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Slicehand
Guest
Blade is rubbery, and i found out i dont like the feeling of the ball sitting in the strings for so long, so maybe i dont like flexy racquets, its like it gives me " fake feedback" but to each their own
Blade V8 Official Thread.
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-i rather like the fact that wilson has a EASY, READY TO GO 320g stick in both 16/19 AND 18/20 patterns
-lets you decide right away on which pattern to go with, based on ones string consumption needs
-if you are a stringing breaker, go with 18/20 blade
-if you are not a string breaker, go with 16/19 blade
-and i actually do appreciate the soft comfortable feel of this model
-THE COMFORT and/or the "ease of swing" are the KEY take aways for the v8
-lets you decide right away on which pattern to go with, based on ones string consumption needs
-if you are a stringing breaker, go with 18/20 blade
-if you are not a string breaker, go with 16/19 blade
-and i actually do appreciate the soft comfortable feel of this model
-THE COMFORT and/or the "ease of swing" are the KEY take aways for the v8
ImportPer4mance
New User
I think there is more to choosing between the two string patterns than just “if you are a string breaker”, to be honest.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-for a NON string breaker, the choices are numerous
-for a real string breaker, the choices are very few!!
-while i am not one myself, i have seen the frustration a string-breaker goes through,, NOT FUN at all!!
-18/20s are their only "real" option
ImportPer4mance
New User
You can also use a thicker gauge string or a different string altogether
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-actually no
-that's the answer you would think would solve the issue, but no
-the issue is more complicated then that
-most string breakers are already using 16g polys and breaking them just as quickly as 17g, 2 or 3 hitting sessions
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
Your first experience with blade? On V7 that effect is almost 30-40% more. V8 is more direct.
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Slicehand
Guest
Yeah i have to admit im talking about the v7, you cought me off topic, i played 2 years with it, and its a great racquet, but when i tried other racquets i found that i prefer a stiffer, more head light, and crisp racquet for my game, but i can understand why people like it
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-i also have these sticks
-im not sure what "v#" versions these would be
-these are def. more crisp and "responsive" as you pointed out @Slicehand
-but as @DJTaurus mentioned, the blades have gotten softer and more comfortable with each version
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Slicehand
Guest
Those seem like 2013 or 2015 or something like that, which i heard are quite different, still, i find the head heavy feeling more suitable for a two hander, im not saying that you cant play it with a one hander, i did for two years and produced good backhands, but i felt it limited my options on the backhand return and deffending with the backhand too, also now i use prince textreme tour 100 310 and find it just perfect for my game, the blade was slightly more precise but overall i play much better with my current racquet and also like the feedback and feeling more
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Is that a 16x19? If so, then your good. I think Wilson was going for a strung SW of 320 for 16M v8. A little lead will beef that right up if wanted.. Your racquet specs are much better than some others I see on this thread with much lower sw.
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
Yeah should have confirmed that, 16.19. Seems good enough to me too. I can always add swing weight… that said I don’t want to be in a position i have to use lead but at least I can. Typically 17g poly only adds around 26g SW points or so which is what I’ll probably use. So just 314 swing weight. Definitely a bit low for a Blade. However 2 grams at 12 and that’s likely over 320.
Keizer
Hall of Fame
2013 (18x20 version often called the tsitsipas blade these days). Definitely stiffer than the v7, probably stiffer than the v5 (2015) too.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
As I’m eyeing picking up a Speed 360 MP or Pro (not 360+) as they are VERY similar to my current frame but with smaller head sizes, I can’t help but notice how similar the specs of the v8 16m and 18m are( supposed to be) to the 360 Speeds.
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
The racquet of Tsitsipas. Definitely more crisp and direct than any blade afterwards.
ImportPer4mance
New User
This is a joke...
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
Strung it up just now with 17g Hyper G 1.20.
swing weight coming in at 316. Little low but certainly playable in stock form
297 to 300 unstrung. I always use customization service. hG 17g adds 30sw.. lynx tour 1.25mm adds 33sw.luxilon 4g adds about 31sw.@AA7 do you remember what the unstrung SW of your v7 18m was? Yours right now is perfect 330 SW when strung. I would be curious as to what you have done to get it there
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Slicehand
Guest
Wilson QC makes you a better player, dont you see? Its on porpouse, thats why wilson is only for advanced players
ImportPer4mance
New User
Was listening to a podcast with the head engineers of Wilson... doesn't sound like QC will ever be in check. For the clash and with introduction of FlexFeel/FortyFive they said they didn't print specs because they don't want people coming into it with any preconceptions.... sounds like BS.
Does the v8 have printed specs on it?
Does the v8 have printed specs on it?
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On the racquet page on the wilson site they list:
weight, strung and unstrung
length
balance, strung and unstrung
So clearly they are ok with some preconceptions...which is not quite the right word...they want to avoid expectations.
But let's say they printed zero specs...what kind of product development and sales approach is this? That would be like Nike not listing width size on their shoes.
tomkowy
Rookie
Can you share the link to the podcast?
About Wilson QC: I bought Ultra Tour v.2 with 303 strung SW. 20 points lower than average TW spec
Weight was on spot: 305 grams. I needed to add 7 grams of lead just to get it to average SW.
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They didn't want advanced players or people with spec preferences looking at the specs and dismissing the racket because it is "revolutionary". Clash has no printed specs on the racket.
I don't have it on hand. It was a Clash Tennis warehouse podcast from before the v7 blades were released on youtube.
FoldingChair
Semi-Pro
I have 2 of the 16 main v8 now… never checked the swing weight numbers pre and post stringing. Static weight was within a few grams as tw posted numbers. After reading everyone’s feedback here, I’m kinda scared to check the sw numbers all I know is they both hit great for me and feel similar
sounds about right to me.. you are good to go!
HitMoreBHs
Professional
What's the balance point on that stick, please? If it's currently 5HL or more, it's a keeper since easily modded. Nothing wrong with a little lead on any racquet!
ChanterRacquet
Professional
I think you mean 97 in both instances.
Anyways, my favorite 18x20 are the Prince Textreme Tour 100P (2019) and Pure Strike 18x20 3 Gen. Speed Pro is good too, until you need to serve, haha.
oops -- yes
I see, specifically for the Clash launch b/c the tech changes the relationship to specs...
I love the way they play, don't get me wrong. But I was worried about the shoulder soreness I was getting and suspected it was a low sw that was doing it.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
My conclusions:
16m is too low sw (stock) for my 2hbh and underpowered
18m is too low powered/launch angle/spin
The 360 (no +) Speed MP and Pro are looking appealing with their slightly thicker beam and 100” head at sw (on spec-ish) between the 16m and 18m v8.
I’m still curious about the v8 100 but worried if they’ll be generally underspec too with sw lower than the 100L like the v8 98 16m already is!
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Agree as well
lychee_boy
New User
I've been using the 18x20 v8 against the v7 (same weight & balance point) for about a week now and sad to say both my friends (who also hit with both) and myself find the v8 under powered, which was no surprise after bringing in my v8 to get matched with the v7's i currently have at my stringer (he's a certified master racquet technician).
the swing weight when he put both sticks through the RDC revealed a differential of 10 in the SW between the two versions
. Needless to say the v8 has been taken off my 'active racquet' roster!
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
I've been using the 18x20 v8 against the v7 (same weight & balance point) for about a week now and sad to say both my friends (who also hit with both) and myself find the v8 under powered, which was no surprise after bringing in my v8 to get matched with the v7's i currently have at my stringer (he's a certified master racquet technician).
the swing weight when he put both sticks through the RDC revealed a differential of 10 in the SW between the two versions
Hrmm, what's the balance point on your V8 18x20 and the Swing weight? I think I got a heftier one, mine is around 4HL strung with a thin 18 gauge poly and with an overgrip. I'd be interested to trade into a lower SW copy. Mine hits a beefy ball but just not maneuverable enough for my taste. I had the same problem with the V7 18x20 I owned.
lychee_boy
New User
317 unstrung.. from memory the SW from the RDC came in at 285.
ImportPer4mance
New User
Wait so you found the v8 to be lower powered than the v7 even after matching them and playing? I would have thought that with the same swing weight it would have a tad more power as it feels more crisp.I've been using the 18x20 v8 against the v7 (same weight & balance point) for about a week now and sad to say both my friends (who also hit with both) and myself find the v8 under powered, which was no surprise after bringing in my v8 to get matched with the v7's i currently have at my stringer (he's a certified master racquet technician).
the swing weight when he put both sticks through the RDC revealed a differential of 10 in the SW between the two versions
lychee_boy
New User
wasn't able to match the v8 with my v7's due to the overall racquet weight of the v8 == that of my already matched set of v7's (wasn't willing to rematch the v7's). tbn i love the plusher feel of the v7's to the crispiness of the v8 (similar to my previous pro staffs)
ImportPer4mance
New User
Ahhh gotcha. Ok sorry I was a little confused haha. What are your v7 specs? Before writing off the v8 completely, what you could do is add a few grams of lead at 12 to beef up the SW without increasing overall weight by too much. Add like 4 grams and then play. You should definitely notice more power and the SW should be very close to your v7. That would give you a more fair comparison between the two IMO. I am going to try something similar with my demo v8. Unfortunately I don’t have access to an RDC machine so I have to do it via feel hahaha
Also if you wanna keep the same balance point then you can add a few grams in the butt cap trap door, but I think matching the SW is a good start.
lychee_boy
New User
304g, 303sw; I added 6 grams to the butt caps for the 3 v7's and v8. Can't match the SW on the v8 based on the BP's being almost identical across the board.. based on the recommendation of the MRT here
ImportPer4mance
New User
Damn. I guess if people are looking for v8 18m they should use matching service to get something with 295+ SW unstrung and balance at 32,5. Btw that’s 303 SW UNSTRUNG for V7, right? So that would put you to 330-335 depending on what strings you use304g, 303sw; I added 6 grams to the butt caps for the 3 v7's and v8. Can't match the SW on the v8 based on the BP's being almost identical across the board.. based on the recommendation of the MRT here
lychee_boy
New User
Bingo.. for the record im using a combi of solinco strings: diamond rough (m), confidential (x)
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
I got a 16x19 and 18x20 v8 from TWE this week.
Unstrung specs
16x19 302gr, 32.15cm, 286 SW
18x20 305gr, 32cm, 287 SW
Strung specs with OG and 2gr damper (1.20 poly)
16x19 324gr, 32.75cm, 315SW
18x20 327gr, 32.5cm, 319SW
played both for an hour and compared with my 18x20 v7 with same strings modified to ~335gr, 32cm, 330 SW (weight added only in the handle).
-V8 is more crisp and appeared a little less flexible in the hoop but equally flexible in the throat.
-Nice feel from the v8 a little less dampened compared to the v7.
-Both v8 stock were less powered and less stable than the modified v7.
Conclusion: at stock specs both v8 are virtually unplayable for me.
Unstrung specs
16x19 302gr, 32.15cm, 286 SW
18x20 305gr, 32cm, 287 SW
Strung specs with OG and 2gr damper (1.20 poly)
16x19 324gr, 32.75cm, 315SW
18x20 327gr, 32.5cm, 319SW
played both for an hour and compared with my 18x20 v7 with same strings modified to ~335gr, 32cm, 330 SW (weight added only in the handle).
-V8 is more crisp and appeared a little less flexible in the hoop but equally flexible in the throat.
-Nice feel from the v8 a little less dampened compared to the v7.
-Both v8 stock were less powered and less stable than the modified v7.
Conclusion: at stock specs both v8 are virtually unplayable for me.
alexg
Rookie
They mislabeled this product. A Wilson Blade has some heft in the hoop. At least in our collective minds. This should have been sold with a few strips of lead attached to the handle and the cardboard should read “blade kit”.
I think the intended design was to create a line with SW below 325 for 18m and 320-315 for 16m…the added firmness in the hoop enables this. The reason is they probably correctly identifies that the v7 was inaccessible to a larger population.
the problem is quality control is hot garbage and people are getting sticks with string SW under 310…
