Why aren't you using Volkl?

[DrWang]

I've played with just about every 285gram frame out there and I can tell you the volkl v-sense 8 285 is in a league of its own. It kills the PA Team and 2018 PD Team and any 285gram racquet Head and Wilson throw at it. Read the TW review and watch the video.

What is this nonsense about being too stiff, but people dont mind playing with a Babolat? The volkl is very comfortable to play with and generates more power, spin, control, stability, and everything else in the 285gram category. Sounds like most of the complaints here seem to be geared towards cosmetics. Why not talk about how it plays? Also, the v-sense grip is not round and there are three different types of grip pallets you can use. Besides, many people prefer more rectangular grips. I do because I hit better with it.

The volkl v-sense 8 285 is my go to racquet for when I play doubles and I will say volkl is right up there with the rest, even passing some. Try playing with one and see for yourself. The two v-sense 8's I purchased were spot on spec and the red paint job looks very nice to me and I have had others comment on it too. I have one strung with Volkl V-torque Tour 18g @55 and the other with Hyper-G 18g @54.

 

[Hansen]

What is this nonsense about being too stiff, but people dont mind playing with a Babolat?

the people who play with babolat racquets aren´t the ones you hear complaining. völkl made great soft racquets and now every racquet of their current line has a ra rating of at least 69, that´s just pitifully ( and please no comments about how the handle system doing wonders) . if babolat would suddenly start to make only <60 ra racquets i bet there would be a lot of complaints too.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

the people who play with babolat racquets aren´t the ones you hear complaining. völkl made great soft racquets and now every racquet of their current line has a ra rating of at least 69, that´s just pitifully ( and please no comments about how the handle system doing wonders) . if babolat would suddenly start to make only <60 ra racquets i bet there would be a lot of complaints too.

and it is simply cheaper to make stiffer frames, so it is a kind of value engineering designed to maximize profits.

blech!

 

[pico]

One of the first racquets I started out with was the Volkl Organix V1 Pro. Following that I experimented with the RF97 Autograph, Youtek Head, Prince Textreme, Babolat Pure Strike, Yonex F97 Tour, Yonex Vcore 97 330 and the Volkl Super G 8 Organix 315g. After all this I have concluded that I really do love the Super G 8 and it is my current racquet of choice. It does have a great colour scheme (think Iron Man).

 

[Roland G]

Always been tempted by the 8's, 10's and V1 Pro's but never bit the bullet. Like them, kinda quirky looking paint jobs and individual specs too. Will give them a whirl at some stage I suppose

 

[Roland G]

Always been tempted by the 8's, 10's and V1 Pro's but never bit the bullet. Like them, kinda quirky looking paint jobs and individual specs too. Will give them a whirl at some stage I suppose.

 

[jonestim]

I don't care for the grip shape, and the only pair I have had (Organix V1 Pro) had the worst QC of any pair of racquets I have ever owned. They were about 8 grams different and it felt like the difference was all in the head. One swung well, and the other was a club.

I did think the dampening was spot on.

 

[PBODY99]

Played the X-4 for a season, Switched to a Prince extended frame as the X-4 didn't hold up to repeated stringing @ 57lbs NG.

 

[DrWang]

the people who play with babolat racquets aren´t the ones you hear complaining. völkl made great soft racquets and now every racquet of their current line has a ra rating of at least 69, that´s just pitifully ( and please no comments about how the handle system doing wonders) . if babolat would suddenly start to make only <60 ra racquets i bet there would be a lot of complaints too.

So what? The dampening system in the v-sense series DOES do wonders and I can tell you side by next to my PA Team the volkl is way more arm friendly even though the volkl has a higher stiffness. Volkl still makes arm friendly racquets and their handle system does work well. I prefer a stiffer racquet for more power and with the v-sense, I get that without having any arm issues at all or vibrations travelling up my arm like you can get even with racquets that have a lower stiffness rating. This is why my singles racquet is the PD plus 2018, because even though it has a stiffness rating of 72ra, it' still super arm friendly just like the volkl. Can hardly wait to try the new v-feel series.

 

[beltsman]

Always been tempted by the 8's, 10's and V1 Pro's but never bit the bullet. Like them, kinda quirky looking paint jobs and individual specs too. Will give them a whirl at some stage I suppose.

Go with the 8s and you'll never look back! The groundstrokes are soooooooo sweet, and you don't sacrifice slice/touch.

 

[A_Instead]

I really liked the V Sense 8..300 and 315..agreed were not bad at all.. underrated...

 

[Tennisist]

Too many problems ...
For me:
1) Bad grip shape. I could never adjust to it. I have gone through replacing pallets, but they stopped selling them in the US, even buttcaps are impossible to buy.
2) Ugly colors.
3) Very low power ( I focus on 9 and 10 series ... up to 98" head sizes, I find it difficult to play with anything bigger )
4) Organix and V-Sense had a very weird feel -- very dull and very bleah...

After you combine all this, why would you play one?

 

[mike schiffer]

I bought the Organix 5 and use it as a platform racquet...It's light and stiff but since I siliconed the handle up to six inches and added lead it allows me to play without pain...Yeah and no polys will ever touch that frame...17 and 18 gauge syn gut only....

 

[TennisCJC]

the people who play with babolat racquets aren´t the ones you hear complaining. völkl made great soft racquets and now every racquet of their current line has a ra rating of at least 69, that´s just pitifully ( and please no comments about how the handle system doing wonders) . if babolat would suddenly start to make only <60 ra racquets i bet there would be a lot of complaints too.

I demo-ed the new v-feel 9, v-feel 8 315g and v-feel 8 300g last night. I only got a few minutes with each and yes, they are all stiff; but they still feel very playable. All 3 are different than a 20mm beam RA60-66 feel, but they have there own charm. They all add easy power to the game. The v-feel 9 has RA74 which is the stiffest frame I've tried and it felt very playable. The v-feel 9 and v-feel 8 315g have decent SW stock and the power comes easy with these frames. The v-feel 8 300g has a little less power but 2 or 3 grams of lead under the bumper will fix that. My take is all 3 are solid frames and worth a demo. Yes, if you want a thin, flexy beam then get a 10 series. The 9 and 8 series compete with the Bab AP and PD and the Wilson Ultra 100 line quite well. Personally, I have no problem with Volkl competing with the modern frames and I think Volkl has the potential to do it better because they do a good job of making their frames more comfortable - less vibrations and a more muted feel vs a hollow and harsh feel. I do hope volkl continues to produce the 10 series for those that want a more traditional feel.

 

[A_Instead]

The V Sense line doesn't have the older rectangle style like Volkl had back in the day..its more in the line of Prince to my finger/hand "buds"

 

[TypeRx]

^^Agree, didn't really know what people meant when they say that Volkls have odd grip shapes. I only have experience with the V-Sense.

 

[A_Instead]

Early volkl lines had rectangler grips...so did head..you either loved them or hated them...most hated them..
The almost felt like your tv remote .

 

[Crocodile]

Volkl are one of the first brands I look to when I'm looking to buy a new racquet because I can always rely that they will be comfortable for my arm and they still offer the C10, PB 10 and SG 10 mid 330, all very nice, plush frames.
If I think about the other brands, well Wilson have the Ultra Tour but it needs lead everywhere and the RF is too stiff. Babolat retail frames are too stiff as well. I do like the old Dunlop's particularly the 200 series and hope they do a heavy one again. PK also very comfortable as well.

 

[Winners or Errors]

But, I do have a set of Volkl's, Becker London Tours. They're great frames and very fun to play with. They will forever be in the rotation.

 

[Shroud]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

Because they hurt my arm and the buddies I sent it too

 

[Simon_the_furry]

I've liked the Volkl racquets I've hit with, just not enough for me to switch from my Ai98.
I have to say, though, the new V-Feel paint jobs might be challenging the Yonex EZONE 98 and Head Radical Graphene Touch Pro for the best paint job on the market right now.

 

[Tennisist]

Early volkl lines had rectangler grips...so did head..you either loved them or hated them...most hated them.. The almost felt like your tv remote .

Actually, some very-very old (ancient?) models had a normal grip. I have a very old C9 (silver) and C10 ( dark green) -- they both have a normal grip (~ Wilson shape). The elongated oval grip started later. C10 Pro Fishnet already had it. And from that point forward, all their racquets seem to have switched to that shape. Interestingly, the ancient C9 and C10 do not have pallets. So, the transition happened with the introduction of pallets. Which is such a pity, because with pallets, they could have easily had both.

 

[teachingprotx]

Cause every one of them is too stiff

 

[scotus]

But, I do have a set of Volkl's, Becker London Tours. They're great frames and very fun to play with. They will forever be in the rotation.

London Tour in 16x18 or 16x19 would have been fabulous.

Even flexier than PB Mid and one of the most beautiful paint jobs!

 

[max]

Actually, some very-very old (ancient?) models had a normal grip. I have a very old C9 (silver) and C10 ( dark green) -- they both have a normal grip (~ Wilson shape). The elongated oval grip started later. C10 Pro Fishnet already had it. And from that point forward, all their racquets seem to have switched to that shape. Interestingly, the ancient C9 and C10 do not have pallets. So, the transition happened with the introduction of pallets. Which is such a pity, because with pallets, they could have easily had both.

You may be mistaken about the C-9. I say this since I've played the frame since 1998 and have swapped out pallets to resize a handle in the past.

 

[Alex78]

Excellent racquets. I do have a few in my collection. The only thing I don't like too much is the head shape (of the more traditional player sticks).

 

[junior74]

Bought the Organix V1 Pro secondhand and I love its response, great spin, good control, lotsa power on serve and phenomenal feel on volleys and droppers.

This would be my racquet of choice, if it had a rounder grip shape

 

[WestboroChe]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

Funny, I actually like their paint jobs.

I demoed a VSense 325 and let my friend hit with it. He really liked it but when I suggested he buy it because the frame he uses now is a horrible harsh one his response sums it up perfectly: "It's got a weird name."

So Srixon buying Dunlop just for the name seems like a pretty good idea now, don't you think?

 

[Steve Huff]

grip shape. just can't get used to that rectangular block of wood.

 

[teachingprotx]

Funny, I actually like their paint jobs.

I demoed a VSense 325 and let my friend hit with it. He really liked it but when I suggested he buy it because the frame he uses now is a horrible harsh one his response sums it up perfectly: "It's got a weird name."

So Srixon buying Dunlop just for the name seems like a pretty good idea now, don't you think?

Always hated the name Dunlop , reminds me of tires no matter what

 

[Crocodile]

Cause every one of them is too stiff

10 series are not stiff, V1 Pro and classic are stiff but more comfortable than 80 percent of racquets available on the market. 8 series is Volkl's version of a pure drive but twice as comfortable as a Babolat. The 4 is extremely comfortable. The only ones that I would say is too stiff are the 7 in the the Organix series and the new 9, which I think is a mistake by Volkl, but I may try one in gut to see if I can fix it.

 

[WestboroChe]

Always hated the name Dunlop , reminds me of tires no matter what

True but it’s a brand with recognition and a tennis pedigree and Americans can pronounce it.

 

[Anton]

Dat rectangular slab of a grip! Worse than classic HEAD shape.

 

[bosko]

I really liked the V Sense 8..300 and 315..agreed were not bad at all.. underrated...

Just bought the 300 G version, I like it a lot.

 

[danbrenner]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like

 

[danbrenner]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

I have owned a few in my day.
Main reasons people don’t use them
1. Lack of pros endorsements.
2. You buy one at retail it’s worth 60% less instantly used
3 most shops don’t carry them.

 

[danbrenner]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

I have owned a few in my day.
Main reasons people don’t use them
1. Lack of pros endorsements.
2. You buy one at retail it’s worth 60% less instantly used
3 most shops don’t carry them.

 

[danbrenner]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

I have owned a few in my day.
Main reasons people don’t use them
1. Lack of pros endorsements.
2. You buy one at retail it’s worth 60% less instantly used it
3 most shops don’t carry them.

 

[danbrenner]

So sorry. Innnot sure what happened there

 

[SavvyStringer]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

The 8 is actually the closest to the PureDrive. Even with the high stiffness it still plays much softer. As a few others listed, the Volkl just doesn't feel right in my hand with such a rectangular grip. It's easy to play with and easy on the arm but I had a hard time with quick grip changes.

 

[Tee1Up]

The 8 is actually the closest to the PureDrive. Even with the high stiffness it still plays much softer. As a few others listed, the Volkl just doesn't feel right in my hand with such a rectangular grip. It's easy to play with and easy on the arm but I had a hard time with quick grip changes.

The V Feel or V Sense 8?

 

[BretH]

Loved my Organix 10 295s, and would still be playing them if I hadn't really bonded with the ai98. I did add a little lead to the upper grip. Grommets aren't the best, but I always buy spares anyway. Mine are currently in the for sale forum here.

 

[SavvyStringer]

The V Feel or V Sense 8?

I've been using Organix 8 315's. I bought 7 or 8 of them when they went on clearance for $79 each a couple years ago. I have not tried the newer versions but I would expect much of the same. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to go back to the 8 300g and lead it up to spec when they drop down a bit. The only problems I ever had with them was the grips were awful. They didn't feel bad but The grip would slip off the end cap after like 6 hours of use. I switched them for Volkl leather which felt better anyway and moved on. The frames are also extremely soft in construction. I've strung Babolats and Wilsons used by college players that had holes in the graphite that you could see the otherside of the frame through and they didn't cave in. I've broken a brand new Volkl by bouncing it off the ground. The type of bounce where you've lost a point and flip the racket straight down at 12:00 and it typically pops back up into your hand. I didn't hit it particularly hard it was legitimately a wrist flick and the frame caved like it was made of card board. It was a brand new frame that I personally strung one time prior to the match. That is what lead me to buy so many of them. I knew they were soft so I bought a bunch. Of the 7 or 8 I had I have 4 left. I lost the one to the wrist flick mentioned above, I lost another to a flat out smash after getting dominated at state by a clear sandbagger, and I lost two more due to cracks in the throat from what I would think was repeated stringing. I play a fresh frame almost every time I play so the two that cracked at the throat had probably been strung 25-35 times each over the course of 18 months. I don't string exceptionally high either. The highest on those frames was 56/54 but average was probably closer to the 45-48 range. This is not to deter you from the frames, just something to be conscious of if you are hard on frames. Luckily I have grown as a player since I used those frames and don't smash or throw rackets any more.

 

[4-string]

I am, so get off my back. [emoji12]

I love my PB10 Mid, such a wonderful racquet. For some reason I haven’t fallen in love with my C10 Pro yet, but it’s still early days.

 

[grhcan99]

I've been using Organix 8 315's. I bought 7 or 8 of them when they went on clearance for $79 each a couple years ago. I have not tried the newer versions but I would expect much of the same. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to go back to the 8 300g and lead it up to spec when they drop down a bit. The only problems I ever had with them was the grips were awful. They didn't feel bad but The grip would slip off the end cap after like 6 hours of use. I switched them for Volkl leather which felt better anyway and moved on. The frames are also extremely soft in construction. I've strung Babolats and Wilsons used by college players that had holes in the graphite that you could see the otherside of the frame through and they didn't cave in. I've broken a brand new Volkl by bouncing it off the ground. The type of bounce where you've lost a point and flip the racket straight down at 12:00 and it typically pops back up into your hand. I didn't hit it particularly hard it was legitimately a wrist flick and the frame caved like it was made of card board. It was a brand new frame that I personally strung one time prior to the match. That is what lead me to buy so many of them. I knew they were soft so I bought a bunch. Of the 7 or 8 I had I have 4 left. I lost the one to the wrist flick mentioned above, I lost another to a flat out smash after getting dominated at state by a clear sandbagger, and I lost two more due to cracks in the throat from what I would think was repeated stringing. I play a fresh frame almost every time I play so the two that cracked at the throat had probably been strung 25-35 times each over the course of 18 months. I don't string exceptionally high either. The highest on those frames was 56/54 but average was probably closer to the 45-48 range. This is not to deter you from the frames, just something to be conscious of if you are hard on frames. Luckily I have grown as a player since I used those frames and don't smash or throw rackets any more.

I'm surprised because I hit my just-bought C10 Pro against a wooden bench in a fit of controlled anger and the most damage I got was a tiny paint chip. Maybe the C10 Pro is still constructed differently but I notice when stringing them (I have a pair, a 2012 and 2015) it always comes off the machine easily compared to the other racquets that I string. The Babolats that I have strung so far Pure Strike, Pure Drive, AeroPro all come out literally jumping out of the mounts although they do get back to their shapes after a few minutes.

 

[mavsman149]

1) Rest of the world has caught up. No more comfortable than some models from the other makers and their racquets keep getting stiffer and more jarring.
2) Quality control has gone to hell. Have had some that were way off spec and numerous posts on this site about poor spec adherence.
3) Stubbornly continue to use a grip shape almost nobody, self included, seems to favor.
4) Engineering reputation is a joke. Optispot? Really?? Celullose in a frame so it's organic? Do tell. They're so idea-challenged that the cellulose is being brought back from the Organix line into the new Feel line, same garbage recycled.
5) Graphics look like they were created by a 7 year old with a (large) collection of crayons.
6) Engineered by a country that's 0-2 in World Wars.
7) Logo just went from bad to worse.
8) Ever use their leather grips? Wear a glove so your hand doesn't become the same color.
9) Can no longer say "hey, Martin Damm plays with one!"
10) "can't wait to see if the new C10 paint is yellow with black or black with yellow"

and these are only the Top Ten reasons

Martin Damm? Stepanek was the reason to use one! Then do the worm on the court as a victory celebration

 

[GeoffHYL]

I am (V-Sense 10 Tour), but am a bit confused about the various racquets they offer. Is there any rhyme or reason in their naming scheme? What are the differences in the V-Sense line, over 10 variants?

 

[SFrazeur]

Well? They have such a fantastic line of racquets that looks to be getting even better with the V-Feel line. Why aren't you using them? The V-Feel 9 looks like a Pure Drive on steroids. The 8 line is fairly unique and provides a "modern" player's frame. They have some of the best dampening technology around. They are easy to string and the quality is fantastic.

My only knock is I don't like their paint jobs.

But overall Volkl is crushing it! Can't wait for reviews of the V-Feel line.

Note: I think the 8 300g series fits what most posters here probably are looking for.

Why are you not using Pacific?

 

[SavvyStringer]

I am (V-Sense 10 Tour), but am a bit confused about the various racquets they offer. Is there any rhyme or reason in their naming scheme? What are the differences in the V-Sense line, over 10 variants?

Different specs but they seem to follow a very similar spec for each number each new product cycle. For instance the organix 8 line has been a pure drive clone for years and recently they have been releasing it with more weighting variants adding the 285g to the 300g and 315g. 9 series seems to have a beam and head size similar to a radical or blade 98. They changed the pattern a couple years ago but have since changed it back. The lower numbers seem to be more recreational frames with many of them being over 100sq in, lighter weight, with more headlight balances. They just don't add a bunch of different names like other companies. Probably less marketing money if you don't have to think up names like project one seven or speed graphene touch xt.

 

[max]

OK. News from Max: actually I AM playing Volkl! Been using the C-9 since the late 90s and, having just weighed and balanced and restrung all three I now own, I have found that only one (Mr. #1, with the nice Fairway grip) has succumbed to frame fatigue. I'm good to go with two---and this means not going through the trauma of a shift in racquets.

 

[max]

Oh, yeah, the rectangular grip takes some getting used to: about four months worth.

 

[heninfan99]

I did try a Becker racquet which is made by Volkl and it was okay.