Pro Kennex Quality Control

[Pomfretta]

Anyone order Pro Kennex racquets recently? I thought I had finally gotten out of demo hell, having found the one, but it appears that getting a new racquet that's as good as the demo isn't so easy.

I tried to get the Q5x, and so far TW has sent me 3 different frames.

First thing, I read very often that people like the finish on PK racquets, but non of three I got seemed all that nice. Minor dings, bumps, bubbles, and even chips scattered around on brand new racquets. The two Q5x demos I tried, though scratched and scraped from use, had nicer finishes. I'm not one to care too much about minor paint issues, as I know I'll end up scratching the frame to hell anyways, but I am paying full price here.

Second, is that I've now experienced three PK racquets that have loose objects rattling around inside of them. A while ago, I impulse bought a lightly used QTour 325 (I have a thing for Italian men) for a very good price, and only found out after I got it why he let it go for so cheap. Tearing out the grommets and peeking inside the holes with a flashlight, I found the culprit behind the rattling noise: a resin pebble. I didn't take the grommets off of the Q5x's, as they flare out. You can't put them back in, so I can't confirm what the sound is coming from, but it does sound like loose resin.

Q5x #1
Rattling noise coming from 2 o'clock in the hoop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q48Nprw_j74

Q5x #2
No rattling noise, but the paint job was terrible. It wasn't aligned properly, one side of the hoop had the paint shifted upwards significantly so that the 'KI-MASS' decal wasn't centered on the actual kinetic mass. Also this:
http://imgur.com/a/CtkSO#0

Q5x #3
Rattling noise coming from 10 o'clock in the hoop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAMS-CX2OO8

Was feeling miffed until I did a forum search for "quality control", and it doesn't look like the other manufacturers are doing all that great either. My hitting partner bought two made in Japan Yonex frames, and they're absolutely perfect. Is this just a bad batch or is this simply the consistency I should expect?

 

[mawashi]

I can understand the frustration about the paint but the rattling issue is something else.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry... Are you the sort who buys stuff without any research whatsoever?

You do know what PK is famous for right?

 

[Pomfretta]

Yea, their Kinetic System. Hollow chambers filled with beads, the same concept behind dead blow hammers.

PK racquets don't make rattling sounds. When you shake one, it should sound like a salt shaker. I am aware of this, as I mentioned, I demoed the racquets before I made a purchase.

 

[mawashi]

Ok my bad, I revisited your vids and it does sound like perhaps one of the cylinders fell out or something else is indeed loose.

It's very unusual to hear that sound not the soft salt shaker sound.

Email TW for an explanation and return it to them. You might also ask them to check them again before sending you the replacements.

 

[Pomfretta]

Will do.

I'm afraid though, that if it is a bad batch, then they may not have any racquets in my size left.

I'll see how TW handles this, they didn't get a great reputation for customer service by mistake.

 

[mawashi]

Will do.

I'm afraid though, that if it is a bad batch, then they may not have any racquets in my size left.

I'll see how TW handles this, they didn't get a great reputation for customer service by mistake.

Good luck it's unfortunate that the KI5 series don't use the pallet system like on the redondo or else you could just get the pallets and replace it from a smaller grip.

 

[canadad]

I have had some PK QC problems myself. I had a twice hit with 7G snap on a serve return, I had a Q5 get paint chips from coming in light contact with my wedding ring during a follow-through.
The user eelhc had a rattle problem and got his frame replaced by going through the head office:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8111298&postcount=100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKe8cMRXNgo
TW replaced my 7G and that one has been fine. They have great racquets, but there seems to be QC issues.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lv26o7y97ei1q86/2013-07-16 20.34.15.jpg

 

[Pomfretta]

My QTour had the resin pebble in the throat/hoop joint area, and I was able to make it roll around just by turning the racquet upsidedown as well like in that video.

And ouch on the snapping! Thanks for finding those links. I guess I may try giving PK a call as well.

 

[movdqa]

I bought a few Redondos about five or six years ago and they are all great. Weight right on spec, finish was consistent, no problems. A few years later and I bought a Ki5 PSE. Everything was fine except that the racquet was a quarter of an inch longer than spec - not a problem as I actually prefer longer racquets.

It does seem that they've gone downhill over the years. I've read about complaints here and there but I wasn't sure if it was an isolated issue or if they've changed their tolerances or processes.

It looks like you have to go the aftermarket customization route if you want to get matched sets these days.

 

[A_Instead]

My 2 Qtour 295 have matching weight and sw/balance. I did hand pick them. I dont see any issues with paint. The finish is matt, so they will show marks more then glossy frames.

 

[Knife]

My 2 Qtour 295 have matching weight and sw/balance. I did hand pick them. I dont see any issues with paint. The finish is matt, so they will show marks more then glossy frames.

I have 3 Qtours, each one bought separatly. No complaints whatsoever and they are all identical, can't tell them apart. Had 3 Head Extreme before and the specs were very varying to say the least.

 

[Ramon]

I've had PK's as early as the late 80's with the Silver Ace, and I currently have the Ki 5x.

I loved my Silver Ace, but the hoop cracked, and when I looked for a replacement, the Pro Shop guy told me that PK discontinued them and they were known for cracking.

Another guy I talked to used to work for Prince. He told me that when Prince needed more production, Pro Kennex would make some of their frames. He told me the Prince frames made by Pro Kennex were crap and that they had problems with cracks.

Recently, a friend of mine had 2 Ki 5's. Both of them cracked and he ended up switching to the Babolat Pure Control Tour.

I currently have 2 Ki 5x's. I've been switching between them and the Prince Tour 98 ESP, and I think I'll be going back to the Ki 5x. I bought them from 2 different stores, and they are practically identical (and I weigh them, balance them, and customize them). They both sound like salt shakers when I shake them, and they make no rattling sounds. They have lasted me 3 years so far. If one of them cracks, I'll buy another one. I know about their reputation for bad QC, but the bottom line is I can't find another racquet I like better.

 

[Bud]

Have you called TW with your concerns? Seems they should be able to select 3 good frames for you.

 

[anirut]

I bought a used Redondo and I had to throw it aside. The SW was like 47587965! No wonder the guy sold it.