I have been using Echo Black Diamond .105 for years on my own home and recently on my part time lawn care business. I recently ordered some darwin grips and was sent a sample of some Ballard Phantom MAXX Twist Line .105 so decided to give it a try. It works much better than the black diamond. The cut quality seems the same, but it didn't break as quickly as the black diamond. I didn't have to bump the speed head as often. I've read that the Husqvarna Titanium XPRO line is pretty good too so might give it a try. Any of you guys tried the Ballard or Husqvarna line? As of now the MAXX Silver will be replacing the black diamond for me.
Trimmer Line (Echo, Husqvarna, Ballard)
3 reading
PearlWhiteGT
21 - 40 of 61 Posts
Joined
·
630 Posts
I tried some Husqvarna Titanium XPRO .095 string that my buddy gave me. I liked it better than the Black Diamond .105 for regular trimming and edging. Not sure how well it would do on thick stuff though. I plan on giving the Ballard Phanton Blue Twist .095 a try.
Joined
·
12,484 Posts
My helper uses the Husky titanium. We mowed a huge brick plant last week and I spent about 8hrs on a trimmer. I used black diamond on my fs94r. He used husky on his fs111. I asked how many times he reloaded, he said maybe 4 or 5. I made 12 precut rolls of BD .105 and used 10. I'm going to try some husky next.
Joined
·
630 Posts
Yeah I didn't have to bump the head as much as I do with the BD .105. Was pretty impressed with it. This was the orange line with steel core in it.
Joined
·
12,484 Posts
My helper had a big roll of the gray husky string.
Btw, Stihl x line was terrible on that big plant last week. My brother used it and hated it.
Joined
·
4,643 Posts
i love the black diamond for delicate work on weeklys but would go tru it too fast on tough jobs,
I really like the redmax maxline, it cuts well and is very tough line, i do not have to bump or restring as often as others, and echo black diamond, decently tough and cuts like a razor.
I hate the husqvarna titanium force line with a burning passion. cant cut for **** and seems "stiffer" than other lines, binding up in the head way more often than others.
im also not a huge fan of the oregon gatorline. it cuts ok but the line is wicked soft, i have to bump and restring more often than any other line ive used. its also a PITA to cut from the spool because its so soft, you cant use anything but a sharp knife, it just bends in clippers.
I hate the husqvarna titanium force line with a burning passion. cant cut for **** and seems "stiffer" than other lines, binding up in the head way more often than others.
im also not a huge fan of the oregon gatorline. it cuts ok but the line is wicked soft, i have to bump and restring more often than any other line ive used. its also a PITA to cut from the spool because its so soft, you cant use anything but a sharp knife, it just bends in clippers.
I just received a sample roll of Ballard Phantom Blue Twist .095. I have not used it yet, but in appearance the Blue Twist looks smaller in diameter than the .095 Black Diamond that I currently use. The Phantom looks more like .085 in comparison.
Also the BD appears to have a tighter twist pattern than the Phantom Blue Twist.
Is the Maxx Twist .105 the same physical size in appearance as the Black Diamond .105. Do you still prefer the Maxx Twist over BD, and if so, why?
Joined
·
630 Posts
The Maxx Twist .105 did look a tad bit smaller in diameter compared to the Black Diamond .105. I didn't pay too much attention to the twist on it. I do prefer the Maxx Twist over the Black Diamond. For me it cut really well and lasted longer. I didn't have to bump the head as often or restring as often. I plan on ordering a 5lb spool of it soon.
Please report back after using the Blue Twist. I'm interested in how you like it compared to the Black Diamond.
I'll try the Blue Twist this week and give my review. Thanks for your reply.
Installed the Phantom Blue Twist .095 today and ran for 1.5 hrs. Like I previously said the diameter looks smaller than BD and the spiral twist of the BD is much closer together.
I was trying to make a fair comparison based on my observations while using the Blue Twist. The first immediate thing I noticed was that it was not throwing sand in my face when cutting on flat sandy ground with thin grass. The BD would have been sand blasting my face.
The BT and the BD seemed to cut similarly in light conditions, but I would have to give the edge to the BD. It is more aggressive and has a sharper cutting edge. I got in a ditch with some thick overgrown dense tough grass and immediately I saw that the BT was very much lacking in ability compared to the BD, no comparison. I had to take a smaller swath and cut over area several times to bring grass down, where as the BD would cut same area much easier and quicker.
The whole time I was cutting I was focused on why the obvious difference in the two lines. My conclusions are that the BD having a tighter twist would be more aggressive while cutting and also pick up more sand in sandy areas. Where as the BT having a more elongated spiral twist has less cutting surface in comparison.
The BT seemed to wear very fast and become almost completely round with a pointed end. The BD will do the same but not near as fast.
Conclusion, for light to moderate trimming the Phantom Blue Twist will do the job. But for a more versatile all around line that will also easily cut overgrown grass and weeds, the Black Diamond would be my choice.
When hold the two lines side by side and comparing the difference in design, it makes obviously sense how and why they perform differently.
It had never occurred to me that lines of different configurations would affect how much sand would be picked up. I had two people to look at the lines and give me their opinion of any noticeable differences. Both immediately said the Black Diamond looked larger than the Blue Twist. Whether or not the BT is a full .095 or not I cannot say.
For me personally, I think the BD better meets my needs because of the many different types of grass and weeds I cut.
I will also demo the Phantom MAXX Twist Line .105 and compare it to my Black Diamond .095. I've never used .105 of any brand.
Joined
·
630 Posts
Thanks for the update. I have never used BD .095, only their .105. I did like the Maxx Twist .105 better than BD .105 but now want to try some BD .095.
Does the Black Diamond .105 and the Maxx Twist .105 appear to be same diameter. Also is the twist pattern different as I described on the .095? If possible post pics of the .105 in both lines for comparison.
Joined
·
630 Posts
The Maxx Twist does appear slightly smaller in diameter. I’ll get some pics tomorrow.
I spoke with support at Ballards today and their sending me a sample of the Maxx Twist .105 to demo. I hope it performs better than the Blue Twist .095. I was expecting a better result and was very disappointed.
Joined
·
630 Posts
Good pics, the BD obviously has a closer twist pattern. The more elongated pattern of the Maxx Twist looks exactly like the .095 Blue Twist. The diameter of the .105's look similar.
Why do you think the .105 Maxx Twist cut better than the .105 BD?
Joined
·
630 Posts
I'm not sure to be honest. I think they both cut great, but the Maxx Twist just lasted longer for me. I really want to try some BD .095 and compare it the .105 I've been using. Not sure if it would make any difference.
I used the BD .105 yesterday on some pretty overgrown St. Augustine and it cut really great. But had to bump the head more often that I'd like.
What trimmer are you using? Are you using the same trimmer for both the MT and BD?
Joined
·
630 Posts
Yup, Echo 2620 trimmer.
21 - 40 of 61 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
