Suggestions for Racquet Switch

Dharmaboy

Dharmaboy

Rookie
Hey folks,
I am playing a bit more often now and getting back into the swing of things. I am wondering if I should go back to the Blade after almost a decade when I used the BLX Blade 98 18x20. I rely on my serve and I have pretty much flat forehand it all the time. I use a 1HBH and I use slices quite a bit. I enjoy a bit of a heavier racquet for my 1HBH stability but I am noticing shoulder pain sometimes. I used the Clash 100 Tour around the time of COVID but I find that stick is a bit too gooey for my liking now. My favorite stick for the old school feel was the Wilson Six One 95 KFactor 16x18. Solid on serves and 1HBH.

Here is a list of the sticks I have used in the past few years. Using a Pure Aero now but I feel it lacks oomph for a 1HBH against a heavy hitter and it's not the best on return of serves. The racquets still feel great but I wonder if I should go to V9 Blade 16x19 for that 1HBH Stability moving forward. I would rate my self a decent 4.0-4.5 level player.

Wilson RF97 AutoBabolat Pure Aero 98Wilson BLX Blade 98Wilson Clash TourWilson SixOne 95
Balance PT9pt HL6pt HL2pt HL9pts HL8pt HL
String Pattern16x1916x2018x2016x1916x18
Flex6865645569
Swing Weight335321335322340
Weight357323320326332
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
Why not throw a little lead at 6 & 9 on the PA98? I mean...obviously the other frames are going to have a bit more "oomh" as they have a much higher swingweight. Doesn't need to be much...maybe 4 x 1" strips.
 
T

Trip

Legend
So based on this, plus @Dharmaboy's forum history, here's the profile I've built. Please correct me where I'm wrong:
- 70's-born, pushing towards 50
- physically decent; flare up of spinal stenosis in the past, occasional shoulder pain recently
- older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed
- Frame history: 6.1 95, 95S, 100 - Juice Pro - 95D, 98D - BLX B98 18x20 - RF97A - Clash Tour - PA98
- Preferences: mass, density, "stability against harder hitters", mid-to-upper sweet spot location

Presuming most of that is correct, I would probably encourage you to stick with the boxier, flatter-hitter style sticks you've built your game around for the past 3+ decades, but perhaps at lighter weightings (for the sake of your shoulder, and other parts I'm sure), slightly larger sweet spot and/or head size (for added forgiveness) and a bit higher power-to-weight ratio (for more free and consistent depth, considering age/level).

As for what you've been playing lately, if you enjoy employing your style with stuff like Aero's, VCore's, Extreme's, etc. then have at it I suppose, but those frames really perform best and most rewardingly with technique and/or certain physical capability that may be a little further away from where you are at this time (there's no shame in that; it just is what it is). And while you can force almost any frame to play well enough with a 1HBH, the PA100 and certain others are practically optimized for the 2-hander; so there are probably better choices to be had for that wing. So yeah, you're free to dabble with whatever, as it seems you enjoy doing so (don't we all!), but if you're looking for something to commit to, maybe even compete with, as I said above, I would lean into your DNA a bit more, at perhaps just a lighter, slightly more forgiving and powerful spec.

If you wanted to stick with something you currently own, for lack of knowing your entire collection currently, I suppose the BLX Blade 98 18x20 might be workable, provided you lighten up the swing weight (ie. heaving weight) as much as you can by stringing as thin and exclusive of poly as you can get away with.

As for all-new frames, I'd have you look at lighter-spec "pleeners" (player/tweener hybrids), one or two 97's, otherwise 98-99's, more controlled 100's, very controlled 100+'s, all <=330sw stock:

- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20, on or under-spec via matching service
- Dunlop CX 200 Oversize
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour, on or under-spec via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour (maybe an under-spec Pro, but probably not for sake of your shoulder)
- Head Radical MP, maybe Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P, maybe the 98
- Prince Phantom 100X 305, maybe 18x20
- ProKennex Ki 5, spec'd up, or Ki Q+ 5 stock
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 or 18x20, maybe the 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Yonex Percept 97, maybe an under-spec 97D
- Yonex Percept 100, maybe the 100D

Hope all of that helps. Any questions, feel free.
 
Last edited:
Dharmaboy

Dharmaboy

Rookie
Trip said:
So based on this, plus @Dharmaboy's forum history, here's the profile I've built. Please correct me where I'm wrong:
- 70's-born, pushing towards 50
- physically decent; flare up of spinal stenosis in the past, occasional shoulder pain recently
- older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed
- Frame history: 6.1 95, 95S, 100 - Juice Pro - 95D, 98D - BLX B98 18x20 - RF97A - Clash Tour - PA98
- Preferences: mass, density, "stability against harder hitters", mid-to-upper sweet spot location

Presuming most of that is correct, I would probably encourage you to stick with the boxier, flatter-hitter style sticks you've built your game around for the past 3+ decades, but perhaps at lighter weightings (for the sake of your shoulder, and other parts I'm sure), slightly larger sweet spot and/or head size (for added forgiveness) and a bit higher power-to-weight ratio (for more free and consistent depth, considering age/level).

As for what you've been playing lately, if you enjoy employing your style with stuff like Aero's, VCore's, Extreme's, etc. then have at it I suppose, but those frames really perform best and most rewardingly with technique and/or certain physical capability that may be a little further away from where you are at this time (there's no shame in that; it just is what it is). And while you can force almost any frame to play well enough with a 1HBH, the PA100 and certain others are practically optimized for the 2-hander; so there are probably better choices to be had for that wing. So yeah, you're free to dabble with whatever, as it seems you enjoy doing so (don't we all!), but if you're looking for something to commit to, maybe even compete with, as I said above, I would lean into your DNA a bit more, at perhaps just a lighter, slightly more forgiving and powerful spec.

If you wanted to stick with something you currently own, for lack of knowing your entire collection currently, I suppose the BLX Blade 98 18x20 might be workable, provided you lighten up the swing weight (ie. heaving weight) as much as you can by stringing as thin and exclusive of poly as you can get away with.

As for all-new frames, I'd have you look at lighter-spec "pleeners" (player/tweener hybrids), one or two 97's, otherwise 98-99's, more controlled 100's, very controlled 100+'s, all <=330sw stock:

- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20, on or under-spec via matching service
- Dunlop CX 200 Oversize
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour, on or under-spec via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour (maybe an under-spec Pro, but probably not for sake of your shoulder)
- Head Radical MP, maybe Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P, maybe the 98
- Prince Phantom 100X 305, maybe 18x20
- ProKennex Ki 5, spec'd up, or Ki Q+ 5 stock
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 or 18x20, maybe the 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Yonex Percept 97, maybe an under-spec 97D
- Yonex Percept 100, maybe the 100D

Hope all of that helps. Any questions, feel free.
Click to expand...
@Trip , this is amazing. How you were able to go back and see my history on this forum is amazing. Thank you for the suggestions. For Physicality I am stronger now than I have ever been before thanks to a older guys power lifting workout I have been on for the past 7 months. I still play goal in ice hockey but again I admit my Tennis footwork still need lots of work as I don't play as often as I wish.
  • I was using the ProStaff 6.1 95 regularly till about 2017 when my buddy who used to play with me regularly got depression and I haven't heard from him since. Truly very sad about the situation to this day now some 7 or 8 years later.
  • I went to the Clash because after starting up just before Covid my shoulder was not what it used to be thanks to weight lifting ala bench press (so probably some rotator cuff issues here).
  • You are correct as I do not have a typical top spin swing and I hit most of my shots flat and just over the net with very low margins
  • I tried to use my old Roddick special PureDrive Plus ala 2012 recently but that frame is very stiff even now.
  • I like the low RA in the low 60s usually but for some reason the RF97 Auto and Mardy Fish SixOne95 didnt bother me as much as the tech in there was pretty good. But God help my shoulder if I dont time my serve in the sweetspot lol.
  • I do like that your suggestions of the v9 Blade 100 and the Pure Strike 4th Gen on Yonex Percepts. I might check those out.
  • I am very limited in my area with only 2 stores in my city for anything available or even to demo.
 
Last edited:
Dharmaboy

Dharmaboy

Rookie
@Trip just looked online at one of my stores and from your list the ONLY racquets they have are the Yonex Percept 97 and 100. Some of these sticks you suggest I might have to buy online and hope they work without ever getting a chance to demo. Its just the market in my city specially with everyone going Pickleball crazy.
 
T

Trip

Legend
@Dharmaboy - Very welcome. Good additional info as well:
Dharmaboy said:
stronger now than ever [...] power lifting workout past 7 months [...] do not have a typical top spin swing and I hit most of my shots flat and just over the net with very low margins [...] tried to use my old Roddick special PureDrive Plus ala 2012 recently but that frame is very stiff even now [...] I like the low RA in the low 60s usually but for some reason the RF97 Auto and Mardy Fish SixOne95 [...] But God help my shoulder if I dont time my serve in the sweetspot lol [...] like that your suggestions of the v9 Blade 100 and the Pure Strike 4th Gen on Yonex Percepts [...] very limited in my area with only 2 stores in my city for anything available or even to demo.
Click to expand...
Dharmaboy said:
@Trip just looked online at one of my stores and from your list the ONLY racquets they have are the Yonex Percept 97 and 100. Some of these sticks you suggest I might have to buy online and hope they work without ever getting a chance to demo.
Click to expand...

I would try the Percept 97 and 100 then for starters, and the 97D/100D if you can get your hands on either one. Do note, all besides the 97D are likely going to feel noticeably lighter in spec than a good portion of the stuff you're used to, so customizing with some hoop lead and possibly handle weight will probably be in the cards for optimal performance. But trying them stock with higher-power, bouncier demo strings beds will at least give you a decent feel for their general playability.

Factoring in the other info, if you can find the remaining members of the "big four" brands at one or both shops then you'd avail yourself to:

- Babolat Strike 98 16x19 or 100 16x20, but you must have your local shop pull only the lightest 98, and at least at on-spec 100 16x20, as you don't want either over-spec, trust me
- Head Gravity Tour, only the Pro if you can source low-enough spec samples
- Head Prestige MP-L, customized up (maybe the Pro or Tour, but they may be too demanding for different reasons)
- Head Radical MP/Pro
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- (Yonex Percepts)

If your local shops some how the other brands (minus Prince, which in the USA is only available via TW), then all the better, otherwise you'd have to look at demoing/buying via online. I'm sure you'd prefer to keep it simple and go local if you can, so perhaps you start there, and if you're unable to find anything you like, you broaden your horizons by looking online.

Hope that helps again.
 
Last edited:
Anton

Anton

Legend
Dharmaboy said:
Hey folks,
I am playing a bit more often now and getting back into the swing of things. I am wondering if I should go back to the Blade after almost a decade when I used the BLX Blade 98 18x20. I rely on my serve and I have pretty much flat forehand it all the time. I use a 1HBH and I use slices quite a bit. I enjoy a bit of a heavier racquet for my 1HBH stability but I am noticing shoulder pain sometimes. I used the Clash 100 Tour around the time of COVID but I find that stick is a bit too gooey for my liking now. My favorite stick for the old school feel was the Wilson Six One 95 KFactor 16x18. Solid on serves and 1HBH.

Here is a list of the sticks I have used in the past few years. Using a Pure Aero now but I feel it lacks oomph for a 1HBH against a heavy hitter and it's not the best on return of serves. The racquets still feel great but I wonder if I should go to V9 Blade 16x19 for that 1HBH Stability moving forward. I would rate my self a decent 4.0-4.5 level player.

Wilson RF97 AutoBabolat Pure Aero 98Wilson BLX Blade 98Wilson Clash TourWilson SixOne 95
Balance PT9pt HL6pt HL2pt HL9pts HL8pt HL
String Pattern16x1916x2018x2016x1916x18
Flex6865645569
Swing Weight335321335322340
Weight357323320326332
Click to expand...


Blade 98 (V8 for softer feel or V9 for more firm) or Gravity Pro will probably feel best for you since you like to flatten out
 
A

AmericanTwist

Professional
OP, blx blade v4 is 65ra generally not 64ra. I suggest trying a ultra pro v3 63/64ra If you want a slightly softer flex the v4 is 62ra. Go wtih the 18x20. Devastating controlled slices and great for one handers. You will need to add weight however. These are player's sticks. Second choice would be to stick with the blade of some version. - V5, v7, v4, v6 if you can find them. The v8 and v9s are similar but soft 60ra. Gravity Pro is a good third choice combining 100 size with a softish flex 62ra, however 100's are sub-optimal for 1hbh's imho...

Lastly, you should experiment with different strings, tensions, materials if you can get by with your current frames.
 
A

aus89

Hall of Fame
Trip said:
Considering he's biasing towards softer-flexing sticks, might be too firm.
Click to expand...
it's only 65 which I think is OK considering (and of course having some experience with ProStaffs it does have that sort of classic feel like the RF/original 6.1 rather than a stiff Babolat feel + i think too low might mean having to hit harder/provoking shoulder issues), especially with a softer string - it's sort of a less demanding more friendly version of what he likes using and the swingweight is just below 330 rather than low 320s for stability, more classic beam profile for one hander - idk just a thought
 
G

gfwp

Rookie
Dharmaboy said:
Hey folks,
I am playing a bit more often now and getting back into the swing of things. I am wondering if I should go back to the Blade after almost a decade when I used the BLX Blade 98 18x20. I rely on my serve and I have pretty much flat forehand it all the time. I use a 1HBH and I use slices quite a bit. I enjoy a bit of a heavier racquet for my 1HBH stability but I am noticing shoulder pain sometimes. I used the Clash 100 Tour around the time of COVID but I find that stick is a bit too gooey for my liking now. My favorite stick for the old school feel was the Wilson Six One 95 KFactor 16x18. Solid on serves and 1HBH.

Here is a list of the sticks I have used in the past few years. Using a Pure Aero now but I feel it lacks oomph for a 1HBH against a heavy hitter and it's not the best on return of serves. The racquets still feel great but I wonder if I should go to V9 Blade 16x19 for that 1HBH Stability moving forward. I would rate my self a decent 4.0-4.5 level player.

Wilson RF97 AutoBabolat Pure Aero 98Wilson BLX Blade 98Wilson Clash TourWilson SixOne 95
Balance PT9pt HL6pt HL2pt HL9pts HL8pt HL
String Pattern16x1916x2018x2016x1916x18
Flex6865645569
Swing Weight335321335322340
Weight357323320326332
Click to expand...
Did you try PS X ?
 
L

LoanStar

Rookie
Trip said:
So based on this, plus @Dharmaboy's forum history, here's the profile I've built. Please correct me where I'm wrong:
- 70's-born, pushing towards 50
- physically decent; flare up of spinal stenosis in the past, occasional shoulder pain recently
- older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed
- Frame history: 6.1 95, 95S, 100 - Juice Pro - 95D, 98D - BLX B98 18x20 - RF97A - Clash Tour - PA98
- Preferences: mass, density, "stability against harder hitters", mid-to-upper sweet spot location

Presuming most of that is correct, I would probably encourage you to stick with the boxier, flatter-hitter style sticks you've built your game around for the past 3+ decades, but perhaps at lighter weightings (for the sake of your shoulder, and other parts I'm sure), slightly larger sweet spot and/or head size (for added forgiveness) and a bit higher power-to-weight ratio (for more free and consistent depth, considering age/level).

As for what you've been playing lately, if you enjoy employing your style with stuff like Aero's, VCore's, Extreme's, etc. then have at it I suppose, but those frames really perform best and most rewardingly with technique and/or certain physical capability that may be a little further away from where you are at this time (there's no shame in that; it just is what it is). And while you can force almost any frame to play well enough with a 1HBH, the PA100 and certain others are practically optimized for the 2-hander; so there are probably better choices to be had for that wing. So yeah, you're free to dabble with whatever, as it seems you enjoy doing so (don't we all!), but if you're looking for something to commit to, maybe even compete with, as I said above, I would lean into your DNA a bit more, at perhaps just a lighter, slightly more forgiving and powerful spec.

If you wanted to stick with something you currently own, for lack of knowing your entire collection currently, I suppose the BLX Blade 98 18x20 might be workable, provided you lighten up the swing weight (ie. heaving weight) as much as you can by stringing as thin and exclusive of poly as you can get away with.

As for all-new frames, I'd have you look at lighter-spec "pleeners" (player/tweener hybrids), one or two 97's, otherwise 98-99's, more controlled 100's, very controlled 100+'s, all <=330sw stock:

- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20, on or under-spec via matching service
- Dunlop CX 200 Oversize
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour, on or under-spec via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour (maybe an under-spec Pro, but probably not for sake of your shoulder)
- Head Radical MP, maybe Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P, maybe the 98
- Prince Phantom 100X 305, maybe 18x20
- ProKennex Ki 5, spec'd up, or Ki Q+ 5 stock
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 or 18x20, maybe the 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Yonex Percept 97, maybe an under-spec 97D
- Yonex Percept 100, maybe the 100D

Hope all of that helps. Any questions, feel free.
Click to expand...
Your post resonated resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as you put it. I've been wrestling with this and would really like to commit to something. This...older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed...describes me with he addition of a big serve, almost 63 (very fit and athletic but not strong, and needing to emphasis arm/shoulder safety). Currently bouncing around the following:
PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot is small for groundstrokes and volleys)
Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but it feels "thick" swinging it)
Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (
All strung with Triax 55/53
Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations you have.
Trip said:
So based on this, plus @Dharmaboy's forum history, here's the profile I've built. Please correct me where I'm wrong:
- 70's-born, pushing towards 50
- physically decent; flare up of spinal stenosis in the past, occasional shoulder pain recently
- older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed
- Frame history: 6.1 95, 95S, 100 - Juice Pro - 95D, 98D - BLX B98 18x20 - RF97A - Clash Tour - PA98
- Preferences: mass, density, "stability against harder hitters", mid-to-upper sweet spot location

Presuming most of that is correct, I would probably encourage you to stick with the boxier, flatter-hitter style sticks you've built your game around for the past 3+ decades, but perhaps at lighter weightings (for the sake of your shoulder, and other parts I'm sure), slightly larger sweet spot and/or head size (for added forgiveness) and a bit higher power-to-weight ratio (for more free and consistent depth, considering age/level).

As for what you've been playing lately, if you enjoy employing your style with stuff like Aero's, VCore's, Extreme's, etc. then have at it I suppose, but those frames really perform best and most rewardingly with technique and/or certain physical capability that may be a little further away from where you are at this time (there's no shame in that; it just is what it is). And while you can force almost any frame to play well enough with a 1HBH, the PA100 and certain others are practically optimized for the 2-hander; so there are probably better choices to be had for that wing. So yeah, you're free to dabble with whatever, as it seems you enjoy doing so (don't we all!), but if you're looking for something to commit to, maybe even compete with, as I said above, I would lean into your DNA a bit more, at perhaps just a lighter, slightly more forgiving and powerful spec.

If you wanted to stick with something you currently own, for lack of knowing your entire collection currently, I suppose the BLX Blade 98 18x20 might be workable, provided you lighten up the swing weight (ie. heaving weight) as much as you can by stringing as thin and exclusive of poly as you can get away with.

As for all-new frames, I'd have you look at lighter-spec "pleeners" (player/tweener hybrids), one or two 97's, otherwise 98-99's, more controlled 100's, very controlled 100+'s, all <=330sw stock:

- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20, on or under-spec via matching service
- Dunlop CX 200 Oversize
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour, on or under-spec via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour (maybe an under-spec Pro, but probably not for sake of your shoulder)
- Head Radical MP, maybe Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P, maybe the 98
- Prince Phantom 100X 305, maybe 18x20
- ProKennex Ki 5, spec'd up, or Ki Q+ 5 stock
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 or 18x20, maybe the 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Yonex Percept 97, maybe an under-spec 97D
- Yonex Percept 100, maybe the 100D

Hope all of that helps. Any questions, feel free.
Click to expand...
Your post resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as you put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. This...older-school play style, 1HBH w/ heavy slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed...describes me with the addition of a big serve, almost 63 (very fit and athletic but not strong, and needing to emphasis arm/shoulder safety). Currently bouncing around the following:

PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)

Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)

Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)

All strung with Triax 55/53

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations you have.
 
T

Trip

Legend
@LoanStar - Honored to help, but, even with your situation being close, there's probably enough difference to where you'd both probably benefit most from having separate threads. Don't mean to make this a pain in the butt for you, just trying to keep @Dharmaboy's thread here as focused as possible. If you can make one for yourself, I'll jump in there and certainly try and help out. (Perhaps just copy/paste what you wrote here, plus adding whatever else)
 
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