Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
haqq777
Legend
Well put. Although what must be stated here is that we never did get the E36 M3 Euro spec and simply got a watered down US version of the M3 stateside because BMW USA didn't think Euro spec would sell well here due to its higher price. Ours was like a neutered version of the car (240 hp vs 320 hp). We didn't even get a six speed manual. Those non-US E36 M3 were pretty quick and equally (if not more) fun to drive.
Artreddy
Rookie
My blade pros 16x19 are here
Strung with 4G: weight 325gm,
Stock grip, L2, balance point roughly 34 cm;
Will have measurements done soon, but swing weight may be around 335 or so;
when played with Slinger machine it felt very smooth but was connected to the ball; could feel flex: it played better compared to 2015 blade or the new V7 ones.
will post more details in few days
Strung with 4G: weight 325gm,
Stock grip, L2, balance point roughly 34 cm;
Will have measurements done soon, but swing weight may be around 335 or so;
when played with Slinger machine it felt very smooth but was connected to the ball; could feel flex: it played better compared to 2015 blade or the new V7 ones.
will post more details in few days
Artreddy
Rookie
How is that possible unstrung weight of 323? Plastic with Wilson paper is around 2-3 gms total and the spec is 305 gm. Mine measured to be 325gm strung weight.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
tremendous background ball placement.
megamind
Legend
Had an early morning session today with my slinger and some serve practice. I am liking this stick in spite of it being not as easy as my other sticks. Hmm..maybe i can take the plastic wrapper off a second one
Unrelated to thread, but what do you think of your Slinger machine? I'm like half thinking of copping one, but then I see the price tag lol (though I know it's cheap for ball machines)
tennisislife4622
Rookie
for those that have used the pros and the retail blades, is it safe to say that the pros are overall a better playing racket?
mattimag
Semi-Pro
For my experience after the Finest calfskin from Head the Tecnifibre one is very good, easily second place. The Oehms one is good too
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Hit my 18x20 BP yesterday. Strung with 1.20 Tour Bite at 46 lbs on my Babolat Sensor. ~ 324 grams, ~33 cm, ~ 340 SW with Wilson Pro Overgrip. Not ready to post a full review yet but initial impressions are:
- Old school, love it. Immediately reminded me of a KBlade 98 in feel and response with a few key differences.
- Very direct and raw, never harsh, but definitely no dampening tech.
- Hoop is relatively firmer than the throat which has some nice flex to it. Honest feedback that lets you know when you’re hitting outside the sweet spot.
- Extremely stable. The generous head weighting and firmish hoop make this thing rock solid when returning heavy serves and absorbing pace.
- Low power, low launch angle. Must swing out and hit the ball directly. Drives are heavy. It is possible to hit with some height and depth but the ball will not have as much action as modern, stiffer offerings. I have a feeling brushers and wrist flickers will not jive with this stick.
- Really the only shot that gave me issues was my topspin serve. I was not getting the dip that I usually do. I suspect the 340+ SW was a factor there. I need to spend more time with the BP on this one.
- During my hit I couldn’t help but think that the Extreme Tour leaded up to 330 SW has similar feel and response in a slightly easier to use package. I would be happy sticking with the ET if the BP is too demanding in match play.
- Old school, love it. Immediately reminded me of a KBlade 98 in feel and response with a few key differences.
- Very direct and raw, never harsh, but definitely no dampening tech.
- Hoop is relatively firmer than the throat which has some nice flex to it. Honest feedback that lets you know when you’re hitting outside the sweet spot.
- Extremely stable. The generous head weighting and firmish hoop make this thing rock solid when returning heavy serves and absorbing pace.
- Low power, low launch angle. Must swing out and hit the ball directly. Drives are heavy. It is possible to hit with some height and depth but the ball will not have as much action as modern, stiffer offerings. I have a feeling brushers and wrist flickers will not jive with this stick.
- Really the only shot that gave me issues was my topspin serve. I was not getting the dip that I usually do. I suspect the 340+ SW was a factor there. I need to spend more time with the BP on this one.
- During my hit I couldn’t help but think that the Extreme Tour leaded up to 330 SW has similar feel and response in a slightly easier to use package. I would be happy sticking with the ET if the BP is too demanding in match play.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Overall package is good although it’s not programmable but i think that is very reasonable given it’s price point. You can adjust trajectory and spin. By the way, adjusting to highest setting spin, you’ll never meet someone on the court who hits with that heavy spin. In fact its one area they can improve on for versatility. A bit less spin but getting more pace. Then you can do both. Other than that, you can really do everything with spin and height adjustment, even practice overheads. I am glad i have it and i can get a pretty good workout with it. Battery life is also great. Remains to be seen how durable it is a couple of years from now.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I’d say that’s safe to say. I’d also say they are completely different racquets.
Also, If you want the Blade Pro, you better know how to hit a tennis ball.
You’ve probably seen recommendations on racquets like, “best suited to 4.5 or above”, for this racquet, I’d say it’s required. Sure, you’ll see a 3.5 player trying to use one, but they would really struggle. I would recommend taking ego and machismo out of the equation if considering this racquet.
It delivers a very heavy ball and it’s solid and comfortable, but if you’re an arm swinger on your strokes, you’ll be miserable trying to hit with it and you won’t be able to unlock its potential.
I just hit with it this morning and it is an adjustment for me coming from Pro Staff 97 and before that, extensively with Blade V7.
OMG! What a racquet though! If you deliver your power from the ground up, the feeling when you bludgeon the ball with this thing is addictive.
Hope that helps anyone reading and considering one.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
It’s so fun to crush shots with. I think if you have the strokes, the question will be if you like the weight and balance of it more than anything. It really feels great on contact and hits a monster ball.
Artreddy
Rookie
I am going to write down as short possible: I was an early investor in it and I paid close to just $300, for the price I paid it’s a great machine; but I must say the price it is at now, you may have to think twice as there are not many controls like other ball
Machines have; I like the Lobster design and functionality, it’s a more traditional ball machine; if we have another thread I can write in detail
topspn
G.O.A.T.
True it doesn’t have lots of controls mainly programming. However there is nothing that comes close at the price point even retail right now. Lobster is very good and a lot more expensive.
Anton
Legend
I have 2 and they are different. But I did buy separately.
Anton
Legend
Sounds like lower tension is in order...though your stringjob may loosen up.
New here but wanted to share my thoughts.
BP 18x20 4 1/4
Definitely the cleanest hitting racket I've hit with. Felt very solid on impact with no flex in the head but felt a little flexible in the throat. Strung with Tour Bite/ Vanguish at 52. Mine had a very high SW coming in at 350. Wish I got a little lower but it felt solid. You get more spin then I expected from it. The pattern is not as tight as the UT. Hitting again tomorrow then might play around with the specs a little.
BP 18x20 4 1/4
Definitely the cleanest hitting racket I've hit with. Felt very solid on impact with no flex in the head but felt a little flexible in the throat. Strung with Tour Bite/ Vanguish at 52. Mine had a very high SW coming in at 350. Wish I got a little lower but it felt solid. You get more spin then I expected from it. The pattern is not as tight as the UT. Hitting again tomorrow then might play around with the specs a little.
Artreddy
Rookie
Since mine is QA 325 strung with 4G and no overgrip, +11g is a bit too off the specs
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
On the fence about this. The low powered response gave me a lot a confidence to swing out which actually resulted in a heavy ball. Tour Bite is a pretty dead string. We were also using Penn Tour balls that were a couple days old.
Pictures are amazing.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
But with handle wrapper off, it will be around 308g and a bit less HL which is in the ball park of my 1st racquet. So I can match them once strung and add leather grip.
TennisHound
Legend
So after adding so weight, string, leather grip and over grip it’s right in my ballpark!!! Too bad it’s raining all weekend.
Weight 353
7.5 hL
Sw 350
That is so freakin heavy. With beam shapes so similar, it would be worth it to just use the RF97, since it would be more HL and the same static weight (12.4oz BP vs 12.6oz RF).
Chidoc
New User
Funny
Funny you say that but I have been playing with RF97 for years, itjust has been feeling a little too stiff or club like. That’s why I had switched to the 97HD and added weight so it was like the RF97 but it felt too soft. The layup is different between the two. I’m hoping this like a good in between.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Anton
Legend
My take on this is that the ball should be pocketable at any impact speed (on blocks, slices or full topspin), never boardy. If I get that from the strings but can't find good control then the frame is not right for me.
Anton
Legend
Anyone know the stiffness on Blade Pro? Wilson lists 7.2mm whatever that means.
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gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I’m with you, I agree. The BP definitely pockets with this setup. My comment on the low power level was mainly to indicate that weaker players (athletically and/or skill wise) may have to look elsewhere because this frame does not give you anything for free. The flexible throat and shaft (relative to the hoop which is firmer) absorb a lot of ball impact energy so you definitely have to provide RHS and weight of shot to get the most out of this frame.
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gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
@AA7 measured 2 frames (18x20) at 61-62 RA unstrung.
am1899
Legend
Update: Wilson customer service replied today that they will restock sold out grip sizes in 10-15 days maybe new batch will have better QC
Let me hold my breath...
am1899
Legend
Think it refers to Wilson’s proprietary “stiffness index.” See here:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...-greatest-debate-on-tt-at-this-moment.679927/
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I suspect its 62 just based on feel and guesswork.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
I think refers to their “stiffness index” numbers. The number of mm deflection on the RDC under the standard condition. So it’s got a 7.2si, which is pretty flexible.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
No its because in usa they cant drive. they learnnto drive with an automate instead of a proper gear shifting arent they? And the max speed is around 90km/hour in usa even on highway i believe? Thats a speed you reach in gear 3 with a fast Bmw, so why the f=uc**k you need fast cars in Usa? The car your grandma drives is plenty fast for any american!
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Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
No its because in usa they cant drive. they learnnto drive with an automate instead of a proper gear shifting arent they? And the max speed is around 90km/hour in usa even on highway i believe? Thats a speed you reach in gear 3 with a fast Bmw, so why the f=uc**k you need fast cars in Usa? The car your grandma drives is plenty fast for any american!
Because some of us "Americans", take our cars to the track.
Is a "fast BMW" really all that fast at 56 mph in 3 gear?
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BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Not sure but I think my 06 M5 V10 was going 56 in 2nd gear!!
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Exactly! That's what I'm saying, my GT4 does 85mph when it tops out in 2nd.
am1899
Legend
Are those Kimony dampeners? How are they?
haqq777
Legend
I know you are kidding but you'll be surprised at how well some of us can driveNo its because in usa they cant drive. they learnnto drive with an automate instead of a proper gear shifting arent they? And the max speed is around 90km/hour in usa even on highway i believe? Thats a speed you reach in gear 3 with a fast Bmw, so why the f=uc**k you need fast cars in Usa? The car your grandma drives is plenty fast for any american!
- I learned on a stick myself and I know a ton of extremely talented drivers who frequent the track.gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Yessir. Haven't tried them yet, can't decide which color
. Although I don't usually use dampeners and the BP certainly does not need one once the grommets and strings settle.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
I know you are kidding but you'll be surprised at how well some of us can drive
same here
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