Wilson Blade 104 (2015) vs (2016) stiffness

[Dandow93]

Hi guys, sorry if this has been addressed more thoroughly in another thread.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/new-blade-104.576143/#post-10752876

As evident in the above link, the specs for the 2016 and beyond Wilson Blade 104 model has a recorded stiffness of 66, whereas the 2015 had a stiffness rating of only 59. People initially asked questions about whether or not this was due to variance in QA, or whether the make-up of the racquet had actually changed - as Wilson denied that there was any difference.

I was just wondering if anyone who uses these racquets is able to tell me whether there is a conceivable difference (to them) in the stiffness/feel of each of these blade 104 racquets.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[skeeter]

Hi guys, sorry if this has been addressed more thoroughly in another thread.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/new-blade-104.576143/#post-10752876

As evident in the above link, the specs for the 2016 and beyond Wilson Blade 104 model has a recorded stiffness of 66, whereas the 2015 had a stiffness rating of only 59. People initially asked questions about whether or not this was due to variance in QA, or whether the make-up of the racquet had actually changed - as Wilson denied that there was any difference.

I was just wondering if anyone who uses these racquets is able to tell me whether there is a conceivable difference (to them) in the stiffness/feel of each of these blade 104 racquets.

Thanks,
Dan

I've been playing with the 2015 version for almost two years now. I don't have the 2016 version but demo'd it about six months ago, just to see what it was like. To me, switching back and forth between the two, there was a noticeable difference in flex with the 2016 definitely feeling more stiff than the 2015. Just felt "boardy" to me and when I would go back to the 2015, it felt smooth and much more comfortable. Granted, I had been playing with that version for some time and am very used to its feel. But the 2016, to me, did feel noticeably more stiff.

 

[Dandow93]

I've been playing with the 2015 version for almost two years now. I don't have the 2016 version but demo'd it about six months ago, just to see what it was like. To me, switching back and forth between the two, there was a noticeable difference in flex with the 2016 definitely feeling more stiff than the 2015. Just felt "boardy" to me and when I would go back to the 2015, it felt smooth and much more comfortable. Granted, I had been playing with that version for some time and am very used to its feel. But the 2016, to me, did feel noticeably more stiff.

Thanks, this is exactly the kind of thing I was curious to hear about - particularly since the 2015s aren't really able to be demoed anymore. Interested to hear if others shared your perspective.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I thought Wilson screwed up with the Countervail. While I love the performance of the Blade 104 SW, I eventually found it too stiff. Did not get that at all from the older 2015 models.

 

[RobbT]

Me and my friend are both USTA 4.5 players and we own 2 of the 2015 version and 2 of the newer version rackets. The newer version is noticeably stiffer in side-by-side tests, and also noticeably more powerful. We both prefer the newer one. Wilson has definitely changed something for the better in our opinion.