Tennis Warehouse Playtest - Head Hawk Power 1.25!!

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Very surprised.....
2 hours of doubles and quite a bit of string movement, will post a pic soon
String felt great in the Pro Staff, not alot of spin, so thats a tad disappointing.
Could be my swing or the string pattern :unsure:
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
I stand by my statement that this string stays playable for awhile.
Pulled out my TR960 with my original test set, from months ago, and played with it to compare to the PS97. String still felt good, still decent control, just a good hitting experience. It is definitely loose, but very playable.
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
My full bed was playable for a long time, then I bought the promo sets for $4 and did a hybrid and it was playable until the multi broke in the cross.

Does anyone use this and Yonex PTP and can compare.
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Has anyone tried other hybrids with Head Hawk Power and at what tension? I’ve tried a bunch of strings lately and this is the best string I’ve used at least in terms of results. I still have some Swingvision footage and with this string there are recordings I’m serving 70% 1st serves, where as I’m probably closer to 50% with other strings.
 
Has anyone tried other hybrids with Head Hawk Power and at what tension? I’ve tried a bunch of strings lately and this is the best string I’ve used at least in terms of results. I still have some Swingvision footage and with this string there are recordings I’m serving 70% 1st serves, where as I’m probably closer to 50% with other strings.
Really? Thats incredible, I'll have to finally try it out soon
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Really? Thats incredible, I'll have to finally try it out soon
I think I've only done like 4 swingvision match recordings with this string, and the others were just what my opponents commenting and my anecdotal guess. It's such a small sample, and everyone's serve toss/timing/swing is so different. Some of my first swingvision trys were with this string, but the longer doubles matches took so much space on my phone, I deleted them.

I just kind of got lazy and stopped recording them. I feel like the string is fairly light compared to others and on an extended racket I can definitely notice it swinging faster (I don't have access to a SW machine to tell, hoping someone does and can compare).
 
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Chairman3

Hall of Fame
@2ndServe I did a gosen og sheep 16 main and hawk power cross hybrid at 46lbs in an Ultra Tour.
This is a very dense pattern and I was trying to get some controllable power, it worked great. Got about 18-19hrs before the main snapped.
Haven't done any hybrids in more open patterns yet. But I too am a fan of this string.
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
@2ndServe I did a gosen og sheep 16 main and hawk power cross hybrid at 46lbs in an Ultra Tour.
This is a very dense pattern and I was trying to get some controllable power, it worked great. Got about 18-19hrs before the main snapped.
Haven't done any hybrids in more open patterns yet. But I too am a fan of this string.
I too got a ton of useable time on this string, but I'm lazy stringer type and don't restring till it breaks. I too think I got over 20 hrs on my set then I did hybrid with the promo $4 sale sets. Mine were head hawk power in the mains and syn or multi in the cross, lasted a long time because the multi cross never notched the harder mains. Did your Head Hawk Power cross notch your OG sheep mains?
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
I too got a ton of useable time on this string, but I'm lazy stringer type and don't restring till it breaks. I too think I got over 20 hrs on my set then I did hybrid with the promo $4 sale sets. Mine were head hawk power in the mains and syn or multi in the cross, lasted a long time because the multi cross never notched the harder mains. Did your Head Hawk Power cross notch your OG sheep mains?
They definitely notched the syngut mains, but it took awhile before they snapped. Hawk Power doesn't play like a stiff string and it is round, so with a more durable syngut/multi I think you'd get good life.
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Tennis Warehouse had a podcast at the BNP head stringer and they talked a long time about head hawk power.

I think Brittany said she uses it in all her rackets and Chris is also liking the string now, which says a lot considering they have access to hundreds of different strings.


Wondering if anyone uses Head Hawk Power and Yonex PTP and which you like better
 
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Chairman3

Hall of Fame
@Chairman3 how is head hawk power compared to regular head lynx?
I would say firmer, but still comfortable, a bit more muted and a bit less control.
Both have about the same tension maintenance. But for me both also remain playable after tension loss if you don't mind some trampoline in your stringbed.
I prefer the feel/feedback that lynx has, but hawk power does have some extra power.
I'll have to play them side by side now as I am not sure which I would prefer.
If you're a finesse/touch player, lynx is probably better.
 

K1Y

Professional
I would say firmer, but still comfortable, a bit more muted and a bit less control.
Both have about the same tension maintenance. But for me both also remain playable after tension loss if you don't mind some trampoline in your stringbed.
I prefer the feel/feedback that lynx has, but hawk power does have some extra power.
I'll have to play them side by side now as I am not sure which I would prefer.
If you're a finesse/touch player, lynx is probably better.
Excellent comparison and very interesting to read. would love to hear an updated opinion if you ever do play them side by side, thank you for sharing!
 
I think I've only done like 4 swingvision match recordings with this string, and the others were just what my opponents commenting and my anecdotal guess. It's such a small sample, and everyone's serve toss/timing/swing is so different. Some of my first swingvision trys were with this string, but the longer doubles matches took so much space on my phone, I deleted them.

I just kind of got lazy and stopped recording them. I feel like the string is fairly light compared to others and on an extended racket I can definitely notice it swinging faster (I don't have access to a SW machine to tell, hoping someone does and can compare).
Need an update on this have you tested this more yet and continued way higher percentage serving with hawk power?
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Need an update on this have you tested this more yet and continued way higher percentage serving with hawk power?
Haven't had time but yes I'll try to do this in 2 weeks. I know it's odd and it sounds feeble but certain strings swing significantly heavy on my sw104 28" racket. Head Hawk Power swings light in this racket for me. I'm moving rackets so I need to string it with hawk power and iso speed and compare more than a few matches and get a baseline.

Going to be tough with a different racket, since I've played a hundred matches with the sw104 and i have a very good idea of what my serve percentage usually is with my regular strings and what an extreme outlier is.
 
Haven't had time but yes I'll try to do this in 2 weeks. I know it's odd and it sounds feeble but certain strings swing significantly heavy on my sw104 28" racket. Head Hawk Power swings light in this racket for me. I'm moving rackets so I need to string it with hawk power and iso speed and compare more than a few matches and get a baseline.

Going to be tough with a different racket, since I've played a hundred matches with the sw104 and i have a very good idea of what my serve percentage usually is with my regular strings and what an extreme outlier is.
How about now?
 

HeavyHitter

Rookie
Hawk power feels very similar to Alu Power(not rough version) with a slight edge in tension holding but it does fall off hard like Alu power. Spin generation is easier with Alu power, Hawk power feels slightly more muted which can be good or bad. Both Alu power and Hawk power plays great for 4-6hrs than it starts to fall off hard and becomes erratic and not fun to play with. I would recommend Yonex Polytour Strike if you want better tension holding with similar characteristics.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Hawk power feels very similar to Alu Power(not rough version) with a slight edge in tension holding but it does fall off hard like Alu power. Spin generation is easier with Alu power, Hawk power feels slightly more muted which can be good or bad. Both Alu power and Hawk power plays great for 4-6hrs than it starts to fall off hard and becomes erratic and not fun to play with. I would recommend Yonex Polytour Strike if you want better tension holding with similar characteristics.
For me, Alu power plays great for less than two hours and then playability nosedives hard. Hawk Power plays great for about 2 hours then playability drops off but is still ok until around 4 hours. After that, it becomes very erratic. I would not choose to buy either string because neither lasts long enough.
 

StringStrungStrang

Professional
Came back to see if anybody has tried this in a hybrid set up
@SlowTiger and other Head Hawk Power fans... I finally got around to string the Head Hawk Power Hybrid : Hyper-G in the Mains 45 / Head Hawk Power in the Crosses 47. Should I call this hybrid Hyper-GPower or Hyper-G HawkPower (HGHP)?
I will be trying this out along with the Prince Venom Shoes and Tourna Tuff XL overgrips tomorrow after the Wimbledon Finals !!

I was on the playtest for Head Lynx Spin2 / Lynx Tour / Head Hawk and it reminded me to try out this combo - especially since I enjoyed the feel of LynxSpin2 so much. Will keep you posted!

hhp1.jpg
hhp2.jpg
 

StringStrungStrang

Professional
@StringStrungStrang what made you choose hyper g over trying it with a stiffer shaped poly?
I was using LynxSpin2 recently and really liked it! So I thought I'd see if this combo could recreate the magic. On TW's podcast HEAD's D. Fabian was talking about using a softer main with a stiffer thinner cross, so I looked around to see what I had on hand.
I played 3 hours this morning with the Hyper-G / Hawk Power and I liked it very much. Better power and just enough spin and control. It felt firm but comfortable.
 
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StringStrungStrang

Professional
I was using LynxSpin2 recently and really liked it! So I thought I'd see if this combo could recreate the magic. On TW's podcast HEAD's D. Fabian was talking about using a softer main with a stiffer thinner cross, so I looked around to see what I had on hand.
I played 3 hours this morning with the Hyper-G / Hawk Power and I liked it very much. Better power and just enough spin and control. It felt firm but comfortable.
Head Hawk Power is great in the this hybrid. Hyper-G (45) / HHP (47). It is firm but stiff enough to add plenty of control and when matched to a more lively main it plays great. This is definitely a good combo for me. Serving has been a lot of fun! Spin has been very good and when you catch it just right outstanding. Control has been very good, FH, 2HBH behaves nicely even when the pace picks up. Returns are awesome, whether you block them back or drive through them. Around the net is great too and I am finding slices are quite good. This combo works very well, maybe a little more power than LynxSpin2, but without the great feel LS2 has, which I really enjoy.

If I were to string to string this up again I might add a pound or two of tension, but like so much about it as is.

I think it would make a great hybrid with Lynx Tour. Still looking to utilize Head Lynx in a hybrid too.
 

StringStrungStrang

Professional
Okay you've had another 2 months now, what do you think about it?
Short answer: I like it a lot! Maybe even love this set up when its fresh.
The Hyper-G adds pop and spin, the Head Hawk Power provides the control, feel and consistency. They work well together and so far I am liking the durability. I am getting enough power to cause trouble on groundstrokes and on serve, but enough spin and control to keep it all in the court. It also shines for volleys and return of serve.
It has a medium + launch. On defense and return of serves it absorbs enough pace to give me enough pocketing to control and redirect, especially on big shots. The redirect with pace makes this good for counter punchers or baseline grinders.
There are a lot of good hybrid combos, and this is another for me to keep in mind. I really enjoyed Head Lynx Spin2, which has a bit more muted feeling, while this has a touch crisper feeling.
I could easily just play this combo without thinking of any other strings, but I am still searching for the perfect setup, wherever and whatever that may be.

Head Hawk Power does make a great cross. I would definitely recommend it!
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Okay you've had another 2 months now, what do you think about it?

I liked it a lot played like ALU power to me (but I don’t have extensive use of ALU power so take that for what it is). I started stringing it higher, I prefer higher tension now in the 60 and I hybrid it with multi now. I still served really well with it, great for volleys, and touch, my backhand was still terrible but that‘s not the strings fault.

I‘ve run into an issue where twice I’ve crushed an overhead and the string broke near the top grommet and neither was a mis hit imo. The first time was full bed and the next time was Hawk Power in the mains and multi in the cross. So both test didn’t last as long as I wanted. The first trial set actually lasted me a lot of time like 20 hours
 
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I liked it a lot played like ALU power to me (but I don’t have extensive use of ALU power so take that for what it is). I started stringing it higher, I prefer higher tension now in the 60 and I hybrid it with multi now. I still served really well with it, great for volleys, and touch, my backhand was still terrible but that‘s not the strings fault.

I‘ve run into an issue where twice I’ve crushed an overhead and the string broke near the top grommet and neither was a mis hit imo. The first time was full bed and the next time was Hawk Power in the mains and multi in the cross. So both test didn’t last as long as I wanted. The first trial set actually lasted me a lot of time like 20 hours
Did the huge increase in serve percentage you mentioned months ago still seem to be there? Best string in general for serving?
 

ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
Bumping this.
I actually used this for a month and enjoyed it. Top string tried for the year. Strung it at 49 lbs M/C in my Tfight 305.
Even though the strings moved a bit after 3-4 hours , I still got 6 weeks out of it where I didn’t notice a springy feeling.

I am debating on purchasing a reel. Since I string myself, I may not entirely mind having to restring it every 4-6 weeks.

Anyone else have further reviews on this? How do you compare it to Yonex PTP black 1.25?
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Bumping this.
I actually used this for a month and enjoyed it. Top string tried for the year. Strung it at 49 lbs M/C in my Tfight 305.
Even though the strings moved a bit after 3-4 hours , I still got 6 weeks out of it where I didn’t notice a springy feeling.

I am debating on purchasing a reel. Since I string myself, I may not entirely mind having to restring it every 4-6 weeks.

Anyone else have further reviews on this? How do you compare it to Yonex PTP black 1.25?
Aside from what I've written in this thread,


Now that is PTP yellow, not sure how PTP black plays. I'm sure it's similar
 

ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
Aside from what I've written in this thread,


Now that is PTP yellow, not sure how PTP black plays. I'm sure it's similar
Yeah PTP played well in the Ezone I had a couple years back. I use a Tfight 305. Really liked the hawk power at 49 lbs. snap back was quite nice.
 

StringStrungStrang

Professional
I liked Head Hawk Power as a full bed, BUT I liked it more as a cross with Hyper-G mains probably around 45/46 mains and 47/48 crosses. I preferred this set up much more due the increased spin and power. The colors work well together too. The HHP by itself I felt was missing something. This string combo worked better together for me, than independently as a full bed. Longevity was roughly the same.
 

ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
I liked Head Hawk Power as a full bed, BUT I liked it more as a cross with Hyper-G mains probably around 45/46 mains and 47/48 crosses. I preferred this set up much more due the increased spin and power. The colors work well together too. The HHP by itself I felt was missing something. This string combo worked better together for me, than independently as a full bed. Longevity was roughly the same.
What racket did you use - to test it?
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
I am back to hawk power. Strung it up last night at 53/50. Ball comes off the racket so clean. Feel is so nice.
Me too been trying a bunch of strings and this is my favorite. Amazing for serves, volleys, slices, overheads. This string for some reason swings really light compared to every other string I’ve used. It’s 1.25 but I’ve used 1.20 and 1.15 of other strings and head hawk power swings the easiest imo.
 
Me too been trying a bunch of strings and this is my favorite. Amazing for serves, volleys, slices, overheads. This string for some reason swings really light compared to every other string I’ve used. It’s 1.25 but I’ve used 1.20 and 1.15 of other strings and head hawk power swings the easiest imo.
Have you tried grapplesnake tour m8? I've heard its similar, but has better spin potential
 

EggSalad

Hall of Fame
Have you tried grapplesnake tour m8? I've heard its similar, but has better spin potential
It’s not similar. They both share a thumpy/ball pocketing type of feel on contact but that is about it.

Tour M8 is a good bit stiffer, has more spin potential and is less powerful. It also has better control.

Hawk Power has much better feel than Tour M8.

Both great strings, just very different.
 

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
Is anyone still using this string? I liked it a lot, I started to hybrid it at 50lb mains and some multi or syn gut at 35lbs

I thought it had lots of control, swings fast, an ALU sub? In a much cheaper price, especially as a hybrid.

My only gripe is sometimes I mishit the top and I’ve snapped a string at least twice where I never break a string.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Is anyone still using this string? I liked it a lot, I started to hybrid it at 50lb mains and some multi or syn gut at 35lbs

I thought it had lots of control, swings fast, an ALU sub? In a much cheaper price, especially as a hybrid.

My only gripe is sometimes I mishit the top and I’ve snapped a string at least twice where I never break a string.
Yep, bought a partial reel from @ChrisJR3264 (thank you, great deal from him)
I've been doing alot of the string playtests but will get back into a rotation of using this and dialing it in along with Poly Tour Strike 1.20
 

loosegroove

Hall of Fame
Is anyone still using this string? I liked it a lot, I started to hybrid it at 50lb mains and some multi or syn gut at 35lbs

I thought it had lots of control, swings fast, an ALU sub? In a much cheaper price, especially as a hybrid.

My only gripe is sometimes I mishit the top and I’ve snapped a string at least twice where I never break a string.
That’s how my playtest ended prematurely after just a short warm up; I shanked a ball and it broke. I was surprised it snapped because the incoming ball was relatively slow and I was only taking a casual swing.
 
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