This is a review of the new Wilson Blade 98 16×19 (V7) which is an updated version of the last Blade Countervail. The new Blade comes with FeelFlex which adds flexibility and allows better feel at contact, it also comes with parellel drilling so the string bed response becomes more forgiving and increases the sweetspot efficaciously. I got to try both the Blade and Clash which play a bit simular (read more about the Clash), they had their similarities and diffrences like for example the Clash was more spin-friendly and maneuverable. Let’s take a closer look on the Blade and see what I experienced. Show Racquet specs:
The Wilson Blade has been around for almost 15 years and has been loved since the launch in 2006. The Blade is now the most popular racquet on tour. The racquet line is made for big hitters and aggressive players since it gives you great control, spin, accuracy and power to be able to attack deep. Their campaign slogans for the new Blade V7 where ”Be greater than” ”Your greater than awaits”.  Groundstrokes: I found this racquet comfortable and stable. The spin potential wasn’t overwhelming but good enough for me since it’s still a open 16×19 pattern, almost like a Radical or Gravity MP. The power level is low-medium just how I like it, you’ll be able to rip a forehand down the line without being scared to put it in the back fence. The one thing to expect from this racquet is control and feel which it delivers without a doubt. So it’s nothing special, a overall good performance from the Blade V7 that checks all the boxes. Serve: I felt right away this racquet delivered precise serves. I went serving one day for my self and compared the Blade, Clash and my Radical Pro. I started off with my Radical and it took ages for me to hit my target so I give up and switched to the Clash and the same thing happened. Then I tried to serve with the Clash and it took like 5 balls and I crushed my target. So I found it very precise with great power and decent kick serves. The feel is not like a Clash, it’s flexible but not in that way. It just makes it comfortable. Volley: I don’t play much volley so I’m going to try to explain what I felt. It was good, just kidding. At start I didn’t find the sweetspot because it was a bit different from my Radical but then I didn’t care for it later. Nice feel so making a sneaky dropshot was easy to maneuver. It was still stable but maybe I would like it slightly heavier just to get some extra depth to put the ball away. Overall very good, It gives you what to expect. I haven’t tried the last Blade so I can’t say if it’s a better version but I can say that I like it the way it is right now. If you miss anything in this review please leave a comment and I will answer it as soon as possible. That’s all for this racquet review and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram tennisrally_ The newest iteration of the Blade stands up with any of your favorites in the family, whether it’s the N-Code, 2015, or the Countervail. With a combination of plow through and crisp, but still comfortable response, the Blade 98 was built for the experienced player looking to add depth and control to their game. For a 16×19 pattern, the Blade V7 felt incredibly dense in the middle of the frame. This was great when I was able to step into the court and take the ball above net level. I felt super dialed in, especially on the backhand side (where I tend to hit the ball flatter than my right hand wing). The 330+ swing weight rewarded a full cut with a penetrating, heavy ball consistently landing beyond the service line. My forehand is a fair bit whippier, and I tend to like my racquets a little bit more head light, so I struggled to pick the ball up and over the net on standard rally balls where I was a step or so behind the baseline. However, against some flat hitters I play with, the inertia of the V7 kept me from getting pushed around. I struggled at first on defense, but once I unlocked the mass of the racquet, I felt great on the run. For me, it’s all about getting the tip of the racquet through contact with a high swing weight stick. So when I was running, I shortened my stroke and really threw my hands through the strike, allowing me to reset the point and find my court positioning. The 4-point headlight balance made for very stable slices and blocks, especially against big hitters and servers. Transitioning to net was easy, and the Blade 98 almost encourages closing the court by rewarding step-in shots. Half volleys were a breeze and I never got any harsh vibrations from the racquet even on off-center hits. At net I quickly dialed in, for the exception of balls right at hip height. For whatever reason I kept knocking those balls long, but everything else at net was fantastic. The stability and balance of the racquet were incredible for stretch volleys. Instead of being knocked off my spot, the ball seemed to glide just High balls seemed to explode off the court and out of play making for easy putaways, even on those awkward high shots on the backhand side. I was easily able to absorb the pace of balls below net level and feather them well inside the service line and creating some wild angles on shots right up against the net. Serves were as hot and cold as an April Missouri day. As bad as my kick and slice servers were as good as my flat serves were. I’m very accustomed to the flex of my Clash Tour, and my Prince Phantom 100P before that, on spins and the slight step up in crispness really affected my ability to hit my spots. The counter point, that 330+ swing weight that I keep talking about bludgeoned the ball on flat serves with pinpoint accuracy. I would say if you have flatter serves, it will be a great compliment to your game, but if you rely on big spin serves, be wary. The cosmetic of the racquet really grew on me. I love the matte finish and the grey and green combo isn’t as off-putting as the Clash is (admittedly that’s probably intentional). The paint held up well, so overall no complaints, but not something that’s a particular calling card either. Blade 98 V7 ConclusionOverall the Blade rocks. It’s a super solid racquet all over the court that really shines and compliments a classic, aggressive game style. It’s also very different than a lot of racquets on the market, so if you’re playing with your Pure Drive, Instinct, or Ultra and just looking for something a little different, this racquet is 100% worth a try. Is the Blade v7 or v8 better?On the court, the Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v7 and v8 perform very similarly. Both offer excellent feel, control, and comfort as highlights. However, hitting with them side by side, I noticed a few nuances in performance that are worth reviewing. For starters, I found the v7 to offer better overall control and precision. What string is recommended for Wilson Blade 98 16x19?Wilson recommends Luxilon Alu Power for the Blade with a 16L or 1.25 mm gauge strung at 50-60 lbs (22.7 – 27.2 kg). Why do so many pros use Wilson Blade?Why do pro players love the Blade? It's a modern control racquet. It offers good precision and feel, while also giving a decent amount of power without becoming too heavy. The Blade 98 is not only a viable option for pros, intermediate to advanced players can also use this racquet effectively. |
