Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Kirschbaum Flash 1.25

TW Staff

TW Staff

Administrator
Kirschbaum Flash 1.25 Playtest


REVIEW DUE: March 18

NO HYBRIDS

Include the following in your review:

What color did you review?
Tension(s) used for playtest
Power/Control
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Spin
Durability
Playability Duration
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why)
List any additional thoughts (optional)​
 
Last edited:
dandruffkb

dandruffkb

Rookie
probably have excess of strings and just trying to get it out for word of mouth and reviews

I have bad arm/wrist issues but am stubborn on using a poly, so soft/comfortable polys are up my route! I'll apply for it!
 
M Pillai

M Pillai

Semi-Pro
SlowTiger said:
Odd to have a playtest on string that launched 3 yrs ago but Kirschbaum is great bank for the buck strings.
Click to expand...
Well.... the real question is: Have you tried it before? I believe Kirshbaum does produce some good quality strings, but goes under the radar. I think that itself is probably an argument to get them to playtest list (so that players take notice).
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
I've played Flash 1.20 (black) and Flash 1.20 (orange). Different rackers and level of hitting though, Nova - beginner and Elevate -intermediate respectively.

I also have them both in 1.25 gauge. Once I have played Flash 1.25 (black or orange), I'll come back with my feedback.

For now, I just can say that the orange colour played more lively and the black a bit more dead/stiff.

From my experience so far from Kirschbaum, Max Power and Evolution hold their playability better than Flash, feel stiffer and more immediate feel of directional control. Flash is easier to play with though.
 
Alcawrath

Alcawrath

Semi-Pro
FoldingChair said:
Thanks TW, I got my set of black flash in the post today. I will be stringing this up soon.
Click to expand...
What color did you get? I won't get mine till Thursday. I know play testers will get different colors, but I'm just curious. Also, thanks TW for the chance to try it out and share!
 
C

Cowboy

Rookie
I'm intrigued.

I have a couple other Kirschbaum strings that I've purchased to try... black shark, pro line II rough, and synthetic gut. Flash has been on my radar, but I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
I will restring my Head Youtek Speed MP 16*19 tomorrow. I was planning to string it with something else, but if interested I can string it up with either Flash Black 1.25 or Orange 1.25
Let me know, if interested in my feedback.
kirschbaum-pack2.jpg
head-speed-youtek.jpg
 
P

PRS

Semi-Pro
I was gonna sit this one out since I'm finishing up the Hyper-G Round playtest, but today I see the thread title includes "(still accepting applications)" so I'll try my luck, haha. Just about done with the other playtest anyway!
 
Dunlop300g

Dunlop300g

Rookie
I'm using Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange right now in one of my Dunlop 300g's, so I hope to get selected so as to compare this Kirschbaum Flash vs Super Smash!
 
Last edited:
StringStrungStrang

StringStrungStrang

Professional
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
I will restring my Head Youtek Speed MP 16*19 tomorrow. I was planning to string it with something else, but if interested I can string it up with either Flash Black 1.25 or Orange 1.25
Let me know, if interested in my feedback.
kirschbaum-pack2.jpg
head-speed-youtek.jpg
Click to expand...
I have never play Kirschbaum Flash, is it considered a low-powered or lively string? I'm guessing from the description of comfortable control it is a on the low-powered end of the spectrum, but the label does say "powerful". I have to admit I like the orange color ( a bit brighter than SP Poly Plasma ) but the pink would be awesome in the the right racket.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
StringStrungStrang said:
I have never play Kirschbaum Flash, is it considered a low-powered or lively string? I'm guessing from the description of comfortable control it is a on the low-powered end of the spectrum, but the label does say "powerful". I have to admit I like the orange color ( a bit brighter than SP Poly Plasma ) but the pink would be awesome in the the right racket.
Click to expand...
It is livelier than Evolution and Max Power. I've played all 3 in the 1.20 gauge, Flash orange and Evolution using the same racket - Diadem Elevate V3 - and same tension - 22kg approx -.
I'd say that the orange Flash is a very good introduction into the Kirschbaum range. It's the easiest of the 3 to play. For example, at low-to-medium pace, Evolution and Max Power don't give anything, Flash can be played by lower level players. Evolution and Max Power offer better connection with the stringbed at high pace hitting.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
I'm in, hoping for a crisp feel from this string. I have been using Max Power rough on and off for the past 5 years so I am a fan of Kirschbaum strings. Just have to figure out what frame I want to string it up in.
Click to expand...
In my experience, Max Power 1.25 (Red wine colour) is exceptional on the Head Prestige MP 18*19 2021. No easy Power, no easy spin, but complemented that head-heavy racket with its high swingweight great on flat hitting with big flat swings and amazing touch at the net. Immediate, low-powered response, great playability stability if you hit flat like Dusan Lajovic.

I'll report my first impressions with the Black Flash when I hit this week. Still rainy.
 
Dunlop300g

Dunlop300g

Rookie
I'm in. I noticed yesterday that there's a 30% off discount on Flash right now at TW. So that's pretty sweet. IMHO Kirschbaum has always had a very very good price / value ratio. I use their syn gut as the "go to" stringing for my friends and I'm trying out Super Smash Orange right now which I've been pleasantly surprised with. It's a great value string for sure; the recommendation on it came from Nick Aracic from Intuitive Tennis. Although many years ago I used the Super Smash Spiky which I think Patty Schnyder used back in the day. https://www.wtatennis.com/players/190519/patty-schnyder I think that one was in yellow and it was a very spin oriented string. In those days polys were first being adopted; quite a difference today with them being the mainstay on tour.
 
Last edited:
codonnell

codonnell

Rookie
If you have any left I’d love to try as well! I’ve used kirshbaum pro line 2 in the past, very solid string. If not no worries! :) I also enjoy my tournament silver 7 which is on the livelier side which may this may be a good alternative.
 
StringStrungStrang

StringStrungStrang

Professional
TW Staff said:
Kirschbaum Flash 1.25 Playtest

The application period has closed
We will finish the selection process by Friday


REVIEW DUE: March 18

Include the following in your review:

What color did you review?
Tension(s) used for playtest
Power/Control
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Spin
Durability
Playability Duration
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why)
List any additional thoughts (optional)​
Click to expand...
@TW Staff your post did not specify if this is to be a full-bed only or are hybrids allowed. I am okay either way but would like to know before I string up my racquet. Thanks - looking forward to this one !!
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
StringStrungStrang said:
@TW Staff your post did not specify if this is to be a full-bed only or are hybrids allowed. I am okay either way but would like to know before I string up my racquet. Thanks - looking forward to this one !!
Click to expand...
I went full-bed and I'd recommend you go full-bed too. Among Max Power, Evolution and Flash, I would use Max Power in the crosses with something softer and shaped in the mains for its super good durability, bring the power levels down and maybe make up for some touch and feel at the net. I don't see myself using Evolution and Flash in the crosses or crosses with something else.
 
C

Cowboy

Rookie
Can the TWU string info be updated for the comparison tool? I went to compare this string to Babolat RPM Rough and they look very similar in terms of stiffness, tension loss, and energy return. However, there is no data for spin potential, string-to-string friction, or string-to-ball friction for Flash.

Also, it lists the string as "Kirschbaum Flash 16 (1.25)" but the picture of the package posted above (mine has not arrived yet) shows 1.25mm / 17. So I'm not sure if the string used for the TWU string comparison tool is 16 or 17 gauge.
 
TW Staff

TW Staff

Administrator
Cowboy said:
Can the TWU string info be updated for the comparison tool? I went to compare this string to Babolat RPM Rough and they look very similar in terms of stiffness, tension loss, and energy return. However, there is no data for spin potential, string-to-string friction, or string-to-ball friction for Flash.

Also, it lists the string as "Kirschbaum Flash 16 (1.25)" but the picture of the package posted above (mine has not arrived yet) shows 1.25mm / 17. So I'm not sure if the string used for the TWU string comparison tool is 16 or 17 gauge.
Click to expand...
We have alerted the Tennis Warehouse University professor about the absence of friction data along with the gauge typo. Given his current testing priorities, I'm not sure when/if he will get to it.

Jon
 
konstantinos kalfountzos

konstantinos kalfountzos

Hall of Fame
Back in tennis after a 10+ day break. Hit about 1 hour+ with the Kirschbaum Flash 1.25 using the Head Youtek Speed MP 16*19.

* My reference string is the RS Lyon 1.25 strung with the same way, same tension, without and with 4 grams of lead tape at 9 and 3.

The Flash felt stiffer than the Lyon today, at least for the first 20 minutes.

After that, I either got used to it or it broke-in. 2 hours later now, I don't feel any soreness, but very rarely have I felt any.

Power delivery was noticably higher and so was the responsiveness of the stringbed. Not a lively string, but I'd say quite responsive meaning dwell-time was short. Lyon was a bit longer.
Very nice touch on backhand slicing and several drop-shots I tried today.
Didn't go to the net a lot, will do next time.

Very consistent results in depth and placement on my flat strokes.

With this racket I like hitting quite flat and only hit with top-spin from inside the baseline or for the cross-court forehands.

The balls ran out of life towards the end, so I will have to give it another go with new ones.

The experience I had today was pretty similar with the one I had 1+ years ago with the 1.20 gauge used on the Diadem Nova. I finally preferred the orange variation.

The Black looks much better on the Speed though.

@TW Staff I will of course write a review using your usual format, once I've put several hours of quality hitting. I attach a hitting clip, because I strongly believe it's for our best interest to have a visual perspective and be able to compare our level to the one doing a review, even not a very advanced player.

 
StringStrungStrang

StringStrungStrang

Professional
Tennis Rx: String up a coil of this and call me in the morning .
Put in 2.5 hours last night and I was pleasantly surprised. To put that in perspective, I've been playing inexplicably horrible tennis over the past few weeks. By that I mean EVERYTHING about my game seems to be off (physically, mentally, spiritually) and even the simplest things just didn't work for me. Frustrated - yes! Confidence in the dumpster - yes! So I was really looking for a reset as I desperately strung up my racquet with yellow Kirschbaum Flash 1.25. The sun was out (for a change lately) and as I carefully wove the radiant yellow K Flash throughout my Pure Strike 98 it glistened in the sun and somehow gave me a glimmer of hope - and sometimes that's all you need.

Seriously, after about 15 min. I started to feel more like myself again and that was due to the consistent feel and response of these strings. Firm but not harsh, controlled but not dead, at 43/45 lbs. I play an all-court game and these seemed like a nice compliment. Groundstrokes, volleys, serves ROS all worked for me with no glaring holes. Definitely a string that is easy to play with and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them!
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Just got mine and strung it up. Indeed on the thinner side and the optic yellow color is awesome. This string really checks a lot of boxes for me so far. Obviously I need to hit with it, but I'm loving how it feels just bouncing the ball off it. It seems like it may have a really nice balance between firmness and pocketing. Looking forward to hitting with this one.
 
StringStrungStrang

StringStrungStrang

Professional
Another 3.5 -4 hours (6.5 total) and the Kirschbaum Flash (optic yellow) honeymoon continues!
Groundstrokes - solid, planted, controlled, crisp and direct. It has a pretty neutral launch not too high, not too low - very predictable and easy to get used to.
Spin - surprisingly good, especially considering that it is a round poly. I generally like shaped polys, but K. Flash represents itself quite well. I noticed this especially on serves where if I was aggressive enough I was rewarded in that the ball noticeably dipped, sliced and kicked.
Power is just about right. Not too powerful, definitely not dead, putting it in the control / power sweetspot for me. I did string relatively low @ 43/45 lbs, but it works well in my Babolat Pure Strike 98 and it is pretty comfortable too. Awhile back we tested Head Lynx Spin2 (maybe Lynx like) and this feels to me like the same class of string, leaving a very positive impression.

Not sure if I am head over heels in love with Flash, but without a doubt I could use it and be quite happy. It checks all the boxes to this point and it is reasonably priced, so it won't break the bank. The nice consistent response inspires confidence in your shots - something that has been missing from my game for a few weeks and that is always welcome. My results bear this out too; today I came up against someone who nearly bagelled me a few weeks ago, but this time he was the recipient.
I am looking forward to hitting again with Flash and keeping my momentum going.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TW Staff
PLAYTEST - Yonex REXIS FEEL 1.30 & 1.25
2
Replies
67
Views
7K
Mjolnir
Mjolnir
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse: Luxilon 4G SOFT 1.25 Playtest
Replies
34
Views
10K
Thatshot
T
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse: Kirschbaum Max Power Playtest
2
Replies
71
Views
17K
TennisManiac
TennisManiac
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse: Kirschbaum Xplosive Speed playtest!!
2
Replies
68
Views
7K
fjcamry
F
TW Staff
PLAYTEST - Yonex POLYTOUR STRIKE (blue)
2
Replies
67
Views
5K
StringStrungStrang
StringStrungStrang
Top