Interesting racket to restring tonight, the new Wilson BLX Steam 105S (S is for Spin!).
The string pattern is 16 Mains  and 15 Crosses which gives a very open string pattern, I used a ATW (Around the World) string pattern to maintain the Head to Throat cross strings. (most rackets should have their cross strings strung from Head to Throat to maintain the integrity of the frame or you can use 2 piece stringing method if you don't mind four knots).
If the main and cross strings are the same tension (and string) then I like to use the ATW pattern as then I only have two knots in the string pattern not four.
Initial reaction to the racket is the very open string pattern, which looks like it will need more restrings because of the string movement. (the whole idea of the open string pattern is to allow the strings to move more and snap back generating the spin, this will cause lots of string wear / sawing / notching, doubt if the strings will last 10 hours. The recommended strings for this racket is Polyester )
I will ask Mike (the owner of the new weapon) to comment once he has played with it.
If I'm playing against Mike I will let you know what it is like to play against, Since I'm playing with a Powerangle racket it could be a battle of the spinners!

(Side note: as always we decided to cut out the strings in the racket (provided by the seller) and put in a string that would suit both Mike and the recommended string specs for the racket (polyester string)
(I don't normally comment on other stringers, but guy's the string tension where all over the show, one half of the racket at 60lbs and the other half at 54Ibs, (this was not factory stringing either!))

Update: Ok I played against Mike in doubles tonight and we got to warm up against each other:

1. The ball coming to me is higher and then dips suddenly and kicks up off the ground (not the same shots that Mike normally plays, more intense!)
2. Definitely more spin (revolutions) on the ball
3. If Mike didn't hit with any topspin (ie flat) then the ball sailed out.
4. All slices and spins were more pronounced (heavy on my racket, tended to push back at you!)

So being on the receiving end:
1. Yes it does produce more spin 
2. Not nice to play against
3. Changes the dynamic of the game because anyone can have a heavy topspin , dipping slice,  kick server, slice serve
   but also alters the flight of the ball a more pronounced dive into the court (so more balls are going to stay in, that look as if they should go out!)
4. Is this a game changer? YES! 

Would I play with this racket after being on the receiving end ? YES
 (if I didn't have a PowerAngle racket that does the same!) 

Downside: Yes there is one, this racket will chew through strings !  (good for me! and every other stringer!) 

Update 6 March 13: Mikes's strings went (snapped) last night,a quick look at the strings and yes a lot of notching!
I then did a quick calculation based on when I have seen Mike playing since the restring:
Based on the average number of hits per match is 150  (1 hour duration):
Mike has played :
Training for 4 hrs, Ball machine 750 hits  =  5 hrs play, club nights x 2 hrs , doubles match  2 hrs so Mike got approx 13 hours of play out of the strings. This is about right for this racket considering the very open string pattern and the greater string movement. 

Recommendations:
 The 105S is very head light, If I was Mike I may want to get the balance of the 105S to the same as his "old racket" that way he will get all the benefits, without the hassle of relearning a new racket. Just an idea! 

Mike's comment from tonight's first use of the 105S:

As a keen tennis player, but not someone who has been gifted with Federer, Nadal, Murray or any professional players ability I am always looking for something to give me an edge! Having read about the Wilson Steam 105s and watched the video reviews I decided to invest. Really more out of hope than expectation - that it could provide me with additional spin (and hopefully a higher level of consistency) that I desire. 

Although I have only tried it out the once (tonight) I can say I am not disappointed! The difference in weight and more importantly balance will no doubt take me some time to adjust my swing to, but the difference in spin was immediately noticeable. My first comment to Dave after warmup was that when I hit a proper forehand I struggled to get the ball beyond the service line, because of the additional dip. Unfortunately, perhaps from trying to hard, if I did't time it correctly (impart some spin) the ball sailed long! I Hopefully in the long run the racket will turn out to be a good investment, I just hope the lighter head isn't detrimental to my volleying etc. 

Given the expected additional string ware I will be investing in Dave's stringing services any time this year especially when I have a game I really want to win....

Update 8th July 2013: We have tried the following strings in the BLX 102S:
Pro's Pro Lethal Spin 1.25 gauge (Great for this racket but will not last over 12 Hours of play )
Ashaway MonoGut 1.27 gauge (Seems to be lasting the longest up to now)

One we are going to try next is Dunlop Biomimetic Ice 1.25 gauge.
(We are keeping to 1.25 and 1.30 gauge as we want to retain the feel, control and spin potential.)


Update: 30/9/2013
We have now completed numerous tests with Dunlop Biomimetic Ice 1.25 and found that this strings lasts the longest so far!
Really is a good combination of racket / string and Player (*all five of them!)
This string averages over 20 hrs in this racket (which is good considering the "open pattern")
Why not give it a try and let me know how you get on!

Update: 2/8/2014 I have a good Hybrid that seems to suit this racket,
 Mains : Tennis Tech Match Pro polyester 1:30 gauge
Cross: Dunlop Biomimetic Ice 1.25 Gauge

Gives the racket a more positive feel and increases the string life, the Match Pro is a German manufactured smooth poly (slippery and stiffer) and the Ice is a soft pol, non of them are textured.
Good feedback from the racket owners as they like the positive feel and the increased in string life!

The “Rules” Behind Great Doubles

1. Get to the net as often as possible.

2. Be aggressive.

3. Move with your partner in a parallel motion on the court, to avoid crossing over each other.

4. Stay within one zone of your partner. The tennis court has the following areas: the A zone (the net), B zone (midcourt) and C zone (baseline).

5. Occupy the A zone as often as possible.

6. Cover your own lob, to avoid crossing your partner.

7. Take the lob in the air. (Use your opposite hand as though you are “catching the ball” to site the forehand volley, hit it down into the center of the court)

8. Be at the center of the service box on your partner's serve. (Ask your partner where they intend to serve wide / body /centre line)

9. Be on the service line, slightly closer to the center of the court, when your partner is returning serve. (Watch for the service fault foot and line fault)

10. Try not to hit to your opponent's net person.

11. Hit down the center as much as possible - it's your safest shot.

12. Improve your first serve percentage. To do this, hit your second serve style (e.g. slice, topspin or kick) as your first serve, if necessary.(Pro players look for above 80% first serves in, Club players barely manage 35% first serves in!)      

13. Work on your crosscourt shots.  (Width then Length)

14. Doubles is a team game “Talk to each other!”

15. Enjoy it!

Seems to work for me !

Club tennis is social, league tennis is social after the game !
Get ready to compete not to play!

Here is the idea! 
Similar to a golf driving range I would like your feedback on my idea of offering a hopper (100) Ball Machine session for £2.
Each hopper of 100 balls will take approx 15 mins you can use this as a "Fitness session" or as a stroke improvement session.
You would turn up on the day, pay £2 and hit your 100 balls, I would set up the ball machine for you and collect the balls at the end of each session.


In order to make this worthwhile.
Which day would be best for you?
What would be the best time?

My best day would be Saturday or Sunday at 12:00 - 2:00 (dependent on numbers interested)
My best night session would be Thursday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

I look forward to your comments!

One of the strings that was being tested last month has made such an impression that I have made it my February Special offer! The string is "Pro's Pro Lethal Spin 1.25"  
What impressed me :
1. Didn't have a "coil memory " so stringing with it was easy
2. The texture of the string is different to any other textured poly string "looks and feels" like a braided string
3. The colour is crystal (first one I have every seen!)
4. Feel, Power and Spin are very high and increase my "kick serve", my sliced backed (for those that have come up against my sliced backhand drop shot!)  is even nastier! (yep! it is!) (They don't call me "Spinney Dave" for nothing!)
5. It's a fun string to Spin, Slice and Serve with. (you just stand and watch the reaction of the ball and the opponent, and then grin!)

What didn't impress me:
1. Nothing as yet!

I will update on the life of the string but so far I have played 12 hours with it (including 2 hrs with the ball machine, which equals about 1000 hits)


5 Feb 13 Update: I have now played another 5 hours of singles and the string is still good. The string is starting to move a little and it is starting to "notch" but other wise still ok!

15 Feb 13 Update: Played another 4 hours of singles and the string feels a little dead (no pop!) I will still use it and see how it goes! (about 22 hours play so far!)

18 Feb 13 Update: Played another 2 hrs of doubles and yep it is still playable, still getting the depth and spin and control (this is getting interesting!)

23/02/13 Update: Played  2 hrs of training, 2 hrs of Singles and another 2 hrs of doubles, Still going after 30 hrs of play and the string is very stable, predictable with depth and spin.

27/02/13 Update: Played another 3 hrs and it's time to cut it out, it has done 30 plus hours,I would say 16 hrs is the max time for this string but not bad for a poly!