staryugi
Rookie
i switched to the v8 18x20 and all the problems disappeared !
Blade V8, worst balde ever? no Blade ADN !
- Thread starter staryugi
- Start date
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Actually the best ever that I've tried lmao... (v7, v6, v5 I tried) nothing gives the amazing feel and control and power v8 does
V5 was interesting and produced maybe my best serve ever but couldnt come close to replicating it again. Might be best one for a good ball striker. On average quite inferior to v8 with my strokes
Blade_X
Professional
Which V8 ?
blackfrido
Hall of Fame
If not the worst close to be
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
All the comments mentioning a lack of power with the V8 are puzzling to me.
I've got my 16x19 strung at 50lbs with RPM Blast and the groundies have plenty of venom on them.
It's not a PureDrive rocket launcher but it's not a peashooter either. The racket can dish it out.
I've got my 16x19 strung at 50lbs with RPM Blast and the groundies have plenty of venom on them.
It's not a PureDrive rocket launcher but it's not a peashooter either. The racket can dish it out.
NapalmFist
New User
That's funny I think the v8 18x20 is the best blade ever, it just needs some lead tape.
justinhaughtmd
Rookie
I think on the v8 18x20 they found the perfect sweetspot between maneuverability and stability as far as swingweight goes. It’s easy to maneuver but plows nicely. The 16x19 SW is a little too low for hard rallies but the 18x20 is great. The 18x20 is also a really great serving racket because you can really get the racket moving and it doesn’t sail. I’m so glad I found this racket - I avoided it for a long time scared it was underpowered. Some people who have used mine have also switched to the v8 18x20. I can swing hard and confidently in matchplay without that high launch angle and the stringbed is very consistent. I’ve used several rackets over the past 5-6 years but this one I have no problems with. I think it’s making me a better player because it forces good mechanics and acceleration too.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Does it have anywhere near the 16x19s spin potential?
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Blade v8 100 16x19... I haven't tried 18x20 but done all 3 of the v8 16x19s
thecatch33
New User
Totally agree with this. I started with 16x19 and switched to 18x20. 16x19 lacks stability and you really feel off-center shots. 18x20 fixes that issue and still retains almost the same maneuverability.
I personally have noticed very little difference in my ability to drive heavy top spin or slice when needed between the 16x19 and 18x20, but I skew towards flatter shots so YMMV.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Good to know, but feeling off center shots is arguably a good thing to train better hitting?
justinhaughtmd
Rookie
Definitely less spin, but you can get a lot of spin with the right technique. The tradeoff for the spin on the 16x19 v8 I played for 6 months was that when you tried to up the pace or hit flat the launch angle was too high. I definitely liked the 16x19 better on the kick second serves, but all other shots I give to the 18x20.
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
Never played with any version of the Blade until the V8. Was a former BLX 6.1 18x20 player and the Blade feels like a supercharged, modernised and more forgiving version of that racket.
A friend of mine still plays with the 16x19 V6 and hits a serious ball with it.
TennisLogic
Semi-Pro
Blade v8 is definitely an improvement over previous versions. Best one since the 2013 blade
Blade_X
Professional
I just finished my playtest of 18x20 and it’s a better racquet than 16x19 in almost every area. My only concern it that i don’t know why those V8s give me elbow irritation which could grow to sth bigger if i ll continue using them.
-more stable at 3/9. While 16x19 sometimes twisted.
-more solid feel on impact
-to my surprise it has a lot more free power. This 18x20 has the heavy punch like Blade 100 that 16x19 lacks.
-unpredictability of 16x19 here is obviously fixed
-it has even more pop than 16x19.
-Higher Spin potential and byte goes to 16x19 but i wouldn’t say that 18x20 is far behind.
-16x19 is easier to manoeuvre while on defence and specially when lifting low balls where small wrist actions matters more.
I still prefer 18x20 V7 cause it was even more plush and to me it has better connected feel than the metallic sensation of V8s. But keep in mind that you must found a V7 with low SW otherwise it’s unplayable. My GOAT 18x20 is still easily V5, V4 (tsitsipas) and the one below which is supposed to be the real racquet of raonic. I was not a fan of k blade.
BLX was the GOAT tech of Wilson. Lets see what the future brings with V9 but i don’t think that free power will return to blades again….. now that shift range has been introduced…..
-more stable at 3/9. While 16x19 sometimes twisted.
-more solid feel on impact
-to my surprise it has a lot more free power. This 18x20 has the heavy punch like Blade 100 that 16x19 lacks.
-unpredictability of 16x19 here is obviously fixed
-it has even more pop than 16x19.
-Higher Spin potential and byte goes to 16x19 but i wouldn’t say that 18x20 is far behind.
-16x19 is easier to manoeuvre while on defence and specially when lifting low balls where small wrist actions matters more.
I still prefer 18x20 V7 cause it was even more plush and to me it has better connected feel than the metallic sensation of V8s. But keep in mind that you must found a V7 with low SW otherwise it’s unplayable. My GOAT 18x20 is still easily V5, V4 (tsitsipas) and the one below which is supposed to be the real racquet of raonic. I was not a fan of k blade.
BLX was the GOAT tech of Wilson. Lets see what the future brings with V9 but i don’t think that free power will return to blades again….. now that shift range has been introduced…..
Last edited:
what_army
Professional
Which string do you use?
justinhaughtmd
Rookie
ALU power 1.30 @ 50 lbs - lasts about 12 hours in this racket
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
When is blade V9?
next year sometime - probably around Aus Open like Pro Staff this year
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