Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
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no - crapshoot afaik
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
The Blade Pro wil say BLADE PRO on it.
Most H22s will be painted as something else (typically regular) including a V8 Blade paint (but glossy) and many rackets from the past. I bet no H22s will be painted as Blade Pros as there is no reason in hell Wilson will paint a pro stock with the branding of one very specific retail veriant of itself - the Blade Pro.
The main thing you should be careful ia not to get a Pro Stock Blade (typically old blades painted as V8, also gloss) that is not a H22. Those are harder to distinguish paintjob wise but easier from headguard and beam etc...
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mattimag
Semi-Pro
I have already seen Wilson H22s with Blade Pro V8 paintjob and Blade Pro written so I don't think that's a definite way to tell them apart.
The frame definitely looks different than a pro stock Blade.
I can't understand if it is a Blade Pro or H22.
Seller says it's an H22 from a pro player.
What do you think?
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
I have already seen Wilson H22s with Blade Pro V8 paintjob and Blade Pro written so I don't think that's a definite way to tell them apart.
The frame definitely looks different than a pro stock Blade.
I can't understand if it is a Blade Pro or H22.
Seller says it's an H22 from a pro player.
What do you think?
I stand corrected then. Please accept my apology.
BUT by definition all pro stocks in secondary markets are grey market items. I do think sellers can take advantage of the fact that every Blade Pro is also an H22 - so they can lie, without really lying - if they want to.
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Yep, although pro stock blade 98s (typically w/ K-Blade mold) are amazing. More mass in the hoop than retail Blades, no BS dampening, great feel and still a fairly soft feel. Great plow and pop if you get the racquet moving and let it do the work. But like the H22, very hard to find in 16x19. Blade Pro is way too stiff for my liking. I understand pro stock H22 is not generally as stiff feeling.
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you can see on the site that sells Pro Stock Tennis racquets that there are indeed H22's that now have Blade Pro on them - seems to be a recent thing - youd have to go by the beam etc... to tell between them
mattimag
Semi-Pro
What do you mean with "go by the beam?"
heavyD
Hall of Fame
I wonder what changed in 2023 as a month ago I ordered a BP shipped to my buddy's place in the USA with my Canadian credit card and the order went through no problem. I'm going to pick it up this weekend when I'm down there on holidays. I only ordered one to try as it's not an option for me to be sending multiple frames to my buddy's place and have him weight them, etc and ship back the bad ones. I just hope I get a reasonable spec frame.Same here,
I tried to order using my paypal but they rejected it. Tried another way by buying a giftcard first and then use it to buy the racket, but they also reject my giftcard purchase.
So my only chance is to get form evilBay.
https://www.e*Bay.com/itm/115635221300?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=71c978e1a37148cf914adef495e6415f&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=7&sd=115635221300&itm=115635221300&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=2380057&brand=Wilson&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:c2770548-7fa3-11ed-b48e-1a5dd29085a7|parentrq:2aa438d71850a77dd37cfb6cfffd23f6|iid:1
Do u guys think that one is legit?
superjon027
Rookie
I would imagine the H22 wouldn't say Blade "Pro" on the side of the throat. Could be wrong though
**EDIT** Just saw the above. Nvm, no idea then.
the shapes of the racquets are different
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
H22 vs Blade Pro beam shape is not different.
My best guess is Wilson is also offering the Blade Pro to its pro players directly (probably made at thr same source anyway) and those rackets when they end up in the grey market become "Pro Stock H22s" - so the pro stock seller place is not lying either.
Yeah sorry got mixed up about blade pro stock etc… nevermind me - but acc to the site i mentioned the H22 Pro Stocks are now labeled with Blade Pro instead of Blade but are Pro Stock H22 not Blade Pro from retail and made to pro stock tolerance instead of the retail ones and include plus length versions etc
Deleted
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
I have already seen Wilson H22s with Blade Pro V8 paintjob and Blade Pro written so I don't think that's a definite way to tell them apart.
The frame definitely looks different than a pro stock Blade.
I can't understand if it is a Blade Pro or H22.
Seller says it's an H22 from a pro player.
What do you think?
Random thought - Any idea if all pro stocks (without and without PRO designation, H22 or regular prostock) now come with the new direct connect buttcap?
If you’re talking all Wilson pro stocks, then No. Kblades and Steams, for example, do not have the direct connect buttcap.
cdlzp
New User
Look for the "W" at top of the grommet. Only pro stocks including H22 have this mark. Blade Pro doesn't have.
jburton
Rookie
Most of the new prostock H22s and H19s comeLook for the "W" at top of the grommet. Only pro stocks including H22 have this mark. Blade Pro doesn't have.
With bumpers similar to the blade pro with no markings
KC!
Hall of Fame
When I was using the BP my setup was VS gut/Hawk Rough 54/50. You could go up to 56/52 for more control if needed. I also used Durafluxx at 48 lbs, wasn’t springy at all.
probably not, you get the usual "wilson quality"
i add lead tape to get the racquets alighed
z
Hey guys, I just got a couple of v8 BPs. I haven't made any mods right now except for a leather grip, and I am having some trouble swinging especially on the forehand, just seems like a brick to swing and not very maneuverable. From reading, it seems like weight in the right places makes it easier to swing and having no mods actually makes it a worse racket than other popular retail rackets. Should I add some weight in the buttcap, and some lead at 3 or 9 - maybe even 12? I want to make it more headlight with a bigger sweetspot, but unsure what the best combination would be.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
I doubt that you'll make it easier to swing with more weight. Can you check the swingweight on the racquet? I have a couple of BPs that are on the lower end (low 330s), and I'm really enjoying them. No mods.
Also, for what it's worth, I've never found that adding a leather grip makes a racquet easier to swing, even though it lowers the balance point. You could try putting a synthetic grip back on and see if that helps.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Sell them and get a Shift 300, to which if you add 6g at 12 you'll enc up with slightly lower sw than the BP v8 in the range of 325-330 sw and 330g static.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I've posted my setup somewhere here. The racquet has a higher SW... therefore in order to get it to swing easier/better (to my liking), I've had to add quite a bit of weight to the handle. Everyone who has tried my racquet said it swings very manageably (if not easily - they could feel that there is weight there, but were surprised when they found out just how heavy it is, which says to me that it swung easier than what it felt like).
Mine ended up being 343g, 305mm balance, and 324SW (Unstrung)... which meant that it was 364g, 315mm balance, and 354 SW strung with thinner gauge poly strings in the Mains (18 Gauge), and 1.30mm syn gut in the crosses. I have no problem swinging the racquet for 3 sets... and love playing with it.
tophersuwita
Rookie
What is the best string for BP 18X20? I used EZ Tour and RF97, all court, old school flat strokes, 4.5 at best but better volley and like heavier racket. I strung my EZ Tour and RF with RPM Blast 46 lbs.
racquetlab
Hall of Fame
I used full bed of 4G, but have the 16x19. A buddy of mine who plays the 18x20 and hits more flat is using gut mains and 4G crosses. He’s 5.0+
NattyGut
Professional
Can someone tell me what the stock specs are for the BP 18x20 v8?
Weight:
SW:
Etc
www.wilson.com
Weight:
SW:
Etc
Blade Pro (18x20) v8 Tennis Racket
Coated with a dynamic, color-shifting gloss finish, the Blade Pro (18x20) delivers supreme performance for players at the highest level of the sport. A lighter stock frame that is easy to customize for personal weight and balance preferences, this racket
www.wilson.com
NattyGut
Professional
Good lord, 343g unstrung?
My two BPV8 spec'd out @:
Unstrung, with plastic on grip:
A: 305.3g; 298 sw; 6 HL
B: 305.30g; 296 sw; 6HL
Strung:
A&B: 320g static; 330 SW; 33.5 cm
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
The 343g Unstrung was after modifications, not in stock form.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Mine were 330g, 340SW
twohandedslice
New User
Guys, I've been looking with no joy. But does anyone know what the twist weight is on the Blade Pro 18/20?
gino
Legend
i think they are preparing for V9
heavyD
Hall of Fame
All sizes were available for months just up until recently as they must be getting to the end of their inventory. As said above they may be pausing the manufacturing of more of these until V9 is released.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
That makes no sense since there are multiple layups in the H22 depending on the players request. The layup in the Blade Pro is an H22 layup and is the most common one at only 62 RA. The one you are asking for is the 59 RA one, which is not as commonly requested anymore. I played with a college player who had H22s and we compared them to the Blade Pro when it came out and could really not tell much of a difference. The Blade Pro is really not stiff at all in my experience.
Our experience is different then. The H22 pro stocks I've played with are definitely softer than the BP, and IMO the BP is very stiff for a players frame, especially with a "Blade" name on it.
Point is there is a huge difference between the regular Blade and BP and a stiffness somewhere in the middle of those two and with same SW of the BP would make more sense IMO. When I say stiffness I mean feel rather than RA. The RA number doesn't necessarily translate to the actual feel.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I understand. Like I said I hit with H22s enough to know that the Blade Pro feels the same for me. I probably did not hit with the softer layup and you probably did. I still consider the blade pro to feel very comfortable and soft and I think that is the general sentiment here. Have to be honest, I don't notice a huge difference between the regularblade and the blade pro being stiffer. Maybe someone else can chime in.
naturalexponent
Legend
I personally don't associate "Blade" with low RA, but that's because my exposure to the Blade was the earlier versions which were mid 60s, vs. v7 and v8 which I believe are low 60s.
I also don't know that there really needs to be any relationship between the Blade and the BP, as they don't really share anything but a PJ, and after all, we all seem to be acknowledging it's an H22 mold. I get that it's confusing for the average consumer, but then again the BP isn't really targeted to the average consumer.
Yeah I get it for Blades of the past compared to V7/V8 and pro stock Blade 98s which are all soft. The 60RA H22s are just enough beefed up on power and stiffness feel compared to current Blades (including pro stock even) to be a distinct racquet while still keeping a nice feeling flex if you prefer things on the flexier rather than the stiff side. I do think the BP is a good feeling, no BS super stable frame, just a tad stiffer feeling than I expected.
tophersuwita
Rookie
A Youtuber said that Solinco plate fits into H22 handle. Can we use that to add weight to BP too? My BP 18X20 is epic in all aspects except serves due to its head heaviness
Not sure, I've always just mashed tungsten putty into the back of the trap door. You can fit up to about 15g there. If you have a Hobby Lobby store near you, they will have it. Otherwise Amazon.
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