Which 2015 Blade 98 16x19 specs are correct?

[JamesV]

Dear Tennis Warehouse,

Which 2015 Blade 98 16x19 specs are correct? Your Racquet Comparison Tool/Similar Playing Racquets Tool show one set of specs. http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/compareracquets.cgi
Your TW Review of the same racquet shows different specs. https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/B98G16/B98G16review.html

This is not a "gotcha." I'm just curious as to which is correct so I can make a buying decision. Thanks for your help on this.

Blade 98 (16x19) (2015) Specs from TW Racquet Comparison Tool http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/compareracquets.cgi
Length (in) 27
Headsize (in2) 98
Weight (oz) 11.6
(gm) 329
Balance (in) 13.5
(cm) 34.2
Swingweight 343
Flex (RDC) 69
Power (%) 43
SweetZone 18
(cm2) 116.1

Blade 98 (16x19) (2015) Specs from TW Review https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/B98G16/B98G16review.html
Length 27 inches
Head Size 98 square inches
Weight 11.2 ounces 318 grams
Balance Point 13.1 inches 33 centimeter
Swing Weight 328
Flex Rating 66

 

[esgee48]

Strung vs unstrung manufacturer specs? Numbers look right for that as a reason.

 

[JamesV]

Strung vs unstrung manufacturer specs? Numbers look right for that as a reason.

Good take. I tought that, too, but I'm not sure that would account for the flex of 66 vs 69. That calls the other published specs into question. That's why I asked. Plus, I've swung racquets with a 328 swing weight vs. 343 and they are way different. That's also a pretty hefty difference for .4 inches or 1.2 cm in balance point. I do think you're on to something, though. Let's see if TW responds. Thanks for your input.

 

[toby55555]

7 pts head light according to the card that comes with it.

 

[JamesV]

7 pts head light according to the card that comes with it.

The TW review post from a few years back says 3pts HL. Racquet Comparison Tools says balance is 13.5. I'm pretty sure that's even, or zero HL/HH. I didn't see 7pts HL posted online by TW, but thanks for the info.

 

[Power Player]

The TW review post from a few years back says 3pts HL. Racquet Comparison Tools says balance is 13.5. I'm pretty sure that's even, or zero HL/HH. I didn't see 7pts HL posted online by TW, but thanks for the info.

New v7 is 7 pts HL unstrung. That's my guess at what he was sharing. I think the prior models were 6 pts unstrung which is basically 3 pts hl.

 

[toby55555]

New v7 is 7 pts HL unstrung. That's my guess at what he was sharing. I think the prior models were 6 pts unstrung which is basically 3 pts hl.

Whoops didn’t see the 2015 in the OP

 

[JamesV]

Whoops didn’t see the 2015 in the OP

No worries. The TW review page from 2015 said 3pts HL, too for that year's model, but their racquet comparison tool says 13.5in balance which I'm pretty sure is zero pts HL/HH. These discrepancies are why I started this post. The reason why I want to know the true specs is, I want to buy one, but since it would be used, no demos, no returns, so I want to know the true specs BEFORE purchase. Thanks for your input.

 

[kblades]

No worries. The TW review page from 2015 said 3pts HL, too for that year's model, but their racquet comparison tool says 13.5in balance which I'm pretty sure is zero pts HL/HH. These discrepancies are why I started this post. The reason why I want to know the true specs is, I want to buy one, but since it would be used, no demos, no returns, so I want to know the true specs BEFORE purchase. Thanks for your input.

Since you’re buying used and can’t get the matching service, the only way you’re going to get the true specs of what you’re buying is if the seller measures it for you. TW’s listed specs are just an average out of a handful of frames they measure.

If you haven’t heard, Wilson’s QC is horrible and the specs of their frames are literally all over the place. Early reports from the latest version of the Blades is that it has improved, but in the past it was pretty terrible. From what I recall, the listed specs of the 2015 Blade was +/- 7g, but then balance can vary up to a couple points and swing weights can be all over the place as well. So it’s very possible the frame you end up buying won’t match what TW has listed.


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[JamesV]

Your point is taken. Thanks. The irregularities are well documented, as you say. What I was hoping for was that someone from TW would respond to my post. We are all speculating as to why the TW postings have so much variation and the input has been thoughtful and reasonable, but it doesn't really answer the question. The biggest discrepancy, frankly, is the flex rating (66 vs 69). Which is it? I get that stung vs unstrung can change the balance, swing weight, etc., but these things matter, of course. Does anyone know how to call the attention of someone at TW to look into this thread and respond? I realize prvoviding things like the Racquet Comparison Tool and Similar Playing Racquets Tool is labor intensive and a great, free service for the tennis community. I'm sure most of it is very accurate, within reason. I just have this one question about this one racquet because the TW published specs varied by significant margins that affect the playability of the racquets they are providing info about. If it's a huge amount of work for TW to look into this, let it go. No big deal. I'd just like a TW response, one way or the other. Even to say they've done their best and can't expend time and effort to look into it. They don't owe me anything. I appreciate all they do provide. It's great and thanks to all who have very thoughtfully added useful comments to this thread.

 

[JamesV]

The reason I started this thread was because I am considering the purchase between the following 4 racquets and want to know the actual specs prior to purchase since the racquet will be used and therefore no refunds. The 4 racquets in consideration are: the 2015 Wilson Blade 98 16x19, The 2015 (I think) Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus, the Head Graphene XT Radical Pro, and the Yonex Vcore 100+. Any input anyone has, based on personal experience, is appreciated. The racquets' specs, as published in the TW Racquet Comparison Tool, are below (scroll down to see all 4):

Property	Pure Drive Tour Plus	Blade 98 (16x19) (2015)	Difference %
Headsize (in2) (cm2)	100 645	98 632	-2
Length (in) (cm)	27.5 69.9	27.00 68.6	-2
Weight (oz) (gm)	11.7 332	11.61 329	-1
Balance (in) (cm)	13 33.1	13.5 34.2	4
Swingweight (kg*cm2)	336	343	2
Flex (RDC)	72	69	-4
Twistweight (kg*cm2)	14.4	14.5	1
Vibration (Hz)	162	146	-10
Power (%)	43	43	0
Sweet Zone (in2) (cm2)	18 116.1	18 116.1	0

Property	Graphene XT Radical Pro	VCORE 100+	Difference %
Headsize (in2) (cm2)	98 632	100 645	2
Length (in) (cm)	27 68.6	27.5 69.9	2
Weight (oz) (gm)	11.6 330	11.2 318	-3
Balance (in) (cm)	13 33	13.4 34	3
Swingweight (kg*cm2)	336	341	1
Flex (RDC)	68	68	0
Twistweight (kg*cm2)	14.4	14.3	-1
Vibration (Hz)	151	149	-1
Power (%)	43	43	0
Sweet Zone (in2) (cm2)	18 116.1	18 116.1	0

 

[JamesV]

I'm leaning toward the 2015 Wilson Blade 98 16x19 because it's more readily available (more on the market) and the average price is below the others. That's why I started this thread to confirm the Blade's specs that are show here.

 

[Power Player]

I'm leaning toward the 2015 Wilson Blade 98 16x19 because it's more readily available (more on the market) and the average price is below the others. That's why I started this thread to confirm the Blade's specs that are show here.

Wilson specs can be all over. So a used frame is something you probably want to get weighed at least before buying.

It should be 304 unstrung. SW of 298 unstrung, balance of 6 pts HL unstrung for the 16x19. The 343 Sw is very high and out of spec.