Wilson Blade 2024

Mircat said:
My matched specs for my V8 Noirs;

sw291 306g 315mm
sw291 304g 315mm

And I swear they feel stiffer than my green V8s. Not nearly as anemic. Let the conspiracy begin.
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you’re not crazy, got 3 noirs def feel stiffer than my green v8’s. every spec is identical too. something up for sure
 
Could be my brain.. but it seems my Noir 98 seems stiffer and offers slightly more pop/ power then my green one with matching specs, string and tension..
 
Probably they are continuing on the way of cutting manufacturing costs, hence not-glossy and still low powered even if stiffer. Remember, a pessimist will not get disappointed
 
A_Instead said:
Could be my brain.. but it seems my Noir 98 seems stiffer and offers slightly more pop/ power then my green one with matching specs, string and tension..
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@PeterFig once told me that different color paints can definitely affect the feel of a racquet. He did not specify any colors being more stiff than another. For example, Federer hated the feel of the Tuxedo version of the RF97 and Wilson had to change direction soon after the launch in regards to the RF97 to make it all black again.
 
Geoff said:
Strung specs

18x20
Weight 332g
Balance 33cm
Swingweight 333kg/cm2
RA 63

16x19
Weight 326g
Balance 32.5cm
Swingweight 322kg/cm2
RA 64
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So they upped the RA by 3 points to both models. V8 16x19 is 61 strung and V8 18x20 is 60 strung. Lets see, since RA is the mean stiffness of the racquet, it matters the most in which part the upped the stiffness, hope in the head.
 
[/QUOTE]
18x20 ftw said:
@Geoff any early reports after hitting w/ the v9’s?
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I have hit a little bit in lessons with the 16x19 strung with NXT 16 at 50 lbs. the new technology is called stable feel. Basically as reported (not by me) making the frame stiffer (I am paraphrasing here - Wilson feels that the average consumer, not the Talk Tennis member, does not like the word stiffer) not only at the midpoint of the racquet which RA measures but throughout the head. I would say it’s a more Pro Staff like feel. I am hitting with a member this afternoon who is a former D1 player and will get a better sense at that time. Happy to report back after that session.
 
That sounds great. Thank you Geoff (y)

Personally I've found v8 great precisely because of the more like Pro Staff weight and stability distribution, more in the shoulders and throat, and a lighter top (vs previous Blades) and the carbon fibre "breathing" - dwell time. Previous Blades were always top heavy, and somewhat too light feeling throughout the frame, v8 is the first to remove that.

Is it only because of the lower swingweight, I don't think so. They kind of had to redistribute mass, and make it work at 315sw for the 16x19 so the whole racquet is different, and I like it a lot

If the v9 does even more in that direction - yes please :)
 
Mischko said:
That sounds great. Thank you Geoff (y)

Personally I've found v8 great precisely because of the more like Pro Staff weight and stability distribution, more in the shoulders and throat, and a lighter top (vs previous Blades) and the carbon fibre "breathing" - dwell time. Previous Blades were always top heavy, and somewhat too light feeling throughout the frame, v8 is the first to remove that.

Is it only because of the lower swingweight, I don't think so. They kind of had to redistribute mass, and make it work at 315sw for the 16x19 so the whole racquet is different, and I like it a lot

If the v9 does even more in that direction - yes please :)
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You're correct in the redistribution.. it was a step in the wrong direction imo. V7 was powerful and had high spin while still being fast through the air. V8 didn't really have any redeeming qualities compared to the previous...

Wilson has been pretty well intentioned with their updates, I expect to see this one between the V7 and v8
 
I don't care what they call it as long as it's a little stiffer to give some oomph without changing it too much, but I can understand why they don't want to say "stiffer" to a potential new customer in a pro shop. I liked the v8, it was very neutral and did everything well. it was very what you put in is what you get out, The hoop on the v8 actually felt more stiff/stable than the v7 so i am wondering where the stiffness bump is coming from for the v9. throat area? anyway this v9 sounds intriguing and can't wait to try it out.
 
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Yamin said:
You're correct in the redistribution.. it was a step in the wrong direction imo. V7 was powerful and had high spin while still being fast through the air. V8 didn't really have any redeeming qualities compared to the previous...

Wilson has been pretty well intentioned with their updates, I expect to see this one between the V7 and v8
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Wasn't a fan of the v7 at all, so for me v8 is the first Blade I really like. But I'm not that interested in "feel" that seems to be so desired on this forum. My focus is primarily where and how the ball flies, swing, trajectory etc. Having said that, v8 has great feel :laughing:
 
I actually thought the v8 was a big step up from v7. The v7 felt like they took the clash and carved a blade from it. It was heavy but all that flex zapped the power out of it. The frame bending so much on contact hurt the stability. The v8 was easier to use but I wish they kept the swing weight on the high side so I wouldn’t have to add so much lead.
 
mpournaras said:
and tailweighted to high hell... and 95"... and an extra half an ounce... so not simialr at all lol
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I was talking about the 6.1 100” but yeah, exaggerating to make a point. Obviously Wilson isn’t doubling up — I’m just saying it sounds like they’re aiming for more stiffness out of the Blade which seems antithetical to its identity.
 
TwinCinema said:
I was talking about the 6.1 100” but yeah, exaggerating to make a point. Obviously Wilson isn’t doubling up — I’m just saying it sounds like they’re aiming for more stiffness out of the Blade which seems antithetical to its identity.
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You're right, but those old 2013 BLX Blades and the K Blade were stiff as ****. Those are the better Blades in my opinion. I have high hopes.
 
Does not color shift (I am repeating what was reported earlier). The small orange W is also in the new Blade bag along with lime accents on the zippers. The Wilson rep said that the small orange W will probably appear on the next updates of Clash Ultra Pro Staff. Ultra and Pro Staff in 2025 most likely.
 
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It looks like my reply with the pictures has been removed… ‍:oops:

Well it’s still there on Reddit anyway
 
woah wilson lowered the price of the v8 even more on their website. It was on sale for 199 now it's $174.30. Hopefully this means the v9 will be available soon.
 
Blade_X said:
Finally 65 flex is back. Finally Wilson made the right decision. Power is back!!!!!!!!!!!!

.!. V7 and V8. Bye bye you soft powerless sitting ducks.
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I keep reading your comments about v7 and v8 being powerless… everyone has their preference but at the end of the day they are control racquets, I doubt upping the stiffness by 3ra will make you love v9.
 
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