bjp1 Posted June 28, 2009 Report Share Posted June 28, 2009 (edited) Thanks to Jeff (idrive), I finally have the opportunity to demo the Epon AF-Tour blade (range and on-course). Add to the comparison the Tourstage 901 Blade and Bridgestone J36 CB Black, I've got a good cross section of players irons to compare. DISCLAIMER: The AF-Tour and Tourstage 901 are not built to my spec, so this is not quite apples-to-apples. Ranked in descending order of preference. FEEL: J36 Black, TS901, AF-Tour - The J36 and TS901 are similar in feel, typical Bridgestone. Both are soft, but solid, alittle clicky. AF-Tour produced some shots off the clubface that seemed to "disappear." It was both exhilirating and disturbing at the same time. It made me say, "wow!" But it was followed by "where did it go?" Maybe this is the nirvana of feel, but I don't know if I could get used to the disappearing act. TRAJECTORY (Highest to Lowest): AF-Tour, J36 Black, TS901 - The differences weren't markedly different, but I felt like the trajectory and carry were higher and longer with the AF-Tour, the others not far behind. Trajectory is important to me because I'm a naturally low-ball hitter. WORKABILITY: AF-Tour, TS901, J36 Black - In fairness, I don't work the ball. Simply not in my game right now. I can hit a fade on command, so that all I tried to do to compare. The AF-Tour was the most predictable in hitting a deliberate fade. Much more controlled that the other two irons. Kept a very tight 5 yard fade to the flag provided I setup consistently with each shot. My longest iron in the bag is the 5i, which is usually what I use to determine how playable a set is for me. Initially, I would suggest that the AF-Tour might be more club than I can consistenly hit well through a round. My accuracy would probably begin to drop off at the 6i. I would suggest the same for the TS901, though it more closely resembles the playing characteristics of my J36 Blacks. I believe the better player, or the player most comfortable with blades, would truly enjoy the AF-Tour and TS901 Blade. All things considered, and given the fact that the overall size and shape of the J36 Black is as close to blade-like that a CB can get, this is a club that the "tweener" could play happily. Curiosity is probably going to get the best of me, because I'd love to hit the AF-Tour with my favorite DGSL300 shaft installed. This shaft changed everything I felt about my AF-301's, so I'd have high hopes for them installed in the AF-Tour. Weather permitting, I'm going to take these out one more time before returning them to confirm what my initial take is. FINAL UPDATE: I added another iron to the comparison, Tourstage Z101 w/KB Tour 5.5. I wanted to try to give the AF-Tour, TS901 and Pro Preference Blade as much of an apples to apples comparison with something that I'm familiar with. All of my above comments are unchanged. The one notable addition is that I was really impressed with the Pro Preference Blade. The feel was very soft. The only downside to this blade is the offset. It's not what I would expect in a true blade. On course, I was most impressed with the AF-Tour after a couple of rounds. Its very playable at my hcp level. Not quite the ultra-forgiving blade that a KZG ZO Blade is, but a close second. With the right specs, I could put these in the bag and not miss a beat. I believe my Tourstage Z101's are going to bump the J36 Black's from the bag in the near term. Still an awesome iron from Bridgestone. More forgiving than the MR-23 CB, and equally pleasing to hit. The Pro Preference Blade would be third, largely because of its predictability on the course. The trajectory on this iron was very consistent. Damn, the offset though! I could probably get over it, just as I did with the AF-301's. Fourth would be the J36 Black. They've been my primary irons for months, and have allowed me to play well enough to drop 3 strokes off my hcp over that time. Last would be the TS901, largely because they're not much different from the J36 Blacks, except they sacrifice alittle more forgiveness. I now have a good idea what my next iron purchase will be. The immediate benefit of this on/off course demo is that I now will be changing my shafts back to KB Tours. Shots with each KB shafted iron had tighter dispersion, higher ballflight, predictable trajctory and alittle more carry distance compared to my favorite DGSL300. To Jeff, I say, "thank you." Nothing could have been more valuable than actually demoing the AF-Tour alongside my own clubs and the other awesome JDM irons. I truly appreciated it. Brian Edited July 5, 2009 by bjp1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamnguy1 Posted June 28, 2009 Report Share Posted June 28, 2009 I've owned all of these, including quite a few others such as Gold's factory, Yamaha Inpres, George Spirits, etc. For what it's worth, and this is personal, the Miura MB-5003 are the best irons, blades or cavity backs or whatever, made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 28, 2009 Report Share Posted June 28, 2009 For me the MB5003 & The AF-Tour are tops. I like the forgiveness of the AF-Tour. It's funny how each of us can love or dislike a club for different reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonlui Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 didn't sound like there was any love for the 901? How does the black on the J36 wear? thanks for the review, keep us posted. I was hoping someone with experience with all three was able to post a review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjp1 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 didn't sound like there was any love for the 901?How does the black on the J36 wear? thanks for the review, keep us posted. I was hoping someone with experience with all three was able to post a review. Actually, the 901 was very well received. It would be easy for me to transition from my J36 to the 901, only sacrificing alittle bit of forgiveness. The J36 Black wears faster than the Epon 208KGX Black wedges. I believe the intent was for the Black to raw. I like the lighter patina that I have on the Black's now. Rusting has been minimal due to clean, dry and WD-40 treatment. I'm going to play another 1-2 rounds with the AF-Tour and 901 before providing a final update on my comparison. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88 ROUNDS PER YEAR Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I had bought and sold the MB-5003. Nice blade, solid feel, great feedback, excellent alignment, not very forgiving however. I just could not score as well with it as I did with my old tried and true Mizuno MP29 with DG S300. Finally, I sold it. Perhaps, it was because I fit it with the wrong shafts: Tour Concept R3 and KBS S 120 grm. I should have tried it with DGS300 before selling. AF-Tour: good soft solid feeling. Not as demanding as MB5003. I have never tried it on the course but do not want to because I personally do not like its appearance. Hate the Nike swoosh, the bright chrome finish, and the round toe. TS-901: Soft but not so solid feeling. The reason not many people care for it despite being a limited edition is the not so solid feel (dense). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 One thing to keep in mind is that the AF-Tour is now offered in the Mirror finish NiCr, Satin NiCR, Black and Copper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Granted, not a fan of a chrome finish but to me, the overall look of the AFTour, is perfect. Of the TS901's, AFTours, Gold's blades, MB5003's, PPM's, etc. (I hope I don't get struck by lightning for saying this) the Miura's are my least favorite. How great is it with all the choices, something for everyone!! Thanks for the input Brian, I think we're all waiting for the final review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xchangmanx Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Thanks for sharing. This also concurs w/my thoughts of the Aftours... I'm glad others are looking at the AF Tour, cuz IMO its the most pleasing blade to look at, own and play. To me 90% of the choice is on look at address. None more pleasing to look at to me than the offset and topline of the nike vr blades, and the old MP14s. I also love the square toe look and I share an appreciation for no offset and smaller clean blades w/sharp toe lines which miuras achive. That said(aftour at first I also did not like the nike thingy), being completely unbiased and ignoring the look is quite hard to do; however, after impact.... the contact feel is just remarkable, the obvious feel and ball flight completely made up for the nontraditional look the AF tour has. It is this same pleasing feel I have felt in the AF301s, which no other brand has been able to replicate. My Taylormade R7 forged irons are a close second but in a completely different category in feel. Yeah I'm also waiting for others to post final reviews, as I have only had the chance to compare this to high end CBs but not that many blades. I'm glad others got to compare it to the TS901s that was good feedback. The black finish on the AF tours along w/black shafts would own. I'd love to see that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Great reviews and great input from everyone. However, all my love goes to the 901's. Maybe its because I've shafted them with KBS and had them made to my specs, or maybe its the magic provided by Goodsie, but I've never hit a better, more balanced iron. Again its a personal thing, but I'll keep my 901's for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjp1 Posted July 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 Final update of my on/off-cource demo added to original post. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 Just for your guy's reference the AF-Tour uses V Grooves, while the other Epon Irons still use U grooves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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