WhereIsMacMac
Professional
Whats the specs of these sticks? How do they play?
Head Graphite Edge
- Thread starter WhereIsMacMac
- Start date
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
Will it kill my arm? LOL how much do they weigh anyway?
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
Can you name a "modern day" racquet that plays similarly to the edge?
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
How's the pricetag on these things
HRB
Hall of Fame
You can get Edge's everyday on the Web for under $30..they are the best kept "secret" in classics...they feel awesome, are actually whippy and can produce awesome spin! Serves are spot on...flexy as hell..which is the only detriment if trying to shove big serves back down your opponents throat (like I can with more modern stiff sticks).
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
Thanks for your inputs! I'm actually considering buying a pair
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
HEAD IG Prestige Mid! The Graphite Edge is buttery smooth. I can hit a very big ball with it.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Specs vary on those Graphite Edges, too. All of them are 80 square-inch traditional "mids," most (apart from the Graphite Edge 2 of 1987/8 ) are 18x20. The earlier runs of Graphite Edge came in various standard weights. Earlier ones have a rough, mottled black surface. Later ones are smooth and shiny black. All of them were made in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Earlier ones had individual grommets, later ones were redesigned to have plastic grommet strips. None (except the GE2) have a replacable plastic bumper, but do feature a molded-in plastic skid under the paint, which can wear down before any damage to the actual composite structure occurs. I don't know what the actual layup of the GE is (Head was always very mum on layup % data), but it feels to me like other classic 80% graphite, 20% fiberglass layups of the era.
Head also made Composite Edge frames (1984-1986ish) and Composite Edge Special Edition (1986ish-1987) frames in Colorado (before they shut down tennis manufacturing there and moved it entirely to Austria), and a host of various models in the same mold in Kennelbach, Tirol, Austria.
Head also made Composite Edge frames (1984-1986ish) and Composite Edge Special Edition (1986ish-1987) frames in Colorado (before they shut down tennis manufacturing there and moved it entirely to Austria), and a host of various models in the same mold in Kennelbach, Tirol, Austria.
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
thanks for your feedback! is it string sensitive or whatever?
joe sch
Legend
weight in grams/oz/flex/sw/balance in centimeters
=========================
Head Graphite Edge 348/12.28/44/331
Very nice classic graphite hitter for the control player with strokes
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I dont think the flex of 44 is accurate. Mine came out as 56RA. It was considered quite a stiff racquet back in 1982.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Which is string sensitive? The Graphite Edge or IG Prestige Mid? I have found both not to be string sensitive. With the IG Prestige Mid you will have to add weight to match the weight of the Graphite Edge.
joe sch
Legend
Dino's measurement of one of his hitting stock so could have seen much loving, not sure it could change 20% ?
Maybe a data entry typo ?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I stand by the measurement I took on my racquet with my own eyes.
joe sch
Legend
I trust your words and eyes.
I hope Dino responds since I would like his confirmation before I change my stats. I almost always cut/paste so do not think its a data entry error on my part.
Thanks VS
mrw
Semi-Pro
I know but they play soooo well the head size doesn't matter
Tar Heel Tennis
Professional
Thanks to this thread, I pulled mine out today for my social mens doubles match...
I remember when these first came out in the early 80s...they were 'da bomb'....
hitting today, the lack of power really stood out to me...but I was able to really hit out without worrying about 'fencing' any shots...
quite enjoyable to play with, but if I was forced to play competitive matches with an 80s stick, I'd choose my PS 6.0 85 (unless I could get my hands on a 95!)
Tar Heel Tennis
Professional
I'm talking about this version
this is the racket that I have.
I'll take it to my stringer in the next couple of days and put it on his RDC machine for measurements if anyone is interested.
schenkelini
Semi-Pro
This was my first graphite racket. I loved it! I switched from a Bancroft Players Special and never looked back. It was a wonderful stick!
leroy_sunset
Rookie
I love my HGEs. They are a PAIN to string.
Playability of sticks from left to right:
1. The left-most stick is older (rough texture, brand name "Head" in proper case text). Strung (incorrect pattern) with Gamma TNT2 mid-tension. Excellent condition, slight frame and paint damage. My favorite - I play with it once a week.
2. Just bought this one. Newer frame (smooth texture, HEAD graphics). Chips and gouges everywhere, paint so-so. Large grip (4 5/8 pretty sure). Will have to do something about the grip size. This will be my next best player once I get the grip and strings sorted.
3. Newer frame (smooth texture, HEAD graphics). Immaculate condition. Grommets are amazing. Paint perfect, hardly a scrape. 9.99/10. This will sit in the bag until my kids are out of college.
4. Older frame (rough texture, "Head") with amazing paint and excellent frame condition. Crispy but usable grommets. This is my favorite stick. This will also sit in the bag.
5. Older frame (rough texture, "Head"). So-so condition on paint and frame. No grommets. Awaits a proper Frankengrommet job (I broke a string on the last cross because of my poor grommet replacement). I will use this when forced.
6. This is the first HGE I ever had. Older frame (rough texture, but weirdly HEAD is caps like the newer ones). Grommets are toast. Frame is cracked at 12 o'clock. But I still keep it because it was my first
Playability of sticks from left to right:
1. The left-most stick is older (rough texture, brand name "Head" in proper case text). Strung (incorrect pattern) with Gamma TNT2 mid-tension. Excellent condition, slight frame and paint damage. My favorite - I play with it once a week.
2. Just bought this one. Newer frame (smooth texture, HEAD graphics). Chips and gouges everywhere, paint so-so. Large grip (4 5/8 pretty sure). Will have to do something about the grip size. This will be my next best player once I get the grip and strings sorted.
3. Newer frame (smooth texture, HEAD graphics). Immaculate condition. Grommets are amazing. Paint perfect, hardly a scrape. 9.99/10. This will sit in the bag until my kids are out of college.
4. Older frame (rough texture, "Head") with amazing paint and excellent frame condition. Crispy but usable grommets. This is my favorite stick. This will also sit in the bag.
5. Older frame (rough texture, "Head"). So-so condition on paint and frame. No grommets. Awaits a proper Frankengrommet job (I broke a string on the last cross because of my poor grommet replacement). I will use this when forced.
6. This is the first HGE I ever had. Older frame (rough texture, but weirdly HEAD is caps like the newer ones). Grommets are toast. Frame is cracked at 12 o'clock. But I still keep it because it was my first
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bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Why are they tough to string?
My parents did not have a lot of money, but they indulged my sister and I where they could - anything related to education or activities (sports, music, arts, etc.).
So, every year they would let me get a new racket and the Edge was among them. I also got a Head TXD, and some other frames based simply on looking at the pretty pictures in Tennis Magazine (some white Yamaha and the white Pro Kennex Silver Ace among them).
My parents did not have a lot of money, but they indulged my sister and I where they could - anything related to education or activities (sports, music, arts, etc.).
So, every year they would let me get a new racket and the Edge was among them. I also got a Head TXD, and some other frames based simply on looking at the pretty pictures in Tennis Magazine (some white Yamaha and the white Pro Kennex Silver Ace among them).
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
I've been on vacation and haven't frequented these boards for a while. The stats joe sch got from me was for the white version, and not the black one. As I now got two white ones, I decided to recheck them on the rdc-machine.
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
However... Just as I thought maybe the question regarding flex was resolved given that the racquets in question are of different models, the mystery struck back...
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Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Ouch, sorry about the blurry pictures... Didn't see how bad they were until now.
Anyway, I closely checked the racquets and the flexier one does have a what seems to be a tiny hairline crack, but that doesn't really account for the huge difference in weight. Not sure what's up there. The RDC-machine is working great, and always spot on when measuring new racquets where I can compare the numbers with TW's numbers, for instance. The flexier/lighter one isn't a junior racquet, either.
Anyway, I closely checked the racquets and the flexier one does have a what seems to be a tiny hairline crack, but that doesn't really account for the huge difference in weight. Not sure what's up there. The RDC-machine is working great, and always spot on when measuring new racquets where I can compare the numbers with TW's numbers, for instance. The flexier/lighter one isn't a junior racquet, either.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
58RA is where it should be. Back in 1981/82 it was considered to be a stiff racquet.
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Yeah, that's what I figured, given the previous comments. Thanks for your input. But what about the difference in weight?
leroy_sunset
Rookie
Shared grommets.
WhereIsMacMac
Professional
any idea how much these things are worth? thanks!
Harl Goodman
New User
I've got 2 in 5/8 grip
13oz 9HL
13.1oz 5HL
I have one in 1/4 grip
12.5oz 1HL
They are all the same version as you have with the all caps "HEAD".
If you hit the the ball "with your feet", these rackets continue to hold their own vs. the latest offering from any manufacturer out there.
Despite what appears to be a wretched bit of QC on the specs, the HGE is one of the best I've ever played with.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
QC probably wasn't all that great back then and the racquets were made in different factories. also racquets of that era often came in H, M, and L configurations. if i'm not mistaken it meant heavy, medium and light so it's possible you have 2 Ms and 1 L. even so there's quite a bit of variation in the specs for your 13 oz frames.
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Racquets with smaller grips were always lighter.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
QC probably wasn't all that great back then and the racquets were made in different factories. also racquets of that era often came in H, M, and L configurations. if i'm not mistaken it meant heavy, medium and light so it's possible you have 2 Ms and 1 L. even so there's quite a bit of variation in the specs for your 13 oz frames.
All the Graphite Edge's for the US market were manufactured in Boulder, CO, USA.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
interesting system.
and more interesting info. you are always a wealth of info and knowledge!
thanks for sharing as always.
I think the flexier/lighter one came with L on the weight while the firmer/heavier one came with M. I have severals of lower case matte black version, two of them being obviously heavier than the other. I also got a dozen of upper case glossy black version and they didn't differ that much in weight. Perhaps early matte version came with M and L , and late glossy version mostly come with L.
That's great. Good bargain. I usually paid $20 around on the bay, and had to spend $20-30 on international shipment. They are my main sticks now and I found the feel is unparalled.
max
Legend
interesting system.
and more interesting info. you are always a wealth of info and knowledge!
thanks for sharing as always.
the weight/grip size difference hearkens back to wood frames.
joe sch
Legend
I updated the listing and the Edge is now inline with the Pro and Vectors. All such nice specs, too bad they don't make rackets like these anymore. Who really wants Graphene or Basalt/Indolent anyways ?
Head Graphite Edge 348/12.28/56/331
Head Graphite Pro 363/12.80/56/345
Head Graphite Vector (80si) 342/12.05/57/328
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winchestervatennis
Hall of Fame
18 x 20? Is that right? I now have two graphite edges and both are 18 x 19. One is the rough finish with "Head" and the other is glossy with "HEAD." What i find strange is the rough finish has the more head feeling rectangular grip and the glossy finish grip feels more rounded or wilson-y
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
They are 18x19.
I have a premium edge that i got strung with 16x16 pattern.. i guess it was just done wrongly but is it an option to make it more ooen pattered? Will it hurt the frame ir anything?
I also have an exzelkence edge that is 18x19 and the grommets and drill pattern look the same.
Anyway what dies graphite 30 (on premium) and graphite 50(on excellence) mean on the top if the hoops?
I heard it means the headsize (30 or 50 percent above standard) but they are if the same size.
I also have an exzelkence edge that is 18x19 and the grommets and drill pattern look the same.
Anyway what dies graphite 30 (on premium) and graphite 50(on excellence) mean on the top if the hoops?
I heard it means the headsize (30 or 50 percent above standard) but they are if the same size.
