Where has the ProStaff handle gone?

[Unforgiven79]

Hi Folks,

I just happen tp love the classic ProStaff handle shape (not the buttcap, the rectangular section itself): I own both PS90 and RF97 and, for whatever reason, their handle feels just perfect to my hand, especially when it rests for the OHBH execution - sensation is that it could lay there forever.
The racquets of the Blade lines of my current use have a slightly different shape, sort of more narrow on the top face - still great, but not THAT perfect one of PS. Last week I demo'ed a RF01 Pro: I had given for granted it would have the same RF97A handle, given its design purpose and heritage, but in fact it was more similar to my Blade.

Now: has the PS97 (v13/v14) a handle like the RF97A or has Wilson moved forward with this as well? Thanks!

 

[Julian.Peter]

Hi,
both V13 and V14 have more rounded shapes like the blades and are not rectangular. Even Head TK82S shapes are more rectangular than these. Wilson is closer to prince which are even mpre rounded / even shaped. If you are looking for rectangular grip shapes, get a Head and replace the TK82s pallets with TK82 (non "S" version) or any Tecnifibre racket. Tecinifibre is very oldschool rectangular liek the old Head TK82 pallet shapes. Otherwise you would need a professional customizer to re-build your grip shape to what you prefer.

 

[Unforgiven79]

Hi,
both V13 and V14 have more rounded shapes like the blades and are not rectangular. Even Head TK82S shapes are more rectangular than these. Wilson is closer to prince which are even mpre rounded / even shaped. If you are looking for rectangular grip shapes, get a Head and replace the TK82s pallets with TK82 (non "S" version) or any Tecnifibre racket. Tecinifibre is very oldschool rectangular liek the old Head TK82 pallet shapes. Otherwise you would need a professional customizer to re-build your grip shape to what you prefer.

Thanks a lot, but I think it is the other way round:
- I am aware Head may be more rectangular as I have played with Radical Pro/Prestige MP, but in the opposite direction: the top/bottom faces are narrow and the side ones large (feels like a "vertical" rectangle), while the Speed line is more flat on top/bottom and indeed I had my Prestige handles replaced with TK82S spares.
- RF97 to me still feels like having a rectangular handle, but with the top/bottom faces very large (more or less than the side one, I cannot tell, but it does not matter that much), ideal to me. Blade and RF01Pro both feel like having definitely larger top/bottom faces compared to TK82 ones, but not as much as RF97/PS90 which so far is still an unicum.

Supposedly, PS97 should resemble RF97 if not for extra weight within the handle, but I am not sure after I experimented with RF01Pro.

 

[anarosevoli]

You mean like this (green dimensions/ratios the same but red different)?

 

[Unforgiven79]

You mean like this (green dimensions/ratios the same but red different)?

Yes, exactly.
What I perceive is that:

• Head Radical, Prestige, TK82 are more like the one on the left (sort of "shake-hand" feeling when grabbing it)
• Wilson RF97/PS90 are more like the one on the right (wider red surfaces, hand resting flat with OHBH grip)
• Wilson Blade, RF01Pro, Head TK82S somewhat in between
• Wilson PS97 ... ?

 

[Julian.Peter]

PS97 is more round like than TK82S. So for the pictures / proportions shown above, the red sides would be even wider, making the whole grip less rectangular. At least this is the shape since V13. I love this grip, especiall for my OHBH, but I think this is not what you are looking for.

 

[Unforgiven79]

Well, if it is "more round than" TK82S, hence even "less rectangular than" it... in fact that was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

 

[Dadof2wildmonkeys]

I am glad u brought this up. I love my RF97 grip but play with the Blade v9, and the rf97 grip is just perfect i know where the face is. I haven’t taken a caliper to it, but i wager the longer side (in green above) is shorter on the blade. Its fine, just not as awesome

 

[Julian.Peter]

Doublecheck and have a look at the handle shapes in a shop before you buy anything in order to avoid a misunderstanding. I have read that the RF01 handle is more rectangular, so less roundish shape than Pro Staffs. My experience with Pro Staff V13 and V14 is that they are very similar with the Blades. So if you don't like the Blade's shape for being rectangular, I would expect the RF01 to be even more rectangular, hence this is not what you are looking for. Maybe just visit a shop and check it, but if you line less rectangular and more round shapes (think Prince which is the most roundish shape as far as I know), PS V13 and V14 should work for you. V13 ist the nicest racket I have ever played anyway. Can't go wrong with it if you like an attacking control racket with very high precision and low power but big spin as long as you can manage the weight in the ling run if two extended matches at a single day. For me it was to fatigating for king matches, so I switched to Radical MP despite that fact that I love the PS97V13 and played superb with it until I got tired.

 

[artdeco]

Doublecheck and have a look at the handle shapes in a shop before you buy anything in order to avoid a misunderstanding. I have read that the RF01 handle is more rectangular, so less roundish shape than Pro Staffs. My experience with Pro Staff V13 and V14 is that they are very similar with the Blades. So if you don't like the Blade's shape for being rectangular, I would expect the RF01 to be even more rectangular, hence this is not what you are looking for. Maybe just visit a shop and check it, but if you line less rectangular and more round shapes (think Prince which is the most roundish shape as far as I know), PS V13 and V14 should work for you. V13 ist the nicest racket I have ever played anyway. Can't go wrong with it if you like an attacking control racket with very high precision and low power but big spin as long as you can manage the weight in the ling run if two extended matches at a single day. For me it was to fatigating for king matches, so I switched to Radical MP despite that fact that I love the PS97V13 and played superb with it until I got tired.

I've never understood how the PS97 could be considered more controlled than something like Radical MP.
The PS97 has the much much more open 16x19 string pattern, loads of pop, power, spin.

 

[Julian.Peter]

Sure you coompare V13/14 with Auxetic or 360+ Radical MP?

These Radicals are tapered beam, max 23mm wide, while the PS97 is constant 21,5mm. That makes a difference in Power, at least I no in forgiveness. Pop and Spin of PS97 are pretty fine, but regarding the string spacing, I don't agree. I own both and they are very similar. Radical is slightly more open in terms of length of the "boxes" in the pattern, but all very close. The pattern is nearly identical with higher density in the middle. I think the precision of the Pro Staff is slightly better than RMP, but this is about very very little difference like it is with the power. I can switch between both frames without any adjustments. For me the RMP is just a little more forgiving and easy to play, slightly more power for the weight, a little less spin, not as good feel, but nearly same accuracy and easier to swing due to the lower weight which is why I switched. But I keep my PS97s because they are the best rackets ever for me, the feeling is unmatched and the sound of a good stroke in the sweetspot is lovely.

 

[Unforgiven79]

I've never understood how the PS97 could be considered more controlled than something like Radical MP.
The PS97 has the much much more open 16x19 string pattern, loads of pop, power, spin.

I guess the more power comes from its heavier weight: Radical MP is way lighter, and in fact I would compare PS97 to Radical Pro (which I used for 2yrs) in this compartment... only, as for anything else I would consider Radical's more of a rifle for groundstrokes, while ProStaff's are something in between a gun and a brush.

 

[Julian.Peter]

I think they are for the same kind of players. Radical MP easier to play for sure. More power from the beam while PS generates mass driven power.

I checked the patterns of both yesterday again and they are very similar. Pro Staff is still a little more narrow in the sweetspot, but not by much.

 

[fritzhimself]

Well, I measured some older grips (all in3) and found that they haven't really changed that much.
Since I've been changing grips for customers for a good 25 years, I've taken a lot of measurements and archived the data.
I therefore cannot measure such significant differences.
But feel always beats measurement.

Wilson-Grip-3 hosted at ImgBB

Image Wilson-Grip-3 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

Wilson-Grips-L3 hosted at ImgBB

Image Wilson-Grips-L3 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Unforgiven79]

Well, I measured some older grips (all in3) and found that they haven't really changed that much.
Since I've been changing grips for customers for a good 25 years, I've taken a lot of measurements and archived the data.
I therefore cannot measure such significant differences.
But feel always beats measurement.

Wilson-Grip-3 hosted at ImgBB

Image Wilson-Grip-3 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

Wilson-Grips-L3 hosted at ImgBB

Image Wilson-Grips-L3 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

Thanks a lot, very intriguing!

Weird thing is, I currently play with a Blade amplifeel and definitely feel a little difference from the PS90 which I guess shares the same grip shape with K-ProStaff.
...could that +0.1mm really make such difference?

 

[fritzhimself]

No, I don't think so.
The end caps on the Pro Staffs are a little different to those on the Blades.
Maybe it's the grip tape - the leather always stays in shape.
The Syntetic leather compresses over time, so this may be noticeable.
But it could also be that there was a bit of sloppiness in the production of the grip, resulting in a slightly thicker grip.
Perhaps you can measure your grips with a calliper?

 

[Unforgiven79]

No, I don't think so.
The end caps on the Pro Staffs are a little different to those on the Blades.
Maybe it's the grip tape - the leather always stays in shape.
The Syntetic leather compresses over time, so this may be noticeable.
But it could also be that there was a bit of sloppiness in the production of the grip, resulting in a slightly thicker grip.
Perhaps you can measure your grips with a calliper?

I will give a try.
Anyway, I forgot to mention that all my racquets (Head RadPro, Head PMP, PS90, RF97, Blade) have the same Wilson leather grip, either from stock form or installed after purchase. I hate to play with synthetic grips...

 

[artdeco]

I think they are for the same kind of players. Radical MP easier to play for sure. More power from the beam while PS generates mass driven power.

I checked the patterns of both yesterday again and they are very similar. Pro Staff is still a little more narrow in the sweetspot, but not by much.

The crosses are much more spread out on the Pro Staff.

 

[Unforgiven79]

I have now played a few times with a PS97v14 and the handle (thanks for luck!) feels similar to my RF97A.
Not sure if it is exactly the same (my RF97A is the first issue, dated 2014), but definitely more similar than the handles of my Blades.