One hander vs two hander

[unclenimrod]

Seems like it has been done before, but I am a 4.5 looking to move up in head size. I play mainly w a one handed backhand. If I go above a 95 head size I always feel my two hander is more natural (probably all in my head, I realize). Currently play w my BLX 90...leaded up to about 6 pts hl about even at 9, 12, and 3...

Obviously a two hander becomes easier as the head weight goes higher. I am not opposed to switching to a two hander. But I would love recommendations...still in my 20s and hopefully improving...as to 100 sq inch head size racquets that I could try out. I like flexible more than stiff, thin more than thick, and classic more than modern in feel. In other words...pure drive is fun but I don't win with it as often as w smaller, control racquets. Thoughts?

 

[royroy85]

Seems like it has been done before, but I am a 4.5 looking to move up in head size. I play mainly w a one handed backhand. If I go above a 95 head size I always feel my two hander is more natural (probably all in my head, I realize). Currently play w my BLX 90...leaded up to about 6 pts hl about even at 9, 12, and 3...

Obviously a two hander becomes easier as the head weight goes higher. I am not opposed to switching to a two hander. But I would love recommendations...still in my 20s and hopefully improving...as to 100 sq inch head size racquets that I could try out. I like flexible more than stiff, thin more than thick, and classic more than modern in feel. In other words...pure drive is fun but I don't win with it as often as w smaller, control racquets. Thoughts?

Yonex Vcore G, Prince tour 100 leaded. I am biased towards these brands as they still offer racquets with that old school feeling. Enjoy.

 

[Essi]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Classic_Graphite_100_Racquets/descpageRCPRINCE-PCG100.html

Fits all your criteria and even has "classic" in the name.

 

[unclenimrod]

thnx guys. will take those 3 for a demo soon. did know TW sold some older frames (or re-issues of older frames i assume?). That's pretty cool.

 

[spinovic]

TFight 315 would also fit what you are looking for.

 

[burn1986]

It's not a new model, but you might give the Volkl C10 Pro a try.

 

[fuzz nation]

If you mean that a two-hander becomes easier than a one-hander as the head weight goes higher, I'll offer that the one-hander works better for me when the head is "heavy enough". Yes, the two-hander is slightly quicker to set-and-fire, but if I wanted to compensate by using a lighter racquet to get a quicker one-hander, my stroke wouldn't work well with that racquet at all.

I prefer a one-hander, but I also rely on a two-hander when a quick ball gets in on me and I need to fight it off. I also like the two-hander for a more aggressive return of serve. This approach may not be for everyone, but I also don't believe that it's unthinkable... it actually works for J.W. Tsonga as well as a few of our pals around here.

Blah-blah-blah, sorry. Strongly agree with our pal burn1986 that the Volkl C10 could be a very strong option for you. I used this frame for a number of years before switching into their Organix 10 325g only a year ago. I still get a C10 out here and there (twice this past week) and love how it goes through the ball when I hit a one-hander. Despite my switch, I doubt I'll get rid of my C10's anytime soon.

Although the C10 has a 98" hoop, it has a lot of old-school personality, including more flex in the hoop itself than most other "soft" racquets. I added lead tape to the handles of mine to give them more head-light balance (around 10 pts. HL) and that gave me a soft, stable hitter that was also quick up around the net. Very nice combo of features make this frame both a little vintage and also somewhat modern.

 

[unclenimrod]

Tfight 315 looks like another necessary demo. thnx spinovic. love that leather grip.

fuzz nation - What's the deal with the soft butt cap? What does that change?

I get what you mean about aggressive returns with your two-hander...often feels easier or more natural to lean into a compact swing with both hands moving forward.

 

[thatguymattin]

I have a one-hander myself and I felt the Prince Classic racquet was too unforgiving. I recently tried out a yonex exone xi, and it complimented my one-handed backhand a lot! I ordered a demo on yonex's 98 sq in racquets, and I'm waiting for them to be delivered. You should try them out as well

 

[fuzz nation]

fuzz nation - What's the deal with the soft butt cap? What does that change?

Both my O10's and C10's have what seem to be a soft butt cap, but the rest of the grip foundation looks like hard plastic. Don't know what effect this has on the feel or performance of my racquets, only because I haven't tried different caps on the same frames. I can't believe that it makes a significant difference though. Maybe it's an easy bit of window dressing to make the racquet seem more arm-friendly, but the C10 doesn't need any help there, at least not in my book.

 

[SpinToWin]

Lead up a Pro Staff 95. Absolute beast!

 

[Muppet]

Guldens vs. French's

 

[burn1986]

Good points fuzznation X2

 

[unclenimrod]

@fuzznation: thanks, was just wondering because the TW description highlighted it as if it were something special.

@thatguymattin: let me know how they go. I tried the vcore mid and vcore97...loved the mid, 97 was fun, but couldn't get used to serving with them. Thought maybe it was the shape, but i'd be open to trying some more.

@spintowin: tried it. it's on the short list. just trying some larger frames as well.

@Muppet: I uh...I don't get it.

The last couple racquets I've taken out were the Pure Strike Tour, which was surprisingly punchy and even gave me more access to spin than an 18/20 usually does (really liked it with the two hander), the Head Graphene Prestige Pro which was really different than my youtek but was an absolute spin machine (must be more weight in tip), and the newest 6.1 tour 95 18/20 and 16/18 which were way more work than even my current BLX 90. The 16/18 was fun once I went exclusively to my two-hander. Still...was amazed how much more racquet head speed they needed.

 

[thatguymattin]

@fuzznation: thanks, was just wondering because the TW description highlighted it as if it were something special.

@thatguymattin: let me know how they go. I tried the vcore mid and vcore97...loved the mid, 97 was fun, but couldn't get used to serving with them. Thought maybe it was the shape, but i'd be open to trying some more.

@spintowin: tried it. it's on the short list. just trying some larger frames as well.

@Muppet: I uh...I don't get it.

The last couple racquets I've taken out were the Pure Strike Tour, which was surprisingly punchy and even gave me more access to spin than an 18/20 usually does (really liked it with the two hander), the Head Graphene Prestige Pro which was really different than my youtek but was an absolute spin machine (must be more weight in tip), and the newest 6.1 tour 95 18/20 and 16/18 which were way more work than even my current BLX 90. The 16/18 was fun once I went exclusively to my two-hander. Still...was amazed how much more racquet head speed they needed.

They should be coming in later today. I will let you know what I think about them. Mind you this, I am accustomed to Wilson K Pro Staff 88's so using these frames are quite different to me.

 

[unclenimrod]

thatguy: KPS is sooooo hefty...now I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on these yonex racquets. will you lead them up during the demo? highest I ever got my blx90 was 12.6ish...and it was a lot of racquet. wasn't the kps88 like 12.8 stock?

 

[SpinToWin]

thatguy: KPS is sooooo hefty...now I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on these yonex racquets. will you lead them up during the demo? highest I ever got my blx90 was 12.6ish...and it was a lot of racquet. wasn't the kps88 like 12.8 stock?

my Pro Staffs are 13 oz strung

 

[unclenimrod]

@spintowin: yikes. do you swing it really slow or are you all hulked up? I'm a former soccer player...aka skinny arms...but I feel like I'm in pretty good shape. What's the balance on those?

 

[unclenimrod]

and string type/tension...meant to add that.

 

[ASH1485]

you don't have to go with 100sq inch, try a classic feel racket with 98 sq. inch

i would probably recommend the Yonex Vcore 97 310 , classic & control oriented ... and no need to let go the one handed backhand

 

[SpinToWin]

@spintowin: yikes. do you swing it really slow or are you all hulked up? I'm a former soccer player...aka skinny arms...but I feel like I'm in pretty good shape. What's the balance on those?

and string type/tension...meant to add that.

Balance is 6 Pts HL and it feels pretty maneuverable. Also, once you swing it, the racquet is so stable that it just plows through the ball and crushes it. It creates obscene levels of spin too. Good technique is the only requirement really, you do not need to be especially well built. I find it easier to use than my Prestiges actually!

I currently string them up with a multi mains/poly cross hybrid. I use Wilson Sensation Control in the mains at 27.5kg and Head Sonic Pro Edge in the crosses at 25.5 kg.

 

[unclenimrod]

@ASH1485: Tried the vcore97...it was fun. backhand worked well but serving was funky. Probably would just take several hours to get used to. It's definitely in the running.

@spintowin: I'll have to try something that high...maybe my measuring is off. nobody I hit with can hit with my racquets for more than 30 mins without complaining they are too heavy. Either way kudos. that's impressive...especially strung up at 60/56 lbs and still getting crazy spin. I'm more in the 54-52 range and hitting heavy balls. you've got some sweet strokes.

 

[unclenimrod]

spintowin...I just noticed...are you talking about your PS95 racquets? are those 18/20 or 16/18?

 

[kingcheetah]

The Blade 104 feels great on 2h backhands, and is pretty flexible and control oriented... it's easier to control than say a pure drive, aero pro or juice.

 

[SpinToWin]

spintowin...I just noticed...are you talking about your PS95 racquets? are those 18/20 or 16/18?

yeah I'm talking about my Pro Staff 95 (always have been). They are 16x19. Basically, I added a leather grip, 8g of lead at 3/9 and then lead at the buttcap and at 12 to suit my preferences in case you're wondering.

 

[unclenimrod]

Ha gotcha I must have gotten confused between posts some ways back. thanks for the info...I leaded up my blx 90 to a little more polarized setup than that one today to about 13 oz to test it out...good lord it's an animal. I mean i'm exhausted but might be worth it.

 

[Muppet]

Guldens vs. French's

@fuzznation: thanks, was just wondering because the TW description highlighted it as if it were something special.

@thatguymattin: let me know how they go. I tried the vcore mid and vcore97...loved the mid, 97 was fun, but couldn't get used to serving with them. Thought maybe it was the shape, but i'd be open to trying some more.

@spintowin: tried it. it's on the short list. just trying some larger frames as well.

@Muppet: I uh...I don't get it.

The last couple racquets I've taken out were the Pure Strike Tour, which was surprisingly punchy and even gave me more access to spin than an 18/20 usually does (really liked it with the two hander), the Head Graphene Prestige Pro which was really different than my youtek but was an absolute spin machine (must be more weight in tip), and the newest 6.1 tour 95 18/20 and 16/18 which were way more work than even my current BLX 90. The 16/18 was fun once I went exclusively to my two-hander. Still...was amazed how much more racquet head speed they needed.

Just commenting that it's a matter of taste and that OHBH, like Guldens, is more manly.

 

[unclenimrod]

@muppet: so...mustards, huh? ha weird...but ok.

@KingCheetah: Blade 104 is pretty drastic difference in head size from 90 but if I need to fill out a demo order I'll give it a shot. is that what serena is rumored to have used for a while? or uses?

 

[SpinToWin]

@muppet: so...mustards, huh? ha weird...but ok.

@KingCheetah: Blade 104 is pretty drastic difference in head size from 90 but if I need to fill out a demo order I'll give it a shot. is that what serena is rumored to have used for a while? or uses?

It is what she uses.

 

[robok9]

Pure control tour feels great for a more classic feel. It has a straight, pretty thin beam, it's a lower powered racquet, and it has WAY more stability and plowthrough than its weight and swingweight would suggest. On serves, it feels like an extended length racquet, which is a plus. Basically, it's pretty forgiving, yet it keep the low powered, classic feel. Side note: I didn't like any Babolat racquets before this one.

 

[unclenimrod]

@robok9: I played with the PCtour a couple days in a row and couldn't get a good feel for whether it was worth changing up strings and messing with swingweight a bit...or if I hated it. Some shots, like serve as you said, are pretty nice with the stock racquet. I hated it at net...couldn't find a deep volley to save my life. Groundstrokes were so-so. I was playing with a full polyester bed which probably doesn't serve this kind of frame well. All in all I felt like it either had potential to get better with a hybrid and maybe a polarized setup, or that it was just not for me at all.

 

[robok9]

@robok9: I played with the PCtour a couple days in a row and couldn't get a good feel for whether it was worth changing up strings and messing with swingweight a bit...or if I hated it. Some shots, like serve as you said, are pretty nice with the stock racquet. I hated it at net...couldn't find a deep volley to save my life. Groundstrokes were so-so. I was playing with a full polyester bed which probably doesn't serve this kind of frame well. All in all I felt like it either had potential to get better with a hybrid and maybe a polarized setup, or that it was just not for me at all.

Might just be my personal preferences as well. Maybe the strings made a difference for me, because TW didn't have some other racquets I wanted to demo, so I had to order from ************** and all they give you is multi. Oh well.

 

[thatguymattin]

thatguy: KPS is sooooo hefty...now I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on these yonex racquets. will you lead them up during the demo? highest I ever got my blx90 was 12.6ish...and it was a lot of racquet. wasn't the kps88 like 12.8 stock?

Got them in today, and sadly, I do not like them at all. All three 98 sq in Yonex racquets were just too stiff for me. I felt like I had much more plow through and spin with my K88 compared to those racquets. They were like a step down. Just way too stiff for my taste, even after using a dampener on those frames. Playing with those racquets hurt my wrist elbow a bit, and I play with an eastern forehand and modified eastern one-handed backhand.

I tried using semi-western on the frames, and it helped a bit, but I feel that there are better racquets out there in general. I don't have the acquired taste for these frames...

Also, I've played with my blxtour90 with tape at 3 and 9, and that helped a bit, but I don't use any tape on the K88 in general. I didn't try using tape on the frames because they didn't appeal to me.

 

[unclenimrod]

@thatguy: thanks a ton for the update…great info. narrows the search.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

If you like the flex I suggest trying the Pacific frames... X force and perhaps the X feel line. They have a unique feel that you will appreciate or not. Nice thing is the build quality and zero tolerance so you can match sticks.

Im not trying to sound like an advertisement for pacific but I wish I had checked them out sooner.

 

[thatguymattin]

If you like the flex I suggest trying the Pacific frames... X force and perhaps the X feel line. They have a unique feel that you will appreciate or not. Nice thing is the build quality and zero tolerance so you can match sticks.

Im not trying to sound like an advertisement for pacific but I wish I had checked them out sooner.

Pacifics are nice racquets. I had the chance on buying three Vacuum 90's, but I turned them down because I liked my k88's better.

 

[unclenimrod]

@backhanded: Thanks for the info! I'll take a long look at them. Never thought twice about Pacific. How are your feel-pro racquets set up? i see you add almost an ounce of weight.

 

[mhkeuns]

@backhanded: Thanks for the info! I'll take a long look at them. Never thought twice about Pacific. How are your feel-pro racquets set up? i see you add almost an ounce of weight.

If you don't mind the tapered beam, I suggest the X Force Pro. The X Feel Pro is a sweet stick (*and better looking), but the X Force Pro is much more forgiving with a lot of reserved power. The X Feel Pro was harder to get used to than any other racquets I've played with in the past, including the smaller head midsize racquets.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

The X feel pro 95 is definitely sweet but it is only for someone with seriously full strokes and net skills... (Stan Wawrinka would be the better version of me, I really swing out and Im a big strong nordic guy who has played for 39 years, college even) so I caution you. The Feel pro tour might be more popular if you dont play the net a lot (I come in even on many second serves). The Feel pro 95 stick is a laser but demanding. I lift free weights and jump a lot of rope and do footwork drills.

But yes the X force is definitely one to look at... Baggy uses one. I like a little lead at 3 and 9 then a ton in the handle (I like 9 pts head lite and use a leather grip under my over grip). I like these sticks with gut poly setups, powerful softer polys currently using yonex poly tour pro mains (Black 1.25) and weiscannon Scorpion 1.22 crosses both at 46 lbs. Poly syn gut hybrids work ok but I prefer lower tension polys for the durability and backcourt spin potential.

 

[unclenimrod]

@mhkeuns: Interesting…I don't think I've played with a tapered beam…or didn't know that I was playing with one. What does that do to the racquet? I'm intrigued. The specs, from a distance, look like they'd be less additions to customize for my typical polarized setup.