Johnkew Podcast Episode 5: Kevlar Paddle Comparison

[@gseacat]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite pickleball channels! Thanks for the great content and information! The paddle recommendation part was helpful to hear. I've done so much research trying to pick out the best paddle for my father-in-law and settled on the Ruby but I probably just need to have him test out a bunch of different ones to see which works the best for him. Also, it's cool to relate to a pickleball KZbinr that has a career in STEM and that pickleball is secondary; I really appreciate your analytical perspective on paddles and all things pickleball!

[@johnkewpickleball]

Thanks, man! Good to know that the data-driven approach is appealing to like-minded people

[@Guinnessdog77]

Can you do a review of the Mark Kinetic Kevlar hybrid? Thanks!

[@TheMileHighCollector]

Would love to see your review on the Sword and Shield J2k and J2k Pro. The specs seem impressive.

[@johnkewpickleball]

They’re sending it to me, so I hope to hit it soon

[@roguegaston]

Great podcast! I'm really enjoying your conversations! Keep up the good work!

[@terogan]

I’m good with Jack Sock’s antics because he always has a big grin on his face and it’s more messing with them than cutting them down.

[@johnkewpickleball]

Exactly, you can tell he's just having fun

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

I just purchased a Dymon mehem. Let’s go!

[@kamanhalim]

How do you compare the Shapeshifter to the paddles like the DBD16 or the M2F 16

[@frankskaggs4367]

I love the enthusiasm Jack Sock brings To the game!

[@cwarner5909]

Every time I find the perfect paddle another review comes out on the latest and greatest that makes me want to switch. I think I'm up to around 15 paddles and have only played for three years.

[@lutherbonow5047]

On the spin loss chart (especially if the list grows) it may be an interesting annotation if you included the person who used the paddle. I would assume that someone who rips more topspin on their shots would degradate their paddles spin capabilities faster than compared to a more control oriented player. Thanks for providing the most analytical analysis of paddles. Paddles reviews in many ways are subjective, but raw data is unbiased and extremely helpful. I watch other pods and reviews, but use your discount codes because of the time, effort, and data you put into your reviews. Glad you started a podcast. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

[@lesterma1608]

Now here’s a good question about the Ruby, since I never saw the disclaimer on face cleaning, I used an eraser and not the recommended liquid cleaner, there are definitely small threads of Kevlar on the face, could that be considered Kevlar grit and would it effect the spin amount? What do these pieces of Kevlar poking up look like under magnification? Is this the result of the peel ply resin breakdown?

[@terogan]

Dymon Mayhem: how did you find it for other aspects of the game - dinks, resets, touch?

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

I just got one and can confirm it’s absolutely sick. It’s the loudest paddle I’ve ever used. It’s good at absolutely everything. I normally switch between using a zero six double black Diamond and my main paddle was a black Diamond. Surprisingly it had more power than my black Diamond and more control than my double black. I don’t see any to use either of my zero six paddles again.

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

Also, I had quicker hands with the Dymon.

[@ripit911]

I agree wholeheartedly, double black Diamond is not in same class as regards power and spin. No learning curve, it is loud though but a great paddle and it seems like they have more consistency in applying texture to the surface unlike the new Joola paddles. It's definitely a fun paddle. Apes has been officially retired!

[@erinsmith8702]

Have you gotten to try Spartus Apollo (still sold out in pre-sales). Wondering if it will be plusher than Ruby..

[@jonathanbernard3122]

BD Infinity is my current paddle of choice. I wonder how ling it will be before the weighted version is released? I'm curious how they added the weight as well and how the paddle performance could be further tweaked with lead/tungsten tape.

[@kylecobb491]

Coming from a Legacy Pro what do you think a good next paddle would be?

[@ar15tac]

I agree with you on the katana, very soft paddle. His new paddle the fury I’m not exactly sure how it’s made, but it feels more up-to-date for lack of a better term. I live in Grand Junction, so Fairmont guys use the Komodo just because the owners a nice guy and local.

[@kimleith1378]

Another great pod. You both have my admiration. The "antics" or "chirping" gets so much attention. Has anyone ever listened to a "micd" NFL or NHL game?? I just bought the MARK Kinetic Kevlar. Have not played it since I've had flu for the past 10 days. Maybe "rent" the new gun from Chris. How about using "games played" instead of hrs played will be more accurate.. Good luck to Ed on his RMNP trip.

[@johnkewpickleball]

Good feedback…That Mark Kinetic paddle looks interesting. May have to try that

[@lucasg4170]

I’m a doctor specializing in sports related injuries. Be careful with cortisone. One of the number one side effects is joint and soft tissue degradation. I’ve seen patients get injections in their feet and tear their plantar fascia the next week walking down the stairs.

[@seegarsmkr]

Taking the "what paddle to use" question...I come from a tennis background. I use both the Diamond and the Ruby. I can adjust to both, but takes me a bit. The control part of the game is something I need to work on as well as unforced errors. My spin on the question: do you think it would be beneficial for me (long term) to use a more power oriented paddle to "develop" more soft hands, vs using a more control/all court paddle which benefits me short term but may make up for some deficits in technique?

[@rjffern6293]

Yes

[@PhoenixRugerRedBird]

How did the Thrive Azul paddle compare to the Ruby as far as spin goes? The Ruby is also my go-to paddle currently, only wished it's swing weight was a little lower.

[@ar15tac]

Quick question a year ago the legacy pro was all the rage then they had shipping issues and deLamination/Core corruption issues. But it was kind of one of the starts of the whole thermal forming. Where does it fit in today’s world. I ask because me and about five of my friends still use them I’m on my second one first one still works but I used it for like eight months pretty heavily. I play probably six to ten hours a week. And it lost some spin still works fine though. Anyways, just curious on your thoughts really tempted to try out the Pickleball apes or maybe the other one that other Kevlar paddle.

[@georgedrake9432]

What do you use to clean a Kevlar paddle?

[@j5izalive761]

Can either of you suggest a pickleball net tobuy that isn’t too expensive but good quality and portable please? 🙏🏽 could you share a link to your suggestion please?

[@bodybagpickleball]

Is there a release date for the Azule?

[@alexpazmino4762]

How does the sword and shield j2k stack up against these Kevlar paddles? Supposedly it’s a top paddle to compete with these paddle . Specially the ruby . What do you think?

[@MattyRut2922]

I checked out the Chorus website, the one that I am interested in is the "Chorus Fire" which they are saying is going to be the "FIRST all-aramid thermoformed paddle from the surface to the core"... although a paragraph later they share that surface is aramid AND CARBON FIBER. It will be available in the summer of 2024. I hope it's a winner!

[@johnkewpickleball]

Yeah that one looks interesting. He'll send me a prototype soon

[@MattCoxMedia]

Hi Mat! Thanks for the catch. We've been iterating on the prototypes and recipes for the Fire and I haven't had the chance to do a full pass on the description there, but just did! Glad to see you're looking forward to it. Me too! :)

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

I had a couple of cortisone shots on my left foot. First one didn't work but the second one, targeted at a nerve, did. They were both extremely painful and no, no freeze spray in advance! If I ever get another I will definitely ask for the freeze spray!

[@johnkewpickleball]

Yikes, what kind of sadistic doctor did you have, haha

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

I can't complain - I struggled to walk without pain for most of last year until he shot that nerve with the cortisone. I was closing to giving up on pickleball completely!

[@samuraistabber]

Any idea on when the re-weighted Infinities are coming out?

[@rpete2733]

Is the Ruby being updated and not available at this time? It keeps coming up as "page not found" on their site.

[@johnkewpickleball]

They're currently out of stock, but I'm not sure why the web page would be down

[@elliotgage842]

They pulled the product page as soon as it was sold out.

[@rpete2733]

Thanks for checking on that and letting us know.@@elliotgage842

[@samuelesh1997]

Spotify?i like to listen while driving.

[@seegarsmkr]

Will be very interesting to see the difference between entrance and exit velocity... theoretically will be a good measure of pop.

[@EddieK-PB]

Agree!

Hey are you putting a lot of time on the Proton series one? That new tac technology needs to be evaluated for how the spin lasts. Not the guess that it will last. The fact that lasting spin could massively change the market should be very carefully and fully fleshed out.

[@sethbenoit965]

I see that you have added surface hardness to your paddle database. Do you think that it is weird how a lot of control-oriented paddles have higher surface hardnesses or does this have more to do with the core and not the surface? I play with the MUVN 16H and it is very plush in my opinion, and I see paddles like the Vatic prism flash, Neonic Flow, Forza Mach 2, and many GRUVN Raw paddles at the top which I have heard are all very plush and control-oriented.

[@nogarats]

Do you know of any company that makes a 14mm kevlar paddle so the weight would be lower.

[@hruntingson]

Enjoying the pod! Intro/outro music is sweet. Will you be tracking wear beyond a 3months if not only for your main? Will you continue to use a playtime estimate as well? I would think it would not be linear. It could be negligible though.

[@johnkewpickleball]

That’s good feedback on the music…I actually spent a lot of time choosing that song, because I knew I’d be stuck with it, haha I’m thinking about ways to improve data collection on historical wear and tear. Like others mentioned in these comments, logging hours is a good idea, and maybe giving retired paddles to others to play with for longer would be a good idea to extend the timeline.

[@Duf]

Curious why you didn't include any of the ProDrive kevlar paddles?

[@johnkewpickleball]

Their cores are Kevlar, not the surface layers

[@Duf]

@@johnkewpickleballAh my bad I thought you were referencing kevlar core paddles.

[@kimleith1378]

@@johnkewpickleball My MERCER has a 100% Kevlar core. I'm linking it.

[@bobbydigital7482]

You can tell the ppl who grew up playing high level sports and grew up not…the ppl who did know the value of chirping

[@aconneen]

Please pass along to Kevin that Gruvn is both my favorite paddle(s) and also my worst customer service experience in trying to return a damaged paddle.

[@108stitches6]

You remind me a little bit of the tech KZbinr jayz2cents. Thank you for the no nonsense reviews and pushing for good data.

[@lesterma1608]

So if one was to purchase 4 high spin paddles, they would last a year upon full rotation usage!😂 Hmmm, only around $800.😳

[@robkerr3287]

No Thrive Azul on their website. I applaud the early release test results, but am pissed that these companies release info to you and not with their websites first. Not you so much to grump, but as unattributed company releases. Your brand is trustworthy, but their’s should be moreso.

[@AMurderOfLobs]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one getting cortisone shots into the foot 🧑‍🦯-->😩.....🧊+💉+🦶-->🕺

[@johnkewpickleball]

Brutal, right? Totally worth the short-term pain though

[@AMurderOfLobs]

You really should just log hours played with any paddle that you plan on doing degradation studies on (e.g. spin loss). It's not really that much extra work, but it would make your results infinitely more precise. Because saying "after 3 months of playing ohhhh i dunno roughly 8 to 10 hours a week" is a far cry from "after 100 hours" - which would give the analysis way more credibility.

[@ThiccBoi23]

I've been tracking hours used for a while now. FWIW after 60 hrs of use the Ruby is smooth and noticeable spin loss.