String comparison
RPM Blast Rough vs Savage
Babolat RPM Blast Rough against Luxilon Savage: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Blast Rough leads on power and spin. Savage leads on durability and tension hold. They score the same for arm friendliness (3/5). Savage costs less per set.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick RPM Blast Rough if…
- You want more power (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more spin (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- Best for: spin-obsessed players
- Best for: juniors developing their topspin game
- Best for: first-time poly users (more forgiving than Blast)
Pick Savage if…
- You want more durability (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want to spend less (from $14 vs $20 a set)
- Best for: spin-obsessed juniors on a budget
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: big hitters who break strings often
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Blast Rough | Savage |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured octagonal high-density co-polyester | Six-sided co-poly with Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP) |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16 |
| Stiffness | Medium | High |
| Set price | $20–21 | $14–16 |
| Reel price | $130–150 | $130–160 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Can string slightly lower than regular Blast. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Six-sided shape grips well at lower tensions. |
RPM Blast Rough in short
Babolat RPM Blast Rough adds a textured surface to the familiar octagonal profile of RPM Blast. The result is a string that some testers found eclipsed the spin of the original. It feels softer and more arm-friendly than regular RPM Blast, with a livelier, more powerful response. A great entry-level co-poly for juniors or developing players looking to try their first polyester string.
Savage in short
Luxilon Savage is a stiff six-sided co-poly loaded with spin-friendly bite and low-powered control. The smooth response was achieved partly through a Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP), one of Luxilon's successful additives. Savage is 15% stiffer than ALU Power, which translates to less ball speed off the stringbed (more control). The six edges provide excellent grip on the ball. Available in Lime, White, and Black, with the Black version having the crispest feel and least power. Savage is Luxilon's budget-friendly option that gives much of the tour-level durability and control expected from the Luxilon line.
RPM Blast Rough vs Savage: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Blast Rough or Savage?
Babolat RPM Blast Rough, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 9/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 3/5. RPM Blast Rough is recommended from age 13 and Savage from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon Savage rates 7/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Blast Rough costs about $20–21 a set and Savage about $14–16, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (RPM Blast Rough) and 2025-01 (Savage).