REVIEWS
IN THE KNOW : EQUIPMENT
CRBN2 ( 16MM ) PADDLE REVIEW
Look / Cosmetics : 3.5 The CRBN2 paddle has a simple , no-frills look to it that a lot of folks may prefer . Comes in two colors : black with white lettering and black with black lettering . CRBN offers this paddle also in two thicknesses . This review is based on the thicker 16mm , not the 13mm . The thicker model will give you more control and stability , while the thinner model will give you more power . This model has a traditional shape ( 15.75 ” x 8 ”) with a 5.25 ” handle . The grip felt especially nice , and everything appears to be of high quality .
Serves / Returns / Groundstrokes : 3.5 / 5 The “ T71 ” carbon face felt very soft when I first started testing it . I had to swing a little harder than I was used to , but this is a control paddle . I also noticed the balls were dipping a lot when I added topspin , so I had to aim higher over the net on my serves and return drives . Once I started doing that , I noticed my opponents were struggling a bit with the dipping ball . Topspin lovers will definitely have some fun with this paddle ! Wish I had a little more pop , but maybe the 13mm would be a better fit for players who want a bit more power ?
Touch / Feel / Spin : 5 / 5 Perfect score ! Spin and softness are the two highlights of this paddle for me . When you cut across the ball sharply , you get crazy amounts of spin with this paddle . Maybe the most I have seen . Plus the soft touch is amazing ! Dare I say it might be too soft ? Feel is a very personal thing , but if you like soft-feeling control paddles , you need to try this one right away . The light feel of the paddle along with the buttery soft touch lets you dink all day long without fear of popping the ball up . It also absorbs pace very well from incoming hard shots .
Sound / Sweet Spot / Playability : 4 / 5 Very playable paddle for most people , but remember this a control paddle , so it won ’ t give you a lot of free power . The sweet spot felt very forgiving , especially for a carbon-face paddle . The traditional shape should appeal to most players and the sound is not too loud at all . Like I said earlier , spin and feel are the strong suits of this model and it delivers big in those areas .
Summary : 4 / 5 CRBN paddles have been generating a lot of buzz recently and I am noticing more and more pros switching to those paddles . Pros like to use a lot of feel and spin in their games and this paddle will give you those things for sure . Will be interesting to see if CRBN expands the line in the future , but for now you have four great choices when you factor in the two different thicknesses and paddle shapes . If your game is based on spin and feel , you will be doing yourself a disservice if you didn ’ t check out these paddles .
SELKIRK EPIC VANGUARD 2.0 PADDLE REVIEW
Look / Cosmetics : 4 / 5 Selkirk paddles are instantly recognizable with that familiar Selkirk “ S ” logo across the front , with the two-tone color scheme . Comes in two colors : blue / black and red / black . Personally , I love the look of red on black . Same traditional Epic shape as seen in previous models . Selkirk came out with these 2.0 models with the “ Gen2 ” surface to improve on the wearability of the previous model and to also add more spin potential . Did it succeed ? Let ’ s find out .
Serves / Returns / Groundstrokes : 4 / 5 The updated “ Quantum-Carbon Fiber ” surface feels more textured than the previous model and I noticed more spin right away , especially on my slice shots . Other than that , the new 2.0 line will feel almost identical to the previous line . That same great feel of the previous Epic model is still there and there was no reason to make drastic changes . Groundstrokes and serves have the same great predictability and directional control , and power level appears unchanged .
By Jack Bandel
Touch / Feel / Spin : 4.5 / 5 OK , here is where you notice the improvements in the 2.0 line . While the Vanguard 2.0 line doesn ’ t have the “ spinniest ” paddles out there , the new line gives you more spin than the previous . But there is something special about the carbon surface that Selkirk puts on these paddles . Once you try it you will know what I mean . You really “ feel ” the ball off the paddle face way more than with other paddles . The control and consistency you get is unmatched . Feel on dinks and soft shots is as good as it gets . Top scores in this category !
Sound / Sweet Spot / Playability : 4.5 / 5 Playability is really where the Vanguard line shines . This Epic model is the “ jack of all trades ” shape for Selkirk , and it really delivers all over the court . The paddle is very forgiving , making it work for a wide variety of playing styles and skill levels . Usually “ pro level ” paddles would be best used by pros , but not this one . Everyone can benefit from the Epic 2.0 due to its large sweet spot and excellent playability . Only caveat is this paddle is mostly control over power , so if you need a power boost , there are better choices ( like a composite model ). Again , high marks here . Also , no issues with the sound of the paddle at all .
Summary : 4.25 / 5 It appears that Selkirk has addressed the cosmetic wear issues of the previous model and added more spin potential . I have only been playing with the paddle for a few weeks , but I didn ’ t see any premature wear or flaking on the surface . Selkirk is constantly looking for ways of improving its products and the problem is there isn ’ t much left to improve . That ’ s a nice problem to have . The new 2.0 model isn ’ t a huge jump from the previous model , but it didn ’ t need to be . Also remember that Selkirk offers a full refund if your game doesn ’ t improve in 30 days , so try one out !
For more information , visit the Pickleball Paddle Reviews group on Facebook . Paddle manufacturers : Contact Jack Bandel at
jackbandel @ gmail . com if you ’ d like your products to be reviewed .