Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[kevin qmto]

Can anyone date this racquet? Just curious. Found it pristine and super cheap, couldn't resist. 16.5mm beam and so flexy it might as well be a woody.

I believe it’s from 1985-86 along with the Kingston and Newport graphites.

In unrelated news, here's some trigger time and an unlikely comparison. That white/green Pro Kennex from the previous page, I've always felt like it was extra potent on serves, so when a St. Vincent Pro Staff fell into my hands at a party, I felt like I'd bring them out against the ol' punching bag and compare how I did against him. Luckily today he was game for 4 whole sets, but you'll have to watch until the end to see how each frame compared. Or I'll just spoil it right here.

The Ceramic Elite is about 10g heavier than the PS, and it feels far easier to bomb serves up the T with it. Actually I was struggling to hit many flat serves at all with the Pro Staff 85, but on spiny or slicing serves it felt right at home. I was trying to channel my inner Sampras at a certain point, and just start serving and volleying every serve. here's the results, if you care (I hope you do, I make these videos just for you after all.)

 

[kevin qmto]

I said I got several rackets from the $2.99 bin, so here's the rest. First its a Prince Pro, because I gotta collect all the early prince rackets. I still get a kick out of that tension range. 72lbs MINIMUM! How'd these things ever get a reputation of being 'jumbo trampolines' when Prince gave the A-OK to string these at up to 80lbs???

This one's in great shape, this is identical to the Prince Pro my dad had back in the early to mid 80s. Funnily enough, back then, my Mom used the Prince Classic, and my dad the Pro. Even though the Classic is actually heavier than the Pro (at least upon weighing these examples). My dad eventually sold his Pro at a garage sale after he switched to the Magnesium Pro because he had become a huge Pat Cash fan. I still have my mom's original Classic to this day. I'm sure you know what these things look like, but I'm gonna post pictures anyways because that's just the kind of guy I am. Love the two tone leather grip btw, its in fantastic shape, still a little cushiony too!

 

[kevin qmto]

Not done with Prince yet, so common to find them discarded to the thrift shops. Prince is starting to feel almost as unloved brand wise as Pro Kennex. I've never heard of this one before, but it shares Prince's most over used name, Precision coupled with Spectre. It's pretty thin beamed, almost Wilson Spin thin, but not quite. I wonder where this slotted in price wise. 97sq in head size, so would fit right in the modern age where seemingly every players racket has to be between 97-100 with no exceptions. Haven't hit with it yet. Neat vibrodamp throat grommets, and the rubber hasn't hardened with age.

 

[retrowagen]

Not done with Prince yet, so common to find them discarded to the thrift shops. Prince is starting to feel almost as unloved brand wise as Pro Kennex. I've never heard of this one before, but it shares Prince's most over used name, Precision coupled with Spectre. It's pretty thin beamed, almost Wilson Spin thin, but not quite. I wonder where this slotted in price wise. 97sq in head size, so would fit right in the modern age where seemingly every players racket has to be between 97-100 with no exceptions. Haven't hit with it yet. Neat vibrodamp throat grommets, and the rubber hasn't hardened with age.

Not the racquet James Bond would use…

 

[davced1]

Not done with Prince yet, so common to find them discarded to the thrift shops. Prince is starting to feel almost as unloved brand wise as Pro Kennex. I've never heard of this one before, but it shares Prince's most over used name, Precision coupled with Spectre. It's pretty thin beamed, almost Wilson Spin thin, but not quite. I wonder where this slotted in price wise. 97sq in head size, so would fit right in the modern age where seemingly every players racket has to be between 97-100 with no exceptions. Haven't hit with it yet. Neat vibrodamp throat grommets, and the rubber hasn't hardened with age.

So that's the Vibro Damp I have a Prince frame from this era where it says Vibro Damp on the racquet but this actual dampening thingy is nowhere to be seen.

 

[kevin qmto]

So that's the Vibro Damp I have a Prince frame from this era where it says Vibro Damp on the racquet but this actual dampening thingy is nowhere to be seen.

Could be in an earlier run the frame had it, but then they changed the design without updating the paint job.

Or could be they were damaged and the original owner swapped it out for conventional grommets?

 

[davced1]

Could be in an earlier run the frame had it, but then they changed the design without updating the paint job.

Or could be they were damaged and the original owner swapped it out for conventional grommets?

This is the racquet in question on the left says Vibro Damp and besides the paint job it looks identical to the one on the right. I see now it also says Grip System so maybe Vibro Damp could refer to different things on the racquet.

 

[Bisquick]

I said I got several rackets from the $2.99 bin, so here's the rest. First its a Prince Pro, because I gotta collect all the early prince rackets. I still get a kick out of that tension range. 72lbs MINIMUM! How'd these things ever get a reputation of being 'jumbo trampolines' when Prince gave the A-OK to string these at up to 80lbs???

This one's in great shape, this is identical to the Prince Pro my dad had back in the early to mid 80s. Funnily enough, back then, my Mom used the Prince Classic, and my dad the Pro. Even though the Classic is actually heavier than the Pro (at least upon weighing these examples). My dad eventually sold his Pro at a garage sale after he switched to the Magnesium Pro because he had become a huge Pat Cash fan. I still have my mom's original Classic to this day. I'm sure you know what these things look like, but I'm gonna post pictures anyways because that's just the kind of guy I am. Love the two tone leather grip btw, its in fantastic shape, still a little cushiony too!

That was a fun racket of my teens. Did recently pickup a magnesium 110 but I didn’t love it - that’s up for sale locally.
I’m comfy with 95sq Sticks these days.

 

[Bisquick]

I did come across a Dunlop revelation tour +2 headcover only while thrifting but no racket. That’s 29”, so much stick.

 

[kevin qmto]

As I spoiled above, I got my hands (temporarily) on a 9.5/10 condition St. Vincent Pro Staff. It was bought at a thrift store, so it still fits the theme of this thread! Code is GPQ, so that makes it what year? Bumperless, strung up with some Prince Syn Gut 16 at what feels like high 50s, so I can play some decent tennis with it. It's graphics are both simple and iconic. Those stripes, that font, even the bright red W on the buttcap, they really did knock it out of the park, despite it not even being the flagship frame the year of its release (that was reserved for the Ultra 2, for the moment). Grommets are all perfect, not even strained at the corners, somehow. This example has certainly led a seldom used, or at least a pampered life. St. Vincent might've been the only choice for Pistol Pete, but anyone know how the rest of the Pros preferred their PS? Was there even a pro stock version of these early midsize frames or was that not really a thing until the 90's? Did for instance, Jim Courier, who used one of these throughout his career, only like certain editions or did he use whatever as long as the specs were right? I know he actually liked synthetic gut, so maybe this racket is more of a Courier special than Sampras lol.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Nice St. Vincent!

G is 1984, the first full year of PS85s. And the 65-70lbs label indicates this is the first St. Vincent model made concurrently with Chicago models. It's the version Pete used without a bumper-guard, but he probably had the SV2 from 1986 since he used other sticks as a junior. Pete had 3-layers of lead at 3 & 9 to take the weight to around 390g. I haven't heard of any specific PS85 preferences from Edberg, Courier or Evert, although in most pictures they also have bumper-less models. Until the wide-body revolution, top-of-the-range retail rackets were already 'pro-stock'.

 

[Grafil Injection]

In addition to the great stability and feel of the PS85 in play, as you mention, one of the things about the attraction of the PS85 is the minimalist, industrial matt-black finish, which I thought was unique. The JK Staff is a bit cheesy with the crown decal and a slightly different font, the Aggressor is slightly gloss, the Staff is grey, and the various other 85s just don't feel so premium. However, I recently came across a 1988 Pro Comp that has exactly the same matt finish, font, and fairly minimalist graphics. Quite a few other players commented on its great design at a recent session. Plays quite nicely too.

 

[kevin qmto]

In addition to the great stability and feel of the PS85 in play, as you mention, one of the things about the attraction of the PS85 is the minimalist, industrial matt-black finish, which I thought was unique. The JK Staff is a bit cheesy with the crown decal and a slightly different font, the Aggressor is slightly gloss, the Staff is grey, and the various other 85s just don't feel so premium. However, I recently came across a 1988 Pro Comp that has exactly the same matt finish, font, and fairly minimalist graphics. Quite a few other players commented on its great design at a recent session. Plays quite nicely too.

Nice. The midsize I’m trying to find to compare next is the grey ‘non-pro’ Staff. They seem to be much more rare than the Prostaff itself. Maybe the collectors are already trying to speculate on them because the only one I can find on the bay, the seller is asking over $200 for it. Umm, no thanks.

My friend Bob, who I got the PS above from, has several of the 90’s widebody Staff models new old stock. But I think Wilson gave up on trying to make a Staff line a long time ago.

edit-
For now, I think I'll have to settle for this comparison. Like a lot of my collection, I've yet to play some proper tennis with this Wilson Pro Select, and now might be the best time to see how it stacks up to its cousin. As you can see, they're extremely similar, but not identical. The throat on the PS is a bit wider, and the box beam is more squared off. beam width and string pattern for both is 16x19 but the string density is different. No idea the percentage of Graphite to the Composite featured in it, for the Pro Select, its recommended tension is noticeably lower than the PS though. While I was at it, I stenciled my Reflex, because I just love how it looks.

 

[kevin qmto]

I said I found a lot of Princes lately, and I wasn't kidding. Here's a Graphite Comp 110. Made in Malaysia, it shares the graphics and fonts of the CTS line but has a constant beam so it's not a part of it. It reminds me of that Prince Zone 110 I found a couple months back in that regard, but that was a box beam like the POG but this is a widebody (though the top of the beam is flat and the throat doesn't taper inward like so many widebodies. Painted in a bright teal that wouldn't look out of place on a mid 90's car, the head guard and grommets match nicely. 334g strung, so its a bit lighter than the Zone 110, it also has a slightly lower recommended tension range (Zone 110 says 60-75 vs 55-70). I wonder what the difference in layup is, since Prince bothered to label them differently, what else could be in the carbon if not just fiberglass? Lastly, the P stencil on these strings is a slightly different shape than the Prince stencil I have on hand.

 

[kevin qmto]

And this I got to likely donate to an East St. Louis tennis charity. Here's the PCT Pro Elite. The PCT line was an entry to mid range model lineup from about 2012-2018, some of their entries were fusions, and a few were full graphties. Other models were PCT versions of the Speed, Radical, Instinct, and they even brought back the Genesis name for one. I think this was considered near the top of the range (meaning it cost about $80 instead of $50 or $60). Featuring an odd V shaped throat that does (???), and a rather short grip for a modern tennis racket. Good thing I use a one-hander now. It's paint job is very mid to late 00's Head, and I'm all for it. From a distance you might fool someone into thinking its a FlexPoint Prestige lol. I'm hitting with the old duffers this week, and maybe I'll try and see how this thing handles.
Strung weight - 298
Swing weight - 297

 

[Grafil Injection]

That Graphite Comp appears to have the same mould as the Tricomp 110. Is it also 23mm beam? I guess they just wanted to avoid the alliteration 'Graphite Composite Graphite Comp'. Always wondered what that hit like, since the Tricomp is surprisingly flexible for its complex layup. It should be good.

 

[kevin qmto]

That Graphite Comp appears to have the same mould as the Tricomp 110. Is it also 23mm beam? I guess they just wanted to avoid the alliteration 'Graphite Composite Graphite Comp'. Always wondered what that hit like, since the Tricomp is surprisingly flexible for its complex layup.

I really need to get a tape measure with mm because as a dumb American the only one I have uses imperial units and the only metric measuring I have on hand is a rigid ruler which when held up against rounded beams can be a little imprecise. Looking at photos of the Tricomp 110, it does indeed look very similar if not identical.

And yeah I can see why maybe they used different phrasing now. They didn’t want to pull a Pro Kennex with their Boron Ace Boron lol.

https://imgur.com/psKP3mg

 

[Grafil Injection]

I really need to get a tape measure with mm because as a dumb American the only one I have uses imperial units and the only metric measuring I have on hand is a rigid ruler which when held up against rounded beams can be a little imprecise. Looking at photos of the Tricomp 110, it does indeed look very similar if not identical.

And yeah I can see why maybe they used different phrasing now. They didn’t want to pull a Pro Kennex with their Boron Ace Boron lol.

https://imgur.com/psKP3mg

My beam measurements are normally done with a rigid ruler, and typically accord with the manufacturer's specs. Just have to hold it on the flat bevel and look at arm's length to avoid parallax error.

 

[kevin qmto]

Remember all those pages back when I talked about finding standard wood rackets from the 70's that look like they might've been made a month ago? Found one of those. It's a house brand from a Japanese factory that I'm sure made sticks for other western brands. Reindeer (fiber)Glass! It's for the Champion Ship! The R on the throat looks like a clone of Rawlings frames of the era in a different font. Not surprising as their nicer woods came from Japan. Feels lovely in the hand, and easy on the eyes. Super glossy and in 9.5/10 shape.

 

[djNEiGht]

Remember all those pages back when I talked about finding standard wood rackets from the 70's that look like they might've been made a month ago? Found one of those. It's a house brand from a Japanese factory that I'm sure made sticks for other western brands. Reindeer (fiber)Glass! It's for the Champion Ship! The R on the throat looks like a clone of Rawlings frames of the era in a different font. Not surprising as their nicer woods came from Japan. Feels lovely in the hand, and easy on the eyes. Super glossy and in 9.5/10 shape.

waiting for your video playing against someone who yells at you to play with a real racquet. ahahahah

 

[kevin qmto]

waiting for your video playing against someone who yells at you to play with a real racquet. ahahahah

I haven’t played that guy since that night when he lost it lol. The league coordinator gave me the win even though the score was technically 1 set a piece. As he put it: “because he was being a d*ick.”

 

[mixtape]

That Graphite Comp appears to have the same mould as the Tricomp 110. Is it also 23mm beam? I guess they just wanted to avoid the alliteration 'Graphite Composite Graphite Comp'. Always wondered what that hit like, since the Tricomp is surprisingly flexible for its complex layup. It should be good.

I've hit with the Graphite Comp. Surprisingly, not much difference in feel considering the Tricomp had the addition of Kevlar. I would say the Tricomp felt and sounded more muted, if anything.

 

[kevin qmto]

This happened a few games into my night league match. Now what should I put in it? Also what’s with the 2nd break at the top left where it loops around the hoop? Unusual stresses at that point?

https://imgur.com/a/Xdc7P2o

 

[djNEiGht]

clamping damage? what string was it?

i'm boring like that so I'd put a synthetic of multi. or if you have, kevlar/synthetic hybrid.

 

[kevin qmto]

clamping damage? what string was it?

i'm boring like that so I'd put a synthetic of multi. or if you have, kevlar/synthetic hybrid.

Old, old Prince synthetic gut 16, used a different style font on the strings than they use now. I’m going to assume, at the newest, those strings have been in it since the early 90’s lol.

 

[ClayJ]

Found a weird one at the local play it again sports. If it wasn't cracked I would have bought it. A Pure Drive GT from 2012 for former player Nuria Llagostera Vives.

https://imgur.com/mypSRsY

 

[Bisquick]

In addition to the great stability and feel of the PS85 in play, as you mention, one of the things about the attraction of the PS85 is the minimalist, industrial matt-black finish, which I thought was unique. The JK Staff is a bit cheesy with the crown decal and a slightly different font, the Aggressor is slightly gloss, the Staff is grey, and the various other 85s just don't feel so premium. However, I recently came across a 1988 Pro Comp that has exactly the same matt finish, font, and fairly minimalist graphics. Quite a few other players commented on its great design at a recent session. Plays quite nicely too.

There was a racket similar to this in my local BST - same graphics as the Sampras PS but it had a throat bridge and was labelled as a Sting?

I’ve only seen Stings in that black frame with blue stripes variation. Seller and I could not come to an agreement on price. Someone else now owns that pretty racket.

PS - I also have a JK Staff - like how that plays.

 

[Grafil Injection]

This happened a few games into my night league match. Now what should I put in it? Also what’s with the 2nd break at the top left where it loops around the hoop? Unusual stresses at that point?

https://imgur.com/a/Xdc7P2o

Isn't this your friend's racket? Better go with VS Gut to apologise, and get a superb first hit.

 

[kevin qmto]

Isn't this your friend's racket? Better go with VS Gut to apologise, and get a superb first hit.

I’ll buy him a new bmw while I’m at it.

 

[kevin qmto]

Oh boy, more entertaining moments that some might (I wouldn't) call drama during my recent night league match. I've played this guy a few times, but I guess his eyes were a bit tired because he seemed to miss far more calls than usual. I'd have been nicer in the edit, but when he got a bit angry at himself he took it out on my camera and could've broken the thing, so my pitchfork got a bit sharper than it otherwise might've. I started with the Pro Staff that I've got on loan, but due to reasons that become clear, I couldn't finish the match with it, so I change to the Reflex midsize. Just as good right?

 

[Grafil Injection]

Although the 2nd close-call was definitely in, the first may not have been. It looked on the line, but that is quite possibly actually out when the camera is looking from 30yds behind. That's why they have line judges at the sides for baseline calls, as it's basically impossible to judge to 1-2 inch accuracy from a down-the-line view.

So, I don't think your opponent was fooling around, with your chances on the danger line!

Oh anyway, The Reflex, what a game! It looks like a solid replacement. What are the weight / balance specs?

So, why didn't you use it? Were you trying not to bruise it?! Does it have good flex-flex-flex-flex-flex, compared to the other midsize 85s?

 

[kevin qmto]

Although the 2nd close-call was definitely in, the first may not have been. It looked on the line, but that is quite possibly actually out when the camera is looking from 30yds behind. That's why they have line judges at the sides for baseline calls, as it's basically impossible to judge to 1-2 inch accuracy from a down-the-line view.

So, I don't think your opponent was fooling around, with your chances on the danger line!

Oh anyway, The Reflex, what a game! It looks like a solid replacement. What are the weight / balance specs?

So, why didn't you use it? Were you trying not to bruise it?! Does it have good flex-flex-flex-flex-flex, compared to the other midsize 85s?

yeah the first line review, it really could’ve been in by a hair, or out by a hair. 2nd ball, I’ll fight anyone who says that ball is out lol.

double bounce call was closer than I expected when reviewing the footage but I think I’m right on that too, kinda surprised as in real time I thought it was so obvious I stopped play. Btw whose call is that anyway in rules? It should have been mine right? I didn’t push it because he immediately went with “I’m positive.” so there was no way I was gonna change his mind, but also knew him doubling down would make for better vindication upon review.

Me having never used the Reflex for over a year wasn’t due to me trying to preserve it or anything, just hadn’t found the time with all the other rackets in my bag. Like so many others it gradually gets put in the back of the closet and didn’t get any court time until I had a reason (to compare with it’s much more sought after stablemate, the PS midsize). It actually has a bit more power on groundies but a touch less spin potential and more vibration at the top of the hoop. But to think this pretty Reflex sold for like $40-$50 at dept stores while the similar playing Prostaff was over $100 make it feel like the steal of the decade. One person on Facebook swore he saw these Reflex’s for like $15 at some point at dept stores, but for a full graphite with a nice leather grip, I personally find that hard to believe.

 

[Grafil Injection]

I tend to think the double bounce is his call too. Being closer and having the contact feel, he should have better judgement. Basically, every call on his side of the net is his to make, unless he is obstructed somehow from viewing, otherwise it becomes ridiculous with someone arguing a call that's 60ft away.

He may have deliberately cheated here, but he may have also just made a mistake, which you have to accept, as it should even out with any mistakes you may make. You can't override him, unless he says he's not sure and invites you to.

 

[austintennis2005]

Did

Here's something I found at Goodwill that I'd had on my to-buy list for a few years. Previously I'd found a Pro Line Spalding ATP frame, but I wanted the top tier version, the Pro Stock ones. Those came in two flavors (90sq in and 98sq in) and I managed to stumble across the exact edition I wanted for a mere $4.67 in 9/10 condition. I nearly paid $100 a couple times on the bay. Haven't so much as bounced a ball with it yet, but that'll change tomorrow night when I hit with the oldsters at the park. The Fairway grip, which it came with from factory is in good shape though a little smooth for my liking. If I can't handle that I might put an overgrip on it but I'll likely keep it on here. It's a shame these ATP frames were Spalding's last attempt in the tennis industry in 2000, and I credit them for going out with some players spec frames and not granny sticks. They probably should have ponied up a few more dollars to sign a couple pros though. I mean cmon, they got a pro to use the Orbi-Tech 95, and a few using the Assault line as well. Surely they should have been able to convince a few guys to use a far more conventional design on tour. BTW, what type of material is 'Spectra'? Spalding mentioned it in a few of their other higher end frames as well, but I've not heard of other brands utilizing it. Aesthetically I like it; lovely blue and orange highlights, and a stark departure from Spalding's other offerings during the 90's.

In other news I'll probably be buying a new camera, as my current one is 14 years old, and also its losing the ability to focus in macro situations, there must be a bad tooth on the auto-focus ring, and when objects are closer than about 2ft it simply can't focus anymore, it's making taking close details shots more and more difficult and I'm getting tired of it lol.

Did you hit with it yet?

 

[kevin qmto]

Did

Did you hit with it yet?

Briefly yes. Strings are super tight lol. I’d wager near the top of the recommended range in the 60s. Good control and feel, heavy, and I still need to treat the grip so it gets grippy once more, instead of smooth and slippery.

 

[kevin qmto]

I tend to think the double bounce is his call too. Being closer and having the contact feel, he should have better judgement. Basically, every call on his side of the net is his to make, unless he is obstructed somehow from viewing, otherwise it becomes ridiculous with someone arguing a call that's 60ft away.

yeah you’re right that makes more sense.

 

[kevin qmto]

Oh anyway, The Reflex, what a game! It looks like a solid replacement. What are the weight / balance specs?

Forgot to respond to this. The Reflex comes in at 354g strung (4g heavier than the Prostaff!) and 8pts head light. Man imagine if you could get a box beam graphite with those specs at a dept store these days lol.

 

[Casey 1988]

Forgot to respond to this. The Reflex comes in at 354g strung (4g heavier than the Prostaff!) and 8pts head light. Man imagine if you could get a box beam graphite with those specs at a dept store these days lol.

yeah the first line review, it really could’ve been in by a hair, or out by a hair. 2nd ball, I’ll fight anyone who says that ball is out lol.

double bounce call was closer than I expected when reviewing the footage but I think I’m right on that too, kinda surprised as in real time I thought it was so obvious I stopped play. Btw whose call is that anyway in rules? It should have been mine right? I didn’t push it because he immediately went with “I’m positive.” so there was no way I was gonna change his mind, but also knew him doubling down would make for better vindication upon review.

Me having never used the Reflex for over a year wasn’t due to me trying to preserve it or anything, just hadn’t found the time with all the other rackets in my bag. Like so many others it gradually gets put in the back of the closet and didn’t get any court time until I had a reason (to compare with it’s much more sought after stablemate, the PS midsize). It actually has a bit more power on groundies but a touch less spin potential and more vibration at the top of the hoop. But to think this pretty Reflex sold for like $40-$50 at dept stores while the similar playing Prostaff was over $100 make it feel like the steal of the decade. One person on Facebook swore he saw these Reflex’s for like $15 at some point at dept stores, but for a full graphite with a nice leather grip, I personally find that hard to believe.

Even If you take into account the inflation, these are more like the Wilson Recreational or Wilson USA Open for modern price of $72--$80 online.

 

[kevin qmto]

Even If you take into account the inflation, these are more like the Wilson Recreational or Wilson USA Open for modern price of $72--$80 online.

Yes that was my point. Those rackets are purely recreational sticks, whereas that reflex has specs similar to the flagship high end rackets of the time, with a nice leather grip. The value comparison advantage has to go to the old Reflex.

 

[Chairman3]

Can anyone date this racquet? Just curious. Found it pristine and super cheap, couldn't resist. 16.5mm beam and so flexy it might as well be a woody.

Super cheap you say?
Sounds like my kind of date.
Do I have to buy her dinner or will she let me bang her around on court right away...asking for a friend

 

[kevin qmto]

Super cheap you say?
Sounds like my kind of date.
Do I have to buy her dinner or will she let me bang her around on court right away...asking for a friend

Well, she is 40.

 

[Chairman3]

Well, she is 40.

So this was the Bancroft cougar then?
Maybe 40 doesn't yet qualify.

 

[Casey 1988]

Yes that was my point. Those rackets are purely recreational sticks, whereas that reflex has specs similar to the flagship high end rackets of the time, with a nice leather grip. The value comparison advantage has to go to the old Reflex.

I was just trying to compare where modern racquets are in terms of what you get now for the same price. For a Racquet like this, Pro Kennex 5G at $127 or the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 at $119 are the closest with maybe the Kawasaki Racquets that are all carbon fiber at about $90--$95 the closest but for the Kawasaki Tennis you have to order on AliExpress becuse the Japanese company sells direct from the Chinese Factory the Japanese Kawasaki Tennis sells most of the Tennis though, the majority of the brand is now mostly catering to Badminton the popular racquet/paddle sport in Asia since it superseded Table Tennis for several reasons.

 

[Casey 1988]

Not the racquet James Bond would use…

I always felt Jams bond would use some kind of Prince model with the O ports/Twist power due to the tech, or Pro Kennex due to the Kinetic tech.

Didn't James bond in one of the 1970's movies play tennis and he used some kind of Prince 1970's non wood model like the aluminum or fiberglass models?

 

[kevin qmto]

I always felt Jams bond would use some kind of Prince model with the O ports/Twist power due to the tech, or Pro Kennex due to the Kinetic tech.

Didn't James bond in one of the 1970's movies play tennis and he used some kind of Prince 1970's non wood model like the aluminum or fiberglass models?

You might be thinking of Vijay’s cameo as basically himself, but a secret agent in Octopussy in 1983. He even gets to use his Donnay as a weapon. It’s so cheesy and wonderful.

 

[LeoFulgencio]

2 rare rackets I bought in 2022 from the internet.

The handle had some foam on it, but I removed it

-----

 

[Sanglier]

-----

Very interesting! If what I am seeing is correct, they made a Bergelin Long String without the rollers? How were they still able to tighten the strings? What does the butt of the handle look like? If it’s just a plain butt cap, can you show where and how the strings are threaded through the handle? I assume this was made using leftovers after the Long String project had died. “No retail” and “No warranty” might also mean it came before the Long String (it does say “BLS” above the grip though), but my understanding has been that the rollers were there from the start. Perhaps I am wrong?

Maybe this “Pro Team Member” is the missing link between BLS and “Protagon”?

 

[mixtape]

Reminds me of a Fox racquet. A blend between the sharp angled head of the ceramic wb-210 and the string through the throat style of the wb-215.

 

[retrowagen]

Any time I see a post-1987 (non-Austrian made) Kneissl racquet, I feel sad. The brand went from very special to anonymous almost overnight.

 

[retrowagen]

I always felt Jams bond would use some kind of Prince model with the O ports/Twist power due to the tech, or Pro Kennex due to the Kinetic tech.

Didn't James bond in one of the 1970's movies play tennis and he used some kind of Prince 1970's non wood model like the aluminum or fiberglass models?

I would suggest that the late 70‘s/early 80‘s James Bond would have selected a composite Browning frame (made by FN in Herstal, Belgium)… customized by „Q“ Branch with a single-shot 9mm that fires from the butt cap.