Looking for a racket for flat hitting

[blauwalkuh]

Hi,

until now i was playing the Wilson K Blade 98 but decided to change the racket because of a change of my forehand technique from topspin to flat hitting.

The last favourites of rackets i tested were the Wilson BLX 6.1 18x20, the Head Youtek Prestige MP and the Tecnifibre T-Fight 325 VO 2 Max.

Now i have some questions:

1. Which of the 3 rackets i named would you choose ?

2. How does the Wilson NCode 6.1 18x20 play compared to the BLX ?
Is the NCode more arm friendly ?

3. I found the Dunlop 200g Hot Melt in an online shop and after reading some opinions i think it could be a good racket too.
So how does it compare to the rest ?

I am playing a flat forehand most of the time and a one handed backhand.

Sorry if my english isnt that good i am from germany

Thanks

 

[joe gomes]

Demo the Yonex V Core 98 D and you will be pleasently surpised. I am a flat ball hitter and went from the Wilson BLX Blade 98 to the Yonex V Core 98 D

 

[aggietex08]

I haven't hit with the Tecnifibre but liked both the Prestige and BLX 6.1 95. The 6.1 is more stable but more demanding. I like the feel the Prestige gives more. To throw another option at you, I am a flat hitter and use the Exo3 Tour 18x20 with hole grommets and like it. I own both MG Prestige MP and Exo3 Tours I think the Tours adds a bit more spin without changing my stroke when hitting full out but doesn't lose any control. The touch shots are slightly worse at first but you adjust.

 

[rofl_copter3]

I personally really like the head prestige mp it gives very good control, of your three that would be my choice. It's pretty solid all over the court. That said other options are available. The prince exo3 18x20 is a quality stick though I've heard people have trouble with the serve. There are many right answers you would be best off doing a bunch of demos and seeing what feels good to you.

 

[Anton]

Hi,

until now i was playing the Wilson K Blade 98 but decided to change the racket because of a change of my forehand technique from topspin to flat hitting.
Thanks

Redondo or Rebel.

You basically want heavy, stable, soft and dense pattern.

 

[Anton]

The prince exo3 18x20 is a quality stick though I've heard people have trouble with the serve.

If you are talking about Tour then it's not the best racket for flat hitter, Rebel fits the bill better.

Tour is more of a hybrid, where it has some characteristics of flat hitting frame (soft, 18x20) and some from spin-frames (100", 11.5oz)

 

[ahuimanu]

Hi,

until now i was playing the Wilson K Blade 98 but decided to change the racket because of a change of my forehand technique from topspin to flat hitting.

The last favourites of rackets i tested were the Wilson BLX 6.1 18x20, the Head Youtek Prestige MP and the Tecnifibre T-Fight 325 VO 2 Max.

Now i have some questions:

1. Which of the 3 rackets i named would you choose ?

2. How does the Wilson NCode 6.1 18x20 play compared to the BLX ?
Is the NCode more arm friendly ?

3. I found the Dunlop 200g Hot Melt in an online shop and after reading some opinions i think it could be a good racket too.
So how does it compare to the rest ?

I am playing a flat forehand most of the time and a one handed backhand.

Sorry if my english isnt that good i am from germany

Thanks

Am also a flat (spin only when needed) hitter--tried all the racquets mentioned and have the following comments. Although very popular, for some reason I don't care for the Wilson BLX, it doesn't have the feel I'm looking for. If you're a physically strong player, the Tecnifibre 325 is a great stick for those with good preparation and clean stroke technique. If your strength and technique needs a little work, the Head Prestige Mid plus is lighter and more forgiving. At the moment I'm committed to giving the 325 a long term test drive (5x vo2 and 2012 version) but I have the YTMP on standby just in case it doesn't work out. Interestingly, the 200G HM is a super old school stick that works very well for the flat-topspin hitter and actually performs better under heavy hitting conditions (using your opponents pace).

Hope this helps!

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks for your answers everybody you gave me some stuff to think about

can someone tell me how the wilson ncode 6.1 95 18x20 does compare to the blx looking at how arm friendly and stiff they are ?

thanks

 

[RoughOG]

until now i was playing the Wilson K Blade 98 but decided to change the racket because of a change of my forehand technique from topspin to flat hitting.
Thanks

Why change the racquet? K blade 98 has an 18x20 I don't see the reason in buying a new stick. Just stick with it add lead and change some strings no need for new stick mate.

 

[Bartelby]

Add a leather grip to the kblade and you'll get a quicker racquet, but it's already good for flatter hitting.

 

[Veninga]

you should also take the polarization factor into account. it has a big correlation with the spin window as described by TWU. Lower spin window, is more easy to hit flat. And visa versa.

Some rackets with a low PO factor:

blx blade 91
bio 200 85
rebel 86
speed 18*20 91.

the bio 200 has a flex of 61, which is pretty low, so arm friendly.

 

[Funbun]

I don't understand; the KBlade 98 is a rather versatile racquet.

...and why would you want to change to hitting more flat shots? You gotta learn to hit both when the time calls for them.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Hi,

until now i was playing the Wilson K Blade 98 but decided to change the racket because of a change of my forehand technique from topspin to flat hitting.

The last favourites of rackets i tested were the Wilson BLX 6.1 18x20, the Head Youtek Prestige MP and the Tecnifibre T-Fight 325 VO 2 Max.

Now i have some questions:

1. Which of the 3 rackets i named would you choose ?

2. How does the Wilson NCode 6.1 18x20 play compared to the BLX ?
Is the NCode more arm friendly ?

3. I found the Dunlop 200g Hot Melt in an online shop and after reading some opinions i think it could be a good racket too.
So how does it compare to the rest ?

I am playing a flat forehand most of the time and a one handed backhand.

Sorry if my english isnt that good i am from germany

Thanks

The Volkl PB 10 MP is extremely precise, and works especially well for flat hitters. The transition from the Blade would also be fairly easy. The PB 10 MP is also softer and more stable, plus, it's on sale!

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks for your answers

 

[fuzz nation]

Wow, you might want to get yourself a 200g HM just for the bragging rights. That's easily one of my all-time favorites!!!

 

[JackB1]

Good racquets for flat hitting:

VCore 98D
Dunlop 4D 200
Rebel 95
Pure Storm Tour
Speed 18x20
BLX Blade 98

 

[blauwalkuh]

hey thanks for the answers i have got an update

i had training to day and i played my k blade 98 and the blx 6.1 95 and i have to say that i like the k blade 98 more.
will hit my forehand a little bit more topspin i think and flat when needed but the weight of the kblade is better for me.

i m interested in rackets with similar weight like the 300g hot melt and the kneissl white star.

anybody can say something about this two rackets ?

 

[ced]

I would recommend any of the Kneissls , if you can find one.

 

[blauwalkuh]

says the one with the kneissl pic ?

thanks

 

[RyKnocks]

I demoed both the Yonex V Core 95D and 98D and they're both well suited for flat hitting with the 95D being more of a players frame.

 

[ced]

says the one with the kneissl pic ?

thanks

No connection ... just an old player who finally stopped switching racquets.

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks i m thinking of kneissl white star or maybe 200g hotmelt xl or to stay with my k blade 98

 

[ced]

thanks i m thinking of kneissl white star or maybe 200g hotmelt xl or to stay with my k blade 98

You won't regret it, provided you can find a White Star ... tho I prefer the Black Star

 

[blauwalkuh]

there is a new white star but its only available in gripsize 4 in the shop ans the rackets i tested until now are all in gripsize 3

is there a big difference ?

thanks

 

[Boricua]

Demo the Yonex V Core 98 D and you will be pleasently surpised. I am a flat ball hitter and went from the Wilson BLX Blade 98 to the Yonex V Core 98 D

I use te VCORE 100 which is designed for spin. I demoed the VCORE 98 and it is great for flat hitters who drive the ball. Great racket.

 

[ced]

there is a new white star but its only available in gripsize 4 in the shop ans the rackets i tested until now are all in gripsize 3

is there a big difference ?

thanks

Interesting ... where are you located ?

IMO the grip size on Kneissls run a little small .... I was using 4 3/8" (3)prior to getting my Black Stars, they are all 4 1/2" (4)and even with overgrips I do not find them too big. I had planned to replace the grips w/ the thin leather ones from TW to reduce the grip size, and tho I do have the grips, I have never changed them. What impressed me most about my Kneissls is that all 3 (even tho purchased at different times from different places) exactly match when weighed on a postal scale.

The White Star is slightly stiffer than the Black Star. I believe the head size of the current versions are both 100, tho the WS may be slightly smaller.

Let me know if you get one ..... if you don't I may be interested.

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks for the answers

i m from germany

ok the only problem i have is that i cant test the kneissl.
so it could be a little bit risky to buy it.

and i dont know if it is better than my k blade 98.

the 18x19 pattern could give some extra spin which is nice.

mh i have to think about it maybe i m gonna buy it.

it looks amazing anyway

 

[michael valek]

hi - email me for anything Kneissl. I am in europe. michael.valek@thomsonreuters.com

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks for all answers

i just bought the kneissl white star
hope its worth it haha

 

[michael valek]

email me anyway for some kneissl info and discussion, michael.valek@thomsonreuters.com

thanks

 

[ced]

thanks for all answers

i just bought the kneissl white star
hope its worth it haha

I think you will like it .... will be very surprised if you don't.

 

[blauwalkuh]

i hope so too

it has a very unique effect on me and an amazing style.
if it playes how it looks i m happy

 

[michael valek]

you should read my white star review.....search for posts by me

 

[blauwalkuh]

i think i already know it.

but i would like to see other reviews of you to compare the points u gave

 

[JT_2eighty]

Prestige Mid

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks but too small for me i think ^^

 

[michael valek]

hi - if you email me i can discuss anything kneissl with you!!

 

[stingstang]

YT Prestige MP is a very safe purchase.

Its got a nice heft but is still maneuverable and not tiring. Tones of control but enough power to put away balls. Arm friendly but not so soft it saps your power. Solid on every shot.

Dunlop 200's are excellent baseline tools for a flat hitter but gives you no help on serves.

Wilson 95's give a really heavy ball but are heavy beasts and stiffer.

 

[JT_2eighty]

thanks but too small for me i think ^^

YT Radical MP is a good choice if the Prestiges are too small or heavy.

YT Rad MP has a very dense pattern, and is very light to accommodate customizing to your liking.

 

[blauwalkuh]

i sent the kneissl back.
didnt play with it but just hold it in my hand and i think it was too light and didnt feel good.
i think i'll stay to my k blade.

i cant just change my game it hink i need every type of shots not only one.

maybe i m gonna test t-fight 320 and 325 and another racket anytime when i want something heavier.

thanks for all answers.

 

[Andreas1965]

I recently switched from Kblade98 to Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200.
I used to hit with lots of topspin, the 4D forced me to hit flatter and harder,which really improved my game.
Great control, stability and more arm friendly than the Kblade.
Overall I would dare to say the 4D is a racquet for flat hitters.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=26.132485,-80.105607

 

[chrischris]

Forget the racket, just show up decently hungover and all your shots will be nicely flat.

 

[edwincen]

yonex VCore 95D worth to try

 

[vitas77remembered]

I've always hit fairly flat, taking balls early. I've always been a thin beam guy so I could take full swings without loss of control. After playing the Prince NXG for the past 5 years, I just picked up a EXO Graphite MP and love it. Just what I need, a fairly thin beamed, stable racquet that's controllable.

 

[michael valek]

original poster, if you want a much heavier kneissl, email me.

 

[dozu]

Volkl DNX, the best flat ball stick, bar none.

conventional wisdom has Head Prestige as a good flat ball stick, but it is a distance 2nd compared to the Volkl.

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks for all answers

still trying

favourites are wilson six one 95 18x20

want to test vcore 95d too

dunlop 200 series is more for all court and its low powered is that right ?

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Well, I play a quite modern game with the Dunlop 200, but it does match the flat hitter's specs : quite heavy, very soft, lovely plow through, dense pattern...

 

[blauwalkuh]

thanks

so its solid from the baseline and also good for a more baseline than allcourt game ?

 

[latershow]

For a flat hitter I'd recommend a thin-beam, dense string pattern, low powered racquet. K Blade and Prestige MP definitely fit the bill nicely. I play the 6.1 Classic (16x18) from time to time and while its an OK racquet for eastern forehand, there are definitely better options out there than the six one IMO.