Since my last review was Prestige (360+, touch, xt, ig) I think it is a perfect time for the Angell K7 Lime!
The launch of k7 limes were timed perfectly. Head Prestige was at lowest point. Even Wilson managed to mess up their Blades with CV (I think that was the line at that time)
When the prestige fan reads "construction – Advanced Aramid and Carbon fibre", the excitement is guaranteed. Yes, the hype was real and the customers were hungry.
K7 lime is a real deal. I showed this frame to all my friends that are using prestige and all of them liked it.
I would say it's a
resurrected IG Prestige MP with a slight mods and a bit different weight distribution. Limes have slightly higher SW around 320-325. At least my models. The updated paintjob from angell now has lower SW on average.
I haven't played with a frame as close to IG prestige MP.. Ok...Dunlop CX200 Tour is another and only one left on the table. TF40 is close but with injected steroids. The feel is sublime. Amazing. Comfortable even with stiff strings. Low launch, lot of control. Due to slightly higher SW I would say you get a bit more power, stability and plow but less maneuverability.
Many TC95 18x20 users also switched to K7 lime for that tiny bit more forgiveness. I am not sure which model I prefer TC95 18x20 or K7 Lime. They both have different pros and cons but they are both for similar kind of players.
So what could be improved ?
ok, so for me the weight distribution was not exactly my cup of tea. Now limes have unstrung SW of 284 and I think they will be better with still some room for customization. Limes could have slightly thinner beam closer to nowadays Prestige 360+ or Angell TC95. I just love to hold them in the hand. The power lvl would decrease but I actually see it as an improvement provided the stability is untouched.
My ex coach was serving bombs with it. For him it was a direct switch from Youtek Prestige MID (93", heavy beast) and he never looked back. HOWEVER later he switched to touch prestige and 360+ mp because of that feeling under hand of a thinner beam. It's addictive.
I think Limes are in a tricky place now because the market of sticks improved. You have Prestige 360+ MP, Yonex Vcore HD/D, Gravity and Blade v7... all great rackets with modern twist. K7 lime is more for oldschool guys that are still rocking their IG prestiges but the slightly thicker beam might scare them away. I am not even sure if it's indeed thicker or just the shape make it feel that way... Or maybe it's good to have that option on the market. More traditional.
I think that maybe Tecnifibre TF40 and Dunlop CX200 Tour are the closest sticks to K7 Lime from the current market.
Lower powered than Tecnifibre TF40, more than Dunlop. Feel and the performance are very similar between them.
I give it a 7.0 rating. Would prefer a bit different weight distribution (higher static weight, lower SW) and thinner beam (maybe because after weight distribution changed i might like it as it is)
cheers !
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