Comments: I found great control with this racquet. It has predictable and even power throughout the string bed. One thing is for sure, the faster your hit, the better this racquet is for you. You have to be in command of your stroke, if you do not hit the ball this racquet won't reward you. But all in all, fine frame, comfortable, lots of control and power, plenty of spin, but again, not a recreational frame. A good poly at moderate tension suits this racquet well or a nice hybrid.
From: Jim, 5/13

Comments: I really wanted to love this racquet, but I couldn't. The feel was excellent, power was good, the racquet looks awesome, and I loved how much spin I could get with it. But the thing I hated was the lack of control. When it came time to put the ball away, the ball would just trampoline off the stringbed and sail way out. It was just too frustrating, so I went with the Graphene Speed Pro instead.
From: Jonathan, 4/13

Comments: Not sure if it is the weight or balance, but I couldn't get any pace on my serves. Switched to the 18x20 and probably added 15mph.
From: Matthew, 4/13

Comments: I am probably an upper 4.5 junior player that plays a baseline game but will also serve and volley and I have a good all around game. This is without a doubt the best racquet i have ever played with good power, spin, stability, plow through and maneuverability. Contrary to TW house reviews, the racquet is also great on serves, returns and definitely volleys. Unfortunately the racquet is too stiff for me, after switching from the 62 stiffness of the Head YT IG Radical MP I got back of the shoulder and elbow problems after a few weeks of playing.
From: Lucas, 3/13

Comments: Not much I can add that's new to what others have already said. This is a well made, rock solid frame, with nice plow, that hits very big (and yet retains good control), and has a certain rich plush superb impact feel. For me, it's that slight step up away from powerful lighter raqts into the player's frame realm. Good form (as always) is required to extract the best from the 16x19 Blade, but it's easier than a lot of true player's frames. It's the type of raqt that once you set it in motion, it takes care of the ball all by itself. And on a closing note, I'll point out that IMO the cosmetics are top class and very attractive.
From: RK, 3/13

Comments: I feel that a second review is in order. After using this racket for about a fortnight now, I have to say, nothing feels as good. The steam 99 S could not compare to the control and stability of this racquet. The Six Ones don't come through the air as fast as this. I used VS 17 gut at 60 pounds and RPM 17 at 56 pounds. If you are looking for a higher end swing weight, leave it as it is. If you want more of an all round stick, buy it one size down and put a heat sleeve on. After going through over 10+ racquets and 20+ string set-ups, I think I can finally stay with this.
From: Ryan, 2/13

Comments: Everything about this racquet is great except for one major factor - stiffness. I'm a 40 year old player with arm issues and I would have bought this racquet if it were a little more flexible. I hope that Wilson will make more flexible rackets in the future.
From: Alan, 2/13

Comments:Comparing this to the new Steam 99S, it offers so much racquet head speed, stability, power, and spin! Not as much as the steam, obviously, but you get more control. Initially I wanted to buy the 3/8 version, but after feeling the swing weight, I decided to buy the 1/4 and make it bigger and more headlight by adding a heat sleeve. It really is a cut above the rest.
From: Ryan, 2/13

Comments:This racket with the 16x19 stringbed is a game changer and unlike any of the previous Blades. I think it is a game improvement AND players frame, all rolled into one. It has the classic feel and nice weight of a players frame with just the right amount of controllable free power and spin that you would expect in a lighter frame. I tried several of the heavier frames like the Pure Storm Tour/Wilson Six-one and lighter frames like the Juice 108 - this frame has the best of both worlds. It is a dream from all areas of the court, its super solid yet comfortable and I have already seen improvements in all of my strokes. With a hybrid set up it is also really easy on my arm which was a major concern for me. I think Wilson got this perfect - weight, balance, control, power - for all of us all-court players.
From: Joseph, 2/13

Comments: Really enjoying the 16x19 version. Having played with the Juice 100, and testing the new Steams, they just don't compare with feel and plowthrough of this Blade. Imagine if a strung Blade had a SW of around 317 instead of 331, and it was 4 HL instead of 1, well that's what I just ordered using the TW matching service. Not sure what my first one is exactly but the specs on my new one seem perfect. Maybe a little quicker handling? Not that handling is an issue but looking forward to the new one. Also, I did try the 18x20 version but preferred the very little extra pop of the 16x19.
From: Dan, 1/13

Comments: I don't know why so many people said this racquet is bad or said something bad about it. It's a perfectly good racquet. I used the BLX ProStaff Six.One 90 with it 8PT HL and mostly I don't like the 1 pt HL and most people don't. I'd recommend getting it a size smaller, then using a heat sleeve to build up the grip size to increase it HL Balance and then use a leather and some lead tape in the grip to make it balance better to your personal needs. I know it sounds like a lot but it's worth it. I love this racquet. 100% great racquet.
From: Anon, 1/13

Comments: This frame plays a lot like the Prestige Pro (any Youtek Version) but with more controllable power. Great feel and touch, excellent plow through, wicked slices, and as much topspin capacity as you want. The only possible negative for some might be the maneuverability, but if you are used to playing with 12-ounce frames, this won't be a problem. It plays a lot like a 12-ouncer than the low 11's that it's listed at given the mass in the head. Awesome frame overall.
From: Jaspar, 1/13
String type and tension: polyester @ 55 lbs

Comments: It's easier to create pace with new Blade model and has better feel to me than past versions. I still have to take fairly aggressive swings to rip the ball so keep that in mind, as there are lots of racquets that you don't. Great volleys and spin/pace on serves and it is a really cool cosmetic. I would seriously consider this racquet if I could hit it with my own string set- up, but I still love my Tecnifibre TFight 295 strung with Red Code at 57lbs.
From: Rizza, 1/13

Comments: I loved the old BLX Blade, but having read that Wilson were bringing out a 16x19 version and reading the TW review I've waited with great anticipation to finally get my hands on it. The Blade is renowned for its solid crisp feel with plenty of pop and plowthrough, but having tested out the new 2013 16x19 98 I can say it has none of these attributes. It feels hollow, unstable and slightly muted. In fact, although it shares the same specs as the previous model, it simply doesn't feel or play like previous Blades. I'm hugely disappointed.
From: Steve, 1/13

Comments: I purchased one of each of the new Blades (18x20, 16x19 and 93) so that I could really decide which one I like best. This is my favorite. My only gripe is that the handle is too short to be comfortable for 2 handed backhands. With such a large number of competitive juniors playing with a 2 hander I'm not sure what Wilson was thinking. I really like the way it plays and feels other than that. It's a great looking stick too and the quality seems better than the PD I switched from (Babolats seem to have a chronic issue with developing creeking handles, and the PD head guard durability is a joke). Also of note on the 16x19 Blade is that the L3 grip is shaped somewhat like a Head grip but the L2 feels closer (very symetricial) to that of a Prince racquet. Weird. I'm a 14 year old tournament player.
From: Austin, 12/12

Comments: I played with Blade 98 16x19 for the first time and for 3 hours today. I think it is a perfectly balanced racquet and expect it to be very popular among above average level club players. It's almost even balance after stringing, and the good plowthrough and lively stringbed has impressed me. My serving needed an adjustment after my Pure Drive 2012 (with a total of 2 grams of lead at 3 and 9) but was very consistent after several tries. Groundstroke drives were very impressive from both sides, achieving good depth. Volleys and overheads were also a breeze. This is a proper balanced stick with no gimmicks, and it gives you back more or at least what you put into it. I have ordered the second one and will prefer it over my slightly modified Pure Drive because of its thinner profile, enormous feedback and overall performance.
From: Teoman, 12/12
String type and tension: Babolat VS Gut mains / Luxilon ALU Rough crosses @ 57/53 lbs

Comments: It provides more spin than the 18x20 version, but it's unstable on off-center hits. It's a pretty good racquet from all areas of the court, but did I mention unstable?
From: Bryan, 11/12

Comments: I have demo'ed this racquet and it is amazing! I love the power, feel, and control I get from this stick, especially with the new Luxilon 4G string. It has such great bite and playability. The only thing I don't like is the length of the grip. It is difficult for me to hit a 2HBH without the frame hurting my left hand.
From: Anon, 11/12
String type and tension: Luxilon 4G @ 60 lbs