Lead tape on the handle only

[dadozen]

I'm wondering if there's anyone here who, like me, uses lead tape on the handle only, just to make the racquet more HL and to improve perceived maneuverability.

Lead tape users always seem to add lead tape on the hoop and counter balance it with some weight on the handle.

I did it some months ago to increase the maneuverability of my 300Ts, but now that I changed the grip size( sold my L3 racquets and got some L2 racquets ) I feel like the racquet already feels lighter. Maybe because I can have a better grip holding the racquet in the proper way, thus applying my strength correctly in order to swing the racquet. Just so you know, my correct measured size is L2, but I have always used L3 grip size.

So I'm thinking about removing the lead tape on the handle( it's applied on the bottom of the handle ), and check if I would feel any difference. Or I can apply some lead tape on the hoop and check if I can get used to a higher SW. Problem is that I have already tried it before with my L3 racquets and even small amount of lead tape on the hoop would make me get late on shots, especially on my 1HBH.

I have 2 racquets with lead on the handle, and a third one coming from TW tomorrow. I might do a test: apply lead tape on the hoop in one of them, leave the second as it is, with lead tape on the handle only, and try the stock one that's coming my way.

Also, do you guys feel that a racquet with a smaller grip size feels lighter?

 

[JavierLW]

I do the same thing, I just put weight in the handle.

Besides swingweight, I think balance is a huge factor as well for racquet maneuverability, so if the racquet is already a bit more head heavy then I would like I definately couldnt put weight in the hoop.

I havent tryed any of the 4D's yet, but Im currently switching between the A300 and the KProOpen, and I notice that the Dunlop seems to be a bit more head heavy, and it seems to have a higher twistweight (more weight out on the edges of the hoop).

So I think I definately wouldnt add weight to that model anywhere in the hoop except for maybe 6oclock, at least not until Im ready for that.

But on the KProOpen even though I have it at about the same static weight, it's a bit more head light currently (7pts instead of 5pts), and I seem to miss some feeling as far as wear the head is and as far as what orientation it is in (twistweight).

So Im thinking of moving some weight from the handle to the hoop to try to add more of that sort of feeling.

For example on my groundstrokes, the Dunlop seems to just easily swing into place on the backswing and it's easier to accelerate it into the shot like it has more momentum, the KProOpen while I can feel where the racquet is in my hand, it's harder to feel out where the rest of the racquet is in my stroke.

I wouldnt ever remove all the weight from the handle though. There are probably just different factors to consider as far as feel, and the handle seems like the first thing I notice that feels better.

 

[dadozen]

Javier, did you feel like the racquet had the maneuverability increased after adding lead on the handle?

Also, where exactly do you add lead? Bottom or top of the grip? Or maybe inside the handle?

 

[JavierLW]

Javier, did you feel like the racquet had the maneuverability increased after adding lead on the handle?

Also, where exactly do you add lead? Bottom or top of the grip? Or maybe inside the handle?

I did in the sense that I get more feedback from where the racquet is in my hand which makes it easier to accelerate it thru the shot. (rather then just whip it thru without any feeling of where it is)

But I dont think it decreases swingweight any, it just increases it by a very slight amount versus when you put weight higher up on the racquet.

If Im trying to make it more head light or add more feedback, then I put lead tape around the handle right above the buttcap since that's where my hand is going to be.

If Im just trying to match two racquets and I dont want to screw with the balance or the swingweight as much, I put it at the top of the handle. (which doesnt exactly match them but it seems to have a pretty negligable affect since it's closer to the midpoint and close to the pivot point for most swingweight calculations not that I know if that translates to actually swinging or not)

I put the tape right on the bare handle under the replacement grip, Ive had bad luck with putting weight right inside of the handle, although Ive thought that it would be neat to take an exacto knife to that foam that's inside and maybe cut a slit to slide the lead tape right into it.

 

[dadozen]

Yeah, it doesn't decrease SW at all.

I used to wrap the lead tape on the top of the handle since I didn't want anything interfering with the grip size of the racquet, given the fact that I already felt like it was too big for me. But I changed my racquets and got L2 ones( before was using L3 ) and now I'm adding the lead tape right above the butt cap as you do.

The racquet feels much lighter now, not sure if it's because I can hold it better or if the lead tape on the top of the handle affects SW more than above the buttcap, although I'm aware that the top of the handle is closer to the pivot point.

Like you, I also had bad times trying to add lead tape or even fishing weights inside the handle. Decided to give up on that iedea

 

[JavierLW]

Yeah, it doesn't decrease SW at all.

I used to wrap the lead tape on the top of the handle since I didn't want anything interfering with the grip size of the racquet, given the fact that I already felt like it was too big for me. But I changed my racquets and got L2 ones( before was using L3 ) and now I'm adding the lead tape right above the butt cap as you do.

The racquet feels much lighter now, not sure if it's because I can hold it better or if the lead tape on the top of the handle affects SW more than above the buttcap, although I'm aware that the top of the handle is closer to the pivot point.

Like you, I also had bad times trying to add lead tape or even fishing weights inside the handle. Decided to give up on that iedea

Right, I know on those swingweight calculators it has the pivot point around the top of the handle (10 cm or 10 in up the handle or something like that).

But Im not sure that means anything, every shot we hit is going to have a different pivot point as well as every different part of the shot. Not to mention when it's part of our body and not the actual racquet.

(I used to wear a glove when I played and that seemed to make a slight difference as well, it's like adding another overgrip or 8grams or more to your racquet handle)

 

[morten]

i do it a lot, coins or lead between handle and Y area, about 7 inches from buttcap, lead below hand/buttcap area always screws up my rackets...