Blade V8 Official Thread.

Ultra 2

Professional
I think it's the same stuff, yes.

Don’t know why history keeps repeating itself on this bad idea.. started with the Secret 04 in the late 80’s, then again in the late 90’s (if memory serves correctly), and now all of Wilson’s top end are like this. At least on the current Wilson’s there are gloss underneath. Please stop.
 

Pleb123

Semi-Pro
sick! Does it feel similar to the v7, in terms of softness and flex? Love the ball pocketing of the v7. Also, did the beam stay 21 mm or did it bump up to 22?
Update after a couple of hours playing social singles, I can say that although it's a bit firmer than the v7 you can recognise the DNA of the v7 in the v8, but maybe with some Pro Staff v13 DNA injected into it.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Update after a couple of hours playing social singles, I can say that although it's a bit firmer than the v7 you can recognise the DNA of the v7 in the v8, but maybe with some Pro Staff v13 DNA injected into it.
Tell us if it has more FREE and DIRECT POWER???
 

Angelface

Rookie
NY:
8bbef3_ca0b33a027194c4bb0ab4f9d22010df7~mv2.webp
That is not a good look
 

Rob2D

Rookie
I love the velvet paint. I hope WIlson keep offering their custom paint options so I never have to have gloss ever again. Shiny rackets look cheap.
 

AA7

Hall of Fame
Velvet paint is for the USO special. I doubt the actual v8 is velvet. It doesn't look like velvet at all in all pics and videos.
 
I love the velvet paint. I hope WIlson keep offering their custom paint options so I never have to have gloss ever again. Shiny rackets look cheap.

Velvet looks best overall, it's just not as durable as gloss or the regular matte. Hopefully Wilson found the right recipe this time for velvet finish. Blade V7 and Clash, scratch right away even with finger nails.
 

Bebeerna

New User
I'm a 4.0 aggressive baseliner who is currently playing with a 16x19 Blade 98 v6 (countervail).
I am a complete noob considering specs, but was looking to grab the v7 as it had better reviews than the v6. Even though I liked the v6, I'd prefer to have a racket without the countervail technology now to have more feel.
I was wondering if the bigger experts here would recommend me to quickly grab a v7 now (locally they are starting to sell out) or wait for the v8? If anymore information is needer of if I need to post this elsewhere, please let me know.
 

emaz8724

Rookie
I'm a 4.0 aggressive baseliner who is currently playing with a 16x19 Blade 98 v6 (countervail).
I am a complete noob considering specs, but was looking to grab the v7 as it had better reviews than the v6. Even though I liked the v6, I'd prefer to have a racket without the countervail technology now to have more feel.
I was wondering if the bigger experts here would recommend me to quickly grab a v7 now (locally they are starting to sell out) or wait for the v8? If anymore information is needer of if I need to post this elsewhere, please let me know.

Wait for the v8 to get some feedback, and if you don’t like the sound of it, pay for TW’s matching service for on spec v7s. Both of my v7s are very different from each other’s specs, so I definitely learned my lesson.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
I don't foresee Wilson changing the paint quality or fixing spec variance while they're doing so well. I wouldn't be surprised if this gen blade and clash generated their highest sales of all time. Couple that with the custom program that is now 10 weeks out for shipping, probably because people want gloss.

Win win for wilson providing doo doo quality.

Until they put out a genuinely bad blade/clash that doesn't sell extremely well, I think we'll be seeing velvet.
 

danbrenner

Legend
Update after a couple of hours playing social singles, I can say that although it's a bit firmer than the v7 you can recognise the DNA of the v7 in the v8, but maybe with some Pro Staff v13 DNA injected into it.
IS the 100 part of the launch in the v8. i wonder because the v7 100 is pretty new. just released a few months ago?
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
AS interesting as the V8 is, and it isn't too much of a departure from the V7, I just hit the Pro Staff V13 last night that another coach had and though I only played one game with it, I could really feel the comfort with a generious sweet spot, good feel, and generated a lot more spin than my V7 (something I have said I miss with the V7). Thinking of going 16x19 for the V8 Blade, but now that Pro Staff 97...Thanks @PhxRacket ! Even more confused now. :D

Looks like I might get back into some demo'ing.
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
AS interesting as the V8 is, and it isn't too much of a departure from the V7, I just hit the Pro Staff V13 last night that another coach had and though I only played one game with it, I could really feel the comfort with a generious sweet spot, good feel, and generated a lot more spin than my V7 (something I have said I miss with the V7). Thinking of going 16x19 for the V8 Blade, but now that Pro Staff 97...Thanks @PhxRacket ! Even more confused now. :D

Looks like I might get back into some demo'ing.
Thanks for the shoutout. Glad you found the Pro Staff “flirt worthy.” It is t for everyone, but when you know, you know.
 

ed70

Professional
Shame they going for a bit more power over comfort. May find the V7 ends up being a really sought after edition in time if they carry on this route.
 

danbrenner

Legend
Product SKU(s)WR062111U2, WR062111U3, WR062111U4
Cross Section20.6 FB
Head Size98 sq in
String Pattern16x19
Unstrung Balance32 cm / -7 pts
SeriesBlade
Strung Weight321 g
Unstrung Weight305 g
Length27 in - 68 cm
Player TypeAvid Competitor
BenefitFeel
Age GroupAdult
 

emaz8724

Rookie

It’s nice to see the $220 price point sticking. The rumor, if I remember correctly, was the blade v8 would be $240.
 

rv75

Rookie
Is the 98 16x19 really a tad lighter than the Clash 98? TW has the strung weight for the Clash 98 listed at 326g. Just want to make sure I can handle the new. Blade :)
I need more control than what I'm getting with the Blade 98
 

yessir

Semi-Pro
Is the 98 16x19 really a tad lighter than the Clash 98? TW has the strung weight for the Clash 98 listed at 326g. Just want to make sure I can handle the new. Blade :)
I need more control than what I'm getting with the Blade 98
More control?
 

rv75

Rookie
US open edition already sold out in all but 4 1/2 grip size. Didn't get a chance to order a 4 3/8
 

lychee_boy

New User
Still no word on the racket's flex rating yet. For those of you who are interested you can still buy the L2 and L3 from wilson's australian site. You will have to use a 3rd party to have it shipped outside of australia though.
 
My friend saw the new blade in store in Europe. I am not sure if it was there to buy or just on display, but he said it is there and looks really good in person. Im assuming it was just on display
 

rv75

Rookie
Still no word on the racket's flex rating yet. For those of you who are interested you can still buy the L2 and L3 from wilson's australian site. You will have to use a 3rd party to have it shipped outside of australia though.
I wonder why they're not posting the RA on the specs? Very odd
 

VAPORHEAD

Rookie
 

emaz8724

Rookie

That “review” reads like a bunch of bs. It looks more like a compilation of rumors compiled into a fake review.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
-initial hit impressions
-just got to try out the new w.blade v8 sticks, 16/19 and 18/20
-i did not have a outgoing (v7) model to compare to, just some older 2015 models i had on hand
-the overall v8-storyline ,(for me) is the "clean feel AFTER contact"!
-the secondary vibrations are not notable, in a good way
-initial ball impact/vibration is there!, i am able to tell if i hit the center and/or off-center
-the secondary vibrations dissipate very quickly, so it felt clean
-i kept switching between the new v8 and the 2015 model, very clear vibration differences
-i can see strong club level 3.5s< using the 16/19 with no/little issue
-the 18/20 i would reserve for higher levels, where early preparation is needed, 4.5s<
-both v8s, 16/19 and/or 18/20 are advertised as 305g unstrung, but the 18/20 is def. more demanding to play with
-i strung the 16/19 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @51lbs, i missed the tension a bit, i would redo/recommend 52lbs next time, but string choice was good, IMO
-i strung the 18/20 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @50lbs, i nailed this tension, good starting point for this stick, 4me anyways
 

VAPORHEAD

Rookie
-initial hit impressions
-just got to try out the new w.blade v8 sticks, 16/19 and 18/20
-i did not have a outgoing (v7) model to compare to, just some older 2015 models i had on hand
-the overall v8-storyline ,(for me) is the "clean feel AFTER contact"!
-the secondary vibrations are not notable, in a good way
-initial ball impact/vibration is there!, i am able to tell if i hit the center and/or off-center
-the secondary vibrations dissipate very quickly, so it felt clean
-i kept switching between the new v8 and the 2015 model, very clear vibration differences
-i can see strong club level 3.5s< using the 16/19 with no/little issue
-the 18/20 i would reserve for higher levels, where early preparation is needed, 4.5s<
-both v8s, 16/19 and/or 18/20 are advertised as 305g unstrung, but the 18/20 is def. more demanding to play with
-i strung the 16/19 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @51lbs, i missed the tension a bit, i would redo/recommend 52lbs next time, but string choice was good, IMO
-i strung the 18/20 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @50lbs, i nailed this tension, good starting point for this stick, 4me anyways

Thanks! Any comments on stiffness?
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Thanks! Any comments on stiffness?
-no notable change
-flex and stiffness is at a comfortable level IMO/IME as far as blades go
-the w.PS frames and w.ultra frames are notably stiffer in comparison
-this is a good update IMO
-im on the fences as to the color, its a cool innovative color, but the feel is what's gonna keep people interested
(y) (y)
 

snoflewis

Legend
-initial hit impressions
-just got to try out the new w.blade v8 sticks, 16/19 and 18/20
-i did not have a outgoing (v7) model to compare to, just some older 2015 models i had on hand
-the overall v8-storyline ,(for me) is the "clean feel AFTER contact"!
-the secondary vibrations are not notable, in a good way
-initial ball impact/vibration is there!, i am able to tell if i hit the center and/or off-center
-the secondary vibrations dissipate very quickly, so it felt clean
-i kept switching between the new v8 and the 2015 model, very clear vibration differences
-i can see strong club level 3.5s< using the 16/19 with no/little issue
-the 18/20 i would reserve for higher levels, where early preparation is needed, 4.5s<
-both v8s, 16/19 and/or 18/20 are advertised as 305g unstrung, but the 18/20 is def. more demanding to play with
-i strung the 16/19 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @51lbs, i missed the tension a bit, i would redo/recommend 52lbs next time, but string choice was good, IMO
-i strung the 18/20 with lux.savage (1.27mm) @50lbs, i nailed this tension, good starting point for this stick, 4me anyways

So... 2015 or v8?
 
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