Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 54 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro — a 39-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is $272.99 cheaper at $60.

• Plow through

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 39 points (93 vs 54).

• Swing weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 36 points (82 vs 46).

• Twist weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 28 points (92 vs 64).

• Power

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 25 points (95 vs 70).

Which one is right for your level?

Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.

Which one should you buy?

Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ

Which is better, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 74.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 39 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro, at 104 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.

Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 70 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.

Which one gives more control and touch?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 84 versus 78. Its 16 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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 66 for the Textured fiberglass face on Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. In practice a 25-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 7.2 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro costs $60, $272.99 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.

Do they use the same core and face?

Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro: 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.

Which is better for a two-handed backhand?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 4.9 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.

Which one is better for beginners?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.

Which is lighter in the hand?

Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 7.7 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on plow through by 39 points; everything else is within 36 points. At $60 vs $332.99, 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 Flare Graphite
• Ben Johns Signature Pro vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
• Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Signature Carbon STR

• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16

Top alternatives to both

Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.

Read the full reviews: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.