what can I do with a Blade 98 ?

[Antónis]

So, I started this thread here about getting an easier racket for me http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=506232

I got a K Blade 98 on that big auction site we all know about, very good condition, strung it with a thinner gauge version of the strings I'm used to (MSV Focus Hex - I usually play with 1.23, the Blade got the 1.18), @ 26 kilos, add 15 grams of lead tape in the handle, to turn it a bit more head-light, and started the tests.

This process started a month ago, I played a couple of doubles matches with it, and have about 15 to 20 minutes hitting on every practice session.

I'm getting a bit frustrated because I cannot find my way with this stick, I simply can't adapt to it

My best shot is, by far, my forehand, my coach says I have a Soderling-like FH when I go for a big flat winner, and that's one shot I can hit winners with from every part of the court with all kinds of spins - I hit almost flat with my FH, with a long loopy swing, but I can do nasty both side and top-spin and even slice, running FH winners, lops, passing-shots with flick of the wrist, chip & charge, etc., my FH is at least 75% of my game

With the Blade my FH simply disappears, most of my shots sail longer than I want to, after the ball explodes from the string bed, absolutely no control.

I'm a guy who relies most on placement and touch, hit flat close to the lines, and I simply cannot play like this with this stick

There are two shots I notice a bit of benefice from this stick: my top-spin OHBH it's noticeably heavier, as a natural result of the increased power this stick offers, and my serve.

The net game is a total mess, totally lacks feeling and touch, anything but punch volleys is a nightmare, my sliced BH (another major weapon from my game, I use it a lot like Federer, to prepare my FH winners) lacks placement, my return of serve, when I need to block fast booming shots is gone.

I'm about to send this stick to the sale or trade threads

I mean, it's the second chance I give to a Blade 98, I had a bad experience with an N-Coded version I bought about 8 years ago, and this seems to go the same way

The racket lacks feeling, it's stiff and overpowered, and has an annoying high pitch sound when the ball hit the strings, the racket screams instead of singing, if I can put it this way...

I can make one final test, but that will be it

So, any of you guys have any advice before I ditch this back to the market?

Thanks in advance

 

[torpantennis]

Blade has a VERY STRANGE weight distribution. It would need lots of lead in the middle, i.e throat or top-end-of-handle. So if you want to customize it, I'd advice adding 10-20g in there, as starters! That'd give it specs of racquets like Six.One 95 etc...

 

[LeeD]

Blade 98 is a flat hitter's dream racket, but you do HAVE to add some amount of topspin, so don't hit dead flat, or it goes long.
Quite head heavy, SW of 335 area, at 11 oz, it still is a head heavy hammer no matter what you add to the handle area.
Only EARLY PREP, full early shoulder turn, and committed full swings work here.
Try some self feeds from the baseline area. Hit 20 on each side, and see if your perception of the racket is still the same. Get your racket back before you drop the ball.

 

[Antónis]

Hi
Thanks for your reply

Mine has already 15 grams at the top of the handle, now it weight about 330 grams strung

My biggest concern is not weight/balance, it's the way the racket feels, I'm a fan of classic feeling rackets, with some flex, and this one is a board with too much power, even strung @ 26 kgs, the ball just explodes from the string bed

I'm not a Nadal like player, but I can only keep the ball in with heavy brushing, and that's not the way I play

I was wondering if someone with more of classic type of game has some advice for me in terms of strings and tension

 

[LeeD]

The only thing you have to do is keep your baseline shots within 2' of the netcord, and it won't go long.
No loopy strokes, no high net clearance moonballs, unless you are lobbing on purpose.
So, keep good posture, never lean back, trust yourself to hit lower to the net, and that racket can take you up to almost any level of play.
Remember, EARLY prep, full turn sideways, wait for the ball, and rip if low over the net.

 

[Antónis]

Blade 98 is a flat hitter's dream racket, but you do HAVE to add some amount of topspin, so don't hit dead flat, or it goes long.
Quite head heavy, SW of 335 area, at 11 oz, it still is a head heavy hammer no matter what you add to the handle area.
Only EARLY PREP, full early shoulder turn, and committed full swings work here.
Try some self feeds from the baseline area. Hit 20 on each side, and see if your perception of the racket is still the same. Get your racket back before you drop the ball.

I do early prep, my go to racket is the trusty PS 6.0 95, and this baby’s weight 355 grams without lead or leather, I could never play with such a racket if I was lazy on my prep

I was thinking about the Blade 98 for bad day, or windy ones - like today, it was a realy windy day where I live,I tried one more time, and after 15 minutes it went back to my bag, and back to the 6.0

Can't control the power of this thing, that's my major issue here

 

[torpantennis]

That 330 grams strung is still so low, compared to the 335 swingweight. Racquets with classic feel, like K90, have specs 350-355grams and 320-330SW.

What determines the feel is more or less the relation of static weight and SW. So at 335SW, you would need static weight of about 360 grams! So a total of 45grams of lead to get a classic feel. LOL, how about getting rid of Blade?

 

[john hempel]

That 330 grams strung is still so low, compared to the 335 swingweight. Racquets with classic feel, like K90, have specs 350-355grams and 320-330SW.

What determines the feel is more or less the relation of static weight and SW. So at 335SW, you would need static weight of about 360 grams! So a total of 45grams of lead to get a classic feel. LOL, how about getting rid of Blade?

my strung blade 98's are each 360 grams with leather grips, overwrap, dampner and pojies.

 

[Antónis]

The only thing you have to do is keep your baseline shots within 2' of the netcord, and it won't go long.
No loopy strokes, no high net clearance moonballs, unless you are lobbing on purpose.
So, keep good posture, never lean back, trust yourself to hit lower to the net, and that racket can take you up to almost any level of play.
Remember, EARLY prep, full turn sideways, wait for the ball, and rip if low over the net.

The way I play, if I let my arm fully loose, the ball sails out with my forehand, most of the time

So, to keep the ball in, I have to contradict my style, and add spin to the ball

Let me tell you guys this funny thing: today I hit a few balls with a babolat, don't know the model (it's supposedly the same model as Stosur, control something) .

I simply hate Babolats, but I was hitting my FH cleaner and with less spin with that piece of junk racket (sorry, babs fans out there...) than I was with the Blade - that was told by one of my club's coach, and I had to agree

 

[Antónis]

LOL, how about getting rid of Blade?

I'm really, really, close to do that - when a babolat feels better than some wilson racket, it's time...

The funny thing is I give this model a 2nd. chance after hitting a few balls with a BLX version, and it seemed a lot better than the N Coded version I had before

 

[LeeD]

If you hate the Blade that much, get rid of it.
For sure, you will find thousands of player's better than you using the Blade 98's, and they don't complain about their racket.
Didn't Andy here on TW, a 5.5 level player, use the Blade for a year?

 

[HRB]

WTF is with this thread, why are folks trying to give the OP any solutions but the obvious one??

Here's your answer...DUMP IT!!!!

Why the hell would you put any effort into trying to get a stick to work for you that clearly does not (if of course you have the resources to purchase others..if you're stuck with one choice that's a different story)?

I once started a thread about sticks you so wanted to like (because of reputation, used by your favorite pro, "coolness factor", popularity, value, etc.) but for whatever reason they felt like crap TO YOU! IT HAPPENS!

Hell, I so wanted to like all the Agassi oversized (Prince POG and then the Raddy OS) but I hated them. The Radical Twin Tube MP was so much more in my wheelhouse, as was the POG Mid..only consolation was they looked like Andre's sticks..I could "pretend"..LOL!!!

Take solace in this creed..."one mans trash is another man's treasure" and simply flip that popular stick back on the "bay" (it'll sell) and start your hunt over again!

 

[Antónis]

If you hate the Blade that much, get rid of it.
For sure, you will find thousands of player's better than you using the Blade 98's, and they don't complain about their racket.
Didn't Andy here on TW, a 5.5 level player, use the Blade for a year?

Two young kids from my club tested the racket, one simply got addicted to it (he plays with a similar spec Dunlop, heavy flat compact strokes) , the other liked the racket, but switched back during our doubles match (he plays with a V Core 98, he's a 19 year old beast, his style is baseline bombs with lots of top spin)

I choose this racket basically because everybody likes it, so how could I not like it too?

Unfortunately, it seems I just can't adapt

Anybody with a string setup suggestion?

 

[LeeD]

As said above, it doesn't fit your style.
The No.2 NorCal Junior12 Girls uses it. She is also National #47 in 12's.
But she has flat swingpath, sorta old fashioned long fast strokes, hardly ever loops the ball, and goes for winners constantly.

 

[Antónis]

WTF is with this thread, why are folks trying to give the OP any solutions but the obvious one??

Here's your answer...DUMP IT!!!!

Why the hell would you put any effort into trying to get a stick to work for you that clearly does not (if of course you have the resources to purchase others..if you're stuck with one choice that's a different story)?

I once started a thread about sticks you so wanted to like (because of reputation, used by your favorite pro, "coolness factor", popularity, value, etc.) but for whatever reason they felt like crap TO YOU! IT HAPPENS!

Hell, I so wanted to like all the Agassi oversized (Prince POG and then the Raddy OS) but I hated them. The Radical Twin Tube MP was so much more in my wheelhouse, as was the POG Mid..only consolation was they looked like Andre's sticks..I could "pretend"..LOL!!!

Take solace in this creed..."one mans trash is another man's treasure" and simply flip that popular stick back on the "bay" (it'll sell) and start your hunt over again!

Hey, cool down, before I ditch my racket, I'm just trying to save my purchase with some help of some long time Blade users, if that is wrong to you, move on to other threads

By the way, I think saw that thread, I also had my share of racket disappointments (my major one was the POG mid, I usually like mid sized classics, but that one, for some reason, I simply can't find the groove).

I have about 23 rackets, more or less, all graphite mid sized players rackets, or classics (or both), with the exception of these one

If I cannot play with it, I'll dump it right away - but I'll try my best to adapt it to my likings first

 

[Antónis]

As said above, it doesn't fit your style.
The No.2 NorCal Junior12 Girls uses it. She is also National #47 in 12's.
But she has flat swingpath, sorta old fashioned long fast strokes, hardly ever loops the ball, and goes for winners constantly.

I'm 42, and I play tennis since I was 11, and learned how to play with small head-sized metal or wood sticks, believe me, I have long loopy strokes, and very old school style, lots of S&V - that's why I prefer classic sticks over modern ones

This racket certainly fits better the modern style of play, with baseline battles and 2HBH

 

[ringwraith]

The blade 98 certainly doesnt have a classic feel at all. If you like mid sized sticks try the blade 93, it has much sweeter feel.

 

[Faker]

Why the hell would you put any effort into trying to get a stick to work for you that clearly does not (if of course you have the resources to purchase others..if you're stuck with one choice that's a different story)?
!

This is basically what happened to me. Used the aeropro drive since I started playing then switched to the ig prestige pro for half an year. I really liked the feel and tried to convince myself that this was the best frame for me. But I demoed and eventually switched to the blade 98 18x20 I noticed I could provide a lot more pace and consistency with my forehand and 2HBH which are by far my strongest assets and hit more winners and a slightly bigger and more consistent serve too. Of course my volleys got a little worse but my volleys have always been subpar.

 

[LeeD]

That little now 13 year old girl uses a 1hbh with topspin, sometimes with slice, but does volley 2hbh, and volleys really well 2hbh. One handed forehand volleys, of course.

 

[Antónis]

The blade 98 certainly doesnt have a classic feel at all. If you like mid sized sticks try the blade 93, it has much sweeter feel.

I did, for a couple of minutes, by I'm not looking for a mid sized frame, and for sure, not to change my beloved 6.0's - just an easier stick for bad days (by the way, the Blade 93 feels ok, but not even close to other midsized frames from Wilson - and other brands, I have a similar stick from Head, the Prestige 600 classic, and this one has as much better feeling only comparable to the 6.0 85, witch I prefer )

If you look at the first post of this thread, there's a link to an old thread I started a few months ago, about my quest for an old school feeling 98 sq.i. stick

I choose the Blade, now I think I made a bad choice, but I'm trying to somehow correct my mistake.

 

[Antónis]

That little now 13 year old girl uses a 1hbh with topspin, sometimes with slice, but does volley 2hbh, and volleys really well 2hbh. One handed forehand volleys, of course.

1HBH on a 12 year old girl is really rare at the present time, for sure

And a young girl who likes to volley too

It's been a while since I saw a young kid, male or female, with an one-hander, they all learn and play two-handers

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, a rare gem, and really nice too.
Watched her hit with her former coach of 3 years previous, one MalcolmAllen, a former ATP #207, like in the 90's. She could almost hit even against him, and he wasn't taking it easy at all.
After that demo, I decided I"m not playing her in singles anymore. She just got too good, too quick, too hard hitting, and knows what to do with short angles, high loopers, and low skidders. She could always hit hard like a strong 4.5 man.

 

[oble]

OP,

How about moving the weight from the top of the handle to the bottom? Or in the butt cap.

Also try a set of strings that give better feel. I find the Focus Hex 1.18 to be quite the rocket launcher type of string and lacks feel, which could be why your forehands and your net play suffered. I really only found it suitable for heavy topspin groundstrokes. A decent multi that provides good feel at high tension could change your experience with the Blade.

 

[Antónis]

OP,

How about moving the weight from the top of the handle to the bottom? Or in the butt cap.

Also try a set of strings that give better feel. I find the Focus Hex 1.18 to be quite the rocket launcher type of string and lacks feel, which could be why your forehands and your net play suffered. I really only found it suitable for heavy topspin groundstrokes. A decent multi that provides good feel at high tension could change your experience with the Blade.

Thanks, appreciate your input

That's what I would like to do, but it's an L4, and I'm a small handed guy.

If it was an L2, I'd put a leather grip, with an L4, I would have to work on something inside the handle, and I don't have tools and experience on working with silicone and weights. I might have a guy here to do it, but I have to talk with him first.

About the strings: the MSV works well on my 6.0 95's, 1.23 gauge, I thought on starting with something I know, and since it's a 18x20, I choose a thinner string.

That thing adds a nasty spin to the ball, I can feel it on kick serves, but at least on the Blade, totally lacks feel.

I'm not a string expert, I just keep with what I'm comfortable, do you have suggestions?

Remember, I'm from Portugal, some mainstream brands are not sold here

 

[fuzz nation]

I did, for a couple of minutes, by I'm not looking for a mid sized frame, and for sure, not to change my beloved 6.0's - just an easier stick for bad days

If you look at the first post of this thread, there's a link to an old thread I started a few months ago, about my quest for an old school feeling 98 sq.i. stick

Was there any discussion in that older thread about the options from Volkl? I've been enjoying their C10 for several years and also their newer O10 325g over the last year and a half. The C10 is a 98" frame with a lot of old school personality - soft and comfortable, but also heavy and a rock solid performer.

The O10 325g has more of a firm hoop than the C10, but it's also rather soft, due to significant flex in its throat. More spin happy than my C10's, but also very civilized for daily use. Loved this frame for playing and also teaching pretty much every day through the summer. It's mildly less hefty than my C10's, so that made this frame a better fit for lots of feeding and moderate action.

I've tuned both of these frames with some lead on their handles for more HL balance that I've always enjoyed in my gear. My O10's also have just a couple of grams of lead tape on their hoops at 3/9 o'clock for a little more stability. I agree that mids are wonderful players and some degree of old-school personality in a racquet can be hard to resist. I've found a lot of that personality in these frames - more so with the C10 - but they also have 98" heads, to they're also easier to use for whatever I do.

I'm 48, play an all-court game, hit a one-handed backhand, blah-blah-blah... Take a look at Volkl - hopefully you can get your hands on something to at least try out there in your neck of the woods.

 

[Antónis]

Was there any discussion in that older thread about the options from Volkl? I've been enjoying their C10 for several years and also their newer O10 325g over the last year and a half. The C10 is a 98" frame with a lot of old school personality - soft and comfortable, but also heavy and a rock solid performer.

The O10 325g has more of a firm hoop than the C10, but it's also rather soft, due to significant flex in its throat. More spin happy than my C10's, but also very civilized for daily use. Loved this frame for playing and also teaching pretty much every day through the summer. It's mildly less hefty than my C10's, so that made this frame a better fit for lots of feeding and moderate action.

I've tuned both of these frames with some lead on their handles for more HL balance that I've always enjoyed in my gear. My O10's also have just a couple of grams of lead tape on their hoops at 3/9 o'clock for a little more stability. I agree that mids are wonderful players and some degree of old-school personality in a racquet can be hard to resist. I've found a lot of that personality in these frames - more so with the C10 - but they also have 98" heads, to they're also easier to use for whatever I do.

I'm 48, play an all-court game, hit a one-handed backhand, blah-blah-blah... Take a look at Volkl - hopefully you can get your hands on something to at least try out there in your neck of the woods.

I heard lot of good feedback about that C-10, I would love to play a bit with it, but that's a racket I never saw in Portugal - most of Volkls we see here are tweeners, and that's not my type of racket

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Volkl sticks ( I have a Tour 10 V Engine mid, and I had a coach sponsored by Volkl and playtested lots of sticks, but that was about 8 years ago) probably I never tested the right ones.

Arm friendly and very nice feeling is what I heard from Volkl sticks, my Tour 10 has the nicest feeling I ever experienced on a Volkl, specially on volleying, I like it a lot there

 

[Antónis]

today I left this stick with 2 guys, one will playtest the racket, if he likes and buy it, my Blade issue is over

If he does not, the other guy will replace the lead tape I placed at the top of the handle for fishing weights and silicone inside the handle, to balance the racket the way I want, then I'll start looking for strings

Anyone have a suggestion for strings ?

I want to enhance feeling and control over spin

 

[oble]

So far, the best feel that I have gotten from strings are hybrids:

1) Luxilon TiMo mains / Prince Premier Attack cross
2) Gosen OG Sheep Micro mains / Solinco Outlast cross

Full poly always lacks feel for me, even in my Pro Staff 95. Of the few full poly string jobs that I have tried so far, Luxilon TiMo gave me the best feel and control at the same time. The others are mostly felt dead with control without elaborating too much.

Others with extensive poly experience may be able to suggest a better option for a better feeling poly.

Regarding the lead tape, is it possible to move the lead tape from the top of the handle to the bottom of the handle just above the butt cap?

 

[Antónis]

So far, the best feel that I have gotten from strings are hybrids:

1) Luxilon TiMo mains / Prince Premier Attack cross
2) Gosen OG Sheep Micro mains / Solinco Outlast cross

Full poly always lacks feel for me, even in my Pro Staff 95. Of the few full poly string jobs that I have tried so far, Luxilon TiMo gave me the best feel and control at the same time. The others are mostly felt dead with control without elaborating too much.

Others with extensive poly experience may be able to suggest a better option for a better feeling poly.

Regarding the lead tape, is it possible to move the lead tape from the top of the handle to the bottom of the handle just above the butt cap?

Thanks for the strings input

As for the possible change on lead placement, I cannot do it due to the fact that's an L4 sized handle, and I have small hands, I play with L3 but probably should play with L2.

If the grip size allowed me, I would apply a leather grip first, and started from there

 

[Antónis]

So, my Blade got an update, a small fishing weight inside the handle, glued with silicone.

The racket now weights a total of 349 grams as it is (strung, 2 overgrips and a small Tecnifibre vibra-clip dampner, plus the added weight)

I had a 2 hours practice session yesterday, and felt some improvement with the racket, my forehand got a lot more control, specially cross-court ones, but I had some trouble finding the groove with my forehand down the line, and that's a shot I can do easily with my 6.0's

I'm also finding some hard time with my sliced backhand, and every touch shots in general.

Net game got better too, with the exception of stop or angled volleys, probably Blades are not the best stick for doubles

My favourite shot with this stick is the serve, it's a great stick to add speed and spin to the ball, great for big flat and kick serves, not so good for sliced serves

Definitely, the even balance and the high swing weight was messing with the control of my shots, the racket now is way more head-light, as I like

The racket now reminds me a bit my N-6.1 18x20, with a more hollow feeling, and an annoying sound from the stringbed, but that is something most modern rackets have, they never sound solid, I have to live with that.

So, I might have solved the control issues, next is the feel department, and that means strings.

I would appreciate some suggestions from you, string experts out there