Extending a K95 18x20

[JohnP]

I was curious if anybody here has seen or heard of someone having a K95 18x20 extended. I know there seem to be a handful of places who do that sort of thing, for a pretty reasonable fee.

The reason I ask is that I used to play with the Pro Staff Classic 6.1 racquet, and at one point did have a Pro Staff Stretch, which I really liked. Currently, I have been playing with K95s, and have (as it seems most people do) preferred the 18x20 layout to the 16x18. The K95x, of course, has a 16x18 pattern. Therefore, I wonder if a custom-stretched K95 with the 18x20 pattern wouldn't be a killer racquet. I have seen people remark that they like the 16x18 pattern on the longer version (more spin?) so maybe the more open pattern does suit the longer version better.

Im curious if anybody has any first hand experience with a lengthened 18x20 or has any thoughts whatsoever.

 

[JohnP]

In case anybody's curious, after demoing the K95X, I went ahead and manually extended the length of my 18x20 model via buttcap movement. I have it extended about as far as it will go and it is just a small smidgen under 27.5". The buttcap is currently being held on by electrical tape and the force of the base grip + overgrip. Obviously I will come up with a more permanent solution if/when I decide how I want it. Taking the staples out was a major pain, in fact I broke off the tip of my awl doing it.

I really like some of the advantages of the K95X, it is really nice on my serve, overheads, and my forehand. I am looking forward to testing my own version out with the 18x20 pattern. I am not sure if I will use the full 1/2 inch extension, something slightly less might work better for me I think. I put 4g of lead tape in the buttcap with an old sponge crammed in along with it to keep it from rattling around.

 

[AlpineCadet]

Try to add a lightweight spacer that will fit between your floating butt cap and your handle.

 

[JohnP]

Try to add a lightweight spacer that will fit between your floating butt cap and your handle.

I'm not sure what people talk about when they talk about a "spacer" in this context. Are you talking about adding something to the end of the handle that allows the butt cap to slide even further? Or something to fill up the now empty space inside the buttcap itself? Right now it is filled with sponge and some lead tape.

 

[thanu]

You could send your racquets to **** or JCS, but they can only extend the racquet by 1/2 an inch (they remold the handle).. Bosworth can add an inch.. Ravemaster sent his racquet to Bosworth, and he said they added a 1 inch attachment to the end of the handle. But you're in luck.. if you really like your old racquet there is a guy on the auction site selling them new for $155 (I think his name is racquetguy, he's in Canada).. I also have two almost new (9.9 and 9.5) Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch with a 3/8 grip for sale. I have an auction going.. (had to put a little plug in there ;-) ).



Thanu