anhtuanngo
Semi-Pro
That's interesting, in what way ? I might have to buy some 18x20s now lol.
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Live by the Blade...Die by the Blade...
- Thread starter danbrenner
- Start date
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I found the 16x19 to be unpredictable and unstable. Found it to be a slightly tamer version of the PS97. I reluctantly tried an 18x20 and it was just night and day. The blades are the only racket ive tried where the different string patterns played such a big difference in the racket characteristics.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
The weighting of the head is significantly different between the 16x19 and 18x20. Also for previous versions, the 16x19 had a stiffer layup.
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bkfinch
Semi-Pro
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
I actually really liked it but the 4G stiffness got to me after a couple days. I need to cut it out and put another string in there. Tempted to switch haha. But getting a second one in good condition will be tough.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
What tension? 44 on a constant pull in the v7 felt plush for me.
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anhtuanngo
Semi-Pro
When I purchased my blade from abroad, it included Project string magic which was recommended by the seller. I strung it as a full bed and to my surprise it didn't hurt my elbow. I don't know if it's the strings, but I'm tempted to restring Hyper G as a full bed.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Every hit is magical when your hitting partner is TT 2.5 rated.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Same for me. Everyone around me was buying those open string patterns and I've stuck with 18x20.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Frankly, i just couldnt use the 16x19 blades. The 18x20 just felt like the better racket
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Tighter is always better!
As long as you have good technique and long strokes.
Hmmm....
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Strung up my new 2015 Blade 18x20 with the unstrung SW of 291 was laced up with Prince Tour XP 1.30/Volkl V-pro 1.23 at 50/48 on an electronic constant pull machine. I wrapped a neon green Volkl v-dry overgrip on it. Popped open the buttcap and added a bunch of lead so that the strung balance is a nice HL balance of 31.8 cm. It actually feels a little easier to move through air than my modded Ultra Tour doing something shadow swings. Eager to hit with this one.
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Born_to_slice
Legend
Time for a change? 2007 Blade. All banged up but I never seriously smashed it. Thrown it away hundreds of times though. Got a feeling lately that it isn't as tight as it once was.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Time for a change? 2007 Blade. All banged up but I never seriously smashed it. Thrown it away hundreds of times though. Got a feeling lately that it isn't as tight as it once was.
It's definitely less stiffer and stable than when new. If it doesn't have cracks and the grommets are in decent shape then it's still playable but obviously not to the level of performance it once was.
On a semi-related note, took my new 2013 blade out for play last night and it was incredible. The 55/52lbs tension of the 4G must have dropped enough were I felt I was ripping the cover off the ball. I was getting all kinds of spin, depth, and pace. Lots of fun to use but my arm was sore immediately after. I'm going to cut out the 4G and replace it with ALU Power (Ice Blue version) at 49/46 see if that is better on my arm while maintaining a top tier string. Will provide more feedback and maybe some pics if anyone is interested.
Curious to see how @mad dog1 's 2015 blade session went. KEEP THE OGs ALIVE!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Will know more soon. Hitting with @snoflewis in 3 hours.
however since we are just TT 2.5 level players, my opinions won’t be relevant to the majority of TT members who play at a USTA level of 4.5 or higher.
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anhtuanngo
Semi-Pro
I'm so confident hitting with the blade that I'm crushing the balls. As you can see on the picture, the balls don't stand a chance with the red string paint.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Just finished hitting with my bud, @snoflewis
Having owned blades in the past and always finding them too sluggish and loglike, this new blade is just AWESOME! Unreal. Perfect platform frame. 2015 comfort and feel. SW and balance is great. If anything, I can afford to bump up the SW a little more. Hits a great ball. Frame is super stable and rock solid. Bigger sweet spot than the ultra tour. Control and spin are spot on. This is a keeper.
huge thanks to snoflewis for the hookup on this amazing stick.
Having owned blades in the past and always finding them too sluggish and loglike, this new blade is just AWESOME! Unreal. Perfect platform frame. 2015 comfort and feel. SW and balance is great. If anything, I can afford to bump up the SW a little more. Hits a great ball. Frame is super stable and rock solid. Bigger sweet spot than the ultra tour. Control and spin are spot on. This is a keeper.
huge thanks to snoflewis for the hookup on this amazing stick.
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ive been saying all week. 2015 blade 18x20 is best blade
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
The 2013 Blade 18x20 with ALU Power at 49/46LBS. Looks clean.
I’m sure it will hit just as nicely if not better than 4G.
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Hopefully this is the right thread to ask this question...
How does the kBlade 98 compared to the v7? One thing I do know is that v7 has great comfort and feel but maybe kBlade has slightly more power due to the higher stiffness rating? I have yet to see the comparison between those two rackets. I just grabbed an unused kBlade from my local store since it's pretty cheap, and have been considering to buy v7 but I was hesitant if the Blade line is for me.
(I am using Head Speed Pro and Ezone DR 98, if that's useful for point of reference as well).
How does the kBlade 98 compared to the v7? One thing I do know is that v7 has great comfort and feel but maybe kBlade has slightly more power due to the higher stiffness rating? I have yet to see the comparison between those two rackets. I just grabbed an unused kBlade from my local store since it's pretty cheap, and have been considering to buy v7 but I was hesitant if the Blade line is for me.
(I am using Head Speed Pro and Ezone DR 98, if that's useful for point of reference as well).
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gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Where are you located? I would love to buy your Kblade or one from your local store.
In addition to the stiffness, the kblade will swing faster and may be less stable. It has less weight in the head than the v7. Also, the kblade does not have parallel drilling.
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I'm from Singapore and as much as I'd like to tell you the local store, they told me the kBlade that I own right now is the last one they had. Loving the stick so far, it has a great balance between power and feel.
As for the parallel drilling.. I have yet to notice the issue with having smaller sweet spot. Thanks again for the answer.
4evertennis
New User
How are you liking the 2013 Blade? And can you compare to other Blade versions, e.g. CV, v7?
The 2013 Blade 18x20 with ALU Power at 49/46LBS. Looks clean.
I’m sure it will hit just as nicely if not better than 4G.
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
I really liked it with 4G but don't like it with ALU power ICE blue. The balance is better for me than the CV version, not as head heavy. Great control but not as stable. I need to add more lead but haven't yet. I could definitely transition to it though; I just need to find the string for it.
But I'm still using my VCORE 95 for actual matches ha.
Roland G
Hall of Fame
Just strung up a new Blade 98 2013 (18x20) and played a match tonight.
Used this frame for a few years when it came out. What a trip down memory lane!
Fabulous frame IMO, great control, feel and decent power. Was painting the lines for fun
Any love for the 2013 Blade here???
Used this frame for a few years when it came out. What a trip down memory lane!
Fabulous frame IMO, great control, feel and decent power. Was painting the lines for fun
Any love for the 2013 Blade here???
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Yup. What did you string it with and at what tension/gauge?
Roland G
Hall of Fame
Volkl Cyclone 1.20 at 48lbs
FourOutOfFive
Rookie
Just had a hit with a 2013 18x20 Blade that a friend loaned me. Compared to my V7s, there is a much more crisp feel on the stringbed. It’s hard to describe but it almost feels like hitting the ball so hard you’re breaking the racquet. The feel is very consistent no matter what pace of shot you hit, which is something I’ve never felt before. No matter how you swing, you’re getting a very solid and feedback-plentiful crack. I felt like Tsisitpas our there
Meanwhile, the V7s are a lot more plush, with the hoop area being very flexy and producing tons of extra pop if you hit the ball in the right place. Both racquets are interchangeable imo, and they hit a similar ball when it comes down to it. As I was hitting both racquets side by side I got to realize that the feel really is similar between them, It just comes down to whatever your preference in feedback is. Coming from the PT57A, the V7 was the perfect replacement for me, and now that I’ve got that acquired Blade taste, the 2013 feels amazing too. I don’t think directly transitioning from the PT57A to the 2013 would have worked as well for me. In other words, the V7 was the perfect gateway drug.
I’m sticking with my V7s since they are much easier to get and I really have an addiction to dat hoop flex, however I wouldn’t mind picking up a 2013 model just to have in the bag. If anyone is interested in selling one, let me know!
Meanwhile, the V7s are a lot more plush, with the hoop area being very flexy and producing tons of extra pop if you hit the ball in the right place. Both racquets are interchangeable imo, and they hit a similar ball when it comes down to it. As I was hitting both racquets side by side I got to realize that the feel really is similar between them, It just comes down to whatever your preference in feedback is. Coming from the PT57A, the V7 was the perfect replacement for me, and now that I’ve got that acquired Blade taste, the 2013 feels amazing too. I don’t think directly transitioning from the PT57A to the 2013 would have worked as well for me. In other words, the V7 was the perfect gateway drug.
I’m sticking with my V7s since they are much easier to get and I really have an addiction to dat hoop flex, however I wouldn’t mind picking up a 2013 model just to have in the bag. If anyone is interested in selling one, let me know!
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
@FourOutOfFive still blade 2015 merges the direct more stiff feel of the 2013 blade you mention with the plushness of V7.
4evertennis
New User
Any further experiences how the 2013 Blade compares to the CV version?
FourOutOfFive
Rookie
I’m about to acquire a pro stock Blade from one of my online racquet-seller acquaintances. It’s in CV paint, with an 18x20 pattern and parallel drilling. According to him it is not a 2015 or CV model, but a completely different layup. He says it plays softer and pockets more than the v7 models, and is the most PT57 feeling pro stock he has tried from Wilson. Obviously PT comparisons get thrown around on here all the time, but I know he has a lot of experience with Wilson’s pro stock models and is one of the most reliable sellers online.
After looking at the pics the frame is definitely not an H19 or 22, it has the newer keyhole-ish shaft of the CV and v7 Blades.
The seller got a batch of these frames from some high-level juniors who were switching over to the new v7 paint. I think it’s kind of interesting Wilson is offering special layup Blades to juniors, since I was under the impression Blade pro stocks were simply previous iterations of the line. Take Tsisitpas for instance who is allegedly using the 2013 Blade. If a pro player wanted a custom layup, I assumed Wilson would give them an H22 or H19 mold.
Anyone have any experience with custom layup Blades? I will be sure to post all my findings once I receive the frame!
PS: I know I raved in this thread about the 2013 Blade the other day and have one of those on the way as well. I can’t get enough of the feel and weight distribution of these frames, it’s simply perfect for my game. Long live the Blade!
After looking at the pics the frame is definitely not an H19 or 22, it has the newer keyhole-ish shaft of the CV and v7 Blades.
The seller got a batch of these frames from some high-level juniors who were switching over to the new v7 paint. I think it’s kind of interesting Wilson is offering special layup Blades to juniors, since I was under the impression Blade pro stocks were simply previous iterations of the line. Take Tsisitpas for instance who is allegedly using the 2013 Blade. If a pro player wanted a custom layup, I assumed Wilson would give them an H22 or H19 mold.
Anyone have any experience with custom layup Blades? I will be sure to post all my findings once I receive the frame!
PS: I know I raved in this thread about the 2013 Blade the other day and have one of those on the way as well. I can’t get enough of the feel and weight distribution of these frames, it’s simply perfect for my game. Long live the Blade!
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
The v7 18x20 is a stud. Not sure I would be willing to pay a premium for a pro stock over the v7. Let us know how it plays!
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FourOutOfFive
Rookie
The v7 Blade is a beast. No matter what happens this new racquet isn’t replacing it. I got a good price for it though and since custom layup Blades appear to be quite rare, I figured I’d take it. Plus I know there’s a good amount of people on here who would love to hear about it as well
You gotta take one for the team at some point.
anhtuanngo
Semi-Pro
ordered a blade 2015 18x20...need to see what all the hype is about
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Except it’s not hype.ordered a blade 2015 18x20...need to see what all the hype is about
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ordered a blade 2015 18x20...need to seewhat all the hype is aboutwhy it's legendary
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FTFY
4evertennis
New User
I use Alu Power in my Blade CV 18x20 at 25/24kg. Tried many different strings, but this one fits best for the frame. What also liked was the Wilson Revolve Spin
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I haven't used that string, but I've used Weiss Cannon Red Ghost (1.18mm) and that worked really well. I noticed you used Volkl Cyclone 1.20mm. I used the Volkl Cyclone 18L (1.15mm) in my Fischer VT Pro 95 and it was amazing (it has a very high spin rate in thin gauge compared to other Cyclone gauges). I plan to use it in my Blade 98 18x20 (2015), as well as, in my Blade Pro Stock (nBlade with 2013 paint job and Silicone in the handle).
Roland G
Hall of Fame
I'm enjoying Cyclone in my Blade for sure but keen to try my regular Luxilon in there
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
If anyone wants a low swingweight 2013 blade 18x20 please message me.
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anhtuanngo
Semi-Pro
curious to know what your specs for your blades are considering Wilson's poor QC.
My primary blade weighs 329.5 and has a SW of 338 with overgrip, strung with full bed poly 16g at 44lbs.
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My primary blade weighs 329.5 and has a SW of 338 with overgrip, strung with full bed poly 16g at 44lbs.
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