Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs VERSIX Strike 4F
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the VERSIX Strike 4F, which costs $15.
Power
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
70 vs 66
Spin
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
66 vs 52
Control
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
78 vs 72
Forgiveness
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
84 vs 80
Hand speed
96 vs 104 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$15 at IQ 69.7 vs $60 at IQ 74.7
Overall pick: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro · $60 · IQ 74.7
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
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs VERSIX Strike 4F specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro | VERSIX Strike 4F |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $60 | $15 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 74.7 — better | 69.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 13 | 10 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 96 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 — better | 5.4 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.4 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.75 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Glass fiber composite |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, 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 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.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 86 vs 78, stability 72 vs 62, forgiveness 84 vs 80. Twist weight 5.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is a narrow pick at this level — spin 66 vs 52, control 78 vs 72, forgiveness 84 vs 80. At 104 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is a narrow pick at this level — spin 66 vs 52, plow through 54 vs 48, power 70 vs 66. Swing weight 104 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is the clearer pick at this level — softness 78 vs 72, forgiveness 84 vs 80, twist weight 64 vs 60. Its 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
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 scores 70 for 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 the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 80). Its 5.6 twist weight against 5.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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. VERSIX Strike 4F rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable 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.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
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Guides featuring these paddles
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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.