2019 Wilson Blade

dgoran

Hall of Fame
Have you tried max power rough? I love this string and probably will end up going with it in the Blade unless it doesn’t work well or Hawk touch blows me away. Just curious how typhoon compares there. All the strings I have tried are very similar - I like softer control polys and at this point just look for the best match in terms of feel. I have not even written off RS Lyon yet. RS works for me in pretty much everything.
I think it’s all just what we get use to using.
I spend more time with typhoon than any other string so I’m not saying its the best string but I know exactly how it plays new and dead.
I’m sure it’s the same with you and RS. You just trust it the most.
 

topspn

G.O.A.T.
Wrong! Still has countervail.

August 15 is when it ships from Tennis Warehouse
That is incorrect, TW has had inventory for the new V7s for a few days now and some of us already have the new frames. Check the site! You’re not going to purchase the new V7s and they ship you old countervails disguised in new PJ :-D
 
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Gemini

Hall of Fame
I'm actually becoming more interested in the 18x20. If I can find one to spec off the shelf, I'll customize the grip shape slightly, throw and leather grip on it and then it's off to the races. It seems like a racquet I might be able to play with customizations not focused on creating a more stable racquet.
 

bertrevert

Legend
deaner talk about serena one with CV

as opposed to the rest, and regular 104 v7
 
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Jster

Professional
I love the definitive "Wrong!", as in, "How stupid could someone be thinking, the V7 had countervail removed." LOL.
FYI, It actually doesn't have countervail on the V7 Blades.
Furiously......... Nodding my head.

"Meow~ that's right" said Meowth.
 

avocadoz

Professional
TW published the reviews for the 16x19 with a score of 83 despite this being a global playtest. Nothing to write home about.
 

tribesmen

Professional
Quite low score for apparently the best Blade. I had expected at least 89-90. 18x20 cannot be much different just because of few strings more.

Is this already end of hype?
 

Lozannois

Rookie
TW published the reviews for the 16x19 with a score of 83 despite this being a global playtest. Nothing to write home about.
Personnaly for me, last cv blade was way underated. So if they say this is an improvement over the last Blade, I am fine with that... It would mean it is still way too underrated.

Anyway, if this new version is not that good, I guess I will just stay with my 2015 version and my Angell. And that would be a proof that one more time, Nothing can beat an Angell [emoji48]

Envoyé de mon ONEPLUS A5000 en utilisant Tapatalk
 

Hankenstein

Hall of Fame
I have just got the 18/20 version and also the 100L version. I have customized the 100L straight away. A heat shrink sleeve to increase both weight, dampening and balance and some silicone inside the handle. Now unstrung weight is 310 grams and balance unstrung 31 cm sharp. Strung with Cyberflash 1.30 mm in 48 lbs. Will try this weekend.
 
Social media firms may be forced to turn off their ‘like’ functions in effort to keep children safer online under new strict web rules.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published a draft code to protect children ‘within the digital world’, suggesting new standards for online services likely to be accessed by children.

It seems too many children here :)
Like!! :)
 

DANMAN

Professional
Hit with my new blade 98 16x 19 last night. Strung at 48 with Luxilon Alu power fluoro. I have been playing with pure strikes for the last few years in 16x19 and hit with the CV blade over the summer and decided to give this a go instead of getting the CV version which I liked. I haven’t hit in several weeks and had an off night so will deserve some judgment until I can hit some more but first impressions to me was that it was lower powered than the CV version. It felt a tad slower to get around but my timing was somewhat off. I thought it felt good and had some good spin but to echo one of the playtesters my backhand slice felt off. To me, I think it felt solid but not a major improvement over the CV version. I may change my mind hitting some more and with different strings. There will be some adjustment as well coming from the stiffer strike 16x19.
 

topspn

G.O.A.T.
Only got to hit 16x19 last night for 1/2hr as we got kicked off the court by a league :( It is pretty much stock with1g @12, 3g @7” from butt cap and an OG. Plays with a bit of power and precision. Does feel light for me. Comfort is not an issue with BBO @49lbs. Took a couple of serves and my timing was off which doesn’t surprise me since it is lighter then my playing frames. Truly not enough time with the stick to say anymore. Center main spacing measures 1cm using basic tailor’s measuring tape, similar to my Dahcor frames. I am adding an Oehms leather grip before my next outing
 
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tribesmen

Professional
Hit with my new blade 98 16x 19 last night. Strung at 48 with Luxilon Alu power fluoro. I have been playing with pure strikes for the last few years in 16x19 and hit with the CV blade over the summer and decided to give this a go instead of getting the CV version which I liked. I haven’t hit in several weeks and had an off night so will deserve some judgment until I can hit some more but first impressions to me was that it was lower powered than the CV version. It felt a tad slower to get around but my timing was somewhat off. I thought it felt good and had some good spin but to echo one of the playtesters my backhand slice felt off. To me, I think it felt solid but not a major improvement over the CV version. I may change my mind hitting some more and with different strings. There will be some adjustment as well coming from the stiffer strike 16x19.
compromise - because it is softer it also has less power.
 

BobbyDe

New User
Played with my 2015 blade 98 last night and it’s a great racquet, flexible, great control, power when you need it, but switching back to my ig Speed mp 18x20 felt good after as it had more muscle and made a satisfying thud on impact. I’m hovering on pulling the trigger on a v7 blade 98 but not sure if it’s do anything better than either of my existing racquets
 

AA7

Hall of Fame
The reviews are very disappointing from the TW Staff. Its a shame

You can see the difference in graders.. you do not know how to calibrate the new reviewers... their scores are the lowest... you can compare Chris and Jason's scores/comments with relative to other racquets but you do not know these other testers.... that's why it's hard to take the score and comments and put it into perspective. Having said that, I wish i knew how they score or comment on other racquets b/c i find their comments to be more candid and less "generic".
 

JSeba11

New User
At the end of the day, the playtesters job involves selling more product. Can’t blame them if they put a spin on reviews. So yes, take them with a grain of salt
 

JSeba11

New User
Also, take the time to listen to what they say in the video review since the number scores they give racquets will vary because there are different testers on each playtest.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Always take them with a grain of salt. Look at project one 7 scores. I found lower tw scores= great frames. Lol

Yes thats exactly right. I can’t take people seriously who put this much stock into 3rd party reviews. You go out and hit the ball with it and like it or not. It’s your decision there. I remember the project one 7 scores and yet not many use that frame.
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
I still have to try blade with my string to compare it directly to gravity pro but so far my early impressions are spot on with the TW written review blade:81 and gravity: 89

Let’s see if blade takes it closer to even after restringing....
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
Interested to hear how v7 18x20 compares to 18x20 2015 blade? Anyone?

My buddy at the shop gets his Monday so I expact I will be hitting with it next week. I am a 2015 Blade user since it came out and havn't found any racquets that fit me any better. I hit the 16x19 V7 and I would switch to it from my 2015's, so I am hoping it is even more tru of the 18x20 V7. Excited about the possibilities.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Gravity is such a different frame though. It’s a 12 ounce classically weighted frame once you put a grip on it. Personally I always prefer the heavier frame when I demo, but the real test is under pressure in a match. I have not tried the Pro but based on the specs I am not sure I would put the Blade in the same class since it is a lighter frame that is probably a bit easier to use if you are a baseliner.

The gravity pro sounds really awesome to me though, and I love the direction Head went with it. The real test is making a frame with classic feel that plays at a modern spec. I am pretty positive I would love the Gravity Pro a lot, but generating tip speed with it in set 3 would probably be tougher than with the Blade.
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
Look on here for betters reviews and try it for yourself.

I like Tennis Nerd as a better source, but really I need to hit with them to see how I like them. I always say, my thoughts are usually different than most folks, but that is just how it plays for me.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Anyone hit the Tec TF40 305? Seems like an 18x20 blade doppelgänger.

Underrated racquet. The new Blade is softer to me and I also find the trajectory a little higher with the Blade compared with the TF40. The old 305 was 18x19 and I had one for a week while my friend was demoing it and a Juice. Thats when I compared it to my old Blades. Feel was stiffer on that model and the trajectory was really low, like annoying for me. I was going to buy one as a variant to my Blades, but I couldn’t adjust as fast as I’d need to.

You could probably have the T40 and the new blade and switch with no problems. The Tecs just launch a little lower and I like the feel of the Blades a bit more, but they are similar frames. I never was as into the feel of the Tec versions though.
 

avocadoz

Professional
Quite low score for apparently the best Blade. I had expected at least 89-90. 18x20 cannot be much different just because of few strings more.

Is this already end of hype?
I’m not sure anyone was hyping the blade besides the racquetholics on this board and many haven’t even tried them yet. Even TW reviewers didn’t hype the Blade. Their reviews seemed subdued and disinterested. No one was also claiming they’re switching to it. So I think their score reflects their video review. Again, the only ones hyping this racquet are the fanatics on this board.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I’m not sure anyone was hyping the blade besides the racquetholics on this board and many haven’t even tried them yet. Even TW reviewers didn’t hype the Blade. Their reviews seemed subdued and disinterested. No one was also claiming they’re switching to it. So I think their score reflects their video review. Again, the only ones hyping this racquet are the fanatics on this board.

The main people “hyping” the Blade are people who use the Blade regularly and are happy that the frame has feel again (which it does).

I just found it funny too read this type of exaggeration about hype from someone who uses an RF7A with RPM blast at a crazy high tension.

I really dont see much hype on this frame, its not for everyone, just like every other racquet. It does feel very nice if you like to hit the ball hard and value your arm.
 

tribesmen

Professional
I’m not sure anyone was hyping the blade besides the racquetholics on this board and many haven’t even tried them yet. Even TW reviewers didn’t hype the Blade. Their reviews seemed subdued and disinterested. No one was also claiming they’re switching to it. So I think their score reflects their video review. Again, the only ones hyping this racquet are the fanatics on this board.
IMO it is not a bad racket at all, but really not a good racket for a recreational players, there are better options in the same league. On the other hand it must be leaded for competitor players to get the best out of it.

I believe that softness is trendy at the moment, but just this softness ("FeelFlex" was moved from throat in Clash to 3 and 9 in Blade) will cause many buyers will switching soon. You really have to be good to get the most out of Blade.
 

anfield

Semi-Pro
Only got to hit ten minutes before it rained. First impressions, with gut/poly, 16x19 with OG, it feels head heavy, high trajectory, really comfy, but a bit too plush, not as much connection/feel as my Yonex. I use Duel G 310 at 342g 9 pts HL with gut/poly.

I'm adding a leather grip and a couple grams at 7" for this aftertoon's hit, I'll have a better idea, but it's lacking that graphite type feedback from the Duel.
 

avocadoz

Professional
The main people “hyping” the Blade are people who use the Blade regularly and are happy that the frame has feel again (which it does).

I just found it funny too read this type of exaggeration about hype from someone who uses an RF7A with RPM blast at a crazy high tension.

I really dont see much hype on this frame, its not for everyone, just like every other racquet. It does feel very nice if you like to hit the ball hard and value your arm.
First, I was an avid Blade (18x20) 2015 user for two years but decided I need more spin so I switched. I would consider myself a big fan of the 2015 Blade but hated CV. Second, I've never personally hyped the RF97A myself so you can't just assume that an uber-hyped racquet that I'm using is hyped by me. I use RF97A & RPM blast at high tension because it suits my ultra aggressive game not because it was hyped. Do I think the RF97A deserves it's hype? Absolutely. Do I also think that it's a bit overrated? Of course. But it's the best-selling Wilson racquet for a reason, no? Again, not the reason why I play with it and I'm also not even a Federer fan. I've never been a fan of the Blade 16x19 as I think it lacks control and just doesn't excel in any department in general, but that's just my personal opinion. The Blade 18x20 on the other hand is a fantastic racquet with great control and plow despite it's lack of weight. The reason why I think the 2015 Blade18x20 works well is because of that pop and feel you get on the ball. It's already a dense racquet, so you need that extra feel and pop. It just felt a bit brassy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, Wilson took that critique and ran away with it by taking the feel away completely when they updated it to CV and now it's still missing with v.7.
 
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