It's easy to change the Volkl grip shape...

[NoBadMojo]

I've been using a modified grip shape on my Volkls for a while and thought to post how to easily modify them because it seems that quite a few like these bats other than the grip shape.
Here's all you do.
Buy your Volkl w. a grip size smaller or otherwise purchase a Volkl handle pallet 1 size down from your normal size. I've found that the pallets can <usually> be removed and reused if the frame is new or newer, but the pallets get brittle and crack if they're older.
Remove the grip and pallet (how to has been discused alot in this forum). I apply 2 strips of duct tape on the flat bevels only at 3 and 9 <viewing the racquet held upright. The tape should be only as wide as the width of the bevel. Overtop of that or inside of the pallet halves i put one strip of double faced tape. Reaapply the pallet, butt, grip and call it a day.
This procedure definitely extends the flat bevels at 12 and 6 making the grip effectively more square and you get to preserve the factory bevels, and it's simple to do.

 

[jayserinos99]

hey ed, i've read on the boards about using balsa wood to do this and was wondering what you thought about that. i've been considering experimenting going back to a wilson grip shape for the t10s.

 

[NoBadMojo]

i think balsa wood would work but you would really need to be precise and take your time i would think and i dont think you will ever get the bevels perfect by gluing them on top of the the pallet..this is just a guess and maybe someone else has direct experience..the way i suggest only takes minutes and you get to keep the factory bevels

 

[monologuist]

how much weight in tape are you adding to the handle by doing this? just wondering if it will affet the balance much.

 

[NoBadMojo]

i dunno not very much at all. no, not much at all.

 

[Lakoste]

I have balsa wood on my main racquet, but I dont think i can be much help on applying it. One of my good friends has balsa wood on all his racquets, and he does it himself. I was trying out one of his racquets and I really enjoyed the feeling of his grip. Since I have only have 1 Wilson Ceramic Sting 85, I didnt really want to risk doing it myself and messing it all up. He offered to do it for me and he did a great job. Its not a HUGE difference, but I'm happy with it. I found that after a while it sort of forms to your hand, kind of subtle but noticable

 

[max]

Just why doesn't volkl make pallets in different shapes, more octagonal, less flat on the sides? Hope they read this; this would remedy a great defect in the product, the weird grip.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Just why doesn't volkl make pallets in different shapes, more octagonal, less flat on the sides? Hope they read this; this would remedy a great defect in the product, the weird grip.

Interesting comment. Head has the same issue, IMO. Head is even worse because they won't supply pallets to anyone, not even racquet customizers. It's gotten so bad that my friend Bob Patterson over at RacquetMAXX is having custom molds made so he can make replacement pallets and he's also having a mold made for total replacement of the handle. I'm not sure if it's going to be the Wilson or Prince grip shape, but if you want this done he's going to start offering it as a service. www.racquetmaxx.com .

 

[NoBadMojo]

Interesting someone would declare a product defective merely because they dont like the grip shape. The Volkl gripshape like all other gripshapes has advantages and drawbacks. I previously addressed this with Volkl and they said they've had a few people complain about the gripshape, but tons of people would rebel if they changed it. Some people buy Volkls because of the rectanglar gripshape..it sure makes serving sweet.

 

[Gary Britt]

Interesting comment. Head has the same issue, IMO. Head is even worse because they won't supply pallets to anyone, not even racquet customizers. It's gotten so bad that my friend Bob Patterson over at RacquetMAXX is having custom molds made so he can make replacement pallets and he's also having a mold made for total replacement of the handle. I'm not sure if it's going to be the Wilson or Prince grip shape, but if you want this done he's going to start offering it as a service. www.racquetmaxx.com .

Gaines, what's wrong with the Head handle shape?

Gary

 

[PrestigeClassic]

I've heard to get pallets one size too small and apply four or five layers of masking tape to each of the two widest sides. Yes, the layers of tape should be the same width as the bevels. I'd imagine duct tape would leave a sticky residue for the next guy.

 

[Big Point]

NoBadMojo
Thanks for the great tip. I love the feel and playability of Volkl racquets but I cannot stand that extreme rectangular grip shape. I guess I played with Prince sticks for too many years. I play a 4 5/8 in most brands but with Volkl I have always bought 4 1/2 and built it up with some kind of tape under the grip and have never been satisfied with the results, always too mushy with not enough bevel feel. On my new DNX OS I just put 2 layers of duct tape on the front and back bevels under the pallet as you suggested and put on a 4 5/8 Volkl buttcap and Volkl leather grip with a Yonex white overgrip. What an inprovement! Great bevel feel and 4 5/8 size and with just enough additional weight. I'll experiment with lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock to fine tune and I will probably end up about 11.4-11.5 ounces. Great playing stick.

Volkl DNX OS - Klip Legend gut at 60 lbs.

 

[RacquetDoctor]

I think that I read that RacquetMax is getting the VantageUSA site...
good for Bob to if he decides to offer custom handles to the masses...
Frankly, I like the Head grip shape best...I'd like to have a ncode 90 redone with a head grip...

 

[NoBadMojo]

yw BigPoint. Glad to help.

 

[monologuist]

NoBadMojo
Thanks for the great tip. I love the feel and playability of Volkl racquets but I cannot stand that extreme rectangular grip shape. I guess I played with Prince sticks for too many years. I play a 4 5/8 in most brands but with Volkl I have always bought 4 1/2 and built it up with some kind of tape under the grip and have never been satisfied with the results, always too mushy with not enough bevel feel. On my new DNX OS I just put 2 layers of duct tape on the front and back bevels under the pallet as you suggested and put on a 4 5/8 Volkl buttcap and Volkl leather grip with a Yonex white overgrip. What an inprovement! Great bevel feel and 4 5/8 size and with just enough additional weight. I'll experiment with lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock to fine tune and I will probably end up about 11.4-11.5 ounces. Great playing stick.

Volkl DNX OS - Klip Legend gut at 60 lbs.

so you have to use a buttcap that is a size bigger to accomodate the tape?
are they easy to find?

 

[NoBadMojo]

Mono if you dont build up the size too much the original buttcap will still fit. if not, I think TW stocks the buttcaps, but unfortunately no longer stocks the pallets.

 

[Big Point]

I had some of the Volkl soft butt caps on hand because I liked using them on the Yonex racquets I was playing a while back. TW still has them in all sizes. Just search their site for "butt caps."

 

[max]

I didn't realize there were folks who believe the Volkl grip shape HELPS their service! I prefer something more like the octagonal Dunlop in serving.

 

[Redflea]

I was surprised (pleasantly) by how well the Volkl grip worked for serving for me....I do dislike their grip strongly for my ground strokes (Eastern FH & BH, worse on BH) but serving it worked very well. Could easily get tons of spin for kick or slice.

Normally I prefer Wilson/Head/Yonex style grips, which I can use well on all strokes, including serve.

 

[NoBadMojo]

I think most people with a good serve who use the right grip(s) would find they serve better with a more horizontal shaped grip like the Volk. it's much easier to get pronation.

 

[monologuist]

NBMJ,

If I take a 4 3/8 on a Wilson or Yonex racquet, what size would you recommend in Volkl or Head in order to have enough room to customize the shape to resemble Wilson? When I tried Volkls and Heads in the past, their handles seemed like they were a size smaller than Wilson, but I don't know if that was just my perception due to the unfamiliar feel of the "rectangular grip".