18x20?
I thought Wilson advertised these 2 sticks having the same weight

304g unstrung

I wonder what the specs say on the racquet itself.

could it also be that the 18x20 string pattern requires more string than the 16x19 and hence the difference in weight?

assuming that's correct, the weight of string for the extra mains and crosses would be 6.24g. sounds reasonable..
 
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