One of the newer polyester strings in the market is Grapplesnake Short Fin – designed for players looking to optimize their spin, clean pocketing, and controlled aggression. It has a hexagonal, ridged profile and very slick coating, which claims to produce fast snap back, directional control, and a firm, confident feel to the finish. For those familiar with the Grapplesnake brand, it is a limited edition version of Tour Mako.
Tech & specs
- Gauge: 1.25mm / 17
- Material: Co-polymer (polyester)
- Color: Cream (Note: this is limited edition release so far)
- Shape: Hexagonal (Six sided)
Tecnifibre Tfight 300 ID Playtest
First Impressions – Sharp, Spin-Friendly, And A Bit Stiff
When I first hit with the Tfight 300ID strung at 49lbs with the Short Fin, the strings reminded me of the Toroline O’Toro string. I immediately felt the crisp snap-back and spin from the baseline. However, on off-centre hits, I noticed the firmer feel firmer (almost rigid). If the ball wasn’t struck perfectly, it made contact a bit harsh. Stiff strings can be unforgiving so you have to focus harder on good footwork, and stroke mechanics.
Another thing worth noting was the loss of feel at the net (although that is arguably not this string’s USP). It felt a bit disconnected somehow on touch shots and I had a hard time directing balls consistently. The string perhaps exposed my lack of footwork and movement at the net as I found trouble controlling volleys. It didn’t give me the connection and feel I am used to.
Break-in Period – These Strings Come Alive with Time
With heavy hitting for about 1 or 2 hours, Short Fin softened slightly, and the playability of the strings opened up. I felt the strings truly “break in.” The spin that has been dominant in the string improved slightly as the string bed felt softer and more lively. It felt more responsive and less harsh, more playable, and could get more depth on my shots.
Tension holding is excellent on this string and stayed very playable after 10 hours and arguably played better over time. Although I still didn’t get that feel at the net I like on volleys, I did get used to this and was able to manipulate shots a bit better. I think if I put this string in again, I might even drop it 1-2lbs in tension as it does stay fairly firm even after several hours hitting.
Performance Breakdown – Pros and Cons
Here’s what stood out the most in the Tecnifibre 300 ID:
Pros
- High spin potential and aggressive snap-back — excellent for heavy topspin baseliners
- Controlled, stable ball flight and predictable trajectory once “settled in”
- Reliable tension maintenance — string stays stable across sessions
- Controlled power — spin + depth without uncontrollable pop
Cons
- Can feel rigid and unforgiving on off-centre strikes
- Volleys can feel rigid and unpredictable (lack of feel)
- Slightly less comfort than softer polys (expect firmer impact)
- Requires a committed swing – softer strokes won’t unlock the string’s full potential
I think it does suit frames like the Tfight 300ID (with more open string patterns) which is why I chose to string in this racquet. I am not sure how well it would play in traditional control frames like a Head Prestige or Yonex Percept 97D. In the Tight 300 ID it offers controlled launch, depth with spin, and confidence in heavy rallies. But players who want a forgiving feel, soft net touch or maximum plushness might find it a bit too firm.
Comparable Strings – Where Short Fin Fits in the Poly Landscape
Short Fin sits in a similar lane as strings like Toroline O’Toro or Solinco Tour Bite, so firm, sharp, and spin-oriented but with good control and better tension holding. Compared to softer polys or hybrid-style setups, it sacrifices some feel in exchange for spin, control and aggressive shape.
Comparable strings would include:
- Toroline O’ Toro – Closest in terms of feel and playability, O’Toro might have a bit more spin and control but not much in it.
- Solinco Tour Bite – A very familiar feeling to Short Fin from the baseline. I think Tour Bite provides a bit more control and better feel on volleys.
- Weiss Cannon Ultra Cable – Similar spin and feel, but Short Fin has better stability and tension holding
- Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 – Has a similar rigid feel and sharp angled spin. Short Fin does have a longer playability window though.
Grapplesnake Short Fin is a spin-first polyester string that rewards aggressive hitters with good snapback and controlled depth. In the Tfight 300ID, it delivered solid playability especially after a coupe of hours heavy hitting. It maintained tension well over several hours. It can feel a little rigid if you hit off-centre (but that probably exposes my lack of clean hitting).
For me there is very little touch or feel at the net and volleys can feel unpredictable. For players who value spin-first performance, consistency, and predictable control, Short Fin is definitely worth a try. If you’re chasing comfort, plush feel, or gentle net touch you might want to look elsewhere or or at least string at a lower tension (below 51lbs).
Find the latest strings for purchase at Tennis Warehouse (USA, Canada) or Tennis Warehosue Europe.