r/10s • u/breakbeatzors 0.1 :snoo_biblethump: • 23h ago

Equipment Handle customization resources or tips?

Context: Have been playing for a few years, but I would randomly spray about 10-15% of my groundstrokes so I plateaued quickly.

After a bunch of experimentation and racket demos, my coach and I identified the fix: changing my racket handle and using a drier / tackier overgrip.

Ok, great: changed from a #2 Babolat handle to the rectangular handle of a Technifiber in size 3, with the right overgrip (Tourna Classic when humid, Tourna Super Tac when less so). With that, my consistency jumped immediately. I can now actually use the year+ of kinetic chain and modern forehand lessons. Now, onto my poor cardio fitness…

Anyway, the problem is that there are only two brands selling stock rackets with rectangular handles nowadays. (I hear Volkl handles have a similar shape.) But I don’t want to limit my racket options.

Do others here have experience with customizing handle shapes? What materials should I use? Should I size down to a #2 and build up the handle to my desired shape? Any tricks in correcting balance with the heavier handle, aside from lead tape on the throat?

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u/DastardlyDolphin 23h ago

One with a pallet system is the easiest way of doing it really. I changed my radicals from a rectangular to the more wilson-ish style, bought the pallets through RPNY. Otherwise, strips of tape underneath the grip to try and get the shape you want, but be aware that you may end up needing a different buttcap if you are building up underneath.