Silvester may not be the biggest name among the top recommended strings yet, but they’re quietly producing some seriously impressive performance polys. Energy 123 is their more powerful spin-control blend. It would be aimed at modern baseliners who want easy depth without losing precision.
I tested Silvester Energy 123 in the Wilson Blade V9 16×19, which I feel is a racquet that benefits from a slightly livelier poly. In the Blade this string feels comfortable, stable, and really good at holding tension. It lasted well into hour 13 or 14 before I noticed any kind of significant tension drop. For a string on the thinner side, that is pretty impressive.
Tech & specs
- Gauge: 1.23mm / 17
- Material: Co-polymer (polyester)
- Color: Black
- Shape: Round
First Impressions – Clean, Powerful, Controlled
I strung it at 51 lbs in the Blade V9, I think any lower on this string and you might lose a bit too much control (51/52lbs feels like the sweet spot. On first hit I immediately noticed the controlled pop. It isn’t what I’d describe as wild power. It is more that you can get easy depth without much effort. In summary:
- Forehands had a linear, penetrating trajectory
- The string never felt overly springy (but in a more power orientated racquet it might feel a little unstable)
- Snap-back was excellent (definitely got enough spin from this string)
Unlike some powerful polys where control can be hard to manage on faster strokes, Energy seems to stay locked in for the most part. I like how connected it feels on shorter balls and I was able to drive into space with confidence.
Volleys felt clean and responsive, a much softer touch than shaped polyesters. It really is a fun string to play with at the net as you get so much touch and feel with this string. I did also try this in a hybrid setup as this does pair well with a shaped polyester in the mains if you do want to tame the power a bit. I tried it with RPM Blast and also Silvester Hepta-Plus. Both worked well. RPM Blast is on the firmer side so the two pair together well..
Break-In Period – Little to None
Within 20–30 minutes, the string bed settled into a perfect playability window:
- Stays crisp, but not ‘boardy’
- Pocketing improves noticeably as it warms up
- Power and control sync beautifully (I think they market is as controlled power, so I would agree here)
The standout:
Tension maintenance is excellent. Even after 10+ hours of hard hitting, performance barely dipped. It played like the same string each session.
Performance Breakdown — Pros and Cons
Here’s what stood out most in the Blade V9 for me:
Pros
- Effortless depth with good control
- Excellent tension holding – one of the best in its class
- Cleaner feel at net vs shaped or ultra-firm polys (would suit touch players)
- Predictable trajectory even on big swings
Cons
- Can feel a little unstable facing heavy balls on one handed backhands (but I was able to adapt a bit over time)
- Spin is good, but not as sharp as shaped polys
- In more power orientated racquets e.g. Pure Aero would be a little too powerful I think
Comparable Strings – Where It Fits in the Market
Silvester Energy 123 sits right in the same lane as:
In Summary
Silvester Energy 123 is one of those strings that punches above its weight. At 1.23mm, it hits the sweet spot. It is thin enough for feel and spin, but not so thin that the power runs away from you. Any thinner and I think it would start getting a little too lively.
I would summarise it as control-driven poly that still gives you easy, confident depth. The standout is definitely the tension holding. It is far better than several big-name competitors who have been in the market far longer. In the Wilson Blade it feels the right fit: crisp, dialled-in from the first ball, and it feels connected in and around the net.
Would I put it in a more explosive racquet like a Pure Aero 98 or Wilson Clash? Probably not as a full bed, the power might get harder to manage. But in a hybrid setup with a firmer, spin-focused poly (e.g., RPM Blast), it would work well.