New Blade Reviews....accurate for those who have hit with them?

[Deleted member 19728]

Last night at some point the new blade reviews went up. I had interest in the 16x19 in having played with the last two versions and enjoyed them. They serve pretty big when you want to dial up the heat...but the new countervail has everyone claiming the thing lacks pop on the serve....10-15 mph slower flat serves? has anyone else who has actually played with the racquet have any feedback on whether this was their experience too? I read through the playtest thread above, but there was very little helpful information in there about the racquets....probably still play testing and what not. However, for those that have hit the 16x19 countervail does the blade 16x19 no longer serve big?

 

[sma1001]

However, for those that have hit the 16x19 countervail does the blade 16x19 no longer serve big?

I can't answer your question directly, but i can tell you that my experience is that players experience hitting with a more muted racquet as hitting with less power, that as a result of the feel and sound, each of which is experienced as less "explosive". Of course it may be the case that playsite data (i think that's what they call it) shows otherwise here, but i make the point for what it is worth, no more.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

I can't answer your question directly, but i can tell you that my experience is that players experience hitting with a more muted racquet as hitting with less power, that as a result of the feel and sound, each of which is experienced as less "explosive". Of course it may be the case that playsite data (i think that's what they call it) shows otherwise here, but i make the point for what it is worth, no more.

Yeah normally I take that with a grain of salt because it can be subjective, but like what you said about Michelle commenting on her playsight data showing consistently 10-15 mph slower serves gave me pause that there me be something to it. Really seems like a big change to me, because didn't Sebastian have the prior TW playsight record on a first serve that was like in the 120s with last model blade 16x19? (I can't remember for the life of me if it was the blade 16x19 or Textreme 95) Regardless, the old versions of the 16x19 blades served pretty huge and it seems like the drop Michelle reported would be pretty noticeable.

Oh here it was it was Marco with the 16x19 jeez it was 136...

Ok, here are a couple more:

Marco- Wilson Blade 98 16x19 / 136 mph
Andy- Yonex EZONE Ai 98 / 122 mph
Michelle- Babolat Pure Aero / 109 mph
Troy- Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus / 107 mph

As far as mine, I looked back again, and I hit 103 mph with a couple racquets including a Prince racquet and Babolat Pure Drive.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[warney]

However, for those that have hit the 16x19 countervail does the blade 16x19 no longer serve big?

I am on TW Blade playtest and it's 16x19. I love it on ground strokes, slice, volley. But I am struggling with serve. I did not play with 2015 Blade at all, so cannot compare it to that. But I played with Ai98 and it serves bigger than new blade. I am getting more action on serves with my PCG 100 also (though it has some lead in hoop).

Due to lack experience with Blades (never played before), I thought I am not able to serve as big as I normally do due to swingweight and less headlight balance combination. When serving my ball contact is higher up in string bed than when hitting ground strokes. I think that is where I am getting "hitting way outside of sweet spot" feel.

I have tried two set ups so far on serves:
1. Stock : Very average serves (but could be because I was just getting used to swinging Blade)
2. 5 grams (quarter coin) in butt cap: Respectable serves, but all serves came back unless I basically hit the corners (only 3 in 2.5 hours of play).

Next up is 10 grams in butt cap and 2 grams at 12. I am playing with my regular tennis buddy on Wednesday and I would know then how it really stacks up.

 

[SpinToWin]

I am on TW Blade playtest and it's 16x19. I love it on ground strokes, slice, volley. But I am struggling with serve. I did not play with 2015 Blade at all, so cannot compare it to that. But I played with Ai98 and it serves bigger than new blade. I am getting more action on serves with my PCG 100 also (though it has some lead in hoop).

Due to lack experience with Blades (never played before), I thought I am not able to serve as big as I normally do due to swingweight and less headlight balance combination. When serving my ball contact is higher up in string bed than when hitting ground strokes. I think that is where I am getting "hitting way outside of sweet spot" feel.

I have tried two set ups so far on serves:
1. Stock : Very average serves (but could be because I was just getting used to swinging Blade)
2. 5 grams (quarter coin) in butt cap: Respectable serves, but all serves came back unless I basically hit the corners (only 3 in 2.5 hours of play).

Next up is 10 grams in butt cap and 2 grams at 12. I am playing with my regular tennis buddy on Wednesday and I would know then how it really stacks up.

That's just the frame, I had the same issue with the 2015 Blade 16x19. Even at a pretty substantial spec the racquet doesn't produce a big ball.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

That's just the frame, I had the same issue with the 2015 Blade 16x19. Even at a pretty substantial spec the racquet doesn't produce a big ball.

I guess my question is if I serve big with the last one am I going to get a similar serve with the new version? I hit a pretty decent ball with the 2015, I am not even going to bother with a demo if it really became anemic in the latest version.


For Warney...I think I hit a harder serve with the last version of the blade 16x19 over the yonex AI98, I liked that racquet quite a bit, but it seemed like the ball came off the old blade like a cannon when I was in good rhythm.

 

[sma1001]

I hit a pretty decent ball with the 2015

I could be wrong but were Marco and Sebastian not both using this, or was it the 18/16? Both of them hit great serves with it on the review as I recall.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

I could be wrong but were Marco and Sebastian not both using this, or was it the 18/16? Both of them hit great serves with it on the review as I recall.

I tracked it down it was Marco at 136 mph with the 16x19. I remember both of them liked the racquet on the playtest but found the response to be a little erratic at times. Both reported "good pace" on serves. I am not sure if that serve by Marco was recorded after the playtest. Not that it matters, but I was just bringing it up to point out you can really light up the radar gun with the older one if you have the technique and it really surprised me to hear people say that their power dropped off on the new one.

Here is a copy of the Post by Brittany there was a whole thread where someone asked about the fastest serves record on playsight at TW:

Ok, here are a couple more:

Marco- Wilson Blade 98 16x19 / 136 mph
Andy- Yonex EZONE Ai 98 / 122 mph
Michelle- Babolat Pure Aero / 109 mph
Troy- Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus / 107 mph

As far as mine, I looked back again, and I hit 103 mph with a couple racquets including a Prince racquet and Babolat Pure Drive.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[sma1001]

Marco at 136 mph with the 16x19

Wow

 

[SpinToWin]

I guess my question is if I serve big with the last one am I going to get a similar serve with the new version? I hit a pretty decent ball with the 2015, I am not even going to bother with a demo if it really became anemic in the latest version.


For Warney...I think I hit a harder serve with the last version of the blade 16x19 over the yonex AI98, I liked that racquet quite a bit, but it seemed like the ball came off the old blade like a cannon when I was in good rhythm.

Let me put it like this:

I was serving with the Blade side by side with the Burn FSTs, my Pro Staff 97S, and some Angells (95 and 97). In terms of pace on serve the TC 95 owned the competition, second place being close between the 97S and the TC 97. The Blade felt like it lacked oomph relative to these sticks, even at the same specs.

I think the perception of oomph on serve may depend on what one is coming from.

 

[CopolyX]

Countervail or Coverdale(david)?

 

[smalahove]

I think the perception of oomph on serve may depend on what one is coming from.

Just to add to that: sometimes the perception of oomph doesn't translate into mph, and vice versa.

Often I feel I serve rock solid first serves with my RF97A, whilst my (modded) TT100T felt light, whippy and fast, but nowhere near that rock solidness, but the results were almost identical. The stock PS97S was somewhere in between, and was my best serving frame yet. I base my judgment of pace (and spin) based on impact (force and location) on the back curtain.

 

[SpinToWin]

Just to add to that: sometimes the perception of oomph doesn't translate into mph, and vice versa.

Often I feel I serve rock solid first serves with my RF97A, whilst my (modded) TT100T felt light, whippy and fast, but nowhere near that rock solidness, but the results were almost identical. The stock PS97S was somewhere in between, and was my best serving frame yet. I base my judgment of pace (and spin) based on impact (force and location) on the back curtain.

That's true as well I suppose, to me the impact felt tinny and the resulting serve seemed easier to return. I definitely noticed lack of heaviness on kick serves though.

 

[haqq777]

My experience with Blades has been less than stellar so far and I believe TW rates them decent. I currently have three demos. Two Blades (both 16x19 and 18x20) and the PS97 (for the record, the latter blows the Blades out of the water when it comes to feel). I can feel the jarring vibrations upon impact with both Blades. Not necessary hollow feeling but they felt stiff and muted (not a good combination for me). I played around with a dampner too hoping I could maybe get the right feel, but the sticks wouldn't have it. The 16x19 was more livelier than 18x20 and served much better. As for pop, I did not get much with either of the Blades. I have a pretty decent DTL flat serve from both ad and deuce and I did not feel the love. Will be passing on the Blades. It is probably just me though who likes his racquet to swing a certain way (heavier, more HL) and the Blade just swings and feel very differently to me.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

My experience with Blades has been less than stellar so far and I believe TW rates them decent. I currently have three demos. Two Blades (both 16x19 and 18x20) and the PS97 (for the record, the latter blows the Blades out of the water when it comes to feel). I can feel the jarring vibrations upon impact with both Blades. Not necessary hollow feeling but they felt stiff and muted (not a good combination for me). I played around with a dampner too hoping I could maybe get the right feel, but the sticks wouldn't have it. The 16x19 was more livelier than 18x20 and served much better. As for pop, I did not get much with either of the Blades. I have a pretty decent DTL flat serve from both ad and deuce and I did not feel the love. Will be passing on the Blades. It is probably just me though who likes his racquet to swing a certain way (heavier, more HL) and the Blade just swings and feel very differently to me.

Did you try out the 2015 or 2017 blades?

 

[parasailing]

So far, having played with both 2015 and 2017 Blade 98 18x20, it really comes down to preference. The 2015 model is more maneuverable and more responsive than the 2017 one. The 2017 is more muted and has slightly more dwell time on serves. I serve better flat with the 2015 and have more spin with 2017. For groundstrokes, definitely hit better with the 2015 model. Spin is about the same on both. On volleys, the 2017 feels better.

So basically, there are pros and cons for going with each one and it will be up to you to determine which ones works best for you. I did get an overspec 2017 Wilson Blade so maybe that changes things a bit.

 

[haqq777]

Did you try out the 2015 or 2017 blades?

Both Blades are 2015. They do not have the demos available for 2017 yet since racquet is due to launch next month I think, or so I was told.

 

[dante.hua]

What about the 18x20 2017? The 2015 is best for groundies but hard to make a good kick serve, also have some negative effects when the string is about to lose.

As parasailing quote, i'd rather to stay with the 2015 (havent tried the 2017 yet)

 

[Deleted member 19728]

Both Blades are 2015. They do not have the demos available for 2017 yet since racquet is due to launch next month I think, or so I was told.

I think some stores have gotten demos of the 2017...the one I usually go to has not and I don't want to travel two hours to get one early lol.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

What about the 18x20 2017? The 2015 is best for groundies but hard to make a good kick serve, also have some negative effects when the string is about to lose.

As parasailing quote, i'd rather to stay with the 2015 (havent tried the 2017 yet)

I am kind of leaning that way too, the paint on the new one looks awesome, but with Counterfail looks like they managed to ruin a good thing.

 

[haqq777]

I think some stores have gotten demos of the 2017...the one I usually go to has not and I don't want to travel two hours to get one early lol.

lol, with you on that. I'll try to see if I can find someplace offering the 2017 demos. My go-to places do not have them. From what I have been reading though, the new ones are not as popular with the regular Blade users it seems.

 

[parasailing]

lol, with you on that. I'll try to see if I can find someplace offering the 2017 demos. My go-to places do not have them. From what I have been reading though, the new ones are not as popular with the regular Blade users it seems.

For those who are using the 2015 model, it is almost perfect to begin and there weren't many things it can't do well. With each new model, you will either have to make the racquet softer or stiffer and there are trade offs when you do so.

 

[haqq777]

For those who are using the 2015 model, it is almost perfect to begin and there weren't many things it can't do well. With each new model, you will either have to make the racquet softer or stiffer and there are trade offs when you do so.

According to TW specs, there isn't much difference spec-wise between the 2017 and 2015 Blades.

2015 Blade (16x19):

2017 Blade (16x19):

Off course, as with all things else, there are a variety of factors to consider. The sticks one gets can be off-spec. Or for that matter, every stick feels differently in hand as well.

As per the review, the new 2017 one is more muted and dampened perhaps due to the added Counterveil. For me personally, if that is the only difference between the 2015 and 2017, I should stay away. I could not gel with the Blade line at all. Maybe it had to do with weight distribution in general, or maybe the feel. But I do know my groundstrokes, serves, volleys, pretty much everything suffered. It required a lot of adjustment on my part and I had a very hard time getting used to serving with near even balance (for reference, my 2016 RF97A is 10 points HL). I have been playing tennis for as long as I remember, played D2 college tennis as well. I think at this point I have developed an affinity for how a stick behaves a certain way. With Wilson, I love the Pro Staff line. Anything else has been pretty 'meh' for me.

But you are absolutely right regarding trade-offs with each model that arrives.

 

[TennisHound]

They new ones seem a little head heavier. The demo I had was heavier with about an even balance.

 

[ngoamlb]

I was waiting to see what these were like as I have played with and liked a 2013 blade 98s... but sounds like a mixed bag of reactions. .. plus I've kinda fallen for the rf97 in the meanwhile. ...[emoji85][emoji85]

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

 

[parasailing]

One thing to note is the slight difference in beam widths between the 2015 and the 2017 of .5mm otherwise same head shape and pretty much similar specs though the racquet I got was over spec so will need to revisit this once I get one that has similar specs.

 

[SpinToWin]

One thing to note is the slight difference in beam widths between the 2015 and the 2017 of .5mm otherwise same head shape and pretty much similar specs though the racquet I got was over spec so will need to revisit this once I get one that has similar specs.

But there has been no mould change according to Wilson...

 

[parasailing]

But there has been no mould change according to Wilson...

There isn't a mold change just a slight increase in beam width .

 

[SpinToWin]

There isn't a mold change just a slight increase in beam width .

That's a contradiction in and of itself I'm afraid...

 

[dante.hua]

Noted: Stay put with Blade 98 18x20 2015

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