Gravity Pro could be that racquet. But its harder to defend with it and you have to be always on great physical shape, not tired, otherwise it will punish you. Im recently thinking about switch to 98 inch faster racquet but not sure how much comfort and stability im willing to sacrifice.
Blade V8 Official Thread.
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
I started playing with my son's V7 18x20. I am going to try Hyper-G and see what happens. I'm hitting revolve spin, now -- STIFF string.
ImportPer4mance
New User
1.15 works even better haha, loving my v7 18x20 with 1.15 Hyper-G. I will demo the V8 next week though
They have 1.05. I wonder if you can even see it.
Tsitsipas77
New User
Paint quality is not better than the v7. Played like 2 hours and paints already chipping on weird spots… will ask Wilson what to do… anyone else with the same experience?
Hit with the (brand new 16 19) demo last night. Surprisingly different than v7 16 19, but solid overall. More forgiving and definitely feels easier to swing through. Also a little bit more spin, softer and less feel. Generally solid! Not sure to switch of keep v7 or just get one v8 to mess around with.
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Thanks. few questions... what string pattern? and what do you mean by forgiving exactly?
rh310
Hall of Fame
How much lead, roughly? If I put it on, I usually overdo it (e.g. 22").
Curious why you recommend this one over the Blade?
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
less feel than a V7? Is that even possible?
Hankenstein
Hall of Fame
If my memory is correct I placed about 4 * 2 grams “Novak style” on the frame. So a total of 8 grams
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
Just because @CameronS said he loved the feel of the Pro Staff 97. My recommendation was purely based on him and I haven't tried the V8 myself yet. I've always found Blades a bit cumbersome in the past so I'm curious to know just how whippy the V8 is compared to, say, the Pro Staff line. I doubt the V8 is as much of an 'all court' racket as the Pro Staffs are. Can anyone confirm? Apart from the balance, the other thing I love about the Six.One 100 v13 is the connected feeling and flex. The V8 sounds too muted for my personal taste.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
The Blade and Pro Staff lines have the same quality of paint. Compared to the other major mfg's I think Wilson's chip/scratch the easiest. The new glossy paint on the blade v8 is better than the velvet paint from the v7 which chips off in chunks. Both the current PS and Blade V8 to me are painted a little on the thin side IMO. Now if you go to a Blade Pro... paint was much better on that.
Wilson just told me they may may do a full release of this racquet early next year, but no date has been se
From Wilson: “At the moment this is exclusive to Tennis Warehouse. We may be releasing it sometime early next year, but we do not yet have a date set.”
lol I help out stringing at one of tw competitors and they have the 6.1 100 also. its on the website. It is very limited though. I can usually demo any racquet, but it is so limited they only had a few demos reserved for online demo people only. FWIW I did grab one to test specs.
it came out to 8pts hl, 306static weight, 285 swing weight unstrung of course. I like the black paint job. Going to have to try again and demo out of curiosity lol. it seems to be very popular. sells out quick.
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those strung swingweights seem low for a blade, but I guess I'm use to much higher swingweights. If it plays well then great.
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
The paint on the Six.One 100 v13 is different from the Pro Staff 97 v13. The 6.1 is regular matt, not velvet, and seems a bit more durable. If you search for "Eurostaff" on this forum, you can read more about it. It's definitely one of the best frames that Wilson has ever made, in my opinion (and only if you like player's frames), with such a consistent response. Precision with forgiveness.
You mean Six.One 100 v13 one of the best Wilson frame?
HitMoreBHs
Professional
Wilson QC getting better… maybe? Hopefully? See 9:40 in the following Tennis Spin video for decently close specs of 5 Blade 98 v8 16x19s.
Strung balance looks to be 5-7HL, swingweight around 320; not really typical of a Blade.
Sign of a trend towards more headlight, less polarised racquets in the next couple of years?
Strung balance looks to be 5-7HL, swingweight around 320; not really typical of a Blade.
Sign of a trend towards more headlight, less polarised racquets in the next couple of years?
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Seems like very good QC, but i think its just coincidence..
alexg
Rookie
So I have been playing with the v8 16x19 for a month. Added a couple grams at 12 o'clock to bring up specs to my preferred 330g static 328g SW (with 4g dampener + overgrip). Everything is good. I commented on it, and the feel is what I would call "direct" vs the "plush" v7. Spin seems a little easier. Power is very similar to v7, maybe slightly lower. I am comparing v7 and v8 with same specs, same strings, same tensions etc.
My question: I am one month in, and my gut / poly is getting very close to breaking. With my v7 it took a good 2 months. I have two years of v7 behind me with that same string setup for reference. So it seems that v8 is twice harder on the strings. As much as I like to think that I am hitting much harder, shredding strings faster would support my hunch that the v8 hoop is stiffer and compensated with a softer throat. Anyone else who has played v8 noticed anything similar?
My question: I am one month in, and my gut / poly is getting very close to breaking. With my v7 it took a good 2 months. I have two years of v7 behind me with that same string setup for reference. So it seems that v8 is twice harder on the strings. As much as I like to think that I am hitting much harder, shredding strings faster would support my hunch that the v8 hoop is stiffer and compensated with a softer throat. Anyone else who has played v8 noticed anything similar?
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
Yes, that's what I meant but it's only my personal opinion. I'm someone who has played Pro Staffs for years and got used to that particular feel and the way they suit my all-court style. Sometimes I long for some of what the Blades can do but overall I enjoy playing more with the Pro Staffs.
HitMoreBHs
Professional
Positive is always good!I'm trying to be positive! One can hope, right?
)
initialize
Hall of Fame
Yes. They added lead to my one of my v7’s to match the swingweight and balance point to TW listed specs.
Just finished my 4th outing with the blade 18X20 v8, and I am loving it!
Now I could describe V8 18X20 with two words: 'consistent' and 'predictable.'
V8 does not possess inherent free power or plow-through due to the lack of the weight/mass of the head, but it can produce reliable shots during matches.
I don't think with V8 I can dominate the game by power, but I can do so many things with confidence, such as drop shots, backhand slices, and lobs.
V8 is a versatile frame, and it is slightly firmer than V7 but not at all stiff or harsh.
Full swing is required for better result, and due to the spin potential, I can just swing with confidence.
If you like power, plow-through, and head-heaviness feel, I don't think V8 18X20 is right for you.
But if you are an all around player, and your game is based on consistency rather than on aggressive shots all the time, I think V8 18X20 would work for you.
Btw, I strung it up with Hyper-G 17gauge at 50lb, and I think I can go lower like 46lb next time if I need more power.
I will not customize it with lead. If you need more weight and plow-through, I think you can simply buy V7 instead.
Now I could describe V8 18X20 with two words: 'consistent' and 'predictable.'
V8 does not possess inherent free power or plow-through due to the lack of the weight/mass of the head, but it can produce reliable shots during matches.
I don't think with V8 I can dominate the game by power, but I can do so many things with confidence, such as drop shots, backhand slices, and lobs.
V8 is a versatile frame, and it is slightly firmer than V7 but not at all stiff or harsh.
Full swing is required for better result, and due to the spin potential, I can just swing with confidence.
If you like power, plow-through, and head-heaviness feel, I don't think V8 18X20 is right for you.
But if you are an all around player, and your game is based on consistency rather than on aggressive shots all the time, I think V8 18X20 would work for you.
Btw, I strung it up with Hyper-G 17gauge at 50lb, and I think I can go lower like 46lb next time if I need more power.
I will not customize it with lead. If you need more weight and plow-through, I think you can simply buy V7 instead.
Agreed.
That is my initial impression as well. apologies if you posted this before as well but what is the SW of your v8? Mine is 327sw (vs my v7s are about 330-333sw depending on the string). I did not notice a ton of difference even in power and plow (yes small noticeable difference) but I can see that it would be a decent step down in power if you had one of those 335-340 blades. I think Wilson did get a ton of feedback on how v7 18m was so great but so demanding.."if it only had less SW"... so I think they delivered. If you liked the v7 18m but always wished it had less SW, v8 is the one. Otherwise, you can stick with v7. To me, it is a great update from that perspective.
On 16m.... v7 16m had a stability issue for me. again maybe QC played a role but I know a lot of people had similar issues (very low twist weight is possibly a culprit here). I just don't know how v8 got so much "great stability" from TW reviewers in the video review. If you pay attention, every single reviewer makes a point on how stable the racket is (v8 review). As opposed to the last version where one of the reviewers flagged lack of stability as an issue (and scored it 5). I still do not quite understand how the same twistweight and visually identical specs (slightly lower SW!!) the 16m addressed that issue but I guess the more people hit with it, the better idea we will have.
I guess I don't buy it but the court is the only place where you really know how a racket plays...
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1HBHfanatic
Legend
-i went with luxilon.savage 16lg 1.27mm at 51lbs and i think i nailed the tension for me
-any tighter and it would have gone a bit too boardie for my game
-good frame
-if i try the 18/20 with lux.4G then i think i would go to 46lbs
for 1.20-1.25mm i think 29-32sw pts for 16m is about right... i think if you want 320 sw you are looking for 290 at most... So yes.. 289 should have resulted in easily 320sw... something a miss there.. if you measured unstrung in one machine and strung in another it's probably calibration issues...
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
I really like the changing color scheme paintjob on the racket, BUT, one thing i really do not like, is the feeling when I hold the racket with my left hand at the throat. Am I the only that feels like the paint is too slippery at that location? I had a hard time gripping the racket well with my left hand. The tackiness from the velvet paint is one of the things like like about the RFs and the v7Blades.
On another note, my v13 RF97s has an area in the throat, where it is smooth and slick, not velvety at all, and this is a fairly new racket. The Wilson painting quality is definitely not moving in the right direction.
On another note, my v13 RF97s has an area in the throat, where it is smooth and slick, not velvety at all, and this is a fairly new racket. The Wilson painting quality is definitely not moving in the right direction.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
This is my experience, 16G strings have consistently added 25 pts to my measured swingweights.
Juggernauts
Rookie
Depends on strings weight. I doubt that on 98inch racquet strings can add 29-32 SW. My gravity Pro (100 inch, 18 x 20) 17.3gr strings add 30 SW.
Just curious what aspects of the Blade you’re longing for? What are the things the Blades can do that the Pro Staffs can’t? I’m looking at both the Blade and Pro Staff for my next racquet and would appreciate your insights.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Got my V8 18x20 but won’t get to hit it till Monday, at Laver Cup this weekend.
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
I would give an arm and a leg for Wilson to move towards a pro-staff style balance and swingweight around 320 for the blade.
5 gram tungsten putty under butt cap and you can find 320sw on v8 plenty.. you literally have a prostaff balance then . I don't understand.. net even a lighter package than PS..
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
I understand loving a brand or a racket, I used to use head and long ago used the Pro Staff 88. But, once I realized there were qc issues I switched to Yonex. I just did a matching service on the new Vcore Pro 97 D, the group I could choose from had exactly the SAME SW, Balance, and the actual weight was only .11 grams off so all the same "grams" , that's the standard Wilson should be held to, right?
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
Blades have that extra plow through that is ideal for passing shots, down the line in particular. There aren't many commercial rackets better than a Blade at hitting straight, arrowing balls...and that's what I sometimes miss. The Pro Staff is better for spin and finding cross court angles, and for serve and volley versatility. All in my own personal opinion of course.
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
You could always pay an extra of 20$ to found 2 proper sticks. I wouldn’t play with a modern yonex stick even if they offered it to me for free. VDM put cortex and countervail in shame…. yeah thats how bad it (doesn’t) feels……
ps-the post above is just my frustration on yonex modern sticks after owned great yonex sticks like DR,xi,si,duelG,tourF,ai etc.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
I understand, you aren't alone with that opinion. Is it just a feel thing though, it doesn't make you lose your tennis abilities does it? For me, I can notice a small difference, but even if I use a dampener or don't, I'm still playing the same way.
Review - Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
nyc
Hall of Fame
Got a chance to hit with the V8 16x19 for 2 hours and really liked it compared to the V7. Feel more connected to the ball, while still very comfortable and plush. Control is great and probably hit my best returns and volleys with it. I could have used a bit more mass for offensive groundstrokes, but neutral of defensive shots were great, and serves are a dream. Now I'll want to compare it to the 18x20 before pulling the trigger.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Agree with this 100%
Scores arent high, but most tester like the racquet..Review - Tennis Warehouse
