Need Help: nBlade 98 vs Flexpoint Prestige 98

[StunLock]

I understand these two rackets are not meant to be direct competitors, but I probably will end up with one of the two to replace my n6. What I like the most about the Prestige is the weight, which to me is the only thing the nBlade lacks -- I've played with some other 12+oz rackets and just love the solid and plow-through feeling hehe. For the nBlade, people have good feedback about its soft and classic feeling.

I've done a Lot of research online and here are my questions:

1. Sweet spot size -- any difference between the two? I've heard different stories about this. Does Head's Total Sweetspot Construction really make a difference in general? And stiffer rackets are supposed to have larger sweetspot, which should favor Prestige quite a bit?

2. Does Flexpoint Prestige play really stiff? I personally dont like too stiff rackets and people say Fxp is stiffer than the LM version. I think I'll like the touch/feel of the nBlade but just not sure about the Prestige...

Demo probably wont be a practical option for me so I'll have to rely on other's experience

btw I'm a 3.5 player, eastern/slightly continental forhand grip, one-handed backhand, all-courter, flat hitter.

Please help. Thanks! ^_^

 

[fuzz nation]

Both of these frames will be very different from the n6 and even though I cling to the wisdom of using a racquet as heavy as you can reasonably deal with, I have to believe you'd be more comfortable going to the nBlade. The upside with the blade is that you have room to play with some lead tape. Be patient when you switch to whatever you choose; I initially hated the Prince NXG mid when I got one on an educated guess. After I put up with it for a while, I adjusted and it's been the best thing for me in years. I'm not recommending my frame to you, just saying your adjustment may take a month or two. Stick with it and don't be afraid of the lead.

 

[StunLock]

Thanks for the input.

I've been hitting with the n6 95 for about 6 months and dont think it's a good fit for me: too light, too powerful, poor control, over lively stringbed, and poor stability. The other day I picked up my more than 10 year old dusty proKennex (about 12oz and 1inch HL) and wow... I could take full swings and my backhand went immediately 0.5 level better. It's so much more stable and I really liked the solid feeling, although of course I had to make adjustments for the weight. I really had fun with the old proKennex besides all the good memories it brought me hehe... From that day I became obsessed with hefty sticks and started seriously considering 12oz is a must for my new racket.

I'm quite positive that I'll enjoy the flexible frame and classic feeling of the nBlade but the weight... I even thought about putting 2 or 3 overgrips to make it heavier and more headlight lol. The only concern I have with the Prestige is if it plays overly stiff and the sweetspot size since its an 'advanced players racket'. Demoing a racket is pretty pricy here in China hehe.

 

[AJK1]

If you're a 3.5 you shouldn't be using those racquets, they will be too demanding and underpowered for you.

 

[stormholloway]

An nsix 95 was too light? Isn't it 12.2 ounces strung? Poor control? That doesn't sound like a pro staff at all.

 

[tarkowski]

An nsix 95 was too light? Isn't it 12.2 ounces strung? Poor control? That doesn't sound like a pro staff at all.

He's talking about the n6, not the n61 prostaff. n6 95 is less than 10oz and head-heavy.

 

[Rafa's best friend]

Nblade really suck

 

[DURICA533]

AJK1 has a good point. If you are a true 3.5 both those sticks encourage full strokes.

Too bad Rafa's best friend didn't have a good time with the nBlade. I made my switch to them (from PS85) based on how versatile the stick is. I am a 5.0 player with full strokes and the racket gives me an incredibly easy time in flattening or creating topspin. I have demoed the nBlade with other guys who have less than textbook full strokes and they have a difficult time and end up not liking it.

Don't know about fxp prestige 98". Tried the 93" and it was similar to my ROK which is great for flat hitters which you have mentioned that you are.

 

[noobplayer]

"btw I'm a 3.5 player, eastern/slightly continental forhand grip, one-handed backhand, all-courter, flat hitter."

judging by this i wouldnt say u r a 3.5 player. i uses to hit with that grip and i use to hit flat all the time. but now i use semiwestern and hit with topspin. the prestige/nblade arent racquets that will make u better. possibly worse. my friend has an nblade and its a pretty demanding racquet, the prestige even more so.

 

[StunLock]

Thanks for the comments guys, although the switch is not looking that good hehe.

So by 'demanding' do you guys mean both rackets are low on power and *require* full strokes (also less maneuverable)? I'm developing full strokes but with the n6 the ball mostly sails long and when I missed the sweetspot my arm really hurts. So my theory is that with the nblade/prestige, which have much lower power and exceptional control, my full strokes will get better. Also, with the slightly larger sweetspot and solid feeling the two racquets provide, I'll enjoy the game more.

So did I get right on the 'demanding' part, and would some of you guys care to elaborate how the nblade didnt work for you? I'm also thinking of stringing the racket at a lower tension to make it 1) play less boardy since both are 18x20 2) have slightly larger sweetspot 3) more powerful.

 

[StunLock]

oh, and would you guys recommend some less demanding players racquets?

I know the radical should be not as demanding as the prestige but it looks very similar to the nBlade on paper, and I've heard it's not for flat hitters. Also as I understand, the nOpen/surge is more of a topspinners' racquet. n6.1 95 is more demanding than the nblade, and forget about the n6.1 tour. nTour two is pretty powerful and even ligher than the nblade. It doesnt look i have many choices here...

 

[AJK1]

Well, my coach uses the new Wilson nPro Open, it is 100sqin, open string pattern, medium weight, powerful, yet has good control. The Bryan brothers use this model. It is what you should be looking at i feel.

 

[haerdalis]

ProKennex Redondo MP is a very nice racquet. A little easier to swing than the Prestige and even more flexible. Maybe it wont improve your game but it looks good and feels good.

 

[jjl]

funny...

i just demo'd these exact 2 racquets..(started a thread on my nBlade demo)

For me, the nBlade was the clear winner. The nblade is definitely more forgiving than the FP Prestige, and felt just as sweet on well-struck shots. Had more power. the Prestige doesn't play that stiff, but you really have to hit out to get any depth. The flat beam neck of the nblade really cuts through the air, great for one handed backhands, and my arm didn't hurt at the end of the session, unlike with my n6.1 18x20.

 

[headfan91]

ProKennex Redondo MP is a very nice racquet. A little easier to swing than the Prestige and even more flexible. Maybe it wont improve your game but it looks good and feels good.

wouldn't the redondo be just as demanding and underpowered as the prestige?