… after using the Double Black Diamond not long after starting out. About 18 months later as my skill improved, I was lacking power on serves, drives, putaways, and backhand flicks from the kitchen line to keep opponents deep. I wanted more power, but I didn’t want to lose its great control.
Okay, long review coming, but I want fellow “ballers” to have good info to go on.
After many, MANY online reviews (articles, videos), I zeroed-in on the Honolulu line. The J2 is their hybrid shape which I still wanted that looks exactly like the SixZero DBD, but it was hard to choose between the J2NF and J2NFT at first (different face materials). However, I learned that the J2NF is designed to have the most power of the J2 line-up, but I chose it a bit reluctantly, thinking my shots would be out of control.
I’ve used this paddle for about 2 months now, both outdoors and indoors. I also bought the 6.0” handle for more backhand grip room.
First, there was no break-in with this foam-core (FC) paddle, at least none that I noticed.
The J2NF definitely has more power! I’m able to easily keep opponents deep AND with less swing effort. My other power shots are also definitely much faster. It’s as though the power is exponential: the harder you swing, the more insane the drive speeds.
But what about control? It has the same overall control as the DBD, but better dinking control. Beware that the power is also exponentially less on the lower end: dink too soft and it hits the net more than with the DBD, but that means if you accidentally dink too hard, it doesn’t pop as high. Using a firmer wrist and swing gives you the power needed, but with the better control.
BUT THE BIGGEST SURPRISE is when somebody rips a shot and you only have time to get your paddle into position. The paddle is SO solid that it barely deflects! (So long as you have a tight enough grip.) Many times I’ve startled opponents (and myself!) by the ball ripping back onto their side AND in bounds, often too fast for them to react! A sweet spot arguably even bigger than the DBD. I also don't notice any arm/wrist fatigue.
The bottom line, the SixZero DBD is a great beginner-intermediate paddle, but you need something better to go further. I believe the J2NF is just such a paddle, even for beginners. I’ve learned that the J2FC+ is very similar. The J2NFT is the ‘softest’ and the J2NFK (Kevlar face, but which can wear out and get softer over time) is somewhere in between.
My next step might be the Selkirk Boomstik or Joola Perseus Pro IV if I get past the 4.5 level, but until then, the J2NF has turned out to have the absolute perfect balance of power and control. It surely has everything that the DBD lacks.