Kyoei Zestaim - The Art of Japanese Forgings

[gocchin]

Check out golftoimpress.com for the video as well!

Kyoei Golf in Hyogo prefecture is one of Japan's oldest forging houses, making soft forged irons for over 50 years. Many of you may know them as the house that forges Vega golf clubs as well as wedge heads for Gold's Factory. Kyoei believes that they are global representatives of Japanese forgings and their business philosophy not only hinges on producing the highest quality heads but also cutting edge design and service that demanding golfers want. Every employee is trained to be part of Kyoei's synergy and harmony and creating an environment where seniority and ranking does not exist. Each skilled craftsman is able to show his own flexibility and independence. This creates an atmosphere where Kyoei workers truly produce irons and wedges from their hearts. Yes this is a translation of the Kyoei Philosophy. (^_^)

Recently, Kyoei has launched a new line called Zestaim. Zestaim allows Kyoei to show off not only their superior forgings but also their CNC and grinding skills. Zestaim irons are all forged in house from ultra soft JIS S25C steel which Kyoei supplies themselves. Each Zestaim head is forged and finished with great care and detail. Kyoei sent me two of their new Zestaim Models, the Zestaim Fi-2 Muscle Back (top pic iron on the left) and the Zestaim Fi-2 Toe Heel Semi Cavity Back (top pic iron on the right).

Both the muscle back and semi-cavity are compact irons with thin sole and topline and minimal offset. Focus is on the better golfer wanting feel and control. As you can see from the pictures, the detail of each iron is superb with wonderful finish and full back face milling. All Kyoei Zestaim irons are available custom made for the customers including custom grinds and finishes.

The Semi Cavity is for those who want a blade like setup and performance but with a touch of forgiveness. There is a slight cut out in the lower cavity allowing for weight to be moved lower and towards the toe and heel, hence the name Toe Heel Semi Cavity. This increases MOI and widens the sweet spot. The stepped cutouts were planned by Kyoei for proper distribution of thickness of the head and face in order to maintain a premium soft feel.

The Zestaim Fi-2 Muscle Back is also completely CNC Milled with wonderful looks. Those who want a challenge and the purest feel will opt for this iron. The thickest spot is in fact right behind the sweet spot where the CG is also moved towards the heel. This prototype model has traditional lofts (28* 5 iron) and is made for accuracy and touch. Only 200 sets of this model are made to be available.

Many of you may not have seen Kyoei's promotional manufacturing video. It's in Japanese but it is pretty much self explanatory. It covers 3 main processes, forging, grinding and plating/finish. You get a look into the entire manufacturing process from start to finish including the cutting of raw S25C steel into billets for forging.

[777]

Very unique! I personally like the design of the blade over the semi-cavity. Craftsmanship looks top notch!

[Goodsie]

Oh My!! I have just turned on my "Club Ho" Radar again after looking at these Babies.

I recently bought a nice used set of Vega 50th Anniversary MB Blades in which I installed the KBS Tour Shaft, Pured/FLO'ed to perfection and buffed up the finish. The Vega MB is a great looking Iron at address but the looks were definitely out done by the performance of this Iron. The shot feeling is tremendous with excellent workability and trajectory.

AND now, "T" has shown us these new Kyoei beauties here on TSG and they look just great as the design and finish are first rate, which means that my "Club Ho" Radar is definitely scanning these new Zestaims.

[frogeye]

Very nice looking clubs. Has a lucky golfers pulled the trigger on these irons and would care to share their experience, T, Chris, did have a chance to try these?

F

[golf 37]

Very nice looking clubs. Has a lucky golfers pulled the trigger on these irons and would care to share their experience, T, Chris, did have a chance to try these?

F

Yes, I've been playing them for the last few rounds. I will post a review when I have had some more time with them.

[Goodsie]

Very nice looking clubs. Has a lucky golfers pulled the trigger on these irons and would care to share their experience, T, Chris, did have a chance to try these?

F

I played the Fi-2 (MB) for a while until one of my customers demo'ed them. He loved them so much that he made me an offer I just could not refuse so I sold them to him. Both of us found the Fi-2 to be an excellent performer with a solid feel. The setup at address has a thin top line, rounded toe, short hosel to toe length, excellent spec's with excellent weight progression per head.

Kyoei is turning out excellent designs with huge advancements in CNC head drill outs of a single forged hunk of metal. I am now testing the Fi-1 (Dual Forged) and it's also a CNC finished head with a superb finish. The design is a Cavity Back with the back weight focused behind the Sweet Spot rather than spreading the weight distribution to the hosel and toe, SO, this design is for a good ball striker who loves to control the trajectory, ball flight and still have some of the forgiveness of a Cavity.

Anyone who chooses to play any of the "Fi" offerings under the "Zestaim" name will be rewarded with an excellent set of Irons that perform.

[frogeye]

Thank you Goodsie and golf 37 for your comments.

I am a blade player and have always played blades.

These blades have always caught my eye and was just curious to know whether the holes drilled in the Fi-2 MB are more for cosmectic design or serve a real purpose?

Thanks

F