InsideInForehand
Rookie
Is there anyone who uses or has used a Wilson K-Blade 98 and could tell how it plays. I read that it has a mold that is being used on the tour quite a bit. Anyone who can offer some more information?
Anyone who uses Wilson K-Blade 98?
- Thread starter InsideInForehand
- Start date
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Hi there, if your're referring to this one, I'll be hitting with it in about two weeks from now.
InsideInForehand
Rookie
Yepp. The black and gold one.Hi there, if your're referring to this one, I'll be hitting with it in about two weeks from now.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I'll keep this thread up-to-date.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
To me, it was the best blade ever. 20mm beam, very fast. Great blend of power, control and spin. A bit on the stiffer side but does not feel harsh.
oldmanyellingatcloud
Semi-Pro
everytime I see we're on Blade v9 I get a little sick knowing I demoed the KBlade and remember the hype surrounding the Tour. they're great frames
Anton
Legend
A bit unstable, a bit stiff, but has some quick zip to it.
I guess it’s fine for someone that likes lighter rackets on the crisp side, but V8 is more solid and plush.
Wow K-Blade. Went into Play it Again on a whim and found a well used but decent KB98 for $30. I've played a lot with pro stock Blades and V6 thru V9 retail Blade 98 (all 16x19), and this old KB98 feels the closest to my pro stocks. Retail V6-V9 all feel rubbery and vague to me on contact. V9 is really blah for me and for some reason has a surprisingly low launch angle for a 16x19. Not sure why.
I strung this KB with my usual Hawk 18, but three lbs lower than my 16x19 frames at 47/45 and could not believe how loopy a ball I was able to get out of the 18x20 stringbed. People say the KB feels stiff and crisp as Blades go, but maybe this one is just worn out, because it feels quite soft. And better feel than these modern rubbery Blades. This KB felt a tad less damped and "dense" than my pro stocks, but that could just be because the 16 year old foam in the frame is more brittle now than when new. I added 20g to the buttcap and no lead anywhere. 336 SW in playing form.
Anyway, I've never played with a 18x20 stringbed that put this much shape on the ball - more than I get with my 16x19 Blades. Weird and not sure why. I wish Wilson would just make Blades great again (and w/ glossy finish) like this old KB. And BTW it's the same 21 mm beam that all Blade 98s use.
yourtennisfit
Professional
My youth racket - did quite some damage to people with this frame. And broke about 3 
It is definitely crispy and much less dampened than any Blade afterwards, but the 20mm beam keeps it from being too stiff. 18x20, but still quite lively stringbed. If anyone runs into a few of these frames that are in decent condition, let me know
It is definitely crispy and much less dampened than any Blade afterwards, but the 20mm beam keeps it from being too stiff. 18x20, but still quite lively stringbed. If anyone runs into a few of these frames that are in decent condition, let me know
Interesting, now you’ve got me intrigued haha…I love the kblade pro stocks, they are the best combination I have come across in terms of feel, precision, and power. However, I no longer have access to get them through the source I was able to previously…and as I’m sure you’re aware, it’s impossible to track down replacement grommets for them. So I may have to pick up some old retail kblades instead. However, I usually don’t get along well with 18x20’s, but your comments about your experience has piqued my curiosity!
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Old thread
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Yeah the general lower launch of 18x20 is normally too much of an adjustment for me as well if I'm going back and forth, but I ordered another old KB just to make sure this is not a fluke. I've played with plenty of other 18x20s and this is just weird to me. I can't imagine the 3 lbs. lower tension really made that much difference, since 18x20 can handle lower tensions than 16x19 anyway. We shall see. I'm wondering if this frame has just lost stiffness and power to the point that it just doesn't sail the ball. But I really didn't perceive much power level difference from my other Blades. Obviously Blades are not power frames.
This thread was started a few months ago. Considering I've seen threads that are 15-20+ years old get revived regularly, I wouldn't necesarilly consider this one to be that "Old"
OslerWeber
Rookie
I currently play with a k blade prostock 18x20. Glossy RG paintjob. Beautiful frame.
305g 330 sw strung with that crappy orange wilson basegrip.
Been playing it with lynx tour at 50, leather grip and two overgrips. Great frame, crispy and raw feeling, no dampener needed.
Good power, not super great spin but adequate for an 18x20. I love them
305g 330 sw strung with that crappy orange wilson basegrip.
Been playing it with lynx tour at 50, leather grip and two overgrips. Great frame, crispy and raw feeling, no dampener needed.
Good power, not super great spin but adequate for an 18x20. I love them
Yep, 3 months to the day.
gino
Legend
About a year ago, I acquired five of these in good condition and after some customization was considering using them exclusively. In my opinion, this is the most powerful blade layup in an 18 main pattern.
That being said, it is a bit anemic in the upper hoop unless you add some lead. Mine have Wilson leather and significant lead at three and nine to give it enough plow through to keep up with modern sticks. You’re not going to get a ton of spin production, but ultimately, the mains on the blade seem to produce more Spain than any other 18 main blade. Including its predecessor the nblade
In general like @dr325i mentioned, it’s crispy but flexy enough. A real hidden gem in the blade lineage
That being said, it is a bit anemic in the upper hoop unless you add some lead. Mine have Wilson leather and significant lead at three and nine to give it enough plow through to keep up with modern sticks. You’re not going to get a ton of spin production, but ultimately, the mains on the blade seem to produce more Spain than any other 18 main blade. Including its predecessor the nblade
In general like @dr325i mentioned, it’s crispy but flexy enough. A real hidden gem in the blade lineage
I have one and added lead at 3 and 9 as well and it plays great! Way better than any of the blades after v5 which is my favorite. The k blade does feel a bit firmer than the v5 but I like the raw feel.
Curious because there's so much talk of it...
Through the Blade history, how has the mold actually changed?
Looks like Kblades were 20mm beam compared to the 21mm it has been quoted as for several generations, but is that the only change?
What about the Kblade mold, makes it so desirable to pro's?
I'm not talking retail, pro's obviously have their racquets customized, I mean the mold as a starting point?
Through the Blade history, how has the mold actually changed?
Looks like Kblades were 20mm beam compared to the 21mm it has been quoted as for several generations, but is that the only change?
What about the Kblade mold, makes it so desirable to pro's?
I'm not talking retail, pro's obviously have their racquets customized, I mean the mold as a starting point?
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
In addition to the crispier layup this (look at photo below K vs V5 18x20)
Smaller grommet holes and smaller grommets make the sweet spot clearly defined (but smaller) - what makes it easier for rec players (big holes + big grommets) also makes it less desirable for pros.
It has the SW of a old school frame, the stiffness of a new school frame but without the excess dampening and the well defined smallish sweet spot of a classic midsize frame.
It is THE SHARP BLADE... every blade since is dull in comparision.
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konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Eventually, I did't get the KBlades due to miscommunication. Anyway, yes, I've played the V5 18x20, now the V5 16x19 and the grommet holes + parrallel drilling has led me manage doing the whole stringjob in less than 35 minutes with my drop weight machine. Super easy to string. More string movement for sure in comparison to a couple other 98s I've playing with now - the Elevate and DR98 -.
Non-parallel drilling is one of the differences
Don't know how the idea got started that the K Blade beam is thinner than other Blades. I put the calipers on several Blade frames, and from hoop to throat the thickness varied between 20.8mm-21mm for K-Blade, 21-21.5 for V6, 20.9-21.3 for V9, and 20.9-21.3 for pro stock. I think the variations are in the finish thicknesses. The frames themselves are all pretty much visually indistinguishable aside from drill patterns which are irrelevant to the mold. I can't imagine the molds have much to do with differences in feel between versions and that it's pretty much layup and finish type.
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D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Because of racketfinder.com?
Have both - but my callipers are out of battery - I would probably guess they just used the Tour 93 Specs on the Regular 98.
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danielhinc
New User
Hello Konstantinos,Hi there, if your're referring to this one, I'll be hitting with it in about two weeks from now.
Where did you get those two precious Rackets. Could you tell me where to buy them?
Daniel
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
As I say above, I didn't get them eventually. There are 3-4 European "used stuff" websites that I visit to check what's available. You've got to pm me you email address to send links.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
Because of racketfinder.com?
Have both - but my callipers are out of battery - I would probably guess they just used the Tour 93 Specs on the Regular 98.
I measured my Kblade, and it averaged at 21.0mm. I also check a pro stock V6 KBlade, same at 21.0mm. So yeah I believe their measurements are wrong
Pro stock Blades are as close as you can get. Otherwise a weighted up new retail Blade, but the new gen retail Blades definitely don't have the same feel.
Any idea how to get them?
*Bay, Side line swap, pro stock tennis
gino
Legend
its hard because i dont think anyone has clear insight on the mold changes
i would say try the BLX blade right after, although that one is softer/lower powered
Imo the Tfight 305 is close. Very close specs with the high balance and high TW/SW. Tfight harder to swing with the thicker beam.
