Blade V7 and V8 handle difference

[Serve&Bash]

Hey I was wondering if anyone else feels that the handle of the V8 is significantly different than that of the V7. I used the blade V7 for years and i always used a 4 1/4 grip with 1 wilson pro overgrip. I had 2 blades and the grip felt the same on both. I bought the V8 this summer and 4 1/4 with 1 wilson pro overgrip over it feels thicker and less maneuverable. I'm thinking this could be related to Wilson using a thicker replacement grip on new rackets. Anyone else feel this as well? I know its something so minor but I really dislike the feel the racket gives compared to my previous blades. I've never switched to the upgraded version of my racket and felt this big of a change before.

 

[esgee48]

New grips are thicker until well used. As they age, they compress due to the player squeezing them.

 

[Serve&Bash]

I have been using this racket for 5 months now. I also shadow swing during some cardio workouts at my place. The grip is objectively thicker and I measured it with the v8+1 wilson pro overgrip coming out at almost 4 1/2 whereas the v7s were 4 3/8th with overgrip on them. The issue is that this really impacts my forehand which is hit with a fast swing and plenty of wrist movement. To work around this I used as little of the overgrip as possible when wrapping the handle and cutting of the excess at the top. This made the handle's equivalent in width but the v8 has pronounced bevels that lead to a harsh feel and more shanking.

 

[Mischko]

Don't remember how exactly the end cap of Blade v7 was wrapped, but this newest gen of Wilsons has a rounder end cap and base grip wrapping, some overwrap before continuing etc so it's probably just the slightly different shape overall, without being thinner or thicker above. Same base grip I think as well

It's noticeable on Blade v8, but it's the same thing with Shift and Pro Staffs v14. I love it personally, when I rewrapped my base grip I carefully put it back as it was, to keep the rounded shape, to have that "just right" spot for my pinky finger on serve, on both sides haha

 

[Regord]

I definitely found the grip size of the V8 to be bigger than that of V7. The V8 is also a less rectangular grip shape than the V7.

Does anyone know if the grip size of the V9 is the same, bigger or smaller than that of the V8/V7? What about grip shape differences?

 

[redduck996]

are you no longer allowed to sell rackets on TT?

 

[Rosstour]

are you no longer allowed to sell rackets on TT?

I just sold some. But it took a while for my FS post to be approved.

 

[redduck996]

thanks,

 

[Robert F]

Oddly, I just got some V8 compared to my V6 and V7, the butt cap is definitely more flared than the V7s and V6s. But the width of the main shaft seems on point just not as compressed as my old grips.

 

[redduck996]

was looking to either sell or trade my 18x20 for a pair of 16x19 or even the staff v13. Looking for more power : )