QuickFire Squash String Review! The Strings I Use!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 січ 2021
- A QuickFire review of the main squash strings on the market, including the squash strings that I’m most commonly asked to string with.
Strings include:
- Tecnifibre 305, X-One Biphase, Dynamix VP
- Ashaway SuperNick XL Micro, PowerNick, UltraNick 18, PowerNick 18, ZX
- Unsquashable Tour-Tec Pro
- Dunlop Silk
- RAB Sensor Fibre
- Eye X-Tech
- Karakal Hot Zone
www.string-doctor.com
Excellent string review, I have used TF305, Dunlop silk, Kevlar, nylon and most of Ashaway's line. You are spot on about the green Ashaway being an all around top performer and best bang for your buck. What are your thoughts on Harrow's Barrage? There are only three ways to create "power of shot" in squash. 1 Stroke mechanics. 2 Weight transfer. 3 STRING. 1 & 2 are all on you, the third is technology. Thank you for the insight into an underrated aspect of the game, cheers.
Hey Gordon, thanks for the comments. There are lots of variables and I think it's important to understand the player and how they strike the ball and what they want to get from their game/what they need. I've actually had quite a lot of experience with the Harrow Barrage/Barrage Pro string as I used to be sponsored by Harrow. The regular barrage I find a little dead, but the pro is a really decent string, though it loses it's playability fairly quickly in my opinion. Good to have in the locker though 👍
Good, clear, quick overview of available squash string. I, also, favor the Tecnifibre X-One Bi-Phase (1.18). Excellent power, control, and durability. One question: This string used to come in the color RED. However, that color now seems to have been changed to ORANGE. Is there a difference in characteristics of the X-One string in red or orange?
Good question. Yes it changed about 2 years ago. The orange version is a bit more durable. Plays more or less the same but takes a game to wear in. Definitely better value than the red.
@@stringdoctor6238 Thanks.
Nice quick fire, my main go to and always reliable companion is TF 305 1.10mm, I can always count on it. I do like to have a 2nd experimental frame though, where I typically have an Ashaway string in, I really like the blue Ultranick 18, but currently I am trying out the Supernick ZX Micro 18, so far I have no complaints, great string, soft feel, great control.
About the Eye string, I noticed Paul Coll has recently been using a clear/natural colour string, do you know what he switched to? Whatever it is, it's working great for him!
Hi there, PC’s recently switched to Head as his sponsor and this is a brand new string that he’s been using for a month or so, pretty sure it’s a head multifilament. Need something fairly soft using the AFP setup on the head like he does - much denser string pattern.
PC has mentioned on his insta that he plays with Kirschbaum string.
Yea that's correct, I do a bit of stringing for Paul when he's in the UK training at my club.
I was the one who probed him on iG asking, ha! I didn't think he'd actually reply!
So Jon, is it Kirchbaum Natural Gut 1.25? I bet that's reallly fun to string in the AFP in the 120 SB! 🤪 (semi sarcastic lol)
@@level27xrock it's actually multifilament rather than natural gut, called 'Gut Feeling' - really nice string! I have 1.09, 1.15 and 1.22mm. He uses one of those but I can't tell you which as he has to have some secrets 😉 - you did well getting anything out of him 👍
Cheers for sharing your feedback, it probably saved a tonne of the time for non-pro's like me:)
No worries at all, my pleasure 👍
@@stringdoctor6238 have you ever strung (as an experiment) a squash racket with the racquetball string?
@@MWR-2020 not really, purely as the majority of RB strings are just thicker versions of squash strings.
Some future content perhaps. I’d love to hear what the top 10 men/women use on the PSA. What type of string/gauge and tension range (depending on temps).
I string for a few of the top 10's (the thumbnail of the Carboflex's is a giveaway to one of them). Most like to keep things pretty secret. But I can share that the most common range is 22-26lbs tension at the moment and most use 1.15 - 1.20mm. Tecnifibre most popular, then Ashaway.
@@stringdoctor6238 I mean Gaultier used 16-18lbs depending on the temps (his own words). But it all depends also on the racquet head closed vs open and string patterns and size and shape of the head…I I have run almost the full gamut and ended up with Harrow Vibe which Gawad uses. Do you know what he uses?
I know that you can find all the major ATP tennis players their strings and tension and was hoping one could find it here there is no secret on the ATP tour.
@@squashduos1258 you'll hear some players mention it, like Asal recently stated that he plays at 24lbs and uses 305. Not too many squash players on the tour adjust tension depending on height and temp - possibly because squash courts are generally warm anyway. Though I have strung for one top pro using a Carboflex and provided 3 tensions at 22/24/26 lbs based on really inconsistent courts in the Middle East a couple of years ago. Rule of thumb is to add an extra 1-2lbs on a closed throat racket (larger head) and drop a bit on open throat (smaller head) - but there are also exceptions with rackets which have denser string patterns, with tension dropped if patterns are very dense.
@@stringdoctor6238 …and then you have the feather pattern ala Prince….it’s a long journey finding the string and tension of choice…I play in the suburbs on a cold court and have to play a one dot in the fall and winter with looser tension otherwise one miss hit it’s a stringers dream ;-)…and in the city most courts are playing lively…ie a single dot in the suburbs where I practice plays like a two dot in the city…where most tournaments are…
Best tension for your issue will probably be around 22lbs for smaller headed rackets and 24lbs for larger heads. You should still get enough control (just reduce your backswing on warmer courts) and you'll have a bit of extra power on the colder courts.
How do you think these 3 string from Tecnifibre compare: X-one Bi-phase (also the former RED version versus the new ORANGE, does this also come in 1.18 gauge), versus 305 green, and versus the new Dynamix VP (I didn't like the old Dynamix much, but hear some players are enthusiastic about the new VP vapor version, saying it feels more responsive and delivers better power). I have been considering changing from the RED X-one Bi-phase now that it is no longer widely available, which I use at 11Kg (I think that is close to 24 lbs) in my Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Speed rackets. Wondering what I can expect? It would be interesting to see a comparative talk/video for these 3 strings from you here on UA-cam..
Hi Henri, quite a lot to get through there but yes, perhaps a separate video would be worthwhile! I would say that the nee X-One (orange) plays more or less the same as the old red version but more durable. Absolutely worth giving it a go in the X-Speed at 24lbs - will play very well. I only stock the 1.18 version of the X-One, I don’t see the need for the new thicker version as it’s now more durable than it was.
The new Dynamix VP is definitely an improvement on the old DNAMX and more elastic (more power) and far softer too. I didn’t stock too much of the DNAMX and now get through a lot of the VP.
The green 305 is still the most popular and all round string that TF do and is definitely more durable (especially against breaking around the frame) than it used to be.
@@stringdoctor6238 Thanks for getting back so promptly. Very helpful. Another question (if you don't mind, of course). Until now I play with the X-One because I like the power it gives and a decent amount of feel. I never had complaint about its durability, when it starts to fray (get fuzzy) at the crosses it is quite obvious when you are to restring - and I don't miss hit too much haha. So, do you think the new VP would give more power than the X-One, and how about feel/control (at 11Kg)? Looking froward to you doing a video comparing these strings. Your videos are really interesting.
@@henrideby5686 I’d probably say the new VP is a little more powerful than the x-one, although the X-One probably has a better feel to it. I think the reason why the majority of pros use 305 is because it’s just more accessible and they’ve probably always used it from the days when they used to pay for restrings with a stringer. It would be interesting to see if TF tried to push the x-one with the pros as I think it would then sell a bit more. The 305 also has a very distinctive ‘bite’ to it, which is great for cutting the ball, so although not as powerful as the VP or with the feel of X-One, it has the bite on the ball as it’s big selling point.
@@stringdoctor6238 Just found your website. Excellent!
Hey String doctor. I like the video..I googled a few of the brands you reviewed. One thing I note is that there doesnt seem to be any type of economy of scales with the String...whether you buy per frame or 200 metres, the shops dont seem to reduce the price that much. Is String really expensive to manufacteur or is it too specialized /niche to offer any meaningful discount? Or is it just that I live in the Netherlands and stuff is expensive here
Good questions. Buying reels is much cheaper than buying sets. Buying a reel of Tecnifibre 305 will give you 22 restrings. Spending the same money on single packs you would probably pay for 17 restrings days so a good saving if you string a lot.
@@stringdoctor6238 I ended up purchasing synthetic gut just to practice stringing but the material doesnt have a nice feeling to play. I will likely purchase one of the ones you recommend but will go for the cheapest reel. Do you recommend any particular webshop ?
One other question out of curiousity: Asking for a friend who may have accidentally restrung a squash racket at 20kg instead of 10kg (this person was unaware that his pro's pro restringer's drop weight should have been halved) He is left with a racket with synthetic strings strung to 20 kg instead of the max 14kg. How badly will effect the lifespan of the carbon fibre racket (one of the blackstorm range)? Should this "friend" cut the strings and redo the whole thing again or can he wait until the string loosen a bit with use and leave it until they degrade with wear?
@@ron1n1 hi there, firstly. Tell your friend to cut the strings out straight away it’ll be really bad for the frame. Cut from the centre of the strings (diagonally, cutting the centre main and cross strings) to release tension evenly.
It depends where you live as to which website you buy from. I get most of my strings through the official distributors though, as they have the latest editions - always best to get from a good source, even if it costs a little more (less chance of bad strings and having to do free restrings).
@@stringdoctor6238 Thanks....Already done.....WIll check into that with the strings
Why do TF 305 strings always break on the Main 2 strings right up near the inside top of the frame of my Prince O3 racquet? The TF 305 strings hardly last me a month. But I can get a year out of the same strings in my Dunlop frame.
Hi there, good question. It's a number of things. Firstly, the Prince power ring rackets are about the worst for string durability mainly because the gaps in between the strings near the top are very large compared to most rackets, which puts a lot of pressure on the strings, especially when playing shots off the wall. Secondly, the O port and Speed Port versions of the power ring often have very angular, non grommeted holes which can easily break the string (keep in mind that the middle two mains are also where most balls strike for a competent player. TF 305 are more about performance than outright durability, although TF strings bought from a main distributor (not an online/physical shop) will be significantly more durable if they were made in the last 12 - 18 months. On the reel of string there's a white stick and the last 2 digits (I.E xxxxxxx/22) signify when the string was made. If the year is 19 or under, chances are they are from weaker batches. Check with your seller next time you buy them. If not 20/21/22 at the end, find a different place to buy from as these strings will have been sat around for a few years. Hope that helps a bit 👍
Nice video.
Thank you.
Quick question. Can you guess who's cut out string those are on the thumbnail?
@@stringdoctor6238 So many racquets on the thumbnail, so he should be a Pro Player.
Racquet looks like a Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125.
The color of the grip is black.
Strings should be Tecnifibre. I think it is Tecnifibre DNAmx.
So, my bet is for Mohamed Elshorbagy.
Bumpers are no cut, but I think he did it only in the previous model, the Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 125.
@@hamaja18 yes, indeed. Good spot! No he didn't have his bumpers cut on the Airshaft 👍
@@stringdoctor6238 Very interesting. What tension does Elshorbagy uses?
@@hamaja18 I string Mo's rackets for him but can't share that info unfortunately. Sorry.
Hi, what are your thoughts on Ashaway MultiNick 18 Squash Strings?
Hi Juan, it’s ok but not as good as any of the Tecnifibre equivalent strings in my opinion. Lacking the bite of the TF strings
@@stringdoctor6238 Thanks, that's good to know. Do you think Ultranick 18 is worth the extra cost over Supernick xl micro? I've been the xl micros since 2014 and enjoy it, but a little extra power and bite are always welcome; Durability is not a concern for me.
They feel quite different. The UltraNick is a really good all round string with a bit more power but the SN XL Micro probably gives a bit more ‘cut’ on the ball. It’s definitely worth trying the UltraNick.
@@stringdoctor6238 Cheers, I'll make sure to try them out.
How does the ashaway supernick zx micro fit in with the rest?
It's just a thinner version of the ZX, so a little more control and power than the regular ZX but not as durable
@@stringdoctor6238 thanks for the quick reply. I see they come in orange and black. Any differences between them? (Since I read below that it did make a difference for the x-one biphase)
@@MadsTreffers I always go for the bright colour but the ZX Micro is generally orange with black flecks