Another (quick) K90 review

[Poluski]

I just tried out a K90 last night and compared it to my N90. My playtest comprised of a warmup and playing a single set during which I'd switch between the two frames. I'm a 4.5 level player. First some specs:

K90
String: NXT mains, BB Original crosses
DT: 34 (ERT 300)
Weight: 363 g (12.8oz) with overgrip
Frame stiffness: 67

N90
String: Nat gut mains, Cyberflash crosses
DT: 36
Weight: same 363 g
Frame stiffness: 69 (if I remember right, another N90 w/o strings was 68 )

Observations:
-K90 felt flexier. Same observation as made by C.A. Clark. Great feel.
-Spin...easier access to spin on this K90. With the N90 the balls would hit the net more often. Probably a factor of switching between the two frames, but in my opinion a validation that one frame generated a different ball path from the other. The K90 would surprise me on occasion with balls going over the net when I thought they wouldn't.

Conclusion:
Today I placed an order for my own K90.

 

[SFrazeur]

Quick question for a quick review, did the (K)90 seem to swing easier for you than the n90?

 

[DarkSlayerX]

where did you placed your order? because i want to pre order one

 

[Poluski]

Swing

Sorry, forgot additional specs:

K90
Balance: ~9.5 HL
Tip weight: ~167g. Only tip of frame is on scale, the butt is supported on a raised block, frame horizontal. My poor man's swing (relative) reference

N90
Balance: ~8.0 HL
Tip weight: ~169g

So yes, ever so slightly easier to swing the K90 in stock condition.

 

[BreakPoint]

Thanks for the quick review. Any chance you could provide us with a more extensive review any time soon? BTW, what do "DT" and "ERT" mean?

Thanks.

 

[Poluski]

BP,
I had to give the K90 back, so I'm reluctant to get overly poetic based on one hour session.

DT= Dynamic Tension as based an ERT 300 device. Some folks have an older ERT 700 unit. Really nicely shows tension loss in a quantitative way and not in qualitative way as is very common on this board.

I placed an order with my local store, and I'm bound to the same Jan 20th date.

 

[BreakPoint]

BP,
I had to give the K90 back, so I'm reluctant to get overly poetic based on one hour session.

DT= Dynamic Tension as based an ERT 300 device. Some folks have an older ERT 700 unit. Really nicely shows tension loss in a quantitative way and not in qualitative way as is very common on this board.

I placed an order with my local store, and I'm bound to the same Jan 20th date.

OK, thanks Poluski!

It's too bad we have to wait another month, while they're already for sale in Korea. :-(

BTW, which grip size was your demo and did you also notice that it was bigger than the same grip size on the nCode 90, as Craig did?

 

[Poluski]

OK, thanks Poluski!

It's too bad we have to wait another month, while they're already for sale in Korea. :-(

BTW, which grip size was your demo and did you also notice that it was bigger than the same grip size on the nCode 90, as Craig did?

More specs:
Both grips were 4 1/2 (#4). For my own interest, I unwrapped the leather on both frames and measured the grip foam base with digital calliper.

K90
Grip Height - 1.305"
Width - 1.150"

N90
Height - 1.305"
Width - 1.140" ave. (there was some variation in this grip +/-0.005")

So that's 0.010" (0.25mm) difference in width. Given the clam shell molding process for the handle, I think this is well within manufacturing tolerances. Also, based on only one sample measurement.

On my N90s I noticed that one leather was about 0.050" (1.25mm) thick and the other was 0.040" (1.00mm) think. I ended up using a stationary belt sander and sanded down the underside of thicker leather to make things even. Maybe the leather thickness in combination with wider base was the issue for C.A. Clark?

 

[jace112]

I can't wait for your full review. Thanks for sharing so many precise details! Have you also measured the actual SW?