Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs VERSIX Strike 4F
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro 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
- 70Power66
- 78Control72
- 66Spin52
- 84Forgiveness80
- 86Sweet spot78
- 72Stability62
- 86Maneuverability94
- 74Pop84
- 72Touch70
- 76Consistency70
- 46Swing weight40
- 64Twist weight60
- 69Launch angle72
- 54Plow through48
- 78Softness72
Specs
| $60 | Price | $15 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 mm | Core | 10 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 7.3 oz |
| 104 | Swing weight | 96 |
| 5.6 | Twist weight | 5.4 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Textured fiberglass | Surface | Glass fiber composite |
| 4.9 in | Handle | 5.1 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.
VERSIX Strike 4F verdict
At $15 this is a loaner-bin paddle done properly: light, poppy and durable enough for a season of open play. Nobody should keep playing with it once they can consistently dink.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro scores 66 against 52 for VERSIX Strike 4F — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. VERSIX Strike 4F is $45 cheaper at $15.
Spin
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 14 points (66 vs 52).
Stability
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 10 points (72 vs 62).
Pop
VERSIX Strike 4F leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Which one should you buy?
VERSIX Strike 4F
Take VERSIX Strike 4F if you want pop (+10), maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 96 kg·cm² and 10 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the VERSIX Strike 4F review →Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Take Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro if you want spin (+14), stability (+10), sweet spot (+8). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 13 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro review →VERSIX Strike 4F vs Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the VERSIX Strike 4F or the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (74.7 vs 69.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 96 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 VERSIX Strike 4F or the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro measures 70 on power against 66 for VERSIX Strike 4F. That comes from a 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 104 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 78 versus 72. 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?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro scores 66 for spin off its Textured fiberglass face, against 52 for the Glass fiber composite face on VERSIX Strike 4F. In practice a 14-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro, with 5.6 twist weight against 5.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- VERSIX Strike 4F costs $15, $45 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?
- VERSIX Strike 4F: 10 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Glass fiber composite face. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro: 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 5.1 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?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F at 7.3 oz against 7.7 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (96 vs 104) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the VERSIX Strike 4F to the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads on spin by 14 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $15 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 Flare Graphite
- Ben Johns Signature Pro vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Signature Carbon STR
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro and VERSIX Strike 4F. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.