Nice - is it 16x19 or 18x20?
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
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NattyGut
Professional
Agree that gut is too powerful. Had to string it at 58/57 GW crosses to make it work for me. 55/52 Champion’s Choice worked until it loosened up then was very launchy
Preferred the BHS7T over DF (full bed).
Enjoying Element in this frame at 55
Would be interested in trying your fav combos if you are still offering!
Sure send me a PM with what you would like to try and I can cut some string out and send to you. Let me know if you have a 16x19 or a 18x20.
And just because I don't already have enough racquets, I went ahead and snagged a V9 pro 18x20. Should arrive early next week. Once I get it strung up, I will let everyone know if there is any discernible difference from the V8.
If you guys recall, the V8 pro definitely hit differently from the V7 pro, even though specs were supposed to be the same.
If you guys recall, the V8 pro definitely hit differently from the V7 pro, even though specs were supposed to be the same.
mattimag
Rookie
is this true?
I played both with v7 and v8 Pro, both 16x19 and 18x20, and didn't find differences between v7 and v8
Start on page 58 of this thread. You will find many users have the same experience that I did, that the V8 pro hit very differently than the V7 pro.
i didnt realize this. I thought they were the same but sold my v7 before i got the v8 so never hit back to back. Really interested in your feedback
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have owned both versions (v7 and v8) and noticed no real difference, except the v8s came in a little lower in SW.
I ordered my first Blade Pro. Previously, I have played with the Ultra Pro. I can't wait to compare the rackets. While waiting, i'm looking for someone who could give some pre thoughts on what to expect. My Ultra Pro rackets have a swing weight of 338, a weight 337g, and a balance 32.8 cm. I intend to test the Blade Pro without any modifications, only with an overgrip. What will I notice as the first difference?
I have a V7 BP and V4 UP, and assuming all BPs are the same under the paint I can tell you that these two racquets are totally different. UP is very light (too light actually) in stock form and needs lead for plow considering the racquet is so flexy and low powered. The BP has a much stiffer frame, more mass in the hoop, significantly higher SW, and more power. BP is much crisper with less dwell/ball pocketing. UP is way more of a noodle. Most will not need/want lead added to the BP hoop. More folks seem to complain about excessive SW with the BP actually. Both are fairly raw, old-school, unrefined feeling (no BS tech) frames with good feel and feedback. IMO the BP has a little more vibration. The main difference is power and flex, and as "control" frames go, IMO they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in that regard.
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Thanks for the reply, that's the kind of thoughts I had when I was browsing the forum. And what do you think about the trajectory and launch angle is there a big difference compared to UP? With same SW and balance is power difference significant cause what i've read everyone are saying BP is more powerful but is it just due sw?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have both. The BP is not a stiff frame. It is just not as soft as the UP. The trajectory on the BP is a little higher. Main thing is that the BP is much heavier to swing even though the stock weight is 305 grams. It has a much more head heavy balance than the UP. It's basically scalpel versus club. Both frames have amazing feel. I prefer the BP.
Essentially the BP is an older Radical Pro and the UP is a Prestige. They are Wilson's versions of those frames.
BP is more powerful due to the SW and the thicker beam. It also has a bigger sweetspot. All that said, it is still a somewhat challenging frame to use, but also a pleasure to use at the same time.
Try the 18m. Imo, theres only a tiny bit of difference in spin potential between the two. I have both and quickly settled on 18x20
sp1derman
Professional
Soo, is anyone using the new V9, 16x19 BP? I loved the V7 but sold them because I thought they were giving me TE. Turns out I don't think it was the reason. I've been playing with the 2020 Yonex EZ98. Anyway, I love the new PJ and I am wondering if this is just a cosmetic update to the V8 as the specs seem the same? Looking forward to hearing what you think.
The term is relative and perceptions vary, but I can't think of anything in the "control" frame category that plays stiffer to me than the BP. Stiffness feels about the same as the 360+ version Radical Pro which is also on the high end. BP does feel stiff as control frames go, at least my V7 does. Worth mentioning for anyone interested in it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Wow I think it feels way better than any 360+ frame. Even the prestige version was hollow and stiff feeling. The blade pro is easy on the arm in comparison.
Nice! If you are going to check specs would love to hear how matching they are!
mattimag
Rookie
hopefully they don't mess things up since I got a sponsorship to play with them
No the pro labs frames just get the new glossy paintjobs
AmericanTwist
Professional
what are the average stiffness numbers for the blade pro v7 and v8 18x20? thanks.
RA for the BPs are not published by Wilson, and since retailers don't sell them, these numbers aren't readily available unless someone on here has a machine and both frames on hand.
But I'll suggest that the RA number won't mean much unless maybe you're comparing one BP to another BP. For example, comparing the RA of the BP to the regular Blade (or other racquets) will be meaningless and will not represent how stiff the racquet actually feels.
I have a pro stock H22 with a measured RA of 60, and a pro stock Blade with an RA of 68, and the Blade still feels significantly softer on contact than the H22 since the overall flex profiles are so different, meaning the Blade would have to have a flexier throat, but stiffer hoop than the H22.
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Well, that was quick, 16.19 already sold out again in the 3/8 grip !
not sure when it will come back but it was available in the early morning when I posted so might want to check back for restock around that time.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
It's 62/63. I had them measured on an RDC. Both versions. When I need comfort and classic Radical butter sometimes I pull one out to hit with still.
gino
Legend
totally agree with the classic radical vibe. feels slightly more forgiving/powerful too. like you mentioned in an above post, they are even softer feeling that the stiffness averages may suggest. just great frames really, im so pissed they are sold out of L3 in both patterns right now
i had 3 v8 & i thought they were amongst the most comfortable/enjoyable retail frames ive used. sold them, of course
sp1derman
Professional
Waiting for your review!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
No swingweight? That’s the most important spec with the blade pro.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Guys I just found Six One 100 and even with matched static weight+balance (by putting weights in the BP handle and lead+bumper tape on 6.1 hoop), the Six One is just the better racket for serve, volley, defending, and shaping the ball. The feel is good too (though crisp vs thuddy though). Nevertheless, BP is still better for plow and laser like precision. How do you guys compare them?
AmericanTwist
Professional
Thanks eric and power player... I suspected BPs were 61 or 62 but that was just from reading comments nothing concrete. It is interesting the v8 regular blades are 60ra on average (more of a player flex than the BP). But then again the retail BP is just that for us non-pros. It is also very interesting that these specs are similar to UP/UT.
felippe - what temps are you playing in? 4G is like the stiffest string out there. Even at 90F for me 4G tension should be in the high 30s - low 40s lbs in a UP/UT 18x20 frame.
felippe - what temps are you playing in? 4G is like the stiffest string out there. Even at 90F for me 4G tension should be in the high 30s - low 40s lbs in a UP/UT 18x20 frame.
JimboCollie
New User
AmericanTwist
Professional
I bet that reviews of the v8 and v9 blades will be similar...because I think they are essentially the same frame except for paint job. You know plenty of people will buy frames just for the "prettier" paint job. lol...
TW Staff
Administrator
Power Player
Bionic Poster
That explains why you think the versions are so different because they really are not. What is very different is the swingweight and that can change how a frame plays.
The frame could weigh 303 grams with a 303 Or 313 swingweight. Huge difference. No way of knowing that just by the static weight.
I play indoors. 22°C or 71-72 fahrenheit. So have you notice need to go higher on BP than UP?
AmericanTwist
Professional
Felippe - I haven't hit with a BP 18x20 yet, but I would venture to guess you should try 18-20kg. The 4G string is very stiff and will last you until you find it hard to control shots once your sweet spot becomes super thin before it breaks. For me I would try 16-18kg if I were in your shoes. The BP is slightly more open, however so maybe factor that in by increasing 1kg from whatever final tension you decide. 4G is a very long lasting string.
I play mostly with syn gut and natural gut though this year I will try and play with kbaum poly (because it holds tension well a little less so than 4G).
I play mostly with syn gut and natural gut though this year I will try and play with kbaum poly (because it holds tension well a little less so than 4G).
@AmericanTwist I've had 4G for a little over half a year now, and the string doesn't feel too stiff, actually not even in higher tensions but then i lost lenght from my shots. 20-22kg 4G on Ultra Pro feels very stable, and it wraps the ball incredibly well without feeling hard.
What i am hoping is that Balde pro has same pocketing/wraping and gives more power and speed to my hits. I think we all figure our hitting differently but for me pocketing is key to control depth when hitting hard groundstrokes.
What i am hoping is that Balde pro has same pocketing/wraping and gives more power and speed to my hits. I think we all figure our hitting differently but for me pocketing is key to control depth when hitting hard groundstrokes.
AmericanTwist
Professional
Felippe - I also value pocketing more than anything else...over spin and power. It seems the BP should play similarly to the UP, as such maybe you should look to demo some blade v8s the regular ones since they are softer?
Maybe. Maybe not. I’ve hit with a wide range of static weights on the BP 7 and 8. From 301 up to 311. The 8 felt more maneuverable at any weight than the 7 for me. It pocketed the ball more and I could create better angles. Again what I might like you might not. Just giving you my opinion.
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