Power Player
Bionic Poster
Wow 15? I barely got 6 grams into mine. But you said tungsten putty which may be the key there. I used plumbers putty, which is probably not as heavy.
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
Wow 15? I barely got 6 grams into mine. But you said tungsten putty which may be the key there. I used plumbers putty, which is probably not as heavy.
Yeah tungsten is heavier than lead even. These chunks are about 1" square x 3/16" thick and weigh 28 grams.
https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Hobbies-Collecting/Pine-Cars/Tungsten-Putty-Weight/p/28427
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Thats awesome thank you.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Dear Sirs, I am in desperate need of help.
I am a 3.5-4.0 all court male 35 yo, Eastern FH, OH BH. Used to play with heavier-yet-headlight racket. My history of rackets: KPS 88, PS 90, RF97, then EZone Tour 2022 (my main racket, I like everything from it except stringbed consistency; sometimes the ball flies long). Briefly used Regna 100, VC95 2023, and Prince ATS 100p/98. Both Prince are very good, but too much power.
I recently got good price for BP 18x20 (no demo in my country) and really surprised when I am doing excellent in my coaching clinics. My forehand/backhand seemed to be very laser-like, my volley was very stable. The feel was out of this world too.
Unfortunately, I lost much more matches since the change, all in doubles, and I noticed my friends can return my shots consistently in hitting sessions. I considered 2 things that were detrimental to my game:
1. The serve: my big flat serve that goes in (and aces) about 70% is now 0% (big zero). I have no good spin serve (I came from 6 years of badminton so my volley/flat serve/overhead is even better than my other strokes), instead I just served with 70% power and tried to place the ball. But in my level (yea low enough I know) I havent had that kind of control yet; my aces turned into long points, of which I could lose.
2. Groundstrokes and volleys put aways: the balls seemed to be more laser like but on the expense of power. Especially volleys in doubles, which are my main strength, suddenly deteriorated (I can’t maneuver BP quick enough so my balls are not dangerous). I have read that Blade 18x20 have this similar problem.
Last week I played 6 double matches with my usual groups. My record was usually 5-1 or 4-2, but now it was 2-4. Yesterday I changed back to EZT and my aces+put away volleys were destroying the opponents.
I have put a 10 g coin in handle with no difference in feel. Please convince me whether my level is too low to use BP (I will sell and try PA98/Radical Pro next) or I should stick to improve my game, while customizing with leads. I really like BP feels and exclusiveness (so shallow, haha).
PS. Other than serve, which is very related to racket head speed, I don’t find I am late to the balls though.
I am a 3.5-4.0 all court male 35 yo, Eastern FH, OH BH. Used to play with heavier-yet-headlight racket. My history of rackets: KPS 88, PS 90, RF97, then EZone Tour 2022 (my main racket, I like everything from it except stringbed consistency; sometimes the ball flies long). Briefly used Regna 100, VC95 2023, and Prince ATS 100p/98. Both Prince are very good, but too much power.
I recently got good price for BP 18x20 (no demo in my country) and really surprised when I am doing excellent in my coaching clinics. My forehand/backhand seemed to be very laser-like, my volley was very stable. The feel was out of this world too.
Unfortunately, I lost much more matches since the change, all in doubles, and I noticed my friends can return my shots consistently in hitting sessions. I considered 2 things that were detrimental to my game:
1. The serve: my big flat serve that goes in (and aces) about 70% is now 0% (big zero). I have no good spin serve (I came from 6 years of badminton so my volley/flat serve/overhead is even better than my other strokes), instead I just served with 70% power and tried to place the ball. But in my level (yea low enough I know) I havent had that kind of control yet; my aces turned into long points, of which I could lose.
2. Groundstrokes and volleys put aways: the balls seemed to be more laser like but on the expense of power. Especially volleys in doubles, which are my main strength, suddenly deteriorated (I can’t maneuver BP quick enough so my balls are not dangerous). I have read that Blade 18x20 have this similar problem.
Last week I played 6 double matches with my usual groups. My record was usually 5-1 or 4-2, but now it was 2-4. Yesterday I changed back to EZT and my aces+put away volleys were destroying the opponents.
I have put a 10 g coin in handle with no difference in feel. Please convince me whether my level is too low to use BP (I will sell and try PA98/Radical Pro next) or I should stick to improve my game, while customizing with leads. I really like BP feels and exclusiveness (so shallow, haha).
PS. Other than serve, which is very related to racket head speed, I don’t find I am late to the balls though.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
I have a similar experience where the BP18 was a boon on groundstrokes and feel, at the expense of serves and volleys. It just comes around a split second too late compared to the much more headlight frames I'm used to hitting with. You either have to accept that and commit to acclimating yourself to the weight and balance so you can get better at those shots (even if it means you lose some matches in the meantime), or embrace that the EZT is a frame that works well for you and your strengths.
tophersuwita
Rookie
What do you use now? Can lack of power/heavy ball be caused by my poor technique? I mean, head heavier racket should have more plow, shouldn't it?
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
I'm still seeing if the BP18 could work for me but what I'm trusting most right now are the VCore 95 and the Percept 100D. If you're lacking power off a BP18 I guess that could be explained by an overly dead/tight string job, or like you suggest, poor technique. It's my experience and impression from others as well that the BP, in both iterations, hits a pretty mean ball.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Yea that’s weird because with my EZT the balls seem faster, maybe it’s due to difference in racket head speed. I use Alu Power Rough 48 lbs, will try to restring lower
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I agree with @naturalexponent ... give yourself a bit more time to get used to the racquet and maybe gain a bit of strength and racquet head speed.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
@tophersuwita I think that BP16 v3 is too much of racquet for match play for a 3.5-4.0 and so are any XL racquets 27.25, be the regular like PT 2.0 or Prostocks 293.1 and 351.1.
Sure they can hit a mean ball, in practice, but overall, in the economy of the points, they are not justified.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Yea I know, in my deepest heart I have already known that many other rackets will make my life easier and less stressful. Nevertheless, the “exclusivity” of BP really turns me on, in addition of “dollar” consideration (I have to sell in lower price if I want to change) so I want to make it work.
Maybe I’ll try to polish my racket head speed technique with better directional awareness (I usually don’t do all out swing, which maybe will match BP18 better), and if it doesn’t work I’ll sell it.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Actually, is the lack of “mean ball” the sign of my improper racket head speed? RF97 gave me “mean ball”, EZT also did that albeit lesser.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Force equals mass times acceleration. The RF has a static weight that is 35g higher than the BP, and the EZT 10g higher. The lighter your frame the faster you have to swing it to get the same punch as a heavier frame.
tophersuwita
Rookie
But won’t head heavy racket be harder to accelerate? I found success with more HL racket
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
If the swingweight is higher, yes, typically. Sounds to me you should stick with a more HL racquet unless you’re willing to commit to acclimating to a different spec. Play with what makes you happy but the exclusivity point is a bit weakened by the fact that others will see it as a regular blade.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
My blade pros actually feel really plush, soft on contact.
No elbow pain, but it's for sure quite stiff if you're expecting a similar flex to V7/V8 Blade in which case you will probably want to experiment with softer strings and tension if you want to keep playing with it.
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Maybe you actually have the H22? Which I heard is softer than the Blade Pro.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
No, I bought them from the pro labs site. I'm not saying these are insanely flexy. I just find them to be softer than most of the other racquets I've played -- Head Pro Tour 2.0 (65 RA), 2018 Vcore Pro 330 (65 RA). The BP both has a lot of punch but also feels like a pillow to me. I am usually stringing with gut mains, which helps. But I've also played with full poly.
Of course, we make our assessments of softness/stiffness based on our previous experiences. If you are used to playing something with an RA in the 50s (I think some versions of the H22 might be at that level), then perhaps these will feel stiffer. But I definitely wouldn't call the racquets 'stiff' in a general sense, compared to almost anything that one can buy retail these days.
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NattyGut
Professional
That is a Monster stock BP! But I can definitely see it happening. We are talking the current version?
NattyGut
Professional
BP 16 x 19 definitely is a bit more difficult to utilize around the net, as compared to regular Blade 16 x 19, IMO.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, v8, 16M with some tape guard and a big dampener. Sold them, went back to Shift 300 (well 333g after added weight) and some prostocks XL, although, those as well, might be too much of a racquet for me.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The h22 is the blade pro. There are just a lot of layups out there of it. The h22 is the same mold as blade pro but you can get h22s with different drill patterns, lower or higher ra. Etc.
My blade pros are like 62 ra. Super easy on the arm. See if you are late to contact because that may be the issue. The swing weight can cause that.
tophersuwita
Rookie
After adjusting my swing takeback, I think my main problem with BP18 is the sluggish feeling. EZT (or even RF97) doesn’t have that feeling. My EZT even wants to “pull” my weight in its swing direction so I can feel its plow. With BP, I feel like I’m swinging a pan. I use ALU Power Rough 48 and added 20 g coins in the handle. Is there anything more I can do?
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
It's possible it's not the racquet for you. Maybe try the Ultra Pro if you want something for the exclusivity that is less head heavy? You could also post video of yourself if you are willing, and want feedback that way.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
It's a really head heavy racquet, pretty sluggish . Some people find that adding tail weight, as you have already done, helps with this, but I've never really found that to be true. Adding weight won't ever make a racquet swing faster, in my experience.
At some level, you have to decide if you prefer a whippier racquet, in which case I'd go for something else. I've gotten used to it, and appreciate the plow it offers at a fairly low static weight.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Doesn’t EZT have similar balance (more HH)? Or maybe because the thin throat of EZT makes it more aerodynamic?
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
@tophersuwita I'm going to posit a maybe-weird theory and suggest your BP actually isn't head heavy enough. You've added 20g of coins to the handle, which is significant both in terms of weight and balance. You also report that the racquet is not "pulling" you into the shot, so perhaps you've overcorrected for the balance issue and now maybe you feel there isn't enough momentum being created by the racquet?
tophersuwita
Rookie
Thank you I feel like it's better when I put out 10 g. But I still question the reason rec players use BP though, doesn't more tweeners like PA98 or Radical win more game?
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Sit with that for a minute
But seriously, for all the reasons you’re drawn to the racquet despite it not seeming to fit your game. The exclusivity factor, the gloss chameleon paint, that it’s an H22 mold, etc. and for those whom it fits their game, it produces a formidable ball. For me it’s one of the most stable frames I’ve used.
tophersuwita
Rookie
I will have 3 hours hitting session tomorrow and I have placed 4 g at hoop+4 g at throat (throat for plow feel), the feeling became much more solid and thuddy. If it doesn't work, I'll wave my white flag haha.Sit with that for a minute
But seriously, for all the reasons you’re drawn to the racquet despite it not seeming to fit your game. The exclusivity factor, the gloss chameleon paint, that it’s an H22 mold, etc. and for those whom it fits their game, it produces a formidable ball. For me it’s one of the most stable frames I’ve used.
Btw, is placing lead at 6 o clock intuitive? I feel the racket is more firm at my hand, but maybe my doubles will suffer vs if I place them on throat.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
I don’t think the BP is actually used by many rec players, mostly because it isn’t sold in retail shops.
Also, the question of whether you win more with some other racquet is a never ending argument. For people playing with a PA98, there are some who will say, just use the 100 sq inch PA, it’s easier. At some point, you have to recognize that tennis is hard, when you lose it’s more to do with the limits of your own technique and physical talent, and so just play with what you like.
tim-ay
Legend
Yeah, I’m pretty sick of the rec tennis bashing by all the leaches making a living because of rec tennis. The whole sport is rec tennis. There are like 100 guys in the world making decent money. 80-100 is probably making a lot less than many of us. Lol.
And it’s all hypocritical BS anyways. My favorite is Roman bashing the RF97 and then helping Solinco release a 28” racket. Man that’s some irony. There are about 15 players in the country above 3.0 up to 5.5 that should be using a 28” racket. But ya know? So what? Let em use it.
Play with what you like.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I agree and it's kind of funny, but I've given up on it (due to being head heavy and sluggish), just to try now prostocks XL that are similar, if not worse, spec wise. Not sure I'll stick with those either.
BBender716
Professional
I'm in a similar boat. I love occasionally hitting with my BP but my Shift is ~323sw and BP is 342 and I'm realistic about what I actually hit better with.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
the funny thing is -- I'm still playing with the BP full time, in matches, etc. I've kind of gotten used to that head-heavy balance, and so it doesn't really feel cumbersome to me anymore. I'm just addicted to the plow. It's hard for me to go back down to something more "reasonable" in swingweight, because they just don't have the same thump. For whatever reason, I just absolutely cannot get on with most thick beam, stiff tweeners. I have an old Vcore Pro 330, which I still enjoy and is maybe even more of a beast than the BP, but it's also quite a bit heavier in terms of static weight.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
It's hilarious to me that people think they will win more with one or another racquet. It's true that the racquet might impact your swing path, your strokes, your elbow health, etc. So all that is important. But my hip mobility is so much more significant in why I won't climb to 5.0 than the swingweight and balance of my frame.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
100%. Seems few allow themselves the time to acclimate to a racquet and see how the results play out over time. People either fall in love with a racquet right away then figure it must be the racquet’s problem if they start losing, or they dismiss one because it doesn’t work early on.
Edit: no knock on enjoying playing with diff racquets, but to your point, it’s not the racquet responsible for the W/L column.
tim-ay
Legend
I don’t think many people actually think this, although there are some. Most racket addicts just like all the little nuances of it all. I’m going through a phase of being burned out on that and just living with what I’m using. Of course I have a pretty good stash, ha, so it’s easy to keep the holic bug away right now.
But yeah, anyone who wins 2 matches then loses one and switches rackets is just kidding themselves. But that can be fun too, lol.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah for me it is all about timing and how consistently I am hitting over the course of a match. And of course confidence level. I really like the BP's and doubt I will ever sell mine. I have just really been preferring a more HL balance and easy power since the season started back in March. But I am 100% positive I will get the itch to bust out the BPs at some point down the road again. Just too much fun of a frame to hit with.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Fair point! Maybe I shouldn't have said "few." I'm certainly not referring to the core holic set, which I would call more aficionados than anything else. Like you note, we have stashes of racquets we like to rotate through and that's often more about appreciating different feels and racquet strengths. What I was agreeing with was just that there is this sense that is prevalent on these boards that if one just finds the right racquet they can unlock that elusive .5-1 NTRP point haha.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Little update:
On the earlier part of my yesterday 3-hour hitting session, my groundstrokes shanked a lot into the net, but the strokes and volleys felt really punchy so I just adapted. My balls suddenly became heavier and my hitting partner/friends were really surprised.
On the later part, they became undone though; my forehands sailed long, serves got double faults etc, imo because I couldn't swing fast enough. I put off 4 g leads on 6 o clock and hit the sweet spot once more. Today my arm is really sore, like I suffered when I learned tennis with PS88.
I think I will try 4 g at 10 and 4 g at 2 after this, only to experiment different setups to liven the BP. Then I'll try different strings.
On the earlier part of my yesterday 3-hour hitting session, my groundstrokes shanked a lot into the net, but the strokes and volleys felt really punchy so I just adapted. My balls suddenly became heavier and my hitting partner/friends were really surprised.
On the later part, they became undone though; my forehands sailed long, serves got double faults etc, imo because I couldn't swing fast enough. I put off 4 g leads on 6 o clock and hit the sweet spot once more. Today my arm is really sore, like I suffered when I learned tennis with PS88.
I think I will try 4 g at 10 and 4 g at 2 after this, only to experiment different setups to liven the BP. Then I'll try different strings.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
That sounds like a lot of tip weight on an already less-headlight racquet.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Yea I just want to feel the extreme side, I think I fell in love with a more balanced/less head light racket after adapting my swing
doubleshot60
New User
Hello friends,
I'm wondering how likely it is to find blade pros around 325 SW range. I've seen a lot of unstrung specs but I don't know how that translates to strung racquets. I'm interested in purchasing BP 16x19. Strung with full poly. Let's say 17 gauge.
I'm wondering how likely it is to find blade pros around 325 SW range. I've seen a lot of unstrung specs but I don't know how that translates to strung racquets. I'm interested in purchasing BP 16x19. Strung with full poly. Let's say 17 gauge.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
I doubt you’ll find that. A friend and I ordered a large stack of the v8 BP, I ended up keeping two of the lower ones, which are low 330s depending on the string.
You could get lucky, but it would be an outlier.
doubleshot60
New User
I see, thanks for the info. I guess I'll just have to get a bit stronger! Trying to replace my HEAD microgel radical mp. I customized it up to about 325g, 33.3 balance, and 325ish SW, and I've loved everything about it ever since. Need to replace it though and was recommended the BLADE PRO. Time to hit the gym haha
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
You should look at the ultra pro 18M. Especially since you don’t mind customizing.
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