Are there different H22s?

[Smooth__Genius]

Hello
My question is if there are different models of the H22, because to my knowledge it's a frame made from a specific mold, which also the Blade Pro is made of, and therefore it would be possible to make models, that differ in weight, balance etc.
Is that so or do they just make one H22, which everyone would have to cusomize for themselves?
If they do make different models of the H22, how are held appart or named?
Thanks for your answers

 

[ollinger]

A guy I know always describes some situations as "a real Catch-21." Will ask him if there might be a H-21.

 

[thenewbig3]

Hello
My question is if there are different models of the H22, because to my knowledge it's a frame made from a specific mold, which also the Blade Pro is made of, and therefore it would be possible to make models, that differ in weight, balance etc.
Is that so or do they just make one H22, which everyone would have to cusomize for themselves?
If they do make different models of the H22, how are held appart or named?
Thanks for your answers

Yes Pro stocks H22s are and were made in various specs and drill patterns and layups. Some have Kevlar in the layup as well. There are low flex version and stiffer versions and versions in between. Impossible to tell anything other than some small things and differences... just from looking since Wilson didn't do what Head did with the naming conventions for their Pro Stocks. Neither the H22 nor its modified for the public incarnation the Blade Pro are *The Grail* or anything super unbelievable. Believe me I've wasted a lot of time and money on this due to posters on this forum. The H22, PT 280 etc.. etc.. and for that matter the Blade Pro or even rackets like the Regna are vaulted/"marketed" mostly by the FEAR OF MISSING OUT. They are mostly just "special" tennis rackets that will make most of us play worse but we keep this storyline going as the mythical beast that some have seen, a few have owned, some have tamed and a very very elite few have mastered.

Note : I still have a real H22 18x20 seems like a lower flex version mainly because I couldn't resell it yet for the price my ego would like to receive.

 

[Smooth__Genius]

Yes Pro stocks H22s are and were made in various specs and drill patterns and layups. Some have Kevlar in the layup as well. There are low flex version and stiffer versions and versions in between. Impossible to tell anything other than some small things and differences... just from looking since Wilson didn't do what Head did with the naming conventions for their Pro Stocks. Neither the H22 nor its modified for the public incarnation the Blade Pro are *The Grail* or anything super unbelievable. Believe me I've wasted a lot of time and money on this due to posters on this forum. The H22, PT 280 etc.. etc.. and for that matter the Blade Pro or even rackets like the Regna are vaulted/"marketed" mostly by the FEAR OF MISSING OUT. They are mostly just "special" tennis rackets that will make most of us play worse but we keep this storyline going as the mythical beast that some have seen, a few have owned, some have tamed and a very very elite few have mastered.

Note : I still have a real H22 18x20 seems like a lower flex version mainly because I couldn't resell it yet for the price my ego would like to receive.

So that would mean, if I somehow got wilson to agree giving me a H22, I couldn't order it like a e.g Blade Pro 18x20, instead I would get a custom racket, with custom specs for me?

 

[thenewbig3]

So that would mean, if I somehow got wilson to agree giving me a H22, I couldn't order it like a e.g Blade Pro 18x20, instead I would get a custom racket, with custom specs for me?

You CANNOT get a NEW custom racket with (or without) custom specs for you from Wilson.

You wiill have to get a used or unused racket from the grey market (that someone has ability to order from Wilson like a high ranking player, some elite coaches etc : you cannot convince Wilson)

You can get lucky with specs OR can buy a low spec version by asking "sellers" for specs and maybe build it up to your own.

The Blade Pro is probably good enough if you are really thirsting for a "H22"

 

[eric42]

The Blade Pro is probably good enough if you are really thirsting for a "H22"

Yep, the BP just felt a tad stiffer than the H22 I had, but they are functionally the same, and nothing that special about either. They just have a raw old school direct feel with no dampening/muting "tech" like so many frames have these days.

 

[AAATSportingGoods]

Yep, the BP just felt a tad stiffer than the H22 I had, but they are functionally the same, and nothing that special about either. They just have a raw old school direct feel with no dampening/muting "tech" like so many frames have these days.

No, depends on which H22 you have. I have a few that are markedly stiffer than the pro.

 

[AAATSportingGoods]

Hello
My question is if there are different models of the H22, because to my knowledge it's a frame made from a specific mold, which also the Blade Pro is made of, and therefore it would be possible to make models, that differ in weight, balance etc.
Is that so or do they just make one H22, which everyone would have to cusomize for themselves?
If they do make different models of the H22, how are held appart or named?
Thanks for your answers

Yes different H22s, no way to tell

 

[eric42]

No, depends on which H22 you have. I have a few that are markedly stiffer than the pro.

I didn't say BP feels stiffer than all H22s, I said BP felt stiffer than the H22 I had.

 

[Alexh22]

The earlier H22s I got over a decade ago were the softer ones. The B pro is firmer. I didn’t buy any new H22s after that but there came with different stiffness. Hard to tell unless you try it.

 

[AAATSportingGoods]

The earlier H22s I got over a decade ago were the softer ones. The B pro is firmer. I didn’t buy any new H22s after that but there came with different stiffness. Hard to tell unless you try it.

I have 6 H22 in kblade paint job. Only one pair that was matched. I’d say half the pair was more flexible but everything else was stiffer.

 

[thenewbig3]

Yep, the BP just felt a tad stiffer than the H22 I had, but they are functionally the same, and nothing that special about either. They just have a raw old school direct feel with no dampening/muting "tech" like so many frames have these days.

The Blade Pro is not even that raw/old school - it has foam inside so is partly dampened. Feels awesome with stiff crisp strings though.

 

[AM75]

Sure, I have 2 H22 that are worlds apart from each other.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Wouldn’t it be great if racquet companies could stop cheaping out with ultra stiff graphite prepregs and at least give us the option of softer, albeit considerably more expensive prepregs that don’t require dampening tech to mask their stiffness?
Unfortunately, unless you’re a pro, or working in a pro adjacent profession, that ship sailed a long time ago.

 

[vsbabolat]

Wouldn’t it be great if racquet companies could stop cheaping out with ultra stiff graphite prepregs and at least give us the option of softer, albeit considerably more expensive prepregs that don’t require dampening tech to mask their stiffness?
Unfortunately, unless you’re a pro, or working in a pro adjacent profession, that ship sailed a long time ago.

Your wish has already been answered I’d suggest you try the Prestige Line. Prestige Classic 2.0 is awesome with layup of only graphite and epoxy with a soft strung RA of 60. Then you have the new modern Prestige line. I’ve only hit with the 2023 Prestige Pro 18x20 and that is plush and soft. In my opinion it’s a modern day Pro Tour 630. I love them both and have them in my bag.

 

[AAATSportingGoods]

Your wish has already been answered I’d suggest you try the Prestige Line. Prestige Classic 2.0 is awesome with layup of only graphite and epoxy with a soft strung RA of 60. Then you have the new modern Prestige line. I’ve only hit with the 2023 Prestige Pro 18x20 and that is plush and soft. In my opinion it’s a modern day Pro Tour 630. I love them both and have them in my bag.

The prestige tour is nice, prestige pro is a flop. Nothing like the PT57a

 

[thenewbig3]

The prestige tour is nice, prestige pro is a flop. Nothing like the PT57a

All are amazing feeling awesome rackets. Not for me as they are all hard to play with.

Wouldn’t it be great if racquet companies could stop cheaping out with ultra stiff graphite prepregs and at least give us the option of softer, albeit considerably more expensive prepregs that don’t require dampening tech to mask their stiffness?
Unfortunately, unless you’re a pro, or working in a pro adjacent profession, that ship sailed a long time ago.

While I understand your core argument I think this sort of request is kinda of complaining for the sake of complaining. I have hit with multiple pro stocks and there was nothing inherently super special about them. Yeah sometimes they felt really good and other times the softer hoops made them both nice feeling and harder to play with which kinda makes them more rewarding when hitting around with extra focus.

I think the opposite sometimes - in this time in tennis history - too many rackets are really good to play with and many of those feel really good and others a little string experimentation can get them there.

Yearning for the old days is just that - Yearning.

 

[AAATSportingGoods]

All are amazing feeling awesome rackets. Not for me as they are all hard to play with.



While I understand your core argument I think this sort of request is kinda of complaining for the sake of complaining. I have hit with multiple pro stocks and there was nothing inherently super special about them. Yeah sometimes they felt really good and other times the softer hoops made them both nice feeling and harder to play with which kinda makes them more rewarding when hitting around with extra focus.

I think the opposite sometimes - in this time in tennis history - too many rackets are really good to play with and many of those feel really good and others a little string experimentation can get them there.

Yearning for the old days is just that - Yearning.

But saying the new prestige is like today’s PT57a is complete BS. That’s just being a sheep to Head

 

[vsbabolat]

The prestige tour is nice, prestige pro is a flop. Nothing like the PT57a

You know you’re entitled to your opinions and I’m entitled to mine. And I say the Prestige Pro is a great racquet and is close to the Pro Tour 630. I have zero problems when I break a string with the Prestige Pro and pickup my Pro Tour 630. To each their own.

 

[edelp]

But saying the new prestige is like today’s PT57a is complete BS. That’s just being a sheep to Head

OMG

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Your wish has already been answered I’d suggest you try the Prestige Line. Prestige Classic 2.0 is awesome with layup of only graphite and epoxy with a soft strung RA of 60. Then you have the new modern Prestige line. I’ve only hit with the 2023 Prestige Pro 18x20 and that is plush and soft. In my opinion it’s a modern day Pro Tour 630. I love them both and have them in my bag.

Thanks for the head’s up. Unfortunately I don’t think that a sweet feeling, 93” head, 19.5mm beam, 18/20 string pattern standard length spec is going to be viable for me outdoors on clay, particularly in winter. Some sort of Prestige would no doubt be a fun retro hit in summer if the grass was having a great year & playing like a road, especially if there was a longbody option like some of the ones I used to have.
You could see on the TW review that the play testers were all way way down on their usual power levels with the 2.0, albeit life’s pretty easy regardless on Cali ‘Plexi’.
2.0 might be better with full gut like in the old days, particularly playing in the US on some fast indoor court with say the women’s USO balls, where not being able to generate your own power isn’t an issue.
Performance wise my ‘Made in Japan’ 62 ra VCore 98+s with a plethora of modern technology are insanely user friendly, comfortable, powerful spin monsters in comparison, at the expense of feeling mildly remote at times - unbeatable performance on match days.
My extended Prince ATS 95s & TT95s feel just as sweet as my old Prestiges but are much more user friendly for hitting around.

 

[vsbabolat]

Thanks for the head’s up. Unfortunately I don’t think that a sweet feeling, 93” head, 19.5mm beam, 18/20 string pattern standard length spec is going to be viable for me outdoors on clay, particularly in winter. Some sort of Prestige would no doubt be a fun retro hit in summer if the grass was having a great year & playing like a road, especially if there was a longbody option like some of the ones I used to have.
You could see on the TW review that the play testers were all way way down on their usual power levels with the 2.0, albeit life’s pretty easy regardless on Cali ‘Plexi’.
2.0 might be better with full gut like in the old days, particularly playing in the US on some fast indoor court with say the women’s USO balls, where not being able to generate your own power isn’t an issue.
Performance wise my ‘Made in Japan’ 62 ra VCore 98+s with a plethora of modern technology are insanely user friendly, comfortable, powerful spin monsters in comparison, at the expense of feeling mildly remote at times - unbeatable performance on match days.
My extended Prince ATS 95s & TT95s feel just as sweet as my old Prestiges but are much more user friendly for hitting around.

To each their own. I find the Prestige Pro 18x20 very user friendly for me. I love the plush classic feel. I have mine customized to 345g unstrung.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Horses for courses I guess; no doubt it’s got a sweet feel but it’s still going to be a tough racquet to get much out of in slow conditions regardless of playing level. Again maybe with gut or a gut hybrid if the budget and playing conditions permit - with the price of gut in Oz it’s a non-starter for most here. When a guy who’s built like Berrettini is still using an Extreme you know the Prestige ship has truely sailed as anything other than a niche option. Another victim of the poly revolution basically. Fortunately for Head, Dunlop & others they’ve managed to adapt their range to compete with the Babolats & Yonexes that seem to be everywhere these days - great platforms for poly basically.

 

[thenewbig3]

But saying the new prestige is like today’s PT57a is complete BS. That’s just being a sheep to Head

Looks like you are really trying hard to start a ruckus here. I think you could be a little more positive and have a discussion instead of making big statements and unnecessary attacks.

 

[vsbabolat]

Horses for courses I guess; no doubt it’s got a sweet feel but it’s still going to be a tough racquet to get much out of in slow conditions regardless of playing level. Again maybe with gut or a gut hybrid if the budget and playing conditions permit - with the price of gut in Oz it’s a non-starter for most here. When a guy who’s built like Berrettini is still using an Extreme you know the Prestige ship has truely sailed as anything other than a niche option. Another victim of the poly revolution basically. Fortunately for Head, Dunlop & others they’ve managed to adapt their range to compete with the Babolats & Yonexes that seem to be everywhere these days - great platforms for poly basically.

I play on hydrogrid clay courts in Florida in high humidity and in the wind. Courts are always wet and I have no problem generating power in slow conditions. I play with gut hybrid and when I do play full bed of poly with PC600 or 2023 PP I have no issues with power. Prestige isn’t a victim of the poly revolution.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I play on hydrogrid clay courts in Florida in high humidity and in the wind. Courts are always wet and I have no problem generating power in slow conditions. I play with gut hybrid and when I do play full bed of poly with PC600 or 2023 PP I have no issues with power. Prestige isn’t a victim of the poly revolution.

Yeah you’re right, that’s why you still see so many of the top 50 swinging them…
#sadreality

 

[eric42]

Horses for courses I guess; no doubt it’s got a sweet feel but it’s still going to be a tough racquet to get much out of in slow conditions regardless of playing level. Again maybe with gut or a gut hybrid if the budget and playing conditions permit - with the price of gut in Oz it’s a non-starter for most here. When a guy who’s built like Berrettini is still using an Extreme you know the Prestige ship has truely sailed as anything other than a niche option. Another victim of the poly revolution basically. Fortunately for Head, Dunlop & others they’ve managed to adapt their range to compete with the Babolats & Yonexes that seem to be everywhere these days - great platforms for poly basically.

Not sure if you realize pros don't use retail frames. It's nonsense to compare.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

So you’re saying that even the very few remaining pros still using Prestiges aren’t actually using a Prestige variant, pro stock or otherwise?

 

[vsbabolat]

Top doubles teams are able to generate power using the Prestige and go through the court and people. Why has it lost popularity on the singles Tour is a new and different subject. You very much like to deflect. We were taking about individual preferences then you always like to insult people and go on the attack. That’s the sad reality on what is going on. You’re trying to tell me what I like is wrong and I should not be playing with or enjoying the Prestige because you don’t like it.

https://imgur.com/a/Mj7oYkA