Umm!  Rackets break and that is a fact of life for squash players I suppose especially until you can get some fine skills around the walls and corners....DO NOT go for winners from the side walls and corners, wait for the ball to come out, and do not close your eyes and swing as that is when the damage will be done.   Effective shots can be done off the walls using an open face racket aiming higher on the front wall to get better length.  We have all done $100 shots from time to time!! Also, it is a hard call to say "good shot" and just fluff the ball to save the $100 or so.

Problem is, cheap racket maybe not so great feel, and use it for practising the wall shots. Bring out the new racket when you think you have got it!!  Silly idea, but worth a thought.

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Well, thanks everybody for all the answers.

I went throught the Gear Archives first, but as you can see in my post, I did have some specific parameters, something that wasn't addressed by the posts there. So I am sorry if I cluttered the forum with another topic.

Thanks raquetchic - I tried a couple of  Wilsons (a Sledge Hammer 130TI and a K Factor 145), but frankly, nothing special, not a clear improvement over my Microgel 145.

I did try the Vector and I liked it. I felt that is there with my old iX 160, but the price was a bit... much for what I had in mind, especially since I know that Head is not a very durable racquet and I would've got at least 2 racquets.

I have to say, I tried a Prince racquet and a Black Knight one, but I found both lacking. Please, don't burn me to the stake - the black knight was a Ion something very expensive and it did to me what a massage would do to a wooden leg.  It just didn't fit me. So, it was a personal feeling. I was told that I should give both Prince and BK a second chance, but I just didn't have to...

Ok - so I did try the Metallix series. For some weird reason (so please, smack me repeatedly over the head) I always associated Liquid Metal (which I found to be a very rubbish racquet) with Metallix. Why, I can't say. Really. In any case, I really liked them, and I am getting some 150's.

Oh oh, I tried a couple of Harrows. Man, I liked them. A LOT. But they're so out of my price range, it's not even funny. I wish I would be a bit more careful with my racquets so I could "do" with only one or two at the most... and then I would get either a Vapor or a Spitfire. In any case, thanks for the people that posted. For now, case solved :))

Mihai  

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Try the Wilson Sledgehammer 130 ti...http://www.bellracquetsports.com/catalog.asp?prodid=299933&showprevnext=1

Cheap, light and stiff

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 if you like 160 gram racquets I would try Metallix 160. is one of the best Head squash racquets, although it does get a little heavy after a few games. otherwise in Head try the Vector 155 CT - similar to Metallix 160 but a little easier on the arm with even balance. Prince rackets are also stiff in the main (not O3 Black) new O3 Speedport Silver is very good, but O3 Speedport Tour also a top racket and is stiff. Harrow rackets also good: Vector, Fury both stiff. Take a look at my website and you can see which rackets are stiff, what weights and balances they have and how they play. http://www.supersquash.net

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Probably the best thing to do is browse through the Gear Forum Archives and there has been a lot said and advice given.  There are also some reviews.The Relevant Content tab has brought up a couple of articles too.

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