Hello and welcome! Herein you will find my takes on six spin strings which will compete against one another in three separate pairs. The reviews are all unscientific and are my opinion and my opinion alone. All strings were strung at the same 60lbs tension in a full bed in a Dunlop AG100. So, without further ado, I present to you, my findings:
1. Ultimate Textured Spin Strings
Contenders:
Pro Supex Blue Gear (white)
Kirschbaum Spiky Shark
Each of these strings puts simply unbelievable amounts of spin on the ball. However, they are like apples and oranges. Here are my results:
Groundstrokes:
Blue Gear - 9/10
Spiky Shark - 10/10
Volleys:
Blue Gear - 7/10
Spiky Shark - 8/10
Serves:
Blue Gear - 8.5/10
Spiky Shark - 7/10
Results:
Blue Gear - 24.5/30
Spiky Shark - 25/30
WINNER: Kirschbaum Spiky Shark
2. Textured Spin Strings:
Contenders:
Signum Pro Poly Plasma HEXtreme
Polystar Turbo
These two strings are similar, but still vastly different. There is no denying that the Turbo offers far superior feel, but to make SPPP go dead, you probably need to shoot it with a Springfield rifle since it holds tension like a bucket. However, the SPPP feels far livelier which gives it the edge when you need to put away balls or keep the ball in perfect control.
Groundstrokes:
HEXtreme: 7.5/10
Turbo: 9/10
Volleys:
HEXtreme: 9/10
Turbo: 7/10
Serves:
HEXtreme: 8.5/10
Turbo: 8/10
Results:
HEXtreme: 25/30
Turbo: 24/30
WINNER: Signum Pro Poly Plasma HEXtreme
3. All-around Spin Strings:
Contenders:
WeissCannon Turbotwist
Genesis SpinX
These are two very interesting strings. The Turbotwist is currently the #1 rated overall string on String Forum, and is listed as one of the top 5 spin strings while SpinX is not. However, the feel that SpinX provides needs to be experienced to fully understand. It is so crisp, yet gives you incredible power with amazing control due to mind-boggling and frankly confusing amounts of spin.
Groundstrokes:
Turbotwist: 8/10
SpinX: 10/10
Volleys:
Turbotwist: 9.5/10
SpinX: 7.5/10
Serves:
Turbotwist: 8.5/10
SpinX: 9/10
Results:
Turbotwist: 26/30
SpinX: 26.5/30
WINNER: Genesis SpinX
Now, each string from its category will go head-to-head in a personal opinion only decision:
Kirschbaum Spiky Shark: 95/100
SPPP: 90/100
SpinX: 95/100
The result: a tie between the Kirschbaum and the Genesis strings. These two are flawless in their own right. The Spiky Shark is more suited to hard baseliners who have well developed strokes off of both wings and employ good spin-generating technique. The SpinX is far more versatile and offers more in other areas, but cannot produce the groundstroke spin that the Spiky Shark can. That said, SS cannot touch the SpinX when serving or volleying. So it's your choice: I use two of each setup and alternate racquets depending on the opponent. If they are a great returner, I go to the SpinX stick to give me more pop and accuracy on the serve. If their return game is iffy and rallies are more likely, then the Spiky Shark racquet gets chosen.
Post any comments and opinions as they are welcomed along with a discussion.
-Dave
1. Ultimate Textured Spin Strings
Contenders:
Pro Supex Blue Gear (white)
Kirschbaum Spiky Shark
Each of these strings puts simply unbelievable amounts of spin on the ball. However, they are like apples and oranges. Here are my results:
Groundstrokes:
Blue Gear - 9/10
Spiky Shark - 10/10
Volleys:
Blue Gear - 7/10
Spiky Shark - 8/10
Serves:
Blue Gear - 8.5/10
Spiky Shark - 7/10
Results:
Blue Gear - 24.5/30
Spiky Shark - 25/30
WINNER: Kirschbaum Spiky Shark
2. Textured Spin Strings:
Contenders:
Signum Pro Poly Plasma HEXtreme
Polystar Turbo
These two strings are similar, but still vastly different. There is no denying that the Turbo offers far superior feel, but to make SPPP go dead, you probably need to shoot it with a Springfield rifle since it holds tension like a bucket. However, the SPPP feels far livelier which gives it the edge when you need to put away balls or keep the ball in perfect control.
Groundstrokes:
HEXtreme: 7.5/10
Turbo: 9/10
Volleys:
HEXtreme: 9/10
Turbo: 7/10
Serves:
HEXtreme: 8.5/10
Turbo: 8/10
Results:
HEXtreme: 25/30
Turbo: 24/30
WINNER: Signum Pro Poly Plasma HEXtreme
3. All-around Spin Strings:
Contenders:
WeissCannon Turbotwist
Genesis SpinX
These are two very interesting strings. The Turbotwist is currently the #1 rated overall string on String Forum, and is listed as one of the top 5 spin strings while SpinX is not. However, the feel that SpinX provides needs to be experienced to fully understand. It is so crisp, yet gives you incredible power with amazing control due to mind-boggling and frankly confusing amounts of spin.
Groundstrokes:
Turbotwist: 8/10
SpinX: 10/10
Volleys:
Turbotwist: 9.5/10
SpinX: 7.5/10
Serves:
Turbotwist: 8.5/10
SpinX: 9/10
Results:
Turbotwist: 26/30
SpinX: 26.5/30
WINNER: Genesis SpinX
Now, each string from its category will go head-to-head in a personal opinion only decision:
Kirschbaum Spiky Shark: 95/100
SPPP: 90/100
SpinX: 95/100
The result: a tie between the Kirschbaum and the Genesis strings. These two are flawless in their own right. The Spiky Shark is more suited to hard baseliners who have well developed strokes off of both wings and employ good spin-generating technique. The SpinX is far more versatile and offers more in other areas, but cannot produce the groundstroke spin that the Spiky Shark can. That said, SS cannot touch the SpinX when serving or volleying. So it's your choice: I use two of each setup and alternate racquets depending on the opponent. If they are a great returner, I go to the SpinX stick to give me more pop and accuracy on the serve. If their return game is iffy and rallies are more likely, then the Spiky Shark racquet gets chosen.
Post any comments and opinions as they are welcomed along with a discussion.
-Dave
