Natural gut w/ shaped poly cross - durability

monomer · Jan 5, 2013

I have been using gut mains with MSV co-focus crosses and really like it. I am wondering about using up some shaped poly that I had been using in a full bed (BHSR, BHB7, Focus Hex).

Does anyone used a shaped poly cross with gut? I am assuming it will cut through the gut quicker than a smooth poly. I don't mind a bit shorter life but don't want to go from a 20-hr. lifespan to 10-hrs. or something like that.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

I doubt there'll be much benefit in having a shaped poly in the crosses.

Mains, maybe, but not crosses.

McLovin · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
I doubt there'll be much benefit in having a shaped poly in the crosses.

Mains, maybe, but not crosses.

Agreed. And if you put the shaped poly in the mains, its a waste to put the gut in the cross.

scotus · Jan 5, 2013

Depends on the shape.

As long as the edges are not razor-sharp, it should be okay.

I find that VS mains maintain their durability when crossed with RPM Blast. Focus Hex or BHBR.

Maui19 · Jan 5, 2013

I've played a lot of different kinds of crosses with my gut mains. I so absolutely no difference in durability between shaped and round crosses.

monomer · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
I doubt there'll be much benefit in having a shaped poly in the crosses.

Mains, maybe, but not crosses.

Normally I wouldn't want to use a shaped poly for the crosses. I just want to use up some reels I have. I didn't want to mess with it if it's going to quickly saw though the gut. Sounds like it's not going to be a big problem.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

monomer said:
Normally I wouldn't want to use a shaped poly for the crosses. I just want to use up some reels I have. I didn't want to mess with it if it's going to quickly saw though the gut. Sounds like it's not going to be a big problem.

Why not just sell the reels instead of shredding through your expensive gut?

monomer · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
Why not just sell the reels instead of shredding through your expensive gut?

It sounds like most haven't had this problem? Also, I have no idea how much is on each reel. It is a small amount of each, probably 1/5-1/3 of a reel so it's not worth the effort. I would just keep them and use it full bed if it is wet at all.

Muppet · Jan 5, 2013

monomer said:
It sounds like most haven't had this problem? Also, I have no idea how much is on each reel. It is a small amount of each, probably 1/5-1/3 of a reel so it's not worth the effort. I would just keep them and use it full bed if it is wet at all.

What do you mean by wet?

You might consider trading 40' lengths to try some other strings out. Maybe someone has some Co-focus, Outlast, Black Magic, Mosquito Bite, or 4G that you could try with gut mains.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

Muppet said:
What do you mean by wet?

You might consider trading 40' lengths to try some other strings out. Maybe someone has some Co-focus, Outlast, Black Magic, Mosquito Bite, or 4G that you could try with gut mains.

You can't play with gut when it's wet, or if there's excessive moisture in the air. Depending on the amount of coating (or the lack of it), the gut will be ruined by moisture.

Muppet · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
You can't play with gut when it's wet, or if there's excessive moisture in the air. Depending on the amount of coating (or the lack of it), the gut will be ruined by moisture.

Uggh! I didn't read it that way. I was thinking more about the poly than about than the gut. I haven't used gut much. Thanks for the clarification.

10ismom · Jan 5, 2013

My 13 year old daughter uses 15L Bobolat Tonic main and 17g Black widow cross. She gets 2 1/2 -3 wk out of a setup hitting ~ 10-15 hr/ wk.

Gut would look shredded but still playing well till it snaps.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

10ismom said:
My 13 year old daughter uses 15L Bobolat Tonic main and 17g Black widow cross. She gets 2 1/2 -3 wk out of a setup hitting ~ 10-15 hr/ wk.

Gut would look shredded but still playing well till it snaps.

So overall, your daughter is averaging ~30hours on a brand name 15L gut? That's quite low.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

Muppet said:
Uggh! I didn't read it that way. I was thinking more about the poly than about than the gut. I haven't used gut much. Thanks for the clarification.

It's ok, I get weird looks by people for refusing to play on a court with a puddle/damp balls.

10ismom · Jan 5, 2013

Never tried your brand gut yet. What would you suggest?

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

10ismom said:
Never tried your brand gut yet. What would you suggest?

No, I meant ~30hours on a 15L from Babolat (brand names usually last quite a bit longer than cheap econo-gut) is quite low.

Could be a result of using a thin and shaped poly in crosses sawing through the gut mains.

Smasher08 · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
I doubt there'll be much benefit in having a shaped poly in the crosses.

Mains, maybe, but not crosses.

There should be a moderate increase in spin production by using a shaped smooth copoly cross, and a considerable increase if textured.

The simple reason being that less surface area will come into contact with mains at each intersection, and therefore less friction.

I've heard good things about Focus Hex and RPM. One of these days I'm going to give Heptatwist a try, but the price of these setups is reduced longevity.

10ismom · Jan 5, 2013

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
No, I meant ~30hours on a 15L from Babolat (brand names usually last quite a bit longer than cheap econo-gut) is quite low.

Could be a result of using a thin and shaped poly in crosses sawing through the gut mains.

It could be. Never tried comparing with smooth poly since the current setup soothes her game. For our purpose, I like that gut breaks so poly is not left too long for a child.
OP probably prefers longevity.

Say Chi Sin Lo · Jan 5, 2013

10ismom said:
It could be. Never tried comparing with smooth poly since the current setup soothes her game. For our purpose, I like that gut breaks so poly is not left too long for a child.
OP probably prefers longevity.

This is debatable of course, but I think the elasticity and softness of gut will overshadow the ever increasing harshness/deadness of the poly crosses as time goes on.

At least that's how my stringbed feels. I don't ever notice the harshness of "dead" polys.

canny · Jan 6, 2013

I have Klip 18g gut in my mains and yonex poly tour spin in crosses at pretty high tensions 60/58. Im on 4 hours right now, There's no notching but just a tad fraying with the gut in the sweetspot but looks like normal gut ware to me. I havent ever broken a string but ive mainly used poly.

kimguroo · Jan 6, 2013

I use klip natural gut 16 (main) and focus hex 18L (cross) for my Japanese rebel 95" (310g). I am not a string breaker but focus hex wear out faster than non textured poly. I don't have accurate data but It might be about 30% faster. If I see notches in my natural gut, I put string savers in order to extend the life of natural gut.

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