ajaykkr Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 (edited) Well, i have played a number of sets this season, Miura - CB 1006 and tournament blades, Epon- AF 301, Fourteen TB 1000 forged, MR 23 blades, MP 33, Golds Factory Blades, Scratch Blades, X Blade 2s, Studio handmades and the Studio MBs (Did I miss anything)...... The last one I acquired is the Epon Af-301, but i have had only 4 rounds with them.... Want to complete 6 rounds, before I post my views on iron play, random observations on the above irons.. etc.... So Watch this Space :) Edited September 24, 2007 by ajaykkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Well, i have played a number of sets this season, Miura - CB 1006 and tournament blades, Epon- AF 301, Fourteen TB 1000 forged, MR 23 blades, MP 33, Golds Factory Blades, Scratch Blades, X Blade 2s, Studio handmades and the Studio MBs (Did I miss anything)......The last one I acquired is the Epon Af-301, but i have had only 4 rounds with them.... Want to complete 6 rounds, before I post my views on iron play, random observations on the above irons.. etc.... So Watch this Space :) wow those are a lot of irons in one season:) eagirly awaiting your inputs...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonlui Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 i'm interested in the CB1006 versus 301's, both excellent irons. my pick would be the tournament blades if I can actually hit those without losing distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richmond Golfer Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 I would like your feedback on the Miura blade versus the Gold's Factory Blade. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted September 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 (edited) I would like your feedback on the Miura blade versus the Gold's Factory Blade. Thanks The Miura tournament blade wins hands down...the Golds factory blade is handmade etc. etc. but to me only one thing matters and that is performance on the course in terms of accuracy of shots (dispersion), length, spin (shorter irons), ball flight, ability to work the ball. Both are good, but Miura is simply better. Its easier to work through the ball with the Miura (both draws and fade), less so with the Gold. The Miura is better in the rough even with the longer irons. (i have used upto a 4 iron from rough) and the miura appears to be better at cutting through and getting to the ball and distance loss is less than that of the gold.. Feel is also much better with the Miura my detailed posts will start this weekend (hope to write atleast one per weekend) CAUTION: Iron play is very personal and performance of iron depends on skill level, ball striking ability, swing and other variables. What works better for me need not work for you Edited October 2, 2007 by ajaykkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted September 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 (edited) i'm interested in the CB1006 versus 301's, both excellent irons.my pick would be the tournament blades if I can actually hit those without losing distance. Knowing that you desire forgiveness, the AF301s get the vote,, but by a very thin margin... both irons are excellent as you say, but the Af 301s are more forgiving and have better feel (for me) and is more compact. Offsetting that is the fact that the Miura CB 1006 is more workable than the AF 301s and the 3/4 iron seems to be more accurate than that of the AF 301 (in terms of dispersion)... Both irons had the 1150 stiff shaft... CAUTION: Iron play is very personal and performance of iron depends on skill level, ball striking ability, swing and other variables. What works better for me need not work for you Edited September 25, 2007 by ajaykkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Great cautionary note! One man's perfect grind is another's nightmare. It will be great to see where all of these slot in, especially the Fourteen's and X-Blade CB 2's, and the... who am I kidding, they are all great sets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted September 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 (edited) Pics of Top lines of blades and soles of the 6 iron.... (i play better golf than I take pics, but I will try harder next time and replace these pics, the sky is overcast now and my camera is not the best) from your left to right - MP 33, Mr 23, Fourteen, Miura, Golds Factory, Tourstage X Blade 2, Gauge Design Studio MB from your left to right - Gauge Design Studio MB, Tourstage X-Blade 2, Golds Factory, Miura, Fourteen, Mr 23, MP 33 from your left to right - MP 33, Mr 23, Fourteen, Miura, Golds Factory, Tourstage X Blade 2, Gauge Design Studio MB Edited September 30, 2007 by ajaykkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 AJ that is one awesome collection of blades my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 AJ that is one awesome collection of blades my friend! yup....... the ones that were worthy enough to keep..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 yup....... the ones that were worthy enough to keep..... So of the group pictured, which one's will you keep in your rotation? The Miuras and... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubHoUno Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Interesting test you have there Looking forward to reading your final conclusion and nice to know what you like about the Miura blades that you don't find in the other great contenders The Miura blade looks best to me - the Fourteen TB1000 is a close second though How would you rate the feel in the Miura blade up against the other blades you tested ? I'm surprised you think the Miura's feels better than the Gold's factory Sorry forgot......did you use the same grip and shafts in all the irons you tested ? Also looking forward to hear what you think of the new great looking Epon AF-301 compared to Miura, Mizuno, Fourteen, Gauge and Tourstage ? Have you tried the new Miura Cb-202 Japan Forged cavity back set ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Interesting test you have there Looking forward to reading your final conclusion and nice to know what you like about the Miura blades that you don't find in the other great contenders The Miura blade looks best to me - the Fourteen TB1000 is a close second though How would you rate the feel in the Miura blade up against the other blades you tested ? I'm surprised you think the Miura's feels better than the Gold's factory Sorry forgot......did you use the same grip and shafts in all the irons you tested ? Also looking forward to hear what you think of the new great looking Epon AF-301 compared to Miura, Mizuno, Fourteen, Gauge and Tourstage ? Have you tried the new Miura Cb-202 Japan Forged cavity back set ? First of all its not a test...these are irons that I own and play.... (i have purchased and put into play lots of other irons, but they did not make the cut, so they have been given away or sold). So my observations are based on my play, albeit at my home course, so the only variability has been my swing on a given day, but over a number of rounds that should averaged. Grips are different, lofts and lies are different as they are all standard specs... Length is same. Shafts generally has been the Nippon 1150 Stiff flex......but I have experimented in some irons with S400, S300, and x100...In the end, the 1150 Stiff remained in the Miura, Golds, and X Blade 2, the MP 33 and the Mr 23 have the S300, the GD MB the S400 and I have kept the X100 in the fourteens for an experiment... My next set of experimentation is to put the Black golds in these clubs or get new clubs with the Black Gold and keep what works better... I think the black gold is a great shaft ..... I will be writing about my thoughts on each of these irons and why I prefer one over the other....but that writing will happen over time...but I have to say that among the seven on display, I could bag any of four, possibly five and be very happy and have a great round... more to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 First of all its not a test...these are irons that I own and play.... (i have purchased and put into play lots of other irons, but they did not make the cut, so they have been given away or sold). So my observations are based on my play, albeit at my home course, so the only variability has been my swing on a given day, but over a number of rounds that should averaged.Grips are different, lofts and lies are different as they are all standard specs... Length is same. Shafts generally has been the Nippon 1150 Stiff flex......but I have experimented in some irons with S400, S300, and x100...In the end, the 1150 Stiff remained in the Miura, Golds, and X Blade 2, the MP 33 and the Mr 23 have the S300, the GD MB the S400 and I have kept the X100 in the fourteens for an experiment... My next set of experimentation is to put the Black golds in these clubs or get new clubs with the Black Gold and keep what works better... I think the black gold is a great shaft ..... I will be writing about my thoughts on each of these irons and why I prefer one over the other....but that writing will happen over time...but I have to say that among the seven on display, I could bag any of four, possibly five and be very happy and have a great round... more to come... I think your review environment is great and that you do it over several rounds gives some measure of reliability. The most unreliable reviews are those done purely on a LM or at the range or over 1 or 2 rounds. Thanks for sharing your reviews again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 (edited) so the rankings........ i will be stating them from bottom to top.... (7) Gold's factory - ok on every front, nothing special on any.... from now on the differences are close between irons ranked (6)-(3)..... (6) Mr 23 - like the look, compact head, but there are better feeling blades out there, but compared to other blades a smaller sweetspot.... (very nice blade...but others are better) (5) GD studio MB - Good high ball flight..., ok feel, workability is relatively lesser compared to (4)-(1), great looks, very interesting design..... (4) Fourteen - Softest feeling irons on the planet....cannot be described,,, has to be felt...only one.way to describe....its like butter soft.... However, loft progression from 6 iron onwards is annoying...(i dont like bending my irons)....very forgiving.... . (3) - (1) to follow later..... ( Edited October 5, 2007 by ajaykkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubHoUno Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 so the rankings........i will be stating them from bottom to top.... (7) Gold's factory - ok on every front, nothing special on any.... from now on the differences are close between irons ranked (6)-(3)..... (6) Mr 23 - like the look, compact head, but there are better feeling blades out there, but compared to other blades a smaller sweetspot.... (very nice blade...but others are better) (5) GD studio MB - Good high ball flight..., ok feel, workability is relatively lesser compared to (4)-(1), great looks, very interesting design..... (4) Fourteen - Softest feeling irons on the planet....cannot be described,,, has to be felt...only one.way to describe....its like butter soft.... However, loft progression from 6 iron onwards is annoying...(i dont like bending my irons)....very forgiving.... . (3) - (1) to follow later..... ( Looking forward to 1-3 Will especially be exited, if you feel/think Miura plays softer than the other high end top of the pop contenders - considering that they are two piece forged spin-fusion welded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 .(3) - (1) to follow later..... ( Really looking forward to this although I thinking of Scratch AR-1/EZ-1 combo now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Really looking forward to this although I thinking of Scratch AR-1/EZ-1 combo now. I have played those......did not really appeal to me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Looking forward to 1-3 Will especially be exited, if you feel/think Miura plays softer than the other high end top of the pop contenders - considering that they are two piece forged spin-fusion welded. i am not sure whether its softer....the fourteen are the softest followed by the X blade 2.... but there is so much more to an iron than softness.. and feel is subjective.... despite the two piece, the miura feels great.... among the best...... Forging is just one aspect of an iron making... where its forged is a bit overrated in my opinion.... design plays a crucial role if not more.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 i am not sure whether its softer....the fourteen are the softest followed by the X blade 2.... but there is so much more to an iron than softness.. and feel is subjective.... despite the two piece, the miura feels great.... among the best...... Forging is just one aspect of an iron making... where its forged is a bit overrated in my opinion.... design plays a crucial role if not more.... I play both the Epon S and Miura cb201 with identical nspro 850 R and if I have to choose just one, I would pick the Miura over the Epon for feel (not necessary softness) regardless of spin weld or whatever the differences in construction. Again this is very subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 I have played those......did not really appeal to me.... Aj, if time permits and you care to, can you compare the Ar-1 to the AF-301s? My real concern is the hosel offset on the AF-301s and with the Scratch, I understand Ari can customize the hosel offsets more or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 3) -1) 3) and 2) joint - X blade 2 and MP 33..... The Xblade 2 feels great when hit... also a touch more workable, particularly for hitting low shots with the shorter irons compared to the MP 33. The MP 33 is so easy to hit that I can hit it in my sleep.... Between the two, its splitting hairs.... 1) Miura Blade..... Best club in town.... 1) Gives direct feedback ---- very helpful in improving oneself,... 2) Feel is great...not soft... but just feels great.... 3) easy to work the ball 4) can hit it high, low, 5) compact head allows you to be aggressive in rough...relatively easy to dig the ball out, 6) very tight dispersion in terms of length and on line of target... For the player, Miura simply excels...but it could be tough if you have a slighly lesser ball striking problems.... Based on my experience, this iron towers over the rest.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubHoUno Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 3) -1) 3) and 2) joint - X blade 2 and MP 33..... The Xblade 2 feels great when hit... also a touch more workable, particularly for hitting low shots with the shorter irons compared to the MP 33. The MP 33 is so easy to hit that I can hit it in my sleep.... Between the two, its splitting hairs.... 1) Miura Blade..... Best club in town.... 1) Gives direct feedback ---- very helpful in improving oneself,... 2) Feel is great...not soft... but just feels great.... 3) easy to work the ball 4) can hit it high, low, 5) compact head allows you to be aggressive in rough...relatively easy to dig the ball out, 6) very tight dispersion in terms of length and on line of target... For the player, Miura simply excels...but it could be tough if you have a slighly lesser ball striking problems.... Based on my experience, this iron towers over the rest.. WOW - great to hear that Miura gets some credit - me likey I agree that there are much more to an iron, than what type of forgings it is and where it is forged. To me this is what makes a great forged iron: 1. Quality of steel, most popular is 1020/S20c Carbon steel 2. One or two pieced forging 3. How many times the iron heads are struck/pressed and at what amount of weight 4. Type and quality of the finish used 5. Iron head design - bounce, grind, cavity, leading edge, offset, etc. 6. Groove type and quality of milling/punching 7. Type of shaft 8. Type of grip I think these 8 points all are very important factors to consider, when one has to evaluate how a certain type of forged set of irons will play and feel. As a Miura fan, I'm glad the Miura blade won your very own subjective test, when you consider the quality of the contenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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