n8dawg6
Legend
thats the truth. ive seen 3.5s be successful with just about everything
2019 Wilson Blade
- Thread starter TennisCounrty
- Start date
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I don’t care what they think. I only care about what you think of me.Wilson, and all tennis markting departments hate you.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Fixed it for you!
Tennis is a weird sport. If something doesnt work for you, and you dont feel good about it, don’t do it. Don’t try to commit to something you don’t feel happy with. If you like your clash, stick to that. And if there comes a day you feel like you have outgrown the clash than grab your blade.
parasailing
Legend
Took my Hyper G 17g strung Blade out to the court today and gotta say I like it more than Black Code 4S. Spin is much better and balls didn't sail as much.
I feel like it is easier to get spin on serves with Hyper G than Black Code 4S. I played two hours and couple of sets and it felt pretty solid.
I had it strung at 44lbs mains and 40lbs cross and found Hyper G 17 to be a tad softer and also less plastic in feel.
Definitely feels like 17G is a bit more comfortable but gonna see how long durable the string is.
I feel like it is easier to get spin on serves with Hyper G than Black Code 4S. I played two hours and couple of sets and it felt pretty solid.
I had it strung at 44lbs mains and 40lbs cross and found Hyper G 17 to be a tad softer and also less plastic in feel.
Definitely feels like 17G is a bit more comfortable but gonna see how long durable the string is.
It is not. New blade has a thinner beam and slightly more variation in the hoop if that makes sense. The Steam is basically an enlarged blade if that makes sense. Like somebody hit “zoom” on the blade mold. The 100L is not quite like that. I believe the throat/yoke geometry is a bit different, and it’s not quite as wide. I don’t have a steam 100 anymore to look again...it was a borrow racquet at the club and has now disappeared.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
To weight, or not to weight, and how much?
I have been playing with one weighted (8g in the handle) and one stock Blade. The difference is slight and overall playability for me hasn't been drasctic, but is noticeable. Interested in what others have done weighting wise and their expierences.
Wutchoo got on your V7?
I have been playing with one weighted (8g in the handle) and one stock Blade. The difference is slight and overall playability for me hasn't been drasctic, but is noticeable. Interested in what others have done weighting wise and their expierences.
Wutchoo got on your V7?
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Bone stock, with overgrip, strung with 4G no dampener: 328.5 grams, 4 HL, 335 sw. It’s a monster and makes me realize how out of shape I am. If I am not preparing well and not moving my feet I am in trouble. Otherwise, the blend of comfort, power on demand, predictability of response, and stability is sublime.
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MisterP
Hall of Fame
I left it stock 331g static weight. 328 swingweight with a Yonex Supergrap overgrip and no dampener.
If I were going to mod it, I’d add a Babolat natural leather grip and some lead in the hoop. But, it’s already powerful enough (except maybe on serve) and it handles pace really well for its weight.
I’m sure it would play great at about 345g and 335 swingweight (serving bombs) but I wouldn’t want to sacrifice the maneuverability for that little extra stability and power.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
I would also add, as much as I have settled on the V7, I still have this play test to line up. Just gotta coordinate with my buddy's shop. Might be Thanksgiving break week to do it.
| Name | Yonex VCORE PRO 97HD (18x20) | Wilson Blade 98 (18x20) v7 | Prince Textreme Tour 100P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 97in² / 626cm² | 98in² / 632cm² | 100in² / 645cm² |
| Length | 27.00in / 68.58cm | 27.00in / 68.58cm | 27.00in / 68.58cm |
| Weight | 11.90oz / 337g | 11.40oz / 323g | 11.50oz / 326g |
| Balance Point | 7pts HL | 4pts HL | 7pts HL |
| Swing Weight | 326 | 334 | 324 |
| Frame Stiffness | 59 | 62 | 66 |
| Beam Width | 20.0mm | 21.0mm | 23.0mm |
| Tip / Shaft | 20.0mm / 20.0mm | 21.0mm / 21.0mm | 22.0mm / 20.0mm |
| Composition | HM Graphite, Black Micro Core, NAMD | Braided Graphite & Basalt | Textreme/Twaron/Graphite |
| Power Level | Low | Low | Low |
| String Pattern | 18 Mains / 20 Crosses | 18 Mains / 20 Crosses | 18 Mains / 20 Crosses |
| Mains Skip | 8T,10T,8H,10H | 8T,10T,8H,10H | 8T,10T,8H,10H |
| Tension | 45-60 | 50-60 | 45-55 |
Change out the stock base grip of the racket for something thinner like babolat skin feel. Thank me later
MisterP
Hall of Fame
This guy is one of my favs. That backhand!
I went down from my Yonex Vcore pro 97 L3 to L2 on my blade.
MisterP
Hall of Fame
Skin Feel is good. I also like Wilson Featherthin, which is thinner than Skin Feel. You get a full grip size down with it. Durability is poor, though. You really need an overgrip with Featherthin.Change out the stock base grip of the racket for something thinner like babolat skin feel. Thank me later
Wheelz
Hall of Fame
Does it have space in the handle ? The demo I had didn't have much space to put anything. **Interested in the HD VS Blade comparison !
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Is featherthin the stock grip on the CV model? That grip is thin too.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
No weight for me besides an OG. That’s why I like the frame, it plays great in stock form. The more weight on the frame, the less racquet head speed, so thats why I don‘t mess with it. The SW provides a ton of plow as is.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
I have 8g crammed under the butt cap, and would be more using Tungsten.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
Good review. This guy is a good player and notes that the Blade is a demanding racquet with no easy power. I have been using the Blade 98 16 x 19 v7 for over 2 months and agree with this review. You have to be precise with your strokes and your footwork has to be really dialed in.
I also have been using the Angell K7 Red. I find this frame very user friendly and much more forgiving to play with than the Blade. Easier spin, racquet head speed along with a buttery feel, even more so than the Blade which plays a bit firmer. Excellent feel on touch shots for the slice backhand. I can be a little off center with the K7 Red and still produce a solid shot. This is not the case with the Blade. Don’t get me wrong that the Blade is an excellent racquet but I think the more forgiving Angell K7 Red fits my game better these days.
Interesting to hear his thoughts on the blade! This guy clearly likes power
. Its a shame he didnt test the 18x20 blade v7.but looking at this guy play I am thinking: if he already feels like the racket is too demanding for him, than why am I trying to play this stick? I would die for his slice backhand, wonderful shot!
For me the serve posed the biggest problem with the blade. I can’t seem to get it right, making me lose all my service games and thus my matches. Whereas as soon as I picked up the Clash 98 the served clicked big time. But I somehow dont want to give up on the blade yet.
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tennis347
Hall of Fame
Interesting to hear his thoughts on the blade! This guy clearly likes power
but looking at this guy play I am thinking: if he already feels like the racket is too demanding for him, than why am I trying to play this stick? I would die for his slice backhand, wonderful shot!
For me the serve posed the biggest problem with the blade. I can’t seem to get it right, making me lose all my service games and thus my matches. Whereas as soon as I picked up the Clash 98 the served clicked big time. But I somehow dont want to give up on the blade yet.
I also had problems serving with the the Blade consistently. My serve is my weakest stroke but I have been serving well with the K7 Red. It might have to do with the balance and swing weight. I have the same opinion about the Blade. Part of it for me is an individual issue with serving technique. Off the ground I have no struggles getting power and spin. I will still keep the Blade around.
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I completely agree. I have been serving amazing with the V7 16x19. Also feel the racket is almost too powerful but very precise. I've recently been able to tame the power by maxing out tension at 60lbs w multifilament and am now loving the racket.
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WillGinRVA
Rookie
Pretty sure the stock grip on the CV is the Wilson Sublime grip.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Interesting to hear his thoughts on the blade! This guy clearly likes power
but looking at this guy play I am thinking: if he already feels like the racket is too demanding for him, than why am I trying to play this stick? I would die for his slice backhand, wonderful shot!
For me the serve posed the biggest problem with the blade. I can’t seem to get it right, making me lose all my service games and thus my matches. Whereas as soon as I picked up the Clash 98 the served clicked big time. But I somehow dont want to give up on the blade yet.
I could be wrong, but I don't think he said it's too demanding for him... just a racquet for players with good technique... not for beginners, in his view. He obviously likes more power, but that's just personal.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
But thats how you win at tennis, so I’m good with that.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
I think that is what the V7 is too? I am really liking it though. I have over 25 hours of play on the stock grip and it is still holding up. Getting a little slick for Monday night, but not bad. May overgrip for tonight finally. That is good duration for me. I usually only get bout 15 hours.
WillGinRVA
Rookie
The v7 has a different grip that is more smooth than the Sublime, which is perforated.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Thanks. Going to have to look it up. Will need to buy a few soon.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
I don’t disagree with you! However, you really don’t get any free power and have to stay on the gas consistently. IMO the Blade loses its forgiveness when you are in defensive mode, probably due to balance being tip heavy IMO. If you are playing with good players you will be on the defensive. With my other stick, the K7 Red it gives you the forgiveness on off center hits and I can really carve the slice on the backhand on the defense with good depth to keep my opponent from teeing off on the next ball. I still really like the Blade but not playing defense with it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah, I mean any decent level of play you will have to hit defensive shots, but I dont have the same issues doing that. The Blade is so accurate and has so much plow that I can send wide shots back or slice back off either wing. I actually think defense is one of it’s strengths for those reasons.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
It also comes down to your playing level. I had added a little lead to my Blades at 10 and 2 as well on the butt of the handle. I think it gave me a drop more power but at the expense of some maneuverability in tight situations. The swing weight is definitely hefty for about 11.5 ounce racquet. I am going to take the lead tape off and see how it plays. At 52, I still play at good enough level 4.0-4.5 as well as good mobility to play with the Blade. It gets to be more of a mental issue when playing matches. Too many racquet changes doesn’t help either IMO.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
So, the racquet may teach you two things (minimum)... 1) How to get better at defence... and 2) How to become more aggressive so that you are the one dictating play and the other player is the on the defensive.
Znak
Hall of Fame
Finally got my hands on the 16x19 and 18x20 demos. I found the 16x19 bridged the gap between my DR and the 18x20 but it didn't have the same great feeling that the 18x20 has. The 16x19 felt hollow at times and not as stable as its counterpart — not sure if it was just me looking for differences. I didn't hit as well as I did previously with the 18x20 however, it's too bad these demo times are so short and fall weather is so unpredictable... Still undecided on the purchase, 65/35 right now haha
burma_shave
New User
Has anyone here hit with both the Blade v7 18x20 and the Tecnifibre T40 305? Any comparisons, impressions? I plan to play test both when TW Europe has demos available.
Moving from a Babolat ProjectOne7, which shredded my rotator cuff. My racquet before that was a Radical Youtek IG MP. I had no arm issues with that, even with a strung with a stiff poly.
Moving from a Babolat ProjectOne7, which shredded my rotator cuff. My racquet before that was a Radical Youtek IG MP. I had no arm issues with that, even with a strung with a stiff poly.
Lozannois
Rookie
Yep I did. Similar rackets. Most difference comes from feel. V7 feels very plush and flexible whereas TF40 feels more crisp and solid. For me TF40 has the best feeling ever. A little bit of a mix between a blade 2015 and the v7.
Personally I have both of them on my bag because It's easy to switch between the two.
Enjoy
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ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Anyone know which grip they use stock on the new Blade? Pro Performance or Cushion Pro?
Reached out to Wilson, but I am not patient.
Wilson Pro Performance per TW.Anyone know which grip they use stock on the new Blade? Pro Performance or Cushion Pro?
Reached out to Wilson, but I am not patient.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I’m with you, I like the base grip on the v7. The one on the CV blade feels cheap.
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would be curious to see what you think of these 2... they are really solid offerings... are you testing TT100P 2015 or 2019? I played with it a while.. Very solid stick... respectable. I find tt100 (310) to offer more stability (higher twistweight)... better manuevarability... better spin... more power and believe it or not more or less the same control...
are you guys playing w/out an overgrip? i have tourna on mine... but yeah wilson base grip to me is thin enough.. i like it..
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I only play with overgrip, usually the white Wilson Pro. But still, I am digging the v7 base grip. I’ve seen/played with worse lol.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Full disclosure: I have been playing the 16x19 v7 with my usual setup (4G at 44 on a constant pull). I need to use it for a few more weeks before I share my opinion vs the 18x20 but so far I am digging it. Same static weight as the 18x20 but slightly more headlight and slightly lower swingweight. Makes everything a little easier without sacrificing too much stability or plow while retaining that sweet v7 comfort and feel.
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time_fly
Hall of Fame
According to TWU, the twistweight on the Blade 98 v7 (16x19) is pretty low by modern standards. It’s around 13.6, and almost a full point behind the 18x20. I definitely notice that instability when I play it. There is very little forgiveness for being off-center on the 3 to 9 axis. On the other hand, since twistweight has been trending up in modern frames, that value puts it around traditional player sticks like the Pro Staff 90 And Prince Phantom 93. So some people may like the maneuverability.
If you don’t follow twistweights, I would estimate that most popular modern racquets 95“ and up fall between 14.5 and 15.5.
If you don’t follow twistweights, I would estimate that most popular modern racquets 95“ and up fall between 14.5 and 15.5.
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