CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Good to know. Can anyone compare the Blade Pro 18x20 to the v4 Blade?
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
Just bought one. Want to get another but I can’t match it.
babolatPDstandard
New User
I have the BP 16/19 v7 with SW340, strung. I ordered a 2nd to match and it came at SW320 unstrung, which would be roughly SW350 strung. Too much for me. I didn't bother to string and have kept in new in packaging
I'm considering ordering another 1 or 2 in the hope of getting a closer match to my first stick at SW340. I cant return as overseas, so would have to sell off spec frames at a loss
Question - is it worth the try to find another v7 at SW340? Or did most come in closer to SW350 anyway and odds wont be in my favor?
Also would there be any logic to the remaining v7 frames Wilson has being 'leftovers' that have been returned as off spec? Would my chances be better with the v8?
I'm considering ordering another 1 or 2 in the hope of getting a closer match to my first stick at SW340. I cant return as overseas, so would have to sell off spec frames at a loss
Question - is it worth the try to find another v7 at SW340? Or did most come in closer to SW350 anyway and odds wont be in my favor?
Also would there be any logic to the remaining v7 frames Wilson has being 'leftovers' that have been returned as off spec? Would my chances be better with the v8?
ChrisG
Professional
You’re lucky to have a reasonable SW to start with. I would have kept my 2 BP if they were like yours
JimboCollie
New User
I wonder when they will be in stock again. I was too slow to pull the trigger. I’m thinking VCore pro now or wait for the Babolat pure strike vs, or save up for some h19’s.
LeftyJunk
Rookie
I emailed Wilson customer service about when they would get the Ultra Pro's in 16x19 #3 grip back in stock and they said November 15th. Maybe your Blades will be back then.
JimboCollie
New User
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
So I have been playing with the blade pro 18x20 for almost 8 months. I have dabbled in different racquets but this will be my stick. The only thing I really struggle with is my serve. I cannot get enough pop on my serve. It could be my setup, and if so I will adjust at the expense of groundies since I am playing doubles mostly and serving and net play are paramount. I am not getting into a prolonged groundstroke battle.
Current set-up - Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g/ Tecnifibre NRG2 17g 53/51. I have a leather grip and a thin overgrip, and lead at 2 and 10. Total static weight is 339g, and it is most likely 2-3 points headlight. Any suggestions on adjusting my setup to get some more pop on my serves?
Current set-up - Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g/ Tecnifibre NRG2 17g 53/51. I have a leather grip and a thin overgrip, and lead at 2 and 10. Total static weight is 339g, and it is most likely 2-3 points headlight. Any suggestions on adjusting my setup to get some more pop on my serves?
babolatPDstandard
New User
Sounds like a nice setup! Do you know the SW? Did you ever try it stock without the lead at 2 and 10? Its already quite a beefy frame and this weight could be slowing down the serve. You could even put that weight into the butt to alter the balance and keep the static weight similar
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Take the lead off. Sounds like you’re struggling to get it moving when it’s over your head on serve. The string set up seems like it should have plenty of pop. I think if you had it more head light you can probably get some speed back on serve.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
As has been mentioned, either take the weight off you added to the head and see if that solves it, or keep the head as is and make the racquet more headlight by adding weight to the handle and butt cap areas. The third option is to take the lead off that you placed in the head and add further weight to the handle and butt cap areas.
It all depends on what you are used to playing specs wise. My BP (16x19), I modified so that it has a 305mm unstrung balance... and it swings really nicely and is much more manueverable than in stock form. It just means that its static weight is higher, but then most of my racquets have a higher static weight and are more HL in balance.
Hope that helps.
Rickenbacker4003
Hall of Fame
I have 3 now. 2 of them are identical and the other one is extremely heavy in the head. To the point where it’s even balance. It was the first one I bought so I had no reference. I bought two more and those were much more head light and identical in weight, unstrung and SW.
I’m keeping the heavier model in the bag for those heavy hitters that like to use a lot of spin. It’s my equalizer, just plow those millennial top spinners to death. Rob them of time and force them to hit late and pop up the ball in the middle of the court. However, I do use the tungsten tape from TW to make the lighter ones a bit heavier in the hoop. I’ve put them at 3 and 9 o’clock. But I’m tempted to put at 12 o’clock as well. What do you think? Should I put a bit up there too?
Chidoc
New User
If you want to increase the SW 12:00 is where to put it, though it will mess with your balance.
Crashbaby
Semi-Pro
BP 16x19 with leather grip vs Rf97: Which is the the more demanding racquet for an intermediate level player?
Enjoy my BP, but sometimes question my sanity.. Would most consider the RF (maybe without leather) to be less demanding than a 344 sw BP with leather at 343g all in. Years ago I briefly tried a skin feel grip on the Rf and it only shaved off 5g, so 355g all up. Interested in opinions on this. Trying hard not to buy the current RF with that super sweet as exposed graphite paint job.
Enjoy my BP, but sometimes question my sanity.. Would most consider the RF (maybe without leather) to be less demanding than a 344 sw BP with leather at 343g all in. Years ago I briefly tried a skin feel grip on the Rf and it only shaved off 5g, so 355g all up. Interested in opinions on this. Trying hard not to buy the current RF with that super sweet as exposed graphite paint job.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Well, I think it comes down to personal preferences. Personally, I find racquets with a high SW but low static weight more demanding than racquets that have a high static weight, high SW, and a HL balance (I prefer 6-7 pts HL or better - more HL). It all comes down to the swing dynamics that one is used to and other preferences such as plushness and comfort.
I happen to like everything about the RF97A except its stiffness, but that is a huge and important exception (for me). It means that I won't play with the RF97A and that it's not the racquet for me. Conversely, I don't prefer the balance of the BP (or Blade 98 or LM Radicals, and such racquets), I can play with it and after a period of time I will be OK (I own an LM Radical MP, Blades, TF 305 XTCs), but I prefer them better when they are balanced more like a Prestige or UT. What I do like about the BP (or any racquet in my collection) is the feel, the plushness, and precision. So what I am prepared to do in those cases is modify the racquets (the BPs, 305 XTCs, Blades, etc) to a balance that is more to my liking. It also helps that I am used to more heavy static weight racquets with a more HL balance.
Therefore, I have modified my BP 16x19 to a 305mm unstrung balance (the unstrung specs are 343g, 305mm, 324SW). I think it plays great, it's very maneuverable, great on serve, fantastic to rally with, and not as demanding as the RF97A because it is more comfortable and doesn't destroy my arm. It must be said that most of my racquets are between 350-360g static (strung), so the RF97A is not demanding from that perspective, but it is from the stiffness and the damage it will do to my arm longterm. For me, that is the deal-breaker. Even though my BP has a strung SW of around 354 (dependent on string choice), I think its very HL balance (the same as the RF97A just by coincidence) is the reason why I find it less demanding in its modified state than when it was stock.
Like I said, this is me personally, and everyone is different. Making the BP very HL made all the difference for me.
Hope that helps. Cheers
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Crashbaby
Semi-Pro
I will add some lead to the handle, can’t hurt to experiment a little. And see if life gets easier,
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
The answer is on the previous page...
Thanks, i found the page using the search , i guess they are out of stock. Hoping they'll restock soon.
transitioning to the Blade Pro 98 v7 18x20 from the regular Blade 98 v7 18x20
using Lux Alu Power Fluro 17g
BP SW Tension weight oz
Blade 1 34.2 346 48 12.6
Blade 2 34.2 352 48 12.6
BP 34 367 46 12.8
Blade strings 3-4 weeks, BP 3 days
BP tension seems higher with stringmeter, Blades seem to have more feel
BP has more power especially on the serve, and i get more swing acceleration
even though it weighs more and has a higher swing
will have to play more with the BP, maybe i will put a softer string in my 2nd BP
BP definitely plays differently
using Lux Alu Power Fluro 17g
BP SW Tension weight oz
Blade 1 34.2 346 48 12.6
Blade 2 34.2 352 48 12.6
BP 34 367 46 12.8
Blade strings 3-4 weeks, BP 3 days
BP tension seems higher with stringmeter, Blades seem to have more feel
BP has more power especially on the serve, and i get more swing acceleration
even though it weighs more and has a higher swing
will have to play more with the BP, maybe i will put a softer string in my 2nd BP
BP definitely plays differently
Does the blade pro still have good accuracy and control on both groundstrokes and serves when you are hitting with it? Wondering if to change to it from a gravity pro as that offers good control and decent power on groundstrokes but on serve lacks that bit of power
Alex
i dont know anything about the Gravity Pro, is it a Head?
Been using Wilson for a while, and i always added lead tape to the hoops to increase SW
guess i will have to play with the Blade Pros more, i remeasured the swingweight and balance and actually
the SW comes in at 375, but i can swing easier and with more power and control than my regular Blades.
maybe i need to remeasure the Blades SW as i just started to use the SW Tool
going to string up the 2nd BP perhaps with a softer string like HyperG or Black Widow
z
i dont know anything about the Gravity Pro, is it a Head?
Been using Wilson for a while, and i always added lead tape to the hoops to increase SW
guess i will have to play with the Blade Pros more, i remeasured the swingweight and balance and actually
the SW comes in at 375, but i can swing easier and with more power and control than my regular Blades.
maybe i need to remeasure the Blades SW as i just started to use the SW Tool
going to string up the 2nd BP perhaps with a softer string like HyperG or Black Widow
z
Sorry I should have said the head gravity pro racket. Surely that blade pro with a swingweight of 375 is very tough to swing and manoeuvre it? What’s the control like for the blade pro when you use it and what’s it like on serve?
alex
as i just started using the T
i thought the control and swing speed was better for the Blade Pros than my Blades, thought the Blades had better feel, since the string jobs
were done at different times. seemed like for the serve i could place the ball with pace more consistently. as my kick serve really doesnt kick that much
except by accident, i only have flat and spin, which i seem to hit pretty consistently with the BP.
i play mainly doubles, so i dont hit big groundies but usually rely on placement. for volleys i just block it back and step thru if i want pace.
usually if i try i swing volley i hit it out
as i mentioned previously i need more time with the BPs, i have been using the Blade 98s for about 9 months
z
z
Cheers for the telling us how you thought the racket performed on serve and what the control of the racket was like. I am debating whether to buy the racket but since you can’t demo a blade pro, I am very interested in what peoples opinions are of the racket on both the serve and control aspects so thanks for posting those messages
alex
yeah i took a chance as i think the Blade Pro 98 18x20 v7 plays different than the Blade 98 18x20 v7
there is no demo for the Blade Pro, but i figured i could resell the Blade Pros if i dont like them
i will probably keep them unless i go to the Blade Pro 98 v8
z
What made you go with the 18x20 instead of the 16x19 out of interest? Yeah for those rackets you are taking a bit of a gamble with them as you can’t demo them but can resell them pretty easily if you don’t like them
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I don’t think so. In my case, I thought it was easier to swing the Blade Pro (*18x20) compared to the Gravity Pro.
really depends on where you land on the QC roulette wheel. i had 4 gravity pros that were 340 sw strung with a 17g poly and i was able to hand pick the blade pros with the lowest sw. i've also hit with a handful of other blade pros in both string patterns, and the two rackets are unwieldy in different ways. if i had to go into a match with one of them and swing for my life, i'd probably go with the blade pro
thanks, yes qc is an issue - one of the gpros i have is right at the upper limit for me and another is a bit too much
alex
18x20 has more plough thru and SW. even though my shots are pretty flat, because i never could develop the modern game
i was using these Blade 98 18x20s that seemed to play pretty well. i bought a Blade 98 16x19 Roland Garros.
i put a bunch of leadtape in the hoop to try and get the same plough thru, SW and feel but didnt like it,
so i sold it and decided to go with the Blade 98 Pros 18x20
kind of weird as i was using the Blade 98 16x19 ampfeel and the PS97s two generations prior
going to the Blades and BPs is my first racquet change in 5 years.
for me the swing and stroke impact seems to have more effect to generate topspin than the string pattern
Hope the BPs work for me
z
Cheers for clarifying that the 18x20 gives more plough through and swingweight which works best for players with flat shots. Retail blades are all round very good rackets but a modified blade pro seems to improve every part of your game if you can handle the demand that the racket requires. Hopefully the blade pros help to improve your game z as they are amazing rackets
JimboCollie
New User
Presumably the blade Pros are still sitting on a cargo ship with all the iPhones still.
Now I have heard so many reviews sayin this frames have very high static weight and spec toleraces are very poor. Bought two blade pros 16x19 v7 paint last November on sale. Unstrung 306 gms 6 HL SW 295 and 308 gms 5 HL SW 297( manual tested) . Felt like winning a mini lottery as I did expect the worst. Playtested yesterday with tourbite and they felt soft like a pillow, low powered and lacking plow. Now this frames is a switchable platform stick fo me, some lead in the head and a lot of weight in the handle to fit a onehanded backhand. My regular frame is a prince phantom93p 18x20
envy
the BP 98 v7 18x20s have more plough
i strung them with Lux Alupower Fluro 17g @46#
i also have a 1HBH and its my
big shot.
try adding some leadtape to the hoop, as much as you can handle, and use a looser and/or softer string to get more power
z
Yes I quite agree that the 16x19 blade pro has less plow. It actually feels anemic as compared to my other frames. I was surprised by these it plays like the stock version ultra tour I have. I will modify it lead on the hoop + leather grip and lead on handle.. Nyways Ive always had 18x20 frames in the past and wanna venture in the 16x19 to get more free power. Ive only strung it with tourbite and it was very plush. Much plusher than my angells,
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
When will Wilson sell the v8? Website still shows v7.
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
Just search from Wilson. It's there.
In the Pro Labs section?? Really? I haven't seen them there since September.
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
Not in the Pro Labs section. Have to search separately.
z
usually they take down the webpage
z
found the webpage, but nothing available in 18x20
usually they take down the webpage
z
Looking for some advice for those blade pro users. I am coming from a customised RF97 with 340+SW and I am liking the idea of a softer and better feeling racquet. Question is: if I buy a blade pro v8 and providing the specs are quoted what will I end up roughly getting with a strung version with leather grip, OG and dampener. Will i get to roughly 340sw with a balance of at least 7pts HL? How much more weight in the handle do I need to get to 9pts HL like the RF97?
LeftyJunk
Rookie
I'm no expert but you might be better off trying to customize an Ultra Pro if they ever come back in stock. It's an already head light platform with more wiggle room to customize. I have three weighted and balanced to match my favorite ProStaff 97 and I absolutely love my Ultra's!
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
If you are unlucky, you'll end with over 340SW easily. You can add a leather grip and some weights in the handle to get close to the balance of the RF, but for me, I felt like I didn't have to weight it up too much. BP is easier to swing than the RF to me.
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