Wilson BLX Blade 98 vs Head YT Prestige MP

[Cuqui]

Hi,

Anyone here has already play with both?
I'm current playing with YT Prestige MP but I'm thinking to make a change to BLX Blade 98.

I really like playing with YT Prestige MP but sometimes I really feel the lack of power, specially on my defensive game.

I'm looking for a control oriented racquet like Prestige MP but with a little more power and from the reviews that I found, Wilson BLX Blade 98 could be the one.

Thanks in advance

 

[Torres]

Two completely different racquets.

The Blade will certainly give you more power. It's also noticeably more head heavy and more polarized than the MP.

The MP is almost the king of control frames, you feel that you almost drop the ball on dime anywhere on the court with that stick, but as you've pointed out, it does lack power. There's a lack of mass in the upper hoop. Try adding some lead to the MP at 3/9/12 before you consider switching.

 

[Cuqui]

Two completely different racquets.

The Blade will certainly give you more power. It's also noticeably more head heavy and more polarized than the MP.

The MP is almost the king of control frames, you feel that you almost drop the ball on dime anywhere on the court with that stick, but as you've pointed out, it does lack power. There's a lack of mass in the upper hoop. Try adding some lead to the MP at 3/9/12 before you consider switching.

Thanks Torres.

How many grams do you think it'll be necessary? 8 grams?

 

[NetNinja68]

Go with the Blade!

 

[Bartelby]

1 1/2 grams at 12 and 2 1/2 grams between 3 and 9 will put the swingweight over 320 with only 4 grams total, not 8.

if you don't have enough power with that set up then either go higher or probably try something else.

 

[Cuqui]

1 1/2 grams at 12 and 2 1/2 grams between 3 and 9 will put the swingweight over 320 with only 4 grams total, not 8.

if you don't have enough power with that set up then either go higher or probably try something else.

Thanks Bartelby, I'll give it a try for sure

 

[Cuqui]

Go with the Blade!

Do you already play with both? What're yours Up's and Down's for this racquets?

 

[backatcha]

It just so happens that I used to play with the YTPMP and yes by adding the 8 grams to the 10/2 position, it plays much better and has more plow.

It also just so happens that I have recently switched to the BLX Blade 98 as my main stick. Now I did modify the balance/weight by adding silicone to the handle... but even in stock it is a great stick.

Both are great sticks. I think I moved away from the Prestige to get more plow through the court. I wanted to be able to flatten out the stroke and hit a hard winner, and I found that the Blade provided a little more power and allowed me to project the ball through the court with more force and authority.

Regarding control, there is not much difference... the Prestige is the king of control but the difference is negligible IMHO. The same thing regarding the feel both have great feel. I do think that I get a little more spin out of the Blade.

I think the biggest problem with the Blade is that it is a little light and only about 2pts HL. This can be easily remedied with leather, lead or silicone.

Let me know if there is anything else or something specific that I can answer!

 

[Bartelby]

You have to be careful about the spec of the Blade you buy.

I don't like the current Blade but bought two radically different versions of the kblade.

This seems also true of the current edition, but its a great racquet with more power if you get the spec right.

 

[backatcha]

You have to be careful about the spec of the Blade you buy.

I don't like the current Blade but bought two radically different versions of the kblade.

This seems also true of the current edition, but its a great racquet with more power if you get the spec right.

Good point... It is best to buy 2 or 3 at one time and have TW match them. They can also put the leather grips on as well... This is a good service and relatively cheap.

 

[Cuqui]

It just so happens that I used to play with the YTPMP and yes by adding the 8 grams to the 10/2 position, it plays much better and has more plow.

It also just so happens that I have recently switched to the BLX Blade 98 as my main stick. Now I did modify the balance/weight by adding silicone to the handle... but even in stock it is a great stick.

Both are great sticks. I think I moved away from the Prestige to get more plow through the court. I wanted to be able to flatten out the stroke and hit a hard winner, and I found that the Blade provided a little more power and allowed me to project the ball through the court with more force and authority.

Regarding control, there is not much difference... the Prestige is the king of control but the difference is negligible IMHO. The same thing regarding the feel both have great feel. I do think that I get a little more spin out of the Blade.

I think the biggest problem with the Blade is that it is a little light and only about 2pts HL. This can be easily remedied with leather, lead or silicone.

Let me know if there is anything else or something specific that I can answer!

Great Review Backatcha, thats exactly what I feel about Prestige, I love the racket but I feel that I need a little more plow through and more depth in my shots.
I never thought making the switch because I didn´t want to loose the feeling and control that I've from prestige but a few months ago I started to listen some good reviews on BLX Blade regarding power but mantaining very good control and feel.

What string and tension you use on Blade?
On Prestige I use Signum Pro Tornado 1.17 at 24kg (53 lbs I think)

Once again tkanks for your help.

 

[Cuqui]

You have to be careful about the spec of the Blade you buy.

I don't like the current Blade but bought two radically different versions of the kblade.

This seems also true of the current edition, but its a great racquet with more power if you get the spec right.

Because of this issue that I already experienced with Wilson, I asked my local Wilson representative to get me two racquets from the same factory and lot.
The ones that initially he wanted to give me were very diferent so he compromised himself to get me to smiliar racquets.

 

[un6a]

Prestige MP

Drop tension on prestige to 22 Kg, u will get more power and control will be still good. I can suggest some lead at 12 (1.5-2g is enough). Also if u can, try SP Hyperion 1.18, it is really good string for this frame, softer than Tornado.

 

[backatcha]

Originally Posted by Cuqui
"What string and tension you use on Blade?
On Prestige I use Signum Pro Tornado 1.17 at 24kg (53 lbs I think)"

Great question... This is going to probably scare you but string the Blade 98 with a full bed of textured poly (thin gauge 17/18 ) in the mid to high 40's.

I know this will make you nervous at first but once you try it you will never go back... with this racquet face (a tight 18x20 pattern) the lower tension dramatically opens the sweet spot, significantly improves the feel, enhances the dwell time and seriously adds tons of spin... it is amazing how low you can string this racquet without losing any control.

I personally string mine with a full bed of Black Code 17 @ 46# and have considered going to 45#... I have occasionally asked my tennis partners to guess the tension of the frame and they will inevitably think it feels like 52# or 54# and they are shocked to find out it is 46#.

Don't be scared... Just go low... I promise it is awesome!

 

[Cuqui]

Great question... This is going to probably scare you but string the Blade 98 with a full bed of textured poly (thin gauge 17/18 ) in the mid to high 40's.

I know this will make you nervous at first but once you try it you will never go back... with this racquet face (a tight 18x20 pattern) the lower tension dramatically opens the sweet spot, significantly improves the feel, enhances the dwell time and seriously adds tons of spin... it is amazing how low you can string this racquet without losing any control.

I personally string mine with a full bed of Black Code 17 @ 46# and have considered going to 45#... I have occasionally asked my tennis partners to guess the tension of the frame and they will inevitably think it feels like 52# or 54# and they are shocked to find out it is 46#.

Don't be scared... Just go low... I promise it is awesome!

Wow, this really surprise me...
What tension do you used to strung the Prestige?

Do you think it's better string the blade at 52# and slowly start to decrease tension or be a radical man and string them at 46# on my first try?

 

[backatcha]

Drop tension on prestige to 22 Kg, u will get more power and control will be still good. I can suggest some lead at 12 (1.5-2g is enough). Also if u can, try SP Hyperion 1.18, it is really good string for this frame, softer than Tornado.

^^^^ I agree the lower tension works great with this frame as well because the YTPMP is also has a closed 18x20 string pattern. However, when I placed the lead at the 12 position, I found that the YTPMP tended to twisted more around the axis... this help the spin but did add much to the stability or plow. I really would suggest the 10/2 position for this frame.

 

[backatcha]

Wow, this really surprise me...
What tension do you used to strung the Prestige?

Do you think it's better string the blade at 52# and slowly start to decrease tension or be a radical man and string them at 46# on my first try?

Be radical... start low... don't listen to the critics and if necessary work your way up later 2lbs at a time. I promise...:twisted:

 

[Bartelby]

I string the prestige at 42 and the blade at 45 and they play great - you need to remember the tight string pattern and the reality is I don't think you lose the slightest bit of control.

However, tension is a personal thing.

 

[Tahsin1982]

I own both the blx blade 98 and YTMP and the reason I bought the blade was hoping it would be a more forgiving upgrade of a prestige but nope.

The blade is way more stiff and muted I find, it definately has a lot of power and spin but the 2pts headlight balance didnt work for me even after I modified it leather and lead on the handle to maybe bring it to 7 pts headlight I just cant swing freely on this stick like the prestige.

Anyway you can always demo it it may suit your game. If the racket beam was like the prestige and headlight would have suited me more i think.

 

[Bartelby]

no, nothing like the prestige except for the directional control that the string pattern brings

 

[backatcha]

Anyway you can always demo it it may suit your game. If the racket beam was like the prestige and headlight would have suited me more i think.

This would be nirvana... a BLX Blade 98 that was a little heavier and a lot more HL!

 

[Bartelby]

I haven't tested it, but the tf 320 may fit the bill if you like stiffer and more power.

 

[Cuqui]

I string the prestige at 42 and the blade at 45 and they play great - you need to remember the tight string pattern and the reality is I don't think you lose the slightest bit of control.

However, tension is a personal thing.

Be radical... start low... don't listen to the critics and if necessary work your way up later 2lbs at a time. I promise...:twisted:

Its funny because I string one of my YT @ 50# (my previous tension was 53) but I still didn´t play with it.
Now I'm curious to try this tension...:twisted:

 

[backatcha]

I bought a tf320 at the Miami Open... good frame but IMO not great... I thought it hit a little "thin"... definitely does not have the plow of the Blade 98 nor the control of the PMP... But what it does have is incredible feel and great spin.

 

[backatcha]

Its funny because I string one of my YT @ 50# (my previous tension was 53) but I still didn´t play with it.
Now I'm curious to try this tension...:twisted:

I remember when a tennis pro first suggested that I string below 50#... It was a strange and scary suggestion... It was both intriguing and disconcerting at the same time. I had to take baby steps... I was going down 1 or 2 lbs at a time... slowly, slowly inch by inch... Man what a waste of time!

Just drop the tension to 46 and within 15 minutes of your first rally you are going to say... Wow, I'm not afraid anymore, this is incredible... Backatcha was right... Why did I wait so long!

Or maybe not... It is a personal thing!

 

[Cuqui]

I remember when a tennis pro first suggested that I string below 50#... It was a strange and scary suggestion... It was both intriguing and disconcerting at the same time. I had to take baby steps... I was going down 1 or 2 lbs at a time... slowly, slowly inch by inch... Man what a waste of time!

Just drop the tension to 46 and within 15 minutes of your first rally you are going to say... Wow, I'm not afraid anymore, this is incredible... Backatcha was right... Why did I wait so long!

Or maybe not... It is a personal thing!

Hey Backatcha, you have to change your signature... Tension it's too much high

Before Prestige I used to play with KBlade tour and I used to strung them @ 47lbs.
When I get the prestige I don't remenber why but I start to increase tension until I stop at 53lbs.
Tomorrow when I get the wilson racquets I'll string them at 48lbs.

 

[backatcha]

Hey Backatcha, you have to change your signature... Tension it's too much high

Before Prestige I used to play with KBlade tour and I used to strung them @ 47lbs.
When I get the prestige I don't remenber why but I start to increase tension until I stop at 53lbs.
Tomorrow when I get the wilson racquets I'll string them at 48lbs.

You are right... Sig has been changed. I've been meaning to do that for some time... thanks!

I started at 48 as well... Good luck!

 

[okdude1992]

i've found with some lead under the og, and some at 3&9 as well, the blade feels similar to the prestige mp, except stiffer with a bigger sweetspot and more power.

 

[backatcha]

i've found with some lead under the og, and some at 3&9 as well, the blade feels similar to the prestige mp, except stiffer with a bigger sweetspot and more power.

Agreed! The Blade is definitely a different type of frame but the control and feel is similar to the PMP. It would be possibly better if the Blade 98 was a little more flexy, but I have really really enjoyed the power/plow and forgiveness of this frame.

It is like a perfect combination of a BLX 6.1 95 and a YT Prestige MP.