Thanks for the review, completely agree with your thoughts. I purchase two of these and they have been fantastic for all aspects of my game. I’m a solid 4.0 playing both singles and doubles and it has certainly made life on the court more fun and easier. I’ve been on an 18 month journey for a new racquet trying all sort of frames including Speed MP, TF40, Prince 100P, VCore Pro HD, Gravity Pro. Never thought I would go to an oversized frame but this has been a great fit for me. I think more players at intermediate level would benefit by swallowing their pride and trying something like this rather than more advanced frames.
@@user-be5qg7mr1s Typical flat backhand passing shots should be easy enough, it’s just a bit harder to pinpoint exactly where you want to put the ball with the bigger heads.
Dropping in to say this is a great racket. Added weight to this at 12 o’clock and to the handle along with a leather grip. Really like this racket and have 2 of these. Few mishits, lots of control, big spin, 1-handed backhand, big full strokes. Frustration free. Holding my own against top players (5.0+). No arm problems.
Also a 98 man but played with a 105 last year for a bit, was an absolute blast. Great for touch as the easy spin slice really helps. Totally agree regarding doubles. One of the best doubles players in my club plays with 105 with great results
Best strings I've found for this racket: Yonex Poly Tour Pro 17ga. I set at 49 pounds but you can set it higher if you need more control. Great spin (beautiful drop shots, fantastic topspin), great feel, great power.
Great review! But have to say, i’ve been playing with blade 104 for 5 years already. And I think for such rackets it’s better to increase tension. My tension is 26*25 kg, mains and crosses. I tried to go lower but have issue with small outs. The ball starts catapulting little bit and i’m loosing control. I have 19 by 18 pattern, but still think that you have to set higher tension on a such big head.
I find the Dunlop CX 200 OS a direct competitor to the Blade 104. The Dunlop frame has great feel, control, spin, power and control. I have been using the CX 200 OS for a few months. It has a 21.5 mm straight beam and can be used by an intermediate or advanced player with some minor customization.
I got it weighted up to 11.3 ish ounces and im pretty sure im switching from blade 98. Hit against high level d1 player and went from barely returning serve to getting most back nicely
This blade is much better. Easier to hit with, better plow, quicker at net as well as baseline, and provides more “controlled” spin potential than the Gravity S. (IMO)
@@emjay2045 I just can't gel with the Gravity S. I tried various mods but I've come to the conclusion that it plays best in stock form. Just a bit too light for my game. Shame as it has nice feel.
@@emjay2045 I can´t decide between Gravity S, Clash 100 or the Blade 104, but have not tried neihter of them. Have you tried the Clash 100? How does it compare to Gravity S and Blade 104? I did not like the Blade 98v6 to damped or the Speed MP to much power. Belive I prefer a modell below 300g with some led for customazation.
Hi Jonas, how do you compare this to Clash 100 v2 for easy power & plough through on groundstrokes and depth. Been playing with Prokennex Black Ace 300g (due to sore wrists as per your recommendation), but now thinking of moving to a more solid head frame.
Hello. I would like to know if you would recommend this racket to me when I am quite a beginner and I have been on the court about 25 times this season. I tried the Wilson Clash 100 and it wasn't bad but so far I've only played with my insanely hard Wilson hammer 4.2 and I'm a little bothered by how much the Clash springs. And now I'm deciding whether to buy a Clash or a Blade v8 ... I'm a 185cm tall man
Hi to all, I want to shere something with you guys. I play with Luxilon 4G 125. In front of me i have 2 single packages and they r diferent. One is more math second is more glossy, and on the front size in the left corner math one have solar power 100% amblem, second dont have that amblem, on the back there is gauge eur 7.5 / us 17, second is 16L. Why 17 ? 125 is always 16L. Scale in the back is diferent.. The first one, with math gold color is durability 9 other is durability 8, power 9 and control 9,5 and again in second is power and control 9, in confort First one is 8.5 second glossy one is 9.5. On the 1st math package there is lxn recommended tension of max 25.5 kg but on the secont string package there is lxn recommends lowering tension at least 10%. I never ever seen this much difference is two same string packages. Sorry for long comment but i want to shere with every tennisnerd here. Good day
Very nice that you have started to review more "amateur" rackets (280-300g). Would be nice to see a review of Head Gravity S and a comparison to this one. I can not make up my mind what to buy between Head Gravity S, Wilson Clash 100 and and now this Blade.
@@anthonymerrie5760 Bought both the Gravity S and Clash 100. Like the Gravity S more, so sold the Clash 100 after a couple of sessions. Gravity S big sweetspot you can really feel and there is a good mix between feel, comfort, power and control. Very stable for a 285g model. Maybe a little bit to much power for my taste but less then the Clash. If the Blade has more control than Gravity S I would prefer that one, but have not done a test. Did not like the Speed MP, way to much power.
I own the SW 102 and I hate it. Just kept it for historical reasons but the racket is crap and unusable to me. Nice to find someone that plays the forehand like I do :-)
@@WaltKurtz68 mainly the racket has no feel whatsoever and it’s very different from a regular Blade. Not the same racket at all. I’m used to extended rackets so this, although a little bigger than I’m used, It was manageable. It’s a crap of a racket though
Thanks for the review, completely agree with your thoughts. I purchase two of these and they have been fantastic for all aspects of my game. I’m a solid 4.0 playing both singles and doubles and it has certainly made life on the court more fun and easier. I’ve been on an 18 month journey for a new racquet trying all sort of frames including Speed MP, TF40, Prince 100P, VCore Pro HD, Gravity Pro. Never thought I would go to an oversized frame but this has been a great fit for me. I think more players at intermediate level would benefit by swallowing their pride and trying something like this rather than more advanced frames.
can you hit flat backhand shots when you need to? like to pass a net guy in doubles or singles?
@@user-be5qg7mr1s Typical flat backhand passing shots should be easy enough, it’s just a bit harder to pinpoint exactly where you want to put the ball with the bigger heads.
Dropping in to say this is a great racket. Added weight to this at 12 o’clock and to the handle along with a leather grip. Really like this racket and have 2 of these. Few mishits, lots of control, big spin, 1-handed backhand, big full strokes. Frustration free. Holding my own against top players (5.0+). No arm problems.
Also a 98 man but played with a 105 last year for a bit, was an absolute blast. Great for touch as the easy spin slice really helps. Totally agree regarding doubles. One of the best doubles players in my club plays with 105 with great results
how is this for flat shots. Like on the backhand
Best strings I've found for this racket: Yonex Poly Tour Pro 17ga. I set at 49 pounds but you can set it higher if you need more control. Great spin (beautiful drop shots, fantastic topspin), great feel, great power.
Great review! But have to say, i’ve been playing with blade 104 for 5 years already. And I think for such rackets it’s better to increase tension. My tension is 26*25 kg, mains and crosses. I tried to go lower but have issue with small outs. The ball starts catapulting little bit and i’m loosing control. I have 19 by 18 pattern, but still think that you have to set higher tension on a such big head.
I got myself 2 of these. After playing with way way to complicated frames.
With one result my arm was hurt. This has put the fun back in tennis for me
how is this for flatter shots? like on the BH
I use the 104 and 98. I like both. AND I use 2 hands off each side just like Charles in your video!!...quite unique in today's game!!
My wife plays with an older (2015) 18x19 string pattern version of the Blade 104. Great stick!
Yeah, that one is nice too! Might actually prefer the 18x19 for a bit more control
I find the Dunlop CX 200 OS a direct competitor to the Blade 104. The Dunlop frame has great feel, control, spin, power and control. I have been using the CX 200 OS for a few months. It has a 21.5 mm straight beam and can be used by an intermediate or advanced player with some minor customization.
what string and tension do you use for the dunlop cx 200 OS?
@@nicohorer2849 I am currently using Gosen Micro 16 at 54 or 55lbs but this racquet does eat strings. Looking for a soft poly for a hybrid set up.
Better than head speed pro?
I got it weighted up to 11.3 ish ounces and im pretty sure im switching from blade 98. Hit against high level d1 player and went from barely returning serve to getting most back nicely
You play very well .. with this Blade...also with the v7..
Thank you for your sharing, yes it s such comfortable and nice racket
just recently purchased a clash V2 108. like it. been thinking about picking one of these up.
anyone has compared this 2?
nice double handed forehand
Jonas, did you review the Gravity S and can you compare it to this? Both 104 head size.
This blade is much better. Easier to hit with, better plow, quicker at net as well as baseline, and provides more “controlled” spin potential than the Gravity S. (IMO)
@@emjay2045 I just can't gel with the Gravity S. I tried various mods but I've come to the conclusion that it plays best in stock form. Just a bit too light for my game. Shame as it has nice feel.
@@neertw I would agree. I couldn’t gel either.
@@emjay2045 I can´t decide between Gravity S, Clash 100 or the Blade 104, but have not tried neihter of them. Have you tried the Clash 100? How does it compare to Gravity S and Blade 104? I did not like the Blade 98v6 to damped or the Speed MP to much power. Belive I prefer a modell below 300g with some led for customazation.
Hi Jonas, how do you compare this to Clash 100 v2 for easy power & plough through on groundstrokes and depth. Been playing with Prokennex Black Ace 300g (due to sore wrists as per your recommendation), but now thinking of moving to a more solid head frame.
Hello. I would like to know if you would recommend this racket to me when I am quite a beginner and I have been on the court about 25 times this season. I tried the Wilson Clash 100 and it wasn't bad but so far I've only played with my insanely hard Wilson hammer 4.2 and I'm a little bothered by how much the Clash springs. And now I'm deciding whether to buy a Clash or a Blade v8 ... I'm a 185cm tall man
Would you say it is plush or crisp despite the relatively low RA
a soft custom..to have more power on serve ? thanks
I have a unused brand new 2010 Wilson Kfactor Kblade Team 104 black and gold 18x19. Should I just use this and not demo the 104 v8?
How would you compare it vs a Pro Staff L (290 gr) ??
Is this one really that bad for one handed backhand?
Hi to all,
I want to shere something with you guys. I play with Luxilon 4G 125. In front of me i have 2 single packages and they r diferent. One is more math second is more glossy, and on the front size in the left corner math one have solar power 100% amblem, second dont have that amblem, on the back there is gauge eur 7.5 / us 17, second is 16L. Why 17 ? 125 is always 16L. Scale in the back is diferent.. The first one, with math gold color is durability 9 other is durability 8, power 9 and control 9,5 and again in second is power and control 9, in confort First one is 8.5 second glossy one is 9.5. On the 1st math package there is lxn recommended tension of max 25.5 kg but on the secont string package there is lxn recommends lowering tension at least 10%.
I never ever seen this much difference is two same string packages.
Sorry for long comment but i want to shere with every tennisnerd here.
Good day
Do you believe that will fit my one handed backhand?
Yes, it could, might be more natural on the two-hander, but not reason it shouldn't work.
Very nice that you have started to review more "amateur" rackets (280-300g). Would be nice to see a review of Head Gravity S and a comparison to this one. I can not make up my mind what to buy between Head Gravity S, Wilson Clash 100 and and now this Blade.
Hey mate I'm in the same boat. I'm deciding between those 3. What did you pick?
@@anthonymerrie5760 Bought both the Gravity S and Clash 100. Like the Gravity S more, so sold the Clash 100 after a couple of sessions. Gravity S big sweetspot you can really feel and there is a good mix between feel, comfort, power and control. Very stable for a 285g model. Maybe a little bit to much power for my taste but less then the Clash. If the Blade has more control than Gravity S I would prefer that one, but have not done a test. Did not like the Speed MP, way to much power.
@@niberdoom oh nice. Glad you are liking the gravity. Hopefully I can test or buy the blade at some stage.
Blade 104 is better than those two.
that's a double-sided backhand. Interesting!
wtf? Did noone notice that Carl hits a two-handed forehand ? :D
I own the SW 102 and I hate it. Just kept it for historical reasons but the racket is crap and unusable to me. Nice to find someone that plays the forehand like I do :-)
What racket is Carl using? Normal length or extended?
@@WaltKurtz68 mainly the racket has no feel whatsoever and it’s very different from a regular Blade. Not the same racket at all.
I’m used to extended rackets so this, although a little bigger than I’m used, It was manageable. It’s a crap of a racket though
Really looks like raducanu is using a 104
8.35 ...wowwwwww
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