Wilson Blade 98 18x20 V8 Review by Gladiators
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- You've asked for the Blade 18x20 and here it is. The less user-friendly and stiff feeling version of the Blade. What's not to love. The expectation was that one of us is going to really enjoy the Blade 18x20 and Areg was going to hate it. Simply because it's absolutely not a racket that fits him. Though the result was quite surprising. To find out what the result was, watch our review till the end!
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0:39 Specs
1:23 Grisha's Review
6:05 Areg's Review
8:46 Conclusions (Scores)
Wilson Blade 98 18x20 v8
Unstrung Weight: 305g / 10,8oz
Strung Weight: 323g / 11,4oz
Head Size: 98 in² / 632 cm²
Length: 27in / 68,5cm
Balance: 33,02cm / 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 327
Stiffness: 60
Beam Width: 21mm / 21mm / 21mm
String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses
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#gladiatorstennis #tennis #wilsonbladev8
Areg imitating Grisha was just 👌🏽Also loved how Grisha played in this video 😊 Keep up the amazing work guys!!
Thanks for the Grisha playing well part 😉😏 And yeah Areg's imitation was on point 😅😂
Thanks grisha for the behind the back shot. never thought i had to jump. Ima try that out. Interesting racket review. I liked it. Also please get kuzey in another video. The community loves him "hopefully". i do :)
Thank you very much! The jump really helps sometimes on that one😂 We'll try to put him on another video at some point in the future!
Hi guys, I really love yours videos, especially this one. I just have a question wanna ask you. I had played with the Blade 18x20 v7 and I feel it is really great, but now it was broken. Now I’m deciding to buy a new one. I’m thinking about the Head gravity tour and Blade 98 18x20 v8. They have the same weight(305g) and same balance(4pts hl). Could you please help me to compare them. I know that the Gravity have bigger head size and beam, it got more power but less control than the Blade. But how about stringing the gravity tighter a bit, so what is the differences?
And also my game style is baseline attacking and approaching to the net,
Which one should I choose?
Thanks guys
Hey! Massive thanks, really appreciate it! The Blade 18x20 V8 is a great racket and if you've played with the v7 and liked it, just update it with the new one. That said, if you felt like you were missing the sweetspot, missed a bit of spin and would prefer a bit more power, give gravity a try!
Awesome video as always! One quick suggestion: I really enjoyed the videos of you guys teaching how to serve/slice, etc. could you do more of those? (Like teaching strokes, match tactics) I really love them
Thank you very much! Tutorials was don't seem to be the most popular videos on the channel but we definitely will keep doing those.
Hello from France, i played with tfight 305rs and this Blade 18/20. I find the tfight much easier to play. I look forward to your videos every week!
Bonjour! Your feeling is quite understandable. The t fight is a bit easier to play with.
Thanks your all rackets experience and advice a racket was nice than I also buy new update williams blade v8 tennis 🎾 ✌
And which one do you like more?
Yay I got to this video! Still no UA-cam notification though 😥. You guys finally got to this racquet!! Areg was funny as always, and Grisha you played really well! I want to demo the 16/19 version, but that might make me doubt my racquet choice (Clash Pro) 🤣. Again, fabulous video, keep up the fantastic work and keep the reviews coming!! 🙌🏻👏🏻💯💯 (Still can’t believe I’ve watched all of you guy’s videos from the very start of this channel, and I’m watching some of you guy’s older videos on another device as we speak!!)
Hahahahahahah Thank you sooo much!! Your commitment to the channel is absolutely incredible!! We really appreciate it! well you already know 😂 I don't know if it will make you doubt, as the clash has a pretty distinctive feel that that you won't get in the blade.
Which did you prefer between the Blade 18x20 and the Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20?
I have played with the 2015 18x20 blade for years, after this with the head gravity.. switched to the original Wilson H22 recently (not the blade pro) .. you should really try and review the H22, what a beast !
Love your vids guys, keep up the good work 😎
Thank you very much!! Appreciate your awesome feetback! The H22 is a legend. We have tried it and it's really good. Definitely going to do a review on it the future.
Okay. Thought maybe score would be higher based on comments.
Areg's? 😂
@@gladiatorstribe Yep! Hate to see what his regular Head gets 🤔
@@johnrb9397 He got really excited when he realized that the blade isn't completely powerless. Comparing to his speed mp tho, it's noticeably weaker.
Love your guys personality and videos! You guys should review the pure aero tour would love to see your guys opinions!
Thank you very much! Really appreciate your positive feetback! We will do it if we get our hands on it!
Perfectly described, awesome backhand but not that good for flat forehands, good spin tough. Because I was addicted to backhand i decided to experiment a lot with strings and tension. After about 4months I got to a perfect setup, Solinco Hyper G at 21/20kg. Awesome spiny forehands and extremly powerful flat backhands. Last match I played I felt like Nadal on RG, for a spinner this racquet with polly on low tension is like a dream 😁
That's an interesting setup, sounds like it could work for Areg!
@@gladiatorstribe Its a great looking racquet so its already half way there from being his weapon of choice 😄
Powerfull racket with rate 5-6 in the end??Please explain.
till that grade i was almost considering it
It's powerful for a racket of this category and for an 18x20 Blade. Also Areg was expecting it to be really underpowered so when he realized that it's not, he got really excited. Though obviously it's not a powerful racket. It's a 98 Blade with an 18x20 string pattern, nothing surprising here.
Hi Glads. What would be your pick? Head Speed Pro or Wilson Blade 18x20? Cheers
I (Grisha) would probably go for the Head Speed Pro. Areg would do that as well.
@@gladiatorstribe So did I🙂
😂😂
Hi. I Sée and read everywhere thzr the head extrême tour IS exceptionnal and IS the perfect weapon. Could you please review it and prove the legend ?
We WILL review it very soon, stay tuned!
Relatable intro when I see the Blade V8 US Open Edition and now the V8 18x20 is also in consideration after watching this review. 😂. Those trick shots looking pretty 🔥🔥 thoooo.
Hahahahha definitely, the US Open Edition looks sexy. Massive thanks!!
Are you guys playing championships? Can we watch your matches online somewhere?
Currently off seasoning. They sometimes do live streams of itf as well as utr tournaments!
Hi guys! Have you heard about head BOOM? Interesting racket. I’m really looking forward to your review on MP🙄
We absolutely have! As soon as it's available here, we're pushing out a review!
You are really having fun playing tennis.
We really are 😂😂
Great review you guys, Can you play test a string review. Maybe confidential???
We will start doing string reviews in the future!
Any comments v the Pro Staff 97 v13 as they are quite similar rackets?
The pro staff is more powerful and has better feel. Though this one has better precision.
Все мужики, вы доигрались. Я уже купил Vcore 95 сам обзор сделаю, вам отправлю и вы выложите пхахахахаха
Вот это угроза😂😂😘 Ракетка хорошая, уже записали обзор. Хороший выбор!
@@gladiatorstribe 💜🙏🏻
Where can we get the Tshirt ? ;-) and where are you Playing ?
The T shirts are not available for sale yet. We are working on them tho, so stay tuned 😉 We play in Barcelona!
Grisha, how do you return behind your back like that?
Puufff I'm sorry I have no time to answer your comment. Too many people asking how I do it. 😂😂
GRISHA, how are you liking those purple Adidas Barricades? I have the blue ones and ordered those purple ones as well and I’m actually really enjoying them. Wasn’t a fan when I tried them on at first but once I got on the court, they really broke in and felt amazing IMO. I actually returned my first pair (white/orange color) after ordering because after I tried them on they felt stiff walking around my house but when the blue ones came out I had to give them another shot because I loved the color and so many players on tour were switching to them. Glad I did, favorite tennis shoe out right now. Just curious about your thoughts on the new Barricade!
Well, wouldn't say that they're the most comfortable shoes, at least for my foot. Been playing with these for a week, still didn't manage to break them in. Maybe it's just the shape of my particular foot tho.
@@gladiatorstribe I’ve heard some people say it took them a few weeks to break in, but as you said, certain feet only work for certain shoes. Have you tried the adidas Solecourt Boost? You should see if some companies could send you guys shoes once in a while to add some reviews on equipment. Loving the channel, it’s nice hearing reviews from people around the same level. Not many channels have high level players reviewing equipment, keep it up!
@@Mewborne89 Thanks a lot, really appreciate your awesome feetback! Haven't payed in those, nope. We're absolutely working on that (getting some equipment for reviewing). Hopefully we can figure something out
If you can you should review the new Dunlop SX 300 series coming out in Jan. Specifically the SX 300 tour. 23/26/23mm beam, which is something I haven't seen before on a 98 (have you?). It's otherwise a racket that I suspect will be quite close to a pure aero Vs.
That's pretty unusual for a 98, you're right. Dunlop rackets are really rare here tho, so I'm not sure if we'll managed to get our hands on it.
@@gladiatorstribe I think they're pretty rare most places these days. Dunlop is well before my time if we're talking about their prime days but I've tried a couple of their frames recently and they're actually top notch. I think they deserve a little more exposure.
@@sjjapp I've heard a lot of positive reviews on Dunlop racket and we're definitely into trying something different. We'll definitely try to find them.
Hi, How would You compere Blade 18x20 to gravity Pro ?? Feel, maneuverability, spin, power?
Looks like Grisha has been practicing his Monfils trick shots. Impressive stuff!
Hahaha I practice that more than the forehand 😂😂 Massive thanks!
The thing I like least about my V.7 is the gray sport.
Looks way off! Doesn't it?
Like your lively reviews and respective comments, this goes to say that different players perceive a racket playability differently. Not to be disrespectful, choose the racket according to the player profile, aggressive baseliner, counterpuncher or serve volleyer for instance IMO will make finding the right racket easier.
BTW, you guys are good players.
Thansk!! Appreciate your feetback!! You're right racket playability is a very personal thing. That's why we try to give perspective of very different types of players.
Can you guys do the Yonex vocoder pro 100
Might do it in the future!!
Hey guys! I love your videos, and watched them all. I am looking to buy a Wilson Blade 98 18x20, and your score for Maneuverability is a bit worrying for me. What is the reason for this low score? Thanks!
Loving Areg and Grishas energy, these guys are always a treat to watch, love all your videos and feedback on the newest rackets!
Thank you so much!! Means so much to us!!
Any difference compare to v7 version?
Very slight, almost unnoticeable
I know Areg decided to focus on his tennis more than videos, but what happened to the rest of the gladiators? Great content, greetings from Chile!
Hahahahah similar situation 😂😊
I like spins but I hate yellow rackets. Sad life.
Nn mi ricordo tanto tempo se era da spin o da dritto o rovescio contento va bilanciata la racchetta
What does forgiveness mean in the tennis racket review? (Help)
Basically the amount in which the racket allows you to make an imperfect shot with the center of the racket. If you don't hit with the dead center, with some rackets you might not even feel it and with others completely miss the shot.
do the Blade 100 v8 and I will subscribe
how does this compare to the 2013 18x20 blade??
Can you please review volkl c10 pro?
Hi. Reviews about the blade 98s (s for spin) are lacking despite the fact it s à very asked model. Will you review it ? I m very curious about your opinion on this very original stick. Have nice day and thx for your great vids.
Hey! Well, I don't think I've seen one anywhere around us. Would be quite hard to get. Though if we do, we will.
How do you compare it to the v7?
Very very similar. Like very very similar!
@@gladiatorstribe I hear reviewers saying the v8 is more similar to the original models, as in the v4 and v5 and people that enjoy those would be happy to finally be able to pick up a new blade and not be thrown off. Funny how subjective this all is...
Do you guys really like the 18x20 over 16x19? I play tested both and the shot that stood out the most was the slice, but the slice w/ 18x20 wasn’t great. Any objection?
We prefer the 18x20 over the 16x19 because it's a more determined frame that knows exactly what it was made for, control. The 16x19 tries to kind of do everything and in our opinion doesn't really make it.
Very well stated, I am demoing both the 16x19, and the 18x20. Your remarks has helped confirm that the 18x20 is one that I will likely switch to.
De manera rápida que diferencia veis en potencia, control, comodidad, efecto y demás comparando con la prostaff v13 315g y la ezone 98. Gracias, como siempre calidad pura 😉
Más control con la pro Staff, mas potencia y efecto con la Ezone cómodidad similar y feel también 😉
how would it compare to the prestige pro the newer version? I'm coming from the IG prestige MP and wanted something more forgiving and easy to use, I got the 2022 ezone and like it but feels a bit wierd and muted, no sure if ill keep it just yet.
The Ezone is quite a bit more forgiving than the Prestige MP while the new Prestige Pro is quite similar to the old MP. The blade is easier to use than the Prestige MP but still less forgiving than the Ezone 98. I hope it makes sense 😂
@@gladiatorstribe haha got ya, Ill keep trying to adjust, is it doesn't work maybe a blade would be a good option? thanks for answering by the way, love your chanel.
@@juandv930722 Thank you very much! The Blade falls in the same category as the Prestige. Could definitely be an option.
How do you compare this to the head 360+ speed mp?
The speed is way more powerful and offers more spin. Two very different rackets tho.
Hey my friends, great review - what racquets play similar to this, tf40, gravity pro, any others? Any differences and pros/cons between? Thanks.
Hey there! Massive thanks! I'd maybe put the Pro Staff v13 in that list and maybe the Vcore 95
@@gladiatorstribe thanks my dudes, keep up the fun channel!
@@applesforakbar 😉
Holy shit, what a perfectly stated review for this racket!
And I agree about the 16x19 too.
Thanks!
Thank you very much! Really appreciate your feedback!
did you don`t like the 16x19 ? do you think this i`ts better?
7:17
😂😂😂😂
Funny and great review)
Thanks! 😃
How would you compare the 18x20 to the 16x19?
Advantages and disadvantages would be interesting.
Just the usual ones. 16x19 more power and more spin, 18x20 more control and better feel
@@gladiatorstribe and if you have to choose between Blade 16x19 and Pro Staff v13 (310g), which one would you choose?
@@Chris-yv4xg I (Grisha) would definitely go for the Pro Staff!
@@gladiatorstribe I have one more thing to say. I'm watching the video for the tenth time now and I still can't stop laughing. It is so entertaining. It makes my day every time.
I think the ezone 98 is better than both blades. The best thing about this blade is the sensation of control.
Fair enough. I prefer the Ezone 98 over the blades any day.
@TvRF I have this same worry. Also the feel of yonex racquets is horrible compared to other sticks response wise, way too muted
“颜值即正义”：the look is everything.
In rackets, for sure 😂😂
@@gladiatorstribe Love you guys' videos, especially the drama part, they make me smile. Thank you!
Awesome guys! great hitting! I am feeling much better, thanks for your words of kindness last week, I think I'm in love with this racquet 🎾 haha or maybe just the 18x20 string pattern 😅
We're glad you're back on track and recovered! The 18x20 string pattern definitely knows what it's doing hahahahah
great review as always guys, loved it! can you compare 18x20 v8 to speed pro 18x20? power-stability-spin-sweet spot? thanks.
Thank you very much!! Appreciate your feetback! Better spin, more power and bigger sweetspot on the Speed Pro. Better stability and control with the blade.
@@gladiatorstribe thanks! Now I need to find one which combines all above :))
@@leventeyuboglu4501 Unfortunately that's impossible 😬 If there was a racket that is best at everything, it would mean that it's the only racket on the market. Instead of trying to find the perfect frame try to look for the perfect frame for your tennis. Figure out your priorities in terms of power, control, spin and feel and start your search from there.
@@gladiatorstribe that is good advice ! There are compromises all the time about every thing, no? :) . Ok, one more question and I will leave you alone :) I play with latest pure drive, I know it is not your thing but I liked the power and stability of it because I dont have the cleanest contact all the time, but improoving. So if there is any racket with a little bit more control and not giving up so much on the other aspects, I want to give it a try. Thank you guys.
@@leventeyuboglu4501 Yep, literally in everything. If you're coming from a Pure Drive, then an 18x20 string pattern definitely won't do. You are going to lose a lot on the power if you go for the denser string power. To not compromise on the power that much but gain control you could try the Yonex Ezone 98. Same string pattern smaller head.
4:34 OMG!
Hahhhahaha Thanks 😉
What are your comparisons between the head gravity pro vs the Wilson blade 18x20 and the blade 16x19?
Also if you include some racket comparisons in your videos that would be awesome as well :) love your content
The gravity has a larger head therefore larger sweetspot. The stability is still great and the access to spin is decent. With the 18x20 blade, it's all about control and feel. 16x19 blade should be a more spinny and powerful version of the blade but honestly I (Grisha) am not seeing it.
@@gladiatorstribe Thank you dude. Really making me consider getting the gravity after your review(have the 16x19 blade v7 now)
@@azure159 No problem 😉 Definitely give it a try! Seems like you'd like a racket like that!
i've been using a modified speed mp (360 and 360+) for a while now. Would you consider switching to the blade Areg?
Areg was really surprised by the Blade, tho not enough to make the switch. Before the balde he'd probably switch to the Vcore 100.
@@gladiatorstribe Ezone or Vcore? Which one does Areg like more?
@@JTACTR Areg prefers the Vcore 😉
Bit of let down for new release of a racket, just a load of hype by tenris stars that only endorse it.
Top pros tend to use what they 'grow with' before/as they become pro. So a lot of older models being used by pros, but that's because those were generally current when they were younger. Like how Sinner uses a relatively new Speed and Alcaraz uses the current Pure Aero Vs.
@@sjjapp yeah obviously hence why i say its just endorsed to be something great when its not.
@@CH-yp5by 10 years from now, a new up and coming legend of the sport may be swinging this V8 on his or her way to winning multiple slams and breaking records. We don't know the future, but this is certainly possible. And fans of that player will be buying the latest version of the blade and may get pissed if and when they discover that their favourite player isn't using the V12 or whatever but rather a much older one painted to look like the current one, the V8, the current one for us right now. Then people on forums or whatever will be saying how rackets aren't made as well as they were ten years ago, how the V8 is a much better blade than the V12 or whatever. They'll also be jumping on the idea that pros have special sticks that are way better than the ones we get. This is human nature.
My point is this. These rackets are great, and this isn't disproven by say Tsitsipas not using the V8. He supposedly uses the 2013 version. Notice the timing? Nadal uses the original aero pro drive, which was what, brought out in 2004 or something? Timing again, no? Sinner uses the Speed from a couple of so gens back. The list goes on. As I said, pros tend to use what they grow with before or as they arrive on tour generally, bar say sponsorship changes or the odd player that likes to experiment or mix things up to compete as they get older. The reason? A players setup is an extension of their arm, so elite pros tend to stick with what they know and like. They don't usually mess around like we do.
Most rackets to be honest are great, at least ones from the bigger brands. It's more about how each racket, string, tension, and weight/balance/swing weight matchup with our own swing styles and personal game.
@@sjjapp Christ you settle the f@#k down, you are way to invested in this shit lol
You are both a blessing to the tennis community! Love the reviews, thank you!!
What strings were used and tension during the play test?
I have been demoing a few rackets recently and at the moment the ezone 98 is winning but I can’t seem to find the v8 18x20 anywhere in London to demo. I tried the 16x19 and feel the 18x20 would better suit my game.
Looking forward to more reviews!
Thank you so much! Absolutely awesome to hear such feedback! I think it was Luxilon Adrenaline 1.30 at 24kg. Areg and I definitely liked the 18x20 blade more than the 16x19. If you want control definitely try to find an 18x20.