Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Wilson Blaze Pro 16 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
- 76Power78
- 83Control82
- 80Spin78
- 85Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability80
- 82Maneuverability78
- 76Pop76
- 79Touch78
- 81Consistency84
- 54Swing weight70
- 72Twist weight76
- 63Launch angle52
- 64Plow through76
- 82Softness74
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | Wilson Blaze Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 80.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
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.
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 verdict
Wilson's most competitive pickleball paddle to date. Nothing in the DNA profile is exceptional, but nothing is a weakness either — it is the definition of a balanced all-court build.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Wilson Blaze Pro 16 scores 70 against 54 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $60 cheaper at $110.
Swing weight
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 16 points (70 vs 54).
Plow through
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 12 points (76 vs 64).
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 11 points (63 vs 52).
Softness
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82 vs 81.4 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $60.
- Twist weight
- Consistency
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80 vs 81 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $60.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.2 vs 77 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $60.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Franklin Signature Carbon STR is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 74, forgiveness 85 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Take Wilson Blaze Pro 16 if you want swing weight (+16), plow through (+12), twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+11), softness (+8), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Wilson Blaze Pro 16 vs Franklin Signature Carbon STR FAQ
- Which is better, the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.2 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16, at 110 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 Wilson Blaze Pro 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 measures 78 on power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR at 83 versus 82. 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 80 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 78 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Wilson Blaze Pro 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16, with 6.5 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $60 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?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16, at 5.375 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. Wilson Blaze Pro 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Wilson Blaze Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads on swing weight by 16 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $170 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 Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Evoke Premier
- Blaze Pro 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Blaze Pro 16 vs V7 Hybrid
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Edge 18K V2
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 Wilson Blaze Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.