Live by the Blade...Die by the Blade...

[RJ-L]

The more i play with the CV 98 16x19 the more i like it.

However my strings of choice not so much.
Muted strings are a no go for me.

I disliked RPM blast in my previous rackets: PS97, Graphene speed pro LTD and IG Prestige pro. But somehow it really clicks in this frame.
Next up for test is Solinco tour bite 17.

 

[haegger]

The more i play with the CV 98 16x19 the more i like it.

However my strings of choice not so much.
Muted strings are a no go for me.

I disliked RPM blast in my previous rackets: PS97, Graphene speed pro LTD and IG Prestige pro. But somehow it really clicks in this frame.
Next up for test is Solinco tour bite 17.

Try the Head Lynx or the Yonex Poly Tour Pro. They are great fit for me.

 

[RJ-L]

Try the Head Lynx or the Yonex Poly Tour Pro. They are great fit for me.

Tried Head Lynx, was ok but not too good.
Yonex PTP is also on my list to try out. It has always been my save bet. It would be my to go string if it was just a bit crisper/less muted.

 

[TennisHound]

Played CV 16x19 for about 2.5 hrs yesterday. Today wrist is pretty sore, unable to play. Haven't had wrist trouble since using a weighted up Pure Aero (about a year ago). I'm not saying it's the racquet, maybe just a coincidence,

 

[Notirouswithag]

the newer cv blades are more head heavy if i recall so it may affect your wrist.

i know the wrist issue has been happening to alot of cv users

 

[TennisHound]

the newer cv blades are more head heavy if i recall so it may affect your wrist.

i know the wrist issue has been happening to alot of cv users

Yeah maybe. 2pts though? Weird

 

[JOSHL]

So just got the used CV 98s, unstrung specs-10.44oz and a tad over 4pts HL. Pretty much dead on spec, wish I could measure SW. Also installed a TW leather grip on my 18x20 and its now 12.13oz strung with 2 pro overgrips and 7pts HL.

 

[JOSHL]

Strung the 98s up with OGSM 17 mains and Black out crosses at 52/55. Strung weight is 11.36oz and 4pts HL with damp and 2 Wilson pro over grips. Hitting it tomorrow.

 

[TennisHound]

Stuffed a pretty good wad of lead into the handle and made it 4 pts HL. Played with it (CV 16x19) for about 1.5 hrs (wrist was still a little sore) and today the wrist is better. I'ts funny how 2 pts HL balance can affect your wrist. I'll try it again today with this setup and see how it goes.

 

[JOSHL]

Alright, took the 98s out for a hit with the ball machine today. This thing swings very light, I think TW has the SW at 329 if I remember but there's no way this one is that high, feels like 315 or less. The feel of it is pretty good though, there was some issues with twisting on off center shots, but the sweet spot felt generous. Serving with it was great, so much spin on slice and kick serves, and it was easy to get it going for the flat serves as well. The weighted up 18x20 in comparison is more stable and gets easy depth/power without having to swing hard like the 98s. I prefer serves with the 98s. May try putting a leather grip on the 98s to see what that does but right now its a tough decision between these Wilsons.
Side note also hit with the Burn CV 100s and that thing is pretty F*ing good as well. Huge sweet spot! Super easy power and great spin. Underrated frame for sure.

 

[TennisHound]

Started playing with the CV Blade but wrist pain returned immediately and had to stop. Took a break for a couple of hours and played later with a different racquet for 3 sets of doubles. Today, no wrist pain. Freaky

 

[Notirouswithag]

try the 98L if you can get your hands on one. also not sure if its your stroke but maybe try doing some light exercises to strengthen your wrist?

 

[JOSHL]

Blade team up on TW website, weird that they would lump this re-tread of the Steam 99 into the Blade series, but hey Wilson!

 

[TennisHound]

try the 98L if you can get your hands on one. also not sure if its your stroke but maybe try doing some light exercises to strengthen your wrist?

Yeah it's weird. 98L is not for me. I'm pretty sure it was something with the jarring and vibes. It was the same pain and place as when I used the Pure Aero about a year ago. Nothing wrong with the CV Blade or the PA, they just didn't jive with my wrist. Some people aren't affected. Not a big deal, These racquets just aren't for me.

 

[RJ-L]

Just a little update on my Blade CV 16x19

At first i had some issues with my serve lacking power, now 3 weeks in im completely dialed in again. Hammering first serves with no problems.
Like some i also had some soreness in my forearm, but this completely dissapeared. Might had something to do with the fact in didnt play tennis for 5 weeks.

This racket deserves more love on this board.

 

[Notirouswithag]

Yeah it's weird. 98L is not for me. I'm pretty sure it was something with the jarring and vibes. It was the same pain and place as when I used the Pure Aero about a year ago. Nothing wrong with the CV Blade or the PA, they just didn't jive with my wrist. Some people aren't affected. Not a big deal, These racquets just aren't for me.

are you sure its not your strings or technique/timing on shots? The L is light in all aspects so that seems strange that you have the same pain in the same spot, considering the Pure Aero is heavier as well.

Do you do any strength work in the gym in that area? wrist, forearm etc?

 

[TennisHound]

are you sure its not your strings or technique/timing on shots? The L is light in all aspects so that seems strange that you have the same pain in the same spot, considering the Pure Aero is heavier as well.

Do you do any strength work in the gym in that area? wrist, forearm etc?

I wasn't talking about the 98L causing wrist pain. Read a few posts up.

 

[Notirouswithag]

I wasn't talking about the 98L causing wrist pain. Read a few posts up. Do you strength train your wrists, for a Blade? Who is doing this? Why not just use a different racquet? I'm sure it was the balance on the new Blades is off - less HL. Either way, I switched back to the PD, no more wrist pain.

i misread my bad

 

[TennisHound]

i misread my bad

No problem. I actually liked the new CV Blade after I hit with it again. I would imagine some weight in the grip might help on wrist soreness. The PA was also a little heavier in the head (and it was stiff), so consequently I had some similar wrist problems.

 

[JOSHL]

Just got some wrist issues playing with the CV 18x20 myself last week. Never had any issues. Haven’t played since Friday and it’s still sore. Feels like TFCC but I have no idea. Ugh.

 

[Notirouswithag]

No problem. I actually liked the new CV Blade after I hit with it again. I would imagine some weight in the grip might help on wrist soreness. The PA was also a little heavier in the head (and it was stiff), so consequently I had some similar wrist problems.

I just cant get with it, i have very fast whippy strokes and my balls end up long or in the net, i have to slow my swing down too much to get it right with the CV, string pattern doesent bother me, but my wrist was bother me after the CV, did some wrist strengthening exercises with some light Dumbbells and 2 weeks later back on court trying the blade again my wrist were fine

 

[TennisHound]

This racket deserves more love on this board.

I think it would get more love if it wasn't about 2 Pts more HH than last year's. That may not seem like a lot but it makes a difference (takes about .4oz in the handle to make that up).

 

[JOSHL]

Needless to say sold that 18x20 for cheap. Lol. Have a tourney match tomorrow and will be taking the Ultra Tour into battle.

 

[RJ-L]

I think it would get more love if it wasn't about 2 Pts more HH than last year's. That may not seem like a lot but it makes a difference (takes about .4oz in the handle to make that up).

They previous version is 3 pts HL the same as the CV. Maybe wilsons quality control is letting you down.
Mines are pretty much on spec.

 

[DJTaurus]

Needless to say sold that 18x20 for cheap. Lol. Have a tourney match tomorrow and will be taking the Ultra Tour into battle.

I would like to hear a comparison between ultra tour and blade 18x20....currently i am playing with the 2015 18x20 blade after trying blade CV 98s&16x19 and it’s a love fest. More connected, less firm, more plush and no forearm pain.

 

[JOSHL]

I would like to hear a comparison between ultra tour and blade 18x20....currently i am playing with the 2015 18x20 blade after trying blade CV 98s&16x19 and it’s a love fest. More connected, less firm, more plush and no forearm pain.

I never played with the 2015 Blade 18x20, only the CV version. The CV blade compared to the Ultra Tour has more stability, plow/raw power. Also more muted feeling. Also haven’t played the Ultra in stock form either as the one I got was pretty light, I have a leather grip, 2 overgrips and 6g of tungsten tape at 3/9. It’s more maneuverable/whippy than the blade for sure.

 

[TennisHound]

Edited. Never mind

 

[Johnny-Cage]

The new Blade CV (18 mains) is a little underpowered. It takes a lot of effort to hit winners off the racket. I am a Burn 95 user and it’s a lot easier to get free points with it than with the Blade.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

The new Blade CV (18 mains) is a little underpowered. It takes a lot of effort to hit winners off the racket. I am a Burn 95 user and it’s a lot easier to get free points with it than with the Blade.

How’s your arm with the Burn?


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[The Big Kahuna]

I never played with the 2015 Blade 18x20, only the CV version. The CV blade compared to the Ultra Tour has more stability, plow/raw power. Also more muted feeling. Also haven’t played the Ultra in stock form either as the one I got was pretty light, I have a leather grip, 2 overgrips and 6g of tungsten tape at 3/9. It’s more maneuverable/whippy than the blade for sure.

Isn’t the ULTRA TOUR basically a 2015 BLADE 18x20?


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[JOSHL]

Isn’t the ULTRA TOUR basically a 2015 BLADE 18x20?


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Having never used the Blade 2015 I would still say no.

 

[Imago]

The more i play with the CV 98 16x19 the more i like it.

However my strings of choice not so much.
Muted strings are a no go for me.

I disliked RPM blast in my previous rackets: PS97, Graphene speed pro LTD and IG Prestige pro. But somehow it really clicks in this frame.
Next up for test is Solinco tour bite 17.

WC Black 5 Edge does the magic.

 

[TennisHound]

Having never used the Blade 2015 I would still say no.

I have used it and they are nowhere close. 2015 Blade is better imo

 

[AsianArnold1]

demoed my buddy's 2015 blade 18x20 strung with PP Blackout(5-sided) at 52/49 for 3 days. i was hitting heavier weighted shots more so than with my Bab APDs and PDs. it's just like what everyone says about control, just point and shoot.

Snagged myself one sweet 2015 blade 18x20 strung with Lux ALU Power @52. But cut out the ALU(whaat?!) after 1 day, just couldn't get the spin and bite. Restrung with PPBO at 52/48. Played for 3 matches, but still not as connected as i'd like.

Finally restrung again with ppbo @46/44. wow! much more pocketing, spin, feel, with control. for me, a shaped poly at lower tension is much better for this dense pattern. heck, i may even drop to 43 straight up

happy blade owner (for now)

 

[Notirouswithag]

By the way if anyone is looking for a 2015 16x19 blade ill let mine go for cheap and can send pics

 

[Yao_guai_nz]

After my 2 month test with Blade 98s CV and 16x19 CV i purchased Blade 18x20 2015 to play among with my 98s 2015. New blades play stiffer and because they are more HH i gained pain in the forearm. They give you more free power but i missed the connected feel of the previous blades. It was so good to be back to the 2015 Blade where i almost always know where my balls are gonna land. 18x20 2015 is with my old 18x20 black/gold Blade the best rackets i ve ever played with. It’s an amazing feel to take huge cuts on the ball and still land in....precision,feel and control. Power at the lows 22kg which i strung it with 4G is more than enough......countervail is amazing addition to Wilson burn but didn’t like it on the Blades. I wish the feel to return in the future.

I feel ya... Totally agree.
I bought tennis warehouse sale a few months back.... 2015/2016 blade 18x20 being the black one with green detailing. No regrets at all. Best for me was the K blade and the ncode version.

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[yonex]

I like the Yonex's feel much more than the blade. The blade feels... funky? I never seemed to like any wilson racquet, as they all feel kind of "high pitched vibration-y". Also, Wilson's quality, has been going south since the N series. The "velvet" soft touch paint on the blade, while I must admit looks fantastic, chips like crazy.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Demoed a 98l, CV18x20, and the Ultra Tour.
Hated the feel of CV although I hit some sweet volleys with it. Had to put it down just because I was so sad about what the Blade line feels like now.
I used the 2013 and 2015 blade 18x20... I'm a rare bird that thinks the 2013 was the best!

Anyway after that I tried the Ultra Tour.. weighing at 340g with lead on handle and at 12. Strung with Solinco Revolution 1.20. amazing first hit... Felt no vibration.. but still soft and not harsh like my CV blade. I hit some big serves and some nice kick serves but some shots kind of died instead of aggressively accelerating topspin like I see off my other racquets. Top of hoop felt a little too flexy too.
I hit the net too much and balls had a very low trajectory although the strings were at a higher tension than I would prefer.
So I tried the 98l with a leather grip and lead on handle and at 12.. 330g. Feel was also great even strung with 4g 1.25 which I usually find too stiff. I had high looping topspin and sometimes too much power but mostly I could blast the ball wherever I wanted!!! I was playing some sets and towards the end I was changing racquets a lot and got down 0-40 with Ulta Tour so picked up the 98l and bailed myself out!
Considering making a 98l purchase and a lead tape purchase!!! I kind of feel like the Ultra Tour is 1997 pro stock and 98l is 2017 pro stock! By that I mean racquet meant for customization....

I should probably string the Ultra and 98l the same and get the weight and balances closer before deciding... But if I had to play an important match tomorrow I would just grab the 98l.

 

[Notirouswithag]

Demoed a 98l, CV18x20, and the Ultra Tour.
Hated the feel of CV although I hit some sweet volleys with it. Had to put it down just because I was so sad about what the Blade line feels like now.
I used the 2013 and 2015 blade 18x20... I'm a rare bird that thinks the 2013 was the best!

Anyway after that I tried the Ultra Tour.. weighing at 340g with lead on handle and at 12. Strung with Solinco Revolution 1.20. amazing first hit... Felt no vibration.. but still soft and not harsh like my CV blade. I hit some big serves and some nice kick serves but some shots kind of died instead of aggressively accelerating topspin like I see off my other racquets. Top of hoop felt a little too flexy too.
I hit the net too much and balls had a very low trajectory although the strings were at a higher tension than I would prefer.
So I tried the 98l with a leather grip and lead on handle and at 12.. 330g. Feel was also great even strung with 4g 1.25 which I usually find too stiff. I had high looping topspin and sometimes too much power but mostly I could blast the ball wherever I wanted!!! I was playing some sets and towards the end I was changing racquets a lot and got down 0-40 with Ulta Tour so picked up the 98l and bailed myself out!
Considering making a 98l purchase and a lead tape purchase!!! I kind of feel like the Ultra Tour is 1997 pro stock and 98l is 2017 pro stock! By that I mean racquet meant for customization....

I should probably string the Ultra and 98l the same and get the weight and balances closer before deciding... But if I had to play an important match tomorrow I would just grab the 98l.

I love my 98L, I havent added any weight to it yet and its still in stock form. Im still adjusting my string combination to get a little more oomph, but overall since I switched to it I've been playing some of my best tennis lately with it

 

[xracer4844]

I’ve been using the blade 16x19 and haven’t been too crazy about the performance I’ve been getting. I originally had it strung with Wilson syn gut/Wilson revolve and was finding that I wasn’t getting too much spin on shots, and found myself wanting more power from the racquet. I just added lead at 12 o’clock and strung it with Wilson revolve/babolat rpm blast rough at 53


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[Johnny-Cage]

How’s your arm with the Burn?


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My arm is fine. I string low. Poly mains 45-48, multi cross 50-53.

 

[TennisHound]

Demoed a 98l, CV18x20, and the Ultra Tour.
Hated the feel of CV although I hit some sweet volleys with it. Had to put it down just because I was so sad about what the Blade line feels like now.
I used the 2013 and 2015 blade 18x20... I'm a rare bird that thinks the 2013 was the best!

Anyway after that I tried the Ultra Tour.. weighing at 340g with lead on handle and at 12. Strung with Solinco Revolution 1.20. amazing first hit... Felt no vibration.. but still soft and not harsh like my CV blade. I hit some big serves and some nice kick serves but some shots kind of died instead of aggressively accelerating topspin like I see off my other racquets. Top of hoop felt a little too flexy too.
I hit the net too much and balls had a very low trajectory although the strings were at a higher tension than I would prefer.
So I tried the 98l with a leather grip and lead on handle and at 12.. 330g. Feel was also great even strung with 4g 1.25 which I usually find too stiff. I had high looping topspin and sometimes too much power but mostly I could blast the ball wherever I wanted!!! I was playing some sets and towards the end I was changing racquets a lot and got down 0-40 with Ulta Tour so picked up the 98l and bailed myself out!
Considering making a 98l purchase and a lead tape purchase!!! I kind of feel like the Ultra Tour is 1997 pro stock and 98l is 2017 pro stock! By that I mean racquet meant for customization....

I should probably string the Ultra and 98l the same and get the weight and balances closer before deciding... But if I had to play an important match tomorrow I would just grab the 98l.

So with the leather grip, lead on handle (I assume under the leather grip), and 4g at 12, it all came to about 330g? How HL? Was the throat pretty solid or would you add lead there too?

 

[datsveryinterestin]

So with the leather grip, lead on handle (I assume under the leather grip), and 4g at 12, it all came to about 330g? How HL? Was the throat pretty solid or would you add lead there too?

I didn't see any need for lead on the throat with 98l.... plays great without it. Although after I won my match, I hit 2 serves with a blade 16x19 CV and it felt good. (Didn't feel the weird deadness of CV that I felt on the 18x20?)
Going to try a direct comparison demo before buying because I might not need to mod with 30g of weight.
Also I must admit that I still serve much better with my Pure Aero Plus which is making me hesitate buying Blades too.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I still serve much better with my Pure Aero Plus

Extended length sticks always seem to serve better!

Are there any XL blades besides the 104?



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[The Big Kahuna]

Extended length sticks always seem to serve better!

Are there any XL blades besides the 104?



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Nope.


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[datsveryinterestin]

Double post...

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I sort of like the 18x20CV, especially on volleys, but was not cutting it at 51lbs from the baseline. Going to try 47 next. (Mosquito bite 1.18)
But my practice partner said I played far better with my Pure Aero plus.
If I can get more depth and action on the ball at lower tension maybe I could consider switching since my approach slices and volleys are much better but I need to keep my big spin serves and crushing forehand winners too. Why can't I have it all???!

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Double post?

 

[anhboa2]

CV Blade 98 seems to navigate its specs towards the Original nBlade ?

I had a chance to hit with nBlade that people’s been praising alot, and can immediately feel its hefty Sw. I prefer newer Blades though, with hybrid strings setup to soften the feel.

 

[TennisHound]

Got the CV Blade 16x19 and Spin version demos today from TW.

The Specs were pretty off. Granted, I added an overgrip and dampener, so specs might have been on the heavy side, but I wasn't expecting.5oz heavier. The 16x19 measured 11.8oz 4pts HL (TW specs are 11.3oz 3pts HL). The Spin was 11.6oz 4pts HL (TW specs are 11.1oz 1pt HL). We'll see how they hit tomorrow, raining today.

(They're both strung Uber tight, lol. Feels about 75-80lbs for the 16x19. I don't know why TW thinks they have to string these things 15-20lbs tighter than recommended tension (jk but still)?

 

[dmcb101]

Got the CV Blade 16x19 and Spin version demos today from TW.

The Specs were pretty off. Granted, I added an overgrip and dampener, so specs might have been on the heavy side, but I wasn't expecting.5oz heavier. The 16x19 measured 11.8oz 4pts HL (TW specs are 11.3oz 3pts HL). The Spin was 11.6oz 4pts HL (TW specs are 11.1oz 1pt HL). We'll see how they hit tomorrow, raining today.

(They're both strung Uber tight, lol. Feels about 75-80lbs for the 16x19. I don't know why TW thinks they have to string these things 15-20lbs tighter than recommended tension (jk but still)?

How are you measuring your specs? Just wondering because maybe it is different than TW does it.