The Wilson Six One 95 is one of the most iconic racquet lines in history and it deserves a classic racquet review. Have you used this legendary racquet?
What started with the Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Classic 30 or so years ago, is still going strong among both club players and pros today.
The Six One 95, in one of its many iterations, is still one of the more popular racquets on the men’s pro tour as it came in at a high weight but head-light balance from the start and required minimal customization to also be playable on higher levels.
The Wilson Six One 95 through history
The Pro Staff Classic that started it all came in two string patterns and that kept going until the line was discontinued in 2015-16. When it came back in 2017 as a reissue, only the 18×20 string pattern survived. Probably due to the nowadays more limited target group for heavy 95 sq inch racquets. I would also assume that the tighter string pattern was always the bestseller of the two.
This racquet in various iterations is used by players such as: Juan Martin Del Potro, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans, Roberto Bautista-Agut, Dusan Lajovic and many more.
In this video review, I use the K-factor edition
(still available on Amazon and TW). It is my second favorite after nCode Six One 95, which was my first real player racquet. Let’s go through them briefly. If you want to add details or your own opinions about these racquets, please do so in the comments below.
Wilson Six One 95 Generations
Most of these frames are very close in specs, so it is mainly a matter of feel.
The Pro Staff 6.1 95 Classic – A really raw frame with a lot of feedback and connection to the ball. Many racquet nerds love this one the best.
Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95 – This one played pretty similar to the original, but with a slightly lower stiffness and more muted feel. This is Del Potro’s choice.
nCode Six One 95 – The nCode version is the plushest and best feeling edition in my opinion. It also has the lowest stiffness.
K-Factor Six One 95 – This is the stiffest and most powerful of the bunch. It might not be the best choice for sensitive elbows and wrists, but it does pack a PUNCH.
BLX 2010 edition – The BLX version also offered a nice feel, despite the higher stiffness it also had a more manageable swing weight.
BLX 2012 Amplifeel edition – the so-called Candycane was not my favorite stick of the bunch. It had a higher swing weight and a little bit stiffer feel than the BLX.
The 2014 parallel drilling edition. The idea with the parallel drilling technology was to increase the sweet spot. Not sure it worked, but some players have reported a slight increase in forgiveness.
The reissue of the parallel version came in 2017 with inverted white/red colors.
Wilson Six One 95 Review
That is pretty much the lowdown of the different versions. I appreciate most of them, but the nCode is my favorite. If you want to try the feel of a Six One 95
, don’t worry too much about which version you go for. They all play pretty similarly and which you like best is a matter of taste.
Wilson Six One 95 Unstrung specs:
Head: 95 sq inch
Length: 27 inches (there are XL versions)
Beam: 22 mm
Stiffness: 67-72 RA depending on the version
String pattern: 16×18 and 18×20
To review any of the Six One 95 racquets, I would say it is a model for advanced players who like to attack the ball. You need solid technique and footwork to really benefit from this racquet. But if you have the game and are playing well it gives you a beautiful blend of power and control, meaning you can attack the ball with confidence.
I really enjoyed it on serves, volleys and approach shots. Rallying with it form the baseline can be demanding, as the head size and string pattern isn’t very forgiving, but when I was moving towards the net or hitting flatter shots, I felt very comfortable and got great results.
This is not a racquet for players who rely heavily on top spin, but more for flatter hitters looking for great control, but with some added pace compared to other control-oriented racquets, like for example a Prestige.
15 comments
Hi Jonas
I’m a former 6.1 user myself, I played a few years with the classic and the n-code versions, both in 16×18. Currently, I own the classic, the Hyper and the n-code, this last two in 18×20. I tested the 2010’s BLX in 18×20 too, for a couple of shots only. The one I like the best is the classic, very raw feeling has you mention, a true and pure no thrills racquet. The Hyper, for some reason, is the one I liked less. My former n-codes got me serious TE, I had to dished them.
Still hit from time to time with the n-code 18×20, it’s a great yet very demanding stick, hits a very heavy ball, love it for doubles, volleys like a dream, absorbs pace like no other racket (great for blocking big serves or quick net exchanges) and slices get extra venom. For someone who hits with more to p spin the open string pattern version are a better choice. And it’s by far my loudest racquet
On the down side, these are stiff racquets, specially the tighter 18×20, need a soft string/tension combo to shine, and even with a head-light balance, they are a bit sluggish, needs a strong arm to move them fast, and muscling the ball is not an option.
A simple advice: if you like these racquets but feel they are too stiff, try an Avery M3 Control. They are similar in terms of weight and balance, but the Avery has a 62 RA, and a very open 16×20 string pattern. Probably one of the last pure players racquet out there, and a playtest you’d enjoy for sure. I have on of these I got for a bargain, and I can tell you this is a hell of a fun racquet.
Chers
Antonio
I have used k factor 310gram version racket. Now it is very old so i am searching similar one in recent racket. Let me ask suggestion for similar one. I tried blade, prostaff black 315 cv but felt little different.
I think you refer to the Wilson Six One 95 Team. That should still be available. You could also try the Wilson Ulta Tour 95 CV, which is similar but more stable/powerful.
Great review. I have been using a couple of n-code six one team 95 for more than a decade. I am now in the market. What racket would you suggest for me? Thanks a lot in advance!
currently considering buying the grommets for the pro staff v13 k factor pro staff. I own 3 original k factor pro staffs, and was wondering if the new grommets would fit in the old frame?
I wish someone would have commented back to you @William – I am in the same boat but just starting my search to replace that exact model. Anyone have feedback or did you find one that you like?
I used the Six one 95 ncode. Which alternative can i use at the market now?
There is a Wilson Pro Labs Six One 95, otherwise it’s difficult to find something similar.
I had both the HPS 6.1 and Classic. The Classic was flexier than the HPS on slow swings , but seemed to stiffen up on faster swings, a little disconcerting maybe due to the kevlar in the mix; it always felt like hard work.
I liked the HPS a lot, it was actually stiffer than the Classic but still lots of feel and not overpowered. I went to the Wilson Ntour for a little more power in the mix , but I am regretting selling my HPS 6.1 now.
GUYS ! please some advice, as i have broken my old one blx 2010 . please advice if the new wilson replacing this one in the all black pro staff the newest one or there is any other
The Wilson Pro Labs Six One 95 is somewhat similar. Otherwise, I’d check for these racquets used.
I have 2 Six One 95 Classic raquets that I bought brand new in 1994 during my college-team years. With individual cases. I have only played with these for 30 years (they just won’t break) and finally looking to change. For comparison, does anyone know the weight on this version 3? I cannot find it anywhere (I weighed it myself strung at 13.5 oz -383g, is that possible?)
Now that we have got new additions, namely v13 Six.One 95 and v14, to the family, it would be great if the review of the series can be updated. Would love to see how the newer members compared with their older ones.
I have a weird thing, I have old Pro Staff classics made in Taiwan with a 16×22 string pattern and have never heard about this. Can someone tell me what is going on here? They are black/red/yellow and say Swing Index 6.1
Thanks a lot,
Arne
That sounds like a weird thing! Never heard of it. Sounds like a cool test.