Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk SLK Halo Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power69
- 83Control93
- 80Spin81
- 85Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 78Stability84
- 82Maneuverability76
- 76Pop64
- 79Touch90
- 81Consistency88
- 54Swing weight58
- 72Twist weight79
- 63Launch angle57
- 64Plow through66
- 82Softness91
Specs
| $110 | Price | $119 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.1 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 111 |
| 6 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| standard | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw carbon | Surface | Toray T700 carbon |
| 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.
Selkirk SLK Halo Control verdict
The softest, most muted feel we tested under $150. If your first goal is keeping third-shot drops in the kitchen instead of hitting winners, this is the paddle that teaches touch fastest.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 against 64 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($119 vs $110) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 12 points (76 vs 64).
Touch
Selkirk SLK Halo Control leads by 11 points (90 vs 79).
Control
Selkirk SLK Halo Control leads by 10 points (93 vs 83).
Softness
Selkirk SLK Halo Control leads by 9 points (91 vs 82).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Take Selkirk SLK Halo Control if you want touch (+11), control (+10), softness (+9). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk SLK Halo Control review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want pop (+12), power (+7), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Selkirk SLK Halo Control vs Franklin Signature Carbon STR FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk SLK Halo Control or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk SLK Halo Control or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR measures 76 on power against 69 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control. 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?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control at 93 versus 83. 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 SLK Halo Control scores 81 for spin off its Toray T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control, with 6.2 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk SLK Halo Control carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $9 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer core with a Toray T700 carbon face. Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control, 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?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Selkirk SLK Halo Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on pop by 12 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $119 vs $110, 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 Tempest Wave V3
- SLK Halo Control vs Tempest Wave V3
- SLK Halo Control vs Encore Pro EX
- SLK Halo Control vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- SLK Halo Control vs Luxx Control Air
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 Selkirk SLK Halo Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.