So I had my first hit with my new TF40 305. All the previous posts about the rock-solid feel are 100% correct. This is a great racquet. I'm coming from a 93P 18x20 and it's going to take some adjustment to get used to a stick that is much head heavier than my previous. It also appears that there is no trap door in the butt cap. So may have to add a leather grip.
Tecnifibre Official - Racquets
There was a lot of love for the TFight 305 XTC early on, now the TF40 305 seems to be all the rage. The two are remarkedly similar spec-wise, but apparently far apart play-wise? I just demo'd the XTC and was very impressed by it: lots of control, decent power on tap, comfortable on the arm, crisp yet smooth; for me, checked a lot of boxes. Haven't tried the TF40 yet, but seems like they would play similarly.
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
Not according to Tecnifibre.
longtimelurker
Professional
Dream racquet ! let's hope the team at tec listen
Lozannois
Rookie
It is very difficult to choose between the two. They are very close in terms of control, stability/solidity and power. The only slight difference is in feel. V7 is very plush and you feel the ball is like staying a little bit longer on the racket whereas the TF40 has more a direct feel but still very confortable. For me the TF40 feels like a mix between the v7 and the blade 2015!
I guess I will keep them Both since It's very easy to switch between the two.
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I guess I will keep them Both since It's very easy to switch between the two.
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Sounds very nice... would like to try both at some point. I have the 2015 Blade and like it very much, the v7 Blade 18x20 being plush sounds right up my alley, and something between the two sounds good too (particularly if it has great touch - which people are saying it does).
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
What are you using now?
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
In my bag right now, Blade v7 18x20, TF40 305, PS85.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Solid racket! Good offering by TF.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Blade v7 18/20 FTW!
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
The v7 18x20 is just such an easy racquet to use and get good results. Super stable, good plow. With the TF40, I probably have to work a little bit harder, but it's it far more enjoyable to use it. Love it!!!
that's an interesting comment. Tiffani from TW that was in the playtest compares it to Prince TT100p, which is 305gr. now she could be wrong but they are both 305gr and 18x20... similar swingweights... balance is the biggest difference.. TF is 3pts and TT is 7pts. I did use tt100p in the past for a while .. it's a really good stick.. i actually hit with it again just this morning for like 10mins to be reminded on how it feels vs my blade v7 18x20 and it is easier to use.. whippier.. easier to maneuver, higher launch angle.. but i prefer v7 b/c better control, plow....it's just a tank... people complain about power but v7 hits quite a heavy/dense ball if you asked me. Swingweight can be an asset if you swing and let the racquet do the work even on defense... but it's not particularly easy to use due to balance and swingweight...
How is the TF40 string pattern? is it more dense than v7? blade v7 18x20 (especially center) is quite tight compared to tt100p... Do you find easier to generate power in v7 18x20 vs tf40?
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
Both of my Blade v7, Yonex HD and TF40 are weighted up similarly so it might be different from what Tiffani was swinging- around 345-350g, 9-10HL. Blade v7 18x20 has more power because of the SW. I did try to increase SW and stability on TF40 with a little weight at 3/9. After playing with Blade v7 18x20 and RF97, I miss the stability in the hoop when I play other racquets.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I can tell you after a summer down here with 1 on 1 coaching in 100+ degree court temps - if you keep using the higher SW frame, you will adjust to it and have an advantage on the court. It’s very tough to go back to a lower SW frame once you get used to something in the 335-345 range. Thats not insanely high, but just jumping up into that range can yield many benefits if you have the strokes.
Winners or Errors
Legend
Liking my 305 XTCs. Can't imagine a reason I'd want to change to the newer version, though I'm sure there are many racquet junkies on this thread who can explain why they think it's worth it. I'm not even going to demo the TF40. Committing to 3 years with the XTCs. Everyone I know with a steady game has stuck with the same racquets forever... I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, and I think the 305 XTC is a racquet I can be faithful to. ;-)
megamind
Legend
just curious what was your racquet before the XTC
Winners or Errors
Legend
In order of preference, the racquets I have in the closet and rotated between :
- Dunlop 4D100
- Becker London Tour
- Wilson Six-One 95 16x18 (the last version)
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
He uses the new Razor Code White.He used to play with Tecnifibre Razor Code, but the last months I see him playing with a white string which must be Tecnifibre Ice Code I asume.
However, some people from Tecnifibre told me that he is not using Ice code, but a special (white) version of Razor Code
tennis347
Hall of Fame
I have been playing with the new Blade 98 16 x 19 v7 for the last few months and like it alot. However, since Technifibre is running a sale, the T40 305 intrigued me along with the solid TW review. I hear that the feel and control is superior to the Blade. I just bought one and will see how it compares to the new Blade. I don't play with poly anymore so the T40 will still offer great control and feel with my goat string Gosen Micro 16 at low tension around 50-52. It also has a healthy swing weight even though the static is low. Don't expect to need any customization which is a plus! Will post my review after I get the racquet later in the week!
djNEiGht
Legend
I've yet to try the 16 or 18 v7. I think you will be happy with the 305. Looking forward to your findings as I'm curious about the v7 models
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Pass on the v7 16/19, my friend. Trust me.
v7 18/20 is absolutely worth a try though.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
If you like the v7 16/19, you will LOVE the TF40 then. No lead needed.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Both are really good sticks. The feedback of the string bed for the TF40 isn’t as dampened as the v7 blade. The extra stiffness gives it a lot of stability. Extra low launch angle was something that was a bit surprising for me.
djNEiGht
Legend
That 18 v7 is on the radar.
Darn it.
djNEiGht
Legend
Howlong did you hit with the v7? I def want to try the blade
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
I switched from Volkl Cyclone to Cyclone Tour in my TF40 and it suites me definitely better. No more jarring and brick wall feeling with a minimal sweet spot even at 23 kg. Though I could've gone up a kilo or so (ended stringing @ 22 kg) since Tour seems to be so much softer. Next one on the list is either V-Torque 16 + Sensation 16 (hybrid), Razor Code White 18 + Sensation or a full bed of Razor Code White. I want more power (Ice Code had it) with preserved control on full cuts (Ice Code lacked on this after s few hours).
Lozannois
Rookie
What about tension maintenance of all these cyclone, Cyclone tour and v Torque tour strings ? Does it stays playable for long time ?
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t_pac
Semi-Pro
Still loving mine - agree with Mad Dog it plays just fine stock, but I've got a couple of grams at 10/2 and the same on the butt of the handle and the slight bump in plow and stability makes it even more formidable.
With OG mine comes in around 332g / 4 HL / 330 SW
In the past I've always used heavier, more head light setups but I played my best tennis in a long time with the TF40 last night.
Got it strung fairly low at 44/40 with Tier One Ghostwire. First serves and flattened out shots have a ton of power, but there's more than enough spin to keep the ball in the court, and comfort is great.
That feel tough
With OG mine comes in around 332g / 4 HL / 330 SW
In the past I've always used heavier, more head light setups but I played my best tennis in a long time with the TF40 last night.
Got it strung fairly low at 44/40 with Tier One Ghostwire. First serves and flattened out shots have a ton of power, but there's more than enough spin to keep the ball in the court, and comfort is great.
That feel tough
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
Well I cannot say yet. I cut out Cyclone only after like four hours since it was so boardy and I could hardly get the ball over the net if I didn't hit right in the sweet spot. My friend tried the racquet as well and thought it was like playing with a piece of plank. It was supposed to be 23 kg but I've started to suspect that the tension was actually much higher. Perhaps the stringer confused 23 kg with 28 kg. I've used the Tour now for three hours with no such issues. But if I strung it now, I'd go higher than 22 kg. The first string i tried was Ice Code and I've never served faster with any racquet+string. With the Cyclones I'm not able to serve nearly as fast and consistently.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
With the low flex rating of the T40 305 and no need to add lead is a big plus. I use to play with 18/20 pattern racquets years ago and loved them, prestige classic. 6.1 stretch. I probably can play with a 17 gauge string in the T40 because the pattern is really dense and still get decent string life. A thinner string will enhance the spin and feel. I will have to experiment with a few string set ups. Too bad the outdoor season is coming to an end in a few weeks and I don't play much if any indoors.
tribesmen
Professional
slightly disagree,
yes it may be low, but not extra low. But all depends on how you hit the ball. I don't have any problem with spin, on the contrary, spin is great and easy to achieve for 18x20 racket; flat kicks are the bombs.
But it is true, however, when you are late and you are behind the base line and you hit flat instead of spin, the ball goes into the net as a rule, but this is not the racket's fault.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Compared to my other 18/20 frames (2015 blade, ultra tour, mg prestige mp, tf315 Ltd) the trajectory of the tf40 is lower. Generating spin is not an issue. If you have good technique, generating spin is never an issue.
Played with the Blade since it first came out around August.
tribesmen
Professional
reply to mad dog1:
I know what you want to say. I started with wooden rackets in my mid-seventies and we've already hit the spin. That's why I can't buy "low launch angle".
You can have 16x19, 16x20, 18x19,18x20 and you adjust a launch angle with technique. So it is not a racket, but a player, and everyone chooses a racket which allows him to pull the maximum from himself.
I know what you want to say. I started with wooden rackets in my mid-seventies and we've already hit the spin. That's why I can't buy "low launch angle".
You can have 16x19, 16x20, 18x19,18x20 and you adjust a launch angle with technique. So it is not a racket, but a player, and everyone chooses a racket which allows him to pull the maximum from himself.
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
My experience is that TF40 and its launch angle is pretty string sensitive. With Ice Code it seemed definitely lower than with Cyclone Tour, in my hands that is. Next Razor Code White 18...
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Glad the Tf40 works great for you. I stated it was a very good stick in my review. It just didn’t do anything better than either my Ultra Tour or Blade. Plus I observed a much lower launch angle than these. I am sharing my subjective and objective observations.
Based on your experience, which one has more arm comfort? v7 18x20 or TF40?
Thank you
Let´s say what is more comfortable for my arm. Thank you.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yup.
The TF40 is a near perfect racquet. It does well from all areas of the court. I've been playing with the blade v.7 18x20 since late summer but I'm making the switch. Despite being the same size and slighter thicker beam, the TF40 almost feels like a 95 sq. in. headsize because it's much quicker around the court. That is especially evident during net exchange and getting the racquet to come around quicker when serving. The Blade otoh feels slugglish due to the hefty sw. Both racquets are comfortable but I prefer the more traditional feel of the TF40 because it's less muted and no gimmicky flex and it gives you just enough feedback. I've added leather grips to both racquets but for some reason, the leather grip in the Blade made the racquet noticeably stiffer. I've struggled a bit with the Blade on serve generating the kind of pace and placement that I would from the RF97A, but the TF40 fills in that hole. I had no trouble placing the ball where I wanted and it's got a decent amount of pace and spin despite being 18x20. For me, the TF40 is far superior to the Blade 98 when it comes to serves and volleys. Oh man, this stick is fantastic at net. It's got more putaway power, more manueverable, and better touch. I have an aggressive game so finess and touch aint my thing, but damn I was hitting some sick drop volleys. On top of that, it's super stable for its weight, which left me a bit shocked. Someone mentioned that the TF40 is the best racquet they've ever played with for their 2hbh and I couldn't agree more. I tend to hit the net a bit more often on my 2hbh due to the denser pattern of the Blade, but that was not an issue at all with the TF40. In fact, I haven't hit backhands this clean in like forever. My only knock is that I haven't quite dialed in on the forehand yet. This is where the Blade is more solid. I find the sweetspot of the TF40 to be a bit smaller and if I was hitting my forehand lower on the stringbed, the ball would land short. That tends to happen when I back off my swing and tries to add more spin, it would land short and into the net. If I commit to my shots, I'm rewarded. Sometimes when I don't comit, the next shot I tries to overcomit and it sails long. So basically I need a bit more time with the racquet to fine tune that balance with the forehand because everything else clicked beautifully from the get go. I'm going to try adding lead to 3&9 and see if that'll help. Overall, superb racquet that solves some of the issues I had with the Blade.
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tennis347
Hall of Fame
Which racquet is more forgiving on mishits the Blade or T40? Which racquet has more power? I just bought a T40 305 and currently use the new Blade 98 16 × 19. Not sure if I will make the switch but the T40 305 has had some really solid reviews.
