@AmericanTwist I've tested those v8s actually and my current UPs are quite perfect for me. But for some reason BP has been haunting me and now i bulled the trigger. This really needs to be something special to pass UP. But we'll see.
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
AmericanTwist
Hall of Fame
BP doesn't interest me that much as long as the stiffness ratings are close to the UP of which I have several. But my main stick right now is the cx 200 tour 18x20 last gen. Anyhow let us know what you think.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I get it. I’m just saying the swing weight is what makes a huge difference with these racquets. They are all the same frame. So when you say one felt more maneuverable, that’s literally what a swing weight difference causes.
It’s why people order 5 or so at a time and get the sws measured. The sws are all over with these frames. It is well documented.
I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a briffidi, but not sure it is worth it.
If you like the flex and feel of the UP and 200 Tour, you'd find the BP to feel like a polar opposite stiff board (but also more powerful) regardless of whatever RA number someone gives for it.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
It truly is imo. Had one since it came out. Use it all the time.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Bo has more power than the up but the balance is more head heavy and less classic like the up. Feel is basically an old radical. Buttery on the arm but packs more punch than the thinner beam and more prestige feeling UP.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I have 3 16M arriving today-I hope-always an adventure with ups. I’ll post specs here for sure.
LoL waiting on the ups truck today also
That’s incredible
Mine is now in hands of forwarder and coming latest early next week. Funny to see if there is variance or not.
Would assume all rackets are coming from same factory and then distributed to each continent or how they actually produce Blade Pros?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Not bad. Super similar to my V8s.
got access if anyone needs anyOuch
yourtennisfit
Professional
The BP specs won't change regardless of the colour anyway - but funny that Wilson suddenly can have solid QC
Have 5 Blade Pro V7’s 16x19.
Static Weight Unstrung: Wilson Leather grips and Pro Overgrips
318
318
318
322
326
Ended up practicing and playing with the 322 and 326. Coming from the RF97 these two just felt right. Save the 318’s for later, can weight them up. The two heavier frames I bought used for $100 each like new. Thinking the 326 has lead under the bumper guard but not wasting the bumper guard to find out.
Static Weight Unstrung: Wilson Leather grips and Pro Overgrips
318
318
318
322
326
Ended up practicing and playing with the 322 and 326. Coming from the RF97 these two just felt right. Save the 318’s for later, can weight them up. The two heavier frames I bought used for $100 each like new. Thinking the 326 has lead under the bumper guard but not wasting the bumper guard to find out.
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My weights for v9 blade pros measured on friend's SW1 machine. All rackets new & measured w/plastic (~2g static weight) on handle
(1) 16x19 | Weight: 305.7g | Swing weight 305.1 | Balance 32.67 cm
(2) 16x19 | W 308.4 | SW 304.81 | B 32.46 cm
(3) 18x20 | 311.0g | 304.86 | 32.23 cm
(4) 18x20 | 309.8g | 317.03!! | 33.01 cm
(5) 18x20 | 312.5g | 300.58 | 31.77 cm
Also, measured (1) of my current 18x20 Blade pros but has leather grip, no strings, no lead (all removed), no over grip, some weight in butt cap (maybe around 5-6g?)
(6) Used 18x20v8 | 309.9g | 298.95 | 31.78 cm
From my experience the blade pro swing weight (@337) feels at least 6-12 points heavier than the last racket I swung Shift99@335 SW (~5g lead @12) & most rackets. But the sluggish heavier feel only truly noticeable during transition of racket flip to lag when racket speed is near 0 and just changing directions. My forehand is full straight-arm (uncommon) & in between eastern & semi western. So this feeling might not be true for everyone.
Nonetheless, the sluggish transition sucks when pressured but I feel like it loads/stores external shoulder rotation a bit more. IMO bladepro racket creates ungodly power & spin for me, I only like 18x20 or very dense strings in the middle for any racket.
(1) 16x19 | Weight: 305.7g | Swing weight 305.1 | Balance 32.67 cm
(2) 16x19 | W 308.4 | SW 304.81 | B 32.46 cm
(3) 18x20 | 311.0g | 304.86 | 32.23 cm
(4) 18x20 | 309.8g | 317.03!! | 33.01 cm
(5) 18x20 | 312.5g | 300.58 | 31.77 cm
Also, measured (1) of my current 18x20 Blade pros but has leather grip, no strings, no lead (all removed), no over grip, some weight in butt cap (maybe around 5-6g?)
(6) Used 18x20v8 | 309.9g | 298.95 | 31.78 cm
From my experience the blade pro swing weight (@337) feels at least 6-12 points heavier than the last racket I swung Shift99@335 SW (~5g lead @12) & most rackets. But the sluggish heavier feel only truly noticeable during transition of racket flip to lag when racket speed is near 0 and just changing directions. My forehand is full straight-arm (uncommon) & in between eastern & semi western. So this feeling might not be true for everyone.
Nonetheless, the sluggish transition sucks when pressured but I feel like it loads/stores external shoulder rotation a bit more. IMO bladepro racket creates ungodly power & spin for me, I only like 18x20 or very dense strings in the middle for any racket.
I hit with this for about 30 mins at stock. The balance strung on mine was nearly even which was not the case with my V8 pros. Could be QC.
I have added putty inside buttcap and some lead at 3 and 9 to get a setup similar to the V8s but I am 10 grams heavier. Not sure I can wield that. Rain here in the ATL so won’t be able to hit for a couple of days.
I have added putty inside buttcap and some lead at 3 and 9 to get a setup similar to the V8s but I am 10 grams heavier. Not sure I can wield that. Rain here in the ATL so won’t be able to hit for a couple of days.
tim-ay
Legend
A bit of a generalization. Spec differences play a part. One of my BP v8’s is 298 SW unstrung. It plays extremely fast. And really, anything up to about 305 SW unstrung plays pretty fast.
Now I have also hit one that was 311 unstrung and that was a beast to get around quickly.
First hour ever with BP.
Solid! Good control, great feel, amazing power level for my stroke. Used 4G, my go to string. Stringed 21,5kg. And in this racket it was just little bit too low. I've used to UP 18x20 with same string and tension. String spacing is tiny bit more open in BP and that was reason i think i will need to string it up maybe to 23-24kg.
Solid! Good control, great feel, amazing power level for my stroke. Used 4G, my go to string. Stringed 21,5kg. And in this racket it was just little bit too low. I've used to UP 18x20 with same string and tension. String spacing is tiny bit more open in BP and that was reason i think i will need to string it up maybe to 23-24kg.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Anyone know if the 18*19 blade pro is gonna be released by Wilson labs ?
yourtennisfit
Professional
This isn't a Blade Pro mold - looked like an older Blade version with a below 21mm beam and 18x19 pattern.
What is strange is that they gave these to YouTubers and had them do reviews - so I guess they'll release it, but to call it BP wouldn't make sense
Playing with the Blade Pro 16x19 V7’s since they came out. String them at 47lbs with Black Knight 1.25 and Tour Status 1.25. No need for me to look for other frames or strings. Plays as well as anything I’ve ever used. If something is off it’s not the racquet or string set up. Have 5 with replacement bumpers and grommets. Can just play and not be concerned about needing other equipment.
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Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
yourtennisfit
Professional
I guess it isn't a retail model either - but it definitely looked like a blade mold and not the H22 mold with its box beam
My suspicion is that it is the mold that Korda uses today - might be something completely different
But Blade Pro to the customer is the H22 retail version, so if you would call another frame that way, this might confuse
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
I hope the release it … but would
Love it at 27.1 inches to make it easier for the two hander
Love it at 27.1 inches to make it easier for the two hander
what_army
Professional
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess it’s going to be very helpful for you.
I can confirm I have one piece knots 6H & 7T. Don't know if correct but for me it is..
new to the forum, happy to read all the great insights, trials and tribulations on the Blade Pro.
I bought a Blade Pro 16x19 V8 in September of 2023. It was pretty much right on spec at 305 SW unstrung. I immediately strung it up with Kirshbaum Orange Super Smash @ 50 lbs and it came out to 328 Static Weight, 332 Swing Weight and 3 points HL. For some reason preceded to add another 2 grams @ 10&3. I had some really good outings with it but found in longer matches I felt a little late at times and serves declined the longer i was on the court.
I then moved the weight to 12 o'clock and it seemed to be a hair more maneuverable but eventually the same results ensued.
So after reading this thread I decided to strip it down with no weight in the hoop, I then added enough tungsten putty in the butt cap to get it to 6 points HL.
New specs became 331.7 Static Weight. 332 Swing Weight and 6 points HL. Played two full sets yesterday that went into tie breaks and never felt sluggish and serve was just as powerful in the last service point as when i started the match.
Serve was better in general overall, more spin and power. Forehand was dialed. The only minor con was 2bh was a hair "not as solid" but still better than any other racket i've played with and i think once i get used to it, i can dial it in to be more of a weapon. Easy trade off as i've learned serving is a huge part of my game and without it being confident, i'm not near as good no matter how solid the backhand feels with a little more head weight.
Thanks again for all the comments here! I've got another Blade Pro 16x19 that was 306 static weight. It also feels like it could have a few more swing weight points. So my next goal is to try and dial it in to match, might not be possible. But i plan to put a feather light base grip and then add tungsten putty to get to 6 points HL and see where the rest lands. I'll update the results as they become available.
& yes, i won my match 7-6, 7-5 thanks to the racket speed staying FAST and avoiding any fatigue.
I bought a Blade Pro 16x19 V8 in September of 2023. It was pretty much right on spec at 305 SW unstrung. I immediately strung it up with Kirshbaum Orange Super Smash @ 50 lbs and it came out to 328 Static Weight, 332 Swing Weight and 3 points HL. For some reason preceded to add another 2 grams @ 10&3. I had some really good outings with it but found in longer matches I felt a little late at times and serves declined the longer i was on the court.
I then moved the weight to 12 o'clock and it seemed to be a hair more maneuverable but eventually the same results ensued.
So after reading this thread I decided to strip it down with no weight in the hoop, I then added enough tungsten putty in the butt cap to get it to 6 points HL.
New specs became 331.7 Static Weight. 332 Swing Weight and 6 points HL. Played two full sets yesterday that went into tie breaks and never felt sluggish and serve was just as powerful in the last service point as when i started the match.
Serve was better in general overall, more spin and power. Forehand was dialed. The only minor con was 2bh was a hair "not as solid" but still better than any other racket i've played with and i think once i get used to it, i can dial it in to be more of a weapon. Easy trade off as i've learned serving is a huge part of my game and without it being confident, i'm not near as good no matter how solid the backhand feels with a little more head weight.
Thanks again for all the comments here! I've got another Blade Pro 16x19 that was 306 static weight. It also feels like it could have a few more swing weight points. So my next goal is to try and dial it in to match, might not be possible. But i plan to put a feather light base grip and then add tungsten putty to get to 6 points HL and see where the rest lands. I'll update the results as they become available.
& yes, i won my match 7-6, 7-5 thanks to the racket speed staying FAST and avoiding any fatigue.
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RF_PRO_STAFF
Hall of Fame
I wrote Wilson Germany to ask when the V9 BPs will be available through them. V9 BPs will hit the European market mid March according to them.
You can buy them in Poland I guess they are available already.
Jerome2606
Rookie
They were available on Wilson Website in Germany/Europe on the 1st February. They sold out quite quickly (one day). They won’t be available anymore.
Just had my second BP 16x19 measured at the local shop. I have a leather grip with putty in grip and OG on, strung with tier one durafluxx. Comes out to 337 W and 338 SW with 6 pt HL. Not going to be able to match it with my other BP but maybe it will be fine. Should be more stable and have more plow. As long as it’s not fatiguing and I still get pop on my serve, I’ll be happy. Should be really good for return of serve and passing shots with backhand. If not I’ll just sell it and buy some new V9’s until I find a match.
naturalexponent
Legend
Glad to see more BP18 users! Between the 16 and 18 I much prefer the 18. Also recall you were/are a PS85/95D aficionado. (same here). The only thing keeping me from using the BP more is that I struggle with it a bit at net because of the HHness though I guess I could just keep adding tail weight... but some recent hitting with old Rad MPs is making me want to play with the BPs more.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I only recently switched to the BP18, but so far I like it for volleys. Have you tried adding weight to the handle of your BP18 to make it more headlight? I swapped in a Fairway leather grip in pretty much every racquet I have that does not come with a leather grip. Mostly do it because I prefer a firmer feel, but it also makes the racquet more headlight.
Overall, I prefer the higher launch angle that the BP18 has compared to my 95D.
Currently have it strung with Black Knight 1.23 mains and Greyfire 1.25 crosses at 52/50 lbs.
With 16x19, I prefer 1.30 or 16g strings.
I had a couple of old retired blade pros 18m that I’m using for a paint experiment. Apparently (at least the v7 versions) have a ton of paint towards the tip of the hoop. I’ve removed all of the paint from green/ grey areas and primer and am going to repaint with a thinner coat of primer/matte paint and see if it has a true effect on swingweight. So far, I’ve removed like 15 grams and that’s not touching any of the black painted area or the middle of the grommet channel. Balance is at 30.5 right now and I’m hoping to be able to get a racquet to 32 cm strung with OG.
Anymore meaning never?
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