Blackburne Double strung 98

[The Dark Knight]

well I never thought I would say this but I have cheated on my trusty Vortex 116.

This double strung racquet is really revolutionary and I have no idea why it never made it ?

I'm guessing it's because it's hard to string and it was super expensive .

I have never in my life played with a racquet this stable . There is absolutely zero twisting and every shot is just clean as hell .

I am still testing so the jury is still out .

But so far return of serves and volleys are off the chart . And serves and forehands are absolutely the most powerful I have ever seen in my life because this is the most head heavy racquet ever made .

While I'm testing I thought I would post a video . This version is the 107 which was too large for me and I prefer the 98.

 

[The Dark Knight]

Almost forgot ...here are the specs . Not the best but it's all I have :

Technical Specifications of the Blackburne Double Strung RacquetTM

Frame: 100% High Modulus Graphite

Strings: Synthetic gut 16-gauge

Tension: Range suggested: 51-54 pounds

Head Size:
107 square inches (model DS107)
97 square inches (model DS97)

Weight: 10.7 ounces, strung with vibration damper filter

Ratings from United States Racquet Stingers Association, Stringer’s Assistant, June 1997

Power Ratings: 728

Swing Weight: 341

Length: 27

Stiffness : 68

Balance : freaking head heavy .

Grip Sizes:
4 1/8” or Size 1
4 1/4” or Size 2
4 3/8” or Size 3
4 1/2” or Size 4
4 5/8” or Size 5

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

Lol, there is a video showing the most expensive stringjob on youtube !!! Some guy strung 2 full sets of Babolat VS gut in this racquet!!! Check it out!!! (I think this is the frame you are referring to)

 

[The Dark Knight]

Lol, there is a video showing the most expensive stringjob on youtube !!! Some guy strung 2 full sets of Babolat VS gut in this racquet!!! Check it out!!! (I think this is the frame you are referring to)

The video is 17 minutes and I just don't have the time to watch it now but I will later .

I just wanted to say that yes it's expensive but the strings will last twice as long because you use each side half as much than a conventional racquet ....if that makes sense ?

 

[The Dark Knight]

I was doing a search on the net and apparently Roscoe Tanner used the Blackburne at Wimbledon and was almost disqualified .....note for those of you who don't know Roscoe he is famous for having one of the biggest serves of all time and he once hit the ball so hard that he actually snapped the cable in the net cord.

Check this out :

" I have been challenged only once – and that was playing the Stevens Cup in the Bahamas – but that was an ITF official who, like the person you refer to, was very officious. At least he rang London for confirmation.

The other time was at Wimbledon in 1998, when Roscoe Tanner and Sandy Mayer, both playing Blackburne, were facing Newcombe and Roche (multiple time former Wimbledon champions), in the 45s mens doubles. The umpire challenged them but rang the referee’s desk right there and then, got the OK and they were allowed to play. First time Sandy Mayer had played Blackburne. And first time he and Roscoe had ever partnered. They soundly defeated the great Australian pair !"

 

[SpinToWin]

The video is 17 minutes and I just don't have the time to watch it now but I will later .

I just wanted to say that yes it's expensive but the strings will last twice as long because you use each side half as much than a conventional racquet ....if that makes sense ?

Hmmm... This is a complicated one, I would say that most players break strings mainly with their forehand and that they will look to hit more forehands as well. Considering most players always play with the same side of the racquet for the respective wing, my guess is that the two sides would have different degrees of wear and that they will need to be restrung at different rates. Sounds problematic for a competitive game if you are not restringing like a pro I think.

 

[The Dark Knight]

Hmmm... This is a complicated one, I would say that most players break strings mainly with their forehand and that they will look to hit more forehands as well. Considering most players always play with the same side of the racquet for the respective wing, my guess is that the two sides would have different degrees of wear and that they will need to be restrung at different rates. Sounds problematic for a competitive game if you are not restringing like a pro I think.

True ....but if you win it's worth it I think ?

The thing I was thinking about is what if you strung your forehand at one tension and your backhand at another tension ?

Or you could actually use two different strings ...say poly on one side and gut on the other .

Just wild !

 

[t-swede]

where did you buy it ?

 

[The Dark Knight]

where did you buy it ?

I'm not sure you can get the 97 from the company anymore because I think they are utterly sold out of the 97.

The 107 is still available I believe from Blackburne and also Donnay was selling them .

I guess you just have to search on the net or travel down to the "bay"

 

[kingcheetah]

I assume it's only usable if both sides have unbroken strings? Because if strings wear at different rates that would lead to some problems with breakage at inconvenient times, requiring more racquets, no?

 

[The Dark Knight]

So I hit with it a bit today . I loved it but refraining a bit from commenting or writing a review in order to avoid a honeymoon period .

However there are a couple of early impressions that will not change :

Feel : there's a pro and a con here . The con is that you don't feel the ball as much as a conventional stick for touch shots . On the other hand there is zero vibration , zero twisting , zero stress on the arm ......really smooth ride but maybe too smooth for touch players because there is almost no feedback. Personally I love it but I can see how touch players may not like it .

Power: holy **** this is the most powerful racquet I have ever played with in my life . I think it's because it's so head heavy . This may bother some people .... I personally I love the power.... . It's a controllable power much like a pro staff . There is mass to this puppy even though being a very light racquet.

Plow through : huge ! Again it's so freaking head heavy and stable . Just awesome .

 

[The Dark Knight]

Here's a pic of Roscoe Tanner who has one of the greatest serves of all time using the Blackburne at Wimbledon:

 

[comeback]

I just remembered i have the Blackburn 98 and 110 in good shape if interested

 

[The Dark Knight]

I just remembered i have the Blackburn 98 and 110 in good shape if interested

The Blackburne is 97 & 107

 

[t-swede]

Do you still have the 97?

 

[speedysteve]

Adding to this one.

I just took delivery of a 'new' or nos Blackburne DS97.
Got it for steal on UK Eeebay.

Still has the Plastic on the grip and no marks anywhere on the frame / bumper guard.

I have two now

The first one I have weighed to 330g strung and gripped.
Gives a 2pts headlight balance.

This new one is of course standard.
It's a 4 5/8" grip which plus overgrip is what I like. Can't help having big hands, long fingers
I will play with it at standard weight and balance but with the grip plastic on + overgrip and see.
It weighs 317g now.

Nice to have a couple of weights and balances.

The strings are of course unused, have that slightly creamy colour and the writing - Blackburne Synthetic Gut 16, stamped on them.
I'd hoped for more clues about the string used but no dice.
I like the original strings on one of my DS107s.

My other DS97 is in good condition and I restrung it with a Synth gut renowned for good tension maintenance.

Some pics.

 

[speedysteve]

Briefly hit with the NOS DS97 in stock form.

For me, not a patch on the modded frame by the addition of 20 odd grams of lead in the handle, bringing it to around 335g strung, and 2-3pts headlight.

 

[KimchitheCat]

I have a BB DS107 and like its def a weird hitting experience they did do a nice job with what its suppose to do and you really dont frame the ball. Its also relatively heavy and you really feel the weight in the head of the racket (prob because of the extra weight added from using 2 sets of strings). imo it needs to be a little more head light to make up for the extra weight in the head from the strings

 

[speedysteve]

Absolutely, I can't play happily with them in standard weight / HH balance.

Customise a bit and it's an amazing racquet.
I like 330 / 340 / 350g strung racquets and big grips, so it's not a problem.

Some talk about lack of feel, but for me, it's just that I was used to a vibrating/shocking standard racquet.
Standard racquets are not a problem if you have tendons / joints in great shape..
The DS is more subtle in feel, but you adapt or reset.
I've no problems with volleys it touch shots. Slices are wicked! Topspin lobs etc..

It is without question the most arm friendly, shock free, stable racquet I've ever used. But only once weighted up in the handle.

 

[TesseractOrion]

Absolutely, I can't play happily with them in standard weight / HH balance.

Customise a bit and it's an amazing racquet.
I like 330 / 340 / 350g strung racquets and big grips, so it's not a problem.

Some talk about lack of feel, but for me, it's just that I was used to a vibrating/shocking standard racquet.
Standard racquets are not a problem if you have tendons / joints in great shape..
The DS is more subtle in feel, but you adapt or reset.
I've no problems with volleys it touch shots. Slices are wicked! Topspin lobs etc..

It is without question the most arm friendly, shock free, stable racquet I've ever used. But only once weighted up in the handle.

Agree with everything you've said.

Am gonna try adding weight to butt (racquet's, not mine)

 

[Crocodile]

There were a lot more interesting and creative frames back in the days when these racquets were available. Todays globalised production methods have really sanitised racquet manufacturing,

 

[wallymann]

There were a lot more interesting and creative frames back in the days when these racquets were available. Todays globalised production methods have really sanitised racquet manufacturing,

that plus "design convergence"...for performance and marketing reasons...designs tend to arrive at similar outcomes...until the "next big idea" comes along to shake things up!