The Official 2013 Blade 93 Fan Club

[asifallasleep]

Thanks guys. Asifallsleep, your suggestion of the poly on the crosses will make the racquet feel more like full poly vs poly on mains?

I was making a suggestion to help soften the stringbed by either going full multi or a hybrid setup.

Hybrid closer to full poly than full multi, but with way more feel and softer on the arm.

My reply was focused more on where the gut goes in a hybrid setup.

For determining where you put the gut or multi in a hybrid setup;

Per Drakulie,

putting gut in crosses is a waste of gut as any less expensive multi will do the same thing,,,,,soften the string bed.

putting gut in mains gives more:
-power
-comfort
-spin
-control
-plays better longer

 

[dcsrour]

great. my question was wether putting the poly in the cross or the main would feel most like a full bed but you answered my question.

I put technifibre bi in the main along with my poly in the cross...lets see how that goes. Been using poly for the past 10 years so any deviation is a nightmare for my game but for the sake of my arm i will try)

appreciated

 

[isingh]

What tension would you recommend for gut in the mains? I know with a 93 head and and 18x20 string pattern a lower tension is recommended. I was thinking of using a hybrid with RPM Blast in the crosses.

 

[asifallasleep]

What tension would you recommend for gut in the mains? I know with a 93 head and and 18x20 string pattern a lower tension is recommended. I was thinking of using a hybrid with RPM Blast in the crosses.

I'm currently using a full bed of NRG2 @ 45. If I were to hybrid, Gut in the mains at 45, synthetic in the crosses at 42.

usually it's good to string the crosses a few lbs less than the mains.

just take what you currently string full bed and make the adjustment to around 3 lbs less in the crosses.

 

[ushynoti]

I use the Wilson Prostaff BLX 90 and tried the Blade 98 (16x19) for a while and never tried the 93 because I thought I wanted a larger head size, but it turned out that the 98 was just too much power for me and I had a hard time taming it consistently because I grew up with the Prostaff 85 Sampras frame and my strokes are grooved for those types of racquets. Since you used the K90 before this, how does this Blade 93 compare to that racquet in terms of plow through? I have yet to find a stick that plows through as well as the 90 Prostaff...

 

[asifallasleep]

I use the Wilson Prostaff BLX 90 and tried the Blade 98 (16x19) for a while and never tried the 93 because I thought I wanted a larger head size, but it turned out that the 98 was just too much power for me and I had a hard time taming it consistently because I grew up with the Prostaff 85 Sampras frame and my strokes are grooved for those types of racquets. Since you used the K90 before this, how does this Blade 93 compare to that racquet in terms of plow through? I have yet to find a stick that plows through as well as the 90 Prostaff...

Nothing feels like my K90 in terms of feel and plow through. Also you're comparing a 16X19 and an 18X20. Completely different.

Blade 93 is very maneuverable and has really good pop. It's a frame that does everything well and really has no weaknesses.

I actually just ordered 2 RF97's and am eager to try them out.

 

[ushynoti]

Nothing feels like my K90 in terms of feel and plow through. Also you're comparing a 16X19 and an 18X20. Completely different.

Blade 93 is very maneuverable and has really good pop. It's a frame that does everything well and really has no weaknesses.

I actually just ordered 2 RF97's and am eager to try them out.

Ok, yeah I figured, I never felt any other racquet have as much plow through as the Prostaff 90...I never really liked dense string beds, although I did use the Head Ti Radical for a period of time as well and seemed to be ok as far as spin goes. I guess it just comes down to getting used to it. I didn't like the Blade 98 (18x20) though. Did you ever play with that one and do you have any comparisons to that?

 

[ringwraith]

I just bought a used K90, and coming from the blade 98 the feel is sublime. It is not too forgiving though as expected, but I love how precise and nice feeling the K90 is. Going to demo the blade 93 to find a happy medium.

 

[ushynoti]

Has anyone found the grip shape on the Blade 93 to be different? I like the grip shape on the Prostaff 90 frames but the Blades have more of a rectangular shape, right?

 

[asifallasleep]

My Blade's feel like more or an extension of my hand compared to my RF97's. Have to decide if the advantages of the RF97 merit a complete switch.

 

[John Z.]

Has anyone found the grip shape on the Blade 93 to be different? I like the grip shape on the Prostaff 90 frames but the Blades have more of a rectangular shape, right?

blade 93 has a larger butcap. can be odd at first but i personally got used to it in no time, help me to 'swing all out' without squeezing the grip actually.

 

[John Z.]

My Blade's feel like more or an extension of my hand compared to my RF97's. Have to decide if the advantages of the RF97 merit a complete switch.

don't do it!

Also, lets say fed wouldn't play with it, the rf97 charm factor would likely go down for most peeps, and since he will prob switch again within a year or so... Blade 93 is tha stick man

 

[dcsrour]

Bad news today John...spoke with a Wilson rep and they are definitely discontinuing the blade 93.

 

[dcsrour]

He looked at me and said with sarcasm, you know you are one of about 20 people who use this frame lol

 

[John Z.]

Bad news today John...spoke with a Wilson rep and they are definitely discontinuing the blade 93.

Sad news. Surprising too given that the ps90, the prestige mid and the volkl 10 mid are also out, seems like the perfect opportunity for wilson to sweep the market for mids...

 

[PaulC]

He looked at me and said with sarcasm, you know you are one of about 20 people who use this frame lol

And you can tell him: Wilson don't even have more than 1 people in this same 20 people sample who is using Pro Staff RF97 Autograph !!

Have him tell their HQ that Wilson WILL suffer consequences from the United Front of Holy War for the 16X19 true 93 frames in this forum. :twisted:

 

[John Z.]

What tension would you recommend for gut in the mains? I know with a 93 head and and 18x20 string pattern a lower tension is recommended. I was thinking of using a hybrid with RPM Blast in the crosses.

I play with similar hybrid setup: 48 ish main and 44 ish cross.

 

[JustTennis76]

I have been hitting with the blade 93 last 4 hours or so and it feels so easy to maneuver compared to the blade 98 which I am using currently. Seriously thinking about the switch. There is so much control and I can flatten out my shots down the line with ease compared to the 98. Anyone switched from the 98 to the 93?

 

[asifallasleep]

Bad news today John...spoke with a Wilson rep and they are definitely discontinuing the blade 93.

I think they realised that it was impossible to improve on the 2013 Blade 93 and decided not to try.


Also, there will be no reason to buy a new stick every few years for the latest model. Stockpile them when they go on sale and you're good for years and years!!

 

[asifallasleep]

I have been hitting with the blade 93 last 4 hours or so and it feels so easy to maneuver compared to the blade 98 which I am using currently. Seriously thinking about the switch. There is so much control and I can flatten out my shots down the line with ease compared to the 98. Anyone switched from the 98 to the 93?

93 way more headlight and thus much easier to swing. A little less power tho.
Check the TW 2013 Blade 93 reviews as they do compare the 98 ad 93 i believe.

 

[asifallasleep]

I play with similar hybrid setup: 48 ish main and 44 ish cross.

If i were to hybrid this is how I would go. Currently full bed of NRG2 at 45-48lbs.

 

[PaulC]

I think they realised that it was impossible to improve on the 2013 Blade 93 and decided not to try.


Also, there will be no reason to buy a new stick every few years for the latest model. Stockpile them when they go on sale and you're good for years and years!!

NOT TRUE.

16X19 or even 16X16 will vastly improve the spin production, yet won't affect control much, due to the already relatively small head size -- No Dunlop 100 owner that I know ever complained about Dunlop switched from 18X20 to 16X18, for example.

 

[asifallasleep]

NOT TRUE.

16X19 or even 16X16 will vastly improve the spin production, yet won't affect control much, due to the already relatively small head size -- No Dunlop 100 owner that I know ever complained about Dunlop switched from 18X20 to 16X18, for example.

A 16X19 would be the only possible improvement IMO

 

[John Z.]

A 16X19 would be the only possible improvement IMO

WORD. (I would definitely get two of those)

 

[isingh]

I think they realised that it was impossible to improve on the 2013 Blade 93 and decided not to try.


Also, there will be no reason to buy a new stick every few years for the latest model. Stockpile them when they go on sale and you're good for years and years!!

I think Wilson also realized no matter how much they try to improve the paintjob, it's impossible.

 

[asifallasleep]

I think Wilson also realized no matter how much they try to improve the paintjob, it's impossible.

Exactly!!!!

 

[PaulC]

I think Wilson also realized no matter how much they try to improve the paintjob, it's impossible.

If there is a 16X19 version, I would like to see it in current cosmetics but in clear or glossy coating, like the Blade 98 16X19.

Then again, I'm biased towards clear coating given my 1HBH and POG mid background.

 

[asifallasleep]

don't do it!

Also, lets say fed wouldn't play with it, the rf97 charm factor would likely go down for most peeps, and since he will prob switch again within a year or so... Blade 93 is tha stick man

Going back to the Blade 93's.

 

[ringwraith]

What a great stick! I am demoing it right now. The plow and feel are addictive and the control is unbelievable. I think it has as much spin potential as the blade 98 and better in every other respect. I have it until the weekend, so will get to play more. This thing plays similar to the K90 but with more plow and easier to maneuver.

 

[smirker]

What a great stick! I am demoing it right now. The plow and feel are addictive and the control is unbelievable. I think it has as much spin potential as the blade 98 and better in every other respect. I have it until the weekend, so will get to play more. This thing plays similar to the K90 but with more plow and easier to maneuver.

Looking forward to demoing this one. Have RF97 and PS97 demos at the moment. Mad as it sounds the perfect frame for me would be somewhere in between the two models. The PS is a little hollow and tinny feeling whilst the RF is super solid but maneuvers like a plank. Hoping the Blade 93 will provide a middle ground.

 

[asifallasleep]

Looking forward to demoing this one. Have RF97 and PS97 demos at the moment. Mad as it sounds the perfect frame for me would be somewhere in between the two models. The PS is a little hollow and tinny feeling whilst the RF is super solid but maneuvers like a plank. Hoping the Blade 93 will provide a middle ground.

Did you demo the 93 yet?

 

[asifallasleep]

Got rid of my RF97's again and have leaded up my Blade 93's to 12.9. Amazed at how easy it is to swing the blade even with the additional weight. This stick is insane. Really destroying the ball with the additional weight. I compared the head size to my RF97 and the difference was really negligible. The diff in headsize is sooooo small when comparing 90's, 93's, 95's, 98's. Are the pros getting that much more when going to the larger head sizes? Even when the sweet spots are close in size. Who's still using mids on the tour?

Added:
Leather grip
2 grams at 12
7.24 grams (3.62 grams Tourna Sampras Lead at 3 & 9)

12.9 oz (366/7grams)

 

[smirker]

Did you demo the 93 yet?

No, never got around to it. Decided lighter and more forgiving was better suited to my level and age! Not getting any younger and worried about swinging a heavy racquet for 4 sets of doubles (my match format) I did pick up a cheap PS BLX 6.1 90 though! Main stick is a Yonex 98d which is about 11.5 oz all in with a lower sw. If I see one cheap I may still pick one up just to have it in the collection. Lovely looking frame.

 

[NDtennis_Williston]

Man.....

The blade 93 2013 is the best 'one hander' stick i have played with in a long time (at least since the old Rafter prince response titanium 97).

This is very subjective, indeed... but for me, there is currently nothing else out there that has the combo of maneuverability, weigh and control that the blade 93 has (and yes i have tried all the head prestige... i just don't like the way they move through the air, somehow not suited for my game).

A word of caution: this is a 18x20 string pattern in a 93'' frame - string at MUCH lower tension than usual or you will never connect with this stick. I personally string poly in low 40s, multi and ngut in mid to high 40s.

Man wish I would've read this yesterday. I'm a 4.5/5.0 baseliner using the Graphene Radical Pro. I strung up a blade 93 with my same setup, babolat vs with alu power at 61/57, and went to play my brother who is better than me. I played the first 7 games with the radical, then switched to the blade and instantly noticed a lack of power and every ball was hit with less spin and left short. How much of this is the way I hit the ball and how much is it that I need to lower the tension?

 

[NDtennis_Williston]

PS

My brother said there was a DRAMATIC difference in the pace and depth of my shots. I beat him with the Radical, got smoked with the Blade.

 

[CivicLx]

My brother said there was a DRAMATIC difference in the pace and depth of my shots. I beat him with the Radical, got smoked with the Blade.

How does this racquet compare to the YT or IG Prestige? I tried this once or twice and the last time I used it, I felt like I got a lot more depth off my shots than with my Prestige and that was without trying.
I'm happy with my Prestiges but I'm curious as to what you guys say

 

[John Z.]

Man wish I would've read this yesterday. I'm a 4.5/5.0 baseliner using the Graphene Radical Pro. I strung up a blade 93 with my same setup, babolat vs with alu power at 61/57, and went to play my brother who is better than me. I played the first 7 games with the radical, then switched to the blade and instantly noticed a lack of power and every ball was hit with less spin and left short. How much of this is the way I hit the ball and how much is it that I need to lower the tension?

I'd say most of it is the tension as vs/alu at 61/57 in a blade 93 is definitely too high. As i previously mentioned, mid to high 40s would be much better; for vs(16g)/alu(17g) hybrid i would string it at 48/44.

 

[asifallasleep]

Trying out my blade 93's again and it's just an amazing stick i must say.

 

[SpinToWin]

Mate, you with racquets are like a woman when you ask her what she wants to eat :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UoEsDKx3vs

 

[John Z.]

Mate, you with racquets are like a woman when you ask her what she wants to eat :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UoEsDKx3vs

Nah... blade 93 2013 is just such a great frame for some guys, i'm def one of them.

Wilson - why the ** you are not moving fwd with a 16x19 version of your last blade 93 version... is pure mystery to me. Even 18x19 might work actually, it just need a tad more spin to make it THE modern "player's frame".

 

[meltedsteam]

Nah... blade 93 2013 is just such a great frame for some guys, i'm def one of them.

Wilson - why the ** you are not moving fwd with a 16x19 version of your last blade 93 version... is pure mystery to me. Even 18x19 might work actually, it just need a tad more spin to make it THE modern "player's frame".

You couldn't get more spin with strings and tension? What is your setup?

 

[John Z.]

You couldn't get more spin with strings and tension? What is your setup?

At equal setup, an 18x20 string pattern in a 93'' frame produce significantly less spin than most other frames. That being said i personally tend to play with fairly spinny setups at low tensions (mid 40s), but again the blade 93 is just not a spinny frame, relatively speaking.

My most common setup is gut main poly cross.

That aside, there's just nothing like the feel and control of this stick, such a gem.

 

[meltedsteam]

At equal setup, an 18x20 string pattern in a 93'' frame produce significantly less spin than most other frames. That being said i personally tend to play with fairly spinny setups at low tensions (mid 40s), but again the blade 93 is just not a spinny frame, relatively speaking.

My most common setup is gut main poly cross.

That aside, there's just nothing like the feel and control of this stick, such a gem.

Shortly after I got my VCore Tour 89s I eyeballed these for a long while. When I finally saw the price come down on these recently I picked a couple up, waiting for them to get delivered. I have read a lot of mixed things, but with my KPS88s and VCT89s I figured these would fit nicely in my collection. Can you let me know what I can expect? P.S. I string my VCT89s in the upper 30s.

 

[ZIMING]

What kind of mods are you guys doing. I have a leather grip, 3.62 grams in the buttcap and 2 grams total at 3/9. This brings it to 12.5 and 8 pts hl. RF97 is 12.6 and 9 pts hl.

Hi asifallasleep,

Just found your this thread. I have a Blade 93 too by swapping my 2021 prestige mp, which I felt incompatible to me.

Blade 93 plays great like you commented except the serve is not as heavy as kps88 or RF97 does at serve.

I put full around hoop guard, an overgrip, a worm type dampener. strung TB1.20 at @60lb and now is 55 which I feel quite excellent. Lately I added 4 grams lead tapes at 3/9. static weight became 382g. SW is 378 but it seems still fast and not heavy at playing(strange).