CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Weird!
Live by the Blade...Die by the Blade...
- Thread starter danbrenner
- Start date
Mark-Touch
Legend
Speaking about Blades...
Something weird just happened.
I have a Blade 98 16x19 v.7 and a Blade 100L 16x19 v.8.
Grip size L3.
I just replaced the grips on both.
I started with the Blade 98 and didn't notice anything strange with it (it had a leather grip as primary grip).
Then when I took off the grip on the Blade 100L I had forgotten it had two overgrips. Can't remember the reason
I put two on right now. I do it from time to time.
So I just removed the second overgrip and saved myself some time (as it had a fresh grip below the top one).
It also has the same leather grip as its primary grip.
I was just hitting with both rackets now and noticed right away that the Blade 100L has a much bigger grip size than the
Blade 98.
So I measured them:
Blade 100L: 4-6/8
Blade 98: 4-3/8
Just to be sure, I started to remove the overgrip on the Blade 100L just in case I had put on two overgrips on that one.
But no, it had just one.
Is this quality control or something else?
This is a huge difference.
I'm also surprised the Blade 98 is 4 3/8 with the overgrip.
Something weird just happened.
I have a Blade 98 16x19 v.7 and a Blade 100L 16x19 v.8.
Grip size L3.
I just replaced the grips on both.
I started with the Blade 98 and didn't notice anything strange with it (it had a leather grip as primary grip).
Then when I took off the grip on the Blade 100L I had forgotten it had two overgrips. Can't remember the reason
I put two on right now. I do it from time to time.
So I just removed the second overgrip and saved myself some time (as it had a fresh grip below the top one).
It also has the same leather grip as its primary grip.
I was just hitting with both rackets now and noticed right away that the Blade 100L has a much bigger grip size than the
Blade 98.
So I measured them:
Blade 100L: 4-6/8
Blade 98: 4-3/8
Just to be sure, I started to remove the overgrip on the Blade 100L just in case I had put on two overgrips on that one.
But no, it had just one.
Is this quality control or something else?
This is a huge difference.
I'm also surprised the Blade 98 is 4 3/8 with the overgrip.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
100% yes.
Bought a reel of ALU Power when it was on sale. It's great but not as excellent as Element. There is something about Element's softer or extra pocketing that's perfect for 18x20 Blades. While still keeping the excellent control.
ZeroandOne
Rookie
Same experience here. Bought a 2 grip 100L for my girlfriend but she doesn't use it because the grip is definitely bigger.
Mark-Touch
Legend
My first hit with the 100L v8. started with a club demo.
It was a 4-1/4" (L2) that's all they had.
It's tough to generalize, but that racket had only one grip and it felt like my usual 4-3/8" (L3).
guilhermefdc
Semi-Pro
Even in the 18x20 Element breaks too fast, though. Only major downside to that string.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
How many hours of play before it breaks for you?
I just got one (16x19) and strung with ALU Power and thought that Element would be perfect for the frame as it's a little crisper than what I am used to (Prince Phantom 100G & Head Prestige Pro) and I though Element would soften it up that little bit more.
NattyGut
Professional
There is a thread along the lines of "Official Blade Pro" where this is discussed extensively.
guilhermefdc
Semi-Pro
I'm currently using it on an Auxetic Gravity Tour mostly on indoor clay courts in São Paulo, Brazil. We're having a relatively dry and hot period here.
In these conditions, my last set lasted for nearly 3 hours - 1:40 of match-play + 1:15 of practice (mostly drills and consistency training). Felt kinda dead for the last 20 min, though
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
That's crazy. Fastest I've ever popped it is 8 hours or so I believe. Usually lasts around 14-18 hours before snapping.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Am I late to the party? I've played the V5 18x20 at a lower level of playing felt quite demanding.
Got this 16x19 a couple days ago, played 1-2 hours and then won my first tournament match with it.
312 grams strung + overgrip. I'll weigh it when I restring it.
Thing is it's grip size 4, but my friend who gave it to me had put a thin Wilson basegrip and now with the overgrip it feels just like most L3 I've used. No issues with the grip size.
Feeling is great, it's got more power than the 18x20 and much easier access to topspin.
The inside part of the hoop is flat (like the Pro Kennex Ki5 295) the Elevate's is curved.
So far, so good. I'll post some hitting clips soon.
Got this 16x19 a couple days ago, played 1-2 hours and then won my first tournament match with it.
312 grams strung + overgrip. I'll weigh it when I restring it.
Thing is it's grip size 4, but my friend who gave it to me had put a thin Wilson basegrip and now with the overgrip it feels just like most L3 I've used. No issues with the grip size.
Feeling is great, it's got more power than the 18x20 and much easier access to topspin.
The inside part of the hoop is flat (like the Pro Kennex Ki5 295) the Elevate's is curved.
So far, so good. I'll post some hitting clips soon.
Dan D
Rookie
It's 98 version?Am I late to the party? I've played the V5 18x20 at a lower level of playing felt quite demanding.
Got this 16x19 a couple days ago, played 1-2 hours and then won my first tournament match with it.
312 grams strung + overgrip. I'll weigh it when I restring it.
Thing is it's grip size 4, but my friend who gave it to me had put a thin Wilson basegrip and now with the overgrip it feels just like most L3 I've used. No issues with the grip size.
Feeling is great, it's got more power than the 18x20 and much easier access to topspin.
The inside part of the hoop is flat (like the Pro Kennex Ki5 295) the Elevate's is curved.
So far, so good. I'll post some hitting clips soon.
I have 104 v5 version and I like it very much.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Yes, it's the 98 sq inch 16x19 pattern. I like it more than the 98 18x20. If I were to get a larger Blade, that would be the 274 gram 101 with the 16x20 Steam mold and add weight.
Dan D
Rookie
My B104 v5 is 16x19 and 289 gr unstrung! The only negative thing is that is quite flexible. Otherwise it's a god racquet.
But now I play mostly with my other racquet 2013 APD (16x19 and 300gr unstrung). Plays better than B104 v5.
I was able to collect some NOS V1 thru V5 frames... the good years before they turned to rubber haha. Haven't been able to play with the V1 or V4 yet, but so far the V3 feels the stiffest, and the V5 16x19 is the only retail Blade thru V9 I've hit with that feels virtually identical to my pro stock Blades -which are truly special racquets IMO.
danbrenner
Legend
im glad to be finally eligible to post again on this thread. i have been playing with a B100 for the past month now. not exclusively . but a lot. what a gem of a frame. low ish trajectory. excellent control , decent power. great feel, and amazing sweet spot. this is a gem of a frame. for anyone who is wanting more control from the typical tweener, but doesnt want to fully commit to a lower powered 98, this is a amazing frame to try. im enjoying it so much that i just ordered a demo of the 98 v9 just to get up to scratch again with the blade line. but kudos to Wilson. great job.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Which string pattern for the 98 did you use before the 100?
danbrenner
Legend
always 16m . im not an 18m guy.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Bump to see what blade users are stringing their frames with these days!
McGradey
Hall of Fame
Awesome. Maybe this could be the start of a 'through the years' type review of the Blade series — I'd definitely be interested in seeing that perspective from someone who's able to play the frames back to back.
Also how great is the V4 paintjob. Stealthy. I had a second hand one but I had real trouble dialling it in, it felt very stiff, pingy and maybe it had a low swingweight as it was nowhere near as predictable as my V5s. Kind of wish I hadn't sold it though as I am sure with some tinkering it could've been improved.
Still Element for me, nothing else is better that I've tried. I also have one strung with Hawk Touch which is a nice firmer string, good feel and durability.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Tru Pro pure rush is my favorite in the 98 v9 so far, plus gut/poly.
FWIW I ended up posting some thoughts on each version after hitting a bit with them. https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/the-good-ol-blades.770591/
peRFecto
New User
Head Velocity MLT 17 57lbs blade v8 16x19
AleYeah
Rookie
Last coupla months I've been using Kirschbaum:
- Synthetic gut 1.3mm/16g ~60 lbs
- Super Smash 1.23mm/17g crosses ~50 lbs
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Have you tried the forest green element? Debating it because it’s only in the thicker gauge.
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
Currently got tour bite in my main stick which is ok, but I prefer revolution I think and will probably go back to it on my next restring.
Have liked Diadem Solstice Black although it got really launchy in the V9 I was playing after a while. Started really struggling with control.
I also have a set of vs gut/rpm blast that I intend to try at some point. We will see though.
Overall I am a big fan of thinner gauge shaped polys in the 18x20 blades though. Helps me generate a bit more spin.
SirCraigoryy
Rookie
It's not my regular stick but I currently have Kirschbaum Proline II 1.25/17g in my customized v6 18x20 at 47lbs.
McGradey
Hall of Fame
Haha — way ahead of me, and of course I enjoyed your thread!
Those 340+ swingweight K Blades sound like they’d hit like trucks!
McGradey
Hall of Fame
Never got around to trying it and likely won't get to now as where I'm based there are pretty limited string selections. Love the green colour though. And yeah 1.25 gauge Element is where it's at for the 18x20 for me, it's weird they went with 1.30 for the green!
AmericanTwist
Professional
I find shaped polys on the mains and solid core syn guts on the crosses work well. Alternatively, natural gut on the mains and a round poly cross also works well. This provides more power and sufficient spin. The first set up provides more spin and less power.
I also find that that I need at least an even balance head or head light but not head heavy set up, otherwise, it becomes to onerous to whip the head around the ball fast enough.
I also find that that I need at least an even balance head or head light but not head heavy set up, otherwise, it becomes to onerous to whip the head around the ball fast enough.
nyc
Hall of Fame
Has anyone replaced their grommets on the 98 V9? Do those new bright grommets make full replacement easier?
It looks like the head grommet strip is a thinner, more pliable strip, covered by a separate head guard that only has 2 grommets at either end. Am I correct in my assumption?
It looks like the head grommet strip is a thinner, more pliable strip, covered by a separate head guard that only has 2 grommets at either end. Am I correct in my assumption?
Here in this order of preference (Blade 18x19 pro stock):
1-Cyber Flash 1.25
2-Poly Tour Strike 1.25
3-Cyclone 1.20
thanks I just got a 18x19 blade prostock
I will probably start out with my usual hyperg 17g but curious what other people with blade pro stocks are using?
what_army
Professional
I tried 4G and it really lacked feel, little spin and low power even at low tension…
what_army
Professional
It’s not for everyone but I liked it a lot. It’s one of the few strings where I felt I could swing all out and the supreme control of the blade would still shine through.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yeah I tried gut mains 4G crossed, great set up - feel was amazing, a little extra pop, still pretty good spin potential
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I sometimes wonder if the 2006 Slazenger NX One (Euro version) was the inspiration for the first Blade. It has a slightly more oval shape, and more open pattern, but the key elements of a relatively thin and narrow beam and a 4pt HL balance, are in place. Hits a more solid and stable ball than you would expect. When was the first Blade released?
NX One Specs:
Headsize - 97
Weight - 305g unstrung
Pattern - 16x18
Flex - 64
Balance - 330mm
Beam - 20.5mm (x9mm)
NX One Specs:
Headsize - 97
Weight - 305g unstrung
Pattern - 16x18
Flex - 64
Balance - 330mm
Beam - 20.5mm (x9mm)
