Kevlar Paddle Reviews Pt. 1: Spartus Apollo, HPC J2K + J2K Pro, 11Six24, & Hudef

[@Positivecuriosity46]

The comparison video is excellent because the little nuances help people decide their own preferences . Excellent video.

[@kabob21]

Agree with your thoughts on the 14mm version of the 11SIX24 Hurache-X Control Kevlar. It's just a better all court paddle than the 16mm which is just a bit _too_ soft. It also surprisingly has the most feedback without being jarring that I've ever felt in a paddle. And heavy for a 14mm at 8.3 oz or 8.6 oz with a Hesacore grip. I've pretty much stopped playing with my other paddles and use my 11SIX24 14mm kevlar exclusively.

[@49pickles]

I’m picking up the Apollo with your discount code. The Hurache X probably would’ve been a closer option to my PLE, but just want to try something new. I love all my Six Zero paddles too. I should just start doing reviews.

[@cwarner5909]

Thanks for the comparisons would like to see how the Mark One compare with these.

[@MarcoCarlosYT]

Used your discount code for my purchase of the Apollo. Haven't had a chance to use a widebody paddle before, so I'm curious how the low swing weight and higher twist weight will affect my game.

[@LouisBrown19]

I love comparison videos. These paddles are amazing.

[@DianSusiana98]

I love comparison videos. I love APOLLO, too. It's amazing. With the Hudef viva pro gen3, I have been using it for 3 weeks and feel that the swing weight is not as big as the data.

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Yea there's always a variance. I tested two and got 126 for one and 124 for the other so you may have gotten one on the lighter side

[@Titleist24]

I just ordered, do you like it?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

@@Titleist24 yup it's a solid paddle. Nice plush feeling elongated

[@MattyRut2922]

I love comparison videos. Thank you!

[@Mo_Rashad]

Love the comparison ! Would like to see the how the Mark One and Mark OneX compare to these

[@TheodoreKwong-w9n]

Perfect, these are the paddles I am currently interested in…. Thanks

[@edloyola9994]

Thanks for this comparison video, helped me immensely!

[@TimothyFisher-y7w]

Nice video. Links to the paddles didn't get put into the video description yet.

[@robertnowak13]

Agree wholeheartedly that Hurache X Control 14mm is better than 16mm. This is the first 14mm paddle I've ever used, and it was very easy to transition to.

[@tommatuszak3]

I’m curious as to why. I am looking to buy this paddle and deciding between the 16 mm or 14 mm.

[@robertnowak13]

@@tommatuszak3 It's hard to pin down exactly why. The Control+ (CFC) and Kevlar 14 both seem to stand out in certain ways that the K16 doesn't. The CFC is poppy w/o being uncontrollable and has good power for drives and serves. The K14 feels crisp and fast and is great at the net. The K16 is okay. Feels the softest, but isn't really better than the others in any way.

[@tommatuszak3]

Thank you

[@kabob21]

Glad I ordered the Kevlar 14mm this weekend then. As there are no other 14mm reviews yet, I was debating getting the 16mm but the latter didn’t seem all that different from my current Neonic Flow 16mm. That was the decider🤞

[@jrotcsuck]

@@kabob21did you get to play with the 14MM? How are you liking it?

[@ArianaWilson-]

Perfect. I like the style of your videos.

[@pkcheng5556]

Does the J2k or Apollo has more power and pop than the j2? Currently, i'm using J2 (got it after I watched the other video from you about J2) but I feel I need a little bit more power and pop.

[@TickleMyPickleball]

The J2K has more power & less pop. Apollo has more pop & less power but also less reach with a wider sweet spot. For more power compared to the J2, try the Six Zero DBD, Thrive Azul, or J2K Pro

[@Itskjb813]

Thanks for another great video and I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better! Do all the 11Six24 paddles have six inch handles? Al the hurache’s say 6 on the site but wanted to know if this was inflated or not

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Yup they do indeed have 6 inch handles except for the original Gen 1 Hurache control which I believe is just 5.5

[@snapity8309]

I’m still stuck on either the Apollo or J2k

[@TickleMyPickleball]

J2K is going to give you more reach, power, and a softer feel off the face. Apollo is going to give you more pop, hand speed, and a wider sweet spot.

[@erictrippe2778]

What kind of court is that?

[@DonnaSprinkle-bs1yu]

When will you be releasing Part 2? I have.a 2-handed backhand and like the idea of a 6 inch handle. Currently I’m looking at the 11Six24 Control Kevlar 16mm, but I’m curious what else you have to say. I currently play with the PLE S.

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Part 2 may not be released for a while. I'm waiting on more kevlar paddles to come in and then I have to spend time reviewing them all

[@timm4629]

My wife and I purchased the Mark One X and the Mark Two from Mark Pickleball and love them. Can you tell us how you think they compare?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I haven't hit either of them yet unfortunately but will provide an update when I do!

[@ashevillescarborough]

Just fyi .. the pickeball apes PLE S is an elongated paddle. Noticed this when you were talking about the hudeff. Good comparison video!

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Thanks! Though the Apes PLE-S is 16.4, I classify elongated as 16.5 and hybrid as anything between 16 and 16.5

[@ashevillescarborough]

@@TickleMyPickleball funny, right next to my Hurache x Kevlar, I thought they were the same size, but maybe there IS a .1 inch difference, lol

[@DheepakJeevaraj]

Your reviews are quite helpful!! I've my Spartus Apollo coming soon. How would you compare the non-kevlar Neonic flow and Honolulu J2 with Apollo? I know you like Flow better than J2. Thanks!!

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Thank you! The Flow and J2 are gonna give you more power on drives but the Apollo is quicker with a higher twistweight and more pop than both

[@Masterdebator881]

Did you receive your paddle yet? Wondering if there is a delay with shipping with the Apollo.

[@DheepakJeevaraj]

@@Masterdebator881 Yes. Delivered last week

[@axelmartinez9]

Which one of those would you say is the most similar to the Thrive Azul?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

J2K Pro

[@Thereisnospoon88]

Awesome review! Can you give us your current top 5 😊. Sounds like j2k is in there. What else?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

You'll have to wait for a future video 😊

[@TheRealPapaBearChris]

My biggest question is how does the surface hold up on these paddles? I was talking to someone last night that has a number of the Kevlar paddles, the J2K being his favorite, but has noticed a significant reduction in spin on it after a few weeks of constant play. Has anyone else noticed this? He did mention that he has been playing more indoor recently and thought that maybe the indoor ball wears on the surface more.

[@TickleMyPickleball]

If you're talking kevlar vs carbon fiber. IMO you can't tell the difference because the peel ply resin that's imprinted on those paddles are the same. The only difference is the surface it's bonded onto but the actual resin is the same. If you look at spin numbers between the two, they're pretty comparable

[@MightyThobs08]

My J2K delaminated within 2 weeks of play.

[@FrankRollberg]

Excellent review

[@hudefpickleball]

Thanks for your review.

[@ginjaninja3627]

Watching the clips of you playing, I'm guessing your'e a solid 4.5 player who sometimes plays 5.0 tournaments?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

👀

[@PollySmith_469]

Great review. I am interested in Hudef Viva Pro Gen3 and planning to buy it.

[@PKB-AG]

I have a gen 3 and have been using it for a few weeks now. I like it. With the swing weight being "high" at 126 - It doesn't really impede my swing or hand speed - I have a small build for a guy so I'm not that strong. So this paddle has been good - and looks amazing with the navy/green weave plus white edge guard/handle

[@Titleist24]

@@PKB-AGjust ordered, and I am coming from a 15$ Amazon paddle. I think I like a bit of a heavier paddle. Can’t wait to use it as it’ll be my first legit paddle! Hoping the face is as soft as described. Quick question, is the weave noticeably blue/green? Seems like on website pictures it’s blue, but in hand vids show almost black?

[@PKB-AG]

@@Titleist24 It's a Navy so it's pretty dark but not black. I did a review on it too so in my video there's some footage of the texture close up - not trying to self promote but offering a different view - so excited for you. Yes that first legit paddle is something you'll never forget.

[@Titleist24]

@@PKB-AG thanks man, I’ll definitely check out your channel and sub! I’m a beginner, but have an athletic background and some decent tennis history. I don’t know exactly what paddle would be best for me just yet, but the tech, price/discount and warranty on this was too good to pass up. Hoping it suits me!

[@PKB-AG]

@@Titleist24 Good to hear all that. Athletic with tennis history (sounds like me) - I liken this to golf a little like this - the clubs don't make the golfer. Are better clubs better? Yes - but remember, a great golfer can still play great with crappy clubs. With your new (good) paddle you won't have to wonder if it's the paddle. Enjoy and have fun too !!

[@brentkasl6510]

Where would the Ronbus Pulsar R3 FX fit into these comparisons?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I've done a separate video on the Pulsar series. This video is just meant for kevlar paddles

[@brentkasl6510]

Thanks

[@49pickles]

Thanks for the review. I’m looking to try a wide body. I love My pickleball apes PLE more than my PLES so it will be interesting. Well, I don’t wanna be selling another paddle on Facebook marketplace at least this one doesn’t cost that much.😂

[@PKB-AG]

I think I want to try widebody next too. I did an analytical video finding models with the best SW to TW ratio - and the top models were widebody shape. My analysis is on YT and is called Best (and worst) pickleball paddles by swing weight / twist weight ratio..." raw data came from John Kew paddle database.

[@RC-tm8jo]

Great video.

[@davehansen1169]

Always enjoy your videos. How would you compare the control/pop/power of the Apollo to the J2K?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I would say pop of the Apollo is higher but the power of J2K is a higher

[@MrAchilles113]

break up the video with titles for each section

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Yup this is something I should definitely look into. Would be helpful for future videos ☺️

[@alexpazmino4762]

There’s the j7k and j7k pro paddles . What do you think of them ?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I didn't receive those so haven't tried those out

[@FromTorontoCanada]

No Ruby the mainstream OG Kevlar?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I've covered the Ruby already in a previous video, for this one I only wanted to cover newer kevlar paddles

[@duanehensley8835]

Where's the 6.0 Ruby?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Already covered in a previous video

[@ajfloresii]

Waiting for the Azul review 👀

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Won't be doing one unfortunately, you'll have to settle for the paddle showdown vs the Mark paddle

[@michaelgola9612]

@@TickleMyPickleball Thats a shame i think the thrive azul is the best kevlar paddle on the market. I came from the Ruby and the thrive Azul is hands down the best kevlar paddle would have loved to see your opinion.

[@lazyhusband]

1:46 dude was caught flat footed

[@rerun1957]

I'm sold should be here tomorrow.

[@mikeyis009]

11six24 is damaging sales by making the models confusing as hell. People don’t bother to unravel the mystery. They just buy a different brand.

[@NOT_A_TOP_FAN]

I wouldn’t say it’s damaging sales, but they definitely could improve naming conventions. But as it stands they really only have two paddles at this point (in 14/16 options) - a carbon fiber/fiberglass - which is all black: Hurache X plus and the carbon fiber/kevlar (in 14/16 options) - which is gray (Hurache X Control). What they need to do is drop the “control” from the plus model and name it power. And then on their website, provide stats for both 14 and 16 variants.

[@rx4095]

Did anyone else notice how much they were in the kitchen 😂

[@TickleMyPickleball]

That white line is the tennis service line not the kitchen. The blue line in front is the kitchen

[@djdego02]

Spartus Apollo paddle handle construction is extremely poor - and despite claims, it still hasn't been fixed. There are two large gaps on each side of the handle that run the entire length of the handle. It has now been filled in with two separate pieces (one on each side) that looks like a 3rd grade art project. In my cases, this poor construction is leading to strange vibrations on some shots. I have raised these concerns with Spartus and have been vastly disappointed by the response. I would stay away from this paddle and this company!

[@TickleMyPickleball]

I believe the vibrations are caused by the rubber brand at the top used to hold the over grips in place. If you remove the band, or lower it down the handle, it should reduce them. I personally found the updated grips to be fine and they looked and felt similar to other Gen 2 handles but I'm also not picky about grips

[@mikeanddebmcmahon1314]

I don’t know about you but standing in the kitchen volleying is it a default.

[@TickleMyPickleball]

Indeed it is, but that white line isn't the kitchen. Hard to see from the camera but the actual kitchen is the blue line in front of the white one

[@ghenaric]

White line is kitchen. You can’t be on it with your feet. No?

[@TickleMyPickleball]

@@ghenaric the white line is the service line for the tennis court. The pickleball court lines are the blue lines drawn on top. It's just hard to see from the lighting

[@ghenaric]

@@TickleMyPickleballoh ya ya. I was looking at earlier in the video. We’re saying the same thing

[@khoi1]

Default every time. Someone call the refs.