Kirschbaum

Black Shark 16 (1.30)

Name: Kirschbaum Black Shark 16 (1.30)
Brand: Kirschbaum

Polyester Gauge 16 1.30 mm In production

Lab measurements for Kirschbaum Black Shark 16 (1.30), ranked against all 789 strings in the database. Every figure below is a testing-machine result at a fixed reference tension, not a playtest opinion.

Measured values

Stiffness

224lb/in

lower = softer, kinder on the arm

Tension loss

41%

lower = stays where you strung it

Energy return

86%

higher = livelier, more free power

Spin potential

5.4

higher = more spin off the string bed

Ball bite

0.429COF

higher = grabs the ball harder

Snapback

0.080COF

lower = strings slide and snap back

How it ranks against all 789 strings

Stiffness 224 lb/in · 90th pct

Stiffer than 90% of strings tested — punishingly firm — control at the cost of comfort.

Tension loss 41 % · 69th pct

Sheds more tension than 69% of strings tested.

Energy return 86 % · 29th pct

Livelier than 29% of strings tested.

Spin potential 5.4 · 67th pct

More spin potential than 67% of strings tested.

Ball bite 0.429 COF · 43rd pct

Grips the ball harder than 43% of strings tested.

Snapback 0.080 COF · 23rd pct

More string-on-string friction than 23% of strings tested.

Strings that play like this

Closest matches across stiffness, tension loss, energy return and spin potential.

Signum Pro Poly-Plasma Pure 16L 97% match Kirschbaum P2 16/1.30 96% match Prince Tour XR 16 (1.30) 95% match Wilson Ripspin 16 95% match Wilson Enduro Tour 16 93% match Kirschbaum Helix 17 93% match

What these numbers mean

Stiffness · lb/in

How much the string bed resists deflection. Higher plays firmer and more controlled; lower plays softer and easier on the arm.

Tension loss · %

Share of the reference tension the string sheds under a fixed test protocol. Lower means the bed stays where you strung it for longer.

Energy return · %

Share of impact energy handed back to the ball. Higher plays livelier and more powerful.

Spin potential

Ball friction divided by string-on-string friction. Higher means better bite with a cleaner snapback, so more spin.

Ball bite · COF

String-on-ball friction. Higher grabs the ball harder through the brush.

Snapback · COF

String-on-string friction. Lower lets the mains slide and snap back into place after impact.

Compare Black Shark 16 (1.30) against 789 strings Find the right string for me

Measured values

How it ranks against all 789 strings

Strings that play like this

More from Kirschbaum

What these numbers mean