Help me decide on a racquet. Pro Staff V14 vs RF 01 Pro (or any other).

[DanteTheGreat]

So background. I have currently have a Pro Staff 97 (2014); a Blade 98 V8 (18x20); a Tecnifibre TF40 315 (18x20) and a Pro Staff 97 V13.
I hit a OHBH and a have a fairly flat forehand that I like to hit with a lot of pace but I also like to throw in a very angled shot when the opportunity presents itself.
The issue I seem to be having is put-away power. Yes, I can hit with pace, but all my racquets require a good amount of effort and footwork to get any pace out of them, with the except of the 2014 Pro Staff (which can sometimes randomly cannon the ball even harder than I planned). The Tecnifibre can sometimes feel like it is actively reducing the pace I am trying to impart on the ball. The Blade does well with multifilament strings, but this an 18x20 and not particularly headlight racquet, so I do prefer using polys to help improve the spin potential, but as you would expect, this shifts the balance all the way towards control and becomes really low powered even at lower tensions.
I don't mind all this so much when I play doubles but when I play singles, it can be somewhat difficult to hit clean winners.
I was thinking of getting something with a bit more plow through and I have read that the V14 Pro Staff has more power than the V13. I do really enjoy the very HL balance and the whippiness of the Pro Staffs and getting my first PS (2014) was an absolute gamechanger for my topspin backhand.
I never really considered the RF models because I felt they were too heavy but the RF 01 Pro, though heavier than the Pro Staff 97 is not what I would consider too heavy and seems to have a beefy swingweight and potentially good put-away power.
So with all that considered, would you recommend a Pro Staff V14 or an RF 01 Pro. Or should I be looking at an Ezone, a Pure Strike, a Shift or a Blade 98 V9 (16x19).
Thanks.

 

[PFG1]

So background. I have currently have a Pro Staff 97 (2014); a Blade 98 V8 (18x20); a Tecnifibre TF40 315 (18x20) and a Pro Staff 97 V13.
I hit a OHBH and a have a fairly flat forehand that I like to hit with a lot of pace but I also like to throw in a very angled shot when the opportunity presents itself.
The issue I seem to be having is put-away power. Yes, I can hit with pace, but all my racquets require a good amount of effort and footwork to get any pace out of them, with the except of the 2014 Pro Staff (which can sometimes randomly cannon the ball even harder than I planned). The Tecnifibre can sometimes feel like it is actively reducing the pace I am trying to impart on the ball. The Blade does well with multifilament strings, but this an 18x20 and not particularly headlight racquet, so I do prefer using polys to help improve the spin potential, but as you would expect, this shifts the balance all the way towards control and becomes really low powered even at lower tensions.
I don't mind all this so much when I play doubles but when I play singles, it can be somewhat difficult to hit clean winners.
I was thinking of getting something with a bit more plow through and I have read that the V14 Pro Staff has more power than the V13. I do really enjoy the very HL balance and the whippiness of the Pro Staffs and getting my first PS (2014) was an absolute gamechanger for my topspin backhand.
I never really considered the RF models because I felt they were too heavy but the RF 01 Pro, though heavier than the Pro Staff 97 is not what I would consider too heavy and seems to have a beefy swingweight and potentially good put-away power.
So with all that considered, would you recommend a Pro Staff V14 or an RF 01 Pro. Or should I be looking at an Ezone, a Pure Strike, a Shift or a Blade 98 V9 (16x19).
Thanks.

Went through a similar journey and just chose a racket this week.

Some background:

Mens 4.5-5.0 player
2HBH
Big serve, big forehand
All court player

Former racket: Blade V8 18x20

Demo Rackets:
- Pure Aero 98
- White out 305 18x20
- Pure Strike 98 16x19
- Blade v9 18x20
- Head Gravity Pro
- Various VCore's

I ended up with the new Strike 98. Feels like a real match racket to me. Meaning, it does a lot of things well, and highlights my biggest weapons (serve and FH). I couldn't find anything to dislike about the PS98. I thought it was like the Aero and Blade had a child, with 65% of the Blade genetics, 35% of the Aero genetics, with that Babolat rawness that you either love or hate. Aka - a modern control racket with some free power, but enough control to let me swing out. And a somewhat more dense 16x19 in the sweet spot.

 

[Tennisist]

A racquet that hits like ProStaff 97, but with a slightly more power, is ProStaff X. On swings, it feels identical. Easy drop-in replacement.

 

[DanteTheGreat]

Went through a similar journey and just chose a racket this week.

Some background:

Mens 4.5-5.0 player
2HBH
Big serve, big forehand
All court player

Former racket: Blade V8 18x20

Demo Rackets:
- Pure Aero 98
- White out 305 18x20
- Pure Strike 98 16x19
- Blade v9 18x20
- Head Gravity Pro
- Various VCore's

I ended up with the new Strike 98. Feels like a real match racket to me. Meaning, it does a lot of things well, and highlights my biggest weapons (serve and FH). I couldn't find anything to dislike about the PS98. I thought it was like the Aero and Blade had a child, with 65% of the Blade genetics, 35% of the Aero genetics, with that Babolat rawness that you either love or hate. Aka - a modern control racket with some free power, but enough control to let me swing out. And a somewhat more dense 16x19 in the sweet spot.

Thanks for this. I'll definitely have a closer look at the PS98. I could probably arrange for a demo racquet even though the process is a bit of a pain.

 

[DanteTheGreat]

A racquet that hits like ProStaff 97, but with a slightly more power, is ProStaff X. On swings, it feels identical. Easy drop-in replacement.

I actually hadn't considered the Pro Staff X but looking at the specs, it does appear to be a good option too.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Flat...1 hander. power. .....must try ezone 98, pure strike too, but a little more beefy really and not quite as much "free" power.

 

[Chairman3]

First you need to decide which attribute is most important.
We all want a racquet that can do everything but where the racquet falls short the player needs to take up the slack.

If you want "put-away" power and can't generate it on your own, then you need to quit looking at/using lower-powered racquets.

Blade V9 is a very good racquet with a little more heft and very easy to tailweight and get it HL.
I use the Pro Staff V14 and it is excellent. I like to attack and play all-court. It lacks some topspin but that's where I have to take up the slack.

Sounds like maybe you should enter the Pure Strike, Whiteout, Shift territory. I'd even throw the Tfight 315 in there, very good and underrated frame.
Have not used the RF01 and non-homer reviews are mixed. Buddy of mine prefers his Shift. The RF01 was great for topspin but he felt like he had to put more into other shots.
Might fit in line for you since Fed claimed the reason for the racquet design was faster swinging and more spin. YMMV

 

[DanteTheGreat]

Flat...1 hander. power. .....must try ezone 98, pure strike too, but a little more beefy really and not quite as much "free" power.

Thanks. I will demo the pure strike. A friend of mine actually has the ezone 98, so I'm going to try it out as well.

 

[DanteTheGreat]

First you need to decide which attribute is most important.
We all want a racquet that can do everything but where the racquet falls short the player needs to take up the slack.

If you want "put-away" power and can't generate it on your own, then you need to quit looking at/using lower-powered racquets.

Blade V9 is a very good racquet with a little more heft and very easy to tailweight and get it HL.
I use the Pro Staff V14 and it is excellent. I like to attack and play all-court. It lacks some topspin but that's where I have to take up the slack.

Sounds like maybe you should enter the Pure Strike, Whiteout, Shift territory. I'd even throw the Tfight 315 in there, very good and underrated frame.
Have not used the RF01 and non-homer reviews are mixed. Buddy of mine prefers his Shift. The RF01 was great for topspin but he felt like he had to put more into other shots.
Might fit in line for you since Fed claimed the reason for the racquet design was faster swinging and more spin. YMMV

I have to admit that there might be an element of laziness here. I actually do hit with a lot of spin on my standard forehand (much less so on my backhand but I'm working on that), but I really like to flatten it out and finish the point the moment I get the chance. With the racquets I use, on my serve and my forehand, I feel like I have to use every available element of the kinetic chain (which I know is the right thing to do) to get solid pace. I remember when I switched from the 2014 PS97 to the Blade 98 and someone I usually played with said I wasn't the ball as hard as I normally would. I am really tempted to get the V14 as it has more plow through from what I've read and the prices are down at present which makes it more enticing.
I think what I really need to do is find a way to demo these racquets.

 

[Chairman3]

I think what I really need to do is find a way to demo these racquets

That's the best option unless you're just really wanting to take a flyer on a new frame.

But what I said still remains, identify what you want the most but also what you need and balance those out.

There are definitely frames where you can just arm the ball instead of engaging your entire body but there are also some pseudo control frames that pack a punch.

I really liked the Whiteout 18x20, a better feeling Pure Strike and slightly more powerful Blade. But I wanted a little more pocketing so I moved on

 

[Wilhelm]

I would leave the 18x20 behind, even if it's cool on slices. You just get a bit more out of poly strings with a standard 16x19 with every stroke. I'm using the TF40 16x19, but I can't really recommend it due to the quality control issues (I got one good spec in four frames).

You have some good choices on your list with the Ezone, Pure Strike etc. All of them will make your life a bit easier.

 

[gfwp]

I like the RF01 pro. Finally tested. It's a kind of Pro Staff on steroids. It feels quite a lot like a Pro Staff 97 but with some added free power and a bit easier spin. But still a Pro Staff, really. And even not far from my jurassic Wilson Sting Midsize, just with more power.

But I also like the PS X. It is also an evolution of the classic PS to add more power, and add also a little more spin. PSX is slightly more headlight. RF01 slightly more aerodynamic. Perhaps on serving the RF01 pro is more powerful, because of the additional head weight; at least for me.

I'm going to purchase soon one of them, the PSX or the RF01 Pro. The deciding argument will be the L5 availability here in Switzerland (which is always a pain). Despite a lot of marketing discussion I think that both are good option for a "Pro Staff player" looking for a little added free power but wantig to retain the Pro Staffish feeling.

 

[Fxanimator1]

Been down the same road, do yourself a favor a demo the Boom Pro, at around 52lbs.

 

[Icsa]

So background. I have currently have a Pro Staff 97 (2014); a Blade 98 V8 (18x20); a Tecnifibre TF40 315 (18x20) and a Pro Staff 97 V13.
I hit a OHBH and a have a fairly flat forehand that I like to hit with a lot of pace but I also like to throw in a very angled shot when the opportunity presents itself.
The issue I seem to be having is put-away power. Yes, I can hit with pace, but all my racquets require a good amount of effort and footwork to get any pace out of them, with the except of the 2014 Pro Staff (which can sometimes randomly cannon the ball even harder than I planned). The Tecnifibre can sometimes feel like it is actively reducing the pace I am trying to impart on the ball. The Blade does well with multifilament strings, but this an 18x20 and not particularly headlight racquet, so I do prefer using polys to help improve the spin potential, but as you would expect, this shifts the balance all the way towards control and becomes really low powered even at lower tensions.
I don't mind all this so much when I play doubles but when I play singles, it can be somewhat difficult to hit clean winners.
I was thinking of getting something with a bit more plow through and I have read that the V14 Pro Staff has more power than the V13. I do really enjoy the very HL balance and the whippiness of the Pro Staffs and getting my first PS (2014) was an absolute gamechanger for my topspin backhand.
I never really considered the RF models because I felt they were too heavy but the RF 01 Pro, though heavier than the Pro Staff 97 is not what I would consider too heavy and seems to have a beefy swingweight and potentially good put-away power.
So with all that considered, would you recommend a Pro Staff V14 or an RF 01 Pro. Or should I be looking at an Ezone, a Pure Strike, a Shift or a Blade 98 V9 (16x19).
Thanks.

Add a few grams of lead at the top of PS V13 and you got yourself a V14 with more plow through and power.

 

[GermanBeast]

If you want maneuverability, stability and plow through power, you should try the Radical Pro or Prestige Tour (former pro)

 

[DanteTheGreat]

I like the RF01 pro. Finally tested. It's a kind of Pro Staff on steroids. It feels quite a lot like a Pro Staff 97 but with some added free power and a bit easier spin. But still a Pro Staff, really. And even not far from my jurassic Wilson Sting Midsize, just with more power.

But I also like the PS X. It is also an evolution of the classic PS to add more power, and add also a little more spin. PSX is slightly more headlight. RF01 slightly more aerodynamic. Perhaps on serving the RF01 pro is more powerful, because of the additional head weight; at least for me.

I'm going to purchase soon one of them, the PSX or the RF01 Pro. The deciding argument will be the L5 availability here in Switzerland (which is always a pain). Despite a lot of marketing discussion I think that both are good option for a "Pro Staff player" looking for a little added free power but wantig to retain the Pro Staffish feeling.

I am currently testing out the PSX and I agree with what you've said. I'll try and find a way to test the RF01 Pro as well.
Thanks.

 

[Power Player]

I am currently testing out the PSX and I agree with what you've said. I'll try and find a way to test the RF01 Pro as well.
Thanks.

I demoed the RF01 and prefer the PSX. It’s a really good frame, probably a bit slept on.

 

[topspin2000]

As a long time Pro Staff 97 player, I recently tested the RF 01 Pro. To me it is way too muted. Totally lacking that classic Pro Staff feel. However, it's great for ground strokes, and can hit a heavy ball, and volleys are stable and forceful. But I struggle with generating racquet head speed on the serve, similar problem I have with the RF97. Just takes more effort but if you can do it, it will reward you with that power.

 

[forzamr_b]

I am currently testing out the PSX and I agree with what you've said. I'll try and find a way to test the RF01 Pro as well.
Thanks.

PS X is great. My current main frame. Have been tempted by the RF 01 and Pro, but demos are hard to secure where I’m at. And it’s pretty likely that I’ll stick with the X, it is a great stick that’s hard to beat!

In any case, would love to hear feedback from those who’ve played with these frames.

 

[Jono123]

Blade Pro 16x19.

Welcome to the party.

 

[pdparos78]

Thanks. I will demo the pure strike. A friend of mine actually has the ezone 98, so I'm going to try it out as well.

watch out for arm pain with this one - loads say it’s notorious for it

 

[Jono123]

PS X is great. My current main frame. Have been tempted by the RF 01 and Pro, but demos are hard to secure where I’m at. And it’s pretty likely that I’ll stick with the X, it is a great stick that’s hard to beat!

In any case, would love to hear feedback from those who’ve played with these frames.

I bought the X and found it a powerful frame. Great for serving, the only drawback was control. I found myself going more up the center as I couldn't trust it.

It has little in common with the PS 97 which is precise.

 

[Jono123]

I find the 2 hander a cookie cutter stroke. They all look identical and mechanical. The one hander is far more expressive and harder to master.

 

[TennisManiac]

Get the V14

 

[slal1984]

Try the v9 blade 100

 

[justRick]

As someone who had the PS L v13 (switched to the RF 01), I play tested numerous racquets in June and I preferred the Blade 98 to the PS v14. I was going to get the Blade but the new RF changed my plans.

 

[Stringbed]

@DanteTheGreat Can you pls update this thread on your decision? I am in a similar situation and really love the demo of PS X coming from a Blade. Interested to know if you tried other rackets and any details on your path to this.

 

[gfwp]

@DanteTheGreat Can you pls update this thread on your decision? I am in a similar situation and really love the demo of PS X coming from a Blade. Interested to know if you tried other rackets and any details on your path to this.

PS X can't be a wrong decision. Don't believe the PS clichés, it's a great stick. A large sweet spot, good precision, a lot of power and this nice aramid fiber touch. Way way way better than the Blade, IMHO; the control is on another planet. My son has honeymoon with PS X and ordered a second one last week. And another teenager of our club too moved to PS X despite main coach is quite adverse on this choice (but some help coaches silently approve it). I personally would also have bought it but apparently is almost impossible to get it in L5 here in Switzerland.

 

[Stringbed]

Thanks @gfwp . Agree that PS X is a impressive equipment for those coming from Blade.

My question still remains for @DanteTheGreat

 

[PistolPete23]

If the feel of Pro Staff is your jam, I’d always recommend giving the Furi Arma Pro 98 a look. It really does play like a more powerful pro staff, but slightly more plush feel than PS97 v14. Launch angle not too high for a 16x19. Can hit a flat laser or put heavy spin on the ball, especially if you go with a full bed of poly.

 

[gfwp]

You should also take a look at Angell TC 101. It's also quite Pro Staff-ish with the premium of an oversize.

 

[Stringbed]

You should also take a look at Angell TC 101. It's also quite Pro Staff-ish with the premium of an oversize.

Can you explain premium of an oversize? Isnt more surface area equals less momentum/ force distribution assuming everything else is fairly equal?

 

[Stringbed]

If the feel of Pro Staff is your jam, I’d always recommend giving the Furi Arma Pro 98 a look. It really does play like a more powerful pro staff, but slightly more plush feel than PS97 v14. Launch angle not too high for a 16x19. Can hit a flat laser or put heavy spin on the ball, especially if you go with a full bed of poly.

Thanks never heard of the brand, will do.

 

[PistolPete23]

Thanks never heard of the brand, will do.

A hidden gem for sure

 

[gfwp]

Can you explain premium of an oversize? Isnt more surface area equals less momentum/ force distribution assuming everything else is fairly equal?

More surface = more trampoline effect of the strings. Larger headsize gives more free power at the cost of precision. But the two things are not necessarily exactly inversely proportional. It depends on the specific frame,

 

[Alwaysout88]

I been down the road of bouncing between power and control.

If you like the pro staff the version 14 is a bit softer and more plow. Just lower the tension. I started at 40 with head hawk touch and started feeling out the string I wanted. Head hawk power at 45. Plenty of power and control and softness.

The strings can change the racket before you change the racket

 

[Alwaysout88]

Also if you are having put away power with the pro staff you strings to tight or it's to heavely for you to swing. I can absolutely wreck the ball with the pro staff but once I used a iso 305, I struggled. The swing weight makes a huge difference and static weight on how fast you can swing it. You like me sometimes aren't ready for certain rackets.


Try the pro staff 97L. A tad thicker beam and lighter so you can swing faster..add a leather grip when you're ready and add weight to the head when your ready.

Or the radical mp, prestige light, there's a few control 98-97s

I also heard the percept 97 is a tad lighter and bigger sweet spot.

Another one is the speed MP with a leather grip.

330 SW at 310 grams static with leather grip. Less precise but close and more power and spin slightly. It's what I used to use but I wanted more of a flatter shot. No other 100 hits flat shots as well and has feel like that racket. Maybe 18x20s but I dont use them.