Difference in power level between Blade Pro and Regular Blade (16x19 versions)

[TennisManiac]

TW doesn't seem to be answering any questions at the moment so I thought I'd see what everyone else thought of this. The regular Blade is said to have a "low to medium" power level. And the Blade Pro is said to have a "low" power level. But wait.... the Pro version has the same static weight and basically the same stiffness, and has a much higher swingweight and a thicker beam. So how is it that they are saying that the regular version can produce more power? Doesn't make any sense to me. And I don't want to hear anyone say that it's because you can swing the regular version faster and achieve more racket head speed therefore able to produce more power. That would be something you could tell a 10 year old. But not a big strong athletically inclined grown man. Any thoughts?

Name	Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 v9 - 2024	Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9 - 2024
Clear All	Remove Racquet New Wilson Blade Pro 98 16x19 v9 Racquet $259.00 2 Order	Remove Racquet Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9 Racquet $259.00 13 Order
Head Size	98 sq. in / 632.26 sq. cm	98 sq. in / 632.26 sq. cm
Length	27.00 inches / 68.58 cm	27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Weight	11.40 oz / 323.19 g	11.40 oz / 323.19 g
Balance	13.18 inches	13.00 inches
Swing Weight	337	324
Beam Width	21.5mm	21.0mm
Tip/Shaft	21.5mm / 21.5mm	21.0mm / 21.0mm
Composition	Graphite	Basalt/Braided Graphite
Power Level	Low	Low-Medium
Stiffness	61	62

 

[Soundbyte]

The Regular blade is absolutely more powerful than the Blade Pro.

And the Blade Pro definitely flexes more than the Regular blade.

The Blade Pro packs a wallop thought if you can swing it given the high swing weight. Regular blade is easier to use, Blade Pro is harder and more Head heavy

 

[eric42]

The Regular blade is absolutely more powerful than the Blade Pro.

And the Blade Pro definitely flexes more than the Regular blade.

The Blade Pro packs a wallop thought if you can swing it given the high swing weight. Regular blade is easier to use, Blade Pro is harder and more Head heavy

Hmm....my experience is the exact opposite. I've played with every retail Blade V1 thru V9 except for V8 and they are all absolutely more flexy feeling and lower powered than the Blade Pro (V7) I had for a while. BP power increase is not like going to a Pure Drive or anything, but it's definitely noticeable. And the BP feels significantly stiffer than any regular Blade. I can't understand the impression that BP feels more flexy than regular Blades. RA numbers don't necessarily translate at all to actual feel.

 

[Purestriker]

The Regular blade is absolutely more powerful than the Blade Pro.

And the Blade Pro definitely flexes more than the Regular blade.

The Blade Pro packs a wallop thought if you can swing it given the high swing weight. Regular blade is easier to use, Blade Pro is harder and more Head heavy

Also, the string bed is significantly tighter in the middle than the regular blade which creates more control.

 

[Soundbyte]

Hmm....my experience is the exact opposite. I've played with every retail Blade V1 thru V9 except for V8 and they are all absolutely more flexy feeling and lower powered than the Blade Pro (V7) I had for a while. BP power increase is not like going to a Pure Drive or anything, but it's definitely noticeable. And the BP feels significantly stiffer than any regular Blade. I can't understand the impression that BP feels more flexy than regular Blades. RA numbers don't necessarily translate at all to actual feel.

The Blade Pro has a noticeable flex in the throat when ball striking. Blade Pro "power" bump that you are describing is from the increased SW. If you matched a Blade Pro and Blade to be the same SW, I'm fairly confident you'd agree the regular Blade is more powerful.

I don't care about RA numbers, it's a antiquated metric (but is better than nothing I suppose).

But to be fair I think is a pointless debate. The Blade Pro and Blade aren't similar rackets at all IMO. Other than the name they don't really have much in common.

 

[TennisManiac]

The Regular blade is absolutely more powerful than the Blade Pro.

And the Blade Pro definitely flexes more than the Regular blade.

The Blade Pro packs a wallop thought if you can swing it given the high swing weight. Regular blade is easier to use, Blade Pro is harder and more Head heavy

Sounds like what you're saying is if one can swing the Blade Pro just as fast as they can the Blade, then they would achieve more power with the Blade Pro. So the Blade Pro is in fact more powerful.

 

[Power Player]

TW doesn't seem to be answering any questions at the moment so I thought I'd see what everyone else thought of this. The regular Blade is said to have a "low to medium" power level. And the Blade Pro is said to have a "low" power level. But wait.... the Pro version has the same static weight and basically the same stiffness, and has a much higher swingweight and a thicker beam. So how is it that they are saying that the regular version can produce more power? Doesn't make any sense to me. And I don't want to hear anyone say that it's because you can swing the regular version faster and achieve more racket head speed therefore able to produce more power. That would be something you could tell a 10 year old. But not a big strong athletically inclined grown man. Any thoughts?

Clear All	Remove Racquet New Wilson Blade Pro 98 16x19 v9 Racquet $259.00 2 Order	Remove Racquet Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9 Racquet $259.00 13 Order
Name	Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 v9 - 2024	Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9 - 2024
Head Size	98 sq. in / 632.26 sq. cm	98 sq. in / 632.26 sq. cm
Length	27.00 inches / 68.58 cm	27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Weight	11.40 oz / 323.19 g	11.40 oz / 323.19 g
Balance	13.18 inches	13.00 inches
Swing Weight	337	324
Beam Width	21.5mm	21.0mm
Tip/Shaft	21.5mm / 21.5mm	21.0mm / 21.0mm
Composition	Graphite	Basalt/Braided Graphite
Power Level	Low	Low-Medium
Stiffness	61	62

Based on your taste in frames, I think you would enjoy the Blade Pro a lot more. The feel is epic. The power is big, but it responds to your timing and swing speed, where the regular Blade has pop that can get you out of jams easier.

Blade Pro - less pop, more punch
Blade - more pop, less punch

 

[Soundbyte]

Blade Pro - less pop, more punch
Blade - more pop, less punch

This is perfect. Well said. I agree 100%. You're simply more articulate than I....must be that Pure Dad power you've been rocking lately

 

[eric42]

The Blade Pro has a noticeable flex in the throat when ball striking.

Wherever the most prominent flex occurs on each frame, if you like a soft feeling muted racquet with good dwell time and ball pocketing, you'll prefer the regular Blade. If you prefer a more raw, direct crisp feel and a ball that comes off the stringbed more quickly, you'll probably prefer the BP.

If you matched a Blade Pro and Blade to be the same SW, I'm fairly confident you'd agree the regular Blade is more powerful.

I did match them, and still found the BP to be more powerful. I have all the customization stuff... Briffidi, balance board, scale, lead, putty, etc. and match all my racquets as close to each other as possible.

But to be fair I think is a pointless debate. The Blade Pro and Blade aren't similar rackets at all IMO. Other than the name they don't really have much in common.

Definitely - completely different feel and not much crossover appeal IMO.

 

[TennisManiac]

Thanks for your opinions

 

[Yamin]

Sounds like what you're saying is if one can swing the Blade Pro just as fast as they can the Blade, then they would achieve more power with the Blade Pro. So the Blade Pro is in fact more powerful.

This is pretty much the case with most rackets. Swing weight is generally what determines power potential. I think TW's power level is a measure using strokes given the average person.

The regular blade line gives a "boost" to slower pace strokes.

 

[A_Instead]

Blade pro hits like a truck..
Just takes more fuel.

 

[OslerWeber]

Was about to pull the trigger on a regular v9 16x19 but got a chance to get a pair of the pro v9 16x19. The pro is not commercially available where I live.
Which are you guys rocking long term? Been wanting opinions.
I’m afraid the pro might be too high of a SW long term, and the regular too low or anemic.

 

[xmeeshx]

Was about to pull the trigger on a regular v9 16x19 but got a chance to get a pair of the pro v9 16x19. The pro is not commercially available where I live.
Which are you guys rocking long term? Been wanting opinions.
I’m afraid the pro might be too high of a SW long term, and the regular too low or anemic.

I’ve had the pro for a year. It just too much to handle. It’s got awesome power and placement from the baseline on flat shots, but it’s hard to generate spin.

I’m currently looking at more nimble, easier to handle rackets, and less stiff. I demo’ed the 98 v9 and really enjoyed it although it was a touch muted. I’m heavily considering getting a matched set.