In general, do you like Volkl racquets?

[BreakPoint]

In light of all the recent threads regarding Volkl tennis racquets, both pro and con, I was wondering, in general, do you like Volkl racquets?

I'm not referring to any particular model, but just the product line in general since most seem to have common traits or that "Volkl feel" to them.

It seems to me that most people either love them or hate them with very little middle ground so I was just wondering how many people fall into which camp.

BTW, FWIW, I personally generally don't like them perhaps because I find most of them to be, for lack of a better word, "too wobbly" for my taste.

 

[stevewcosta]

Tried to like Volkl. Bought the C10-Pro and never played worse. No feel, noodle-like, terrible grip shape, didn't like the balance... simply just couldn't hit w/it. Play w/a 6.0 85 and play much better despite the smaller frame.

 

[hoosierbr]

I love the feel of the Volkl line. I understand what you mean by saying they feel "wobbly" but, for me, the more flex the better. Perhaps this is a result of playing with rather stiff racquets for many years and simply enjoying the feel of something more comfortable.

However, I'll soon be going back to the old school line of racquets, Vantage, and will probably miss some of the virtues of a Volkl racquet.

 

[hacker]

I just got back into tennis after a 6 year layoff and I used to play with the Dunlop Max 200G Pro. I demo'd a lot of brands (Dunlop, Babalot, Wilson, Kennex, Fischer) and I kept coming back to the Volkl's because of the "feel". Looking forward to giving the DNX 9 a try when it comes out this summer.

 

[max]

I'm same as hacker; used the Max 200 G for years. If you're old, you're more used to the feel of a flexible, solid feeling frame. Volkl is very good, but I feel that for the North American market they make a grave mistake by not offering a different grip.

 

[BreakPoint]

I just got back into tennis after a 6 year layoff and I used to play with the Dunlop Max 200G Pro. I demo'd a lot of brands (Dunlop, Babalot, Wilson, Kennex, Fischer) and I kept coming back to the Volkl's because of the "feel". Looking forward to giving the DNX 9 a try when it comes out this summer.

Yes, I used to play with the Dunlop Max 200G Pro as well (for about 13 years). Just out of curiosity, have you ever tried the Wilson ProStaff 6.0 95 Original? It's the closest thing I've found with the similar feel of the Max 200G.

 

[Bolt]

Voted no due to grip shape issues.

 

[hacker]

Breakpoint thanks for the tip. Now I might have to give the Wilson Prostaff a whirl.

Max is right on. I really liked that soild flexy feel of the 200G.

 

[BreakPoint]

Breakpoint thanks for the tip. Now I might have to give the Wilson Prostaff a whirl.

Max is right on. I really liked that soild flexy feel of the 200G.

You're welcome, hacker!

Yes, I also loved the solid and flexy feel of the old Max 200G. However, I find most Volkl racquets to be, yes, flexy, but not as solid feeling. That's why I like the PS 6.0 95 because it's both solid and flexy feeling, much like the Max 200G was.

 

[Lagger]

I had a chance to play with the Tour-8 SE, and it was just OK. It was way too light to have 'Tour' written on it, and didn't have much power or control. I felt like I had a bigger sweetspot on my 90in frame than the Volkl did on it's 100in frame. Although this was the only Volkl racket I have ever hit with. :neutral:

 

[Fuzzless]

volkl racquets are very good, so far every one i've touched i've either bought or wanted to buy

 

[J-man]

there not bad. played with the tour6 and it played nice but very light

 

[Alley Cat]

They have some great quality control and customer service IMO. I liked a couple of Volkl Tour 10 series frames. Good on the arm also.

 

[max]

Right on, BreakPoint! I bought and gave a serious try to the Wilson Pro Staff 6.0/85. . . great for serving, but just not the same feel as the 95, which is, as you say, pretty comparable to the venerable 200G.

 

[vkartikv]

In general, I have nothing against them except for the grip shape. I have found their racquets to have a lot of feel but I need the stiffness of my prostaffs which no other brand offers. I have come to this conclusion.

 

[goober]

Generally they are flexible and arm friendly so I like them

 

[louis netman]

It seems that some players out there have had negative initial experiences with Volkl's "not-so well-liked" sticks, namely the Tour 9 VE (IMO, one of the ugliest rackets ever) and the Quantum Tour 10. Everyone's entitled to an opinion and every company makes mistakes. Remember Ford made the classic and collectible Mustang...they also made the Pinto. To those who are in this boat, it's unfortunate your initial experience was lackluster. I remember one of my friends experiencing sushi for the first time and being forced to eat sea slug, urchin and a raw quail egg. She now consequently rejects any offers to eat sushi and misses out on a vast array of delectible denizens of the deep that also offer outstanding nutritional benefit.

In the 10 series, Volkl's Sensor Tour handle system has certainly retained the comfort factor and has compensated for the continual, increasing stiffness of all their post "C" series incarnations, albeit at the expense of the feel that the "C" series was known for. The game is changing and Volkl is running the race. It seems they strive for improvement in performance in today's ever-changing game, while continuing to place great emphasis on comfort and player longevity. All in all, it's German engineering at its finest. I just wished they would answer my emails and build Wilson-shaped grip pallets...

 

[NoBadMojo]

Good post Louis.

Dont forget about the V1Classic. it's been in the lineup for over a decade along with the C10Pro...both are classic frames. ..i see players of all abilities and both sexes still using the V1.

The possiblities of a grip shape change has been discussed and was summariliy dismissed by Volkl because of all the players including pros who are used to this grip shape and like it. To me, if a person can't get used to a grip shape, they're really not much of a player to begin with, and it doesnt matter what gear they use. I didnt like the Volkl gripshape at first either when i first grabbed a Volkl coming from Fischer, but I quickly got used to it, and now anything else feels wierd to me. The shape does allow your hand to lay on the grip perfectly for serving and volleying. For someone who has used Wilsons or whatever all their lives and wants that gripshape, you can easly come very close to it simply by building up the handle beneath the pallet and you retain perfect bevels

 

[wyutani]

:mrgreen: i've got this rich friend who has the Volkl DNX 8, DNX 3 & DNX 10...lolz. i tried using it once before. i feel that it lacks comfort. but the head size an maneuverability has an advantage...lolz...

 

[jonolau]

I've tried and owned Head, Prince, Dunlop, Wilson and Babolat racquets.

But when I picked up my first Volkl, a Quantum 10, it was love at first hit. It had enough power and control ... but what was addictive was the comfort and special "feel". It gave a lot of confidence on groundstrokes without any harshness or muted thuds - balls coming off the string bed were crisp with a lot of pop.

 

[max]

Nobadmojo: good to read the note. I still think the grip size is off-putting, and perhaps they should view this differently. . . i.e., "how does a potential new Volkl customer feel about these grips," or "what does the average American like in his grips." I heard the weird shape was created especially for clay courters, who do more groundstroking.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Nobadmojo: good to read the note. I still think the grip size is off-putting, and perhaps they should view this differently. . . i.e., "how does a potential new Volkl customer feel about these grips," or "what does the average American like in his grips." I heard the weird shape was created especially for clay courters, who do more groundstroking.

if you dont like the gripsize just buy another gripsize? the shape wasnt created for claycourters i dont think.

 

[texcoug]

Just switched to the Cat 8 VE -- I just couldn't put it down (as I was demoing a Wilson nPro Open). It is all around a very forgiving and comfortable racquet.

 

[Bolt]

To me, if a person can't get used to a grip shape, they're really not much of a player to begin with, and it doesnt matter what gear they use.

Nice post.

 

[anirut]

IF ONLY my Tour 10VE was really, really solid, I wouldn't be looking for a Redondo ...

I find my 10VE a bit "fragile" for my taste.

Sorry, I didn't vote. Because there wasn't any "I can live with it" for me to choose ....

 

[jonolau]

IF ONLY my Tour 10VE was really, really solid, I wouldn't be looking for a Redondo ...

I find my 10VE a bit "fragile" for my taste.

Sorry, I didn't vote. Because there wasn't any "I can live with it" for me to choose ....

Hi Anirut. Hope you got my message. 4 1/2 is out of stock.

 

[aceswild30]

In response to the Volkl grip issue. I am a brand new Volkl owner (DNX9). I feel more comfortable with the Volkl grip than I do with the Head grips I have played 4+ years with (LM Radical MP & Ti Fire Tour).

 

[Offshore]

I also have played with frames from pretty much all of the manufacturers and really like Volkl (and Fischer also). Volkl seems to put some good thought into their racquet engineering and the quality is very good. I like them because you know that they will (in most cases) be good on the arm, they are comfortable, they have a great selection for most player types, and their "technologies" seem to be more than just marketing. I never had a problem with the grip shape. Can't wait to try out the DNX 9

 

[NoBadMojo]

I also have played with frames from pretty much all of the manufacturers and really like Volkl (and Fischer also). Volkl seems to put some good thought into their racquet engineering and the quality is very good. I like them because you know that they will (in most cases) be good on the arm, they are comfortable, they have a great selection for most player types, and their "technologies" seem to be more than just marketing. I never had a problem with the grip shape. Can't wait to try out the DNX 9

So why do you vote that you don't like Volkl frames?

 

[El Diablo]

Rod Laver was once asked his opinion of contemporary players who pull out a new racquet with every ball change The Great One replied that once he found a racquet with a grip that felt right to him, he played with it until it broke. But NoBadMojo believes any player worth his salt should acclimate to any grip shape. Laver or Mojo?? I side with Laver on this one. Volkl makes a perfectly good product but they've not been very consumer oriented, with their wretched grip shape (a Third Reich preference perhaps, as the Austrians, Head and Fischer, seem to like rectangles as well), long-time avoidance of oversize frames until relatively recently, and enfatuation with taxi-cab yellow (more nationalism, I fear, given the colors of the German flag). In truth, just as up-market carmakers have gone down-market and vica versa, most racquet companies now offer such a large variety of sizes, stiffness, buttered or unbuttered, that maybe the grip shape IS the best reason to choose one or another. (sure you can mold it with tape or whatever, but you won't get those great bevels).

 

[Offshore]

So why do you vote that you don't like Volkl frames?

What are you talking about??? I voted that I like Volkl's yesterday (I thought? ) I don't get it?

 

[byealmeens]

I think Volkl's best trait is their consitency and quality. Every Volkl frame I've ever picked up or weighed has been very true to spec. I've never found ANY other racquet company that I could say that about and I've tried more than you would ever guess. I've always liked their frames, and I doubt that will ever change....

 

[fbone]

What are you talking about??? I voted that I like Volkl's yesterday (I thought? ) I don't get it?

If you look at the poll results at the top...you can click on the totals and see who voted for what. You voted incorrectly for 'No'?

 

[stevewcosta]

Pros are pretty good players and they refuse to change grip shape. Why, if they're so good?

Changing grip shape by adding tape etc., changes the balance and weight. I don't like messing w/grip shape so I don't buy Head or Volkl. Not that big of a deal b/c I haven't used one that I like enough to change long term anyway.

 

[Offshore]

If you look at the poll results at the top...you can click on the totals and see who voted for what. You voted incorrectly for 'No'?

I want to vote again!!! I am not from Florida and there were no "hanging chads" and I have no excuse! My Bad NoBadMojo.....I LIKE VOLKL

 

[NoBadMojo]

I want to vote again!!! I am not from Florida and there were no "hanging chads" and I have no excuse! My Bad NoBadMojo.....I LIKE VOLKL

lol/..no worries man..no biggie..just found it curious. evidently your vote is cast in stone and you will go down time immortal as a person who doesnt vote his true beliefs ;O

 

[Two Fister]

I like my DNX 10 and my wife likes her Quantum V1. I think Volkl makes a good product.

I see that so far the poll is about 2 to 1 in favor of Volkl. I think this board is a bit skewed with Volkl users, though. If you polled the audience at, let's say the US Open, I'm not sure you would come out with a 2 to 1 result.

But the premise of the poll question is a bit unusual to me. I don't necessarily agree that you either love 'em or hate 'em. They're just tennis racquets. I like lots of tennis racquets. Can't think of one that I hate. There are plenty that I would not buy if given a choice, but if I were at a resort in Hawaii without my DNX 10, I'd play with pretty much any old demo and probably still enjoy the game of tennis.

 

[Masamusou]

As far as quality and consistency goes, I unfortunately, have to disagree with the sentiment on those. I bought one of my frames from a shop, and had two shipped directly to me from Volkl. The one I got in the shop ended up at 11.8 oz strung with dampener and overgrip. The two that Volkl sent to me were 11.7 oz and 12.1 oz with the same string, dampener, and overgrip. For a racquet that TW lists at 12.2 without dampener and overgrip, that's fairly off if you ask me. I'm personally a bit shocked that a company would send a customer two frames that are that far off in weight, especially after making the customer wait 2 months for them. Not that many of the other companies are any better, but on this particular frame, the tolerances were pretty loose apparently. I had to go through a few hours of work to get them matched up at their current weight, balance, and swingweight. I like Volkl frames, but I'm not a fan of how they handled the situation with my frames.

 

[Offshore]

lol/..no worries man..no biggie..just found it curious. evidently your vote is cast in stone and you will go down time immortal as a person who doesnt vote his true beliefs ;O

Thanks. I know, its a bummer to have my vote stay with me forever (it was late last night when I voted). Oh well.

Frankly, I have never met anyone that has tried a Volkl who didn't at least agree that they were well made even if that particular frame wasn't good for them.

 

[Rabbit]

Rod Laver was once asked his opinion of contemporary players who pull out a new racquet with every ball change The Great One replied that once he found a racquet with a grip that felt right to him, he played with it until it broke. But NoBadMojo believes any player worth his salt should acclimate to any grip shape. Laver or Mojo?? I side with Laver on this one.

This is a little disingenuous, don't you think? I think what Rod Laver said was that once he found a racket that felt good to him, he stuck with it until he broke. I don't think he specifically mentioned the grip. I would bet my last dollar that Rod Laver didn't carry around a bunch of rackets that were of different construction and had different grips or especially grip shapes! Also, back when wood ruled, strings didn't break as often as they do now. A racket may very well last two or three matches before having to be restrung.

Laver would probably side with Mojo. I would imagine that Rod Laver could play with a frying pan and beat 99% of the population. I agree that given time and inclination, a player should be able to adjust to any grip.

All that aside, I would love for Volkl to offer a more Wilson-esque grip shape. With the pallet system, it shoudn't be that big a hill to climb. The production costs may be prohibitive though.

 

[BreakPoint]

I see that so far the poll is about 2 to 1 in favor of Volkl. I think this board is a bit skewed with Volkl users, though. If you polled the audience at, let's say the US Open, I'm not sure you would come out with a 2 to 1 result.

I think you may have a point there. I know that in my area, there are some pro shops that refuse to carry Volkls because they tell me that their customers don't like them and that nobody (except me) asks about them.

 

[NoBadMojo]

This is a little disingenuous, don't you think? I think what Rod Laver said was that once he found a racket that felt good to him, he stuck with it until he broke. I don't think he specifically mentioned the grip. I would bet my last dollar that Rod Laver didn't carry around a bunch of rackets that were of different construction and had different grips or especially grip shapes! Also, back when wood ruled, strings didn't break as often as they do now. A racket may very well last two or three matches before having to be restrung.

Laver would probably side with Mojo. I would imagine that Rod Laver could play with a frying pan and beat 99% of the population. I agree that given time and inclination, a player should be able to adjust to any grip.

All that aside, I would love for Volkl to offer a more Wilson-esque grip shape. With the pallet system, it shoudn't be that big a hill to climb. The production costs may be prohibitive though.

aye Rabbit. Some posters just look for any little thing to be annoying and to try and bust someone even if they really have nothing. these people exhibt this behaviour over and over again. I think most people other than ElDiablo understood what i was saying. He seems to be an angry poster. That's what make it surprising that people on this forum overwhelming approve of Volkl <not that i think these polls mean much if anything>, since many people around here just look for anything to find fault with whether it be products or fellow posters. I think people know I dont condone changing gear much at all, but I do think that a good player can make complete adjustments to something like a change in grip shape..if they can not, their time is best spent in developing their strokes rather than changing their gear anyway. Silly he would surmise that I thought it ok a player would have a bag full of different gear...pretty funny really

It was suggested to Volkl they offer another pallet shape in addition to the standard Volkl shape since they summarily dismissed dropping the current gripshape. Also suggested was light and heavier bumper kits as a result of experimentation w. cutting down bumpers. it simply isnt cost efective to do this stuff even though it could easily be done.

You can change the grip shape into a Wilson shape in about 15mins by building up the handle beneath the pallet. The difference in weight is miniscule in spite of what someone posted above and the bevels are perfectly perserved. A tiny bit more headlight and weight w. a little tape like that in the handle is pretty darm insignificant IMO

 

[max]

How would you change the shape? with head tape? I should note that after I put the Volkl pallets on my C9s, they felt a bit more square than the original shape (to me, more normal, coming from the square Dunlop shape). Interesting that long ago I took a pass on the C-10 simply due to its (to me) unusual grip shape; I think I felt I could serve better with the more square shape. So it goes.

 

[NoBadMojo]

How would you change the shape? with head tape? I should note that after I put the Volkl pallets on my C9s, they felt a bit more square than the original shape (to me, more normal, coming from the square Dunlop shape). Interesting that long ago I took a pass on the C-10 simply due to its (to me) unusual grip shape; I think I felt I could serve better with the more square shape. So it goes.

I used masking tape..that weighs almost nothing and it doesnt take many layers unless you are going prince shape. All you do is remove the pallet and put layers of tape on the 3 and 9 sides of the raw handle..the more tape the more square the gripshape (you want to make sure the tape is no wider than the handle)..stick a pallet of whatever size on there , butt cap, and grip and off you go. i fooled around with this a bit and was able to easily replicate all of the grip shapes.

Edit: most of the grip shapes

 

[tom4ny]

most recreational tennis players in the US havent heard of volkl racquets (though some may know the skiis). people usually stumble across them cuz they see a local pro or a friend using one.

so they start to get curious about the racquet with the weird name and try one. in many cases they are surprised that they really enjoy the comfort and playability of the frame and BAM, they get hooked! over time they become very passionate about their volkls and also very brand loyal.

not everyone is going to like the volkl-feel but volkl does inspire passion and loyalty to their brand perhaps greater than the mass market manufacturers. kinda like bmw and lexus customers as opposed to ford and gm.

 

[louis netman]

I read a research study awhile ago that (with all things being equal) the grip was the most important element of a professional player's frame. And indeed a good player should be able to adapt to any grip shape, however, he she will typically have a preference. That's why some pros get their frames molded to exact specs. For some, the stock grip shape just so happens to be the right fit and feel...I was weaned on Wilson grips and the longing for that specific shape has become locked into that tiny bunch of neurons in my brain where that information is stored (difficult to change)... I can change my Volkl grip shapes however.... Basically, if I like a frame, whatever make it happens to be, it's going to have a Wilson grip shape or I'll be forever dissatisfied and mentally disadvantaged on the court...BTW, Dunlop's fine too...

For Volkl to Wilson/Dunlop modification: You can go to any hobby shop and obtain 1/32 balsa or birch sheets (slightly heavier). Measure, mark and cut the exact bevel size (best to lay a piece of wood sheet directly on the pallet and mark it) and use a good spray adhesive to attach it to the bevel surface. Attach inside the pallet ala NBMJ if you want to square out the entire grip (Prince shape). Use electrical tape to keep in place while bonding. Wait until fully bonded to wrap grip. The finished size naturally becomes slightly larger than standard grip measurements depending on method used (e.g. 4 1/2 becomes 4 9/16, and so on...). With a Fairway, I've found the 4 1/2 mod to be too small, and the 4 5/8 to be too big. Alpha Tennis in Texas does molded grip mods to standard manufacturer shapes for about 50.00 each, less with larger order quantity...

 

[hacker]

You just described exactly how I became a loyal Volkl user. Never heard of them until a friend showed me one. I had my mind set on a Prince or Dunlop until I tried a Tour 10 VE MP. I never thought the grip was unusual, so I guess I just adjusted to it's shape.

 

[NoBadMojo]

I read a research study awhile ago that (with all things being equal) the grip was the most important element of a professional player's frame. And indeed a good player should be able to adapt to any grip shape, however, he she will typically have a preference. That's why some pros get their frames molded to exact specs. For some, the stock grip shape just so happens to be the right fit and feel...I was weaned on Wilson grips and the longing for that specific shape has become locked into that tiny bunch of neurons in my brain where that information is stored (difficult to change)... I can change my Volkl grip shapes however.... Basically, if I like a frame, whatever make it happens to be, it's going to have a Wilson grip shape or I'll be forever disatisfied and mentally disadvantaged on the court...BTW, Dunlop's fine too...

For Volkl to Wilson/Dunlop modification: You can go to any hobby shop and obtain 1/32 balsa or birch sheets (slightly heavier). Measure, mark and cut the exact bevel size (best to lay a piece of wood sheet directly on the pallet and mark it) and use a good spray adhesive to attach it to the bevel surface. Attach inside the pallet ala NBMJ if you want to square out the entire grip (Prince shape). Use electrical tape to keep in place while bonding. Wait until fully bonded to wrap grip. The finished size naturally becomes slightly larger than standard grip measurements depending on method used (e.g. 4 1/2 becomes 4 9/16, and so on...). With a Fairway, I've found the 4 1/2 mod to be too small, and the 4 5/8 to be too big. Alpha Tennis in Texas does molded grip mods to standard manufacturer shapes for about 50.00 each, less with larger order quantity...

I think most of us are agreeing here, and it's become a matter of semantics. Obviously grips are important in that it is your contact point with the racquet. Pros get used to a certain grip and so they wish to keep things consistent....lots of better players are that way. they want the grip to be exactly the same from frame to frame no mater what the shape..it's the one they got used to...They could get used to another grip shape and play as well, but why should they? Ther game wouldnt be the same during the adjustment period and their livlihood depends on things being exactly consistent...not so for the TW poster.
To me, when a poster says they cant get used to a particular gripshape, they are the same as those who say they cant play with anything larger than a 90 headsize, or a wider beam than 21mm, stiff frames cant volley well, and a bunch of nonsense like that..if you're a good player, you can play with just about anything reasonable...it's a matter of picking something reasonable and getting used to it.
I could pick several frames I could happily play and I'm picky about my gear....I also know that it's all about the player and not the gear provided somone hasnt made an inappropriate choice

 

[kinsella]

I just love my C10 Pro Tours, but I have not really liked any other Volkls, much as I respect them. I found the regular C10 too whippy in the head, found their other mids lifeless and lacking a distinctive characteristic. I think the V1 Classic is a very versatile frame, but not to my taste.

I have found more Head racquets that I could live with than any other brand. Wilsons seem harsh to me, I just don't get Prince at all, the really old Yonex were cool, but all the recent sticks leave me cold. The good news, is you only need one racquet and if it is a brand you don't expect to like, so what? I am done with the demo jones.

 

[bagung]

volkl and head is the best... wilson and babolat is everywhere