Similar racquet to Blade 98 18x20 but lighter

[dante.hua]

I have the Blade 16x19 beside 18x20 but sometimes i feel disconnected with ball on impact and a bit heavier on swingweight. So maybe i would like to have another racquet lighter than Blade 98 18x20.
What is your recommendation? I prefer soft, feel, weight around 10 oz (under 300gr unstrung i suppose) 2013-2016 racquets because i cant find old models in my area.
I've listed some sticks:
-Vcore Duel G 300gr
-Head Radical Mp (graphene,xt)
-Vcore tour F 97 290gr

Thanks alot!

 

[SpinToWin]

Wilson 6.1 team perhaps?

 

[dante.hua]

Wilson 6.1 team perhaps?

Smaller head shape make me frustrated, STW. I've tried the 6.1 team 2012-2014 model and felt hard to find sweetspot.

I'm 3-3.5 baseline player, just so you know still improving my game but i feel more comfortable with 98-100'' headshape

Tks man!

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[SpinToWin]

Smaller head shape make me frustrated, STW. I've tried the 6.1 team 2012-2014 model and felt hard to find sweetspot.

I'm 3-3.5 baseline player, just so you know still improving my game but i feel more comfortable with 98-100'' headshape

Tks man!

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Ok. Now the Tour G seems like an interesting option, but I'd opt away from the other two if a soft feel is what you're looking for. The Textreme Tour 100T should be worth a look though.

 

[dante.hua]

Ok. Now the Tour G seems like an interesting option, but I'd opt away from the other two if a soft feel is what you're looking for. The Textreme Tour 100T should be worth a look though.

Ooooh, i forgot the textreme line, 100t would be great option though, especially the price.
I've hit with Radical MP before the Blade, still can hit bunch of passing shot or deadly running forehand but when the string's dead, everything comes with it.
Curious about vcore tour f, is it feel stiff like Babolat racquets? I never feel easy on any Babolat stick, i wonder why :v

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[SpinToWin]

Ooooh, i forgot the textreme line, 100t would be great option though, especially the price.
I've hit with Radical MP before the Blade, still can hit bunch of passing shot or deadly running forehand but when the string's dead, everything comes with it.
Curious about vcore tour f, is it feel stiff like Babolat racquets? I never feel easy on any Babolat stick, i wonder why :v

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It's not stiff like a Babolat racquet, but it is a crisp feeling racquet. It won't be plush by any means though I would say.

I think @n8dawg6 is a better person to ask regarding the Tour F though.

 

[sma1001]

An Angell TC97 Pro, at 290 unstrung, could be very good for you.

 

[Irvin]

Get a list of the lighter 18x20 frames and demo them. Buy the one you like best and customize it to the specs you like.

 

[dante.hua]

An Angell TC97 Pro, at 290 unstrung, could be very good for you.

Sad thing is my country only have 5 brands: Babolat, Wilson, Head, Prince and Yonex.

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[KaiserW]

New Blade lineup has a light version it is 285 g unstrung with 16x19 pattern.

 

[dante.hua]

New Blade lineup has a light version it is 285 g unstrung with 16x19 pattern.

Tks! But i prefer above 285g unstrung, more mass in order to handle heavily strokes. Several months ago i played with the xt speed s, i couldn't survive during groundstroke with big swing guys. The ezone ai 98 lite could but felt stiff (unlike Babolat but still)

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[Irvin]

Head MicroGel Radical MP http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-HMGRAD.html it is even on sale for $90. I'd try to get the lightest one(s) through the racket matching service and still customize to the specs you like.

 

[tennisBIEST]

New Blade lineup has a light version it is 285 g unstrung with 16x19 pattern.

That's a nice surprise! I like to do my own customizations and I really liked the 16x19 but the SW was a bit much for me.

 

[KaiserW]

That's a nice surprise! I like to do my own customizations and I really liked the 16x19 but the SW was a bit much for me.

It was a nice racquet. I was surprised how much I liked it given it's weight. I normally play with much heavier racquets. It did lack some plow thru but I was very consistent with it. I am going to demo the current 16x19 and 18x20 to see how they compare to it.

 

[dante.hua]

What is the head size n HL balance of 285gr 2017 blade? 100 inches?

I haven't seen it on TW

 

[KaiserW]

I think it was 4 points hl unstrung and a 98.

 

[sma1001]

Sad thing is my country only have 5 brands: Babolat, Wilson, Head, Prince and Yonex.

Angell post worldwide i think. But i appreciate you may wish to buy locally.

 

[erroljr]

The YOUTEK/IG Radical MPs are a solid, yet lighter choice in stock form! Graphene and beyond for the Radical series don't seem to cut it since they completely changed the line from there.

 

[dante.hua]

Besides, any recommendation sticks for my young brother? He started tennis last year but had to focused on study. He began to practiced all over again last month. He can handle my Blade but i dont think he can play it well during long practice/match. Any stick below 300gr, easy on arms from wilson, Head, Prince?

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[hklbkup]

6.1 95 team 18x20. Lighter & softer but not as good for attacking.
You can also consider Yonex Si 98 lite (more friendy) or Tour F 97 290g (if you have decent technique).

 

[DonDiego]

The YOUTEK/IG Radical MPs are a solid, yet lighter choice in stock form! Graphene and beyond for the Radical series don't seem to cut it since they completely changed the line from there.

I second this. I've played a lot with IG Radical and various models of Blades, and not many racquet will give you plowthrough similar to Blades but in a lighter to swing package. IG Radical mp is one of them. Don't let the 2-3 sq. inch difference in headsize deter you. It's barely noticeable, the IG has a big sweetspot, just make sure to string low.

I've said it once and will say it again: the IG Radical mp is the Mayweather Jr. of racquets; best pound-for-pound racquet out there.

 

[DonDiego]

Besides, any recommendation sticks for my young brother? He started tennis last year but had to focused on study. He began to practiced all over again last month. He can handle my Blade but i dont think he can play it well during long practice/match. Any stick below 300gr, easy on arms from wilson, Head, Prince?

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I tried this one and liked it: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Extreme_Lite/descpageRCHEAD-HXTEL.html

Not enough mass for me at my level, but great for beginners/intermediate.

 

[andyN]

Tks! But i prefer above 285g unstrung, more mass in order to handle heavily strokes. Several months ago i played with the xt speed s, i couldn't survive during groundstroke with big swing guys. The ezone ai 98 lite could but felt stiff (unlike Babolat but still)

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you ought to give the new Babolat Pure Strike a demo, its stable and forgiving. I must easier to hit with than the Blade98 18x20

 

[LeftyTigger]

If you want to stay 18x20, the Prince Textreme Tour 100P is the obvious choice. It may not be "lighter" than the Blade, but is swings much lighter than the Blade (100P has lower Swingweight). The 100P is more free power and with it's "open" 18x20 pattern it still imparts a decent amount of spin. It may not be as stable or have the plow of the Blade, but it still has enough for it to hit a very good ball even against heavy pace.

 

[TennisHound]

New Blade lineup has a light version it is 285 g unstrung with 16x19 pattern.

Really? Where did you hear this? Cool

 

[Matthew Lee]

If you're still looking for a lighter Blade 18x20, I would suggest the Pure Strike 18x20. I think the mass is same, but it swings faster. For your brother, I would probably go to the Tennis Warehouse page and look up Wilson, Head, or Prince rackets that either have "Lite" or "LS" or something similar written. It's quite fun, researching everything about a racket!

 

[dante.hua]

Thanks for all your suggestion!
For my brother, i will go the extremes line! Its bright cosmetic suit for him who like something shiny ) Futhermore, local shops r make these on sale
For me, i prefer the textreme tour 100p and Duel G 300gr... Difficult to find these because not many shop in my area import them [emoji24][emoji24]

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[SumYungGai]

I'm waiting for the Pure Strike 18x20 for this exact reason. Love the Blade, but want it to be a little easier to swing.

 

[KaiserW]

Really? Where did you hear this? Cool

I tried it at my local club. It is now listed here also if you want to check out the specs.

 

[KaiserW]

The light version could be really good for those that like to customize. For only 10.7 oz it has a decent SW of 314 already. Add some lead to the handle or leather grip and some lead in the hoop and it could really come alive. Would still be lighter than standard version with added weight and easily get SW into low to mid 320's or higher if all weight at 12.

Personally I like buying stock and not messing with lead because if I don't fall in love when demoing I am afraid to buy in hopes of what might be. I have the regular 16x19 and 18x20 versions demos on the way to compare but this light version really has me thinking about going lighter and customizing up the SW. I played really well with it but lacked some pop.

 

[dante.hua]

The light version could be really good for those that like to customize. For only 10.7 oz it has a decent SW of 314 already. Add some lead to the handle or leather grip and some lead in the hoop and it could really come alive. Would still be lighter than standard version with added weight and easily get SW into low to mid 320's or higher if all weight at 12.

Personally I like buying stock and not messing with lead because if I don't fall in love when demoing I am afraid to buy in hopes of what might be. I have the regular 16x19 and 18x20 versions demos on the way to compare but this light version really has me thinking about going lighter and customizing up the SW. I played really well with it but lacked some pop.

Dannn, i prefer play racquet in stock form than messing around with lead n silicone. Maybe im so stupid to know where to put lead for specific references :v
How's Leather grip different from another grip? More soft feel?

 

[KaiserW]

Dannn, i prefer play racquet in stock form than messing around with lead n silicone. Maybe im so stupid to know where to put lead for specific references :v
How's Leather grip different from another grip? More soft feel?

Actually a more firm feel. I feel more connected with leather. I also like Bab Skin Feel which is similar to leather because you really feel the bevels with it.

 

[dante.hua]

@KaiserW, what grips do you use for serves? Flat, slide, kick serve?

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[KaiserW]

Continental. I mostly serve flat.

 

[kabrac]

If you want the same but lighter and easier to swing, try HEAD Microgel Radical MP. Same head shape as the blade too.

I put silicone in the handle of my Radical and it comes in @12.0 strung

 

[ultradr]

I would also add Dunlop f3.1 and f3.0(previous gen).

 

[Power Player]

Total sleeper is the Tecnfibre 305. Swings a little faster.

If you must go lighter, try their 300.