Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Franklin Signature Carbon STR 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
- 76Power76
- 83Control85
- 80Spin90
- 85Forgiveness77
- 86Sweet spot76
- 78Stability74
- 82Maneuverability98
- 76Pop79
- 79Touch85
- 81Consistency79
- 54Swing weight39
- 72Twist weight68
- 63Launch angle51
- 64Plow through47
- 82Softness82
Specs
| $110 | Price | $105 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 12.7 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 7.65 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 93 |
| 6 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Raw carbon | Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| 5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 verdict
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 64 against 47 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, control, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($110 vs $105) that it should not break the tie.
Plow through
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 17 points (64 vs 47).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 16 points (98 vs 82).
Swing weight
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 15 points (54 vs 39).
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 12 points (63 vs 51).
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want plow through (+17), swing weight (+15), launch angle (+12). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want maneuverability (+16), spin (+10), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 93 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.8 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR measures 76 on power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 85 versus 83. Its 12.7 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, with 6.2 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Franklin Signature Carbon STR carries the higher forgiveness score (85) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature Carbon STR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on plow through by 17 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $110 vs $105, 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.
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.