2015 Blade 98S vs Six One 95S vs Pro Staff 97S

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
Hi. I have been enjoying the 2015 Blade 98's lately (*both 18x20 and 16x19 - they feel like they are different rackets, not just the the string pattern differences) and have decided to get the 98S.

Just wanted to know if there are ways to tweak the frame to get the most out of the frame. Sounded like the power is tough to control. Perhaps adding some weight in the handle for more HL balance?

Also, for those of you who use the spin effect frames from Wilson, what are the key differences? I am especially interested in the comparisons of the Six One 95S vs Pro Staff 97S vs Blade 98S.

Thanks.
 
Well... The Blade 98S produced the most arch/the highest trajectory for me. This translated into hitting deep balls with a high arch and somewhat of a difficulty to combine depth with a flatter trajectory. If I really swung at it while making lighter contact I could find acute angles that were quite amazing, but the ball tended to be loaded with spin and rather very floaty. Mid court balls were set up shots for my opponent, because the spin component was too large relative to the speed component and the ball jumped into the strike zone. Overall I would not recommend lead in the hoop as I did, for the racquet is plenty lively already. Significant amounts of weight in handle/buttcap may be able to counter the problem somewhat, but I generally recommend this racquet to guys who really like to rip topspin groundstrokes and need some help in the power/depth department (probably guys with extreme grips).

The 6.1 95S is more controllable. The launch angle is reminiscent of the Blade, but it is less extreme and more suited to traditional strokes. The feel still is quite lively and jumpy though, which isn't the best when you want to pin-point a shot into a target. I was more versatile with this stick in regards to trajectory and depth, but I found myself playing through the middle an awful lot, because I had difficulties gauging just how deep the ball would go. I once again struggled to find the balance between depth, topspin, pace, and trajectory essentially. This racquet is more accessible to a wider crowd IMO, but those who still want to have that spin pattern's lively feel on contact.

The PS 97S is far and away the most controllable racquet of the bunch IMO. The launch angle is lower and the spin levels are lower relative to the pace produced, but it is this which makes the racquet more suited to people used to traditional string patterns IMO. When making lighter contact on topspin strokes you really get a lot of spin, but the ball isn't quite as floaty (the launch angle is lower and more predictable, so there is more court penetration). Flatter shots are easier to play as well, and I personally find it rather easy to vary my shot trajectory from a few inches over the net, to several feet over the net. Granted, the jump after the bounce isn't quite as extreme, but therefore I can readily vary my shots' nature and set up or finish off a point to my liking. This racquet also is more forgiving in regards to the contact point, as I find the more exaggerated string patterns to really punish late contact with the ball.

If there's anything I've forgotten to mention, let me know :)
 
By the way, you mentioned the 16x19 and 18x20 blade feeling like different racquets... How so? (Sorry for sidetracking :oops:)
 
By the way, you mentioned the 16x19 and 18x20 blade feeling like different racquets... How so? (Sorry for sidetracking :oops:)
The 16x19 felt more stiff and crisp, whereas the 18x20 felt soft and more plush.

When I am on, I play a lot more aggressive game with the 16x19. The pattern is concentrated in the center of the racket, so there is a plenty of control. It feels super crisp and offers lots of power as well. Just the shots outside the sweet spot felt weak and under powered. I did not notice more spin. One thing was that I had to swing hard and fast to get the best results.

The 18x20 felt much softer and offers much better control and more forgiving on the off center hits. It is much more comfortable and feels more flexible. It does feel some what muted compared to the 16x19 but still has some of the modern crisp feel, just not super crisp like the 16x19. Great directional control, as well as the depth control. It still offers substantial power, just not as much as the 16x19.

Overall, I like the 18x20 better on rallies and doubles. I have more variety using the 18x20. But I like the 16x19 on singles where I can try to overpower my opponent.
 
Well... The Blade 98S produced the most arch/the highest trajectory for me. This translated into hitting deep balls with a high arch and somewhat of a difficulty to combine depth with a flatter trajectory. If I really swung at it while making lighter contact I could find acute angles that were quite amazing, but the ball tended to be loaded with spin and rather very floaty. Mid court balls were set up shots for my opponent, because the spin component was too large relative to the speed component and the ball jumped into the strike zone. Overall I would not recommend lead in the hoop as I did, for the racquet is plenty lively already. Significant amounts of weight in handle/buttcap may be able to counter the problem somewhat, but I generally recommend this racquet to guys who really like to rip topspin groundstrokes and need some help in the power/depth department (probably guys with extreme grips).

The 6.1 95S is more controllable. The launch angle is reminiscent of the Blade, but it is less extreme and more suited to traditional strokes. The feel still is quite lively and jumpy though, which isn't the best when you want to pin-point a shot into a target. I was more versatile with this stick in regards to trajectory and depth, but I found myself playing through the middle an awful lot, because I had difficulties gauging just how deep the ball would go. I once again struggled to find the balance between depth, topspin, pace, and trajectory essentially. This racquet is more accessible to a wider crowd IMO, but those who still want to have that spin pattern's lively feel on contact.

The PS 97S is far and away the most controllable racquet of the bunch IMO. The launch angle is lower and the spin levels are lower relative to the pace produced, but it is this which makes the racquet more suited to people used to traditional string patterns IMO. When making lighter contact on topspin strokes you really get a lot of spin, but the ball isn't quite as floaty (the launch angle is lower and more predictable, so there is more court penetration). Flatter shots are easier to play as well, and I personally find it rather easy to vary my shot trajectory from a few inches over the net, to several feet over the net. Granted, the jump after the bounce isn't quite as extreme, but therefore I can readily vary my shots' nature and set up or finish off a point to my liking. This racquet also is more forgiving in regards to the contact point, as I find the more exaggerated string patterns to really punish late contact with the ball.

If there's anything I've forgotten to mention, let me know :)

Thanks. You are awesome.
 
Hi. I have been enjoying the 2015 Blade 98's lately (*both 18x20 and 16x19 - they feel like they are different rackets, not just the the string pattern differences) and have decided to get the 98S.

Just wanted to know if there are ways to tweak the frame to get the most out of the frame. Sounded like the power is tough to control. Perhaps adding some weight in the handle for more HL balance?

Also, for those of you who use the spin effect frames from Wilson, what are the key differences? I am especially interested in the comparisons of the Six One 95S vs Pro Staff 97S vs Blade 98S.

Thanks.
I added .5 oz in the butt using .25 oz fishing weights pushed into the foam then sealing with hot melt glue. The 98s is now about 5 pts head light and now hits a heavier ground stroke while maintaining the spin on serves.
 
I added .5 oz in the butt using .25 oz fishing weights pushed into the foam then sealing with hot melt glue. The 98s is now about 5 pts head light and now hits a heavier ground stroke while maintaining the spin on serves.
Awesome. I was thinking to do the same by adding weight to the handle as well. Did you add any weight at 12, or 3&9?
 
Awesome. I was thinking to do the same by adding weight to the handle as well. Did you add any weight at 12, or 3&9?

I added about 0.5 ounces in lead tape under the grip and have brought them to roughly 12.1 ounces strung with 15g revolve and a tourna grip and o Pete Sampras dampener. It hits a heavier ball and feels much better at the net to me. It has plenty of pop and depth control. My biggest issues is going for short angles where the launch angle is high compared to tighter string patterns
 
Well... The Blade 98S produced the most arch/the highest trajectory for me. This translated into hitting deep balls with a high arch and somewhat of a difficulty to combine depth with a flatter trajectory. If I really swung at it while making lighter contact I could find acute angles that were quite amazing, but the ball tended to be loaded with spin and rather very floaty. Mid court balls were set up shots for my opponent, because the spin component was too large relative to the speed component and the ball jumped into the strike zone. Overall I would not recommend lead in the hoop as I did, for the racquet is plenty lively already. Significant amounts of weight in handle/buttcap may be able to counter the problem somewhat, but I generally recommend this racquet to guys who really like to rip topspin groundstrokes and need some help in the power/depth department (probably guys with extreme grips).

The 6.1 95S is more controllable. The launch angle is reminiscent of the Blade, but it is less extreme and more suited to traditional strokes. The feel still is quite lively and jumpy though, which isn't the best when you want to pin-point a shot into a target. I was more versatile with this stick in regards to trajectory and depth, but I found myself playing through the middle an awful lot, because I had difficulties gauging just how deep the ball would go. I once again struggled to find the balance between depth, topspin, pace, and trajectory essentially. This racquet is more accessible to a wider crowd IMO, but those who still want to have that spin pattern's lively feel on contact.

The PS 97S is far and away the most controllable racquet of the bunch IMO. The launch angle is lower and the spin levels are lower relative to the pace produced, but it is this which makes the racquet more suited to people used to traditional string patterns IMO. When making lighter contact on topspin strokes you really get a lot of spin, but the ball isn't quite as floaty (the launch angle is lower and more predictable, so there is more court penetration). Flatter shots are easier to play as well, and I personally find it rather easy to vary my shot trajectory from a few inches over the net, to several feet over the net. Granted, the jump after the bounce isn't quite as extreme, but therefore I can readily vary my shots' nature and set up or finish off a point to my liking. This racquet also is more forgiving in regards to the contact point, as I find the more exaggerated string patterns to really punish late contact with the ball.

If there's anything I've forgotten to mention, let me know :)


Man you're real awesome.
 
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