Executive Summary
The Wilson Steam 100 BLX is a discontinued frame from Wilson's Steam generation (approximately 2012–2014) — one of the last iterations of Wilson's dedicated power-baseline line before the format was eventually superseded by updated Blade and Ultra series frames. It remains in active professional use today, making Diane Parry one of the very few WTA players using a frame more than a decade old.
Key Characteristic: BLX stands for Basalt fibre — a volcanic rock-derived fibre that Wilson wove into the graphite layup to dampen vibration. At approximately 68–71 RA, the Steam 100 BLX is a stiff, power-oriented frame whose basalt fibre addition made its feel noticeably smoother than comparable pure-graphite frames of the same era. The result was a lively, powerful platform with better arm comfort than its stiffness implied.
Key Positioning: The Steam 100 BLX was Wilson's Pure Drive equivalent — the big-hitting, forgiving power frame that sat above the Blade's control character and below the pure aggression of the nSix-One series. It attracted players who wanted explosive pace from a 100 sq in head without the demanding technique requirement of smaller frames.
Performance Profile
The Steam 100 BLX's combination of stiff graphite and basalt damping produced a distinctive power-with-comfort profile. Compared against the Steam 100S (a lighter, more open variant), the BLX offers more stability and control.
Performance Comparison: Steam 100 BLX vs Steam 100S
Steam 100 BLX leads in control and stability · Steam 100S leads in power and maneuverability
Model Context
The BLX Steam generation covered several variants — the standard 100, the lighter 100S, and the smaller Steam 95. All used basalt fibre damping; they differed in weight, head size and the player profile they served.
Steam 100 BLX
The flagship Steam — Parry's frame of choice. Balanced power and stability in a 100 sq in head with BLX basalt damping. At 300g, it sits in the standard power-frame weight range. The stiffer beam and open pattern deliver explosive pace while basalt softens the feel versus comparable pure-graphite alternatives.
Steam 100S BLX
An unusual variant with an inverted string pattern — 18 mains and only 16 crosses. More main strings + fewer crosses = dramatically increased string movement and spin potential. The 100S was one of the most spin-oriented frames available when released. Lighter weight made it accessible; BLX damping retained comfort despite the unusual geometry.
Steam 95 BLX
The precision variant of the Steam line. Smaller 95 sq in head and dense 18x20 pattern required more technique but delivered exceptional directional control. The heaviest Steam spec — reserved for players who could sustain a 310g frame. BLX damping made the dense pattern feel more accessible than comparable pure-graphite 95 sq in frames of the era.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Steam 100 BLX is effectively a one-player story in the modern era — Parry's loyalty to the frame makes her a unique case study in professional equipment conservatism.
The French WTA player is among the very few active professionals using a frame more than a decade out of production. Parry's use of the Steam 100 BLX reflects a deep familiarity and trust in the frame's feel — a preference developed through years of play that no modern replacement has displaced. Wilson's tour department supplies her with original-spec frames maintained from private stock.
The BLX generation (2010–2014) marked Wilson's first systematic use of alternative fibres in commercial graphite frames. Serena Williams used Wilson frames from this era during her peak seasons. The Steam line's combination of power and BLX feel established a template that Wilson continued to refine through the Ultra, Burn, and ultimately Shift generations. The Steam 100 BLX's legacy is visible in every Wilson power frame that followed.
String Setup Guide
The Steam 100 BLX's ~70 RA stiffness and 100 sq in head put it in the same stringing territory as a modern Pure Drive or Ultra 100. BLX damping reduces the harsh edge at high tensions. Reference range: 50–62 lbs (22.7–28.1 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Start point (co-poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 52–56 lbs (23.6–25.4 kg) — basalt damping works well at moderate tension where its vibration absorption is most effective.
- For spin: A shaped poly (Solinco Hyper-G, RPM Rough) at 50–54 lbs takes advantage of the 16x19 open pattern's snapback potential. The BLX's damping keeps the feel comfortable despite the power.
- For arm comfort: Drop to 50–53 lbs and use a soft co-poly. The BLX already helps; lower tension and a soft poly make the Steam one of the more comfortable high-RA setups available.
- Grommet note: Inspect grommets carefully before restringing an original Steam 100 BLX — worn or cracked grommets on a frame this old can cause string breakage at the grommet edge. Replace grommets before any restring on a heavily used vintage frame.
- Modern equivalent: If sourcing Steam 100 BLX frames becomes impossible, the Wilson Ultra 100 v4 or Clash 100 are the closest modern successors in the Wilson power-baseline lineup.
Pro Reference
| Player | String | Tension | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diane Parry | Unknown (not publicly reported) | Est. ~52–56 lbs | Frame maintained by Wilson tour department on original spec |
| Reference setup | Luxilon ALU Power 1.25mm | 53–56 lbs | Standard power-frame poly pairing for ~70 RA stiffness |
Top 3 String Recommendations
Best for: The classic power-frame pairing — ALU Power's firm control in the Steam's stiff, power-oriented platform.
ALU Power was the dominant tour co-poly at the time the Steam 100 BLX was released and remains one of the most effective polys in any high-RA power frame. The firm, low-elasticity ALU Power adds directional precision to the Steam's naturally explosive launch, while BLX damping absorbs the shock component that ALU Power in a stiff frame would otherwise transmit to the arm. At 52–56 lbs, the combination delivers the Steam's maximum power-control balance.
Best for: Players wanting the Steam's power output with heavy topspin to keep the ball within the court.
RPM Blast's co-poly formula and octagonal cross-section amplify the Steam 100's 16x19 open pattern's snapback for strong topspin production. The Steam's power + RPM Blast's spin creates a setup that launches high and heavy — effective for baseline players who want to dominate exchanges with heavy pace and spin. BLX damping makes this combination more comfortable than equivalent pure-graphite frames of the same era. A historically accurate pairing from the Steam's commercial period.
Best for: Players wanting to maximise the BLX damping's arm-comfort advantage with a soft co-poly at lower tension.
Black Code's soft, elastic co-poly formula combined with BLX damping and moderate tension produces one of the most comfortable setups achievable in a ~70 RA frame. The combination significantly softens the Steam's feel profile — making it accessible for players who want power without the arm stress typically associated with stiff frames. Black Code's spin production is solid from the 16x19 pattern, and its tension maintenance is good for a soft poly. An excellent choice for Steam 100 BLX users playing high volumes.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Steam 100 BLX | Steam 100S BLX | Steam 95 BLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 95 sq in (613 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 300g / 10.6oz | 290g / 10.2oz | 310g / 10.9oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~320mm / 5 pts HL | ~324mm / 4 pts HL | ~316mm / 6–7 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 16x19 (open, power) | 18x16 (inverted spin) | 18x20 (control-dense) |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~68–71 | ~67–69 | ~69–71 |
| Swingweight | ~318–326 | ~308–316 | ~326–338 |
| Beam Width | 23–26mm | 23–26mm | 21–24mm |
| Technology | BLX (Basalt fibre damping) | BLX + inverted pattern | BLX |
| Production Era | 2012–2014 (discontinued) | 2012–2014 (discontinued) | 2012–2014 (discontinued) |