PADDLE REVIEWS
BREAD & BUTTER SHOGUN PADDLE REVIEW
Look / Cosmetics : 3.5 / 5 Just a basic design here — yellow lettering of “ SHOGUN ” across the face against a black carbon / titanium fiber face . White edge guard with lettering around the perimeter . This is the only color choice currently available . Elongated shape measuring 16.5 " long x 7.4 " wide , with a 5.5 " grip . Nice yellow cushioned grip that claims to dampen vibrations . Playtest paddle came in at 8.0 oz . with a thickness of 16 mm . This paddle promises to be an “ all-court ,” balanced paddle . With similar specs to my favorite Invikta paddle , I was anxious to test this one out .
Serves / Returns / Groundstrokes : 4.5 / 5 Was able to acclimate to this paddle almost immediately . Swing weight was a bit on the heavy side , but not hard to swing at all . Hard shots had a nice springy feel , and it was easy to get returns nice and deep . Paddle felt more plush than crisp , which I really liked . Slice returns had some nice spin to them and so far , so good ! by JACK BANDEL
BREAD & BUTTER INVADER PADDLE REVIEW
Look / Cosmetics : 4 / 5 This paddle sports a neon-green “ alien ” face against a black background , with a purple edge guard and matching grip . Comes with a nice plush cover as well . It has a “ hybrid ” shape measuring 16.2 " long x 7.6 " wide , with a 5.3 " grip length . Cushioned grip over an octagonshaped handle . Playtest paddle came in at 8.1 oz . with a thickness of 16 mm . This fiberglass layered paddle promises to be powerful , while still providing great ball feel on contact .
Serves / Returns / Groundstrokes : 4 / 5 Having just playtested the B & B Shogun , I was eager to see if this paddle hit as many positive marks as the Shogun did . First , it is not as head-heavy and feels balanced while hitting baseline shots . Lots of pop off the paddle face for deep returns and serves . Not a rocket launcher , but not a super-control paddle either . Feels balanced ( like the Shogun ), but with a slightly stiffer feel . Touch / Feel / Spin : 4.5 / 5 This paddle gets high marks in feel for me . It is enjoyable to play with , and the springy feel off the paddle face makes you want to keep playing . Spin is about average , and touch shots were easy to execute . I could not decide if this was leaning more toward control than power , so it is a balanced all-court paddle for sure . Nothing stood out , but nothing was negative either , so it ’ s up to you — and don ’ t blame the paddle !
Sound / Sweet Spot / Playability : 4 / 5 Sweet spot was not an issue , so I would say it felt average or slightly better . I am used to these paddle specs , so I found it very easy to play with , but its elongated shape and slightly high swing weight means beginners should probably avoid it . Everyone else who likes a “ do-it-all ” type paddle should enjoy this one immensely . The sound at impact was just typical and not harsh or unique .
Summary : 4.1 / 5 This was my first playtest of a Bread & Butter paddle , and I was pleasantly surprised . The quality level at this price point was very high . This paddle played very similarly to my personal favorite ( Selkirk Invikta ), and it has me seriously considering a switch . I don ’ t know how this new carbon / titanium face will hold up , so we will have to wait and see on that . But anyone who wants a true allcourt paddle at a great price should definitely give this one a try .
Price : $ 189.99
Touch / Feel / Spin : 4 / 5 Spin was about average , with enough on tap to do what you need to on most shots . Control is very good , with a very predictable response off the face . Dinking was very controllable , and my third-shot drops were also surprisingly on target for me . The firmer , lively feel takes a little getting used to , but many may prefer that . I found great consistency in my shot placement , and this paddle will reward patient players who like to return everything and watch their opponents make the errors . I found that the Invader really shines during kitchen play .
Sound / Sweet Spot / Playability : 4 / 5 The Invader ’ s hybrid shape is a nice option for many skill levels . The sweet spot was decent , and it is light-feeling through the air . This is similar to the Shogun model in that it has a great balance between power and control , and would be a great choice for an “ all court ” paddle . It ’ s a very predictable , consistent-playing paddle and would be an asset for that style of patient , consistent play . Anyone above absolute beginner level would be a candidate for this paddle .
Summary : 4 / 5 This is another great offering from Bread & Butter to the all-court type players who want a paddle that does not get in your way and lets you focus on your court strategy . I found this one a little firmerfeeling and slightly more powerful than the Shogun , but similar in many other respects , with a different shape and slightly more even balance . For under $ 200 , you ’ d be hard-pressed to find two better choices . Looking forward to seeing what Bread & Butter can do in the future , as the designers continue to experiment with different blends of material in their paddles .
Price : $ 189.99
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