Grapplesnake Irukandji

AMGF

Hall of Fame
I may have to give this a try with Tonic mains. Would it be recommended to string the gut and Irukandji at the same tension? I usually string my poly crosses 3-4 pounds lower than my gut mains.
I’d definitely string Irukandji at the same tension as your gut mains. It is softer than normal poly for sure.
 

keiki

New User
For those of you that have been hitting with this as a cross in gut/poly hybrid, how is the tension maintenance over time?
 

mctennis

Legend
I’d definitely string Irukandji at the same tension as your gut mains. It is softer than normal poly for sure.
I normally have been using gut/co-poly at 59/55. What tension(s) were you normally using before you started using the gut/ Irukndji hybrid? I was not going to put them in at the same tensions but reading your comments at doing so has me put that on hold. TY
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
I normally have been using gut/co-poly at 59/55. What tension(s) were you normally using before you started using the gut/ Irukndji hybrid? I was not going to put them in at the same tensions but reading your comments at doing so has me put that on hold. TY
For the same feel I’d still string Irukandji about 5% tighter than usual poly.

I would usually string gut/alu power soft at 54/50. With Irukandji I go 54/54.
 

FIRETennis

Professional
Irukandji is a nice cross but definitely the most annoying to string. The string keeps turning onto its flat-side when clamping so it takes a lot of fiddling to get it right.
Anyone else have issues or suggestions on stringing it?
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Irukandji is a nice cross but definitely the most annoying to string. The string keeps turning onto its flat-side when clamping so it takes a lot of fiddling to get it right.
Anyone else have issues or suggestions on stringing it?
I tighten the clamps. Otherwise the string slides out of the clamps when you release tension.
 

FIRETennis

Professional
I tighten the clamps. Otherwise the string slides out of the clamps when you release tension.

yeah, however I find if I tighten just the right amount, when pulling tension the string will twist and flip from the flat side to the vertical causing it sit at 90 degrees in the clamp.
If over-tighten the string compresses and clamps indents the thin side of the string
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Yeah I noticed that too. I decided to go with small indents. Not sure if it’s ultimately the best way. But I’m more confident I get the desired tension that way.

yeah, however I find if I tighten just the right amount, when pulling tension the string will twist and flip from the flat side to the vertical causing it sit at 90 degrees in the clamp.
If over-tighten the string compresses and clamps indents the thin side of the string
 

FIRETennis

Professional
Yeah I noticed that too. I decided to go with small indents. Not sure if it’s ultimately the best way. But I’m more confident I get the desired tension that way.

yeah, that was my solution as well after having to pull tension a few times on a bunch of slipped crosses :/
 

mctennis

Legend
I have been using the gut (m) and Irukandji (c) combination at 59/57#. At first I thought this combination was too stiff. I am using a ball machine during this Covid mess for some months before jumping into playing at the club I belong to. So I have hit approximately 1000-1200 tennis balls with this combination. The first 300 balls felt pretty stiff. I thought perhaps I had made a big mistake to use this combo. At the next hitting session the strings felt a lot better. I like this combination a lot. It does have a strange high " thunk" sound with this combination vs my usual string hybrid setup. I had to use a dampener to quiet this sound somewhat. I like the depth and control I can get with this string combination. I will keep hitting with this combo to see how long this combo lasts before needing restrung. I am using an 18x20 string pattern Yonex VCore Pro HD 97- a newer racquet I just purchased. I will also try this in my older regular racquet- Yonex VCore Duel G 97 330.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
I have been using the gut (m) and Irukandji (c) combination at 59/57#. At first I thought this combination was too stiff. I am using a ball machine during this Covid mess for some months before jumping into playing at the club I belong to. So I have hit approximately 1000-1200 tennis balls with this combination. The first 300 balls felt pretty stiff. I thought perhaps I had made a big mistake to use this combo. At the next hitting session the strings felt a lot better. I like this combination a lot. It does have a strange high " thunk" sound with this combination vs my usual string hybrid setup. I had to use a dampener to quiet this sound somewhat. I like the depth and control I can get with this string combination. I will keep hitting with this combo to see how long this combo lasts before needing restrung. I am using an 18x20 string pattern Yonex VCore Pro HD 97- a newer racquet I just purchased. I will also try this in my older regular racquet- Yonex VCore Duel G 97 330.

59/57 in a 18x20 will feel stiff! Is it what you use in your non 18x20 frames? Try a few pounds lower to get a similar feeling as 16x19 or 16x20 in the Duel G. Gut/Irukandji should not feel stiff.

For me playability is very good and lasts a long time. But if it’s very humid in your area the gut might not last very long. In my area it’s very humid and I switch to full poly during summer.
 

mctennis

Legend
59/57 in a 18x20 will feel stiff! Is it what you use in your non 18x20 frames? Try a few pounds lower to get a similar feeling as 16x19 or 16x20 in the Duel G. Gut/Irukandji should not feel stiff.

For me playability is very good and lasts a long time. But if it’s very humid in your area the gut might not last very long. In my area it’s very humid and I switch to full poly during summer.
I had to start with close to the string tension I had been using. That was suggested as a starting point. My normal 16x19 is 59/55. So what tensions would you suggest for the gut mains and Irukandji? I appreciate your help and suggestion.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
I had to start with close to the string tension I had been using. That was suggested as a starting point. My normal 16x19 is 59/55. So what tensions would you suggest for the gut mains and Irukandji? I appreciate your help and suggestion.
I’d start a few lbs lower for sure. 18x20 feels boardy at the same tensions as 16x19. An 18x20 is about 15% more dense than a 16x19 but Irukandji I had great success by stringing 5% higher because it is so slick and soft compared to my alu power soft. So I’d suggest not going 15% lower. I think 10% lower tensions should gove similar feel as your 16x19.

I’d either go with 53/53 and see how it feels or 55/52 (to keep the same difference between your strings as you’re used to). Let me know how it turns out. I’m pretty sure Irukandji will be great in a 18x20 at these tensions.

Old school trick, you can step on your string bed if it feels too stiff. But I take no responsibility should you feel tensions dropped too much. It beats cutting a fresh but too stiff stringbed though.
 

mctennis

Legend
I’d start a few lbs lower for sure. 18x20 feels boardy at the same tensions as 16x19. An 18x20 is about 15% more dense than a 16x19 but Irukandji I had great success by stringing 5% higher because it is so slick and soft compared to my alu power soft. So I’d suggest not going 15% lower. I think 10% lower tensions should gove similar feel as your 16x19.

I’d either go with 53/53 and see how it feels or 55/52 (to keep the same difference between your strings as you’re used to). Let me know how it turns out. I’m pretty sure Irukandji will be great in a 18x20 at these tensions.

Old school trick, you can step on your string bed if it feels too stiff. But I take no responsibility should you feel tensions dropped too much. It beats cutting a fresh but too stiff stringbed though.
I will probably try the 55/52 tension range. The range for this 18x20 racquet is 45-60 lbs. Where as the 16x20 tension range is 50-65. I should have checked the tension range of the 18x20 before I had it strung up. I just thought the tensions would be similar. These Yonex racquets do not have the tensions listed on the frames. I'm not sure if any new racquets put this stringing tension ranges on them. The older racquets seemed to have that listed. That may be why it feels stiff at the 59/57 it feels stiff. Your opinion?
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
I will probably try the 55/52 tension range. The range for this 18x20 racquet is 45-60 lbs. Where as the 16x20 tension range is 50-65. I should have checked the tension range of the 18x20 before I had it strung up. I just thought the tensions would be similar. These Yonex racquets do not have the tensions listed on the frames. I'm not sure if any new racquets put this stringing tension ranges on them. The older racquets seemed to have that listed. That may be why it feels stiff at the 59/57 it feels stiff. Your opinion?
Tensions on the frame don’t mean much. Personnal preferences, string choices, desired control or launch angle will affect your strings tension decision. I just know by experience that is you use the same tension on a 16x19 and 18x20 the 18x20 will feel much stiffer.

Tensions on the frames is old school. It is just an indication on what the company feels the frame will perform the best at. The upper tension can be an indication that this is close to the limit of what the frame can withstand (though frames can probably withstand much higher than what is suggested on the frame).

Ultimately selecting tensions is a trial and error kind of thing, not a perfect science.
 

mctennis

Legend
So true about trial and error, mo$tly error. I've only used one 18X20 some years back. It was a GREAT racquet but I cannot remember the strings or tensions
I used.
 

408tennisguy

Semi-Pro
Wait, so when people are stringing the crosses for Irukandji, are you guys Laying the wider side of the string on the mains or the narrower side?
 

mctennis

Legend
Did anyone try Irukandji 2.0? They added Alu to it. Possibly for better Tension maintenance?
WHAT???? They have changed the formula already? I just bought one set a few months back, not the 2.0 version. I REALLY like it and was going to order more. Now I am not sure since they changed the original formula. WHY would they do this?
 

myth

Professional
Irukandji is too stiff for my arm unfornutally. But the string is great otherwise and great value.
For my taste, Ghost Wire and Isospeed Cream provide more comfort.
 

Jouke

Professional
WHAT???? They have changed the formula already? I just bought one set a few months back, not the 2.0 version. I REALLY like it and was going to order more. Now I am not sure since they changed the original formula. WHY would they do this?
You can still buy the ‘old’ Irukandji. The new one has an Alu color.
 

mctennis

Legend
Irukandji is too stiff for my arm unfornutally. But the string is great otherwise and great value.
For my taste, Ghost Wire and Isospeed Cream provide more comfort.
How is the control with the GW and Isospeed Cream? I like the Irukandji but tend to agree it is a little stiff at the tension(s) I have it strung at so far.
 

mctennis

Legend
Both are amazing.

Cream better spin and control.
Ghost wire better comfort.
I have a set of the GW. I keep hearing good thingd about the Cream. I will re-read the comments and reviews about Cream. I like the Irukandji because it lasts a long time before you have to re-string it. Some of these co-polys only last about 6-8 hours. That is a waste of time, effort, and money for me. I play 4-6 hours a week. So that would mean I would have to re-string just about every week.
 
Anyone tried Irukandji 2.0 (grey)? If so what is the difference with the original. The Grapplesnake website says it is a "development" with the addition of aluminium fibres. Why add aluminium fibres to tennis strings? Any ideas?
 

smithie

Semi-Pro
Anyone tried Irukandji 2.0 (grey)? If so what is the difference with the original. The Grapplesnake website says it is a "development" with the addition of aluminium fibres. Why add aluminium fibres to tennis strings? Any ideas?
Likely to increase tension maintenance I would assume
 
Anyone have recent insight on this string? I know other Grapesnake strings are carrying the attention lately, but I’m pretty interested in this particular string as a cross.
 

mctennis

Legend
Anyone have recent insight on this string? I know other Grapesnake strings are carrying the attention lately, but I’m pretty interested in this particular string as a cross.
I use this as a cross string. It lasts me a long time and feels really nice with gut mains. I will try it with another main but according to Grapplesnake it is designed to be used as a cross for gut strings.
 

Hammydog

New User
I use Irukandji in the crosses with Tour Sniper and Game Changer. Grapplesnake Tour Sniper (think a more comfortable shaped Alu power with control) is an amazing string and with Irukandji in the crosses, it bumps up the spin potential and gives a little extra power. Game Changer already produces monster spin but with irukandji in the crosses its almost too much. Not a fan of Game Changer's plastic feel but with irukandji it does help out. Need to try the new Grapplesnake M8 string next with irukandji in the crosses or maybe a full bed. Tennisnerd loves it https://tennisnerd.net/gear/strings/grapplesnake-tour-m8-review/25992
 
Did hyperG soft in mains at 51 and Irukandji crosses at 53 today. Really liked it. I’m almost done with the reel of velocity I’ve been using for crosses. Probably will get a reel of irukandji next for crosses
Just found this thread today. Thanks, everyone for your nice comments and for helping each other out. We are getting more Irukandji (our most underrated string in my opinion) in a couple of days, on Tuesday, if there aren't any delays. Grey colored Limited Edition is what's being produced for the time being. We are working around the clock manufacturing our strings in light of this astonishing increase in demand. Happy to know that word-of-mouth works, and this is all thanks to you! Please tag me if you have any questions, since I only follow the Grapplesnake thread here. Have a good Sunday!
 

mctennis

Legend
Just found this thread today. Thanks, everyone for your nice comments and for helping each other out. We are getting more Irukandji (our most underrated string in my opinion) in a couple of days, on Tuesday, if there aren't any delays. Grey colored Limited Edition is what's being produced for the time being. We are working around the clock manufacturing our strings in light of this astonishing increase in demand. Happy to know that word-of-mouth works, and this is all thanks to you! Please tag me if you have any questions, since I only follow the Grapplesnake thread here. Have a good Sunday!
Irukandji is a great string. I use it as a cross for my gut mains. My fav cross string now.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I play mostly with gut/poly strings and tried a lot of great strings to use as a cross. The problem is that even the best gut/poly will notch over time and you lose some snap back and spin. I decided to give the Irukandji a try because I believe a flat string actually makes sense.

This string does let the mains move freely and snap back. I had tremendous spin with that combo. The power was better than a usual gut/poly as it lets the gut work is magic to perfection. The overall string bed felt very comfortable, I suspect the stiffness to be on the low side for a poly, keep that in mind if you're looking for a stiff poly. But it is still a poly and I didn't have any problem with control or balls flying on me.

I have been using gut/alu power for a while but I'm switching to this one. It is that good, give it a try if you're looking for spin, power and comfort in your gut/poly combo.
Still using this as a cross? I have some grey packs coming and was considering stringing at 59/56 in a v14 pro staff.
 
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