Comments: This is the most underrated string out there. You hear people screaming about how you are going to destroy your arm with Kevlar...the same people who string synthetic gut at 68 lbs or use poly. Give me a break. The great thing about Kevlar, besides that you can keep using it for months on end, is that it basically doesn't have a trampoline effect no matter how loose you string it. So, you can go way down into the 40's and still have a playable string bed that actually cushions impact. I tried stringing poly in the low 40's and it makes volleying the ball into the court almost impossible. And, as we all know, dead poly plays and feels terrible. Kevlar almost seems to play better as it gets older. I currently string with Kevlar mains and cheap poly crosses at around 50Lbs. The result? No string movement and a string job that lasts for 3 months hitting 4 hours per week.
From: Duane, 2/12

Comments: I strung this on my Wilson KBlade Tour (not my usual racquet of choice; I mainly use it for testing strings) with Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex at 58 lbs. I'd been looking for something more durable than my previous string of choice, Prince Tournament Poly 17g, but still playable and spin friendly. This string takes the cake, and some ice cream too. I expected it to feel like poly at extremely high tension, but I was shocked at how much better the feel was. With poly, my slice tends to generate too much spin, pushing the shot deep, but this string simply doesn't budge, keeping the slice low and knife-like. Putting the synthetic gut in the crosses was my coach's suggestion, which I was at first tentative to accept. Afterward, I recalled the kevlar doesn't notch, so it turned out to be the perfect fit. My playing style varies between two extremes: Massive, over-the-fence topspin and completely flat winners, off my forehand and one-handed backhand as well, so durability is key for me. I loved this string, and am now replacing the poly in my usual racquet of choice, the AeroPro Drive GT, with it. I would highly recommend this string to anyone looking for extreme durability and control, but doesn't mind stiffness and low power. On the contrary, some of my hitting partners have used kevlar hybrids in the past and developed serious elbow issues, so do not even consider this string if you are 1) A beginner or 2) have a history of elbow problems.
From: Patrick, Charlotte, NC, USA. 4/11
NTRP Rating: 6.0

Comments: This comment is contrary to conventional wisdom. But it has worked EXTREMELY well for me.
I have never found a combination with such incredible durability and still very good playability as this:
- Your favorite poly for the mains ... (By default, I've got a reel of Wilson Enduro pro silver 16g which is looking to last me almost forever.)
- Ashaway Kevlar 17G for the crosses.
Normally people consider Kevlar is for the mains only. My take on why using it for the crosses instead is so durable:
- Poly is very hard. However, normal synthetic gut or other synthetic strings in the crosses still notches poly. Once poly gets notched, one hard hit and it snaps apart quickly. In contrast, Kevlar in the crosses flattens out and widens out as it crosses against the poly mains. Hence it doesn't notch the poly mains hardly at all.
I'm 6'4 and 185 lbs and have been an aggressive (albeit but never very accurate) player for 40 years. In addition to court time, I hit very hard against a concrete wall for an hour on average five days per week. With more conventional strings and combinations, I used to break strings every few days. I now go a month or more between breaks.
Playability of this combination is just fine. Actually I like it much better than normal hi-end synthetics in both mains and crosses. Sorry but not good news for professional stringers.
From: Rardi, SF Bay Area, CA, USA, 03/11

Comments: I have previously used the 16 gauge version of this and gave the 17 a shot. This plays similar to any 16 gauge stiffer poly. Use a syn or natural gut in the crosses. The 17 gauge of this string probably has the most spin potential than any of the textured polys out there. Buy a pack of this string and at least give it a shot. If you are like me and break strings twice a week, this really is a money saver.
From: Anon. 3/10

Comments: I am a 4.0 NTRP player and I tend to break strings every 3-4 days with synthetics. Had tried this one with Ash Liberty as my cross string. Playability and control are awesome. I like the pop as well.
From: Ray, Long Island, NY. 8/08

Comments: I've been using the Ashaway Kevlar 17 String Reel for the last year or so (I've always used a hybrid but used to use 16g). As far as playability, I think it's a very good string. I'm a 5.0+ NTRP level groundstroke player with heavy topspin using a Head Ti. Fire Tour Edition. Although I have broken the mains in the past (when I used Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 16g as the crosses), lately I am always braking the cross strings first (I now use Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 17g). I can't tell if I'm happy with the Prince as a cross string though...after a couple hours of hard hitting, the string frays, exposing the core string.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with Ashaway Kevlar. For those concerned with playability, try out a pack. Go for the 17g if you're really concerned. And if you're tired of re-stringing a lot, the durability of these strings is great. To balance out the tensions since kevlar strings a little tighter, I string the cross strings a tad bit higher.
From: Efren, Overland Park, KS. USA 4/02

Comments: This string is quite durable for me. I am a frequent string breaker with a severe western forehand, but a conventional backhand. With the western grip, the strings often get grooved very quickly and snap unexpectedly. With the 17g Ashaway Kevlar as mains and the Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 16/17g for crosses, you can't go wrong. With both being 17g, playability increases, but you will often have to just restring the crosses.
From: Vik South Kingstown, RI, USA