KPS88 Grip too small

[chess9]

These newer, thin Wilson Grips on my KPS88 make a 3/8's grip way smaller than my Volk's 3/8s. Why does Wilson do that? Their grips are really awful! I love the racquet though. I play with it tomorrow a.m. for the first time.

I'm thinking I could put a Heat Shrink Sleeve over the grip, then an overgrip? I have a 1/2 size heat shrink, but have never installed one before. Do I have to remove the buttcap?

Or, just replace the grip with a Volkl grip temporarily and try to find a good Fairway Leather Grip?

Or, buy some other better leather grip?

-Robert

 

[stevewcosta]

These newer, thin Wilson Grips on my KPS88 make a 3/8's grip way smaller than my Volk's 3/8s. Why does Wilson do that? Their grips are really awful! I love the racquet though. I play with it tomorrow a.m. for the first time.

I'm thinking I could put a Heat Shrink Sleeve over the grip, then an overgrip? I have a 1/2 size heat shrink, but have never installed one before. Do I have to remove the buttcap?

Or, just replace the grip with a Volkl grip temporarily and try to find a good Fairway Leather Grip?

Or, buy some other better leather grip?

-Robert

Not that this is relevant, but the KPS88 3/8ths are larger than other Wilson 3/8ths. My 3 6.0 3/8ths are smaller (grip & butt smaller and more square than KPS88). I prefer the 6.0 grips and would have to get an even thinner leather grip than stock to be pleased).

 

[chess9]

What do you think I should do Steve? I played with a 5/8 in college, but now usually use a 1/2 or 3/8 with an overgrip.

I have a Volkl grip I can put on it.

I want the racquet right for tomorrow a.m.'s match, if possible. I'm excited about trying it out. Love the feel and look of it. The weight is perfect for me.

-Robert

 

[zidane339]

The heat sleeve should be quick and easy solution. No need to take off the buttcap, just use a blowdryer and apply.

 

[chess9]

The heat sleeve should be quick and easy solution. No need to take off the buttcap, just use a blowdryer and apply.

Over the grip? I notice it has a piece of paper on the inside of the heat sleeve. Do you take that out somehow?

-Robert

 

[zidane339]

Over the grip? I notice it has a piece of paper on the inside of the heat sleeve. Do you take that out somehow?

-Robert

Over the bare wooden grip, without the leather. I'm not quite sure though about the paper, its been a while since I've used a heat sleeve, sorry.I don't recall a piece of paper though last time I used it.

 

[chess9]

I'm using the Tennis Warehouse brand of heat sleeve, if that helps. There is a vanilla colored paper or material on the inside of the plastic. I'm assuming that's part of the whole package that you install?

-Robert

 

[zidane339]

I looked on here:http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegripsize/increasegrip.html

and it doesn't mention the paper. I'm assuming you don't have to install the paper as the plastic sleeve itself shrinks, and the paper wont, which would not work. Try to heat it a little and see if the paper shrinks as well.

 

[chess9]

I looked on here:http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegripsize/increasegrip.html

and it doesn't mention the paper. I'm assuming you don't have to install the paper as the plastic sleeve itself shrinks, and the paper wont, which would not work. Try to heat it a little and see if the paper shrinks as well.

Great idea! I'm wondering why they don't have a little sticky on how to install a Heat Shrink Sleeve!

I'll try that.

Many thanks!!!

EDIT: I looked at that and they do include the vanilla paper with the sleeve. It must shrink enough to make it work. You can see the color in the photos. Otherwise, it would be CLEAR.


-Robert

 

[chess9]

I'll report back in an hour or so, on the result, or lack of result.

-Robert

 

[zidane339]

Great, glad I could help! There's also a Yulitle video on youtube that goes through it step by step if you get stuck as well. Remember, no air bubbles!

 

[goosala]

When I demoed the KPS88 I did notice that the stock 4 1/2 grip felt larger than a normal Wilson 4 1/2. It felt like halfway between 1/2 and 5/8.

 

[chess9]

Great, glad I could help! There's also a Yulitle video on youtube that goes through it step by step if you get stuck as well. Remember, no air bubbles!

LOL! Thanks!!

-Robert

 

[chess9]

Ok! All's well that end's well! The 1/2 sleeve went on easily. Only took about 10 minutes of hair dryer heat. It's very weird the way the plastic crumples up. I thought I'd goofed at first.

Anyway, I carefully cut off the residue with an Exacto knife, then I added a Volkl grip to the racquet. (Sorry to Wilson purists!) I then added a tightly wrapped overgrip.

The end result looks great. 364 grams with Gamma head tape, Wilson vibe dampener, and overgrip. The weight is perfect for my game.

I'll be reporting in tomorrow afternoon late on how I played with this stick. I will hit the wall for about 20 minutes before I play.

Many thanks to Zidane and the others who helped!

-Robert

 

[zidane339]

Ok! All's well that end's well! The 1/2 sleeve went on easily. Only took about 10 minutes of hair dryer heat. It's very weird the way the plastic crumples up. I thought I'd goofed at first.

Anyway, I carefully cut off the residue with an Exacto knife, then I added a Volkl grip to the racquet. (Sorry to Wilson purists!) I then added a tightly wrapped overgrip.

The end result looks great. 364 grams with Gamma head tape, Wilson vibe dampener, and overgrip. The weight is perfect for my game.

I'll be reporting in tomorrow afternoon late on how I played with this stick. I will hit the wall for about 20 minutes before I play.

Many thanks to Zidane and the others who helped!

-Robert

Glad it worked out Robert! Looking forward to your review!

 

[stevewcosta]

What do you think I should do Steve? I played with a 5/8 in college, but now usually use a 1/2 or 3/8 with an overgrip.

I have a Volkl grip I can put on it.

I want the racquet right for tomorrow a.m.'s match, if possible. I'm excited about trying it out. Love the feel and look of it. The weight is perfect for me.

-Robert

Sorry for the late response Robert (the work thing has consumed my time...). Glad you found a solution. My issue is the opposite with the KPS88. I need a thinner leather grip. Also, I may try trimming the bumper if I decide to pull the trigger. Love the head size, ability to slice pinpoint accuracy off the bh return and the sheer solidity. I did suffer a bit with the swingweight (my main rac. is the 6.0 85 - perfect sw for me). Take care.

 

[chess9]

Sorry for the late response Robert (the work thing has consumed my time...). Glad you found a solution. My issue is the opposite with the KPS88. I need a thinner leather grip. Also, I may try trimming the bumper if I decide to pull the trigger. Love the head size, ability to slice pinpoint accuracy off the bh return and the sheer solidity. I did suffer a bit with the swingweight (my main rac. is the 6.0 85 - perfect sw for me). Take care.

I posted a review of my play in CC's KPS88 thread (the merged one). The swingweight and low pounds string job were probably responsible for my serving problems. Other than that, I was very pleased with this stick.

Thanks for your input Steve. That work stuff will ruin your tennis, mate.

-Robert