***Official K Blade Tour Club Thread***

The last two days I have been testing KBT and for now it feels really good. After year and half of trying to find some racquet that will work for me as good as my old PS Tour90, it looks KBT may be the runner.
 
pfchang said:
how is KBT fairly stiff? i though it was relatively flex compared to other mids or even wilsons.
word on the NXT though, string frayed to the extent that it "separated"
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Perhaps Wilson was trying to make NXT a little too much like gut.

I recalled seeing in Racquet Sports Industry that the Kblade Tour was rated at 65 or 67. So not incredibly stiff, but not as flexible as other mids by a few points. Most of the newer Wilsons are stiffer than their counterparts in general I agree. To me it plays more stiff than flexible, but then again most of my other rackets are well used, and as some would say, all rackets lose stiffness over time.
 
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johnqadams said:
Perhaps Wilson was trying to make NXT a little too much like gut.

I recalled seeing in Racquet Sports Industry that the Kblade Tour was rated at 65 or 67. So not incredibly stiff, but not as flexible as other mids by a few points. Most of the newer Wilsons are stiffer than their counterparts in general I agree. To me it plays more stiff than flexible, but then again most of my other rackets are well used, and as some would say, all rackets lose stiffness over time.
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yeah true.
i guess maybe 65 RA is open to interpretation. coming from prince sticks, i'd say it plays more flex for me.
 
not to sound like a complete @hole or a geek, but someone should go and just post "____ SUCKS" on another "group thread"
 
I found that the flex rates varied. I demoed about 3 KBT's from different stores and all of them seemed to be a bit different from one another. There was the first one I demoed from my local pro shop that felt extremely stiff. I demoed another one from sports authority and that seemed to have more flex, and the KBT which I own now is even more flexible than that one. Just goes to show wilson's crappy quality control.

I was also wondering how a gamma string such as Asterisk, or livewire plays on the KBT.
 
I don't know to what degree, and I would be curious to, but other makes vary in stiffness from racket to racket, which is why some players like to have them matched. The two KBT's I got together from Wilson are close in stiffness but varied in weight bya good 0.1-0.2 ounces. I've seen similar discrepancies in other brands, like Babolat, too.
 
Just wondering if anyone's strung their stick with Luxi ALUR for the whole string bed.

ordered some luxis the other day, but long story short, can't go hybrid and just wanna know if a bed of full poly is a good idea
 
pfchang said:
Just wondering if anyone's strung their stick with Luxi ALUR for the whole string bed.

ordered some luxis the other day, but long story short, can't go hybrid and just wanna know if a bed of full poly is a good idea
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Might be kinda hard on the arm not to mention low in power but it might work for you. Soft strings work better for me.
 
johnqadams said:
Might be kinda hard on the arm not to mention low in power but it might work for you. Soft strings work better for me.
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yeah, im kinda losing sleep over it. :)

anyways, i've only played with multi on it so...just looking to get feedback.

although it should be a + for groundies (i'm a topspin baseliner), kinda worried that it might affect my serving power.
 
My KBT - came with X1 Biphase 17 g 53 lbs.

I can feel the stiffness and the power of the KBT; similar to RDS002 Tour. It took me a couple tries playing with the KBT before I got the hang on it especially on serve.
Yes, you will need to make some timing adjustments to play the KBT (similar to most 18x20) to unlock the real potential of this racquet. Once you figure it out, it really delivers.

Hard on the elbow? I have not have any issues with it.
 
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been updating the member list but I pretty much travel full time for the second half of the year and it takes too long to do things on Talk Tennis from my Blackberry so I just try to get on a PC when I can (which is only a minute or two right now). I'm still playing the BB Ace with Gosen Micro Sheep 17 as my main setup. I never could let the Kirschbaum setup I had replace the BB Ace combo. I have everything dialed in with my KBTs and, even though I have picked up some other sticks, I just can't even think about buying anything else.
 
In D Zone said:
Yes - totally agree with you.

Where should I put the lead tape at 9 and 3 or at 11 and 1?
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Sorry In D Zone, I never saw this post. 9 and 3 would be good. But if you over do it it starts to get head heavy, or polarized if balanced out in the handle, which may or may not be preferable to you. If you place tape at the bottom of the head you are adding it to the most neutral position. A little at 9 and 3, in addition to 6 o'clock, did seem to stabilize things a little for me.
 
In D Zone said:
My KBT - came with X1 Biphase 17 g 53 lbs.

I can feel the stiffness and the power of the KBT; similar to RDS002 Tour. It took me a couple tries playing with the KBT before I got the hang on it especially on serve.
Yes, you will need to make some timing adjustments to play the KBT (similar to most 18x20) to unlock the real potential of this racquet. Once you figure it out, it really delivers.

Hard on the elbow? I have not have any issues with it.
Click to expand...

How is it doing on serve for you now?
 
pfchang said:
yeah, im kinda losing sleep over it. :)

anyways, i've only played with multi on it so...just looking to get feedback.

although it should be a + for groundies (i'm a topspin baseliner), kinda worried that it might affect my serving power.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure whether it would to a very detectable degree or not. Since you are a topspin baseliner this may be a good move. I'm just a little biased is all. I say experiment away. If anything you could always tear out the crosses and put in a soft string.
 
By the way, if anyone is looking for an extra KBT I have one in the classifieds section. I tried the Prince Diablo Tour once and always wanted to play around with it further, so I'm sacrificing one for the cause. How would anyone of you compare it to the KBT?
 
johnqadams said:
By the way, if anyone is looking for an extra KBT I have one in the classifieds section. I tried the Prince Diablo Tour once and always wanted to play around with it further, so I'm sacrificing one for the cause. How would anyone of you compare it to the KBT?
Click to expand...

might be interested in acquiring another one.

don't have the funds though, but i do have a PS6.1.

i'm sure you know, but the diablo is two steps down to control
 
pfchang said:
might be interested in acquiring another one.

don't have the funds though, but i do have a PS6.1.

i'm sure you know, but the diablo is two steps down to control
Click to expand...

Did you mean from control? the KBT strikes me as a racquet with the ultimate control, as in something like the i.prestige. The Diablo is probably slightly more powerful but I am only guessing.
 
johnqadams said:
Did you mean from control? the KBT strikes me as a racquet with the ultimate control, as in something like the i.prestige. The Diablo is probably slightly more powerful but I am only guessing.
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nope. to.

not a very powerful frame.

even prince rates it low.
 
johnqadams said:
According to these ratings the Diablo performs with more power and less control than then leading control rackets, where I imagine the KBT to fall into. I don't have the power rating of the KBT in front of me but I believe it would have more control, personally.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/archive/index.php/t-19855.html
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hmmm....i defly see the kblade as a [K]ontrol stick (:)couldn't resist!)
but it does hit some what powerful for me. idk, could have been the string, but i defly thought that the Diablo was a bit less powerful
 
thejuice said:
Talk Tennis from my Blackberry so I just try to get on a PC when I can (which is only a minute or two right now). I'm still playing the BB Ace with Gosen Micro Sheep 17 as my main setup.
Click to expand...

TT on a BB does sound squeezy. What gauge is the BB Ace? or do you mix gauges?
 
pfchang said:
hmmm....i defly see the kblade as a [K]ontrol stick (:)couldn't resist!)
but it does hit some what powerful for me. idk, could have been the string, but i defly thought that the Diablo was a bit less powerful
Click to expand...

Yeah not having hit withthe Diablo, or at least if I have it's a very long time ago, the thing about the stiffness of the KBT is that it really delivers on some shots in spades. If it's being hit hard enough it seems to almost snap to attention. But I can't imagine having stiff strings in this racq.

I'm always trying to soften it up (no sign of TE at least).

I think it does have the touch to offer different pace, so ti's not all about hitting hard, rather you can throw in junk or whatever is needed, and it does that.

Overall so far not getting as much spin as my old LM Rad, or the KB98. But these two and the KBT seem to do all that I want to do. Have removed the KBT leather and replaced with Wilson Contour as it's just what I'm used to. Now more even-balanced.
 
bertrevert said:
Yeah not having hit withthe Diablo, or at least if I have it's a very long time ago, the thing about the stiffness of the KBT is that it really delivers on some shots in spades. If it's being hit hard enough it seems to almost snap to attention. But I can't imagine having stiff strings in this racq.

I'm always trying to soften it up (no sign of TE at least).

I think it does have the touch to offer different pace, so ti's not all about hitting hard, rather you can throw in junk or whatever is needed, and it does that.

Overall so far not getting as much spin as my old LM Rad, or the KB98. But these two and the KBT seem to do all that I want to do. Have removed the KBT leather and replaced with Wilson Contour as it's just what I'm used to. Now more even-balanced.
Click to expand...

actually have a friend who is a lefty and uses the KBT.
no joke, but this guy hits with so much spin!!!

can't really describe how he plays anymore as he is off somewhere else, but one thing for sure was that he was actually more of a flatter hitter, not a topspinner
 
two kblade tours, different specs

Hey,

was wondering if anyone is aware of this strange thing I noticed on my two kblade tours. I bought the two of them from different official wilson retailers, about two weeks after eachother. They have different specs on the inside of the frame. One of them reads: "Balance: 31.0 CM/10 pts HL" and the other one reads: "Balance: 31.5 CM/10 pts HL". I don't know if the specs ACTUALLY differ or that it's just a typo on the frame?? It's rather strange because you would expect the frame to have the same specs because they are the exact same model! I have send wilson an email about it in dutch, to my local contact address but they didn't respond to it (3 weeks ago) and now I have send an email to wilson international about the issue.

Anyone else heard something about this??

Thanks,
Nick
 
I bought a reel of CyberFlash for my KBT but injuries have not allowed me try the racquet or the strings....but if I did not want to do a full Poly job with the cyberflash, what would be a good option for a hybrid and have GREAT control, good power, good spin?

And would I be using the CyberFlash in the mains OR the crosses?? I plan to string at 55.

Recommendations for the other set in the same price range as cyberflash would be appreciated. I would probably end up buying a reel and stick with this set-up.

I also own a Babolat Pure Drive and will be using the same strings but that is my back-up racquet.
 
pfchang said:
And anyone have some good suggestions for KBT string jobs?

i've only played with multis for the Kblade line

Played with sensation 16 on the 98 for awhile
Now using NXT tour 17 on the KBT but it's fraying
would like to keep that relatively same feel.
anyone have suggestions for a job that will keep the soft feel but ramp up control a bit?

i was thinking about going with my usual, Luxi ALUR mains and Prince Topspin Duraflex crosses but i have no idea how that will feel.

and last ?
you guys prefer poly or synthetic/multi or hybrid?
Click to expand...

I've played with some different setups so far. I originally demoed the KBT from my local pro shop with a cheap Wilson Sensation string job and thought it felt great all week. When I bought my first KBT, I decided to do hybrid with Lux Big Banger Ace in the mains and Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 in the crosses. Tension was 56 lbs. on my NEOS. I got a second KBT and originally put Sensation in to see if I could re-create that magical feeling when I first demoed the stick. It didn't. I now have that done with the Gosen crosses, but with Big Banger ALU Fluoro in the mains. With this second setup, I went with 58 lbs as the tension. It's a nice, comfy feeling but I much prefer the BB Ace + Gosen hybrid.
 
audioaffliction said:
I've played with some different setups so far. I originally demoed the KBT from my local pro shop with a cheap Wilson Sensation string job and thought it felt great all week. When I bought my first KBT, I decided to do hybrid with Lux Big Banger Ace in the mains and Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 in the crosses. Tension was 56 lbs. on my NEOS. I got a second KBT and originally put Sensation in to see if I could re-create that magical feeling when I first demoed the stick. It didn't. I now have that done with the Gosen crosses, but with Big Banger ALU Fluoro in the mains. With this second setup, I went with 58 lbs as the tension. It's a nice, comfy feeling but I much prefer the BB Ace + Gosen hybrid.
Click to expand...

so your BB ace + gosen was the magical setup?
 
Got my KBT strung with full Luxi ALUR @ 57 the other day.

was worried that the KBT wouldn't play well with poly, but those fears were set aside. it's so crispy now! also get a lot of spin than sensation and haven't had arm problems yet!

getting a lot more out of it now than ever! hoping to try pro supex next, probably their blue gear or big ace. any comments on those strings?
 
i went with 1.20 cyberflash/16 guage syn gut at 58 lb and it hits really nice. It does sail on my at times so im, thinking of putting a deader poly in it. cyberflash may have too much pop. Id like to hit worry about hitting long with this racket.
 
So i'm looking to get the babolat hybrid (16g vs gut/17g pht) and was debating whether to string up the gut as the mains or the poly... any thoughts?
 
I've got my KBT with some NXT 16 @ 52. And believe it or not, I hit long quite often with this racquet on my forehand, is it just me or my set up? I'm a 3.5
 
okay so today was my first real hit with my kbt after cutting out the dead as hell pro hurricane that came with it.. just strung it up with psgd at 58lbs to see how i wanted to go stringwise in the future...

WOW. i havn't hit my forehand with this much authority in a while. I've been hitting with the fxp/lm prestige for the past 3 years and with the kbt my groundies are so much more penetrating its great. It played so well with the psgd (although the strings did move a lot, i have a feeling it would only last 1-2 weeks tops) that im considering just staying with it. overall very impressed
 
namartens said:
Hey,

was wondering if anyone is aware of this strange thing I noticed on my two kblade tours. I bought the two of them from different official wilson retailers, about two weeks after eachother. They have different specs on the inside of the frame. One of them reads: "Balance: 31.0 CM/10 pts HL" and the other one reads: "Balance: 31.5 CM/10 pts HL". I don't know if the specs ACTUALLY differ or that it's just a typo on the frame?? It's rather strange because you would expect the frame to have the same specs because they are the exact same model! I have send wilson an email about it in dutch, to my local contact address but they didn't respond to it (3 weeks ago) and now I have send an email to wilson international about the issue.

Anyone else heard something about this??

Thanks,
Nick
Click to expand...

Did you ever hear back? You should measure the balance yourself and then see if it's a typo or not. Either way it goes I wouldn't be too shocked if the two rackets differed by a hair.
 
Mbautista said:
hey guys, how hard on the elbow is the kblade 98?
Click to expand...

I suppose that one is in the "eye of the beholder" and depends somewhat on your swing style. Some argue that it is stiffer than its original rating of 63 or 64. Compared to the KBT Tour it is probably easier on the elbow, whereas the Microgel Radical is more similar and more forgiving.
 
Hi there juice,

you can take me off the list, as of now KBT is no longer my mainstick, but this stick will still get my endorsement, it's a good stick ( although a few weeks ago, I was harsh on this stick ).
 
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