Is the Blade Pro 16x19 really stiff?

[Dennis Chan]

I play with a Pro Staff 97 v13, which has a stiffness of 66. I've never played with a Blade Pro 16x19, which has a stiffness of 72.

For those of you who have experience with both rackets, does the Blade Pro play noticeably stiffer than the PS 97?

 

[Addxyz]

I play with a Pro Staff 97 v13, which has a stiffness of 66. I've never played with a Blade Pro 16x19, which has a stiffness of 72.

For those of you who have experience with both rackets, does the Blade Pro play noticeably stiffer than the PS 97?

7.2mm is Wilson's stiffness index, not the RA. In the BP thread, someone measured around 62-63RA unstrung.

 

[Dennis Chan]

7.2mm is Wilson's stiffness index, not the RA. In the BP thread, someone measured around 62-63RA unstrung.

Oh I see. Thanks for pointing out.

 

[Dennis Chan]

After reading more, I thought I need to clarify myself. I'm interested to know about the Blade Pro v7, not the v8.

 

[topspn]

Same racquet different PJ.

 

[studpuffin]

The BP is noticeably flexier and more head heavy compared to the Prostaff.

 

[Crashbaby]

Way softer than the ps97 and yes much more weight in the head as per above post. Without adding weight to the handle it’s like you’re playing a different sport. My example has a 344 sw, so it is not something most pro staff 97 players will have ever encountered. I love it! If you not prepared to add at least 10 to 15g to the handle, a ps97 user has little chance of adapting to this stick. And even then, you have to want a 340 or higher swing weight racquet.

 

[Dennis Chan]

Thanks for the info. Yeah after more reading, I think the Blade Pro's swingweight will be too much for me to handle, regardless of the static weight and stiffness.

 

[topspn]

Thanks for the info. Yeah after more reading, I think the Blade Pro's swingweight will be too much for me to handle, regardless of the static weight and stiffness.

This racquet is an enigma in its ability to have high SW and a balance of 4HL and yet not feel like an albatross. Never seen a racquet handle SW so well

 

[Novichok]

This racquet is an enigma in its ability to have high SW and a balance of 4HL and yet not feel like an albatross. Never seen a racquet handle SW so well

Low twistweight?

 

[topspn]

Low twistweight?

I didn’t measure TW but my SW was 350. I had no issue at all with lateral stability.

 

[Yamin]

Low twistweight?

Don't think so, but mine was 350 swing weight and was amazing on 1hbh. Not sure if it was the swing weight that kept it solid but my 340 swing weight blade v7 had significantly lower twist weight.

This racket isn't stiff. I'd consider it the perfect intersection of softness and feel. Around 64 if I had to guess but softer than Yonex and Head 64