K7 Red?
2019 Wilson Blade
- Thread starter TennisCounrty
- Start date
EPINEPHRINE
New User
Been playing with a 2012 Pure Drive for the past couple years. Playtested both 16x19 and 18x20 – strung with Wilson Sensation, unsure of tension. The consensus seems to be 16x19 has more power/spin and the 18x20 has more control but less power/spin. I’m leaning towards the 18x20 but im not sure why…
Can someone point me to the right direction? Will this racquet help improve my technique as opposed to the pure drive which is very forgiving? Is it hard to transition from 16x19 to 18x20?
Can someone point me to the right direction? Will this racquet help improve my technique as opposed to the pure drive which is very forgiving? Is it hard to transition from 16x19 to 18x20?
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I know you weren't addressing me but I was on the original Black RF play testing. The Blade 16x19 V7 is more comfortable than the RF, the RF has a bit more power, but to me the this new Blade feels more stable and solid at contact.
alexg
Rookie
Three sessions with the 16x19 v7.
My racquet of choice is the previous gen Blade 98L leaded up to 332g static 323 swing weight, strung with Vs Team and YPTP 120. Keep in mind that unlike the regular 98, the 98L didn’t have CV, but besides this the setup is close to a regular blade (with a slightly lighter SW).
Strung up the v7 with the same strings at 54/52 (continuous pull, first clamp to last clamp of about 35 mins) and played 3.5 hours in the past 3 days.
V7 gives a more controlled response, with slightly less power, and better touch & feel. The closest feel I have experienced anywhere is the Djokovic racquet I had an opportunity to play with (his older 18x20 version) that had poly (Alu Power rough iirc) and gut across. That was a copy from priority one, with the glossy finish and “Novak” sticker in the throat. Next closest would be a DR98 with gut and poly, although the DR98 felt a tad less stiff and less powerful, despite having a 62/63 RA as well.
With the v7 and this setup, the strings seem to give at the same time as the racquet gives, providing a consistent, harmonious response. At a purely physical level I understand that the strings actually give and return to their original shape before the racquet has finished deforming, but it’s how it feels. Like the racquet and strings work together. It’s really quite a pleasurable experience to hit a crisp volley with it.
With the previous gen, it’s mostly strings giving way and the racquet is a bit stiffer and more powerful. A bit too powerful for the touch volleys imho, which was its only downside really.
Hope this helps.
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My racquet of choice is the previous gen Blade 98L leaded up to 332g static 323 swing weight, strung with Vs Team and YPTP 120. Keep in mind that unlike the regular 98, the 98L didn’t have CV, but besides this the setup is close to a regular blade (with a slightly lighter SW).
Strung up the v7 with the same strings at 54/52 (continuous pull, first clamp to last clamp of about 35 mins) and played 3.5 hours in the past 3 days.
V7 gives a more controlled response, with slightly less power, and better touch & feel. The closest feel I have experienced anywhere is the Djokovic racquet I had an opportunity to play with (his older 18x20 version) that had poly (Alu Power rough iirc) and gut across. That was a copy from priority one, with the glossy finish and “Novak” sticker in the throat. Next closest would be a DR98 with gut and poly, although the DR98 felt a tad less stiff and less powerful, despite having a 62/63 RA as well.
With the v7 and this setup, the strings seem to give at the same time as the racquet gives, providing a consistent, harmonious response. At a purely physical level I understand that the strings actually give and return to their original shape before the racquet has finished deforming, but it’s how it feels. Like the racquet and strings work together. It’s really quite a pleasurable experience to hit a crisp volley with it.
With the previous gen, it’s mostly strings giving way and the racquet is a bit stiffer and more powerful. A bit too powerful for the touch volleys imho, which was its only downside really.
Hope this helps.
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the_faceless_player
Professional
About to spend my week putting the 16x19 & 18x20 Blades toe to toe with the TF40s. Considering a move away from my DR98s and we'll see if either will fit the bill
anfield
Semi-Pro
I found the Red way too launchey, the string pattern is so open it looks like a Belgian Waffle. I'd play the Lime over the Red anyday, just get much thinner strings.
My only gripe with the Lime was I did not feel connected to the ball and there was also a bit of a strange non-linear powerband, some 3/4 swings would just take off. Maybe it has to do with the super comfy kevlar/aramid fibers, but I just could not trust it. I just prefer the linear graphite feel of the Duel G, along with 97" head, 16x20 and 9 HL balance.
The new blade was too muted and head heavy for me, even after putting on leather. Maybe if I had put full poly instead of gut/poly it might have had more connection, but I'm never playing full poly again.
I'm eagerly awaiting the new Yonex Emerald HD 18x20, but I would imagine it will have a really tight pattern considering even the 16x19s have four mains in the throat, but with 59 RA, it will allow for some nice ball shaping swings.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I used Tourna Silver 7 Tour 17 gauge at 46 pounds and that was at the higher end of where I wanted it to be. Probably decreasing the crosses by 2-4 pounds would have added a bit higher launch angle and a bit more comfort without sacrificing control.
parasailing
Legend
I tried the tf 40 and it felt solid but not as maneuverable as the blade 18x20 at the same specs. It wasn't as plush.
parasailing
Legend
Thanks for the feedback. What tension and string did you use for your Blade v7 16x19?
I am about to string it up.
With the rf 97a, I had tennis elbow even when it was strung with poly at 52lbs.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
54lbs. Please see post #936, as I have more detailed information there. Hope that helps.
BBender716
Semi-Pro
Great to hear! I'm trading in my Pure Aero Tour and Lime for Pure Strike One 7 and Blade 16x19. We'll see what stays with my TC95
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topspn
Legend
Loved the p17 but got rid of it due to arm discomfort. The blade has decent power but more plush on the arm and still not a noodle at all. I am combing with a crisp string tooGreat to hear! I'm trading in my Pure Aero Tour and Lime for Pure Strike One 7 and Blade 16x19. We'll see what stays with my TC95
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You’ll have plenty fun with all of them
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I’m feeling like Typhoon could be a really good string for this frame after putting it in at 46#s today. I should have impressions by tomorrow night.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I put 17 gauge Silver 7 Tour into the v7 Blade 98 18X20 at 46 pounds and that was a bit high for my preference. 47 with the same string in 16X19 sounds dead on for what I would prefer, which is a medium-stiff stringbed.
topspn
Legend
Thanks for the feedback, glad I’m in the ballparkI put 17 gauge Silver 7 Tour into the v7 Blade 98 18X20 at 46 pounds and that was a bit high for my preference. 47 with the same string in 16X19 sounds dead on for what I would prefer, which is a medium-stiff stringbed.
parasailing
Legend
I just strung up my Blade v7 16x19 at 46lbs mains/44lbs crosses with Head Hawk Touch 17g. The racquet came unstrung at sw of 295 and 304 grams. Dampener add 2 SW and the string added 33 SW so it came out to a perfect SW of 330 and 327 grams with overgrip.
Will try to take this to the court to see how well it performs.
Will try to take this to the court to see how well it performs.
dgoran
Hall of Fame
So it comares to Nole's Radical...Nice That is some high praise
dgoran
Hall of Fame
Sorry I didnt see this earlier. I had a crazy busy day yesterday but looks like you already strung it up at mid 40's.
I am honesty still debating. When 4g softened up and dropped from 50 - 42 racquet felt super plush while on the other hand became too powerful on some shots so it might be just 4g I dont know yet.
I think I will go with 50 because it will settle on 45lb or so and also that will match gravity pro that was strung with typhoon at 50 as well...
Ill adjust from there
Tennusdude
Semi-Pro
The coach got mixed up, that was Bobby Riggs that could beat you with a frying pan or a broom or maybe even a feather duster.
because that's the main difference between 16x19 vs 18x20 setup?
16x19 is deemed as more open, were strings are allowed for more movement which translates into more power and spin.
18x20 is deemed as close pattern, were strings move less, thus giving you more control on the expense of power and spin. In general is a good setup if you face balls with solid pace and spin, allowing you to redirect that pace with control. However you need solid technique to generate your own pace + spin. Due to the closed setup, the launch angle of the ball is supposed to be lower, so without proper spin, you risk to hit out long when trying to go for winners.
FedGR
Professional
46/44? I haven't played with the Touch version of the Hawk but that seems a bit low for the V.7 as the racket (even the 18x20) does pack some power. I had found the regular Hawk at 50# to be perfect for the 2015. But I guess everybody is different. Happy hitting and let us know how it went. I really wanna try the 16x19 version too.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Its all about trajectory for me. I like to get easier net clearance so I try and string lower in an 18x20 when possible , but I also use a heavy SW grip and hit with a lot of spin. I think 50#s is a really good tension, but I hit with Hawk touch at 49#s and it was low trajectory and a bit dead. I think it may have been the string in this case, I really did not like it. It's not at all like regular Head Hawk. I got 3 packs of Typhoon so I figure if I like the string and it's a bit too low in tension. I can string it a bit higher next time. Currently I am at 46#s.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Written review is up for those who need the numbers - https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/WB9882/WB9882Review.html
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Mid 40s tension full poly strung on a constant pull machine in a dense 18x20 frame is not low tension and quite common. If I remember correctly Tiafoe strings in this range for example. Frames with static weight under 12oz tend to do better in this tension range with full poly in my experience.
So, not a big difference in overall score compared to the 16x19 version. Global review wasn't the reason the grades were lower than expected.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
85 is a solid score for any racquet, imo. The Phantom 93 got the same score, new Pure Aero was 86 and I think the YY VC 310 was an 86. Factoring in different playtesters..etc, I wouldn't consider it that low. If I remember, the Pure Strikes were some of the most hyped scored frames on TW with around an 89 or 90 and I think the new blade is a lot better frame.
Boils down to personal preference. The specs aren't for everyone and the softer, classic feel is not going to work for everyone either.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I agree with you there. I string on a CP machine as well.
What’s interesting is every play tester besides Mark rated it a 8.7 overall whereas his was an 8. Yet in the dislikes section, Mark’s answer was “Zero!” [emoji848]
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haha. Mark is a hard-grader always... if you are putting him into playtest you are guaranteeing 85 at best anyways...
spot on, all my blade friends have used my prince TT 100p said the feel is so much better, they were skeptical at first thinking it was the strings, so they tried the same strings as mine on their blade (hybrid gut/poly) but the feel and feedback and spin was just different.
great racket that is only behind on the marketing of Wilson. tho I love the RF97, it is alas too heavy.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I'm not convinced that some arbitrary score given by people that don't play the same way you do is the best way to buy your racquets.
I mean if the 18x20 gets a grade 2 points higher than the 16x19, what does that really mean as far as your game goes as to which racquet would be best suited to you?
yes! that rating system is very accurate. it means he will play 2.4096% better with the 85 score stick.
Keizer
Hall of Fame
In that vein, you look at the individual scores and Mark only gives out scores in 0.5 increments, while the others give out scores in 0.1 increments. So that 8.5 number is additionally arbitrary because of that.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Agree abut the numbers. The most valuable part of a review is feedback from the playtesters on what they noticed from the frame. It's funny, if you read the feedback only, they all seemed to really like it a lot.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
Anyway you look at it, both new versions of the Blade are excellent frames. It all comes down to personal preference. These days I like a more open pattern to get a little more pop and spin. In my younger playing days, I would have clearly went for the 18 x 20 and added a lot of weight in the handle to make it more headlight. Since I am now in my early 50’s, I don’t want to be working too hard for every stroke. I have considered the 16 x 19 version and may only add a couple of grams to the handle, otherwise I will keep it stock.
Oh, 85 is a nice score, i just wrote that because some people thought that the 83 score for the 16x19 was lower because of the global review, with tester from australia and germany.
Since the 18x20 score is 85, i don't think that global review played a major role in the overall score of the 16x19.
Since falling for the 90 score of the po7, i learned to focus os the written and what is said on video and ignore the scores.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
They string faster?
LOL, since i don't string on my own that is not a big deal.
For some unkown reason the 16x19 felt better than the 18x20 in the CV version. It might be the slight lower SW.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Wait until you get into your later 50's.....
Has anyone played with the v7 Blade 104? Very strongly considering getting one, putting an XTP buttcap on it, and trying to mimic my SW104.
parasailing
Legend
I am hoping the 16x19 Blade v7 plays better so it will take less time for me to string up the racquet over the 18x20 version. So far loving the 18x20 update to my 2015 model but let's see how the 16x19 compares.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I timed myself doing my 16x19 extreme MP and 18x20 Blade. It was less than 5 minutes difference. I think a big piece of it is mental when it comes to stringing tighter frames.
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
The new basic grip used on Blades.
www.tennis-warehouse.com
Wilson Pro Performance Replacement Grip | Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
tennis347
Hall of Fame
I was also considering the new Blade 104 but the static weight is too light. I don’t want to be adding a lot of lead tape. I played with the 2015 version of the Blade 104 and the stability was horrible even adding lead tape. I keep myself in decent shape.
I will still be able to play with players frame in my late 50’s. I am just looking for a little more flexible forgiving racquet that’s not going to beat up my arm.
