Is TRU PRO (formerly Tier One Sports) Black Knight worth trying?

[TennisManiac]

I personally use Black Knight 1.28 and think it’s an amazing string, especially at its price.

What frame and at what tension are you playing?

I'm going to be using the 360+ Speed Pro (18x20) moving forward this coming season and was wondering how BK would work for me in that frame strung full bed around 44 pounds. I've always used Alu Power in my Pro Staffs. So this is new territory for me.

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

I string for somebody who likes a full bed of ghost wire. He has a very sensitive elbow and has often had problems but cannot handle the playability of multi and isn’t willing to try gut/poly. Told him we can try a soft string I have and he loves the playability and comfort of ghostwire since.

What gauge of Ghost Wire did you use for this person?

 

[blai212]

What frame and at what tension are you playing?

I'm going to be using the 360+ Speed Pro (18x20) moving forward this coming season and was wondering how BK would work for me in that frame strung full bed around 44 pounds. I've always used Alu Power in my Pro Staffs. So this is new territory for me.

I would recommend 17 or 18g for dense 18x20 patterns and slightly lower tension than 16x19

 

[SpinToWin]

What gauge of Ghost Wire did you use for this person?

1.22 in a Blade 18x20

 

[SpinToWin]

What frame and at what tension are you playing?

I'm going to be using the 360+ Speed Pro (18x20) moving forward this coming season and was wondering how BK would work for me in that frame strung full bed around 44 pounds. I've always used Alu Power in my Pro Staffs. So this is new territory for me.

Blade V7 18x20, tension varies with weather tbh. Recently been stringing at 24 kg but I think I’ll drop it and experiment with lower tension again

 

[blai212]

BK is very similar to RPM blast in that they shine at lower tensions so I would use similar tension

 

[TennisManiac]

Blade V7 18x20, tension varies with weather tbh. Recently been stringing at 24 kg but I think I’ll drop it and experiment with lower tension again

I've heard others say that Black Knight feels stiff at first and that it needs time to "settle in". That doesn't really make sense to me. Do you feel the same as others in regards to Black Knight needing time to "settle in"?

 

[GummiiBear]

Hmm... on the upside/downside, when it goes dead (?) I think the drop is STEEP and "sudden".
Will probably help me get my racquet strung more often, which I feel I would benefit from anyway.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

BK is very similar to RPM blast in that they shine at lower tensions so I would use similar tension

How low are we talking? Like 40lbs or less levels of low?

 

[SpinToWin]

I've heard others say that Black Knight feels stiff at first and that it needs time to "settle in". That doesn't really make sense to me. Do you feel the same as others in regards to Black Knight needing time to "settle in"?

Yeah it feels better after hitting it a bit. Settling in is an apt term imo.

 

[TimePlease]

I've heard others say that Black Knight feels stiff at first and that it needs time to "settle in". That doesn't really make sense to me. Do you feel the same as others in regards to Black Knight needing time to "settle in"?

I concur with this. Black Knight takes an hour or two to soften up, but when it does it then plays really well for a long, long time. Make sure you break each racket in properly during practice sessions rather than using freshly strung BK for an important match.

 

[TennisManiac]

I concur with this. Black Knight takes an hour or two to soften up, but when it does it then plays really well for a long, long time. Make sure you break each racket in properly during practice sessions rather than using freshly strung BK for an important match.

Interesting. I'll definitely do this. So does this mean that BK is really stiff like Kirshbaum Max Power or Luxilon 4G?

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Has anyone used black knight in 35-40 range or even lower?

 

[blai212]

37/34 17g BK in my vcore pro 97 310g (2019 version) felt pretty good but my arm can’t tolerate full poly anymore

 

[TimePlease]

Interesting. I'll definitely do this. So does this mean that BK is really stiff like Kirshbaum Max Power or Luxilon 4G?

No it's not as stiff as.those at all. It's on the soft side for a poly, but still the stringbed opens up more after a couple of hours and then the real control starts to come. The first hit can be meh, but stick with it and it becomes magical.

 

[lelopez]

No it's not as stiff as.those at all. It's on the soft side for a poly, but still the stringbed opens up more after a couple of hours and then the real control starts to come. The first hit can be meh, but stick with it and it becomes magical.

+1

 

[TennisManiac]

So to those of you who think that BK needs time to settle in. Would you say that Tour Status is the same way? Assuming that you've played with it of course.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

No it's not as stiff as.those at all. It's on the soft side for a poly, but still the stringbed opens up more after a couple of hours and then the real control starts to come. The first hit can be meh, but stick with it and it becomes magical.

Whats magical about it after it breaks in?

 

[lelopez]

So to those of you who think that BK needs time to settle in. Would you say that Tour Status is the same way? Assuming that you've played with it of course.

I've played with both. Tour Status was much livelier early on and I felt reached its optimum playability much quicker than BK. It is a little stiffer, but still in the spectrum of softer co-polys, at least in the thinner gauges (17g, 18g)

 

[TimePlease]

Whats magical about it after it breaks in?

All the strengths that you'd expect from a poly (spin and control), but also relatively arm-friendly and inexpensive. And the fact that it plays on and on for a long time (at least for me it has) is amazing.
Okay, maybe "magical" is hyping it a bit too much but it plays every bit as good as the premium polys to me - after the initial break in period, that is... and yeah, a good poly is a magical thing, no?

 

[BurnNotice]

All the strengths that you'd expect from a poly (spin and control), but also relatively arm-friendly and inexpensive. And the fact that it plays on and on for a long time (at least for me it has) is amazing.
Okay, maybe "magical" is hyping it a bit too much but it plays every bit as good as the premium polys to me - after the initial break in period, that is... and yeah, a good poly is a magical thing, no?

Sounds like I have to try this. Been trying to find something to off seat my holy grail set-up of Typhoon at 52/50.

 

[TennisManiac]

I'm about to place an order for a couple of packs of Black Knight and Tour Status to compare. I'm wondering which gauge Black Knight I should order for an 18x20 string pattern in a 100 square inch head? I'm thinking the 1.18 gauge would work the best to provide a bit more power, spin and feel. But will it hold tension as well as the 1.23? Anyone out there play with both?


Edit: I just ordered both 1.23 and 1.18

 

[TennisManiac]

Playtesting is about to begin.

 

[InSydeOut]

The settle in time is really something on this string, at least on open patterns. I hated it freshly strung at 52 for the first hour or two, it was too board like. After consciously trying to break it in, I love it now and it's been going strong for another 6-8. Makes me wonder, should I just go down in tension in the first place?

 

[ls206]

The settle in time is really something on this string, at least on open patterns. I hated it freshly strung at 52 for the first hour or two, it was too board like. After consciously trying to break it in, I love it now and it's been going strong for another 6-8. Makes me wonder, should I just go down in tension in the first place?

The same phenomenon occurs even at 44lbs. Plays like crap for the first hit, then plays fantastic until it breaks.

 

[lelopez]

The same phenomenon occurs even at 44lbs. Plays like crap for the first hit, then plays fantastic until it breaks.

Yep, confirmed even in as low as 40lbs where I strung it when I tested it months back.

Found Tour Status to be very similar but friendlier off the stringer, though a tad stiffer.

Both strings gave my sensitive arm TE, which I had to go off and cure with Velocity.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Yep, confirmed even in as low as 40lbs where I strung it when I tested it months back.

Found Tour Status to be very similar but friendlier off the stringer, though a tad stiffer.

Both strings gave my sensitive arm TE, which I had to go off and cure with Velocity.

I just tried firewire and black night at 35 & 37 my view is it seems like tier one strings (except ghostwire I guess) seem too rigid and harsh

 

[ls206]

Black knight softens up nicely after break in, it’s just that initial period that’s quite firm.

 

[Nostradamus]

Try Tier One FireWire which was rated number for spin a few years ago. I have not tested RPM Blast but have never found more spin than FireWire and I've tried way too many strings. I use FireWire Boost with FireWire in the mains (very sharp poly) and Ghostwire in the crosses (soft smooth poly). That setup lasts much longer than full FireWire which cuts into it self too quickly for my needs. The shape doesn't wear down as it ages either. Crazy spin until the string snaps.

i was told BK is great control string with bit low power. what if i try the 18 Gauge one, would that compensate for giving me more power ?

 

[Jouke]

I really like ghost wire so far as a soft poly. I tried BK once but really disliked it. Might have to try it out a bit longer..

 

[TennisManiac]

I should be able to get out and start hitting in a few days. I was really hoping to like Black Knight. But If it's as stiff and rigid as people are saying it is right off the stringer regardless of tension, I'll have to pass on it. I like a string that feels just right 24 hours after it has been strung. A good string should only need to sit for 24 hours to "settle" after stringing.

 

[Nostradamus]

I should be able to get out and start hitting in a few days. I was really hoping to like Black Knight. But If it's as stiff and rigid as people are saying it is right off the stringer regardless of tension, I'll have to pass on it. I like a string that feels just right 24 hours after it has been strung. A good string should only need to sit for 24 hours to "settle" after stringing.

that's why i am going to try it in hybrid as well. i think it might work really well with soft multi like technifiber NRG2. i only hope it can generate as much spin though

 

[AVSH]

that's why i am going to try it in hybrid as well. i think it might work really well with soft multi like technifiber NRG2. i only hope it can generate as much spin though

Please report back! I had multiple bad experiences with BK in hybrid with syn gut but wondering if there is a better hybrid setup

 

[Nostradamus]

Please report back! I had multiple bad experiences with BK in hybrid with syn gut but wondering if there is a better hybrid setup

What did you mean by bad experiences ? like how ?

 

[AVSH]

What did you mean by bad experiences ? like how ?

Got elbow pain. no feel. no power. re-strung looser, still got elbow pains, and felt like I was hitting with a brick. I gave it 10+ hours each time and gave up

 

[Nostradamus]

Got elbow pain. no feel. no power. re-strung looser, still got elbow pains, and felt like I was hitting with a brick. I gave it 10+ hours each time and gave up

you are hybrid it with Multi string, its supposed to add power and make it more powerful. What you are describing is sounding just like Full bed of black knight

 

[AVSH]

you are hybrid it with Multi string, its supposed to add power and make it more powerful. What you are describing is sounding just like Full bed of black knight

I put BK on mains and Syn gut on the cross. I described my experience, idk what else to tell you

 

[TennisManiac]

I put BK on mains and Syn gut on the cross. I described my experience, idk what else to tell you

Syn gut really isn't that powerful though. A decent multi is way more powerful than any syn gut on the market.

 

[AVSH]

Syn gut really isn't that powerful though. A decent multi is way more powerful than any syn gut on the market.

Hence why I’m interested in other’s experience of multi in cross

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Hence why I’m interested in other’s experience of multi in cross

I put BK on mains and Syn gut on the cross. I described my experience, idk what else to tell you

Out of curiosity what were the guages? I didn't try this specific combo but I tried Quadrotwist 16L with OGSM-16 at 50/50 and it felt very dead and plasticy.

QT16L/Multi-16 48/48 felt awesome but notched quickly but still easily lasted 10 hours and the touch and feel was much better.

Someone on this forum suggested I used OGSM-17 in the cross, so I did also at 48/48. I did and it felt much nicer and similar to the Multi-16 and didn't have the notching infact the poly notched a little and the OGSM just wore down slowly.

So I would suggest the same to to you... try a thinner syn gut (specifically OGSM) for the cross if you have to use Syngut crosses and you are not the hulk and break it in 6 shots (like the average TTW poster does).

Use BK-18 if required in the mains and cross it with OGSM-17 or OGSM-18. I'm actually planning to try BK-18 with GW-18 myself.... Since I can't break BK-17 or GW-17 and I cut them out as soon as I can't control the ball or 3 weeks, whichever comes earlier.

 

[AVSH]

Out of curiosity what were the guages? I didn't try this specific combo but I tried Quadrotwist 16L with OGSM-16 at 50/50 and it felt very dead and plasticy.

QT16L/Multi-16 48/48 felt awesome but notched quickly but still easily lasted 10 hours and the touch and feel was much better.

Someone on this forum suggested I used OGSM-17 in the cross, so I did also at 48/48. I did and it felt much nicer and similar to the Multi-16 and didn't have the notching infact the poly notched a little and the OGSM just wore down slowly.

So I would suggest the same to to you... try a thinner syn gut (specifically OGSM) for the cross if you have to use Syngut crosses and you are not the hulk and break it in 6 shots (like the average TTW poster does).

Use BK-18 if required in the mains and cross it with OGSM-17 or OGSM-18. I'm actually planning to try BK-18 with GW-18 myself.... Since I can't break BK-17 or GW-17 and I cut them out as soon as I can't control the ball or 3 weeks, whichever comes earlier.

Yea good call. I had BK always at 16 G and I tried syn gut at 15 and 16 purely because I had it laying around. Probably could have tried thinner gauges on both but elbow pain turned me off. I did try 125 Alu Power with Syn gut in 15G and once that was broken in, it didn't feel half bad.

So after reading through these posts I want to give BK another shot but with a multi

 

[lelopez]

Yea good call. I had BK always at 16 G and I tried syn gut at 15 and 16 purely because I had it laying around. Probably could have tried thinner gauges on both but elbow pain turned me off. I did try 125 Alu Power with Syn gut in 15G and once that was broken in, it didn't feel half bad.

So after reading through these posts I want to give BK another shot but with a multi

Well good luck. Certainly try it, unfortunately my elbow didn't jive with BK 16g, 17g, or 18g, all tried with Velocity and Gamma Syn. gut as crosses. My elbow has become a noodle with age.

But oh did it play well after break-in....I often chose to play in a little pain just because how well the string felt.

 

[AVSH]

Well good luck. Certainly try it, unfortunately my elbow didn't jive with BK 16g, 17g, or 18g, all tried with Velocity and Gamma Syn. gut as crosses. My elbow has become a noodle with age.

But oh did it play well after break-in....I often chose to play in a little pain just because how well the string felt.

Your elbow too?? I was starting to think it was just me... My BK setups were the only ones that I had to cut out due to the pain. The rest I kept in till I broke em

 

[lelopez]

Your elbow too?? I was starting to think it was just me... My BK setups were the only ones that I had to cut out due to the pain. The rest I kept in till I broke em

To be fair, it didn't jive much either with Tour Status or other firm polys (Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough, Silver 7 for example)

 

[Deleted member 775108]

To be fair, it didn't jive much either with Tour Status or other firm polys (Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough, Silver 7 for example)

What's are some polys you really like? What racquet, tension and gauge? Just curious for my own understanding and to try on my racquet collection.

 

[lelopez]

What's are some polys you really like? What racquet, tension and gauge? Just curious for my own understanding and to try on my racquet collection.

I actually really liked both BK and Tour Status, they just didn't like my elbow.

So usually I'll stick to softer ones in thin gauges, either 17g or 18g, Cream, Ghost Wire, RS Lyon, Revolve, PTP, Cyclone and Cyber Flash except for the horrendous tension loss of those last two.

I played forever with the Wilson K90 up until recently where I've switched to the Prestige Mid (GTPM and 360+). I've progressively dropped tension in the last two years, from 48lbs to 40lbs most recently with BK. However, I'm using strictly 16g Velocity in a full bed while my elbow heals. One thing though, I never had elbow issues with the K90, might have been the extra weight helping out. I'm currently about 348g with the mid, roughly 18g lighter than my Wilsons.

 

[Jouke]

Tried it tonight; full bed 1.23 in my blade v7 16x19. Holy cow! It was great from the start! No break in or harsh feeling for me.

 

[TennisManiac]

Tried it tonight; full bed 1.23 in my blade v7 16x19. Holy cow! It was great from the start! No break in or harsh feeling for me.

First time I've heard anyone say that.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Tried it tonight; full bed 1.23 in my blade v7 16x19. Holy cow! It was great from the start! No break in or harsh feeling for me.

What tension did you go for?

 

[Jouke]

What tension did you go for?

23/22kg in 16X19 Blade V7