KBlade 98 vs. Nblade MP (98)

[dr325i]

SO, I've demoed the kblade 98 for past 3 days, and I played with the nblade MP for past 12 months. Here is an honest review:
1) KB feels stiffer. First day I played with the dampener and it was just too stiff -- not much feel at all. It felt much better when I took it off. I always play with one in my NB...
2) Power is about the same for both rackets, though my NB strings are my favorite and I have it at 57 lbs. KB is at 55 lbs...
3) Serve was more powerful with my NB, but I have about 20g of lead on it...
4) control -- I would give an edge to KB there. Seemed like my slices worked better, and volleys were deeper. Spins are nice and easy, especially W-grip.

I will have to try the KB Tour next, but between the KB 98 and the NB 98, the nBlade is a keeper...

 

[sargeinaz]

Thats weird, everything I have read and the specs on tennis.com say the Kblade is a more powerful racket. So would you say that the kblade is a comfortable racket at the higher stiffness or no?
________
Blckpoizen

 

[Bartelby]

Now put 20 grams of lead on the kblade and do a comparative review, please.

 

[dr325i]

Thats weird, everything I have read and the specs on tennis.com say the Kblade is a more powerful racket. So would you say that the kblade is a comfortable racket at the higher stiffness or no?

yes, definitely comfortable and great racket. If you liked the NB, you would like this one... Definitely recommended, BUT, if you have the NB, there is no reason to switch...IMO

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Now put 20 grams of lead on the kblade and do a comparative review, please.

LULZ, seriously hahaha.

When I read the serve portion the power section made more sense.

 

[dr325i]

Now put 20 grams of lead on the kblade and do a comparative review, please.

True, however, the KB was strung at least 2 lbs lighter than my NB -- more power...
I would give the KB maybe a very slight edge on power, but not much at all...

 

[Bartelby]

Higher swingweight correlates with higher power. 20 grams at 3 and 9, for example, would create a 370 sw nblade and that is going to be more powerful than a 325 kblade. 2 lbs of tension makes no difference, although string type would make some.

 

[Chauvalito]

True, however, the KB was strung at least 2 lbs lighter than my NB -- more power...
I would give the KB maybe a very slight edge on power, but not much at all...

2 lbs of lower tension does not make up for 20 grams of lead...you might as well consider them different rackets at that weight difference.

It would be like comparing the t fight 320 with the t fight 335, and calling them the same racket.

Weight is huge, 20 grams also changed the balance as well, we cant really take your review seriously unless you put lead on the kblade in the same areas as your nblade.

 

[josef]

Weight is huge, 20 grams also changed the balance as well, we cant really take your review seriously unless you put lead on the kblade in the same areas as your nblade.

well said. well said.
i have played with both and to Me, the kBlade seemed to have the edge in the power department. (both were in their stock forms.. with tournagrip)

 

[sargeinaz]

well said. well said.
i have played with both and to Me, the kBlade seemed to have the edge in the power department. (both were in their stock forms.. with tournagrip)

So hypothetically if you had to stop using your Nblades, would you make the switch to the Kblade? Also, is the sweetspot fairly large?
________
WENDIE 99

 

[bertrevert]

Surely the kBlade with its fairly even balance and generous sweetspot, and fair heft on grounstrokes (as sais, surprising for its static weight) is going to bomb serves?

Maybe the serve is one of thsose things it takes time to dial in neverthless surely this is a good serving stick or is it not?

 

[Alafter]

Actually it should be more like take the 20 grams off the nblade and compare again.

 

[josef]

So hypothetically if you had to stop using your Nblades, would you make the switch to the Kblade? Also, is the sweetspot fairly large?

hypothetically, if i had 200+ bills to burn, i would get one.. i am looking into getting a used one.. but my wife is starting to think i am a racquet junkie.

the sweetspot is about the same to me on both blades.. not something i noticed to be bad or great you know..

 

[thejuice]

Maybe the serve is one of thsose things it takes time to dial in neverthless surely this is a good serving stick or is it not?

I haven't had an extensive demo with the 98 but I know it took me about a set to dial in the serve with my KBT. Now I love it on serves too.