Thanks for the quick reply! I’d love to hear how all of them compare if you’re willing to test sometime and relay your findings
Thanks again!
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Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
Thanks again!
Hey @gold325, just wanted to check in again before ordering some different racquets. Were you able to line up the grommets on your UP/6.1/H22 18x20s?
Thank you again for your willingness to help me!
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Yes I put them together and trying to think how to take pics without parralax error or differences looking like parrallax error.Hey @gold325, just wanted to check in again before ordering some different racquets. Were you able to line up the grommets on your UP/6.1/H22 18x20s?
Thank you again for your willingness to help me!
6.1 95 has least average density on crosses
All 3 have very similar average mains density but there are differences in how that density varies from inside to outside.
Will take some pics along with explanation today.
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Looks like UT has more density in center mains and less on outside mains. The H22 and 6.1 are more consistent.
The 6.1 has less overall density in the crosses.
Like I said am not sure if the retail H22 has rhe same pattern as BP.
Someone with graph paper and a fixed camera could take much better pics BUT not sure if knowing the difference matters as the layups, feel and flex are so different. Let along grommet style, size of holes etc which also obviously change things.
Click images
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Thanks so much for taking the time to do this! I wasn’t even expecting photos, so this was really nice of you. I’m trying to confirm which frame is the densest 18x20 string pattern that’s currently available relatively easily (and will continue to be available for years to come, in the need of replacements, etc.) From the demos I’ve ordered and some of the pro stocks I own, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Pure Strike 18x20 is probably the densest pattern that can be readily obtained whenever needed (compared it directly with the Ultra Pro v4 and it’s right there with it, pretty neck and neck). I thought the Blade Pro might have been an option, since its pattern is denser than the retail Blade 18x20 (it was also one of the few I didn’t have myself to directly A/B with), but dealing with Wilson Pro Labs poses some of its own obstacles (and from what I’ve seen, I think the Pure Strike 18x20 still edges it out). The 6.1 95 18x20 was one of the only other frames I wasn’t able to test either, so again, really appreciate the help with this. I know there are frames from previous years (like the BLX Pro Tour) that are crazy dense (even more than these), but again, not easily available/replaceable. Going to cc resident dense-pattern aficionado @travlerajm in case he finds any of this convo of interest tooLooks like UT has more density in center mains and less on outside mains. The H22 and 6.1 are more consistent.
The 6.1 has less overall density in the crosses.
Like I said am not sure if the retail H22 has rhe same pattern as BP.
Someone with graph paper and a fixed camera could take much better pics BUT not sure if knowing the difference matters as the layups, feel and flex are so different. Let along grommet style, size of holes etc which also obviously change things.
Click images
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big bang
Hall of Fame
Picked up 3 blade pros today, managed to find 3 within 1 gram difference and 2mm balance. The specs I was looking for, the only problem is that 1 is 4 3/8 and 2 are 4 1/4. I always add Leather as I like it more headlight. I have heat shrink sleeves that Will add 0,5 size. The sleeve Will add quite a bit of weight, so my question is: whats the easiest Way to reach the same specs and handle size?.
I was thinking about adding the sleeves and a thick Leather grip like fairway to the pair of 4 1/4, and add lead and Leather to the 4 3/8. Not looking to add anything to the hoop. 330-335g and 310mm unstrung would be the prefered specs for me.
Any suggestions are more than welcome, thanks!
I was thinking about adding the sleeves and a thick Leather grip like fairway to the pair of 4 1/4, and add lead and Leather to the 4 3/8. Not looking to add anything to the hoop. 330-335g and 310mm unstrung would be the prefered specs for me.
Any suggestions are more than welcome, thanks!
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
6-7HL (323-320mm balance) is stock I believe
You want 310mm so you need 3HL (10mm) more which is about 15g added around handle
So the 4.25 use grip sleeve (16-17g) + synthetic leather grip
For the 4.375 racket use real leather + a little weight if needed
Will be really close to each other feel and weight and balance wise
big bang
Hall of Fame
Thank you for confirming, that could do it. The only thing Im not crazy about, is the synthetic grip. I normally only use Leather
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Solinco Syn-Leather is LIGHT and really indistinguishable from some leathers especially if playing under an OG
big bang
Hall of Fame
Nice, Thank you very much!
Havent used any synthetics for 30 years, but I Will look into that one.
gcgraciano
New User
Hello.
I am having some trouble figuring a few things out. Wilson can be quite confusing white the layups and different iterations of same racquets.
Are the Blade Pro 98s sold on the Pro Labs section of Wilson`s website the H22 molds? (Blade Pro 98 (16x19) V9 Tennis Racket | Wilson Sporting Goods)
And, are the Ultra Pros the H19?
Sorry if it has already been answered, lot of pages in this thread
Thank you all!
I am having some trouble figuring a few things out. Wilson can be quite confusing white the layups and different iterations of same racquets.
Are the Blade Pro 98s sold on the Pro Labs section of Wilson`s website the H22 molds? (Blade Pro 98 (16x19) V9 Tennis Racket | Wilson Sporting Goods)
And, are the Ultra Pros the H19?
Sorry if it has already been answered, lot of pages in this thread
Thank you all!
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Mold - Yes
Layup - No
String Patterns - Pro Stocks H19 and H22 have more options than Pro Labs
Im told the Pro Labs (Ultra Pro and Blade Pro) units are stiffer than almost all Pro Stock units so rec players can use them.
But nothing stopping pros from using retail pro labs style units but there us nothing stopping them from using full retail regular units either.... So thats kinda a moot point.
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D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Let me answer in another way
1. if you want a pro stock, pay the reasonable premium and get the pro stock - the up and bp will not satisfy your need for a pro stock - and you will want the pro stock eventually again (been there, done that)
2. If you want some kind of pro stock feel - the the up and bp might and probably will satisfy.
gcgraciano
New User
Thank you. That’s perfectly clear now!
What websites selling real h22 pro stock in USA?
I’m from Brazil, but can manage getting it from the US.
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
No simple answers unfortunately. Secondary market is the only real choice - either new unstrung or used. I would personally just stay away from rackets branded "Blade Pro" even if some sources say that some H22s are coming branded Blade pro from Wilson just to avoid taking the risk and also constant self doubt. I just got lucky and got a H22 in V8 paint used by a player trying to get onto tours (and didn't succeed).
Older paintjobs can be cheaper than newer ones but still more than Blade Pros. But spec check before is relatively important unless you a beast yourself. Ive seen units that are 300 to 330SW unstrung which more on the top end of that. It nice to get a curiosity but better is a usable curiosity.
Funbun
Professional
I've used a BP v7 16x19 in the past and am now back to a BP v9 albeit 18x20.
Anecdotally, the very first thing I noticed was that the flare on the butt of the handle was just slightly bigger on the v9. The buttcap itself also seemed more rounded than the v9, and I had trouble standing it up when weighing it on my balance.
I don't think there has been any layup or mold changes between the versions otherwise.
i think the iteration of the BP98 v8 18x20 is slightly different than the BP98 v7 18x20, i tried to add the appropriate
lead to make the SW and Balance as close as possible. i did add leather grips and leadtape to the v8s
they play pretty much the same, but the BP98 v7s
the string jobs losing tension seem to affect the racquet response a lot.
i usually use Solinco TB 17 strung between 46-48#s
i have one BP98 v8 16x19, and although i tried to balance them the same as my BP98 18x20s
to me it plays a little different.
the BP 16x19 has more spin and power, but the difference
might be due to the fact the SW of the BP98 16x19 is much lower, and
balance is really different
i added lead to the hoop and handle. installed a leather grip.
and i get more racquet acceleration, but less control.
if i switch to the BP98 v9, i will go with 16x19
z
I'm tempted to grab a BP V8 currently on special but its only available in L4, does anyone know if the Blade Pro grip sizes are equivalent to regular Blade? I have a Blade V8100 L3 and a Head ET L4. They both feel the same size but given the BP is a different layup its hard to know what to expect?
TwinCinema
Professional
Same. The BP v9 I’m using now in an L4 feels identical to my standard Blade v8 L4.
I agree the HEAD grips feel a tad smaller - I also have an ET in an L4 and it’s slightly looser in my hand.
I'm seeing some discrepancies in the stringbed pattern of the Blade Pro v9 18x20. Can anyone confirm which is correct?
Here is the stock picture from Wilson's very own website (note the string/grommet pattern near the throat):
And here is a picture I pulled from an actual **** listing:
Looks completely different. Can anyone chime in?
Here is the stock picture from Wilson's very own website (note the string/grommet pattern near the throat):
And here is a picture I pulled from an actual **** listing:
Looks completely different. Can anyone chime in?
The racquet in the product picture is mis-strungI'm seeing some discrepancies in the stringbed pattern of the Blade Pro v9 18x20. Can anyone confirm which is correct?
Here is the stock picture from Wilson's very own website (note the string/grommet pattern near the throat):
And here is a picture I pulled from an actual **** listing:
Looks completely different. Can anyone chime in?
You're right! And that's straight from Wilson too LMAO. You'd think they would have competent stringers over there..
Probably the marketing team or the factory doing it for the photos. Might not even be tennis people
You're right! And that's straight from Wilson too LMAO. You'd think they would have competent stringers over there..
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Initially I thought it could be a photoshop but the grommet deformations say otherwise.
What can I expect if is mis-strung like this on purpose? A little more low on the face forgiveness?
Try it for yourself and report back
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Hello, I'm new to these forums and a noob (relatively speaking) when it comes to racquets. I was hoping to get some advice on whether to make the switch to the Blade Pro.
I currently use the Head Pro Tour 2.0 and while I absolutely love the plush feel, control & plowthrough it provides, I am looking for a slightly more forgiving and slightly lighter racquet with similar feel. I am also looking for a 16 x 19 pattern to get more spin and could do with a bit more power assistance.
I have a fast swing and while I can swing the head pro tour 2.0 comfortably for 3 sets, I feel a slightly lighter racquet would help me get more pace & spin on my serve.
Anyone recommend the Blade Pro based on this?
If I got the Blade Pro and added say 10g to the handle, would I get a swingweight of 330+ (static weight 315g)?
I currently use the Head Pro Tour 2.0 and while I absolutely love the plush feel, control & plowthrough it provides, I am looking for a slightly more forgiving and slightly lighter racquet with similar feel. I am also looking for a 16 x 19 pattern to get more spin and could do with a bit more power assistance.
I have a fast swing and while I can swing the head pro tour 2.0 comfortably for 3 sets, I feel a slightly lighter racquet would help me get more pace & spin on my serve.
Anyone recommend the Blade Pro based on this?
If I got the Blade Pro and added say 10g to the handle, would I get a swingweight of 330+ (static weight 315g)?
Funbun
Professional
It could be because there's more string material in the 18x20 to bring the RA down more, in corollary to how stringing a racquet always lowers the RA reading.
....or Wilson QC.
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jburton
Rookie
I was more surprised because people were measuring BPs anywhere from 62-64 before and Tw said their measurement were from 59-60 (for the 18x20).
i think tw is giving what they got for a Strung RA. unstrung is around 62-64.
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Plus we don't know how many samples they tested.
Sometimes when they first get a racquet it is only like 2 or 3 samples
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The H22s have a soft feel, very similar to the old Radicals they were meant to copy.
I think @TW Staff Michelle nailed the review. I did exactly what she said, was using a RF and wanted something more comfortable and this still gave me the heavy ball the rf did. Great sticks if you dont mind a little weight
For those interested, as mentioned earlier, it's getting closer
wingedeagle
Rookie
when are they launching the 18*19 version of it . anyone know ?
yourtennisfit
Professional
I don't think they will ever do this - the 18*19 floating around the internet a couple of months ago was a Blade Pro Stock, not a Blade Pro
Korda plays a kBlade mold at 18x19, so let's see, but that definitely is no BP
JimboCollie
New User
I currently use pretty heavy prostock h19's and want to try the blade pro (i like the gloss emerald green). All may rackets have only ever come with a leather grips. If I buy the blade pro and put a leather grip on do i need to go down a grip size or keep my usual 4 3/8? Any info would be appreciated.
In my experience, leather grips compress and you actually end up slightly smaller than the original grip size. I put leather on all my racquets.
So I'd stick with your usual.
The pro stock 18x19 version is the most fantastic racket I've ever used, far superior to the H19 or H22 pro stock and as much as the Blade V9 retail is a great racket, the pro stock 18x19 version is light years superior... It has everything , control, stability, feel, quick handling (even with low specs)! I own a pair of them and they are my official rackets at the moment (after a year using H22 pro stock).
There's no difference in the handle molding between pro stock and retail frames, so just use your normal size.
yourtennisfit
Professional
It depends on which underlying racket you have though - I think a ProStock kBlade in a slightly more open pattern is what you are referring to
Might have to get one or two of those then, too
It doesn't seem there is an underlying "racquet" to pro stock Blades. Sure there is an underlying mold, but that seems to be where it ends. All the Blade molds are virtually identical, and pro stock Blades seem to have their own layup and feel and not simply exact remakes of some old V-whatever Blade painted in new cosmetics. I've played with all the Blades from V1 thru V9 except for V8, and none of them feel exactly like the pro stocks I have.It depends on which underlying racket you have though - I think a ProStock kBlade in a slightly more open pattern is what you are referring to
Might have to get one or two of those then, too
I'm a huge fan of pro stock Blades, but of course it's worth noting that Blade, H19, and H22 are all completely different racquets, the H22 being especially different from the Blade in the feel of the flex and dampening. H22 feels much stiffer with little dampening, and has more pop (Blade pro feels about the same). Old school raw and precise feel. Great feel, just very different from the plush damped dense feel of especially the pro stock Blades.
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