KewCast Episode 28: Spartus Olympus, Honolulu J2Ti, and Predictions on Future Paddle Trends

[@Pickleballetc]

Hey guys! Justin here. Another great pod. Always enjoy it. Thank you for the very kind shout-out to our podcast.

[@65atBestPB]

Your problem is all of us paddle nerds now want weekly whistleblowing … good luck. 😉

[@MattyRut2922]

I feel John’s revealing that “grit” isn’t from the top layer, but from the peel ply epoxy is still the biggest bombshell. Justin’s Ti reveal is 2nd on my list.

[@PickleballHQ]

Great pod as always! Love the shout out for the ProStar, the twist weight is 6.9 which is one of the highest on the market for an elongated paddle coming in at 16mm at 8.2oz. Through my review on the paddle it is definitely an all court paddle with huge sweet spot due to the foam | I’m waiting to get the Olympus to test them out together. I really like the look of titanium even if it’s just cosmetic. Great video and love the thoughts about the future!

[@jslocomb]

It would seem that PET is a cheaper material. Not sure what everyone was paying higher prices for Titanium paddles when what they were really getting was soda bottle plastic.

[@PatrickBridgeman-t3h]

Hi... how difficult are the Ripples to control versus the Joola Gen. 3s... Keep up the good work... you are my go to guys

[@harryhoople1684]

Two other improvements: 1. Each paddle comes with it's own specifications including PBCoR, and spin. I dread spending $200+ on a paddle that might be quite different from the hand selected models sent to reviewers. 2. A long lasting grit surface (metallic deposition, ceramic particles embedded in the epoxy, etc) rather than the soft embossed epoxy surface that wears away in weeks.

[@kimleith1378]

Great to see the NEXUS reviewed. Mine should be here this week. I play a heavy paddle to the SW is not worrying me and heavy spin is not a huge part of my game. Was hoping for a extra large sweet spot though. I have a 21gm "bolt" screwed into the endcap of my MARK KINETIC. Very easy, fast to swap out or remove. John goes to "NERD TOWN" around min 58. Justin will be proud of you LOL!! PLAYERS Pickleball Paddles do a sweet spot graphic on their paddles.

[@johnlemma5407]

Paddle manufacturers seem to be following materials used for tennis strings: kevlar then polyester. Overwhelmingly today, tennis players use polyester strings.

[@45414]

I am waiting for the J9 Adamtine paddle. It promises unparalleled power, grit, control, and durability.

[@masonkimble2006]

Thoughts on putting a Slice Cap on Franklin elongated models to even out the balance?

[@SpankdoggPickleball]

I have done 6 slyce caps with adding a 1/2 inch wide single layer of duct tape to the end of the handle. Sometimes two layers then tap the handle into the cap. It’s tight and secure. I’ll do a single layer of wider duct tape where the cap meets the handle to make it a little more secure. I had a hesacore grip then overgrip. Works great but there is the added weight with the hesacore grip, overgrip, and duct tape but not enough to avoid doing it this way. I have J2Ks, Hurache Control +, Apollo, etc. All work great with this set up.

[@mr.mr.3301]

The more I think about polyester carbon fiber it would make sense that it would play very well. I would suspect the addition of the polyester would allow for more give in the material such as a stretch or a flex that standard carbon fiber would not allow for. Which is really the benefit of Kevlar in many ways but probably better.

[@harryhoople1684]

It's tough to swallow the explanation that the white plastic threads were called titanium because of a Chinese to English translation error. Either the paddle companies that pushed titanium have close to zero technical expertise or purposefully chose to deceive buyers.

[@bart1476]

Ridiculous, don't buy anything labeled titanium!

[@CEMESTEBAN]

Guys this material was called titanium before Pickleball paddles were interested in it.

[@kimleith1378]

Some descriptions I read use the word "wire" not "threads" or "fibers". That right there is very deceptive and is just a marketing gimmick.

[@HeavyAndLow]

Agreed. At best they are incompetent and don't know wtf is going into their paddles.

[@PTL4179]

I don’t buy into the translation’s mishap. Chinese is famous for their ‘skills’ on lying (modern day term is marketing) and the paddle companies are the accomplishments deceived their customers. The only way to combat this type of marketing is called it out by reviewers which have been done forcefully enough by either PE and JQ and exercising the $ on not buying into this bs.

[@timkadom1722]

Kevlar paddles have Kevlar, fiber glass have fiber glass , raw carbon fiber have carbon fiber. Titanium is a marketing lie that should not be perpetuated. Call them pet, or poly. Good enough. I think you were both way too deferential to accepting this ridiculous translation error excuse.

[@easton12A]

I have two J2Ks, love them, but I wish HPC would clean up the graphics on the face. Take out the “Sword & Shield” lettering on the right side (you already have it on the edge guard), shrink the Sword & Shield logo and put it at the bottom near the throat.

[@jdtd2656]

John, love this show !!! Two questions 1) is the Pikkl Hurricane Pro still on your radar for a full review ? Mostly interested in your mods for the 14 mm so I can compare with what I’ve done 2) what treatment(s) ultimately cured your Plantar Fasciitis?

[@kdzagami]

Solution is use tungsten putty on the end cap in different amounts until the paddle setup is optimal for you. The putty will stick there like chewed gum. Then move the putty to inside the original end cap and restaple. You can dig out the honeycomb in the end of the handle to accommodate the putty. Or if you don't do that, you might add a few mm in length to the handle. Tungsten putty is very dense so it doesn't take much.

[@El_Guap]

JK, glad Franklin reached out to you. They must have seen those JDubb veiny forearms of yours...Eddie not so much. lol. Love the Dubb Fam. FYI, that tan Melin hat is so versatile. Got one myself.

[@EddieK-PB]

Dang... that smarts! I better hit the weights!

[@-Mark-zx]

Great pod! I tend to agree with John about having different weights offered for each paddle. Pickleball in general has seemingly followed other sports (golf and tennis) in the development/customization of equipment. Going off of that, it could be cool to adopt what tennis does with with rackets/racquets....one tennis racket can have several different variations of head sizes such as 103 sq. in for those who like a larger sweet spot, or 98 sq. in for a little more control, etc. Not to mention the different string patterns that are available. Some rackets have some interesting setups but they're mostly either 16x19 or 18x20. We've seen stuff like that with the J2K vs J2K pro having a tighter weave, itd be interesting to see if pickleball paddle companies start doing it more.

[@65atBestPB]

Eddie, sorry to hear you have foot issues. Ironically I just “ran” into one myself. Something called 2nd toe Capsulitis. I would have been perfectly happy going through life and never knowing what that is. Good news is that some KT toe taping, and a properly placed metatarsal pad under my insole seemed to eliminate the issue. I played 2 hours Wednesday and had zero soreness after. That is saying something, considering I limped to the parking lot the three prior sessions. I think many foot issues … plantar fasciitis, capsulitis, etc are due to tight calves. I constantly have tight calves from pickleball … never had the issue during my tennis years.

[@EddieK-PB]

I too struggle with tight calves/achilles. (and now feet apparently). It's all worth it though, right?!?

[@65atBestPB]

@@EddieK-PB Yep … worth it, massage gun on calves for a couple of minutes before I leave the house and ready for wiffle battle.

[@El_Guap]

If you guys want to do something no one else is... figure out how Paddletek is producing so much power with a Gen 1 design. And why ALW's is even MORE powerful.

[@brianbanks3044]

thanks for the chapters John...makes the topics easier to manage

[@sam-yau]

I hope Proton gets some competition with their unique NanoTac surface. Such a special play dynamic being able to perform touch spin instead of via grit/ball deformation.

[@HowieB-isMe3885]

When you test spin on a power paddle say the rhombus ripple you swing at maximum speed to get your spin measurement, but that doesn’t mean necessarily that you can hit the ball in with that swing with that paddle so I’m wondering if serves and drives on these power paddles if you can’t get as much top spin with them because you have to swing slowerand therefore it affects some of the approach shots. One can do because if you swing harder, get the spin, the shot the ball is going harder and is not dipping as much.

[@65atBestPB]

Good podcast, and long enough to rest Eddie’s foot. 😁 Some random “future” thoughts: - replacing the balls could solve two problems 1) noise 2) crap balls, and we could have one paddle - if the ball was going to change, do it now, paddle evolution dependent on matching to ball - pocketing, dwell time, trampoline needs to be legal … just police resulting speed and spin … we shouldn’t be restricted to boardy sandpaper tech - cost effective solution equivalent to restringing a tennis racquet or table tennis rubbers, move away from the disposable paddle model Oh yeah … I want a buttcap on wife’s paddle that yells “that ball going way out”, and built in gps that vibrates her paddle when she sticks her paddle in front of one of my forehands. 🥰

[@MartDeer]

You should also rate some Pickleballs in the future. Example I played in a tournament indoors with a Dura pickleball, weird it felt, heavier,harder to get short game into play for a few games, the ball often developed a wobble. This was on a rubber type gym floor. Anyway that tourney turned into a bangers fest. What paddles for what balls? Do you think there are too many brands of balls that have different charistics that change charistic of paddle performance? Do you use a certain ball for testing? I just feel getting introduced to a constant array of balls alot on different courts has a negative effect also on the game. Maybe it's just me not adjusting on the fly.

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

Why didn’t you use an indoor ball?

[@dkipu266]

Bummer on the realities of the titanium integration…as my interest (and dollars spent) revolved around the potential longevity of the “bite” of the paddle surface for spin over the life of the paddle.

[@AlexisPennella]

What will this do to the pricing of the "Titanium" branded paddles? Consumers are paying higher prices for bell bottom material.

[@ericbooya]

I was one of the guys that has a paddle end that looks like a wolverine killed it trying to get the staples out haha

[@maikuirock8015]

Similar, but I used the tape (3 or 4) that comes with Tourna Over grips (the red stuff) and layered each from the top of where the Slyce opening would start on the handle and added each tape going down to the end of the handle and that was snug enough to push on after a few taps and doesn't catch onto the other tapes (like a pyramid). Then wrapped the top of the Slyce, then put the on Hesacore, then Tourna gripped. Now it is perfectly snug on my TKO-C, where prior it would wiggle around underneath all that stuff. *11 hours later lol

[@jordanmartin324]

I feel like the slyce caps are an odd product at $30. I feel like a 1oz washer glued or taped to the end cap does the same thing, easy to install and is completely reversible.

[@65atBestPB]

PPA Atlanta now has line call video review that doesn’t look like parking lot camera … at night. Only outdoor Atlanta courts … if indoors due to weather … back to parking lot camera.

[@mooremathewj]

Nice content as always. Slyce cap…I’m still having issues securing the Slyce with tape. I have a 1oz Slyce cap on a Fat Boy. I have a second Fat Boy with the OEM stock cap. Given the luxury of having two FB paddles personally I can’t tell much difference “wit” or “wit out” the Slyce. Not being able to secure the Slyce is very annoying. Enough to justify abandoning the Slyce altogether on a wide body. I have a 1oz Slyce installed on a Shogun and Filth and fits very tight. I also sweat a lot so maybe the tape gets too wet and looses it’s adhesive properties I use a wood awl to pull out the staples. $5 tool at your local home improvement center

[@hruntingson]

I’m guessing the Olympus uses a heat resistant expanding foam (maybe nitrogen gas bubbles for low heat expansion) applied to the core, set/dried, trimmed then Thermoformed over. Coretek was probably doing a heat activated expanding foam or the gas in the bubbles expanded when heated.

[@NOT_A_TOP_FAN]

I wonder if Eddie had lead/tungsten on the Olympus. Most people don’t really have a meh reaction towards that paddle. And it plays much differently with lead. But maybe it just doesn’t fit his play style. I don’t think I’ve seen him play…. It definitely caters to a more aggressive play style, but then also is soft. The paddle caters to players who want a bit more power and play with a 14mm (but feels like a 16mm), but don’t want to have to modify their swing mechanics like you do with gen 3 type power.

[@Andyofsuh]

What was the best weight set up?

[@christianeprice]

Guys, I asked Logan who owns Nexus to send me the lightest ProStar he had so that it wouldn’t be too head heavy and I wish you would do the same before full review of it because I had an amazing play experience with it and I am very picky about my paddles lately desiring strong plow through power and pop with high dwell time that doesn’t sacrifice control and touch. It felt like that titanium or polyester weave combined with a foam infused core made it a special feeling paddle, like oddly powerful yet plush, and I got good dwell time with it. I also felt like my serves were almost as hard as they are with the joola mod. there’s something about the weight distribution or the core or that weave that made the spin just barely come up off the ground on the bounce for me. I think if you got a lighter prostar and weighted it up to your liking you’d have a better experience with it maybe. Although mine seems to have a great sweet spot. I’m not having any twisting issues and because my paddle on lighter end it’s quite maneuverable for an elongated. I’m just wanting you to give ProStar more of a chance bc I think a lot of people will really like it.

[@kimleith1378]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback on the ProStar. I'm excited to get mine and learn to play the paddles tech.

[@KO1967]

All good things. Can we please get paddles with good quality control such that all paddles of the same make/model are virtually identical (weight w/i 0.1 oz, same grit on all paddles and both sides). Currently way too much variations in 2 paddles of the same make/model.

[@mruniverse19]

I think it would be really cool if USAPA established a COR-spin ratio for their approvals. So a super powerful paddle has almost no spin, and the less power you allow a paddle to have the more spin you can allow it to have. I think this would really open doors for creative play.

[@matthoward4701]

I switched from M2F 14mm with 6 gms added at 8&4 to the 11six24 AC wanting more power. 10ths in and I’m still playing it stock. It is giving me drive and putaway power that I was lacking. It doesn’t get pushed around as much and is still great at soft stuff. I hope that helps the person from Q&A

[@NJCheenz2388]

Maybe you can get your dad's band to make an awesome intro so you'll have his music last a lifetime

[@JovanniG678]

I really wish the butcaps had a trap door with like a quarter inch worth of room that you could just pack it lead/tungsten or silicone to counter balance it. No: staples, unwrapping grips or wobbly butcaps to deal with.

[@mrmichaelsimon]

Was thinking exactly what Eddie mentioned. Similar to what golf club brands have done. Adjustable weight system where there are predetermined hole locations and you can buy weights and adjust to your liking. For example, you'll have holes or screw in points at 12, 3,9,4,9 and at the butt cap. You can then buy weights and play around with the settings depending on what you like. You can even have a weight track on the perimeter of a paddle (lots of engineering I bet) where weights and slide up and down depending on your preference.

[@steve-94951]

I've sourced manufactured goods from agents in China. Typically the language barrier is minor. They are often dishonest in specifications and materials used.

[@nicobarraza802]

It makes sense to make the game quieter so it continues to grow into areas where the only complaint as the noise. For instance the Diadem Hush…if other companies went this route and it became standardized to have a rubber face like a ping pong paddle…it would be much better for the game as a whole. I don’t mind the sound as I’m a avid player, but if the game was quieter it would be even more accessible and from an economic and aesthetic perspective I can’t think of a reason this is bad. Your ears will adjust…not it doesn’t need to be super loud to have a quicker reaction. The hush is plenty loud but the issue is the standardization. I really hope the ball/paddles become quieter on the mass scale. Not more powerful.

[@rinab9876]

John and Eddie, based on what was found out by Chris (pickleball studio) with joola intentionally partially crushing the cores of the mod, do you guys think that all the gen 3’s are intentionally crushed cores to some levels? I mean, it makes sense with them all sounding lower and similar, right? They play like paddles that would have been thought of as defective or even compromised as a gen 2, but now it’s how paddles are developed. I would venture to say that these gen 3’s are all likely being put into molds that don’t account for the total thickness of materials being loaded into the molds. What’s going to give? Always the core.

[@jwalker87051]

I put two layer strips of electrical tape before I put my slyce caps and haven’t felt them move either

[@rahulreddy8850]

Hey, Can you please suggest best spinning hybrid paddle with good power and pop.

[@Dy1pickel]

I still think a paddle shape has yet to be unlocked: would love a paddle between hybrid and standard. 16.2 length with 5.25 handle length and slightly less than standard width.

[@El_Guap]

When you talk about "short backswing with pro follow through". It's more about acceleration through the swing. Amateurs swing the same speed (mostly) through the swing-path. Pros massively accelerate through the more compact swing. It's shocking when you realize that. Fast feet... slow swing while you accelerate through and whip!

[@user-nd1ku3qi7e]

Chris and Isaac feel the ripple is getting hotter with play hours, what is your take on the power level after use ?

[@EddieK-PB]

Check out the next pod. we discuss our experience with the ripple.

[@huddy025]

Great pod boys, should companies making titanium paddles be held responsible for bait and switch?

[@gao57009]

Next we'll have Uranium and Polonium paddle faces?

[@MrPanthers23]

On your data paddle database, your r2 says it has 11 grams of tungsten and a slice cap. Is that 11 grams total? Or 11 grams on each side?

[@HowieB-isMe3885]

I hope rhombus fixes the issues with the ripple. I hear that it keeps scanning more and more power until it becomes uncontrollable.

[@AOzz]

I’m also looking for good M2F alternatives. I ordered the 11Six24 Monarch All Court and didn’t like it at all. Luckily 11Six24 is awesome and let me swap it for a Control. I’ve still yet to receive the Control, but hopefully it’s slightly more powerful than the M2F 14. I don’t have high hopes though. I’ve also recently been playing with a friend’s old Engage Pro EX non-6.0 and really like that paddle. It feels more easy to control than the Monarch All Court and is definitely more powerful too. I’ve always overlooked the American Made paddle companies that still make Gen 1 paddles. Not anymore! Thermoforming is not a necessity to make a great paddle.

[@dontheisen4284]

I have the M2F and added the Pikkl Hurricane Pro 14mm. Power is about the same but certainly more pop and easy to control. Added some tape below 3 and 9 as its a really light paddle.

[@christianeprice]

The 11six24 hurache -X control+ has layer of added fiberglass which gives it excellent power almost like a paddletek TKO-C and it really has great feel too, so not hard to control. I rarely love a paddle like it has to feel really special for me to keep it in my bag at all times as option.

[@AOzz]

@@christianeprice I thought the Monarch All Court was supposed to be identical to the Hurache Control+; with the fiberglass between two layers of carbon fiber. I’ve never hit with a Hurache, but I couldn’t control the Monarch All Court at all. Couldn’t reset or dink.

[@willjameshamilton6385]

What is happening with the control metric in the raw paddle database? Can you update us on that?

[@johnkewpickleball]

I wasn't happy with it, so I'm going back to the drawing board

[@willjameshamilton6385]

@@johnkewpickleball low pop and high spin is not too bad of a start maybe add i. Something for size if sweet spot. But basically in my game, pop is the killer of control in resets, blocks, et

[@claytonaddison3451]

Sad you didn’t get to play some pickleball while you were here in Memphis!

[@ArianaWilson-]

Materials from different sports equipment can be borrowed from each other.

[@justinchercoles9142]

Love your videos John, just one suggestion if you could put timestamps in your video that would be awesome. Thank you

[@johnkewpickleball]

Hi, all my videos have timestamps, but I get several requests for them still. I wonder why they're not showing for you?

[@emason17]

My slyce cap rocked back and forth on my TKO cx. Wasn't great.

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

You shouldn’t be calling them titanium if there’s no titanium.

[@kealii74]

I would like to see an unobtanium paddle with adamantium weaving. 😂

[@El_Guap]

R1 for life!

[@vupac3000]

My Shogun paddle has plastic-carbon fiber weaves??? My whole existence of life has change ☠️

[@christianeprice]

IKR!!! 😂

[@UnexplainedToday]

Not a fan of companies lying about the material used. The credibility aspect is wild, I couldn't imagine telling a consumer I put a metal in a product meanwhile it was PET. As a brand you're either ignorant and nowhere near as educated on paddle tech as these manufacturers claim or you're willfully scamming your customers. Either situation is an awful look.

[@BlGSac]

I unfortunately messed up my paddle doing the slyce cap which is my fault probably. I took off the buttcap all 6 nails but even after that yanking it off my Franklin Dynasty 14mm some of the foam at the butt of the handle came off and now I get this nasty vibration. But even I did it again with another paddle I definitely was more cautious and did it properly.

[@ryanfritschy4439]

Shoot Franklin customer service an email. They'll hook you up with a new paddle

[@BlGSac]

​@@ryanfritschy4439I would I'm hesitant because from what I heard from people. Removing the factory buttcap voids the warranty, which would mean I might not be able to get a replacement paddle.

[@ryanfritschy4439]

I'd do it regardless. I know them well and will work with any customer. Just because they don't market their warranty doesn't mean they won't take care of you.

[@cindywong7589]

Feel better Eddie!

[@EddieK-PB]

Thank you! Getting there!!!

[@neilfriedenberg2223]

So....will the brands that claim titanium and misled buyers make a statement and own it? Blaming on language barrier is not the issue. That is an easy scapegoat. John, thank you for the shout out about Prolite doing this type of build a long time ago. We knew what it was and it was not titanium LOL.

[@my_brief_moment]

reviewers and paddle "manufacturers" should stop referring to them as Titanium paddles - confusing to ordinary consumers; maybe that's intentional?

[@romanhernz3839]

REST is a nice medicine !!!

[@EddieK-PB]

I'm good for about an hour, then I get a little stir crazy! 🤣

[@-Mark-zx]

I also agree that the marketing has gotten way outta control.....I suppose NASA uses the same polyester and plastics and polyurethane that we use in overgrips, etc, lololo

[@65atBestPB]

I bet you could use a silicone caulk as adhesive for Slyce buttcap, and wouldn’t be permanent like epoxy.

[@Jimfou812]

so the 27th Date is a NOGO? That's still on the Site.

[@trumpisastump9382]

No, their website indicates that the release on the 20th and 27th is only for the Beta program (Ronbus Connect). The public release date is postponed, with that date to be announced.

[@Jimfou812]

@@trumpisastump9382 You're right.

[@shelbylangston329]

Its actually silk strands.

[@rollingchopsticks]

There are no real titanium in paddle at all

[@kimleith1378]

If there was, they'd cost 400.oo. Making Titanium is a very extensive process. Includes Platinum coating also.

[@NexusPickleballUSA]

Thank you for the shout out for the ProStar! Our average weight is around 8.2oz, let us know if you want a lighter paddle to test:)

[@kimleith1378]

Hey Logan. Hope the knee is mending. Did my paddle ship?

[@UnexplainedToday]

You can be one of the first honest manufacturers regarding not claiming titanium.

[@NexusPickleballUSA]

@@kimleith1378 your paddle has been shipped! The aliens will have it to you soon!👽🛸

[@psycl0ptic]

Honolulu J2Ti sounds great, but can't get past to overt religious symbolisms used by Honolulu PB.

[@gilbd]

How about Poly-Ti?

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

There’s no titanium at all, so it shouldn’t say Ti at all. It would be like saying a paddle was using “diamond” because they introduced a translucent polyester.

[@CEMESTEBAN]

Guys it’s a name and it was out there there before paddle companies were interested interested in that material

[@65atBestPB]

future paddle prediction … ok … desire 17 x 10 😁

[@treeadem]

When you review new paddles… you both seem to show each other the the look more than your audience…. Also sometimes you don’t pronounce the names clearly on occasion…. I really enjoy your Podcast….

[@darrellsampsell9612]

Wait… what?? These paddles don’t have titanium in them? Does that mean my 6.0 double black diamond doesn’t have diamonds in it? 😂

[@dv8tion388]

Even John's first impressions were under the guise of real titanium. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6WnlmCil5iLnNksi=SqunKPvyxfrwOmUo So as they say, that didn't age well, and id be pissed as a content creator/buyer.