String recommendations for Blade 98 18x20

[Xievie]

I'm not someone who has a great understanding of racquet specs, but after some demoing and whatnot I found that I really enjoyed the Blade 98 18x20 frame. I did, however, struggle with generating power and spin with my demos, but my friend who let me borrow his had his strung with powerful strings.

I was looking for a string that, like his, allowed me to absolutely tear through the ball on my flat forehands. I also found spin difficult to generate with the 18x20 string pattern. I was wondering if there were any suggestions on strings I could try that would allow me to add some power and spin to my game.

I was recommended the Luxilon Alu Power, Wilson Optimus, and Gosen Sidewinder so far.

 

[Roland G]

Kirschbaum Pro Line II - 48lbs.
Search over. Enjoy

 

[1HBHfanatic]

you might be asking for a wilson.blade.98 with 16/19 pattern instead

 

[JustTennis76]

Volkl Cyclone. Try the 18 gauge for more spin. I used it on my blade 98 last 2 years and really loved it.

 

[NextGeneration]

I've never actually tried it but BHB7 is supposed to be a lively and spin friendly string

 

[parasailing]

Head Hawk or Head Hawk Touch 17g strung at 50lbs.

 

[dgold44]

I just bought the head hawk touch and will try it out tomorrow nite. I am a tad nervous.

 

[Imago]

If you are lacking power and spin, Blade 98S is just for you.

 

[Keflex]

Just bought this racket a few weeks ago. I had been playing with a Prince Triple Threat Graphite for the last 15 years or so.
I've been using Luxilon ALU Power for many years now as I'd break syn/multi strings too quickly in the Triple Threat.

I'm stringing ALU Power @ 50 lbs in the Blade. With the 18x20 pattern of the Blade, strings should last longer. So I'll probably experiment with a gut/poly hybrid to see if that gives me any improvement.

 

[tk243]

I hit relatively flat on the forehand.

If cost isn't an issue, Babolat VS touch mains and Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro crosses both at 50lbs worked for me. This setup crushes the ball.

If you can handle a full bed of poly, Solinco Tour Bite 18 gauge at 40lbs was also quite good (after the first 30 minutes). Good for spin.

 

[parasailing]

I just bought the head hawk touch and will try it out tomorrow nite. I am a tad nervous.

Why? It's an awesome poly setup for the Blade 98 18x20. It offers such great control and excellent tension maintenance. I usually get about 20 hours of solid hitting with this set up before I have to restring the racquet.

 

[parasailing]

I hit relatively flat on the forehand.

If cost isn't an issue, Babolat VS touch mains and Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro crosses both at 50lbs worked for me. This setup crushes the ball.

If you can handle a full bed of poly, Solinco Tour Bite 18 gauge at 40lbs was also quite good (after the first 30 minutes). Good for spin.

Have you tried other polys for the cross? I have used gut mains and poly set up in other racquets but ever since I used Head Hawk Touch 17G, I haven't really felt the need to go with more expensive string. I know I would probably get slightly better performance using gut/poly since that is the best set up but Hawk Touch isn't that far behind in terms of performance.

 

[tk243]

Have you tried other polys for the cross? I have used gut mains and poly set up in other racquets but ever since I used Head Hawk Touch 17G, I haven't really felt the need to go with more expensive string. I know I would probably get slightly better performance using gut/poly since that is the best set up but Hawk Touch isn't that far behind in terms of performance.

I'm afraid I haven't, it's a bit too price prohibitive for me. I found a half set of natural gut cheap which is why I tried the above.

I generally go with Pro Hurricane Tour mains and pretty much any multifilament cross as my usual setup but I tried a few others and the two above were the ones which worked out well for me.

I don't think I'd switch to natural gut though, a bit too expensive upfront and it rains a bit too much here in the UK