The KewCast with John & Eddie

New Honolulu M105, new Paddletek Gen 4 releases, and RPM Jade vs Spartus Spitfire after 100 games. This week on KewCast 129, we cover the latest paddle arrivals and revisit what happens to spin after real court time.

The RPM Jade tester unit averaged 2,550 RPM when new and 2,585 RPM after 100 games, showing no measured spin loss in this test. The Spartus Spitfire went from 2,507 to 2,242 RPM, a 10.6% decline. But others have reported greater spin loss on their Jade paddles, and we discuss the notable QC concerns alongside our results. We also cover surface texture and Jade break-in measurements.

Chapters/ Timestamps:

0:00 Preview of show

1:39 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Planning for Worlds - Our bracket is full of reviewers/influencers

3:39 Other plans at Worlds: pro content, spin/speed data on serves, drives, etc.

4:40 Franklin X-44 Launched

7:17 Franklin's Anna Leigh Waters Event in Malaysia

9:22 Kew Queue: Honolulu M105

12:36 Paddles of the Week - Spartus Sptifire Widebody

16:02 New PaddleTeks: Bantam Jolt and Tempest Veyra

24:06 PaddleTek Tempest Veyra

32:08 Witness Rival (Thomas Wilson’s new company)

36:33 RPM Jade after 100 games, and broader QC issues

47:00 Spartus Spitfire after 100 games

49:34 Kew & A: Does the drop in real-world spin for HexGrit relate to grime building up in the texture?

50:29 If John had to pick another co-host for 6 months, who would it be?

51:35 Who would Eddie pick to co-host for if John was out?

Products mentioned in podcast (affiliate links):

🔹Franklin X-44 - save 10% witih code JOHNKEW: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/PzE3yX

🔹 PaddleTek Bantam Jolt - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.paddletek.com/products/bantam-jolt-elongated?sca_ref=12663430.JyRJV0a0foTu2t

🔹 PaddleTek Tempest Veyra - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.paddletek.com/products/tempest-veyra-elongated?sca_ref=12663430.JyRJV0a0foTu2t

🔹 RPM Jade – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://rpmpb.com/JOHNKEW

🔹 Spartus Spitfire – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI

🔹Witness Rival - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://witnesspickleball.com/

Also in this episode:

• Honolulu M105 in the KewQueue

• Paddletek Bantam Jolt and Tempest Veyra

• Spartus Spitfire WB and its $100 price after code

• Witness Rival from Thomas Wilson’s new company

• Franklin X-44 launch and the latest gear news

• Could grime buildup explain a drop in real-world HexGrit spin?

• Who would John and Eddie choose as a temporary KewCast co-host?

Explore the paddle database, Comparison Lab and more:

https://www.johnkewpickleball.com

DISCLOSURE AND TESTING CONTEXT:

Links to paddles above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a commission and you get a discount. Paddle companies may have paid for prototype spin durability testing. The production-model results discussed here were independently produced without a testing fee or editorial input. We do not accept payment for reviews, and our opinions are our own.

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

Our picks for the top 3 paddles contending to replace our mains. Plus, secret shopper spin-durability results for the Honolulu J2CR Blue Grit and Six Zero Coral Pro after 200 wear impacts.

Chapters/ Timestamps:

0:00 Preview of show

3:50 Is pickleball less fun at higher levels and when you're competing in tournaments?

11:24 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: USAP's Response to the Jason Aspes Letter

35:03 Paddles of the Week: Gearbox Pressure-X hybrid shapes

43:23 Top 3 paddles competing to replace our current mains

1:07:33 I retested spin on the Owl, and OMG...

1:13:48 Updated results: spin on 11SIX24 Ultré P2, after 4 months (200 games)

1:22:59 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Secret Shopper Results

1:28:29 Revised policy for paid spin durability testing

1:33:11 Kew & A: commenter is impressed with LifeTime Fitness after switching from a local franchise

1:34:54 How many cannon hits before a full-foam paddle loses power?

1:37:05 Which overgrips do each of you prefer?

Products discussed in this podcast (affiliate links):

🔹 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 – save $10 with code JOHNKEW: https://11six24.com/products/ultre-power-2?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v

🔹 Bread & Butter Loco 2 – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/Qj390x

🔹 Honolulu J6CR Blue Grit – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://808pickle.com/products/j6cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn

🔹 Luzz Cannon XPP – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzz-cannon-xpp-m1-paddle?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL

🔹 Neonic Swift FLX – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://neonicpickleball.com/products/neonic-pickleball-swift-flx?sca_ref=5483926.I2u0jGSSKQ

🔹 RPM Jade – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://rpmpb.com/JOHNKEW

🔹 Spartus Spitfire – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI

In KewCast 128, John and Eddie give their top 3 paddles contending to replace their current mains. We break down power, spin, swing weight, feel, and the tradeoffs that could convince us to switch.

Also, our first secret shopper results: Six Zero Coral Pro and J2CR Blue Grit put through the 200 impact accelerated wear test.

We also revisit the spin on John’s 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 after 200 games, discuss an OWL paddle spin retest, and look at the Gearbox Pressure-X hybrid shapes.

Then we dig into the USAP and UPA-A certification debate, including Jason Aspes’ criticisms and Carl Schmits’ response on behalf of USA Pickleball.

Also in this episode: Are tournaments making pickleball less fun? Does getting better change what you enjoy about the game? And why is John winding down paid spin-durability development testing while continuing independent review testing?

What paddle are you playing now, and which one has the best chance of replacing it? Let us know in the comments.

PADDLE DATA AND COMPARISONS

https://www.johnkewpickleball.com

DISCLOSURE AND TESTING CONTEXT:

Links to paddles above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Paddle companies may have paid for prototype spin durability testing. The production-model results discussed here were independently produced without a testing fee or editorial input.

Cannon wear-test tiers are comparative lab results. Tier 1 ratings discussed here are provisional pending supporting real-world evidence. Accelerated wear does not translate directly into games played or predict a paddle’s lifespan. Human-generated spin RPM and cannon spin RPM are separate measurements.

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

Four buzzworthy paddles. Two head-to-head matchups. Bread & Butter Loco 2 vs RPM Jade, and Spartus Spitfire vs Luzz Cannon XPP: which would you buy? We compare spin, power, feel, handling, price and provisional spin durability results.

Chapters/ Timestamps

0:00 Intro and episode preview

0:50 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Selkirk S2 Pro ball dropping October 20th

2:49 Picklr Bankruptcy

8:05 New favorite podcast: Friday pickleball

9:00 Consumer report on paddle sales/satisfaction

14:57 Paddles of the Week: Vanwin Alpha Control Elongated

18:42 CPX Hyper +

22:51 Paddle Matchup: Spartus Spitfire vs. Luzz Cannon XPP

31:33 Matchup: Bread & Butter Loco 2 vs. RPM Jade

42:00 Tales from the Ball Cannon: clearing up ambiguity regarding Tier 1 status

47:39 Kew & A: Control and power paddles are separated by only a few of miles an hour - how can that be?

51:01 How did you measure swingweight when choking up on the same paddle? My Briffidi only allows this if I tilt the paddle.

52:00 Does a softer rating mean slower ball speed, regardless of whether the paddle feels hollow or dense?

54:01 Favorite 3 paddles right now?

57:06 Why are other gritty paddles getting USAP approval while 11SIX24 HexGrit remains UPA-only?

In KewCast Episode 127, John and Eddie break down two paddle matchups and the tradeoffs behind the numbers. The Loco 2 and Jade both delivered Tier 1 (Provisional) cannon results, while the Spitfire and Cannon XPP pair similar firepower with different wear-test outcomes.

We also clarify the path from prototype testing to an independent production-model rating, why real-world play matters, and why we haven’t set a fixed percentage-loss threshold for confirming Tier 1.

Also in this episode:

•Latest gear and industry news, including the Selkirk S2 Pro ball and The Picklr

•Paddles of the Week: Vanwin Alpha Control Elongated and CPX Hyper+

•KewCOR and Firepower explained, and why a score difference is not a percentage difference in ball speed

•Measuring swing weight when you choke up on the handle

•Our paddle choices, the Feel Map, and a viewer question about the Ultra’s certification

Which matchup would you choose: Loco 2 or Jade, and Spitfire or Cannon XPP? Tell us what matters most to you: feel, handling, price or spin durability.

Paddle data, resources, and links mentioned in podcast:

Explore the paddle database and comparison tools:

https://www.johnkewpickleball.com

Paddle consumer report discussed in the episode:

https://pickleballunion.com/paddle-consumer-report/

Friday Pickleball Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uzsj8RBxyA&t=3660s

The Dink’s coverage of Picklr’s bankruptcy: https://tinyurl.com/2ujxcbws

Paddles discussed

Bread & Butter Loco 2 – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/Qj390x

RPM Jade – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://rpmpb.com/JOHNKEW

Spartus Spitfire – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI

Luzz Cannon XPP – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzz-cannon-xpp-m1-paddle?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL

Disclosure and testing context:

Links to paddles above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Bread & Butter and RPM paid for prelaunch Loco 2 and Jade prototype spin durability testing. The production-model results discussed here were independently produced without a testing fee or editorial input.

Cannon wear-test tiers are comparative lab results. Tier 1 ratings discussed here are provisional pending supporting real-world evidence. Accelerated wear does not translate directly into games played or predict a paddle’s lifespan. Human-generated spin RPM and cannon spin RPM are separate measurements.

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

RPM Jade, Bread & Butter Loco 2 and Luzz Cannon XPP are giving us promising early reasons to watch their spin performance. But how much can early testing really tell us about whether that spin will last?

In KewCast Episode 126, we discuss the buzz around the Jade and Loco 2, take a first look at the Cannon XPP, and dig into how ball-cannon wear results compare with actual games. The Jade retained essentially all its measured spin after cannon testing and 20 games. But that is still an early checkpoint, not a final durability verdict. This episode explains why, including a surface that held spin in the lab but lost spin early on court.

Also in this episode:

•RPM Jade’s SiCMatrix texture and early spin retention

•Bread & Butter Loco 2 elongated and hybrid models, human-generated spin and a closer look at the grit

•Luzz Cannon XPP full-foam construction, green silicon carbide texture and first spin measurements

•HexGrit and BlueGrit: where cannon testing and logged games agree, and where they diverge

•Enhance ArmorGrit Batch 2 and Mark VelosiGrit wear results

•Engage Pursuit Pro 2, RPM Diesel and new arrivals in the Kew Queue

•Kew & A: can an early spin drop skew a durability rating, and how do local and global deflection relate to paddle feel and power?

The cannon gives us a controlled way to compare surfaces. It does not provide a fixed conversion from impacts to games, and initial spin alone does not establish durability. Real-world testing is ongoing.

Chapters/ Timestamps:

0:00 Episode preview

0:28 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: "Prickled" animated series

2:57 Kew Queue: Vanwin Alpha Control Elongated

5:18 CPX Hyper+

7:42 Paddles of the Week: Engage Pursuit Pro Power 2

12:32 RPM Jade

22:21 RPM Diesel

28:15 Bread & Butter Loco 2

38:38 Luzz Cannon XPP

45:52 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Correlating spin loss on cannon versus logged games

47:32 11SIX24 HexGrit test results

51:25 Honolulu Blue Grit test results

57”13 RPM Jade SICmatrix test results

1:00:01 Enhance Armor Grit (Batch 2) test results

1:03:02 Mark Velosigrit test results

1:04:51 Lessons learned about the cannon versus real-world play

1:06:23 Kew & A: Could local versus global deflection explain paddle feel and power better than terms like “dwell” and “pocketing”? Would a global deflection test with the paddle’s edges braced help distinguish their effects?

1:11:45 Does spin durability testing penalize paddles whose initially high spin drops, then stabilizes? Could manufacturers improve their tier rating by pre-wearing the surface before shipping?

Products mentioned in podcast:

•Bread & Butter Loco 2 – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/Qj390x

•RPM Jade – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://rpmpb.com/JOHNKEW

•Luzz Cannon XPP (launching Oct. 15) – save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL

•CPX Hyper+ - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://cpxpickleball.com/products/cpx-hyper-pre-order

•Engage Pursuit Pro 2 - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.engagepickleball.com/JOHNKEW

Explore the paddle database, test results and calculators:

https://johnkewpickleball.com

“Prickled” animated series: https://youtu.be/VDgNGrxpqnI?si=cwxkJ-I9DhIQRfVi

#Pickleball #KewCast #PickleballPaddles

What do Tier 1 pickleball paddles have in common? I went back through 50 accelerated wear tests, and every Tier 1 result shared two traits in the surface roughness left after wear. In KewCast 125, we unpack what those findings could tell us about durable grit and lasting spin.

All 10 Tier 1 results cleared two post-wear roughness levels: Rz of at least 33.6 microns and Rt of at least 50.2 microns. But paddles can clear those levels and still miss Tier 1. We explain why these patterns are useful clues, what they cannot prove yet, and how they will help me double-check future spin durability results.

The Vatic V-Sol Tour cautionary tale helped prompt this deeper look. We discuss unit-to-unit variation, why a borderline Tier 1 result deserves more scrutiny, and how profilometer readings can provide a separate sanity check on the ball cannon results.

Also this week: JOOLA Power FX results, a second batch of the Enhance MPP Turbo with ArmorGrit, Neonic FLX with NeoGrit, the Ascend Sonic, and Fortix Lance. Then we tackle your questions about twist weight, ball hardness, secret shopper testing, power versus spin, and why I prefer “pocketing” over “dwell time.”

Our accelerated wear method uses 100 ball cannon shots at 70 MPH with the paddle clamped at 30 degrees, plus before-and-after spin measurements at 60 MPH. Surface roughness is measured before and after wear with a Starrett profilometer. The patterns discussed here are strong leads from this dataset, not confirmed physical laws.

Chapters/ Timestamps

0:00 Episode 125 preview

3:54 JOOLA Power FX spin durability results

18:03 Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit batch 2

20:47 Neonic FLX with NeoGrit

27:15 Ascend Sonic

31:56 Gear of the Week - Update on Franklin X-44 and Selkirk S2 Pro balls after a 2 weeks of use

40:19 What 50 wear tests reveal about Tier 1 grit

41:24 The Vatic V-Sol Tour cautionary tale

45:36 The two roughness traits shared by all Tier 1 results

47:41 Why those numbers do not guarantee Tier 1

50:56 How these findings change future testing

58:10 Can a paddle have too much twist weight?

1:02:51 Secret shopper paddle comparisons

1:04:04 Does more power or pop create more spin?

1:06:38 Why replace “dwell time” with “pocketing”? Could we keep the familiar term “dwell” and add something like “slippage” to describe the difference?

Products mentioned in podcast:

JOOLA Power FX (affiliate link): https://joola.com/products/perseus-power-fx-pickleball-paddle?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ

Ascend Sonic - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://ascendpickleball.com/products/sonic-full-foam-mpp-paddle/johnkew

Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW

Franklin - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/WqZr1O

Selkirk - digital coupons with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv

Explore the paddle database, testing reports, and calculators: https://johnkewpickleball.com

Subscribe for independent pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, and weekly KewCast discussions. Have a question for Kew and A? Leave it in the comments.

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

For the first time, Justin from Pickleball Etc. and I sit down together for a full KewCast. We recorded at Pickle Pro Labs in Boca Raton, Florida, the official testing lab of the PPA pro tour. If you like the technical side of pickleball paddles, this one goes deep.

Justin shares his perspective as the engineer and designer behind the Volair CMD, including how it feels on court. We also discuss its production model spin durability result, tour the lab, revisit KewCOR on an 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 after 100 games, and compare new ball data for the Franklin X-44 and Selkirk Pro S2. Later, Pickle Pro Labs engineers join us for questions about paddle measurements, spin, construction and the mysteries still worth testing.

We also cover the JOOLA Power FX announcement and take viewer questions on concentrated weight, permanent grit, manufacturing variance, foam cutouts and more.

Chapters

0:00 Introductions and episode preview

1:57 Why we are sitting in front of a ball cannon

3:40 JOOLA Power FX updates

10:39 Volair CMD with Justin, its engineer and designer

27:22 Volair CMD production model spin durability

28:59 Pickle Pro Labs tour impressions

31:51 KewCOR retest of 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 after 100 games

36:36 Franklin X-44 and Selkirk Pro S2 ball data

45:26 Justin enters Nerd Town

45:45 Why does concentrated weight feel better on foam paddles?

53:41 Does permanent grit necessarily make a paddle stiff?

57:30 Why does durable grit vary between factory samples?

1:00:23 Favorite paddle technology innovations

1:03:19 Most underrated paddles

1:05:02 Funniest lab failure

1:10:37 Paddle dissection race: who wins?

1:12:53 The most rewarding part of developing a paddle

1:15:35 Favorite paddles from lesser known brands

1:18:10 Do foam cutouts cause local deflection and inconsistent shots?

1:19:26 Why highlight paddles outside USAP specifications?

1:23:24 Pickle Pro Labs engineers: the most misunderstood measurement

1:31:19 Are paddle companies converging?

1:37:32 What stood out during the lab tour?

1:40:04 What predicts spin?

1:42:07 Why are we obsessed with paddles?

1:47:22 Biggest mysteries in paddle technology

What paddle measurement do you think is most misunderstood? Tell us in the comments.

High speed impact and ball deformation footage: https://youtu.be/fllRlFS1HRw

Big thanks to Pickle Pro Labs (Gary, Curtis, Kayla, Lisa, et al.) for hosting the event and allowing us to film on location.

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

The new Franklin X-44 and LT Pro-48 started remarkably close, then both lost about 18% of their pop during the first 100 impacts. Nearly all of that change happened in the first 50. We break down what the lab data says about how quickly a new pickleball becomes a broken-in ball.

Also in KewCast Episode 123, we cover the latest movement in JOOLA's propulsion-core patent litigation, including Friday's settlement and what remains unresolved. Then we look at several new paddles, including the Volair Mach 1 Forza CMD Hybrid with licensed HexGrit, the Wika QD Fire 2, Wika Next, Wika Verica, and the Ronbus Quanta Pro.

The ball comparison used two brand-new balls, 100 impacts per ball, and the same cannon on the same afternoon. Out of the box, the X-44 and LT Pro-48 measured only about 2% apart in COR, and both were roughly 20% more powerful than the Franklin X-40 in this test. The key finding was not which ball won. It was how quickly both changed.

Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Franklin X-44 vs LT Pro-48 preview

1:20 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: JOOLA Patent Updates

8:24 Paddles of the Week: Wika QD Fire 2

17:55 Wika Next X

24:04 Ronbus Quanta Pro

28:30 Volair CMD HYB with HexGrit

36:57 Gear of the Week: Franklin X-44 balls

42:56 Lab Comparison: LT Pro 48 versus Franklin X-44

49:21 Kew & A: Should durability tiers account for absolute spin, not just spin retention?

50:50 What are your impressions of the RPM Jade?

51:43 When do we get updated results for bad batch paddles like the PAKLE Fuse?

52:57 Does greater power create a larger sweet spot, or merely hide performance loss outside it?

55:44 Is Firepower accurate across the database? Why is the Luzz Cannon classified as All-Court?

57:20 Should more brands license HexGrit instead of developing less durable alternatives?

Products mentioned on podcast:

🔹Volair CMD-HYB - save 10% with code JOHNKEW (pre-order): https://volair.com/collections/cmd-collection/products/volair-cmd-hyb-pickleball-paddle-16mm-dylan-frazier?rfsn=7599845.416c48&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7599845.416c48

🔹Ronbus Quanta Pro - save $20 with code JOHNKEW: https://ronbus.com/collections/quanta-series

Use code JOHNKEW where available to support the channel and receive the listed discount. Affiliate links may generate a commission at no additional cost to you. Brands do not pay for reviews or control our conclusions.

Subscribe for independent paddle testing, accelerated spin-durability results, KewCOR measurements, high-speed camera analysis, and weekly pickleball gear discussion.

A new batch of accelerated spin tests just produced a brutal run of Tier 4 results for paddles marketed with durable or permanent grit.

The lone bright spot: the new Gearbox Pressure X held on well enough for Tier 2.

In KewCast 122, we break down the latest durability data on the Diadem Edge Flex, Element 6 Ignis, Engage Axiom, Gearbox Pressure X, and Pickleball Apes Zen S+. We also look at the microscopic images and surface-roughness measurements behind the RPM changes.

The standout is Gearbox Pressure X, which lost 8.1% of its spin in our accelerated wear test and landed in Tier 2. By comparison, the Element 6 Ignis lost 26.0%, Engage Axiom Elongated lost 25.4%, and Pickleball Apes Zen S+ lost 31.2%, all Tier 4 results. The Diadem Edge Flex also showed a 21.1% average RPM loss, along with substantial measured surface-texture loss.

Important context: these are controlled accelerated-wear results, not a claim that every paddle will lose the same amount of spin in normal play. Sample-to-sample variation and the ongoing correlation between cannon testing and real-world use still matter.

We also cover first impressions and KewCOR data for the Diadem Edge Flex, Gearbox Pressure X, Engage Axiom, Engage X3 Pro, and Pickleball Apes Zen+, plus a follow-up human-generated spin check on the Apes Zen+ and Enhance MPP Turbo with ArmorGrit.

Chapters/ Timestamps:

0:00 Spin durability results preview

2:04 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Changes to the way KewCOR is presented on the website

6:08 Paddles of the Week: Diadem Edge Flex

24:22 Gearbox Pressure X

52:31 Engage Axiom

59:12 Engage X3

1:06:18 Apes Zen +

1:17:52 Tales from the Ball Cannon: remaining spin durability results

1:19:33 Retesting spin on Apes Zen+ and Enhance ArmorGrit

1:26:10 Kew & A: Does KewCOR correlate with deflection and where a paddle lands on the Feel Map?

1:28:18 Can you reduce pop by adding weight to a paddle?

Use code JOHNKEW where available to save on paddles and gear. Affiliate purchases help support the channel and provide you with a discount. Brands do not pay for reviews or control our conclusions.

Products mentioned in podcast:

Apes Zen+ - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4876737.4JZ4MIHBSA

Diadem Edge Flex (release date unknown) - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://diademsports.com/pages/edge-flex?sca_ref=6541890.ZymzZY8Ua9

Gearbox Pressure X (pre-order now; launch date October 1) - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gearboxsports.com/pages/pressure-x-series?rfsn=7659766.b5c963

Engage Axiom and X3 - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.engagepickleball.com/JOHNKEW

#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #PaddleReview #SpinDurability #KewCast

A $100 paddle just earned the first Tier 1 spin-durability rating I’ve seen at a true budget price — but the Vatic V-Sol Tour result comes with an important caveat.

The Luzz Inferno 2 also posted a strong Tier 2 result, yet both paddles lost more measurable surface texture than their retained spin would suggest. So are these breakthroughs, or results we need to watch more closely?

In KewCast 120, we dig into a new round of accelerated wear testing, including the Vatic V-Sol Tour, Luzz Inferno 2, Boulder Opal, and Mark Unmarked 2. The V-Sol Tour lost just 4.8% of its measured RPM after accelerated wear, landing in Tier 1, while the Inferno 2 lost 8.8% and landed in Tier 2. But the Starrett roughness measurements tell a more complicated story: both showed double-digit declines in surface texture.

That leaves me cautiously enthusiastic. Retained spin is ultimately what matters to performance, but players may still notice or dislike a surface that feels substantially smoother over time. These are intriguing results, not a final verdict, and I want more testing and real-world correlation before fully embracing what they mean.

The big story this week is spin durability, but the stranger finding may be the disconnect between retained RPM and measurable surface texture. That’s something I’ll be watching closely as more paddles go through the protocol.

Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Preview of show

1:05 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: UPA-A releasing surface roughness & deflection measurements

7:08 PPA tournament discount codes

7:31 Selkirk & Tesla team up again (Aurum)

9:09 MLP Finals this weekend

10:12 Paddles of the Week: Six Zero Boulder Opal

17:29 Luzz Inferno 2

24:20 Vatic V-Sol Tour

30:49 Mark Unmarked 2026

35:38 Enhance MPP Turbo with Armor Grit

38:27 Gear of the Week: Brioti Velox Eyewear

43:10 Selkirk Pro Line 2.0 Bags

52:01 Tales from the Ball Cannon: The KewCOR method, explained

1:06:39 Tales From the Ball Cannon, Part 2: New Tool Developed – Ball Speed in Play

1:15:26 Kew & A: When Do KewCOR Hot Spots and Dead Spots Actually Matter?

1:17:55 Will Tier 1 spin paddles that aren’t currently USAP approved become legal under the new spin-testing system this fall?

1:19:37 Could your spin durability testing create a Goodhart’s Law problem, where brands optimize for your protocol rather than real-world performance?

Products mentioned in podcast:

➜Brioti Velox Eyewear - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://brioti.com/products/velox-matte-onyx/johnkew

➜Enhance MPP Turbo with Armor Grit - save $20 with code JOHNKEW (September 20 launch): https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW

➜Luzz Inferno 2 - save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/collections/inferno-paddles?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL

➜Mark Unmarked 2026 - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://markpickleball.com/collections/paddles/products/unmarked-2026?sca_ref=6367831.WhS3ko26w7

➜Selkirk Pro Line 2.0 Backpack - $30 gift card with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-pro-line-2-0-team-backpack-25l?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv

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#Pickleball #PickleballPaddles #KewCast

Spin durability may not work the way we’ve been measuring it. Spin doesn’t necessarily fade gradually. On some paddle surfaces, it crashes early, then levels off.

For this test, I doubled my normal wear protocol to 200 impacts and added checkpoints every 50 hits to see the actual shape of the spin-loss curve. The results were striking. Selkirk’s Infinigrit on the OMNI suffered 63% of its total 200-hit spin loss in the first 50 impacts. Raw carbon fiber on the Loco was even more front-loaded at 76%. Note that this result is not unique to the Loco - most raw carbon fiber paddles I've tested have performed similarly.

Then there’s 11SIX24’s HexGrit on the Pegasus Jelly Bean 2. No crash at all. RPM actually increased 3.4% over 200 impacts.

There are some important caveats. The OMNI’s ball cannon-impacted area was too small for my human spin test, so I used my well-worn Boomstik, at roughly 50 games, as a real-world proxy. It showed 12% spin loss, although the readings were noisier than I’d like. For HexGrit, my Ultré with 72 logged games is down just 4% from new. Two very different tests, accelerated wear and real-world play, pointing toward the same durability story.

KewCast 119 also covers:

●11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2: the first pickleball paddle built with EMA foam, what that material actually is, and how it’s made.

●Thrive Ignite Pro: why the Elongated and Elongated Arc feel noticeably hollower than the original Hybrid, despite all three sharing the same full-foam core.

●Gear Gossip: a recap of MLP Orlando, including a case for the best point in the format’s history, and your Q&A on hybrid shapes, ball compression, launch angle, twist weight, and the Coral Pro grit debate.

So next time you assume a paddle’s spin fades gradually, remember: for most surfaces, the damage is already done by hit 50.

→ Explore the paddle database, comparison lab, and x-ray lab: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/

→ Best point ever played in pickleball? https://youtu.be/xqif5SdIIaU?si=yNNtdHwj6IotBjA-&t=3541

Chapters/ TImestamps:

0:00 Preview: What's in KewCast 119

1:38 Paddles of the Week: 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2

15:49 Paddles of the Week: Thrive Ignite Elongated and Elongated Arc

25:36 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Mapping the Spin Loss Curve (Extending Accelerated Wear)

27:52 Spin Life of Selkirk Infinigrit

37:00 Spin life of Bread & Butter Loco

38:43 Spin Life of 11SIX24 Hex Grit

46:13 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: MLP Orlando Delivers - Best Point Ever Played in Pickleball History?

52:37 If you had to choose a pro pickleballer to babysit your child, who would it be?

54:54 Kew & A: If the most popular paddle on your website is best at nothing but weak at none, does that also apply to paddle shape?

1:00:39 I'm praying you cover the Coral Pro Rainbow grit controversy somewhere in this episode (grit is different from Coral Pro Black)

1:03:10 What about ball compression instead of paddle pocketing? Could the ball flattening against the face create more friction, giving the paddle more opportunity to “catch” the ball and generate spin?

1:05:00 If a soft grip reduces rebound in tennis, why doesn’t a loosely clamped pickleball paddle do the same in cannon testing?

1:10:29 Why do thinner paddles seem to have a lower launch angle than thicker paddles?

Products Mentioned

Every product named in the episode, with its current discount code. Verify each link resolves correctly before publishing.

● 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 — $160 with code JOHNKEW, launches 8/21: https://11six24.com./collections/frontpage?by=series&value=jelly-bean-2?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v

● Thrive Ignite Pro Hybrid — $198 with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/y4h8w745

● Thrive Ignite Pro Elongated — $198 with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/38w57jzh

● Thrive Ignite Pro Elongated Arc — $198 with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/yycbkwxw

● Bread & Butter Loco Hybrid — $179.10 with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/0GAxPR

● Selkirk OMNI — $300 with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://tinyu