Closest current racquet to Blade 98 16x19 2015 version

parrott17

New User
Hey guys,

I currently play with the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 2015 version. If you know your Blades, this one was seen as quite stiff as the newer generations have become more flexible by each gen.

The stiffness as well as the open string pattern, weight and head size made me love this racquet. The problem is it's incredibly hard to find these second-hand. So, what is the closest similar racquet that is currently stocked? Hopefully keeping with the high stiffness, not being incredibly heavy, while keeping the open string pattern and being a 98 sq in head.

I don't care about the brands or anything (don't need to stick to Wilson), but for someone who has barely kept up to date with newer racquets, I'd love to know recommendations for near carbon-copies of this stick.

Thanks in advance guys!
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Sorry but the GOAT racquet has no equal. I am still searching to switch but nothing can match it. Only Blade Pro 16x19 but you must found one with low SW.
 

McGradey

Hall of Fame
There was one called the v6 which was released not too long ago. It’s basically the countervail Blade but without countervail, so not far off the 2015/v5.

Not sure if it’s still being sold? PJ is black green same as countervail
 

CiscoPC600

Hall of Fame
V4 was the best. To answer your question, the v8 is your best option. Second best option might be the head radical pro. Third, the new Ezone 98.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
That was v5 right? What was better about it than v8?
I prefer V3/V4/V5 over V6/V7/V8.
I haven’t still found a racquet with that kind of plushness (V5) and without sacrificing instant gas to pedal… on most plush sticks ball lags on the strings and you loose time. Also to add that i still haven’t found a better racquet in terms of ball connection…. you know exactly where the ball is on your string and where it’s going to land. You even feel the weight dynamic sift while swinging…. Great connection. Only feel from yonex DR has given me similar satisfaction in terms of feel. Even with 4G it doesn’t hurt your arm. V4 has also great feel but it’s more firm and closer to V8. To me V8 is like a more plush version of psv13. I need more punch/free power…. v8 generates free power from your arm because of lower SW…. easier to swing. But this is not what free power is…. even when I added lead to increase its SW it still didn’t give me the heavy ball i need for my game. If Wilson decides to return Blades flex back to 64 it will be a holy grail again. Their racquets still have the best ball connection among modern sticks. For example V7s rubbery feel is addictive.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I’ve heard several players tell me that the Blade is similar to the Pure Strikes. I personally don’t think so at all having been a Pure Strike Tour user since 2014 and also demoed many versions of the Blades over the years. But, it might be worth checking out as the current gen 3 Strikes are solid racquets.
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
The V5 16x19 had a firmer feel than the 18x20. I’d imagine the V8 16x19 to feel similar since the V8 seems to have more feel than the V7. Other rackets that might feel similar are Radical MP/Pro, Ezone 98, or even the TFight 305. If you want a more powerful frame, I’d suggest the Pure Strike 16x19, or the Prince Textreme Tour 100P.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
I’ve heard several players tell me that the Blade is similar to the Pure Strikes. I personally don’t think so at all having been a Pure Strike Tour user since 2014 and also demoed many versions of the Blades over the years. But, it might be worth checking out as the current gen 3 Strikes are solid racquets.
I would say Radical line from head and prestige MP is closer to Blade. Strike has tons of free power/spin…it’s a different animal.
 

t_pac

Professional
On paper the new TF40 16x19 could be worth trying, although I think DJTaurus has hit with it already so he'd probably be better placed to comment
 
I would say Radical line from head and prestige MP is closer to Blade. Strike has tons of free power/spin…it’s a different animal.

Thats strange I recently read a tennis warehouse customer review about Pure Strike Tour 3rd gen saying the thing about this racquet is it has zero free power you gotta do it all yourself
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
On paper the new TF40 16x19 could be worth trying, although I think DJTaurus has hit with it already so he'd probably be better placed to comment
yeah i ve written my review in the tecnis topic. But it has nothing in common with Blade. Feel of it is similar to RS line and unfortunately the main drawback to me was that it plays like a 95 inch version. Not forgiving. :)

As i said aside V5 only DR line fully satisfied me in terms of feel. It doesn’t plays like a blade nevertheless. Even by yonex standards it’s a very unique frame like ai was for example. If you ask me which racquet line has impressed me more in terms of feel among modern ones it’s definitely gravity line. Godlike mold…..very connected plush feel with a small amount of crispness. Too bad that head didn’t give us a 98 version of this stick with a little more manageable sw.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Thats strange I recently read a tennis warehouse customer review about Pure Strike Tour 3rd gen saying the thing about this racquet is it has zero free power you gotta do it all yourself
LMAO. It’s a canon dude. Probably this guy is used playing with ripstick. Gen 2 is better than the muted Gen 3. Only strike tour is worth checking if you can handle the weight. :)
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
The V5 16x19 had a firmer feel than the 18x20. I’d imagine the V8 16x19 to feel similar since the V8 seems to have more feel than the V7. Other rackets that might feel similar are Radical MP/Pro, Ezone 98, or even the TFight 305. If you want a more powerful frame, I’d suggest the Pure Strike 16x19, or the Prince Textreme Tour 100P.
Also to add he should check out extreme tour obv. Ifhe can found v6 CV version is worth checking. That last blade with tons of free power. As for tecnifibres the closest to blade for my taste are xtc/RS 300 versions but found ones properly specked.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
Thats strange I recently read a tennis warehouse customer review about Pure Strike Tour 3rd gen saying the thing about this racquet is it has zero free power you gotta do it all yourself
A review is more useful if you know the level and racquet history or likes/dislikes of the reviewer. If someone doesn’t have a full swing with good racquet head speed (RHS) and is used to playing only with stiff, thick beam, lighter tweeners that are easier to swing fast but harder to control, then they might find the Pure Strike Tour hard to swing fast and consequently get less power.

But, the PS Tour is a 12 oz, thin beam racquet meant to compete with other players racquets in that spec range and likely targeting players with full swings who can generate a lot of RHS even with SW>330 racquets. In that spec range, the PS Tour has a huge sweet spot and more power potential than many of its peers which is part of what its fans like about it as it has a very nice balance of power and control for a very stable racquet. I feel like it has to be strung with poly or poly hybrids in the forties to tame its power if you generate a lot of RHS.
 
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initialize

Hall of Fame
This is actually the best blade IMO:

BLD9818-1.jpg



I actually haven't played with the 2015 version, but I've played with all the other versions... the BLX is so good
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
This is actually the best blade IMO:

BLD9818-1.jpg



I actually haven't played with the 2015 version, but I've played with all the other versions... the BLX is so good
18x20 was so solid and connected. Tsitsipas is still playing with this stick. When you have experienced V4 and V5 i can’t get into a conversation comparing them with V7/V8. Bring back 65 flex and power to the blades.
 

initialize

Hall of Fame
18x20 was so solid and connected. Tsitsipas is still playing with this stick. When you have experienced V4 and V5 i can’t get into a conversation comparing them with V7/V8. Bring back 65 flex and power to the blades.
Somewhat of a sidenote, but I have both a 18x20 version and a pro stock 18x17 "spin" version. The 18x17 just might be the best tennis racket I've ever owned. The BLX also comes in a retail 18x16 spin version, but the 18x17 version is something magical.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Somewhat of a sidenote, but I have both a 18x20 version and a pro stock 18x17 "spin" version. The 18x17 just might be the best tennis racket I've ever owned. The BLX also comes in a retail 18x16 spin version, but the 18x17 version is something magical.
My main stick is not V5 18x20 but 98s version. Imagine the power and spin of pure aero coupled with the solid feel and almost blade control. Back then i ve play tested all of them and 16x19 was my least favourite. It’s too pity that this stick is not sold in the US market. You don’t know what you are missing.
 

initialize

Hall of Fame
My main stick is not V5 18x20 but 98s version. Imagine the power and spin of pure aero coupled with the solid feel and almost blade control. Back then i ve play tested all of them and 16x19 was my least favourite. It’s too pity that this stick is not sold in the US market. You don’t know what you are missing.
Interesting, I’ll see if I can find it on the big auction site….
 
A review is more useful if you know the level and racquet history or likes/dislikes of the reviewer. If someone doesn’t have a full swing with good racquet head speed (RHS) and is used to playing only with stiff, thick beam, lighter tweeners that are easier to swing fast but harder to control, then they might find the Pure Strike Tour hard to swing fast and consequently get less power.

But, the PS Tour is a 12 oz, thin beam racquet meant to compete with other players racquets in that spec range and likely targeting players with full swings who can generate a lot of RHS even with SW>330 racquets. In that spec range, the PS Tour has a huge sweet spot and more power potential than many of its peers which is part of what its fans like about it as it has a very nice balance of power and control for a very stable racquet. I feel like it has to be strung with poly or poly hybrids in the forties to tame its power if you generate a lot of RHS.

Ah yea that would explain why he said zero "free" power need a fast full swing to make it powerful
 

parrott17

New User
My main stick is not V5 18x20 but 98s version. Imagine the power and spin of pure aero coupled with the solid feel and almost blade control. Back then i ve play tested all of them and 16x19 was my least favourite. It’s too pity that this stick is not sold in the US market. You don’t know what you are missing.
Do you mean the v5 98S or a different Blade version?
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Do you mean the v5 98S or a different Blade version?
hes talking about the sadly defunct v5 98S. the followup countervail 98S was garbage, i dont know what they did but they ruined the balance. after countervail they stopped selling the 98S in the US.

i once had a collection of blades but didnt like any of them as much as my one (1) v5 98S with beat-up grommets
 

parrott17

New User
hes talking about the sadly defunct v5 98S. the followup countervail 98S was garbage, i dont know what they did but they ruined the balance. after countervail they stopped selling the 98S in the US.

i once had a collection of blades but didnt like any of them as much as my one (1) v5 98S with beat-up grommets

Yeah I've heard of it, just checking because I'll start searching certain auctions for them!
 

initialize

Hall of Fame
If you found one just remind to string it ONLY with 1.25 4G at 23kg.
Do you mean the v5 98S or a different Blade version?
hes talking about the sadly defunct v5 98S. the followup countervail 98S was garbage, i dont know what they did but they ruined the balance. after countervail they stopped selling the 98S in the US.

i once had a collection of blades but didnt like any of them as much as my one (1) v5 98S with beat-up grommets
Yeah I've heard of it, just checking because I'll start searching certain auctions for them!


I think I found one. In fact, it was the only one I found available online so I just bought it LOL. It's in the 18x16 string pattern, not the 16x19. Is this correct guys? Hopefully I didn't goof up my purchase lol
 

n8dawg6

Legend
I think I found one. In fact, it was the only one I found available online so I just bought it LOL. It's in the 18x16 string pattern, not the 16x19. Is this correct guys? Hopefully I didn't goof up my purchase lol
18x16 is correct for the S. now you also need to win the QC lottery. good luck!
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
For anyone using the 2015 16x19 do you need to string it a lot lower? Less than 50lbs?

I have a Dunlop cx200+ 16x19 that I string 63/62.

63/62 on my 2015 blade is a board, so is 61/59 and so is 56/56. This is yonex ptp mains and syn cross on all rackets.
 

maxplough

Rookie
Somewhat of a sidenote, but I have both a 18x20 version and a pro stock 18x17 "spin" version. The 18x17 just might be the best tennis racket I've ever owned. The BLX also comes in a retail 18x16 spin version, but the 18x17 version is something magical.

Interesting! That same racquet fell into my hands recently (18x17 with 2013 pj) and has been a joyous surprise---such great feel and spin without sacrificing control. I love it! I only have the kBlade to compare it to, and they're radically different beasts. I haven't hit with the 2013 18x16 98S, but it doesn't sound similar to the 18x17 pro stock at all, and the specs are different, so I'm wondering what Blade the pro stock layup is based on, if any. It sounds like you've played with other Blade iterations---any comments on how this one compares?
 
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Interesting! That same racquet fell into my hands recently (18x17 with 2013 pj) and has been a joyous surprise---such great feel and spin without sacrificing control. I love it! I only have the kBlade to compare it to, and they're radically different beasts. I haven't hit with the 2013 18x16 98S, but it doesn't sound similar to the 18x17 pro stock at all, and the specs are different, so I'm wondering what Blade the pro stock layup is based on, if any. It sounds like you've played with other Blade iterations---any comments on how this one compares?
How does a rare racquet like this just fall into your hands.......
 

LOBALOT

Legend
My son switched from the old blade 98 16x19 CV to the TF40 305 16x19 and has been using it for about a year or so. He did demoed the current Blade and he did not like it at all.

Is the T40 identical to the old Blade?

No but it is close. The TF40 strings are a bit more dense in the center of the racquet making it slightly more controlled / less powerful than the Blade 98 CV but it is pretty close.
 

Blade_X

Professional
Any luck in finding the replacement? I'd love to demo a modern equivalent.
I ve tried every racquet out there. My answer is still the same. Only blade pro comes close to blade 2015. Unfortunately! TF40 16x19 305 and 315 are good in terms of feel but i found them both very low powered to my liking and less forgiving. Now my only hope for a powerful 98inch racquet is strike gen 4 on January of 24. I don’t have hope that blade v9 will be more stiff and powerful again…… now Wilson sells shift if you want sth more powerful….. and in my written review of shift 300 my verdict is that it’s pure c r a p! Get a pure aero instead.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
I ve tried every racquet out there. My answer is still the same. Only blade pro comes close to blade 2015. Unfortunately! TF40 16x19 305 and 315 are good in terms of feel but i found them both very low powered to my liking and less forgiving. Now my only hope for a powerful 98inch racquet is strike gen 4 on January of 24. I don’t have hope that blade v9 will be more stiff and powerful again…… now Wilson sells shift if you want sth more powerful….. and in my written review of shift 300 my verdict is that it’s pure c r a p! Get a pure aero instead.

315 is not the answer that is for sure. Pure Strike is way more powerful. Pure Aero is a totally different racquet as well.

TF40 305 is lower powered but closest we have found. Other. than that hope that they fix the Blade with the next release.
 
I recently demoed the TF40 305 16x19 and the Solinco WO 16x19 back to back. I actually thought the TF40 had slightly more power than the current Blade. Definitely had more power than '21 VC95. The WO had WAY more power than the Blade and felt a bit like a rocket launcher.

Hoping to try the TFight ISO 305 and WO 18x20 next.
 

Pekoms

Rookie
I have a Blade V4 and it's so good. I love the connection and everything about it. I can feel every shot almost. What strings do you recommend for this stick to superb control and feel/connection?

Currently with Kirshbaum Flash 1,25 yellow, but I find it to be a bit launchy
 
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Blade_X

Professional
I have a Blade V4 and it's so good. I love the connection and everything about it. I can feel every shot almost. What strings do you recommend for this stick to superb control and feel/connection?

Currently with Kirshbaum Flash 1,25 yellow, but I find it to be a bit launchy
4G or Alu
 
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