Which Wilson Blade do you prefer?

[ryushen21]

Seeing as you love the VCP97 HD, I’m pretty sure it’s the balance and weight distribution of the Blade that doesn’t jive with you. Probably feels like it doesn’t come through quick enough?

The previous Blades that I've hit with all felt incredibly stiff and that was my biggest complaint about them. I'm always chasing that magical compromise between plow and whippiness on any frame I play and the Blades definitely had that plowy feel to them.

 

[KniazD]

So I've got a bit of a "Rip Van Winkle" perspective on this Blade discussion. I first got on the Blade train with the nBlade MP in 2007 at the tail-end of my DIII career. This was a switch from Wilson Hyper Prostaff 6.1 and the nCode nSix-One 95. Compared to those, the nBlade provided me with way more comfort, consistency, control, maneuverability, and without loss of pace or spin...the usual reasons people switch to a Blade.

The last 13 years I was playing fairly sporadically, so have not really made upgrading top priority and have not tried any Blades in intervening years.. I'm now living in a major tennis state with great weather, playing a ton and competing again. Time for a new racquet! I was excited to try the v7 18 x 20 but was not blown away. Some of the nBlade comfort was still there and my opponents told me I had really great pace, but overall I found it too stiff, too powerful, and too head-heavy. I had to make adjustments to my swing to not spray the ball and, as a bonus, I developed wrist-pain. Admittedly, some of this may have been due to the lower string tension on the demo, but I could not justify the investment in the latest Blade version.

I subsequently demo'd the following: Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro, Yonex EZONE 98, Babolat Pure Strike 3rd Gen 18 x 20, and Yonex VCP97 HD (not tested: latest version of Prestige MP and the Technifibre TF40 305). I honestly felt that the Babolat was closer to the spirit of the nBlade than the Blade v7, but overall the Yonex VCP97 HD was what I went with for my upgrade. That stick felt like an actual improvement on the nBlade. All the good qualities of the nBlade, plus even greater levels of control and maneuverability. They're currently being shipped, so I hope I still feel the same way in a couple weeks.

 

[ryushen21]

So I've got a bit of a "Rip Van Winkle" perspective on this Blade discussion. I first got on the Blade train with the nBlade MP in 2007 at the tail-end of my DIII career. This was a switch from Wilson Hyper Prostaff 6.1 and the nCode nSix-One 95. Compared to those, the nBlade provided me with way more comfort, consistency, control, maneuverability, and without loss of pace or spin...the usual reasons people switch to a Blade.

The last 13 years I was playing fairly sporadically, so have not really made upgrading top priority and have not tried any Blades in intervening years.. I'm now living in a major tennis state with great weather, playing a ton and competing again. Time for a new racquet! I was excited to try the v7 18 x 20 but was not blown away. Some of the nBlade comfort was still there and my opponents told me I had really great pace, but overall I found it too stiff, too powerful, and too head-heavy. I had to make adjustments to my swing to not spray the ball and, as a bonus, I developed wrist-pain. Admittedly, some of this may have been due to the lower string tension on the demo, but I could not justify the investment in the latest Blade version.

I subsequently demo'd the following: Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro, Yonex EZONE 98, Babolat Pure Strike 3rd Gen 18 x 20, and Yonex VCP97 HD (not tested: latest version of Prestige MP and the Technifibre TF40 305). I honestly felt that the Babolat was closer to the spirit of the nBlade than the Blade v7, but overall the Yonex VCP97 HD was what I went with for my upgrade. That stick felt like an actual improvement on the nBlade. All the good qualities of the nBlade, plus even greater levels control and maneuverability. They're currently being shipped, so I hope I still feel the same way in a couple weeks.

Interesting notes there. I'm particularly interested by your assessment of the comfort of the Blade v7 and the issues you encountered. That was always my sticking point with the Blades in the past. I'm currently playing the 97HD and loving just about everything about it. But I'm also a racquet junkie so I'm setting up a playtest between the 97HD, Ultra Tour, and the Blade v7. Btw, Hyper G @48lbs is absolute money in the 97HD.

 

[KniazD]

Interesting notes there. I'm particularly interested by your assessment of the comfort of the Blade v7 and the issues you encountered. That was always my sticking point with the Blades in the past. I'm currently playing the 97HD and loving just about everything about it. But I'm also a racquet junkie so I'm setting up a playtest between the 97HD, Ultra Tour, and the Blade v7. Btw, Hyper G @48lbs is absolute money in the 97HD.

Good luck on the test - I'm sure other setups of the Blade v7 are probably great, but something about it just wasn't for me. It had the buttery pop feel of my nBlade but was just too different in other respects. And thanks for the stringing tip on 97 HD. I actually requested Hyper-G at 56. Most discussion I've read says that's too high and takes away from the string's best qualities, but I think I'll need a transition period to go lower. I've typically done poly mains, syn gut crosses @58.

 

[cuddleysheep]

2015 and 2013 16x19. The 2015 is the best feeling racquet I know of but the 2013's harshness, pop and power is like adrenaline, it makes me play better (i.e. attack more), so I chose this.

Perfectly describes how it feels to hit with the 2013. The ultra tour I was playing with had great feel, access to spin, control and was no means a bad hit. But immediately switching back to the 2013 to compare, the pop off the frame and ability to direct my forehand aggressively made me not even want to pick up the ultra afterwards.

 

[ryushen21]

Good luck on the test - I'm sure other setups of the Blade v7 are probably great, but something about it just wasn't for me. It had the buttery pop feel of my nBlade but was just too different in other respects. And thanks for the stringing tip on 97 HD. I actually requested Hyper-G at 56. Most discussion I've read says that's too high and takes away from the string's best qualities, but I think I'll need a transition period to go lower. I've typically done poly mains, syn gut crosses @58.

I found the transition to tension below 50lbs was not that bad at all. I feel like it opens up a different trait to poly than most are used to. You get all of the benefits but you also get enhanced feel and feedback and less of the typical boardy feel. I'd definitely recommend trying it out.

Which syn gut do you use in your hybrid setup? I've been thinking of doing that myself but I have used a syn gut string in forever so I'm completely lost there.

 

[KniazD]

I found the transition to tension below 50lbs was not that bad at all. I feel like it opens up a different trait to poly than most are used to. You get all of the benefits but you also get enhanced feel and feedback and less of the typical boardy feel. I'd definitely recommend trying it out.

Which syn gut do you use in your hybrid setup? I've been thinking of doing that myself but I have used a syn gut string in forever so I'm completely lost there.

My setup up to now has been Gosen Polylon 17 - black @58 (mains) / Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 16 - black @58 (crosses). I've really enjoyed that on my nBlade... but I'm also a person who loves a muted boardy feel once it's been softened by an hour or two of playing . For what it's worth, TW does seem to rate the Gosens quite high compared to other budget strings. After trying Hyper-G full bed with the VCP97 HDs, I may transition to Hyper-G mains and Gosen OGSM crosses. Lime green and black together will probably look pretty sweet.

 

[ryushen21]

My setup up to now has been Gosen Polylon 17 - black @58 (mains) / Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 16 - black @58 (crosses). I've really enjoyed that on my nBlade... but I'm also a person who loves a muted boardy feel once it's been softened by an hour or two of playing . For what it's worth, TW does seem to rate the Gosens quite high compared to other budget strings. After trying Hyper-G full bed with the VCP97 HDs, I may transition to Hyper-G mains and Gosen OGSM crosses. Lime green and black together will probably look pretty sweet.

Good to know.

The green on lime green looks sick.

 

[soulkeeper]

Anyone knows which version is this blade?

https://www.tennispro.eu/wilson-blade-98-16-x-19-racquet-97149.html

 

[snoflewis]

Anyone knows which version is this blade?

https://www.tennispro.eu/wilson-blade-98-16-x-19-racquet-97149.html

2015 "v5"

 

[mxmx]

I chose the kblade 98 - I liked the weight, headlightness, feel and control....and my second choice would be the countervail I currently play with. I like it's feel and balance. I also own a amplifeel which is a great backup. Has more power and feels more solid, but the cv is better balanced as I prefer headlight vs head heavy.

 

[cortado]

Good luck on the test - I'm sure other setups of the Blade v7 are probably great, but something about it just wasn't for me. It had the buttery pop feel of my nBlade but was just too different in other respects. And thanks for the stringing tip on 97 HD. I actually requested Hyper-G at 56. Most discussion I've read says that's too high and takes away from the string's best qualities, but I think I'll need a transition period to go lower. I've typically done poly mains, syn gut crosses @58.

Did you try adding leather grip/weight to handle to shift the balance?

 

[Mark-Touch]

I am going to be posting a new poll shortly on the Blades, but would like to get the versions correct before I do.
Something seems wrong with this poll's versions.
It states Kfactor coming out in 2008 as v2.
But Wilson states its v1 came out in 2008.

If someone could clarify the dates/versions of the early one's that would be great.
It's strange but I haven't been able to find a single site that gives the history of each one from v1-v8,
with photos and specs.

 

[Zodd]

@Mark-Touch I'm by no means an expert on the blades but from memory and digging around @parasailing 's list is nearly correct (w the exception of the mysterious "Blade" yet to be spotted in the wild) with the nBlade being v1 as @Red Hood also pointed out

So first 3 versions are:

v1 - 2006
nBlade - TW Playtest date: April, 2006

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/playtests/DANMAN01.html

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/playtests/RTOUR04.html

Racquet Finder

v2 - 2008
kBlade - TW Review date: March 2008

Tennis Warehouse - Wilson K Blade Racquet Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Racquet Finder

v3 - 2011
BLX Blade (Black/Gold or Black/Pink) - TW Review date: June 2011

Tennis Warehouse - Wilson BLX Blade 98 Racquet Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Racquet Finder

I was handed an nBlade the first week my local shop got their first test frames and remember really liking the PJ - couldn't quite gel with it though when testing due to the balance being too different compared to my sticks. The kBlade I tested extensively when coming back from time off due to shoulder injury so was looking for a slightly more maneuverable stick as a transition back to old faithful with as much plush/players feel retained as possible - it made to the last 2 but ultimately fell short due to not having a coherent/uniform enough response towards the hoop and overall feeling of instability on off center hits. The blx I only tested briefly and remember the balance being too HH for my liking and therefore feeling a tad sluggish but on the plus side noticeably more stable compared to the k.

 

[onehandbh]

Blade Pro v8 18x20 with Fairway leather grip.

 

[Zodd]

It states Kfactor coming out in 2008 as v2.
But Wilson states its v1 came out in 2008.

Wilson's QC on official info apparently about as good as the QC on a some of their sticks...

 

[Myrko]

My two favorites are the 2015 and blx (brown one). Although haven’t yet tried the v7.

2015 by far for me. Also liked the BLX 98 quite a bit. I don't know what they did with the countervail ones but I really disliked them.

2015 and 2013 16x19. The 2015 is the best feeling racquet I know of but the 2013's harshness, pop and power is like adrenaline, it makes me play better (i.e. attack more), so I chose this.

2015 Blade :

16x19 or 18x20 ?

And why?

 

[VAPORHEAD]

Will be comparing the v9 with my old v8 tonight

 

[snoflewis]

2015 Blade :

16x19 or 18x20 ?

And why?

18x20. The 16x19 is pretty good as well, but it feels a little hollow and doesnt feel as "full" as the 18x20

 

[Fintft]

Pro

 

[Pekoms]

Blade V4 is goated