Need some input, blade v7 vs strike?

[GrechCorrea]

Hi
I'm considering buying a new raquet, right now I am playing with a Blade v6 98L, I've also played with a Head Insctinct MP. I am undecisive about getting the Blade V7 16X19 or switching up models to the Babolat Pure Strike. I am 24 years old, I have fairly good technique and I am able to produce a decent amount of top spin regardless of the racquet. If someone has made the change between models, do you recommend it?? why??

 

[Deleted member 776614]

The Blade is more comfortable to hit. The Pure Strike was the least comfortable (most harsh) racket I tested, particularly on off-center hits. It was a lot of fun to play but ultimately I decided it wasn't worth the risk. And I don't have arm issues - I just literally felt the Pure Strike ring like a bell through my elbow and decided that was enough. I was bummed because I really wanted it.

If you liked 18x20, an alternative would be the Tecnifibre TF40. It's kind of in between those two, comfortable like the Blade but a little better feedback like the Strike, similar 'D shaped' frame, w/o being an arm risk. But there's no 16x19. It launches a little lower.

 

[GrechCorrea]

ooh interesting, thank you

 

[GrechCorrea]

The Blade is more comfortable to hit. The Pure Strike was the least comfortable (most harsh) racket I tested, particularly on off-center hits. It was a lot of fun to play but ultimately I decided it wasn't worth the risk. And I don't have arm issues - I just literally felt the Pure Strike ring like a bell through my elbow and decided that was enough. I was bummed because I really wanted it.

If you liked 18x20, an alternative would be the Tecnifibre TF40. It's kind of in between those two, comfortable like the Blade but a little better feedback like the Strike, similar 'D shaped' frame, w/o being an arm risk. But there's no 16x19. It launches a little lower.

interesting, thak you for your input

 

[Power Player]

Blade 16x19 is a lot softer, has a great feel. Very comfortable. The Pure Strike is very muted and not comfortable. It is very impressive and has more power than the Blade at the price of comfort. I used the v7 blade for a year and then dabbled with similar frames and tried the Pure Strike 16x19. I ended up selling it due to the feel and stiffness and I still have 2 Blades.

 

[Crashbaby]

Wait a few months for the new blade? August/September rumoured release. In the mean time by a second hand one cheap and have an extended demo to see if the blade characteristics suit you. That’s what I’d do if I was blade hunting. Or maybe try a Yonex vcore 98 for a more arm friendly alternative to the strike. Just make sure to demo or by cheap second hand or you will waste many dollars on the search/journey like many of us!

 

[Vaust]

I had TE, ended up getting clash 100.Managed to play while recovering, which took like 7 months. Switched to blade 98 v7 now and love everything about it.Mine is the 16x19 and it is very user friendly and arm friendly as well. Serves, those felt best to me.I play my blade stock.

 

[Jackbuckland]

I had TE, ended up getting clash 100.Managed to play while recovering, which took like 7 months. Switched to blade 98 v7 now and love everything about it.Mine is the 16x19 and it is very user friendly and arm friendly as well. Serves, those felt best to me.I play my blade stock.

I second this. Had a pretty serious case of TE which had now been neutered and put to bed. I now have 5 blades (V7 16x19) and am happy In monogamy. Great frame. I play stock (other than one frame which was a little too HL, so i added 2g at 12 to bring it up to my others). Full bed of tour bite soft, or head lynx tour (which I am starting to groove with)....54 lbs....plenty of everything and not too much of any. Beware though, they all play differently. Wilson’s QC is abysmal, so if you get one that is sluggish, either add leather or just let her go and try again. I’ll not be able to resist trying the new on later this year, but this V7 is the best frame I’ve ever spent time with.....and I’ve made the rounds with quite a few from recent history.

 

[socallefty]

The Pure Strike Tour is the model you should try from the Pure Strike series as it is about 7-8 Hz more comfortable in vibration frequency than the regular weight versions. Also, try the VCore 97 and Head Gravity racquets along with the Blade.

 

[Arak]

The specs are so close between these two that comfort would be the only criteria to consider as already mentioned in the above posts. I would go for the blade myself, but the 18x20 option.

 

[socallefty]

The specs are so close between these two that comfort would be the only criteria to consider as already mentioned in the above posts. I would go for the blade myself, but the 18x20 option.

Specs might be close, but the Blade (tried both string patterns) and Strike Tour played very different when I demo’d them. As did the VCore97 HD. I liked the PST (bought it) and the VCore more than the Blades.

 

[BillKid]

Have some of you tried the TFight 305RS?
It blew me away, feel is even more solid than the Pure Strike and I found it more comfortable. Maybe a tad more power (not sure) and more topspin for the Strike.
T Fight 305 RS was the clear winner for me and I was wondering how it would compare with the Blade, that I did not have a chance to demo.

 

[Power Player]

Have some of you tried the TFight 305RS?
It blew me away, feel is even more solid than the Pure Strike and I found it more comfortable. Maybe a tad more power (not sure) and more topspin for the Strike.
T Fight 305 RS was the clear winner for and I was wondering how it would compare with the Blade, that I did not have a chance to demo.

I have and the Tfight is quite nice. It’s a bit clubby to me, and the feel is much stiffer than the v7 Blade. I would say the Blade swings a little easier and is a little more maneuverable. The transition from Blade to Tfight was easy. I found it hard to miss with the frame and it has more power than the Blade.

It will boil down to how much whip you want - max whip of those frames is Blade 16x19. If you want stability and a little more power, the Tfight is the best. If you want comfort and classic feel, go Blade 18x20.

You could probably carry 1 of each and demo them long term since they play pretty similar.

 

[Vaust]

I second this. Had a pretty serious case of TE which had now been neutered and put to bed. I now have 5 blades (V7 16x19) and am happy In monogamy. Great frame. I play stock (other than one frame which was a little too HL, so i added 2g at 12 to bring it up to my others). Full bed of tour bite soft, or head lynx tour (which I am starting to groove with)....54 lbs....plenty of everything and not too much of any. Beware though, they all play differently. Wilson’s QC is abysmal, so if you get one that is sluggish, either add leather or just let her go and try again. I’ll not be able to resist trying the new on later this year, but this V7 is the best frame I’ve ever spent time with.....and I’ve made the rounds with quite a few from recent history.

My blade 16x19 v7 came in at 305g and 32cm balance unstrung, with the shrink wrap. I added a yonex super grap over grip, pretty thin , to bring it to 305g spec unstrung without the plastic wrap. Had it strung with hyper g soft 17 @ 48lbs, was afraid of going too high because of previous injury.It felt nice and plush, next will try at my usual 52lbs.I tried PS 16x19 3rd gen, that racket just felt harsh on my arms, stiff like a rock. Hope this helps.

 

[Jackbuckland]

My blade 16x19 v7 came in at 305g and 32cm balance unstrung, with the shrink wrap. I added a yonex super grap over grip, pretty thin , to bring it to 305g spec unstrung without the plastic wrap. Had it strung with hyper g soft 17 @ 48lbs, was afraid of going too high because of previous injury.It felt nice and plush, next will try at my usual 52lbs.I tried PS 16x19 3rd gen, that racket just felt harsh on my arms, stiff like a rock. Hope this helps.

I hear ya. I use 2 super grap OGs on mine. I am yet to try a string setup that didn’t play plush in this frame. It certainly excels at comfort. I tried going lower in tension once but didn’t jive with it. I know a lot of folks really like the lower tensions, but I can’t seem to gel down there; probably a technique thing on my end. 52-54 still super plush with the strings I use...

 

[GrechCorrea]

Wait a few months for the new blade? August/September rumoured release. In the mean time by a second hand one cheap and have an extended demo to see if the blade characteristics suit you. That’s what I’d do if I was blade hunting. Or maybe try a Yonex vcore 98 for a more arm friendly alternative to the strike. Just make sure to demo or by cheap second hand or you will waste many dollars on the search/journey like many of us!

I actualy didn't know abot a new version coming up this year until you mentioned, I might just wait and see what changes they make.