The Still Using the K90 Club

[michaelscoots]

It's not closer to the K90, only its characteristic of being slightly crisper than the BLX90. Otherwise, it's just as gummy-bear feeling as the BLX90.

I guess Wilson listened to people (fed wannabes when he won everything with the K90 frame/pj with improper technique) complain about how the frame was too stiff, gave them tennis elbow and other self-inflicted injuries. Then they listened to BLX90 people complaining about it being too soft. So they made a blend of the two based on the BLX90. PS-BLX90 is still very gummy-bear feeling.

That's great Wilson, but...

A few others who own the K90 N90 and BLX90 agree that it's closer to the K90.

 

[michaelscoots]

Say...I sent you an email but it bounced back. Do you have another email address or can you double check what you sent me?

 

[asifallasleep]

just picked up a new k90 from my pro shop the other day for $40. my grip size too 4 3/8. they didn't know they had it so they sold it to me for cheap. takes my total to 5 k90 with two brand new ones set to replace the others when they meet their end

SCORE!!! Pretty impressive.

 

[asifallasleep]

I ordered the Champion's Choice last week as a birthday present to myself
I'm going to string it up with string savers and see how much I can milk it before it snaps. I know both my game and shoulder are going to love it!

I heard Head Intelitour is a good control string that's easy on the arm. Some who've tried Rip Contol like it and find better touch and power with it. And it's supposedly more crisp than the ultra soft Rip Control. I may try that next...a couple reviewers recommended going against Head's recommendation. Instead run the smooth in the mains (which lasts longer) and the textured in the crosses. May try this with string savers next.

I like the Rip Control for the first 5 hours then right before it's ready to snap it drops off. As it is you really have to generate all the power with this string (no free power) but once it deadens it's like hitting the ball with a bowl of rice!

When I've strung my frames with a hybrid setup of VS Gut and Luxilon or Pro Hurricane, the gut always outlasts the other string.

 

[michaelscoots]

When I've strung my frames with a hybrid setup of VS Gut and Luxilon or Pro Hurricane, the gut always outlasts the other string.

Really??? The tension holds on the gut for me but even with string savers the lux rough ends up eating through the gut. I tried with the Prince Syth Gut with duraflex in the mains, lux rough in the crosses and that lasted about an hour before the mains got eaten and snapped.

 

[asifallasleep]

wow. how often do you typically go through strings? do you hit with insane amounts of spin?

 

[michaelscoots]

wow. how often do you typically go through strings? do you hit with insane amounts of spin?

HA! I wish...I'm probably average on spin, maybe a little above. But my brother and I like to rally for a good 90minutes and we hit with heavy pace once we're warm. I usually just stay and rally for another hour (singles). Haven't played many matches since the shoulder injury, but now I'm 99%.

The K90 is a stiff racquet and the string bed takes it all (not much flex on the frame). Plus the open pattern. But ALU Rough eats through anything soft esp. when you have ALUR in the crosses. It holds up well against itself in a full bed or with Big Banger Original in the mains (that lasts long for me in the winter but in the summer the tension loss is too much to keep it on for more than 2 weeks).

The Champion's Choice was a nice treat today. I usually put 10 string savers in (5 on 4th cross and 5 on 6th). This time I put 7 more lower and nothing moved in 3 hours of rallying. The gut is just starting to show a little light frays (very thin and short) in areas. I'll see how long I can milk it.

Now that I'm feeling better I might try the Proline with a syth. gut in the crosses to soften it up at a lower tension. I may also try one racquet with a full bed of PLII but at 50lbs instead of 58lbs. As much as I loved the Champion's Choice today there's still something about PLII...but if it's going to hurt me then it's a no go.

 

[movdqa]

I still remember the first time that I hit with the K90. I was using the PK Redondo Mid at the time which is a really soft and low-powered racquet and almost a half-ounce lighter.

It was strung with Wilson Sensation in the mid-50s.

I could not keep the ball in the court. Just about every shot I hit sailed over the baseline. I kept trying to add more and more topspin to try to get the ball in the court - that was before I changed to a Semi-Western forehand. The strings only lasted about two or three sessions. It was already peeling wildly after the first hit. Fortunately there's Poly.

 

[michaelscoots]

I still remember the first time that I hit with the K90. I was using the PK Redondo Mid at the time which is a really soft and low-powered racquet and almost a half-ounce lighter.

It was strung with Wilson Sensation in the mid-50s.

I could not keep the ball in the court. Just about every shot I hit sailed over the baseline. I kept trying to add more and more topspin to try to get the ball in the court - that was before I changed to a Semi-Western forehand. The strings only lasted about two or three sessions. It was already peeling wildly after the first hit. Fortunately there's Poly.

Yep pretty much my experience with a full bed of synth. gut...on the third session it snaps! I'll keep experimenting this winter and I'll compare different set-ups. Will post back my findings to all.

Funny, my first time with the K90: I had just gotten back into tennis after many years of not playing (in 2007 then serious in 2008 ). Growing up I competed quite a bit and went to my town finals. Somehow I found other interests. Anyway, I demo'd the K90 and I was so excited and drove to the courts hoping someone would be there. And there was this guy who agreed to hit with me. Our first ball we hit more than 30 times back and forth. At the end of the rally I just stared at the racquet thinking I found my weapon! And the guy I was hitting with happened to be from Switzerland. He pointed to the racquet and in a full on French accent said "this is the racquet Roger Federer plays with..." I said, "yes, I know and I'm loving it!" Patrick and I are now really good friends and regular hitting partners in the spring/summer/fall.

 

[asifallasleep]

So i just located two more K90's in great shape to replace the two fakes I had. That would bring my total back to 5. How many K90's are enough? One of my hitting buddies says my current 3 are plenty.

 

[roundiesee]

So i just located two more K90's in great shape to replace the two fakes I had. That would bring my total back to 5. How many K90's are enough? One of my hitting buddies says my current 3 are plenty.

I think if you play often and string your rackets frequently, it's probably justified to have about 4 or 5. Also depends on your style of play and how you treat the rackets. If you play at a fairly high level the sticks may become worn within about 2-3 years I think.

 

[michaelscoots]

So i just located two more K90's in great shape to replace the two fakes I had. That would bring my total back to 5. How many K90's are enough? One of my hitting buddies says my current 3 are plenty.

I use three and it seems to work well. But if it's THE stick, I'd probably pick up 2 more myself and set them aside as back stock! The new PS 6.1 90 BLX is suppose to be pretty close with not as much raw feel. I'm going to wait to test that out first. Then sell off some other sticks I no longer use (no, not my St. V).

 

[kishnabe]

I miss this stick so much.....I had to sell it because the handle was too big and caused wrist problems. I use the BLX90.....but I don't have the same feel as with K90 nor the power.

The paintjob is the coolest of all the 90's!

 

[asifallasleep]

I use three and it seems to work well. But if it's THE stick, I'd probably pick up 2 more myself and set them aside as back stock! The new PS 6.1 90 BLX is suppose to be pretty close with not as much raw feel. I'm going to wait to test that out first. Then sell off some other sticks I no longer use (no, not my St. V).

I think I'll stick with the 3 I have. My strings always last me 3-5 months, and have all 3 currently strung. Also i sometimes play with my PS88's. Also have 3 of those. By the time my 3 are crap I'm sure i will have moved on to another Wilson frame. I say all this while deep in my mind, i'm hearing a voice that says, "But they're K90's, you can never have enough K90's". Yes, i have a racquet illness.

 

[asifallasleep]

I like the solid feel of the PS88 over the K90. I forgot years ago before the PS88 release, when i first bought my K90's i had added lead at 3 and 9 o'clock. I'm going to go back to that old setup because i think with that setup i had the solid feel i get now with the PS88 without the heavy swing weight. Also I didn't have any vibration on mishits. I may also add a bit of lead just above the grip. I get the solid feel of a PS88 but with the maneuverability of a K90.

 

[movdqa]

Just bought a kitchen scale and did what I've wanted to do for a long time - weigh my racquets. The K90s come in at 12.5 and 12.7 oz. This explains why they play like two different racquets to me. Wear patterns indicate that I preferred the 12.7 oz frame.

 

[michaelscoots]

Just bought a kitchen scale and did what I've wanted to do for a long time - weigh my racquets. The K90s come in at 12.5 and 12.7 oz. This explains why they play like two different racquets to me. Wear patterns indicate that I preferred the 12.7 oz frame.

Funny, I just got my scale yesterday and did the same thing! With overgrips, dampeners and strung my racquets were all over the map. My preferred racquet happens to be the 4 1/4 which I add two overgrips to. Even with one it weighs more than the other two and is closest to RF's set up without any lead. I find the two overgrips dampen the feel very slightly, but more importantly the bevels of the butt cap don't cut into my hand. If I'm using a 4 3/8, I use one overgrip and make sure to wrap it well around the bevels of the butt cap.

In other news, my shoulder is no longer bothering me since leaving the Proline II. I went back to MSV Focus Hex 1.18 yesterday at 53lbs (many recommended lowering the tension and this is helping), and played great. Many overheads were hit harder than I've ever hit and not one pain!!! Man I'm so happy about that! I've been working out in the gym regularly (legs, back, core, etc) and the therapy exercises on my shoulder have really helped strengthen me there. So happy I can stick with my favorite stick!

 

[movdqa]

I've never tried the two overgrips thing but it strikes me that it is an approach to take out some of the harshness of stiff racquets. I will have to try that one of these days (I have a 12-pack of overgrips coming in from TW - should try it out with some of my smaller-handle frames).

 

[Laver777]

me!!!! i love this racquet. i dont understand how people find it hard to use. the only thing its a little hard on is the serve as im only 5''11', but ive changed my service action and am playing great with it now. (the heavier weight needs a longer take back.) but for groundies this is the most perfect racquet ive ever hit with and its touch at the net is incredible. the weight is perfect for me and allows me to just take big rips at the ball and still stay in and then at the net all you need is a slight punch at the ball. ive only got one though... its in great condition, just a few paint scratches here and there as to be expected for a 5/6 year old raquet. i have no idea what i may replace it with if i it breaks down.... any ideas? i dont like playing with anything bigger than a 90sq inch frame, i think anything bigger is completely ridiculous. if roger goes to a bigger head size like some suggest he might i hope that doesnt mean that this line of racquets will get bigger.... i would truely hate that

 

[asifallasleep]

Initially I didn't love the K90 on my serves. It's all about the wrist snap with this frame.

 

[asifallasleep]

A year later and numerous and I do mean numerous excursions with a wide variety of frames, I had my k90s restrung and hit with them. Best racquet ever. Wondered why I ever left. Wasted my time with the BLX90, the BLXPS90's and a bunch of other pretenders. Volkl Cyclone at 45lbs on stock K90 = heaven!!!

 

[DownTheLineWith90]

I personally prefer the slightly more dampened feel of the BLXPS90.
I actually tried the BLX90 before I tried the K90. Maybe that's the reason why..
I use a dampener on the BLXPS90 as well.

 

[asifallasleep]

I used the BLXPS90 for awhile, but missed the beastly plow thru and raw club like feel of the K90. I told my buddy who never left the K90 that hitting with it felt like a real powerful weapon in my hands again.

 

[gplracer]

How does the k90 compare with the blx90 on power and manuveability?

 

[asifallasleep]

How does the k90 compare with the blx90 on power and manuveability?

K90 has way more power, blx90 is a little easier to swing due to a lighter sw.
K90 hits like a heavier stick.

 

[asifallasleep]

hmmm, it's 2013.....eh soon to be 2014........who's till using the K90?

 

[michaelscoots]

Yep, still using the K90 as my main stick

 

[robok9]

Just got a K90 to replace my Blx Blade 98. About 2 weeks in and never going back. Plays like butter with the plowthrough of a tank and the looks of a majestic sword.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

K90 has way more power, blx90 is a little easier to swing due to a lighter sw.
K90 hits like a heavier stick.

... no... just no.

 

[OTMPut]

I recently disposed 2 K90s for about usd100 each.
That was part of op racquet stash clean up, which saw disposal of about a dozen racquets.

Clean up op is coming up again. Another dozen sticks will have to go.

 

[rkadeFR]

Have three right now, I broke one couple of months ago I will never do it again!

I will stick with this frame for a while, but change my strings setup (didnt find the perfect one).

 

[robok9]

Just curious guys. How heavy is too heavy? Since I got my K90 used, it wasn't the right grip size, and after building up the grip a little bit, it is 13.1 oz. So far it doesn't feel too heavy, since I can play through a few sets without tiring out my arms. So, how heavy are your guys' frames?

 

[asifallasleep]

... no... just no.

i guess i should have said more plow through because of the much heavier swing weight. I certainly hit a much heavier ball with the K90. The later versions were more spinny.

 

[hoodjem]

Yep, the K90 is a heavy club.

 

[gngroup]

Still using the K90 and no plan of changing. I think have 8 of the left at this point. Great racquet! Bought it when it first came out and though I have tinkered with others and even switched for a month or two at a time. I keep coming back. The more my game improves the more I enjoy the frame.

 

[gebruikershaes]

What is so great about this stick? I can get the Team version cheap, which suits me better because it's lighter.

I'm looking for a racket with lots of feel and enough stability on off center hits.

 

[asifallasleep]

Still using the K90 and no plan of changing. I think have 8 of the left at this point. Great racquet! Bought it when it first came out and though I have tinkered with others and even switched for a month or two at a time. I keep coming back. The more my game improves the more I enjoy the frame.

wow, 8. haha, very cool.

 

[asifallasleep]

What is so great about this stick? I can get the Team version cheap, which suits me better because it's lighter.

I'm looking for a racket with lots of feel and enough stability on off center hits.

You can only find out if you hit with one. The Team is a completely different racquet and not just because it's lighter.

 

[movdqa]

> wow, 8. haha, very cool.

If you want to use the same thing for a long time, that's what you do as they'll go out of production in two years and then you're stuck chasing the used market.

> The Team is a completely different racquet and not just
> because it's lighter.

One of my friends uses a leaded-up Team and loves it. He hits with a ton of power but that's more his muscles and technique than the racquet.

 

[RobFL]

I'm 56 and played the K90 for the past year but just changed to the K95 6.1 16x18. Love the K90 and got my best tournament results ever with this stick, basically at the 4.5-5.0 level. Could hit every shot with the K90 except the serve, hence the change to the 95. It was a very tough decision. Got 4 K90s, 1 KPS88, 1 PS90. Not ready to sell any just yet....

 

[RobFL]

Oh yeah, and my 4 weigh in at 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.7. All have just a hare different SW. Bad QC. Got rid of 2 others that were around 12.2 strung, they just weren't right.

 

[pistolero]

UseD the k90 for about half a year. Excellent racquet, good maneuverability at net, loads of power from baseline, good stock balance. Switched to the k88 and later the blx90, later ps85. For me, the blx90 was better on serves and over heads, not as stable at net. Aesthetically, never was big on the blx90, but I did not over hit with it as much.

 

[asifallasleep]

I'm 56 and played the K90 for the past year but just changed to the K95 6.1 16x18. Love the K90 and got my best tournament results ever with this stick, basically at the 4.5-5.0 level. Could hit every shot with the K90 except the serve, hence the change to the 95. It was a very tough decision. Got 4 K90s, 1 KPS88, 1 PS90. Not ready to sell any just yet....

I added 2grams of lead to the buttcap to make the k90 1pt more hl and it made a huge difference when serving.

 

[pistolero]

Good idea. I have found these frames need only the slightest amount of added weight ( or none); nothing significant. Just a single gram here or there.

 

[asifallasleep]

Have three right now, I broke one couple of months ago I will never do it again!

I will stick with this frame for a while, but change my strings setup (didnt find the perfect one).

oh no, u smashed it into the ground after a missed shot?

 

[asifallasleep]

Good idea. I have found these frames need only the slightest amount of added weight ( or none); nothing significant. Just a single gram here or there.

i was surprised at how much a difference it actually made!!

 

[rkadeFR]

oh no, u smashed it into the ground after a missed shot?

Not really a missed shot. I played the game of my opposite by only playing defensive... I was mad at me.

I was thinking. Could someone post a comparison of the new 90 2014 and the k factor 90 ?

 

[pistolero]

i was surprised at how much a difference it actually made!!

Oh yes. Very sensitive.

 

[Geoff]

Asian K90

Is anyone still using the Asian K90?