Squash Source

39 responses to “Harrow Vibe”

1. Lloyd

   March 24, 2020

   Don’t wanna stir up trouble but on Diego Elias’s Instagram story he looks like hes using the new bright green harrow. Has he switched perhaps? (I have a screenshot but don’t know how to put it on here via phone)

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      March 24, 2020

      Hi Lloyd I personally recommend uploading to imgur and then using their embed code (such as below). You can also email me the photo.

      I managed to take this screen grab from Diego’s Instagram:

      It could be he’s switched but the story I’m telling myself is Diego is visiting Jonathon Power up in Canada or somewhere, and Power loaned him a Harrow Vibe to hit with.

      Reply
      1. AV

         January 6, 2023

         Just found a 2016 model in a court bin with just a minimal crack, definitely worth having a knock with right Alan?

         Reply
         1. Laurie Lacey-Hastings

            February 25, 2023

            Absolutely! How did you get on? It’s the same frame as the Dunlop ICE Elite JP edition as it’s clear JP had a big influence on the design of this racket

            Reply
2. D-Man

   December 15, 2018

   There are a lot of things I really like about this racquet. I can generate pace with relative ease. I can drop from just about anywhere on the court and the ball consistently goes where I point it. If I am under pressure, I can generally loft the ball with decent accuracy thanks to the forgiving head size.

   I’ve recently moved to the Vibe from a Spark and the one thing I can’t do with it as well is snap my shots on kills, especially cross court ones. I suspect it is the more balanced nature of the frame vs. the slightly head heavy Spark that is causing this.

   Is there a Harrow frame that is similar to the Vibe but slightly more head heavy? Alternatively, has anybody experimented with adding a bit of weight to the head of the Vibe?

   Thanks.

   Reply
3. Ivan

   June 28, 2017

   NEW VIBE SQUASH RACQUET – KARIM ABDEL GAWAD CUSTOM

   https://www.instagram.com/p/BV4x2d1BhCN/

   Reply
4. Sherif Gehad

   June 7, 2017

   Here is the new custom vibe for Karim Abd El Gawad

   http://www.harrowsports.com/harrow-vibe-squash-racquet-karim-abdel-gawad-custom-black-vegas-gold#.WThAgYWxWEd

   Reply
   1. Lloyd

      June 7, 2017

      Looks slick!!

      Reply
5. Isak Joramo

   February 7, 2017

   Here’s the custom Karim Abdel Gawad version he actually uses. Not sure why they released other custom versions with his name given how how seems to have played with this one for quite some time. http://www.harrowsports.com/harrow-vibe-squash-racquet-karim-abdel-gawad-custom#.WJojejKDq1s

   Reply
   1. Rich

      February 8, 2017

      I think it’s probably because the version he uses doesn’t have his name on it. The other version is very heavily branded and more recognisably Gawad’s. I guess it’s down to preference- tbh if I hadn’t been given the orange one for free I would have picked the black one.

      Reply
      1. Sherif Gehad

         February 23, 2017

         Hi Isac, Rich

         actually Karim is still using a dark navy harrow vibe..
         you can pause this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e8dd1e1aUI&t=310s) at 0:36/10.39.. you will see: USED IN TOURNAMENT PLAY BY
         KARIM ABDEL GAWAD
         probably a very specific custom racket for Karim.. maybe only 2 rackets world wide.. both with Karim 🙂

         i contacted harrow team and i received confirmation from John Burke and Kelly Williams that Karim is still using that dark navy one.

         Also new one came in black color, seems for marketing reasons (probably Harrow can’t re-publish old vibe with same color) so they made a new color (same weight same balance like old one)
         and seems that new one has only 2 letters KG (not handwritten signature)

         old vibe navy blue:
         https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HH4OCM?tag=amiazo-20

         new vibe Karim ABDEL GAWAD Black:
         http://www.harrowsports.com/harrow-vibe-squash-racquet-karim-abdel-gawad-custom#.WK9F0PLw_oN

         hope i was useful

         Reply
6. michel goulche

   February 2, 2017

   It seems that Ryan Cuskelly has switch from the Vapor to the Vibe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYNoWqNBRpM

   Reply
7. bernard

   December 20, 2016

   possibly a silly Q, are all the Vibe frames identical, just different colour schemes?

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      December 22, 2016

      I believe they are identical, just different color schemes. Actually I’m told that different paint colors have different weights, so this could have a slight impact on the balance – but safe to say I probably couldn’t detect a difference 🙂

      Reply
      1. Bernard

         December 23, 2016

         Thanks Pierre! i’m a big fan of the carboflex 125, but just looking at the way Gawad plays would tempt me to try out one of these rackets.

         Reply
8. b

   November 4, 2016

   Is Gawad still using this? man, he plays the game of squash beautifully.

   Reply
   1. DaveP

      November 4, 2016

      Yes – he’s still using the Vibe.. all the Vibe rackets are the same apparently (JP version and normal Vibe) – just different cosmetics.

      Reply
      1. b

         November 4, 2016

         thanks DaveP

         Reply
      2. Rich

         January 23, 2017

         Gawad has got his own custom design now as well – only know because the awesome people at Harrow ran a competition and I won one. I’ll post how I get on with it, usually play with a different balance but fully agree with the comments about Karim’s style!

         You can see it in this tweet:
         https://twitter.com/HarrowSports/status/822542728181481472

         Reply
         1. B

            January 24, 2017

            well done mate! he wasn’t using that custom design at the recent ToC was he?

            Reply
         2. Pierre

            January 24, 2017

            Thanks Rich, I added that to the post above.

            B: looks like Gawad was using one of the other Vibes, at least in the final:

            The winning moment for @Karimsamy91 at @ToCSquash pic.twitter.com/MdHP9BiBLr

            — PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) January 20, 2017

            Reply
         3. Rich

            February 7, 2017

            Took some pictures of the Gawad Vibe – quite like it so far, but will need to get used to it after playing with bridgeless Prince’s for 15+ years.

            Available on the Harrow site as well, in both the black cosmetic and the white/orange I got. no pictures of the latter though so I’ve uploaded some here:

            http://www.richardjamesgibbs.com/files/vibe/

            Reply
9. Skyler

   November 5, 2013

   Am I crazy or are there two versions of the 2013 Vibe that look exactly the same, with no differentiating specs. The only ‘difference’ I can find is the small silhouette on the neck.
   http://www.harrowsports.com/vibe-squash-racquet-limited-edition-yellow-black
   vs
   http://www.harrowsports.com/vibe-squash-racquet-jonathon-power-signature-edition-black-yellow

   Reply
   1. Pierre Bastien

      November 6, 2013

      Hi Skyler I think they’re exactly the same except for those little touches – the JP version has that little logo of a diving Jonathon Power on the throat, and his signature on the side.

      Reply
   2. jake

      December 27, 2013

      different strings…look closely

      Reply
10. J Leizman

    September 16, 2013

    Pierre,
    I assume you have been a victim of auto-correct and know that Jonathon’s name is not spelled Jonathan. Do you mind correcting it going forward?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       September 16, 2013

       Oh dear! Looks like I need more sleep… corrected!

       Reply
11. D

    September 12, 2013

    Pierre, you’re linking to the new Spark, which is 135g and admittedly, looks very similar!

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       September 13, 2013

       Thanks D I’ve updated the post! That explains the weight difference then… 🙂

       Reply
12. M

    June 9, 2013

    I have to agree with the above comments about the durability of Harrow rackets. I have personally played with many of them before and I absolutely love the playability of Harrow rackets, especially the Fury. However, they really don’t seem to last long. I have a junior who managed to break 2 Jewels in around three months and she’s far from what you’d classify as an aggressive player or a hard hitter who smashes the back corners.

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       June 10, 2013

       Thanks M!

       Reply
13. D

    April 3, 2013

    I got my hands on a demo, because I wanted to give it a try. The racket is actually a really dark navy. Depending on the lighting, it’s either blueish, or black, so I think it’s actually the same paintjob, but with different lighting for photography. We’d have to confirm with Harrow I guess.

    Reply
    1. Pierre

       April 6, 2013

       Thanks D! I will try and check with Harrow.

       Reply
14. Seb

    March 22, 2013

    As soon as I placed the order for this, I got a notification that Jonathon Power has been alerted and he is heading downstairs to his squash lair, and shaving off 15 grams from from a brand new Vapor. I will be getting the delivery next week.

    Ok, wishful thinking on my part and enough with the copy/paste. On a serious note, has anyone on this forum played with Harrow rackets and are they really worth the $200+ price ? What makes them expensive compared to the other brands. I have been seeing more and more players using Harrow lately at my club (Vibe and Vapor particularly) and the players really really love these rackets. I am interested in Vibe since it is evenly balanced, but have been holding off on it till I can get some feedback on it.

    Reply
    1. D

       March 24, 2013

       Seb, the Spark and the Vapor are very popular at my club. While it seems like the rackets have not changed much over the years aside from a new paintjob, they play very nicely, and I can understand their popularity. If you look at the other top offerings from Dunlop and Black Knight, they are in the $180-$200 range. The other brands offer them at a bit less, $150-$160.

       While the the Harrows are great rackets and are gaining in popularity, I have experienced myself, heard from others, and read on the internet comments about their durability. They are, unfortunately, fragile. Moreso than the new Dunlops. My Spark broke within 5 weeks of purchase, and the most abuse I put it through were wall scrapes on tight length. Someone else at the club went through 3 Sparks in a bit over a year before he gave up and switched. A Google search of Harrow reviews online will give you similar statements. So, great racket, but only if you can afford having them replaced often.

       D

       Reply
    2. Jeroen Mulderij

       March 25, 2013

       A fellow junior I played has a the same racket I think and he was angry because he was 6-2 in front in the fifth and I came back to 10-6 to win the game eventually with 11-9, but anyway he was angry that I came back and hit with his handle against the backwall and the rally after that he broke his handle (HE GOT A LET!!! :O). Was my worst match ever, but happy that I won.
       Jeroen

       Reply
    3. Ted

       September 11, 2016

       Seb,
       Wonder what you ended up purchasing and if you are happy….
       My son has just gone through TWO of the JP Spark series racquet in a less than 5 month period. Second racquet last a total of 6 hours of playing time approx. He is not a wall or floor basher. 2nd racquet broke on a normal wall scrape. He and I have also used Cheaper Wilson racquets and boy do they sure handle an amazing amount of abuse. I purposely tried to break the frame of mine one day and slammed it hard against a wall, racquet is still going strong….
       So far not too impressed with quality of Harrow based on the cost.

       Reply
       1. Nick

          September 11, 2016

          To those above with issues with Harrow durability, I’m afraid my experiences are the same. I went through five/six Harrow Vapors (black/red) over a year and a half. It’s a lovely racket to play with, and it gives a lot of confidence to go for shots with it, however I couldn’t justify spending so much and then literally throwing it in the bin.

          Switched to Tecnifibre Carboflex 125, as I played with the 130 prior (check out both if you can). The Tecnifibre doesn’t have as much feel, and doesn’t give me the same confidence as the Harrow, but I have got used to them now. Considering both the rackets I bought have lasted a year, with a few noticeable collisions with the wall, it’s a trade-off I’m willing to make. I’ve just bought a couple more as I want to play around a bit with different strings (look around for two racket deals, and don’t forget voucher codes!).

          Reply
          1. Ted

             September 12, 2016

             Much appreciate the feedback Nick; thank you
             Cheers
             Ted

             Reply