Xamsa Obsidian Squash Racquet Strung

I really like the racquet and really want to continue to like the racquet, but I am starting to question the durability of this one. I have had 2 now that have cracked across the face, each lasting only 30 days. I am not a crazy power hitter, and my game is good enough that I don't have bone crushing wall impacts, however I do play everyday. I hope a racquet should last more that 30-45 hours of play. Tim has been great and we are working through the problems.

Love the racquet, feels very comfortable and smooth. Xamsa provides exceptional customer service and went above and beyond to give me advice with selecting the right strings for the racquet.

The obsidian is a really solid choice for a bridged racquet. Good feel and good power for half the price of anything equivalent.

I've said it time and time again, the minute I tried a Xamsa I never looked back. It its a great balance of agility/finess and power. Its durability is also a huge selling point for me.

Would buy again!

string too soft and become lose real fast. head heavy as it is.

This racquet is beautiful. It feels very comfortable and balanced when I hold it. The all-black style is cool. And, I liked how they put an arrow at the bottom (people always ask me to spin for the first serve).

My squash mates tried it out and they liked it. One of them hit the ball for 2 minutes with it and bought it on the same day.

It is my top favorite or, at least, in the top 2 favorite racquets that I have used so far.

Met & exceeded expectations including service & speedy international delivery

Very precise. I'm relatively new to this racquet, but I did some figure of eights (amateur version with a bounce) with it while waiting for a match and everything just clicked. Actually stopped the solo drill myself after a while and not because of a mishit (guess I need to ditch the bounce...). Clean hits with sweetspot, and the racquet simply feels right. Absolutely no trouble with the swing or the timing. I have been using the Inkognito (which is also a great racquet) up until recently but wanted something more accurate. I need some more time to get fully accustomed to it, but none the less: Very satisfied!

Over the years, I have played with nearly every brand of racquet available-- e.g. in addition to the Xamsas, my bag currently holds a Karakal, a Dunlop, a Tecnifibre, and a couple of Salmings. I have to say the Xamsa Obsidian is the equal or better of anything I have tried. I have a fairly well-rounded game in that I combine control and accuracy with touch, as well as a great deal of changing the pace and power. The Obsidian suits all facets of that game well. Compared to other closed throat racquets I use-- the Eye 120 Shabana model and the Dunlop series used by Gaultier-- I prefer the weight and balance of the Xamsa. It is solid on off center hits, and feels great volleying all around the court. While it is rated a bit lower for power, I have no trouble generating pace with the frame. I would also add that this racquet is in no way a step down from any frame on the market. The only thing you are getting less of is a deduction from your account.

Having played with a couple of different Xamsa racquets and most top racquets from other manufacturers, I can say that there is no difference in performance and quality despite the price. My most recent racquet was the Harrow Vapor, and the Tecnifibre Carboflex before that.

With the Obsidian, I was able to compare it side by side with the BK Hex Phenom and the Harrow Vibe before deciding. All three racquets have large head size and less stiff frames. My observations:

- Obsidian vs BK Hex Phenom: both have a very similar hex frame, shape and size. The Obsidian's lighter weight makes it easier to snap while still giving better control and the same amount of power. The Phenom is heavier which may suit those preferring more weight but it comes at the cost of maneuverability and doesn't offer better power.

- Obsidian vs Harrow Vibe: even though the Obsidian is a bit heavier, being more head light makes it more maneuverable. I also find the Obsidian to be more consistent and have better control. Playing with the Vibe demands a particular swing to produce consistently straight balls. It takes some getting used to while the Obsidian was easier for me to "get".

Overall I found the larger head and thinner beam/additional flex of the Obsidian more forgiving and allowed better control. It wasn't overly flexible as the racquet still produced a satisfyingly crisp hit. The thin beam also made for nice cut on drops. You have a larger area to brush off the ball without a thicker beam to cause an accidental frame shot. Good pop off the strings. If you're coming from a tear drop shape or a heavier racquet with head light balance, you may need some time to adjust. I'm very happy with my purchase.