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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 ➜Six Zero Boulder Opal - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/boulder-opal?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q ➜Vatic V-Sol Tour - save $10 with code JOHNKEW (August 31 launch): https://vaticpro.com?sca_ref=3717419.wRxewY5VFb #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

How many times have you heard that a paddle's "dwell" helps spin the ball, supposedly because the ball sinks into the face more, or it dwells longer, giving you more spin? Well, I put that to the test. I ran 12 paddles through one fixed rig and checked whether face deflection, the closest thing we can measure to dwell, actually predicts how much a ball spins. It doesn’t. Deflection barely moved with spin at all (an R² of 0.02). The number that actually tracked spin was launch angle, at 0.89 — about as tight as real-world paddle data ever gets. Those turn out to be two separate design levers, not one. KewCast 118 covers three things worth your time: ● The spin experiment: why “dwell time” may be the most repeated idea in pickleball that nobody has actually tested, and what the data says is really driving spin (probably surface friction at contact, not pocketing). ● RPM vs. JOOLA: RPM became the one brand answering JOOLA’s patent suit in court while most of the field paused behind the ITC. We break down its 13 defenses, the “your patents are invalid” nuclear option, the honeycomb-core “gap” argument, how JOOLA narrowed its own claims to get the patent granted, and the boldest line in the filing: RPM asking the court to make JOOLA pay its legal fees. ● The Dink (movie): our spoiler-light take on the new Jake Johnson pickleball comedy — is it really the best pickleball movie ever made, and does it actually “get” the sport? ● Plus Gear Gossip: the Chris Haworth signature paddle, the Gen-3 Luzz Glider 2026, and Kaitlin Christian suing Proton for breach of contract. We finish with your questions in the Q&A. So next time someone tells you a paddle’s “dwell” is why it spins more, you can politely point them to this episode. Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Eddie punches John in the face as an experiment for PBCOR (J/K - everyone just skips over this if I write "Intro") 1:14 Latest News/Gear Gossip: Chris Haworth signature paddle - Luzz Glider 2026 5:34 Kaitlyn Christian suing Proton for breack of contract 7:18 RPM responds to JOOLA Lawsuit 19:43 Our thoughts on the movie The Dink 25:33 Tales from the Ball Cannon: does "dwell" (pocketing) affect spin and launch angle? 38:28 Kew & A: Have you compared multiple identical paddles to see how much manufacturing variability exists or whether specs change after launch? 40:26 How would you compare the playstyle and feel of the J6CR versus the J2CR Long Handle? I love a two-handed backhand and am considering switching. 44:48 If durable grit is making paddles feel stiffer or deader, could applying it in a non-continuous pattern help preserve feel while maintaining durability? 47:06 What are the trade-offs of durable grit? Do Tier 1 coatings inevitably change paddle feel or swing weight, or can manufacturers achieve long-lasting grit without those compromises? 51:00 John, I recently rediscovered your channel after rewatching your drum covers. Many of us have missed your music and wondered what happened. Would you ever share why you stepped away from drumming on YouTube, and do you still play today? 👉 Explore the newly revamped paddle database, comparison lab, and x-ray lab: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/

JOOLA has filed a continuation patent application that appears to expand beyond its existing Propulsion Core patents toward a fully floating core surrounded by foam. What does that actually mean—and could it affect the future of pickleball paddle design? In Episode 116 of KewCast, we break down the patent claims, discuss prior art, and explain why protecting innovation and protecting competition are both essential parts of a healthy patent system. We also cover: • New spin durability testing on the PAKLE Fuse, Spartus Spitfire, and Ronbus Tenon • Why the PAKLE results were disappointing • What USAP's new direct spin testing limit actually means • Whether USAP and UPA-A appear to be converging on spin testing • A fascinating new research article analyzing over 22,000 professional pickleball shots • Engage's upcoming X2 Pro • Mission First's new FireFight Pro • Viewer Q&A covering Quanta vs Tenon, Coral Pro, JOOLA Gen 4, MPP foam, and more. ➡️ Check out my newly updated paddle database/comparison lab: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/ Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Preview 2:27 JOOLA continuation patent going for full foam ring 21:11 Is modern pro pickleball won with power or with touch and spin? 30:09 Paddles of the Week: Engage X2 Pro 34:51 Paddles of the Week: Mission First FireFight Pro 37:57 Tales from the ball cannon: spin durability testing updates - PAKLE Fuse 41:49 Spartus Spitfire Spin Durability Results 43:52 Ronbus Tenon Spin Durability Results 45:42 Tales from the ball cannon Part 2: Are USAP and UPA-A aligned with direct spin testing, and what does the 2,100 RPM limit actually mean? 56:17 Kew & A: Will Today's Elite Spin Paddles Pass Future USAP/UPA-A Spin Testing? 57:18 My B&B lost its grit fairly quickly - is the Six Zero Coral Pro a good alternative? 59:24 Anna Bright mentioned that most pros do not prefer full foam Gen-4 paddles. Curious to know your thoughts 1:00:48 Is the MPP Foam Feel Profile Better Suited for Amateurs Than Pros? 1:02:56 Viewer Spotlight: A Look at Pickleball's Rapid Growth in the Philippines 1:03:44 Viewer Perspective: Is Pickleball in Southeast Asia Transitioning from Boom to Sustainable Growth? 1:06:41 Are "All-Court" Labels Being Influenced More by Feel Than Actual Performance? 1:07:29 Which Offers Better Control—the Quanta R2 or the Ronbus Tenon? 1:09:02 Where's the Line Between Inspiration and Copying in Paddle Reviews? 1:11:48 How is it that your controlled cannon testing puts the Spartus Spitfire in Tier 3, while Braydon's testing puts it in Tier 1? ➡️Products mentioned in podcast: 🔹Engage X2 Pro (launching end of July) - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.engagepickleball.com/JOHNKEW 🔹Mission First FireFight Pro - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://missionfirstpickleball.com/products/project-matic-firefight-pro-edition?sca_ref=11830625.l0kpr7cFhZHVyPA 🔹Spartus Spitfire (launching end of July) - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI 🔹PAKLE Fuse - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://paklepickleball.com/products/fuse-new-gen5-pickleball-paddle?rs_ref=2aQegQcw 🔹Ronbus Tenon (coming July 24) - save $20 with code JOHNKEW: https://ronbus.com/collections/tenon-series

Will the Spartus Spitfire with "PermaGritNano" become the first true budget paddle to deliver durable spin, or is that still reserved for paddles costing twice as much? Welcome to KewCast Episode 113! We also introduce KewCOR Curves, a new visualization tool that maps paddle response along the centerline of the face to help explain why some paddles feel incredibly consistent while others have pronounced hot spots. Do these curves finally quantify sweet spot quality? Also in Episode 113: • Spartus Spitfire details and launch expectations • Proton Series One prototype updates • Aireo Cyclone Hybrid impressions • Website upgrades including comparison tools and KewCOR surface maps • Thoughts on MLP and recent player moments • Why losses are essential for improvement in pickleball and life • Viewer questions on perimeter weighting, handle weighting, and whether skateboarders have an advantage in pickleball. Timestamps/Chapters: 0:00 Introduction/ Preview of Show 1:01 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: General thoughts on MLP – is it growing on you – did you watch much over the past few weeks? 6:10 Website updates: spin tiers, comparison lab with z-scores and KewCOR curves 9:41 Paddles of the Week: Spartus P1 Widebody 15:54 Spartus Spitfire 21:38 New Proton Nanotac Gen-4 Paddles 31:58 Aireo Cyclone Hybrid UPA-A Only 38:44 KewCOR Curves - do they match our perception of paddle performance? 52:17 Deep Thoughts with John & Eddie 53:49 John's Deep Thought: Man in the Arena Quote 59:40 Eddie's Deep Thought: Survivorship Bias 1:04:47 Kew & A: Does adding perimeter weighting change the data for the new feel wheel values? 1:08:23 Handle/End Cap Weight: Balance Point, Swing Weight, and Twist Weight Effects? 1:10:41 Do Skateboarders Have an Advantage Learning Pickleball? 1:14:39 Miscellaneous anecdotes: what music we're listening to lately 🔗 Check out the new Paddle Comparison Lab (with KewCOR curves) here: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/paddle-comparison-lab 🔽 Products Mentioned in Podcast (Affiliate Links) ▫️Spartus Spitfire (coming July) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI ▫️Spartus P1 Widebody - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI ▫️Aireo Cyclone Hybrid (UPA-A Version) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/4kfc8ne8 STAY CONNECTED ➜Subscribe to JohnKew Newsletter for weekly insights into paddle and gear news: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ ➜New paddle database and analytic tools: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/paddle-database ➜Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/

We updated our paddle leaderboard, revisited pickleball eye protection with Part 2 of our ballistic dummy testing, discussed JOOLA settling with Proton over Propulsion Core patents, the return of Proton's NanoTac Series One, and whether paddle feel might actually be quantifiable. Timestamps/Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:43 JOOLA Settles Propulsion Core Patent Dispute with Proton 5:33 Proton Series 1 Nanotac Returns 10:08 Someone pretending to be me scammed Juciao 14:43 Ballistic Dummy Head Eyewear Impact Testing, Part 2 36:59 Can the Feel Wheel be Quantified? 47:01 Kew & A: Who’s actually nerdier? The people discussing paddles for 90 minutes, or the people tuning in? 47:46 Can a 45° Carbon Fiber Layup Actually Improve Spin? 50:05 Can We Now Predict Feel and Performance From Construction Alone? 51:59 How Much Does Court Surface Affect Bounce and Spin? 53:59 Concentrated Weight vs. Distributed Weight 57:08 C45 Dynasty Owners: OMNI, Ultre, or Something Else? 58:26 11SIX24 Ultre vs. Coral Hybrid: Which Should You Buy? 1:00:44 The Irony of USAP's Spin Testing 1:03:13 Paddle Leaderboard Updates Products Mentioned in Podcast: Paddles: 🔹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 🔹11SIX24 Ultré (save $10 with code JOHNKEW): https://11six24.com/products/ultre-power-2?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹Enhance MPP Turbo (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW 🔹Friday Aura Pro (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://www.fridaypickle.com/JOHNKEW 🔹Six Zero Coral Pro (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-pro?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Selkirk Boomstik (receive $40 digitage coupon with code INF-JOHNKEW): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹Spartus P1 (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://gospartus.com/products/p1-hybrid?sca_ref=6068787.EPfiuPRWyI Eyewear: 🔹Brioti (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://brioti.com/johnkew 🔹CRBN Drift & Pivot (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW 🔹Gearbox Vision (save 10% with code JOHNKEW): https://gearboxsports.com/collections/eyewear-all-eyewear?rfsn=7659766.b5c963 🔹Kitchen Blockers: https://kitchenblockers.com/products/kitchen-blockers In this episode: • Updated Top 5 paddle rankings from John and Eddie • Ballistic dummy eyewear testing – Part 2 • ANSI vs ASTM impact standards explained • Kitchen Blockers, Gearbox, CRBN and Tifosi eyewear discussion • JOOLA settles with Proton • Proton Series One NanoTac returns • Quantifying paddle feel using sound and vibration data • Weight clips vs tuning tape • Omni vs Ultre • Coral Hybrid vs Ultre • Are smaller brands really designing their own paddles? • USAP spin durability irony Links: Technical Pickleball Study on Quantifying Feel Chart: https://www.technicalpickleball.net/feel JJ Pickleball's interview with Charles Darling of Proton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kevwqucK-k JOOLA Settles Propulsion Core Patent Dispute with Proton: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joola-settles-propulsion-core-patent-dispute-with-proton-302801589.html?tc=eml_cleartime Kitchen Blockers safety testing: https://kitchenblockers.com/pages/pickleball-eye-safety-testing

What happens when you independently test USAP-approved paddles against USAP's own surface roughness limits? I tested 42 paddles from 42 different brands using the same methodology described in the USAP standards. The result was shocking: only 2 paddles passed. Does that mean everyone is cheating? Not necessarily. In this episode, we discuss why modern paddle technology may have outgrown the current roughness standards, what these measurements actually mean, and why approval standards may need to evolve alongside the sport. We also examine two new grit technologies through accelerated wear testing: • Luzz EP-12 Surface • Scoop DEF (Durable Epoxy Fusion) Grit Plus: • Facolos Elite X removed from USAP certification • Anna Leigh Waters named among TIME's most influential athletes • Nerdy Tourney recap • New paddles from Slamopus, Neonic, and 11SIX24 • Listener Q&A Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:20 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Facolos Elite X removed from USAP certification 6:09 Anna Leigh Waters makes Times Magazine's 100 Most Influential Athletes 8:23 Nerdy Tourney Recap 22:09 Experiment: I tested 42 paddles from 42 different brands to see which pass USAP surface roughness standards 32:13 Paddles of the Week: Slamopus Core X 37:41 Neonic FLX Series 44:11 11SIX24 Ultré 47:50 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Testing the durability of Luzz's new grit 52:35 Spin durability testing for DEF Grit (Scoop Sidewinder) 1:04:24 Kew & A: Should spin testing include a low-speed protocol to measure spin on dinks and drops? It could help differentiate grit technologies that produce similar spin numbers on full-speed shots. 1:09:22 As foam-core and other modern constructions continue to improve sweet spot size and stability, is twist weight becoming a less important metric than it used to be?

We just found another Tier One durable grit paddle. Check out my updated paddle database/interface here: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/paddle-database Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:38 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: New Paddle Database Interface at johnkewpickleball.com 4:53 Paddles of the Week: Luzz Inferno Frozen 12:41 Scoop Sidewinder ($100 MPP paddle with claimed durable grit) 20:04 24Seven Turbo and Vantage ($100 full foam paddles with claimed durable grit) 30:11 Selkirk OMNI 39:20 11SIX24 Ultré 41:25 Vyce Honey Grips 46:06 E6 balls - a cheaper Life Time option? 50:35 Six Zero Ball 53:33 High speed footage comparing ball rebound for LT48, Franklin, Six Zero, and E6 58:07 Experiment: Hitting paddles with noise canceling headphones on 1:02:38 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Spin Durability Results for Selkirk OMNI, Six Zero Coral Pro, and PIKKL Skins 1:16:16 Kew & A: Can you identify which top spin-tier paddles are USAP vs. UPA-A certified, and what are the highest-spinning USAP-approved paddles right now? 1:19:08 What all-court paddles keep that stiff, hollow Boomstik-style feel? How do the CR series and Coral Pro fit into that conversation? Also in this week's KewCast, we're seeing that the paddle industry may be entering its next major phase. After months of relatively slow releases, we're suddenly seeing multiple brands chasing the same goal: a high-performance paddle around the $100 price point with genuinely durable grit. In this episode, we discuss several new releases including the Luzz Inferno Frozen, Scoop Sidewinder, 24Seven Turbo and Vantage, Selkirk OMNI, and the new 11SIX24 Ultré shape. We also take a closer look at the technologies these brands are using in an attempt to improve long-term spin durability. Also, an experiment using noise canceling headphones and loud music while hitting different paddles. It's wild - without hearing the paddles, they all feel nearly the same. Then it's time for another round of controlled ball cannon testing. The biggest finding? The Six Zero Coral Pro became the newest member of our Tier One durability category, showing essentially zero spin loss after accelerated wear testing. We also review fresh data on Selkirk Infinigrit and PIKKL Skins to see how they compare. Plus: • New paddle database updates • Vyce Honey Grips • E6 and Six Zero pickleballs • Noise-canceling paddle experiment • Viewer Q&A Products mentioned in podcast: 🔹11SIX24 Ultré - take $10 off with code JOHNKEW (coming soon): https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹24Seven Turbo and Vantage - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://24sevenpickleball.com/products/turbo-pickleball-paddle 🔹E6 Outdoor Balls - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://e6pickleball.com/product/outdoor-pickleballs/ 🔹Luzz Inferno Frozen - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL 🔹Scoop Sidewinder - not available for sale yet 🔹Six Zero Coral Pro (coming 6/14): https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Selkrik OMNI - use code INF-JOHNKEW at Selkirk for a $30 digital gift card: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-omni-pickleball-paddle?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹Six Zero Outdoor Balls - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/6-0-pro-pickleball?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Vyce Honey Grips - use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://vycesports.com/products/honey-grip-blush-pink If durable grit, paddle technology, and objective testing are your thing, this is a packed episode. #pickleball #pickleballpaddle #sixzero #selkirk #11six24 #durablegrit #johnkew #kewcast #pickleballgear

What happens when a paddle GAINS spin after wear testing instead of losing it? We may have underestimated the true spin ceiling in pickleball. 🔹Save $20 on Enhance MPP Turbo hybrid with code JOHNKEW at checkout: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:33 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Selkirk extending warranty on Bread & Butter paddles from 6 months to 1-year 3:31 Paddles of the Week - Enhance MPP Turbo – new hybrid shape 10:22 Tales from the Ball Cannon, Part 1: Spin durability on traditional grit paddles (Selkirk Power Air and Engage Encore) 17:40 Tales from the Ball Cannon, Part 2: Spin Durability on Proton Nanotac and Owl Paddles 23:52 Is the spin ceiling higher than we thought, or are Nanotac and Owl felt getting elastic snapback? 28:33 Kew & A: Are you going to test the durability of the Gearbox GX2 Power paddles, and is Gearbox going to enter the field with an extended durability surface? 29:58 Should USAP and UPA-A drop surface roughness/spin limits and instead ban only materials that create rebound effects like ping pong rubber, since friction-based spin appears to have a natural ceiling anyway? 32:43 Do I even need to clean my paddle? Is that for aesthetics or is there some performance reason to clean my paddle? 34:55 Best foam-core paddle recommendations for soft resets and blocks with long-lasting grit that minimizes pop-ups? 36:42 Why do you think an edge guard is important for making a good paddle, and what role does it play in paddle performance and design? 38:53 Can you recap some niche pickleball gadgets you’ve tried — like the red light therapy device, cap coins, and handle weights — and whether you still use them or if they eventually faded out? 55:26 Gear of the Week: Update on JOOLA R4LLY shoes and Selkirk Legacy shoes 59:54 Blind Rank - Can We Rank These Paddles WITHOUT Knowing What’s Next? 1:17:21 Selkirk OMNI In this episode of KewCast, we break down surprising spin durability test results from Proton Nanotac and Owl paddles—spoiler alert: spin actually INCREASED in a big way after accelerated wear testing. We also explore whether these surfaces are doing more than simple friction… and whether tangential snapback might be entering pickleball. Plus: •Blind ranking mystery paddles with locked placements •Enhance MPP Turbo first impressions •New paddle from Selkirk: the OMNI •JOOLA R4LLY shoe durability after 6 weeks •Selkirk Legacy shoe discussion •Red light therapy gadgets •Firefly Recovery claims and evidence •Foam-core paddle recommendations •Why edge guards matter •The future of paddle spin regulations If you’re into paddle tech, spin science, durability testing, and gear nerd discussions… this one gets weird.

Aireo’s Nanograph and Thrive’s Clear Fusion Grit were finally tested — which spin durability tier did they rank in? In this episode of KewCast, we test the Cyclone and Ignite/Clear Fusion grit technologies using accelerated wear testing, radar gun RPM testing, ball cannon analysis, and Starrett surface roughness measurements. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:50 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: PPA receives $225 million investment 6:49 Tama becoming superstar overnight 13:27 ALW dropped out of singles for Finals in San Clemente 15:46 Thoughts on “Partners” – New PPA Documentary 22:28 Article: Can you trust paddle reviewers because of different commissions? 39:14 Paddles of the Week: Gherkin Draco elongated and widebody 45:50 Warping Point Sophon 50:58 Aireo Cyclone with NanoGraph Grit 54:51 Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink 1:02:55 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Spin/Grit Durability Testing: Aireo Cyclone Nanograph & Thrive Clear Fusion Grit 1:10:59 Tales from the Ball Cannon Part 2: Comparing texture loss to spin loss (Starrett Results) 1:23:23 MPP Paddles & Disbonding 1:30:21 Kew & A: Do MPP or EPP foam cores offer better sweet spots at lower swing weights? 1:31:44 Could a rubber-like paddle face be legal under UPA-A rules if it passes all performance tests? 1:34:12 Does UPA-A test surface roughness, or only spin/RPM similarity testing? 👉 Products Mentioned in Podcast (Affiliate Codes): 🔹Aireo Cyclone (Nanograph) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/ybecf22t 🔹Gherkin Draco (all shapes) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/45n7nzk6 🔹Honolulu J2CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/yc6p5wj6 🔹Honolulu J6CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkvjt 🔹11SIX24 Power 2 Series (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/5npfvt9y 🔹Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink - take 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/46me5rts 🔹Thrive Ignite (Clear Fusion Grit) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/2wjk2c9c 🔹Chorus Coda with Harmony Grit - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/yrk7t94r 🔹Warping Point Sophon - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://warpingpoint.com/ In this episode, we also break down: •Texture loss vs spin loss •Rz vs Rt Starrett readings •Why some paddles lose spin faster than others •MPP vs EPP foam core discussion •UPA-A surface roughness testing •PPA Atlanta reactions •ALW singles withdrawal •Pickleball Inc.’s massive new investment •New paddle releases from Gherkin, Warping Point, Aireo, and more #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #johnkew #kewcast