Blade V6 2021 (finally without CV)

DJTaurus

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
The problem is that we believed (tennisSpin first shared the info) this would be a V5 holy grail re-release and not the V6 without CV..... and sorry Michele i don’t get the marketing hype that without CV it suddenly comes close to V5.... i ll try it nevertheless....


1) Will they also release 18x20 and 98S versions ?
2) Keep in mind next year we ll have V8
 
G

Greg_in_Atlanta

New User
If the V6 is, in fact, the same as the V5 but for the addition of CV, still seems like they would have been better off to market it as a V5. I would have bought a V5 if only to experience it alongside my V7. Now, it's not so clear exactly what it is.
 
Addxyz

Addxyz

Hall of Fame
Greg_in_Atlanta said:
If the V6 is, in fact, the same as the V5 but for the addition of CV, still seems like they would have been better off to market it as a V5. I would have bought a V5 if only to experience it alongside my V7. Now, it's not so clear exactly what it is.
Click to expand...

In the video review she says it's close to the 2015, but not the same, so I'm wondering if that wordage means it's not.
 
G

Greg_in_Atlanta

New User
Addxyz said:
In the video review she says it's close to the 2015, but not the same, so I'm wondering if that wordage means it's not.
Click to expand...

Would have been easy to say it was "exactly" the same racquet vs. "close". Disappointing! Unless its a manufacturing issue/limitation, can't imagine why they wouldn't have just brought back the 2015 exactly as it was but with a different paint job (assume staying in the new look is probably important).

Greg
 
1

18x20 ftw

Semi-Pro
taylor15 said:
I was kind of thinking this too since all of their current frames are still the 3 colorway with nothing fancy on them.
Click to expand...

I have five of the v6 with cv and nine of the 2015. The v6 paint job is way more durable. The v5 looks like hell after a few weeks/months, not that I care that much.

Edit: I should add neither are all that durable. But the area around the head guard gets tore up on the 15’s. 3 and 9 get tore up on both.
 
LOBALOT

LOBALOT

Hall of Fame
So now I am confused. I was expecting it to be less stiff a frame than the V7 and it is more stiff.

I have some buddies who are playing with the 2015 18x20 and were waiting to get the 16x19 to get a bit more spin and pop.

I wonder what stick is the appropriate for a 3.5 to 4.5 player the V6 without CV or the V7.....

o_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
 
1

18x20 ftw

Semi-Pro
After hearing about this racquet I was secretly hoping it would be a fresh paintjob with a totally new look. Something like the Kblade but not.
 
P

PaulC

Professional
megamind said:
Did the V5 have a flex of 67?

Seems kinda high
Click to expand...

2015 V5 is 66 strung per TW.

Even 67 is nothing if you don't string polys on it at 55+ lb.

The V7 dropped all the way to 62 strung and see what happened? Many competition level and tour players simply switched to sth. crisppier or stay with V5 or V6.
 
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1

18x20 ftw

Semi-Pro
I actually kinda like the cv. They feel kinda more like my Babolats, not without feel, just different, more hollow or “creaky”. I’ve played them for too long I guess, I think I prefer them over the 15’s. Strange times, these days. I can’t wait to demo this new racquet though.
 
CosmosMpower

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
18x20 ftw said:
I have five of the v6 with cv and nine of the 2015. The v6 paint job is way more durable. The v5 looks like hell after a few weeks/months, not that I care that much.

Edit: I should add neither are all that durable. But the area around the head guard gets tore up on the 15’s. 3 and 9 get tore up on both.
Click to expand...

That velvet paint they use on V6/V7 looks like crap if you even look at it the wrong way. Wilson quality at it's finest.
 
DJTaurus

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
PaulC said:
2015 V5 is 66 strung per TW.

Even 67 is nothing if you don't string polys on it at 55+ lb.

The V7 dropped all the way to 62 strung and see what happened? Many competition level and tour players simply switched to sth. crisppier or stay with V5 or V6.
Click to expand...
Let’s see what V8 will bring next year. I missed the free power of V5/V6 from V7.....
 
McGradey

McGradey

Hall of Fame
V6 name doesn’t really make any sense. Why not call it the V5, which is what it is?

edit- looks like it’s just the V6 with countervail removed? Weird! I thought it was going to be the ‘15 with a different paint job

Great to see more legacy lines hitting the market though, so kudos Wilson.
 
P

PaulC

Professional
18x20 ftw said:
I have five of the v6 with cv and nine of the 2015. The v6 paint job is way more durable. The v5 looks like hell after a few weeks/months, not that I care that much.

Edit: I should add neither are all that durable. But the area around the head guard gets tore up on the 15’s. 3 and 9 get tore up on both.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... the R.A.I.S. (The Racquet Abuse Investigation Services) need to open a case to investigate your processes of destroying racquet paintjobs. :eek:

Then again, you are not alone. Tons of TW forum folks here have this issue.

But I do agree V6 paintjob is more durable around the hoop. (but it feels bad on hand for me)

So for 2021 version, why not matte hoop + glossy shafts (or "throat" as many call it) like the Head Graphene Prestige (blk and redhead) to have the benefits of both:

-- Feels good on the hand while durable against abuses on the hoop. :D
 
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1

18x20 ftw

Semi-Pro
PaulC said:
Hmmm.... the R.A.I.S. (The Racquet Abuse Investigation Services) need to open a case to investigate your processes of destroying racquet paintjobs. :eek:

Then again, you are not alone. Tons of TW folks here have this issue.

But I do agree V6 paintjob is more durable around the hoop. (but it feels bad on hand for me)

So for 2021 version, why not matte hoop + glossy shafts (or "throat" as many call it) like the Head Graphene Prestige (blk and redhead) to have the benefits of both:

-- Feels good on the hand while durable against abuses on the hoop. :D
Click to expand...

Sadly I have also totally destroyed four blades when they came out of my hands when serving. I have sweat issues.
 
P

PaulC

Professional
18x20 ftw said:
Sadly I have also totally destroyed four blades when they came out of my hands when serving. I have sweat issues.
Click to expand...

Which is why a legendary R.A.I.S. agent will yell "DON'T drop your weapon !!" upon witnessing this. :D

Maybe those dryer Tourna grips will help?
 
M

Margomael

Rookie
For me blade 2013 black and silver has the best paintjob. I have one and I still use it sometimes. Kblade has pretty good paintjob also. Not too fond of v5 paintjob.
I prefer playing with the v7 rather than v5. Haven’t played with the v5 for months. I will pass on this new v6 and wait for reviews about v8.
 
S

stickM

Rookie
The original v6.0 Blade 98L 16x19 was also produced without CV. At 285 g and 4 pts head light it seems like that model would offer specs similar to a prostock and be a great platform racket for customization. Has anyone on here tried customizing the non-CV V6 98L and do you have mods and results you can share?
 
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Keizer

Keizer

Hall of Fame
I just don't get why there is no 18x20 option in this re-release. I get that the 16x19 is more accessible, but the only people that care enough about this frame to ask Wilson to re-release it without CV, imo, are people like those on this forum, who seem to favor the 18x20 option. Insane that they decided to release multiple sticks in 16x19 without an 18x20. I don't know about you guys, but when I think Blade, I think 18x20.
 
Abdulthelizard

Abdulthelizard

New User
I hit with this racket briefly and here are some of my initial impressions. The one thing I was hoping for the most with this racket was for it to feel like the 2015 blade but unfortunately it feels quite different. While it is not as muted as the CV blade, it is still much more muted than the 2015. If I had a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the CV and 10 being 2015, I would rate this racket as a 3. It is much closer in feel to the CV, maybe because of the rubber paint? Playability wise I found it to be very similar to the CV. I strung it up with Yonex PTP 1.25 at 52 lbs. Overall I still think the 2015 is a far better racket than the new V6 if you are looking for the more classic responsive feel from the blade.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Abdulthelizard said:
I hit with this racket briefly and here are some of my initial impressions. The one thing I was hoping for the most with this racket was for it to feel like the 2015 blade but unfortunately it feels quite different. While it is not as muted as the CV blade, it is still much more muted than the 2015. If I had a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the CV and 10 being 2015, I would rate this racket as a 3. It is much closer in feel to the CV, maybe because of the rubber paint? Playability wise I found it to be very similar to the CV. I strung it up with Yonex PTP 1.25 at 52 lbs. Overall I still think the 2015 is a far better racket than the new V6 if you are looking for the more classic responsive feel from the blade.
Click to expand...
Wow. Sounds like a fail then.
 
S

StanAO14

Semi-Pro
Abdulthelizard said:
I hit with this racket briefly and here are some of my initial impressions. The one thing I was hoping for the most with this racket was for it to feel like the 2015 blade but unfortunately it feels quite different. While it is not as muted as the CV blade, it is still much more muted than the 2015. If I had a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the CV and 10 being 2015, I would rate this racket as a 3. It is much closer in feel to the CV, maybe because of the rubber paint? Playability wise I found it to be very similar to the CV. I strung it up with Yonex PTP 1.25 at 52 lbs. Overall I still think the 2015 is a far better racket than the new V6 if you are looking for the more classic responsive feel from the blade.
Click to expand...
might well be the case, but yptp does not help in that regard (not saying the the new blade not muted, but yptp sure is)
 
topspn

topspn

Legend
I actually really like this frame. I added weight to bring it up to 337.7g and 32.7cm balance and strung it up with Tour Hex @50lbs. Excellent feel and feedback and nothing to complain about playability wise. I liked it quite a bit more then the V7 i use to have and more than the new Rad MP. It is #2 in my bag now behind the Blade Pro
 
D

Dan007

Hall of Fame
topspn said:
I actually really like this frame. I added weight to bring it up to 337.7g and 32.7cm balance and strung it up with Tour Hex @50lbs. Excellent feel and feedback and nothing to complain about playability wise. I liked it quite a bit more then the V7 i use to have and more than the new Rad MP. It is #2 in my bag now behind the Blade Pro
Click to expand...

Could you explain a bit more on how the v6 compared to 2021 Radical MP in terms of power, control, and feel on different shots?
 
topspn

topspn

Legend
Dan007 said:
Could you explain a bit more on how the v6 compared to 2021 Radical MP in terms of power, control, and feel on different shots?
Click to expand...
Power level is quite similar and even string pattern layout seems to be pretty similar. MP has some hollowness to it on feel, better then the old generation and has more flex to it so its an improvement. This V6 though has a more solid more sophisticated feel and it is also more stable. Really translated to taking bigger cuts on the ball with more confidence and i certainly liked the response on volleys more. Very assured and just right for me. I also liked serving more with the blade, neither racquet was in any way difficult to serve with but i got better results from the blade both power and targeting. Both frames were strung with the same string and same tension.
 
K

KYHacker

Professional
I bought several of these. Former RF97A user. Have been playing with the Beast O3 98 and also tried the Graphene 360 Speed Pro. I should say that my frames came in under spec on SW (315 SW with Sensation 17), but I had asked for some from TW that were at or under published spec because I wanted to customize them. I added 6g lead total at 3 & 9 (the entire length of the lime paint) to replicate the PWS and stability of my RF97A. What I now have is a lighter and slightly faster and flexier RF97A. Almost identical feel to my RF97A with similar power and stability but just a bit easier to swing. I MUCH prefer the layup of the V6 to the V7. The V7 doesn't flex in a uniform way that I expect of the Blades (former user of NBlade and KBlade). Forehand is a little unruly due to super high twist weight of my frames, but everything else is spot on. Not as comfortable or as easy to use as the Beast O3 98 but it has a little less power and a slightly lower launch angle than that frame, and so I can modulate my shots slightly better with the Blade. Definitely still easier to play "relaxed" tennis with the Beast and so I am not 100% commited to the Blade V6 yet, but I really like the thinner beam and only slightly lower power. Stability for my customized frames is actually a little better than the tuxedo RF97A frames that I have. Customize frames are 337g, 332SW with overgrip and Wilson Shock-trap vibration dampener. Deduct about 3 pts SW and about 4g static weight with a smaller, less heavy vibration dampener.
 
pico

pico

Hall of Fame
KYHacker said:
I bought several of these. Former RF97A user. Have been playing with the Beast O3 98 and also tried the Graphene 360 Speed Pro. I should say that my frames came in under spec on SW (315 SW with Sensation 17), but I had asked for some from TW that were at or under published spec because I wanted to customize them. I added 6g lead total at 3 & 9 (the entire length of the lime paint) to replicate the PWS and stability of my RF97A. What I now have is a lighter and slightly faster and flexier RF97A. Almost identical feel to my RF97A with similar power and stability but just a bit easier to swing. I MUCH prefer the layup of the V6 to the V7. The V7 doesn't flex in a uniform way that I expect of the Blades (former user of NBlade and KBlade). Forehand is a little unruly due to super high twist weight of my frames, but everything else is spot on. Not as comfortable or as easy to use as the Beast O3 98 but it has a little less power and a slightly lower launch angle than that frame, and so I can modulate my shots slightly better with the Blade. Definitely still easier to play "relaxed" tennis with the Beast and so I am not 100% commited to the Blade V6 yet, but I really like the thinner beam and only slightly lower power. Stability for my customized frames is actually a little better than the tuxedo RF97A frames that I have. Customize frames are 337g, 332SW with overgrip and Wilson Shock-trap vibration dampener. Deduct about 3 pts SW and about 4g static weight with a smaller, less heavy vibration dampener.
Click to expand...
I just got mine this week and this was my intention - to have a little brother to my RF97. Did you ever try lead else where on this racquet?
 
J

JoaoN

Semi-Pro
Does anyone know the actual balance spec of these? TW listed then as 3pt HL strung, but some other places, and Wilson website, lists them at 5pt HL
 
J

J.Alexander

New User
n8dawg6 said:
still really like my countervail blades ... wish they were camo like my 98L assault blades
Click to expand...


Why do so many people on these boards hate CV blade? I have heard of this olive green/ light purple yonex pj looking v8 that is apparently floating around town a few teaching pros I know have hit with it. I found 4 18x20 CV's and customized the hell out of them the past year. (tried the v7 blade, felt too plush and weird for me) so I doubt I will switch no matter how good it is. but curious on anyones comparison to the CV!
 
E

emaz8724

Rookie
J.Alexander said:
Why do so many people on these boards hate CV blade? I have heard of this olive green/ light purple yonex pj looking v8 that is apparently floating around town a few teaching pros I know have hit with it. I found 4 18x20 CV's and customized the hell out of them the past year. (tried the v7 blade, felt too plush and weird for me) so I doubt I will switch no matter how good it is. but curious on anyones comparison to the CV!
Click to expand...

Any chance you can find out if those teaching pros can give you the RA of the v8, please? The big sticking point it seems is that no one knows the direction Wilson is going to go with the flex.
 
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