Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread

[Power Player]

Glad i got two. That said im not a collector and im currently sitting on one on 1/4 with plastic still on the handle.

thinking i may send it back to wilson if i dont see the h22 becoming my match play frame over the next week or so.

 

[megamind]

For those of you who have tried regular retail Blade v7 and Blade Pro (with the same string pattern), how do they compare / is it worth it to get a Pro?

 

[THAAS909]

Glad i got two. That said im not a collector and im currently sitting on one on 1/4 with plastic still on the handle.

thinking i may send it back to wilson if i dont see the h22 becoming my match play frame over the next week or so.

I will buy the 1/4 grip from you if you plan on sending back

 

[Power Player]

For those of you who have tried regular retail Blade v7 and Blade Pro (with the same string pattern), how do they compare / is it worth it to get a Pro?

different frames. Both blades are control focused and have a decent amount of power.
The blade pro is power focused and not as easy to control.
The feel of the blade pro is standout. I also like the blade pro a lot on serve. But for a match right now im better with the blade.

 

[Power Player]

I will buy the 1/4 grip from you if you plan on sending back

id have to sell at a premium to recoup cost plus the added shipping so im not sure i want to do that to somebody.

 

[Artreddy]

different frames. Both blades are control focused and have a decent amount of power.
The blade pro is power focused and not as easy to control.
The feel of the blade pro is standout. I also like the blade pro a lot on serve. But for a match right now im better with the blade.

Sorry I may have missed reading your early posts, did you try 16x19 Blade Pro or 18x20? Also which do you play with regularly?

 

[Power Player]

Sorry I may have missed reading your early posts, did you try 16x19 Blade Pro or 18x20? Also which do you play with regularly?

Blade pro 16x19. I have 2.

i play with the v7 18x20. Also hit with the 16x19v7.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Measure specs with plastic on. Easy to put weight back on once removed. That way you can return if you need to.

historically, the hang tag weighed the same as 16 g strung at mid tension. So you can measure the frame’s specs without losing the chance to return.

 

[THAAS909]

id have to sell at a premium to recoup cost plus the added shipping so im not sure i want to do that to somebody.

message me how much you are talking.. shipping shouldn't be too bad.. recoup the cost of the 1 frame you'd be returning or your whole purchase?

 

[Deleted member 766578]

.

 

[gutfeeling]

historically, the hang tag weighed the same as 16 g strung at mid tension. So you can measure the frame’s specs without losing the chance to return.

My 18x20s did not come with hang tags actually. I had one that measured 320 SW unstrung and @JOSHL asked if I had forgotten to remove the hang tag .

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Interesting information. On a serious note, the PT113B and PT346 are in fact very different from the H22 it would seem. I always assumed basic similarities, but that's not the case, swing weight being a key difference. But out of curiosity, and pardon my ignorance on this, but it seems that the H22 was always intended to be a 'Blade-like' frame, not a 'Radical' type, which is another misconception I held. So what came first: the N-Blade or H22?

I think Novak played the retail nBlade 98.

 

[snoflewis]

My 18x20s did not come with hang tags actually. I had one that measured 320 SW unstrung and @JOSHL asked if I had forgotten to remove the hang tag .

that's atrocious. are you even going to bother stringing that one up?

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

My 18x20s did not come with hang tags actually. I had one that measured 320 SW unstrung and @JOSHL asked if I had forgotten to remove the hang tag .

interesting!! I wonder if Wilson will hand select frames for you??

 

[zipplock]

interesting!! I wonder if Wilson will hand select frames for you??

I asked. They replied no.

 

[gutfeeling]

that's atrocious. are you even going to bother stringing that one up?

Hard pass. It’s going back to Wilson...unless you want it ? The one I’m keeping is ~ 304 gram, 32.3 cm, 310 SW all unstrung with plastic on handle. If I like it I’ll order another batch and hopefully find another one that is close. With 340+ SW I will be channeling my inner Jannik Sinner .

 

[snoflewis]

Hard pass. It’s going back to Wilson...unless you want it ? The one I’m keeping is ~ 304 gram, 32.3 cm, 310 SW all unstrung with plastic on handle. If I like it I’ll order another batch and hopefully find another one that is close. With 340+ SW I will be channeling my inner Jannik Sinner .

no thanks. i was planning on liquidating my stock of blades for these blade pros, but if most are coming in around 305-310 SW unstrung, it's not gonna work. if it makes you feel any better, my batch of 4 gravity pros all came in 10-12pts higher than TW's specs. now none of them have bumper guards

 

[Moveforwardalways]

After the dust settles, these racquets are really meant for very solid 4.5 players at a minimum... true 4.5's, not self rated ones.

Agree, maybe not even for 4.5 players at all. But guys will have fun with their hobby I suppose. Will be back playing those Pure Aeros by the time spring USTA league rolls around.

 

[blackpearl2007]

For those of you who have tried regular retail Blade v7 and Blade Pro (with the same string pattern), how do they compare / is it worth it to get a Pro?

My regular frame is the V7 Blade 16x19 but I have it customized to 11.9oz and 7pts headlight. I have a Blade Pro 16x19 and my experience with the Blade Pro is similar to others but I noticed the launch angle for the Blade Pro for me was a good-bit higher and many of my shots would land deep and not ‘dip’ near the line like my V7. My string in both is Revolve 17 in the mains and NXT 16 in the crosses. I need to put weight on the Blade Pro at the handle to make it more headlight to see if I can get the head through the ball quicker. I am thinking that for me the Blade Pro needs a full poly probably 16g and maybe even a shaped poly like Revolve Spin or RPM, etc. If I did that though pretty sure a full 16g poly would take the swing weight of the Blade Pro to the mid / upper 330’s. It is sitting at 330 now and the upper 330’s may be too high for me as I don’t get on the court near as much as I used to. It is a very cool frame with great comfort and more raw power than the V7. Right now if I had to play a match I would use my V7 but that is mostly due to I haven’t found my range yet. I may not with this frame which is why I am glad I ordered the Ultra Pro 16x19.

 

[danbrenner]

Got my BP back from the stringer.
weighs in at 11.6 oz. and exactly 3 points hl
Strung with hyper g 17 @48 lbs.
let the games begin.

 

[AMGF]

QC is terrible. Being in Canada and relying on American forum members to ship frames forward to Canada with specs all over the place is just too much hassle/risk. I don’t feel like it’s worth the effort. I’m out for now.

Hopefully the next batch is better sorted and Wilson starts offering matching services. Then maybe I’ll give them a try. So sad that Wilson offered such poor QC on their Pro versions and bypassing loyal retailers in the process that could have helped with matching frames. Looks like a quick cash grab and not a true effort to bring pro models (read high quality) to the masses.

 

[Harlan zeerip]

And to answer this question

They use the flat shape in pro stocks so that they can change pallets to players preferences... but since these frames are mass produced there is no need for pallet compatibility.
My guess is that the machines to mass produce rackets with molded handles require this shape. It’s probably an H22 mold, but the hairpin is different so that they can do molded handles instead of pallets for the consumer product “pro stock”.

same mold

And to answer this question

 

[Crashbaby]

Makes sense! This also protects the value of the H22 prostocks that many paid a pretty penny for as it differentiates them from these retail release versions. Gives those owners an extra option on handle mods, which they have in effect paid a premium for. Sounds fair.
As long it plays the same and it apparently does, I’m happy with the production mod that now gets us public access to these.

 

[danbrenner]

QC is terrible. Being in Canada and relying on American forum members to ship frames forward to Canada with specs all over the place is just too much hassle/risk. I don’t feel like it’s worth the effort. I’m out for now.

Hopefully the next batch is better sorted and Wilson starts offering matching services. Then maybe I’ll give them a try. So sad that Wilson offered such poor QC on their Pro versions and bypassing loyal retailers in the process that could have helped with matching frames. Looks like a quick cash grab and not a true effort to bring pro models (read high quality) to the masses.

I think it’s a bold and legendary move on Wilson’s behalf giving us die hards pro stock frames. They are pioneers in this area. And my hats off to Wilson. As far as cool factor goes, it doesn’t get any better than this.

 

[Harlan zeerip]

A bit of friendly advice for the Blade Pro 16x19 folks... power pads! (Small pieces of leather under the mains in throat, baseball glove lace pieces essentially)

I play without a dampener, and found my first stringing to be a bit pingy, but tried the second time with power pads and OMG it was so nice. Dampened the contact just a little bit, and boy does this frame hit sexy with a leather grip and 5g of lead in the hoop.

 

[TennisHound]

They use the flat shape in pro stocks so that they can change pallets to players preferences... but since these frames are mass produced there is no need for pallet compatibility.
My guess is that the machines to mass produce rackets with molded handles require this shape. It’s probably an H22 mold, but the hairpin is different so that they can do molded handles instead of pallets for the consumer product “pro stock”.

same mold

Probably right. Both of my H22s had molded handles though.

 

[onehandbh]

Anyone get the 18x20 Blade Pro? Feedback on hitting with it? Specs?

Curious why most people seem to prefer the 16x19.
Is the 16x19 regular Blade also more popular?

 

[mad dog1]

Is the 16x19 regular Blade also more popular?

Heck no! Certainly not the case for the v7 16/19.

 

[topspn]

They use the flat shape in pro stocks so that they can change pallets to players preferences... but since these frames are mass produced there is no need for pallet compatibility.
My guess is that the machines to mass produce rackets with molded handles require this shape. It’s probably an H22 mold, but the hairpin is different so that they can do molded handles instead of pallets for the consumer product “pro stock”.

same mold

Except they are not molded and it’s pallets under the grip

 

[Dragy]

QC is terrible. Being in Canada and relying on American forum members to ship frames forward to Canada with specs all over the place is just too much hassle/risk. I don’t feel like it’s worth the effort.

You could actually turn it around in your favor by making a double-triple order with some fellow members and then splitting the frames with higher/lower SW between different people. You need at least one to like bigger SWs though...

 

[mattimag]

Got my 2 rackets! I can't believe what I see, they are both the same exact weight!! 312g with plastic on the grip

 

[Chidoc]

That’s like hitting a lottery jackpot with Wilson.

 

[Deleted member 762530]

Could you please all add which one you used, if you write about, how it played.
So far noone has hit with the 18x20, right?

 

[ChrisG]

Anyone get the 18x20 Blade Pro? Feedback on hitting with it? Specs?

Curious why most people seem to prefer the 16x19.
Is the 16x19 regular Blade also more popular?

From what I read previously in this thread people were afraid of the higher stock SW of the 18x20

 

[ChrisG]

also the H22 16x19 seems to be less familiar

 

[AA7]

Got my 2 rackets! I can't believe what I see, they are both the same exact weight!! 312g with plastic on the grip

don't mean to burst your bubble but....again.. balance, SW..... usually static weight is the least of my worries...

 

[gutfeeling]

QC is terrible. Being in Canada and relying on American forum members to ship frames forward to Canada with specs all over the place is just too much hassle/risk. I don’t feel like it’s worth the effort. I’m out for now.

Hopefully the next batch is better sorted and Wilson starts offering matching services. Then maybe I’ll give them a try. So sad that Wilson offered such poor QC on their Pro versions and bypassing loyal retailers in the process that could have helped with matching frames. Looks like a quick cash grab and not a true effort to bring pro models (read high quality) to the masses.

I agree that the QC variance is frustrating but I still think these are high quality frames. I have not hit mine yet but the craftsmanship is nicer than some prostocks I have purchased in the past. Also the initial reviews are quite positive in terms of feel/layup.

 

[dr325i]

I think Novak played the retail nBlade 98.

nah...

 

[sixone90]

I think Novak played the retail nBlade 98.

Don't think he ever played a retail nBlade 98

 

[Vicious49]

Anyone get the 18x20 Blade Pro? Feedback on hitting with it? Specs?

Curious why most people seem to prefer the 16x19.
Is the 16x19 regular Blade also more popular?

Could you please all add which one you used, if you write about, how it played.
So far noone has hit with the 18x20, right?

I got both. I hit with the 18x20 yesterday. Below are my comments I put in another thread.

I did hit with my 18/20 BP for a bit after we finished our match. It was purely stock with 17g Hyper G and a dampener. There is a big difference between the HL racquets I’m used to playing with and this. I will definitely need to add some weight to the grip to get it a bit more head light,

I don’t have the experience you guys do so my review won’t be as good Or meaningful. It has more power than my UT. I’d say it’s similar to the pro staff in that regards. The shot also isnt as flat as it is with the UT. That’s about all I can say on it until I add some weight to the grip and give it a more extended test.

 

[blackpearl2007]

Don't think he ever played a retail nBlade 98

When he was with Wilson, I heard he played with a painted Radical.

 

[AMGF]

I think it’s a bold and legendary move on Wilson’s behalf giving us die hards pro stock frames. They are pioneers in this area. And my hats off to Wilson. As far as cool factor goes, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Yes I agree. I think it’s really cool they offer their pro models. I think Wilson’s QC killed my mood. Added to the extra hassle to import to Canada (side note, why does Wilson ignores Canada?) and I just give up.

But I’m glad these frames are out and hopefully it’s enough of a success that other companies follow with their own pro models!

 

[mattimag]

don't mean to burst your bubble but....again.. balance, SW..... usually static weight is the least of my worries...

I don't if it's a coincidence and if anyone else from Europe can confirm but both me and a friend of mine got 2 rackets perfectly matched. my 2 rackets are 312g and have 32,8 balance. . I don't know about swingweight but I'm pretty happy so far.

These were shipped from the Germany warehouse, maybe Wilson Europe is doing some product matching, I don't know

 

[mk3alex10]

Hey guys. If you're looking for a Blade Pro 16x19 in 1/4 grip send me a PM. After playing over the weekend I think I'm sticking with my Ultra Tour. SW was a tough adjustment for me. I've replaced the original grip with a leather grip and have all the spec measurements if needed.

 

[dgoran]

I ordered 18x20 to try...so I will post my review if you want...I didn't want 16x19 since I had Donnay Pro One 97 16x19 that was basically the same mold so I was more curious about 18x20.

 

[topspn]

Managed to hit again this morning and a quick practice set before I ran back wfh. Enjoyed serving with this stick. It was big, predictable and felt confident with it. Pretty decent on return as well with the feel allowing me to return consistently. I didn’t do anything to aggressive on returns. Overall nothing alarming from the first pro and cons impressions I had

 

[esm]

I ordered 18x20 to try...so I will post my review if you want...I didn't want 16x19 since I had Donnay Pro One 97 16x19 that was basically the same mold so I was more curious about 18x20.

huh - i thought Donnay said their Pro One 97 16x19 is their version of PT57A?

 

[Alphap1t]

Untrue. I have been playing H22s for a couple of years and ever since they have the V7 Blade paint job they have the octagonal shape inside the handle. Here is a pic of mine.

https://imgur.com/a/V6xKeoH

 

[Alphap1t]

Its an h22 mold so it is an H22. I just hit with it for over an hour and Wilson did a fantastic job on the feel and stiffness. It is very easy on the arm and feels soft.

Well under this point of view the Ultra tour is an H19, as it is the same mold. Except it isn't, its garbage.

 

[Wall Ball Wizard]

Maybe I missed this, but has wilson released a SW average number for these?