Kneissl
The Kneissl Black Star is here!
Kneissl, pronounced kuh-NICE-sul, has a literal and figurative emphasis on “NICE.”
Guts and Glory Tennis is delighted to make the Kneissl Black Star available to our customers (click here!). We are Georgia’s only Kneissl reseller and your best metropolitan Atlanta source to demo this terrific racquet.
First, the racquet specs:
Head Size: 110 sq. in.
Length: 27.4 inches
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 5 points Head Light
Swingweight: 327
Stiffness: 58
Beam Width: 23 mm Straight Beam
Composition: Graphite/Fiberglass
Grip Type: Cushion Grip
String Pattern: 18 Mains / 21 Crosses
String Tension: 53-76 pounds
The Technology:
The Kneissl Black Star is a simply elegant racquet. It does not rely on the latest “gimmick” technologies to draw attention. In fact, the Austrian design and engineering behind this stick is simple, yet effective. No gimmicks found here. Just effective technology whose performance actually delivers the goods and then some on the court.
This racquet begins with the basic composition of graphite and fiberglass. This combination of time tested racquet materials, (no hyper carbon, aero-gel, ultimum, or micro-gel here!), allows for a soft and classic feel. As evident by the racquet flex of just 58, this is a flexible racquet designed for comfort.
The Black Star has a beam width of 23mm. Typically this size beam produces a high level of power, but when blended with the racquet’s flexibility and 18 x 21 string pattern, (known for control), Kneissl has designed a racquet offering the perfect combination of power and control.
In terms of design, here are a few of the highly effective and unique features of the Black Star.
SQUARE – STRINGING GEOMETRY
With conventional rackets, the strings form a net of rectangles of differing sizes. That means the direction the ball takes depends on the spot of the racket it hits.
It’s different with the Kneissl Black Star. The strings are ordered in such a way that they produce perfectly equal squares over the surface of the entire racket. This makes the direction the ball takes the same as the direction of the racket swing – regardless where it hits on the racket. As soon as you play your first shots, you’ll feel it: the ball goes exactly where you send it.
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INTEGRATED VIBRATION CONTROL
A fully integrated shock absorption system completely encircling the grip, which delivers utmost control without vibrations.
A combination of One Piece with the grip of fiberglass and the completely new SHOCK-ABSORBER-WRAP. This combination guarantees perfect vibration dampening together with superb ball feeling. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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MORE – AREA – CHANNEL
Enhances the sweet spot and as a result, increases playing comfort and ball control. The sweet spot practically explodes, through the More Area Channel running all around the frame’s inner side and the string eyelets countersunk in it. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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AERODYNAMIC – FRAME SPOILER
This technology claims to increase racquet head speed. We are not able to measure this, however, we can tell you it adds to the cosmetics. Killer look, if nothing else. No other racquet company in the world makes use of this technology.
According to Kneissl, the unique bedding of the strings after the racket has been strung improves the aerodynamics of the frame by 30% and protects the strings from external influences. Again, we are not sure how to measure, but we do know the handling of the Kneissl Black Star is completely unique and we attribute this partly to the combination of all the technologies working together.
The Story:
Based solely on racquet specifications we decided to purchase a Black Star to see if it could live up to our expectations of being an arm-friendly racquet. We were hoping it would be something we could recommend to our customers suffering from tennis elbow. We honestly were not sure what to expect.
The Kneissl Black Star blew us away! It wowed us so much, we not only made it our personal racquet of choice, but we made the decision to bring this racquet into our shop for resale. We are extremely particular about the tennis equipment we choose to make available to our customers. In terms of racquets, we tend to specialize in sticks that are arm-friendly. While the other racquets we promote and sell are excellent racquets, the Kneissl Black Star clearly stands out. It stands out not only among our select group of racquets, but it stands out among all racquets in the marketplace.
We cordially invite our local stringing customers to take advantage of our demo program. This is a racquet you absolutely have to try! We especially welcome skeptics. This racquet delivers in ways that will surprise even the most skeptical. In our opinion, it is the best kept secret in the marketplace. An arm friendly racquet that consistently exceeds performance expectations. While I hope my customers discover this racquet, I hope it remains off the radar of all my future opponents.
The Kneissl Black Star is Kuh-NICE indeed!
The Review:
Backcourt/Groundstrokes
From the baseline we were expecting a comfortable performance with decent power and hoping for an acceptable level of control. Our expectations were far exceeded with the Kneissl Black Star. Many tennis players, like myself, have played a lifetime in search of the perfect combination of power and control. It is a rare and illusive combination at best. While many never find this balance, we found it with the Black Star. The 18 x 20 string pattern, (perfectly spaced and aligned), provided phenomenal control. We were able to take full strokes and hit targets with good pace off of the forehand and backhand wings. There was plenty of slice and most surprisingly we found a more than ample amount of topspin on demand. We playtested with three different string setups and while the full copoly setups were best at generating spin, the full multi was not too far behind. Comfortable touch with good feel, power and control. We could not have been more pleased with the performance we received with the Black Star at the back of the court.
Net/Volleys
We found excellent stability and maneuverability which led to confidence at the net. The racquet was precise and solid. The headlight balance allowed for quick movement and the mass is just enough to add pop to solidly hit volleys. While not as precise as a midplus head, we experienced good stability, depth and targeting. We were concerned the extra length might prove to be awkward, but it felt very natural. Clearly this racquet is one of the top 2 OS racquets at net with which we have played.
Overheads are plenty of fun because the racquet is quick to maneuver and provides a good amount of power. The timing with this racquet seemed to be right on, and the overheads proved to be winners, as they should be.
Serves
The Black Star continues to surprise and impress from the service line. We served with power, directional control and complete confidence. As long time POGOS users, we found the serve action to be superior in all categories. The heaters were not quite up to the standard of the Babolat Pure Drive, but they weren’t too far off. Again the extra length felt perfectly natural, while allowing extra pop and spin. Kickers were well controlled and spin was more than adequate. In the proper hands this racquet can be a weapon from the service line.
Serve Returns
The Kneissl Black Star is a well-rounded return of serve deity. It is one of those racquets that inspires complete confidence on return of serve. Armed with this stick, you feel 100% prepared for any serve that you may face. Best of all you know that your opponent’s best serve is going back at him.
Whether you are blocking, slicing, chipping and charging or blasting a weak serve up the line, this racquet delivers. Defensive slices bite hard and the opponents know early on if they ease up an offensive response is coming. Bottom line is you will find a large variety of options on the return of serve game when holding the Black Star.
Overall
The Kneissl Black Star is without question the best-kept secret in tennis. (How many people do you know who play with this racquet or can pronounce “Kneissl”for that matter?) The performance, from virtually all areas of the court, is simply stellar. In addition to superior performance, this is a great looking racquet. The finish work is among the finest quality of any racquet and is topped off with the incredibly cool looking frame spoilers that are unique to Kneissl racquets.
Let’s not forget the original reason we were attracted to this racquet…COMFORT. The clever use of fiberglass combined with a flex rating of 58 makes this one of the more comfortable and forgiving racquets on the market. We playtested the Black Star using stiff copolys and they felt as comfortable as soft synthetics. The ability of this racquet to absorb shock and provide a healthy platform for those prone to arm/elbow issues is one of many great reasons to use this racquet. Another great reason is that it is a terrifically FUN all-court performer.
We cordially invite our local customers to playtest this racquet and experience the superior performance for yourself!
It’s worth repeating one more time…
The Kneissl Black Star is Kuh-NICE indeed!
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1.
Joeri Thys | May 6, 2008 at 5:37 am
Dear,
Is there a possibility to obtain a vintage Red Star Pro Masters?
I used to play with it’s successor the Adidas GTX pro,
and loved playing with it.
I still have one now, but it has a crack in its frame,
so i don’t know how long i’ll be able to play with it.
Perhaps the firm has some unsold ones somewhere in it’s archive?
If so, i’m willing to buy…
Kind regards,
Joeri Thys
(Belgium)
2.
Cici Zwerner | September 24, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I have just had surgery for a 90% tear in my extensor tendon (elbow). I need to come back to a VERY arm friendly racquet. I think my injury was caused by increased torque of a longer racquet so want to stick with a 27 inch length. Would the dynamics of the Black Star change if I had it cut down to 27 inches?
3.
ggtennis | September 25, 2008 at 8:40 am
Cici,
I am not able to tell you how the playing characteristics of the Black Star might change if you cut 1/4″ off of it. However…I do not believe this is necessary. I do not believe the extra 1/4″ will produce unhealthy torque, given the specs of the racquet. Also keep in mind that the handle of the racquet is where Kneissl utilizes a graphite WITH Fiberglass blend. The fiberglass is excellent at absorbing shock and I would not want to reduce any of this from the Kneissl. I would recommend this racquet as is, but do not know what cutting it down would do to it. Personally I do not believe cutting it down will produce any benefits.
4.
Brant Kelsey | September 28, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I have just purchased three Power Star frames; I attempted to find information regarding this frame on Line: however information was scarce. What I did find, on the kneissl web site of 2007 was information that suggested the “Specs” for this frame are identical, to the Black Star, right down to the flex at 58, string pattern at 18×20, head size, head light balance at 5 points etc. These frames appear to have a grey and red graphic. I do not have them in my possession as of yet, but I am very anxious to string them up, and get them on court. I am also actually considering lengthening them to 28 inches. Best of all I bought them for $57.00 a piece. If they turn out to be comparable to the Black Star, wow, what a Steal. My real concern, however, is availability of Kneissl frames in the future. It would appear, that since the purchase and control of the Company (60%) by a Saudi interest, the thrust of the company is turned away from racket production of any kind: That the impetus of the company will be geared to their ski production: As well the Company will be emhasizing the “Kneissl Lifestyle” focused on apparel and high end Lodging and accomodations in high end ski destinations; their continuing in racket production appears very uncertain. I was sponsored by Kneissl in the 80’s, and won my first tennis tournaments with the White Star Big. The first frame being an over-size with a “shaft” like the Prince Precision Mono, the next being like a blown up version of the Estusa/Puma, which had the egg shaped head. Loved these frame, the flex and the feel was about as close to wood as one could get: The one distinct advantage over wood, was that one could get consistent weight and flex from frame to frame, always a crap-shoot with wood. Midst all the uncertainty surrounding Kneissl’s intentions regarding racket productions, one thing is clear, they manufactured some of the sweetest frames on the planet. From Lendl, to Thomas Muster, to Kevin Curren in the eighties, Kneissl created a legacy that clearly associated itself with winning tennis: The absence of the “Star” on the tennis landscape is simply another indication of a decline in our game. Where demographics and studies become the dictate and the “bottom line” fixes corporate direction, we as players, and consumers are the eventual losers. Though these frames were never that prevalent in the U.S. market, in it’s hey day in Europe, Kneissl was a dominant force, reknown for quality, feel, and straight forward “blue collar” frames; when placed in competent hands could produce predictable, comfortable, and accurate results…………Aloha………….Brant
5.
Noel Peters | February 4, 2009 at 1:55 am
When did Kneisel stop making racquets? Their website has no mention of tennis racquets. Where are the racquets being sold now comming from? Is another company making them? Are they old stockpiles? Are they genuine?
6.
ggtennis | February 4, 2009 at 9:07 am
Noel,
Thank you for visiting our site. I am not an expert on the current state of Kneissl, but I can tell you what I know.
To my knowledge the last run of racquets they created was in 2007. In 2008 they did not produce racquets and I have no idea what the plans are in 2009 and beyond. I read somewhere that they were purchased by and Indian company and were going to focus on the ski line. No word on dropping the tennis line, but also no production runs.
In terms of our inventory. Yes, they are genuine. We purchased the remaining inventory of Black Stars from the USA distributor in early 2008. Our stock is brand new, 100% genuine, but they are all from a 2007 production run.