Honu$joe Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Looking at either the Fourteen TB-1000's or the Epon AF-301's. I know that EPON is Endo's best but does anyone know if Fourteen does their own forging or do they outsource? I am looking for the best softest feeling iron...out there. My comparision irons would be either Miura BBlades or the Endo 695MB's. Also can you get the 301's in nickel satin only? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Hi there and welcome to the forums. Fourteen is forged at Endo and have long been known for some of the softest irons around. The standard finish on the AF301's is the satin nickel but you can also get the vintage copper finish here which softens them up even more: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/t26284.h...hl=copper+af301 There's an upgrade charge for that which I can't quite remember off the top of my head. You could probably do flat black as well since AF Wedges are finished that way. There are certainly A LOT of soft irons out there. Soft aside, finding the right one to fit your game level and personal tastes is key as well. (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honu$joe Posted December 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Hi there and welcome to the forums. Fourteen is forged at Endo and have long been known for some of the softest irons around. The standard finish on the AF301's is the satin nickel but you can also get the vintage copper finish here which softens them up even more: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/t26284.h...hl=copper+af301There's an upgrade charge for that which I can't quite remember off the top of my head. You could probably do flat black as well since AF Wedges are finished that way. There are certainly A LOT of soft irons out there. Soft aside, finding the right one to fit your game level and personal tastes is key as well. (^_^) Thanks! It looks like they polish the back of the AF-301's, maybe it is my eyesight. Is it safe to assume that since both Fourteen and Epon are done by Endo that they will feel the same? I thought that Epon got the higher end material, if so wouldn't the Epons be of a higher quality...or do you think this is just clever marketing. If you could only pick on of the two based on feel (subjective I know) which would you prefer? Thanks again for the response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federerfan23 Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Just a heads up for you. The two irons that you are looking at are not going to play the same at all. The AF-301's are nothing like a blade. They have quite a bit of offset and a rather large top-line. I see you are using 695's and Miura TB's as comparisons. The TB-1000 will be a lot like them regarding size and playability. If you are looking for a blade or anything close to it I would shy away from the 301. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xchangmanx Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Yep the 301 is an awesome CB. Prolly the best I've ever had a chance to hit. But totally agree w/MR Feder, the 301, not a blade like feel. Instead it is a fantastic CB. They took over my bag last month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 To further what changman and federerfan said, just because they are both forged by endo doesn't mean they will feel the same. Endo forges MANY irons, nearly 70% of the world's irons but they will all feel different based on, type of steel, quality of steel, club design, and shaft used. Those will all affect feel. Federerfan may think the topline is think but for me I think it's all subjective. I don't find it thick at all but I play mid sized cavities so that's probably why. (^_^) If it is a blade you are looking for, another option is the Miura MB-5003's, I think federerfan may have gotten a set so will probably chime in soon on them but feedback has been very positive for feel and performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federerfan23 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Actually got the 5003's today from you guys!!!! I am sending them off mon to get TC S3's in them then I will review. I totally agree that the 301's have an amazing feel. I actually could not believe how soft they were. But again, if you are looking for a blade go with the fourteens or some Miura's. I am sooooooo excited to test out mine. I love TSG, if it were not for you guys I would be stuck with boring old US equipment that i get at cost. Instead I pay twice as much for the J-spec but it makes me happy so it's worth it in the end!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaykkr Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 \i have owned and played both the fourteen \TB 1000 and the AF 301s. The fourteen are the softest irons ever. very forgiving for a blade. my only negative was the loft progression was not 4* apart between the 5 - PW. most of it s 3* apart. I will stay away from the AF 301s if you are coming from a blade and looking for similar play. the AF301s are very forgiving, soft (but not as soft as the fourteen - none are)..., but to me they appeared to be designed for the mid-capper (defined as around 10, with average to slightly above average striking skills), hence the shape, the offset etc may not be for you if you are a good striker of the ball. my vote will be to go for the tb 1000 between the two. i haven't played the miura mb 5003, but played and own other miura blades. in my opinion, they are the best blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federerfan23 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 \i have owned and played both the fourteen \TB 1000 and the AF 301s.The fourteen are the softest irons ever. very forgiving for a blade. my only negative was the loft progression was not 4* apart between the 5 - PW. most of it s 3* apart. I will stay away from the AF 301s if you are coming from a blade and looking for similar play. the AF301s are very forgiving, soft (but not as soft as the fourteen - none are)..., but to me they appeared to be designed for the mid-capper (defined as around 10, with average to slightly above average striking skills), hence the shape, the offset etc may not be for you if you are a good striker of the ball. my vote will be to go for the tb 1000 between the two. i haven't played the miura mb 5003, but played and own other miura blades. in my opinion, they are the best blades. Pretty much exactly how I felt about the 301's but when i said they were meant for a mid capper before I took a bunch of heat. I would love to try the Fourteens I have heard all great things about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Pretty much exactly how I felt about the 301's but when i said they were meant for a mid capper before I took a bunch of heat. I would love to try the Fourteens I have heard all great things about them. I bet you can't wait to hit those 5003's.... hope they can get them shafted up fast for you tomorrow? Will you get a chance to play with them in the next few days? If so please post back with feedback! (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federerfan23 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I bet you can't wait to hit those 5003's.... hope they can get them shafted up fast for you tomorrow? Will you get a chance to play with them in the next few days? If so please post back with feedback! (^_^) Unfortunately I have to send them off to be put together. I don't trust anyone around here to do the job. I re-shaft my drivers and woods but irons are a whole different beast. I should have them back within the next week or two though. And G, I live in Ohio. This time of year nice days to play are hard to come by. I have played the last few days at my club in 40 degree weather but had to walk to keep warm. When I get these babies back I dont care if it is 20 and a blizzard I will be playing!! I will post my thoughts as soon as I play them and will follow up after a few weeks with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Unfortunately I have to send them off to be put together. I don't trust anyone around here to do the job. I re-shaft my drivers and woods but irons are a whole different beast. I should have them back within the next week or two though. And G, I live in Ohio. This time of year nice days to play are hard to come by. I have played the last few days at my club in 40 degree weather but had to walk to keep warm. When I get these babies back I dont care if it is 20 and a blizzard I will be playing!!I will post my thoughts as soon as I play them and will follow up after a few weeks with them. Wow, you can still play in Ohio? You must be in the Cincy area but its still crazy cold for golf this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Also it is very important to understand that the design and shape of the sole + cavity, the loft, and type of material play a huge effect on the irons feel at impact. You can make irons with the same method and material and they can feel so very different due to design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honu$joe Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Also it is very important to understand that the design and shape of the sole + cavity, the loft, and type of material play a huge effect on the irons feel at impact. You can make irons with the same method and material and they can feel so very different due to design. Thanks folks! For all the valuable insight and feedback on the matter. Currently still not sure. I grew up playing blades so I just have a soft spot for their looks and playability. I guess I was hoping to find a CB that looks and plays very similar to a blade but offers a touch of forgiveness. I realize that they are different animals and not sure if I expect the same..leaning towards the Epon 301's at the moment...but I keep noticing great comments about the Miura 5003 blades, I have a set of Miura baby blades... are the 5003's really that much better and easier to hit? So many great options with so little money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tincup975 Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 why not look into the TC 1000 irons??? I don't understand why they don't get more love???? anyone with some experience with them and the 301's chime in??? interested to hear which is more playable.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranghips Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Thanks folks! For all the valuable insight and feedback on the matter. Currently still not sure. I grew up playing blades so I just have a soft spot for their looks and playability. I guess I was hoping to find a CB that looks and plays very similar to a blade but offers a touch of forgiveness. I realize that they are different animals and not sure if I expect the same..leaning towards the Epon 301's at the moment...but I keep noticing great comments about the Miura 5003 blades, I have a set of Miura baby blades... are the 5003's really that much better and easier to hit? So many great options with so little money [/quote Yes the MB 5003's are actually easier to hit WELL than my CB 1006's! If, like me you are a 'blade' player you will never feel happy looking down at a CB, they are just so 'chunky' by comparison! I bought the CB 1006's because they looked to have the thinnest top line of any of the players CB's and because they have that wonderful Miura feel, they did not disapoint at all they are amongst the nicest set of irons that I have ever owned, the feel and performance is exceptional, they may not be the most forgiving of CB's but they do reward a well struck shot. The MB 5003's are even softer, much easier to shape ( no peripheral weighting?) and are quite simply the best set of irons that I have ever owned in over 30 years of playing golf! The MB's do seem to have a slightly larger head than the 'Tournament Blades' and have a larger muscle on the back and a slightly wider sole, these are very small differences, the MB's are still a very nice, compact head, they are actually about the same size as the CB1006. If you can hit the ball out of the centre of the clubface on a regular basis then buy the MB's, if you struggle to find the centre of the clubface then maybe the AF301/AF501 combi set 2would be the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 (edited) why not look into the TC 1000 irons??? I don't understand why they don't get more love???? anyone with some experience with them and the 301's chime in??? interested to hear which is more playable.... From looking at the MOI #'s on the Fourteens, it appears that the TC 1000 and the TC-550 forged offer the same forgiveness. Am I reading/understanding that correctly? Who has hit both and can offer some feedback? Both look great great with the nod going to the TC 1000 on looks alone. Edited January 3, 2008 by TBone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 From looking at the MOI #'s on the Fourteens, it appears that the TC 1000 and the TC-550 forged offer the same forgiveness. Am I reading/understanding that correctly? Who has hit both and can offer some feedback? Both look great great with the nod going to the TC 1000 on looks alone. I have hit both, the TC-550 is hands down more forgiving but the 1000's are more rewarding. I also feel the 1000's are more accurate. Also if you hit closer to the heel the 1000's play virtually as forgiving as the 550's. If your out on the heel more often then go with the 550 forged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 I have hit both, the TC-550 is hands down more forgiving but the 1000's are more rewarding. I also feel the 1000's are more accurate.Also if you hit closer to the heel the 1000's play virtually as forgiving as the 550's. If your out on the heel more often then go with the 550 forged. That makes a lot sense looking at the design....550's more forgiving on hits out towards the toe. Found it curious that Fourteen lists the MOI on both at @ 2,350. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richmond Golfer Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I just got the Fourteens and they are the best looking and feeling clubs I have ever owned. Workmanship and finish is unbelievable. Almost makes me want to get iron covers to minimize the chatter, but, you know, they say that looks bad. Have not hit them yet, so the best is yet to be learned. The S200 shafts seem to flex and feel great. The blade is fairly hefty and this might explain its forgiveness. I suspect the TB 1000s closely resemble the grind of the 5003s to provide the added forgiveness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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