Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Another bang-up-to-date review!
Just got a MaxPower (Kevlar-Reinforced), which is not the ones Steffi used (she had the ‘Graphite Reinforced’ and the 'Competition' model I believe), but since it’s 400g it doesn’t seem lacking in solidity. In fact I would estimate the flex to be in the low 50s and definitely firmer than the MAX-150G. I was pleasantly surprised in how good it felt, so a comparison to the IMF similar-sized (68sqi) model seemed appropriate. Identical hoop shapes, length, string-pattern, and fairly similar weights (400g, vs 390g for my 150G). The MaxPower is interestingly very thin. 16mm beam all the way along, compared to 22-18mm taper of the MAX-150G. That’s the same svelteness as a PK Copper Ace or Dunlop Black Max, but the MaxPower does not feel as flexible as those. Makes me wonder how much Kevlar is in the MaxPower.
When it says Fibre-Kevlar, I assume that means no graphite, and hence there might be quite a lot of Kevlar, giving a very comfortable but solid feel. I wonder if this was typical fibre and kevlar layers wrapped over each other with resin, or whether 'Compound' implies something else. Also the typical high-quality Dunlop finish is evidence that this was a serious stick in its day, with a very nice tapered full grain leather grip, and grommets still completely in-tact.
The 150G was launched in November 1980. I’m not sure about the MaxPower’s precise date in the late 70s, but as far as I can tell Steffi used her version from about 1981 until playing with it at the French Open in 1983 (still the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match at 13 years 10 months old), so they were broadly contemporaneous. So interesting that Dunlop were producing this in Germany, whilst researching the IMF technology in the UK and working with Taiwanese OEMs on other graphite and wood-composite models (not to mention still making wood rackets around the world). Anyone have more precise MaxPower dates? Does the YO mean anything?
The MaxPower swings very easily for 400g, probably thanks to the 32.25cm balance. You are never going to be doing wristy shots, but there is a very pleasant smooth swing and contact feel. I’m quite impressed by the sensation and even though the MaxPower is Standard sized, it feels more technologically advanced than Dunlop’s midsizes like the Black Max of the era for some reason. You can imagine that Dunlop thought the larger heads were just consumer models for a few years, and Standards would always be the Pro choice. Clearly the MaxPower and MAX-150G are just better than the MaxPly in every way with far more consistent performance (larger sweet-spots). Quite interesting that McEnroe didn’t look into these before the 200G, even though Standard woods were still the overwhelming norm.
Moving on to the MAX-150G there is a feeling of even higher quality with the luscious semi-matt paintwork and embossed leather grip. At the same time as sensing more flex, you still have great feeling of power. You clearly feel the IMF magic in this stick, compared to normal rackets. There is masses of comfort, but at the same time great directness and precision. But the `MaxPower doesn’t feel terribly different, with almost the same control and comfort. Despite the taper on the 150G, there is no weakness in the hoop, and similarly the MaxPower’s 16mm hoop doesn’t flex much at all, especially compared to any Standard wood.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the MaxPower Kevlar Reinforced fibreglass model. Very solid feeling for a racket that seemingly doesn't use graphite. Would be very interesting to see how it compares in terms of stiffness to the rest of the MaxPower range, especially Steffi's models. Any other Pros use the MaxPower sticks?
Just got a MaxPower (Kevlar-Reinforced), which is not the ones Steffi used (she had the ‘Graphite Reinforced’ and the 'Competition' model I believe), but since it’s 400g it doesn’t seem lacking in solidity. In fact I would estimate the flex to be in the low 50s and definitely firmer than the MAX-150G. I was pleasantly surprised in how good it felt, so a comparison to the IMF similar-sized (68sqi) model seemed appropriate. Identical hoop shapes, length, string-pattern, and fairly similar weights (400g, vs 390g for my 150G). The MaxPower is interestingly very thin. 16mm beam all the way along, compared to 22-18mm taper of the MAX-150G. That’s the same svelteness as a PK Copper Ace or Dunlop Black Max, but the MaxPower does not feel as flexible as those. Makes me wonder how much Kevlar is in the MaxPower.
When it says Fibre-Kevlar, I assume that means no graphite, and hence there might be quite a lot of Kevlar, giving a very comfortable but solid feel. I wonder if this was typical fibre and kevlar layers wrapped over each other with resin, or whether 'Compound' implies something else. Also the typical high-quality Dunlop finish is evidence that this was a serious stick in its day, with a very nice tapered full grain leather grip, and grommets still completely in-tact.
The 150G was launched in November 1980. I’m not sure about the MaxPower’s precise date in the late 70s, but as far as I can tell Steffi used her version from about 1981 until playing with it at the French Open in 1983 (still the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match at 13 years 10 months old), so they were broadly contemporaneous. So interesting that Dunlop were producing this in Germany, whilst researching the IMF technology in the UK and working with Taiwanese OEMs on other graphite and wood-composite models (not to mention still making wood rackets around the world). Anyone have more precise MaxPower dates? Does the YO mean anything?
The MaxPower swings very easily for 400g, probably thanks to the 32.25cm balance. You are never going to be doing wristy shots, but there is a very pleasant smooth swing and contact feel. I’m quite impressed by the sensation and even though the MaxPower is Standard sized, it feels more technologically advanced than Dunlop’s midsizes like the Black Max of the era for some reason. You can imagine that Dunlop thought the larger heads were just consumer models for a few years, and Standards would always be the Pro choice. Clearly the MaxPower and MAX-150G are just better than the MaxPly in every way with far more consistent performance (larger sweet-spots). Quite interesting that McEnroe didn’t look into these before the 200G, even though Standard woods were still the overwhelming norm.
Moving on to the MAX-150G there is a feeling of even higher quality with the luscious semi-matt paintwork and embossed leather grip. At the same time as sensing more flex, you still have great feeling of power. You clearly feel the IMF magic in this stick, compared to normal rackets. There is masses of comfort, but at the same time great directness and precision. But the `MaxPower doesn’t feel terribly different, with almost the same control and comfort. Despite the taper on the 150G, there is no weakness in the hoop, and similarly the MaxPower’s 16mm hoop doesn’t flex much at all, especially compared to any Standard wood.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the MaxPower Kevlar Reinforced fibreglass model. Very solid feeling for a racket that seemingly doesn't use graphite. Would be very interesting to see how it compares in terms of stiffness to the rest of the MaxPower range, especially Steffi's models. Any other Pros use the MaxPower sticks?
