Clash 98 vs Blade 98 v8 16x19

S

squall

Rookie
Hi guys,


I'm planning to order new racquets for spring. I've played with Clash 100 for about 1,5 years now. I'm about 3.5 left-handed counterpuncher. I play with one-handed BH, I love my BH slice. I win many points by just staying in rally with high spin. I win many points with passing shots. The Clash feels very manuverable for me in terms of passing shots. The problem I have with Clash is that the ball doesn't always go where I want - e.g. I'm planning to make a cross backhand, but the ball goes to middle - I feel some kind of lack of control on Clash. I sometimes have problems with hitting deep ball (many times the ball doesn't go behind the service line - I sometimes have to tryhard so much to put it behind the service line even though I hit "clean".
I've been considering to buy either new Clash 2.0 98 or Blade 98 16x19 v8. Which one would you recommend in terms of my playstyle and control/spin oriented game? I've heard many times that Clash should suit best for my game, but I also heard that Blade has better feel and control, but less power.
I compared at TW Racquet Power Potential my current Clash 100 and both the Blade and The Clash 98 and it says that my current Clash has even LESS power than those two. So would the change (either for new Clash 98 or Blade) improve power, control and feel?? That sounds unreal.
Maybe some of you have any experience with those racquets? I know that not many of you tried 2.0 Clash 98, but the comparison between 1.0 would be also very valuable for me.
Summing up - depth, counterpunching, spin, control and feel where the ball is gonna land are the most important aspects for me.
Thank you in advance!
 
The blade sounds like what you're looking for, though it's not very similar to the clash 100 and probably won't give the power you're looking for. I think switching to the v2 clash 98 you'll get all you're looking for if it's not too heavy.

I'm currently having issues with my clash as well after dropping a grip size and some weight on it. Getting the clash effect too often.

If you want to try making your current racket work you can string further to either extreme, make sure you aren't using a string with pronounced edges, weigh it up, use a softer string, or try a larger grip.
 
Last edited:
Yamin said:
The blade sounds like what you're looking for, though it's not very similar to the clash 100 and probably won't give the power you're looking for. I think switching to the v2 clash 98 you'll get all you're looking for if it's not too heavy.

I'm currently having issues with my clash as well after dropping a grip size and some weight on it. Getting the clash effect too often.

If you want to try making your current racket work you can string further to either extreme, make sure you aren't using a string with pronounced edges, weigh it up, use a softer string, or try a larger grip.
Click to expand...

Could you explain in more details why Blade is what I’m looking for? And are the Blade and Clash 98 similar if you say it would also be a good option for me?
I’ve always strung Clash about 20-21 kg as they say, the Clash worked best at low tensions.
 
Looking for more control and feel goes to the blade rather than clash. The blade is low powered and it's light for v8 so you might not get the power you're looking for.

I'd say the blade and clash 98 are similar in that similar stroke produces a similar ball at higher tensions.

What string and gauge are you currently using?
 
Yamin said:
Looking for more control and feel goes to the blade rather than clash. The blade is low powered and it's light for v8 so you might not get the power you're looking for.

I'd say the blade and clash 98 are similar in that similar stroke produces a similar ball at higher tensions.

What string and gauge are you currently using?
Click to expand...

My go to is generally Hyper G 18 at 20-21kg.
I also played for a long time with Tourna BHS7T at the same tension.
At the moment trying MSV Focus Hex +38 1.15 and I also like it.
 
squall said:
I played with 1.25 BHS7T. It felt ok, but a bit too heavy for me- had some wrist problems
Click to expand...

Eh that's one of the stiffest strings. I think you might want to play around with some more string options. I don't think you'll like any of these string choices in the other rackets either.
 
Yamin said:
Eh that's one of the stiffest strings. I think you might want to play around with some more string options. I don't think you'll like any of these string choices in the other rackets either.
Click to expand...

I tried a lot, really a lot of strings and even thought I experienced problems I mentioned. I even tried Hyper G Soft you mentioned.
Ended up loving the HG and MSV Focus Hex +38 the most.
 
Wow a clash with very thin strings. It certainly wouldn't be my racquet but regardless wrong string gauge choice for such an open pattern
 
Blade is totally different racket than clash - like 180 degrees ie. polar opposite style, feel, approach to tennis!

When I want to hit cross-court and the ball goes to the middle - it's a timing issue - work on your timing, spacing, etc... it's not a new racket that will magically solve that.

If if you're having a hard time putting the ball behind the service line ...with a clash !?!? it's either a string issue or a technique issue.

So figure those out, experiment with stringbed and improve your timing, before going out on a new racket!!
 
squall said:
Ended up loving the HG and MSV Focus Hex +38 the most.
Click to expand...
See my sig, I play with +25, but now experimenting with regular focus hex
why ?

I love my +25 but I played it on 97" and 93" - for a 100" may be too thin (even though I don't break it)

-Getting a stiffer and incrementally larger gauge at a slightly lower tension - in hopes to improve my feel / control...
 
shamaho said:
See my sig, I play with +25, but now experimenting with regular focus hex
why ?

I love my +25 but I played it on 97" and 93" - for a 100" may be too thin (even though I don't break it)

-Getting a stiffer and incrementally larger gauge at a slightly lower tension - in hopes to improve my feel / control...
Click to expand...

I didn’t like regular Focus Hex :( have tried it about two weeks ago
 
Given your description and desire to stay with Wilson, I’d say the Pro Staff 100 is the ideal racket because it sits between the Clash and Blade. Should hopefully be the best combination of what you’re looking for.
 
Rentege said:
Given your description and desire to stay with Wilson, I’d say the Pro Staff 100 is the ideal racket because it sits between the Clash and Blade. Should hopefully be the best combination of what you’re looking for.
Click to expand...
That sounds interesting, but the only problem is that there is not PS 100 available in my country - there are only 97 (regular, L, UL) and RF version. Are you sure the 100’’ exists?

edit. Just figured out that it exists :D anyway it is not available in my country so I will probably go with Blade…. Is there a big difference in 16x19 and 18x20?
 
Last edited:
squall said:
I didn’t like regular Focus Hex :( have tried it about two weeks ago
Click to expand...
I must say it was an unexpected nice surprise - playing with regular FocusHex instead of the +25 variant - which is great also !

Regular focus hex at 2lbs lower tension than +25 - gives a slightly firmer feel with good control giving confidence to hit out - but still keeping very confortable.

For the clash it's an appropriate switch / choice if you seek to improve ball feel and control from a powerfull racket.

EDIT I:
-the other side of the coin on the better control was... loss of power on serve... everything is a compromise I guess
 
squall said:
Hi guys,


I'm planning to order new racquets for spring. I've played with Clash 100 for about 1,5 years now. I'm about 3.5 left-handed counterpuncher. I play with one-handed BH, I love my BH slice. I win many points by just staying in rally with high spin. I win many points with passing shots. The Clash feels very manuverable for me in terms of passing shots. The problem I have with Clash is that the ball doesn't always go where I want - e.g. I'm planning to make a cross backhand, but the ball goes to middle - I feel some kind of lack of control on Clash. I sometimes have problems with hitting deep ball (many times the ball doesn't go behind the service line - I sometimes have to tryhard so much to put it behind the service line even though I hit "clean".
I've been considering to buy either new Clash 2.0 98 or Blade 98 16x19 v8. Which one would you recommend in terms of my playstyle and control/spin oriented game? I've heard many times that Clash should suit best for my game, but I also heard that Blade has better feel and control, but less power.
I compared at TW Racquet Power Potential my current Clash 100 and both the Blade and The Clash 98 and it says that my current Clash has even LESS power than those two. So would the change (either for new Clash 98 or Blade) improve power, control and feel?? That sounds unreal.
Maybe some of you have any experience with those racquets? I know that not many of you tried 2.0 Clash 98, but the comparison between 1.0 would be also very valuable for me.
Summing up - depth, counterpunching, spin, control and feel where the ball is gonna land are the most important aspects for me.
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

Honestly If you are hitting in the middle of the court instead of cross court youre probably a bit too late. Also if you struggle to clear the service line with your CLASH 100 good luck with the blade.
 
Just got one for 70 euros brand new.
So happily surprised by the racquet. stringed with Lynx tour at 20 kg.
I have been able to play really hard without having sore harm. Good level of Power, Spin. Good balance for OHBH and much more stabe a blade 100 or clash 100. Really an idem gem
 
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