The new Wilson Blade 100 v7.. stud or dud

danbrenner

Legend
so i havent had a chance to hit with it yet. but this is the first time in Blade history that they released a true 100 without it being a lite. I actually owned the lite. i modded it to 11.5 oz but it just didnt feel right. so maybe this one will be the real deal. well see. let the games begin.
 
I was also wondering about Blade 100 as well being a formidable weapon or game changer? Has anyone tried this frame and what are your thoughts?
 
So... no one’s tried it, yet? Any comparison to the 100” Six One, as well as other tweeners like the Pure Drive and/or Speed Pro/MP?
 
I took this picture back in November, 2019, when I first got a hold of the v7 Blade 100 16x19:

uc


For me, it was the best of the v7 Blades - a bit stiffer feeling than the v7 Blade 98 16x19, but more forgiving and spin capable than the v7 Blade 98 18x20 without having any worse control. It did have a slightly different feel than the 98's that I preferred.
 
I've been hitting with it for the past few days. I'm not a fan, though I play with high spin. Control was lacking more than 104, and the 98's and the problem gets much worse with any balance adjustment to the racket. (Almost unplayable at 32cm). It did much better on horizontal/flat swing paths but would still get some WTF balls like the clash.

It plays okay in stock form and power is pretty good. Spin is okay but not a selling point imo. The 18x20 has been my main racket for a year now, but after playing against some more advanced counter punchers on clay I was looking for something a bit lighter.
 
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I've been hitting with it for the past few days. I'm not a fan though I play with high spin. Control was lacking more than 104, and the 98's and the problem gets much worse with any balance adjustment to the racket. (Almost unplayable at 32cm). It did much better on horizontal/flat swing paths but would still get some WTF balls like the clash.

It plays okay in stock form and power is pretty good. Spin is okay but not a selling point imo. The 18x20 has been my main racket for a year now, but after playing against some more advanced counter punchers on clay I was looking for something a bit lighter.

We are starting the search for the replacement for my son's Blade 98 16x19 CVs as he prepares to head off for college tennis this fall. He is looking for just a tad more pop if he can get it and still maintain control so the 100 was an interesting option. He is also demoing the new Blade when it comes out, the Ezone 98 and Ezone 100 and is currently demoing the Pure Strike 16x19 the later of which I am not that keen on due to potential for repetitive use injuries.

Do you think the 100 should be something we wait for availability as an option or was it just to powerful/lacking in control?
 
Do you think the 100 should be something we wait for availability as an option or was it just to powerful/lacking in control?

No harm in demoing, but I'm more interested in the new blades. My gripe with the current model is that Feel Flex is great if you're not using the racket at higher swing speeds consistently. It gives a little boost in power for low to mid range strokes. If you are swinging harder, the feel is much more harsh and power starts to drop off on the top end. Much more noticeable in the clash. If he has flatter strokes the 100 could still be a good choice but I wasn't confident against a ball machine with fresh alu power haha.

I'm loving the ezone 98+ right now but power is a bit high. It's quite a change from the blade and I'm seeing if I can get used to it. I liked the pure strike for the few minutes I was able to use it as well but I'm recovering from surgery. Ezone 100 was very harsh as well.
 
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No harm in demoing, but I'm more interested in the new blades. My gripe with the current model is that Feel Flex is great if you're not using the racket at higher swing speeds consistently. It gives a little boost in power for low to mid range strokes. If you are swinging harder, the feel is much more harsh and power starts to drop off on the top end. Much more noticeable in the clash. If he has flatter strokes the 100 could still be a good choice but I wasn't confident against a ball machine with fresh alu power haha.

I'm loving the ezone 98+ right now but power is a bit high. It's quite a change from the blade and I'm seeing if I can get used to it. I liked the pure strike for the few minutes I was able to use it as well but I'm recovering from surgery.

He has a modern game so plenty of spin off both sides. When I say more pop I am speaking in relative terms to his level of play which is pretty high. He played for many years with 4G and switched about a year ago to Hyper G.

I don't think he has hit with the V7 and we haven't demoed it between the shortage and it just doesn't make sense with the new blades coming. He has not demo'ed the clash being a kid we did't think it made sense.

OK, we will wait for the new blades in September if they don't fall off the ship in transit on the way here. Thanks for your help!
 
I don't think he has hit with the V7 and we haven't demoed it between the shortage and it just doesn't make sense with the new blades coming.

For what it's worth, the v7 was the first blade I ever enjoyed and one of the best if he can create his own power. The feel is unique and soft a lot of the time, and it plays very well. I would definitely still try it out if he hasn't before. Many consider it the best blade ever. I want to hold off for the new blade too but the 98 16x19 has me curious again.
 
For what it's worth, the v7 was the first blade I ever enjoyed and one of the best if he can create his own power. The feel is unique and soft a lot of the time, and it plays very well. I would definitely still try it out if he hasn't before. Many consider it the best blade ever. I want to hold off for the new blade too but the 98 16x19 has Ed me curious again.

It’s really hard to gauge a review without knowing the string and tension as well as level and style of the player. Can you add some info about yourself? I would think this model of Blade would be much better for heavy topspin players that like to finish at net due to the 16x19 pattern and larger head size. I would think upper 40s for string tension for more advanced players. All just a guess of course. I’m a 5.0 level tournament player that uses The Clash Pro at 45 lbs with Hyper G soft and a modern, low to high swing path and have no issues with control. I prefer the 100 sq. Inch head size because I like to end points at net and also play dubs quite a bit in the winter.
 
Alu power at whatever mid recommended -2 was. Recovering from surgery mostly playing with 3.5 to 4.5s I use heavy topspin, low to high baseliner and prefer clash like balance.

I was hoping for this racket to be exactly what you described but the 104v7 does a better job as the spin brings it down harder.

The 100 has quite a bit of power but not enough spin at stock balance imo. Spin wasn't much greater than what I get on 18x20 with edged string. Tail weighting it led to a great loss in control. Much better for horizontal swing paths imo
 
Alu power at whatever mid recommended -2 was. Recovering from surgery mostly playing with 3.5 to 4.5s I use heavy topspin, low to high baseliner and prefer clash like balance.

I was hoping for this racket to be exactly what you described but the 104v7 does a better job as the spin brings it down harder.

The 100 has quite a bit of power but not enough spin at stock balance imo. Spin wasn't much greater than what I get on 18x20 with edged string. Tail weighting it led to a great loss in control. Much better for horizontal swing paths imo

Thanks for the great info! I was hoping for better from this model. I wonder if the new version will have a 100.
 
I am demoing it right now. I use a pure strike 16X19 and also have a technifibre t-40. It has more power and spin than the 98 blade. The feel is just as non-descript as the 98's, possibly even more vague. It went back in the bag very quickly. Not a fan of the clash technology. I which they would just make a racquet like this in a 63ra with cabon fiber and foam filled....that's it.
 
I am demoing it right now. I use a pure strike 16X19 and also have a technifibre t-40. It has more power and spin than the 98 blade. The feel is just as non-descript as the 98's, possibly even more vague. It went back in the bag very quickly. Not a fan of the clash technology. I which they would just make a racquet like this in a 63ra with cabon fiber and foam filled....that's it.

Was hoping for more details but I get it

Will you try the new pro staff 100 v13? Sounds like it may be more in your wheelhouse.
 
Hi Rye
Was hoping for more details but I get it

Will you try the new pro staff 100 v13? Sounds like it may be more in your wheelhouse.

I wish I could give you more details but There isn't much to say. They added Flexfeel to the racquet which made it feel just like a clash to me. I find the feel of the clash and to a lesser extent, the blades, nondescript. I can't tell what's going on....just not for me. If you want a lighter, more powerful, more spin-friendly Blade, the 100 is up your alley.

I will definitely try the 100 prostaff. I loved my 97's but wished they were a touch more spin friendly and a little more forgiving. This might be exactly what I was looking for. I am having a good time with the Technifibre T40 as well. Control and touch is exceptional. I'm getting good spin too.
 
I thought after buying the Yonex VCP 97 310 that I was not going to try any other racquets. However, that frame was a bit too low powered and clunky. My Prince Phantom 100P frames are getting too demanding and I wanted a frame that is a bit lighter and can generate easier power as well as spin. I played with the Blade v7 98 16 x 19 but it was a little too low powered and demanding for long matches. The Blade 100v7 really intrigued me with the larger head, more open pattern, the super plush feel and 325 Sw. I sold off some of my other racquets and bought a Blade 100v7 to try. I will post my review by the weekend. This frame looks it's between a player's and tweener racquet. At 54, this may be exactly what I am looking for!
 
I had first hitting session with the Blade v7 100. I have to say right off the bat that my initial impressions are very favorable. I played with the v7 98 16 x 19 for a while so the transition to the 100 was quite easy. The 100 has a large sweet spot, more user-friendly, better spin potential with more power, the control was pretty close to the 98 but for a 100, the control is quite good. The 100 might play a little firmer than the 98 but the RA are noted identical on the TW site. The comfort is top notch as well. The stability is much better over the 98. I added my Wilson Contour grip along with 1.5 grams on the butt of the handle and 1.5 grams total at 10 and 2. The strung weight with a dampner is 327 grams and I would estimate about a 325 sw which is perfect. This is a really nice offering from Wilson and I wish came out a few years ago. A few more sessions with 100 and I could very well be making the switch!!
 
Anyone had a chance to compare this PS100 to thr Angell TC100?
i did hit with thr TC100 for about 2yrs, love it, gave it up for some more precision with a 98sq in racket .

i at a point where i do need the 100sq in now. thr PS100, blade 100, and Angell TC100 is on my want list.
 
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