Forten Nylon: White or Natural / 15L or 16

[jason586]

I have some clients who do not care what is put in the racquet except price. I received a reel of Forten Nylon 15L (1.40) BLACK with a racquet I purchased last year. I've used it for both crosses with a poly main and in mains with poly crosses which has been very well received by the seniors and ladies with 110-130" racquets (mostly 3.0s). Most of them had Tecnifibre syn gut 1 piece 1.25 previously which they did not like nearly as well as the Forten Nylon is in the mains / poly crosses hybrid.
The reel is almost out, and I would like to switch away from the black since it leaves marks on balls.

Is the white stiffer than the natural like with Gosen Micro?
Is the white or natural more durable?
My thought were to pick up 1 x 16 gauge and 1 x 15L gauge as I really do not want to get 4 reels of this stuff. I was thinking I would use the 15L for mains with poly crosses and the 16 for crosses with poly mains.

So for those who have played both gauges or colors, which 2 from these 4 choices:
1) White 15L
2) White 16
3) Natural 15L
4) Natural 16

 

[Irvin]

jason586 there is a forum where people share strings. If you open a thread there maybe you could pick up a set of the string you want from someone's reel. If you don't get a reply email me and give me a link to your thread. Then you could try them for yourself and see what they're like without buying a reel.

 

[jason586]

Thanks for the heads up.
At $17 a reel not worried about buying a couple reels - just really didn't want to buy 4.

My main 2 questions: Is the white or natural stiffer/more durable? And is the 16 gauge durable enough to use as a cross with poly mains or should I only stick with 15L in this string?

If the white is stiffer/more durable than the natural (which is my guess & only a guess), then I would probably get a 16 gauge of white and 15L of natural.

 

[SteveI]

I have some clients who do not care what is put in the racquet except price. I received a reel of Forten Nylon 15L (1.40) BLACK with a racquet I purchased last year. I've used it for both crosses with a poly main and in mains with poly crosses which has been very well received by the seniors and ladies with 110-130" racquets (mostly 3.0s). Most of them had Tecnifibre syn gut 1 piece 1.25 previously which they did not like nearly as well as the Forten Nylon is in the mains / poly crosses hybrid.
The reel is almost out, and I would like to switch away from the black since it leaves marks on balls.

Is the white stiffer than the natural like with Gosen Micro?
Is the white or natural more durable?
My thought were to pick up 1 x 16 gauge and 1 x 15L gauge as I really do not want to get 4 reels of this stuff. I was thinking I would use the 15L for mains with poly crosses and the 16 for crosses with poly mains.

So for those who have played both gauges or colors, which 2 from these 4 choices:
1) White 15L
2) White 16
3) Natural 15L
4) Natural 16

I really like the Natural 16...softer and more playable. the 16G is going to hold up unless you are stringing for a DI player

 

[LeeD]

White or any color has an added pigment, making it more brittle and "diluted".
Go natural.
As for gauge, if the poly is long lasting, go for 15.
If the mains are to be cut out after 6 hours of play, go 16.
Up until I turned 55, 15 gauge nylon would last about one month, then break at the sweetspot mains just above center. This on small headed, flexy shafted rackets.
Now, it appears, even 16 gauge can last my lifetime..

 

[jason586]

Thanks for replies.
I ordered 1 x 15 and 1 x 16 of the Forten in Natural, plus 1 x Gosen Micro 17 in Natural.

 

[tennytive]

I was there 2 years ago. White 16, and Natural 15L.

Since moved on to Prince Tournament Nylon (clear) last season, and this year, Gosen ProForm Tuff for 15L. I use this on one of my rackets (open pattern) and for the guys I string for who want durability.

Can't beat the price of the Forten, but at $25.00 the Gosen is a good value for a reel.

 

[MachiA.]

Gosen ProForm Tuff for 15L.

Great stuff this Tuff.

Locks very nicely.

Minimal tension loss.


KR

 

[SteveI]

Great stuff this Tuff.

Locks very nicely.

Minimal tension loss.


KR

If I was going for a low end Nylon: Reel... In order

1) Gosen ProForm Ruff 16G Nat
2) Ashaway Liberty 16G Nat
3) Forten Nylon 16G Nat
4) Prince Nylon 16G Nat

 

[jason586]

I'll have to try the Gosen Proform next time around. Sounds like many are liking it better than the Forten.

 

[SteveI]

I'll have to try the Gosen Proform next time around. Sounds like many are liking it better than the Forten.

Plays more like a low powered syn gut. Closer to a poly..

 

[jason586]

Plays more like a low powered syn gut. Closer to a poly..

That is how I would describe the 16G Natural Forten as well.

When I got the 3 reels in, I strung up both my Vantage 95s.
Both with Genesis BM mains @ 56lbs. One with the 17G OGSM natural crosses at 60lbs and the other with the Forten 16G natural at 62lbs.

The Forten was an obviously deader string bed than the OGSM as soon as I hit with both racquets. One benefit of the Forten hybrid is that there is a more even response across the entire bed (no real hot spots), and I feel I know better where the ball is going even if it doesn't have the same amount of pace/spin as the Gosen hybrid. I have fewer errors with the Forten hybrid as it is harder to hit the ball long, but overall I still feel the extra pace/spin of the OGSM wins out for me. I pull out the Forten hybrid when I'm playing with my wife or someone below my level of play as it takes just a little off the ball.
As for durability, the 16G Forten is holding up much better than I expected. Based on the durability I see on my own racquet, I see no reason to use the 15L for hybrids with poly mains for most anyone. I only see using the 15L for mains with poly crosses which has been enjoyed by seniors who like the softer feel and slightly 70's feel of the nylon mains.

I am happy with all 3 reels, and for under $75 shipped - that is great value!

 

[SteveI]

That is how I would describe the 16G Natural Forten as well.

When I got the 3 reels in, I strung up both my Vantage 95s.
Both with Genesis BM mains @ 56lbs. One with the 17G OGSM natural crosses at 60lbs and the other with the Forten 16G natural at 62lbs.

The Forten was an obviously deader string bed than the OGSM as soon as I hit with both racquets. One benefit of the Forten hybrid is that there is a more even response across the entire bed (no real hot spots), and I feel I know better where the ball is going even if it doesn't have the same amount of pace/spin as the Gosen hybrid. I have fewer errors with the Forten hybrid as it is harder to hit the ball long, but overall I still feel the extra pace/spin of the OGSM wins out for me. I pull out the Forten hybrid when I'm playing with my wife or someone below my level of play as it takes just a little off the ball.
As for durability, the 16G Forten is holding up much better than I expected. Based on the durability I see on my own racquet, I see no reason to use the 15L for hybrids with poly mains for most anyone. I only see using the 15L for mains with poly crosses which has been enjoyed by seniors who like the softer feel and slightly 70's feel of the nylon mains.

I am happy with all 3 reels, and for under $75 shipped - that is great value!

The Forten plays very dead as cross and does not add much spin. It does soften the string bed and create a nice even response.

The Gosen ProForm Tuff I have played as a main and in a full bed and has that poly level but with a more even response over the life of the string bed.

The Forten is less money but does not play as well except as a cross.. IMHO.

I love these lower end Nylons.. they are overlooked but still work well for many players.