parasailing
Legend
I had a 2015 Blade 98 18x20 with a SW of 280 which was insanely low compared to my other 5 Blades which were around SW of 290-305 unstrung. Goes to show you how poor Wilson quality control is.
2019 Wilson Blade
- Thread starter TennisCounrty
- Start date
Which string pattern?
Znak
Hall of Fame
18x20
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Sold my 16x19 v7s. The 18x20 is the real deal. Had a brief flirt with the kblade 98...thing is an arm breaker with a tiny sweet spot.
welcome back...
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
WillGinRVA
Rookie
Played this past weekend with my 18x20 v7 and HyperG 17 at 57lbs, and loved it and played well with it, but it might have had a little too much SW for me at 307 unstrung. There were a couple running hits where I had trouble getting the racquet around on the ball. The flatter trajectory worked well for my eastern forehand overall and I was able to really rocket some balls in from the service line.
I have since received one with 300 unstrung, and it feels a decent amount more maneuverable, but we’ll see how it plays.
I’m narrowing in on finally selecting the racquet for me though and it feels good.
I have since received one with 300 unstrung, and it feels a decent amount more maneuverable, but we’ll see how it plays.
I’m narrowing in on finally selecting the racquet for me though and it feels good.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
That is a **lot** of tension. When I had a v7 18X20 extended demo, using a string very similar to Hyper-G, 46 pounds was on the high end of the preferred zone for the majority of us that played with it. The lower tensions will help give you a bit more ball speed and be a bit easier on your arm.
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
All you guys talking about the v7 18X20 when I have not tried it but am dialed in with the 16x19 already and have three of them... I hit pretty flat and hard on both sides with a low launch angle. I hit low, fast BH slices as well. Technically, the 18x20 might better suit my game. How is it for serving by comparison?
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Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
FedGR
Professional
A friend of mine that is a super strong guy and hits a flat ball demo'ed both and ended up buying the 16x19. He said he could hit equally hard with less effort with the 16x19.
Regarding serving, I found the 18x20 a bit cumbersome and had trouble creating enough RHS.
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
FedGR
Professional
Honestly, if you like the 16x19 you should demo the 18x20. The 18x20 is an excellent racket as well and makes on contact one of the best sounds I've ever heard from any racket! It entices you to hit the **** out of the ball!
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
It is tempting. I just have 3 matched 16x19's though.Honestly, if you like the 16x19 you should demo the 18x20. The 18x20 is an excellent racket as well and makes on contact one of the best sounds I've ever heard from any racket! It entices you to hit the **** out of the ball!
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Had the same feeling here, i just love the 16x19 , didnt try 18x20 yet.
I still play with 98 dr tho since I just got new one cheap.
But i cant forget the feeling with blade its really special and I will get it sooner or later.
Was just wondering about power difference with 18x 20 version tho.
n8dawg6
Legend
power is similar to me across all blades ... 98L, 98S, 16x19, 18x20. as it should be, theyre all the same mold. main difference between 18x20 and 16x19 is that the 16x19 has a little less swingweight and a little higher launch angle.
the varying reviews of an 18x20 being cumbersome, or a 16x19 feeling insubstantial or fluttery, prolly has as much to do w the level youre playing at as anything. and subjective personal preference, of course.
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
Thanks. I put just a little lead tape at 3 & 9 on the 16x19 (and 5g behind the buttcap). It feels more stable.
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FedGR
Professional
So my 18x20 ended up being defective and the store I got it from lets me get a new racket, any racket. Suggestions? PS98-100? Stiffness is a concern. New VCPs don't seem that appealing as I already have both old 310 and 330. Maybe TF40?
I know this is a Blade thread but what did you play with that you enjoyed? Needs to be similar-ish to Blade.
I know this is a Blade thread but what did you play with that you enjoyed? Needs to be similar-ish to Blade.
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WillGinRVA
Rookie
Why not get another Blade? Also what was wrong with your other one?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
How was it defective?
FedGR
Professional
I time my shots better with the 2015. So I might as well try something new.
There is something messed up in the handle, not sure what but it can't be fixed.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Allow me to suggest the Clash 98.
I tried head gravity tour today and was quite happy with it, not to say more since it was brief , its something to try for sure. Next lvl stuff for sure.Its faster then my dr 98 , maybe even more comfortable better feel as well, sweet spot is huge but slightly different spot.
FedGR
Professional
That's what I am thinking as well actually. Either this or the TF40.
I actually demo'd the Tour a couple days ago and really enjoyed hitting with it. Very comfortable, great feel and control. The problem is that I have a fast swing style and my game benefits from a lighter more maneuverable stick. I don't think I could swing the Tour effectively 3-4 per week.
Just ordered an 18x20 v7. Play with 2015 blade 18x20 which suits my game perfectly. I can hit out, drop shot, slice, play aggressively and it’s got enough mass to deal with pace and play on the defensive. I only play doubles but play competitively.
Strings broke last night in a match and had to rely on a not great backup, so decided to pull the trigger on the v7. Hear lots of great things so hoping it lives up to it
Strings broke last night in a match and had to rely on a not great backup, so decided to pull the trigger on the v7. Hear lots of great things so hoping it lives up to it
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Good stick but trajectory was really low for me with the TF40. Out of my favorite sticks, trajectory from highest to lowest:
Clash 98
Pure Storm Team GT
VCP 97 310
2015 Blade 18/20
Ultra Tour
MGPMP/IGYT Prestige MP
the TF40 while very solid feeling had a lower trajectory than all of the above for me. YMMV
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FedGR
Professional
Clash 98: No1 target for now
Pure Storm Team G : Is this the 2011 model?
VCP 97 310: I have it
2015 Blade 18/20: I have it
Ultra Tour : Not enough Juice
MGPMP/IGYT Prestige MP : Was never able to play with prestige line, only Radicals for me (and Speeds)
What strings did you use? Did you use any thin ones to increase launch angle?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
My post was simply to provide you with some comparative data points on launch angle and net clearance. That’s all.
FedGR
Professional
And it is appreciated! What is the Babolat you are referring to? Is it the 2011 model? I wasn't able to find a recent Pure Storm Team G.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Pure Storm Team GT (red/white/black) 16/20 pattern
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Back on the kblade 98 train. Needed some lead in the top third of the hoop and slightly lower string tension. What a stud frame.
Used to playing with stretch rackets previously so typically hit the ball on the top end of the string bed with standard length rackets... I found the v7 blade to be a bit dead/jarring near the top end of the hoop. Otherwise the racket had nice plushness and spin. I know im in the minority, but the blade CV felt better / more solid overall to hit groundstrokes with than the v7, and more consistent on the top end of the hoop. The v7 was better on soft/warm-up hitting and drop shots.
if you liked the CV, you should really try the 2015. I thought the CV was fine and that people on the boards were exaggerating how bad it was. Then i tried the 2015 right after and realized why. a lot of the reactions are relative, but the CV is not a bad playing racket. It plays pretty well actually, but the 2015 is really something else. I'm pretty confident that if the v7 came right after the 2015 and the 2015s were still available, the v7 wouldnt get as much love.
so I had 4 hrs with the stick. I also changed my eastern forehand to a semi western forehand.
i have read on this forum that this racket it suppose to have a beautiful sound but to me it sound like ‘pock’ instead of the beautiful ‘ping’ on my ps97s. Is it because of the poly? I’m thinking of going hybrid to a poly main multi cross, max power or 4g and Babolat origin/tec x1/nxt control. I found that it gave me some elbow problems (tendon not tennis elbow according to my coach) but I’m not sure if it’s the racket, might be because I haven’t played for a couple of weeks and I play another sport involving my arms.
performance wise, I quite like the stability, good touch at net, good power and control on my groundstrokes, the launch angle is lower than I’m use to but I’m sure il adapt. I feel it’s more powerful on serve compared to my ps97s but I struggle to get it over the net sometimes (always had this problem when I play with a full bed poly, don’t know why).
i also borrowed my friend‘s cv blade 18 20 strung with head intelitour and surprisingly liked It. It felt quite comfortable, higher launch angle, good connected feel, lighter swingweight, can swing full power without being scared of missing. I might buy one to test which one I prefer.
any advice would be appreciated.
thank you for the response. don’t own the cv blade, might get one in the future. Il play around with the v7 in the mean time. I owned the pure strike 16 19 and I agree with you, nothing special and I sold it
Power Player
Bionic Poster
FYI you are responding to a troll who has never used the frame.
I think the new Blade is a lot better than the pure strike. Main reason is my arm never is sore and it has a big sw with nice feel.
But id suggest staying with poly. Its great at low tensions at 48 or less. The polys that work the best seem to be alu power or variants like max power.
Of course you may not like the frame and thats cool. But id give it a little time since it has a lot different sw and balance than a pS97. Your timing may be off as a result of adjustment.
I think the new Blade is a lot better than the pure strike. Main reason is my arm never is sore and it has a big sw with nice feel.
But id suggest staying with poly. Its great at low tensions at 48 or less. The polys that work the best seem to be alu power or variants like max power.
Of course you may not like the frame and thats cool. But id give it a little time since it has a lot different sw and balance than a pS97. Your timing may be off as a result of adjustment.
n8dawg6
Legend
haha, what?? you mean to tell me that sweeping generalizations about “not a bad racquet at all, but nothing special” based entirely on internet reading without any firsthand use is somehow ... a worthless post??
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
The countervail is a poor, harsh, no feel iteration of the blade that should be avoided. Very prevalent on the resale markets but that's because its lousy.
n8dawg6
Legend
i disagree w your declaratory statements, but i do think the v7 is better. the countervail’s only downside is that you lose some feel compared to the 2015. theyre more alike than different
1HBHfanatic
Legend
@2nd Serve Ace
I gave a long time blade user the 2 latest models to tell me what he though, who better than someone that uses that model racquet exclusively
I handed him the v6 and the v7 models of the same racquet w.blade.98 18/20,,
i personally liked the v7 myself when I tried it; he shocked me a few days latter by saying he preferred the v6!, and he did add "he lost feel", with the v7 ??!!??!!
the v6 has its followers as well!!
I gave a long time blade user the 2 latest models to tell me what he though, who better than someone that uses that model racquet exclusively
I handed him the v6 and the v7 models of the same racquet w.blade.98 18/20,,
i personally liked the v7 myself when I tried it; he shocked me a few days latter by saying he preferred the v6!, and he did add "he lost feel", with the v7 ??!!??!!
the v6 has its followers as well!!
megamind
Legend
not interested, but what are you selling it for/what's your racquet of choice right now
