StringSpec
String finder

Browse all 789

Kirschbaum

Spiky Shark 17

Polyester Gauge 17 1.30 mm In production

Lab measurements for Kirschbaum Spiky Shark 17, 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

198lb/in

lower = softer, kinder on the arm

Tension loss

54%

lower = stays where you strung it

Energy return

84%

higher = livelier, more free power

Spin potential

7.4

higher = more spin off the string bed

Ball bite

0.533COF

higher = grabs the ball harder

Snapback

0.072COF

lower = strings slide and snap back

How it ranks against all 789 strings

Stiffness 198 lb/in · 66th pct

Stiffer than 66% of strings tested.

Tension loss 54 % · 93rd pct

Sheds more tension than 93% of strings tested — goes dead fast, expect frequent restringing.

Energy return 84 % · 11th pct

Livelier than 11% of strings tested.

Spin potential 7.4 · 94th pct

More spin potential than 94% of strings tested — elite spin generation.

Ball bite 0.533 COF · 87th pct

Grips the ball harder than 87% of strings tested.

Snapback 0.072 COF · 7th pct

More string-on-string friction than 7% of strings tested — slides and snaps back freely.

Strings that play like this

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

Head Hawk Power 17 (1.25) 95% match Yonex Poly Tour Drive 16L (1.25) 94% match Volkl V-Square 16 (1.30) 93% match Solinco Revolution 17 93% match Prince Vortex 16 (1.30) 93% match Volkl Cyclone 16 93% match

More from Kirschbaum

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 Spiky Shark 17 against 789 strings Find the right string for me