TwinCinema
Professional
Back when I was a struggling 3.0 about four years ago I played with a Speed S and a Pure Strike Team (100", 285g) but I've long since outgrown them and am way overdue for something more serious. In demoing some heavier frames with smaller heads, I found myself gravitating to the 98" 305g-ish rackets. Tried, and disliked, the Pure Drive, the TFight ISO, and VCore 98. But I really took to the Blade v8 16x19 and the Pure Strike 16x19. It's weird because they're pretty different but they each had major pros.
The Blade was easiest to control, had great feel, and never bothered my arm. Even mishits were going in. But I never was able to really drive a laser groundstroke with any heavy pop. I was wondering if that was the string it was set up with -- I was using Caviar, a very soft poly. Do you think if I string it with a gut or a multifilament (like NRG?) I would have the power I craved without losing that Blade finesse?
On the other hand, the PS was very similar (obviously) to my old stick but with more weight so it had a lot more plow. I could rip my groundies with heavy spin and when I was returning, I could just block fast serves and have enough pace to get it in play. But it felt muted compared to the Blade and I couldn't hit the touch volleys I wanted. It was strung with RMP Blast which explains the spin, but is there a bed I could put in it to give me more Blade-ish control? Tour Bite maybe, or even that Caviar I had in the Wilson? Just not sure if the strings were the issue, or if I just still haven't found the perfect new racket for me. I could keep demoing, I guess, trying a Head (Extreme Tour? Speed MP?) or a Prince (Tour 98?) but I just wanted to make sure I'm on the right path. Also, I've never even tried an 18x20 pattern so maybe that could solve some of my issues?
The Blade was easiest to control, had great feel, and never bothered my arm. Even mishits were going in. But I never was able to really drive a laser groundstroke with any heavy pop. I was wondering if that was the string it was set up with -- I was using Caviar, a very soft poly. Do you think if I string it with a gut or a multifilament (like NRG?) I would have the power I craved without losing that Blade finesse?
On the other hand, the PS was very similar (obviously) to my old stick but with more weight so it had a lot more plow. I could rip my groundies with heavy spin and when I was returning, I could just block fast serves and have enough pace to get it in play. But it felt muted compared to the Blade and I couldn't hit the touch volleys I wanted. It was strung with RMP Blast which explains the spin, but is there a bed I could put in it to give me more Blade-ish control? Tour Bite maybe, or even that Caviar I had in the Wilson? Just not sure if the strings were the issue, or if I just still haven't found the perfect new racket for me. I could keep demoing, I guess, trying a Head (Extreme Tour? Speed MP?) or a Prince (Tour 98?) but I just wanted to make sure I'm on the right path. Also, I've never even tried an 18x20 pattern so maybe that could solve some of my issues?