sfgolfer

Scratch are made from 1018 (the softest steel used to make irons) - why are these results a surprise

Indeed, this is how they work. The long irons launch higher than the PX standard and the short irons perform very much like the PX. I also have PX (standard) wedge shafts to match the PX flighted. The short irons (PXF) and wedges (PXS) perform similarly – mid launch with a flat arc on top. That is except for feel. The standard PX will probably not only PLAY stiffer and FEEL stiffer but will actually BE stiffer. The 1st two have to do with the characteristics of the PXF shaft, the latter with the fact that Royal never really made shafts like any other company. In True Temper shafts, a Stiff was a Stiff. That's really not how it worked with Royal Precision. You need to build them to a desired stiffness if you know what I mean. Long-winded way of saying, yes, the PXF 6.0 is softer - both because of it's design and the fact that it probably actually is playing at 6.0 installed (something you couldn't always say about PXS).

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule here. I personally rarely hit a full shot with anything less than a PW so I like my wedges to feel a little softer, but I don't have any problem with said feel in Wedge flex.

Nice review

I've got to tell you - even against that company those Scratch AR-1s look fantastic. Keep us updated +1.

I doubt the shanking is a function of your irons. 99% of the time it is a swing fault. The NC- will be less forgiving than the X-Tours.

The CB-1006 will be the thinnest of those 3.

I own the Black Swirl #2 - very similar to Gauge Japan's great "The One"

I find this less relevant the better the shaft and/or assembly (i.e, the Diamana installed stock on the r5TP needed to be totally re-oriented where as both the Axiv and Ozik shafts I had tested were flat on the money).

D-O-P-E We have very much the same tastes, what an excellent bag. Those Scratch wedges are just sick, almost art pieces.

I'm at the same place Jacky boy - except for me it's more about frequency of play. I just can't make it out enough to hit the ball the way I want to from the get go. If I'm going to be finding my swing for the first 4 holes, then my trusty blades are not the best choice. I almost need to bring two sets on a golf binge - big cavities for for day 1-3, blades for the final rounds! Wait a minute, that's not a bad idea...

P-H-A-T

6'3", 44.5"

Two totally different shafts. Even in = flex, the PX will "play" stiffer meaning they will feel less willowy. They are not a high-ball hitting shaft. If you really like the standard PX short irons, go PX flighted. Or you can try the more butt-stiff True Temper shafts (the black gold). I've been playing Black Gold softstepped and just could not be happier. As I've said before, I know many people at TSG who can flat out play and who's opinion I respect that love the Nippon iron shafts. IMO, they are not great shafts - expecially when compared to all the great TT shafts (Black Gold/TC/PXHL/PX FLIGHTED/etc).

Love those sole grinds!