chiromikey

Stew, can you compare them size wise to something, maybe 302's, AF-Tours, or a few blades?

Did I miss your review of these? I need to know ALL the details if you're going to say that...

No...it just seems impossible to find anything but blades if I want compact(ish) with zero offset.

Ok, starting to lean in this direction a bit...but the Buchis also have my attention. Can both of these be ordered with zero offset? What about custom finishes?

Even though it's not my style, that's a good looking iron!

Kinda looks like they rounded off a KZG ZO blade (which I've always loved the look of).

hmm...I had forgotten about those. I still love the Flatbacks but I want to try something with no offset.

The two that were on the top of my list were the Miura Giken MB 5005 and Honma TW717 M's but after seeing pics of the Miuras I think they're too big for my taste and there's zero feedback on the Honmas. My requirements this go around are a compact size, similar the my Flatbacks or smaller and as close to zero offset as possible. Everything else may be negotiable. So what should I be looking at?

Holy crap is this cheap for one of the best all time drivers!! :-o

Interesting you found the Ryoma to be higher launching. I've found it to be one of the lowest launching heads I have. Other than that I pretty much agree.

I think it comes down to the American market of mass production and profit versus the Japanese market of quality and craftsmanship. Imho, the adjustable driver had ZERO to do with supplying the end user with any real benefit, but rather allowing manufacturers to mass produce a one-size-fits-all instead of multiple heads and/or stampings for lofts/face angles and leave it up to customers to get it to work.

Attaboy T!

I've also been using C-Tapers in my wedges for years with great results.

It's due to the flex profile. Using an 8iron shaft gives you the characteristic of a spinner shaft but a feel that is more consistent with the rest of your irons. Typically you want to go with 8iron shafts that CPM 10 pts higher than your iron set (approximately 1 flex stronger). Once butt cut to proper length they should be similar in flex to the other irons. It's my personal preference not to do this part because the next flex up is also heavier and since I never make full swings with wedges (or under 140yds), I don't feel the need.

Oh man, I can't wait for your feedback!!!

I have both of these drivers and I couldn't agree more with these recommendations. The Ryoma is one of the most revered and the Kamui Works is easily the most underrated!

That's funny! Doesn't a weld defy all the logic (flawed as it may be) that we use to justify forged irons?

I like the looks. The neck looks like it's a flowing liquid between the blade and hosel. I'd love to see a full frontal pic!

Most people go up in flex but I don't...I just butt cut to desired length.

For the past few years I've not found a wedge specific shaft that I've been keen on. My biggest complaint is a wedge shaft that performs or feels completely different than the rest of my irons. I don't need the help on specialty shots or spin (in fact, I'd rather reduce spin) so consistent feel is more important to me. I'm also not a fan of the extra weight wedge specific shafts tend to have. With all that in mind, I've gone to using 8iron shafts that match the shafts in the rest of my irons. Now I have the feel and weight consistency I'm looking for and a tad more spin than my short irons which is helpful on less than full shots (if you want even more spin go with a 7iron shaft). I've done this with several sets of irons, the last few being KBS C-Tapers and UST Recoils, and I couldn't be happier!

I agree, the top line almost looks unfinished compared to the rest of the iron...possibly to the point that I could find it distracting at address. And that's coming from a guy with a naked girl painted on his 5w!!!

I think the oval flows with the overall shape better.

I agree...and very sadly I already made that mistake. At least I told their new owner that I wanted first rights if he sells them so there's a chance I'll get them back. :(

For me it's love AND hate. There are so many wedges that spank these in feel and looks. Every time I play them I hope they don't perform so I can sell them...but every time I can't argue with their results.

No doubt about it Stew, the Bolds just work. I'm not a fan of the feel or the high bounce but I'll be damned if they aren't deadly accurate and very consistent. I've put a few different wedges in my bag and every time I come back to the Bold's rotation I'm stupefied as to why/how they work for me the way they do.