Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Rally Flare Graphite
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Rally Flare Graphite takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power74
- 78Control76
- 66Spin72
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 72Stability68
- 86Maneuverability90
- 74Pop86
- 72Touch74
- 76Consistency74
- 46Swing weight46
- 64Twist weight66
- 69Launch angle68
- 54Plow through54
- 78Softness74
Specs
| $60 | Price | $50 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 mm | Core | 11 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 7.5 oz |
| 104 | Swing weight | 100 |
| 5.6 | Twist weight | 5.8 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Textured fiberglass | Surface | Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture |
| 4.9 in | Handle | 5.3 in |
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro verdict
A starter paddle with a famous name on it. Perfectly serviceable for the first few months of play, and easy to hand down once you upgrade.
Rally Flare Graphite verdict
A $50 carbon-faced paddle with a thin 11 mm core: poppy, light and easy to swing. It is a starter paddle, and the thin core shows the moment you try to reset a hard drive.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Rally Flare Graphite scores 86 against 74 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, sweet spot, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($50 vs $60) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Spin
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Power
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 4 points (74 vs 70).
Stability
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 4 points (72 vs 68).
Which one should you buy?
Rally Flare Graphite
Take Rally Flare Graphite if you want pop (+12), spin (+6), power (+4). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Rally Flare Graphite review →Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Take Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro if you want stability (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 13 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro review →Rally Flare Graphite vs Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Rally Flare Graphite or the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Rally Flare Graphite carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (75.7 vs 74.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Rally Flare Graphite leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Rally Flare Graphite, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 104 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Rally Flare Graphite or the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Rally Flare Graphite measures 74 on power against 70 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. That comes from a 11 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 100 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 78 versus 76. Its 13 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Rally Flare Graphite scores 72 for spin off its Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face, against 66 for the Textured fiberglass face on Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Rally Flare Graphite, with 5.8 twist weight against 5.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Rally Flare Graphite carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Rally Flare Graphite: 11 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro: 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Rally Flare Graphite, at 5.3 in of handle against 4.9 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Rally Flare Graphite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Rally Flare Graphite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Rally Flare Graphite at 7.5 oz against 7.7 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 104) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro to the Rally Flare Graphite?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Rally Flare Graphite leads on pop by 12 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $50 vs $60, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Z5 Graphite
- Ben Johns Signature Pro vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Signature Carbon STR
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro and Rally Flare Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.