Pro Staff 6.1 Classic (Tour Edition)

Having used the original Pro Staff (110 sq. inch) I decided to splash out and buy the 6.1 stick.  Not quite sure what I expected but I was immediately disappointed.  Maybe it was the string tension or maybe the grip size (L5) that meant this racket never quite worked for me.  It also did not have the same heavy dependable feel of my other beloved Pro Staff.  The feel of this racket was predictably stiff as you would expect from a Pro Staff but with a smaller sweet spot too I never warmed to it.  However, the paint job is lovely.  With a 95 sq. inch head and a stiffness rating of 72 you will need a swift swing speed to get the most from this frame.

Wilson T2000

The racquet made famous by the great Jimmy Connors.  The Wilson T2000 is one of the most recognizable racquets of all-time.  Its appearance marked the transition away from wooden frames and marked the dawn of a new era in tennis that ultimately lead towards graphite frames.  These frames are steel in construction and are incredibly heavy - no wonder Jimmy played with two hands!!
The stringing is also interesting, with the strings attached to the frame by wire grommets.  I have never really used these.  The heads are incredibly small - much less than 90 sq. inches (possibly 63 sq. inches ).  To use one you would need to be extremely accurate and have great technique. But they offer a fascinating glimpse into the tennis history.

Wilon Pro Staff 110 (large head version)

One of my all time favourite sticks - the Chicago made Pro Staff.  This large headed version is great for me because it combines a large hitting area with superb plow through to put real weight on the ball.  It is one of the very few vintage racquets that can still hold its own against modern sticks.  However, it is heavy for serving and hard to create whip, so you need a strong wrist for this. But it is amazingly stable and great at the net for volleying.  All in all one of the best racquets ever made in my view. 

Snauwaert Ergonom

This stick has to be one of the most eccentric ever made.  The idea was to improve the hitting area for forehands and backhands by changing the angle of the head by 45 degrees or so.  However, when serving they feel very strange and the position of the head gets some getting used to.  Maybe this is why they are something of a 'one hit wonder' - most people try them out to satisfy their curiosity and then put them away again.  Not sure if they are easy to restring on modern machines either, so another reason not to risk using them too much.  Again, found this one in a charity shop and mighty surprised I was to see it too! 

Snauwaert Hi-Ten 30

The Snauwaert Hi-Ten 30 is one I picked up from a charity shop/thrift store for a few pounds, so imagine my surprise when I I found the same racket priced on eb** for quite a bit more.  Snauwaert's innovative reputation is demonstrated here by the extraordinary 12 x 13 stringing pattern.  The large space between strings means this racquet can generate considerable bite and put heavy spin on a ball.  The strings too are incredibly thick.  I have not used this one much - it is more of a talking point in my collection than a stick I use. Plus, I am not sure that if a string broke I could find replacement gut of the same gauge for it.  The Hi-Ten was one of a number in the Hi-Ten range that were notable for their spin potential.  Definitely the most collectable of the sticks in this collection.

The thick gauge of  string that features on the Snauwaert Hi-Ten 30 racket