Comments: After years of playing with ProBlend, I switched to synthetic gut because of elbow issues. Synthetic gut was better for my elbow, serves and groundstrokes but not my volleys. I was also constantly breaking the synthetic gut strings. Switched back to kevlar, but this time, Ashaway Crossfire 17, mains at 45 pounds and crosses at 50 pounds. Glad I made the switch back, the lower tensions helped my elbow and overall game too. I am a 5.0 all-courter, single handed backhand.
From:cy, 7/11/20

Comments: Nuts to play with this string unless your arm is made of Kevlar. Who wants to be playing a game of suicide with your tendons? Is it worth it? You can also string with a cheap poly between 40-50 lbs.
From:Anonymous, 9/16

Comments: Strung on Six.One BLX 90 (Federer); I'm a 4.5 baseliner with single handed backhand. Do not string below 48 lbs or above 54 lbs. Only on the mains; go with a slippery poly as your cross. If you can string at 52/50 lbs it will elevate your game and still have a nice comfort level.
From:Rohit, 9/16

Comments: Well just to give you guys my two cents, this Ashaway kevlar is very good when it comes to performance however the only downside of this is that when you're playing against players who always hit bombs, you will pay for it later with pain and soreness. If you can handle those though this is worth a try.
From:Jo, 1/16

Comments: I have used this twice. The first time I strung it way too tight and had to cut out (60 lbs). I use a Wilson BLX 6.1 95 18x20 and hit at about a 4.5 level. The second time I strung the mains at 52 lbs and crosses at 55 lbs. Amazing is all I can say. I was using a lot of polys before (Kirschbaum ProLine 2 18 gauge) and enjoying it, but not the quick tension loss. This stuff is so solid, way better spin, and extremely predictable. Even the club tennis pro was amazed at the difference in my hitting with just changing strings. I am sold on this stuff and kind of over polys. The firmness of the ball at impact when you hit and the spin it can produce are unreal. It also sounds really solid too, if you're into that.
From:Scott, 5/15

Comments: When I bought my Wilson ProStaff 6.0 85s back in 2002, they came with a "default" string which I didn't like. So I took my racquets to a local tennis shop owned by a former pro and he asked what I wanted in a string. I told him more spin, so he suggested thinner strings with my ProStaff. He recommended Kevlar and his thinnest and only Kevlar strings set were Ashway Kevlar 20s! His last pack too. He strung the racquet (cross and mains) at 50 lbs, the lowest recommended for the racquet type which sacrifices control for power. I loved how the strings felt! They were so much better than the strings that came with the Prostaff. I loved the pop and the power I was able to generate, and especially the spins. I just ordered my frist new Wilson ProStaff 6.0 85 this morning and I bought it with Ashway Kevlar 18 cross and mains. I hope the 18s will have a similar feel.
From:Edward, 8/14

Comments: Just tried this in my 13.4oz Prince O3 White at a modest 42 lbs. I may as well have strung it with piano wire. While It's not the right string for me, I must admit that the amount of spin kevlar mains can generate is nothing short of staggering. Compared to my previous setup (ALU Power at 63lbs) which was fantastic, both kickers and slices were breaking at least an extra foot, and a few kickers actually jumped up over my hitting partner's head (he's 6'2"). The tradeoff is these strings do not absorb ANY of the impact force. I would not recommend kevlar to anyone with a lightweight/low swingweight racquet. And I would most definitely advise anyone trying it for the first time to string them at no higher than 85% what you would string a poly.
From:Stan, 8/12

Comments: I have been playing with this string for almost 8 years and am still playing with this Kelar Ashway 17 main 17 cross synthetic gut. I am a strong 4.5 NTRP level, a base liner type of player, pusher, grinder whatever you want to call it. In my opinion, this string is very lively, I can generate power when I needed, it's also durable. All in all I have nothing bad to say about this string, I love it. Warning -- this is a very addicting type string to play with.
From:Philip, 4/12

Comments: After a couple of months play, indeed very durable, and control the ball well. But I could not find power, or spin. It is hard on arm and shoulder. If durability is your main concern, it is not a bad choice.
From:HL, 1/12

Comments: I strung this on my Wilson KBlade Tour (not my usual racquet of choice; I mainly use it for testing strings) with Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex at 58 lbs. I'd been looking for something more durable than my previous string of choice, Prince Tournament Poly 17g, but still playable and spin friendly. This string takes the cake, and some ice cream too. I expected it to feel like poly at extremely high tension, but I was shocked at how much better the feel was. With poly, my slice tends to generate too much spin, pushing the shot deep, but this string simply doesn't budge, keeping the slice low and knife-like. Putting the synthetic gut in the crosses was my coach's suggestion, which I was at first tentative to accept. Afterward, I recalled the kevlar doesn't notch, so it turned out to be the perfect fit. My playing style varies between two extremes: Massive, over-the-fence topspin and completely flat winners, off my forehand and one-handed backhand as well, so durability is key for me. I loved this string, and am now replacing the poly in my usual racquet of choice, the AeroPro Drive GT, with it. I would highly recommend this string to anyone looking for extreme durability and control, but doesn't mind stiffness and low power. On the contrary, some of my hitting partners have used kevlar hybrids in the past and developed serious elbow issues, so do not even consider this string if you are 1) A beginner or 2) have a history of elbow problems.
From:Patrick, Charlotte, NC, USA. 4/11
NTRP Rating: 6.0

Comments: This comment is contrary to conventional wisdom. But it has worked EXTREMELY well for me.
I have never found a combination with such incredible durability and still very good playability as this:
- Your favorite poly for the mains ... (By default, I've got a reel of Wilson Enduro pro silver 16g which is looking to last me almost forever.)
- Ashaway Kevlar 17G for the crosses.
Normally people consider Kevlar is for the mains only. My take on why using it for the crosses instead is so durable:
- Poly is very hard. However, normal synthetic gut or other synthetic strings in the crosses still notches poly. Once poly gets notched, one hard hit and it snaps apart quickly. In contrast, Kevlar in the crosses flattens out and widens out as it crosses against the poly mains. Hence it doesn't notch the poly mains hardly at all.
I'm 6'4 and 185 lbs and have been an aggressive (albeit but never very accurate) player for 40 years. In addition to court time, I hit very hard against a concrete wall for an hour on average five days per week. With more conventional strings and combinations, I used to break strings every few days. I now go a month or more between breaks.
Playability of this combination is just fine. Actually I like it much better than normal hi-end synthetics in both mains and crosses. Sorry but not good news for professional stringers.
From:Rardi, SF Bay Area, CA, USA, 03/11

Comments: I've been using mostly poly's during my college career, but I'm a chronic string breaker. My coach encouraged me to give Kevlar a try for the sake of longevity. He cautioned me that many players experience pain after using the strings for a while, due to the fact that they absorb virtually zero vibration. I strung it 10% lower than normal, as instructed, and really like the initial play. I often hit too deep, and the strings forced me to hit with more spin while maintaining a fast swing speed. The problems came around on day two or three. There was definitely a lingering pain in my elbow and forearm. As I'd made no other changes to my game and have never experienced chronic pain before, I was forced to blame the string. I cut them out of that racquet and went back to using Polylons. The pain was gone by the end of the week. So if you think you can handle them, by all means go for it, but be warned.
From:Robert, Boston State, MA, USA. 05/10

Comments: This string is the best & very good. I strung the mains with the Kevlar at 57 lbs. and the crosses with the synthetic at 59 lbs. I liked the strings and would buy them again.
From:antok, Jogja. Indonesia. 5/10

Comments: This string is the best! I played with it for the first time in my school tournament. I play 1 Doubles and I am ranked #2 on my varsity team. This string produces a tremendous amount of spin and power which is my ideal type string even though i can produce and ample amount of spin but it helps and i can also produce plenty of power but with this string the ball goes flying by my opponents. It also has enough power and spin but also enough control where the ball won't go flying out.I tend to break string a lot so my coach told me to switch to kevlar. I will never play with anything else from now on.
From:Jordan, TX, United States 03/10

Comments: I'm playing collegiate tennis right now and have been using this for practice since I tend to break strings quickly. I used it because our team keeps it in stock, and I'm glad they do. Like other kevlar strings, you should string this at a lower tension because it's so tough on the arm. Be sure to use a soft cross string for a bit of comfort and feel. Slicing with these strings is great. I haven't broken a string yet. Great string for the price.
From:Bill, Chicago, Il, USA. 12/09
NTRP Rating: 5.0

Comments: I started using these strings this year (Junior Year) on my high school tennis team, and I must say that they produce a huge amount of spin. I have them strung at 58lbs on my Babolat Aero Pro Drive w/Cortex, and they are also very easy on the arm for a Kevlar string. I would suggest this string to a baseliner who is looking for more spin to put away an opponent.
From:Jacob, Enid, OK, USA 11/09

Comments: Excellent control, great spin but a dead feel. These strings last forever. I use them as Mains @ 50-56 lb with Synthetic gut Crosses (5 lb more) on my Prince O3 Speedport Tour. I've tried a lot of Polys over the last year including the famous Luxilons but I always seem to comeback to these. I you prefer feel over spin and control, you'll be disappointed.
From:Sonny, OC, California 9/09
NTRP Rating: 4 - 4.5 level

Comments: I strung the mains with the Kevlar at 60 lbs. and the crosses with the synthetic at 62 lbs. I liked the strings and would buy them again. However, for serious competition you can't beat Babolat natural gut!
From:Joe, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA. 08/09
NTRP Rating: 4.5 - 5.0 level

Comments: This string is wonderful. I play in high school and the one set of string lasts me the whole season, and I play a lot after school. I go to the gym and play till 11 at night. I would recommend this string to people who love to hit with a lot of top spin. The bite on it is insane.
From:Kevin, Modesto, CA, USA. 2/09

Comments: I string this at very low tensions, mid to high 40s in the mains, low 50's in the crosses. You get ball pocketing, and it's easy on the arm, without all the trampolining bouncy feel you'd have from a synthetic gut at those tensions, plus it basically takes months to break even with heavy hitting. I switched from the 16 gauge to the 17 to get a bit more bite, and it's still very durable. I've been through 4 five-hour doubles marathons in the last 2 months with the same racquet and the strings aren't even notching yet! Many mis-hits, shanked serves, and at least half of those sessions are against heavy hitters. Yes, Kevlar is bad for your arm if you string your Pure Drive or Pro Staff up to 65 pounds with it. You must decrease tension with Kevlar.
From:Dennis, Hauppauge, NY. 3/08

Comments:I use this string on my mains and natural gut on the crosses. So far with 3hrs of play, the tension is holding. This setup gives me a lot of bite on the ball.
From:Dave, Cedartown, GA, USA, 11/07

Comments: I'm a 5.0 player who's been using this string for months now. This string is great. It provides great spin from the baseline especially when you really want to spin it in. It creates great slice on the serve and on the backhand. It lacks in touch, but if you have soft hands, that's not a problem because on drop shots, this string provides so much bite that your opponent has no chance to get to the ball. This string lasts about a month for me playing at 8 hours a week. Not bad huh?
From:Ben, Potomac, MD, USA. 9/06

Comments:This is easier to string with due to the smaller gauge. It breaks quicker without a doubt. Has a great feel if you like kevlar.I go back and forth between this and the 16 gauge. 16 gauge gives me about a day or two longer at playing speed and at teaching speed it gives me about 5 to 7 days longer.
From:Danny
hackettstown NJ USA 10/05

Comments: The combination of thin Kevlar main and synthetic cross strings gives it more bite and feel compared to all Kevlar string. But you still have the stiff, muted feel and cannot forget that you are using Kevlar. But I have not broken the string yet (7+ days of use). I have heavy topspin ground strokes and have a kick serve. The string has been okay but I am going back to synthetic or polyester strings. I am 5.5 baseliner using a Wilson ProStaff 7.1 (very flexible racquet).
From: Joe, Washington, DC, USA. 3/03

Comments: I'm using the Crossfire on my squash racket. I love the sound of the ball off the face and it feels very solid. I don't get the pinging sound when the ball leaves the racket. This will be my regular string from now on.
From: Tom, Elk Grove Village, IL. USA 9/02

Comments: With the kevlar mains at 56lbs. and the synthetic crosses at 63lbs. the Ashaway Crossfire 17g. Kevlar string plays softer than other kevlar sets that I've played with. While it lacks the responsiveness of a playable string, it lacks the harshness and obvious stiffness that some other kevlar sets exhibit. I'm a 4.5 NTRP level baseliner and chronic string breaker, and have been very satisfied with this string.
From: Paul, Seattle, WA. USA 4/02

Comments: After an extremely frustrating search to substitute the now discontinued Prince Pro Blend Spin 17, and also trying out different hybrids and combinations, I ended testing this string. A very friendly pro-stringer from Tennis Warehouse suggested I give this string a try and, needless to say, I am extremely satisfied with it. It plays very similar to the Spin 17, which is to say it lacks feeling, and allows you to "generate" a ton of spin. The big surprise is that is lasts longer and holds its tension better than the Pro Blend Spin 17. So if you liked that string chances are you are going to love the Ashaway Crossfire 17.
From: Rodolfo, Bayamon, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, USA 5/01