Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, which costs $130.
Power
Too close to call
77 vs 76
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
89 vs 85
Forgiveness
Too close to call
77 vs 77
Hand speed
93 vs 100 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$105 at IQ 79.4 vs $130 at IQ 82
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 · $105 · IQ 79.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power77
- 85Control89
- 90Spin90
- 77Forgiveness77
- 76Sweet spot75
- 74Stability84
- 98Maneuverability92
- 79Pop76
- 85Touch88
- 79Consistency83
- 39Swing weight50
- 68Twist weight74
- 51Launch angle49
- 47Plow through64
- 82Softness85
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 | Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $105 — better | $130 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.4 | 82 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.65 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 12.7 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 93 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9375 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.85 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber | Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Polymer Honeycomb | Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System |
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.
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 verdict
A titanium mesh layer under the Florek carbon face gives the 007 Epic a firmer, louder response than the rest of the Labs line, and it sells for a third of Boomstik money.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 64 against 47 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, touch, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $25 cheaper at $105.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 17 points (64 vs 47).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 11 points (50 vs 39).
Stability
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 6 points (98 vs 92).
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
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is a narrow pick at this level — stability 84 vs 74, twist weight 74 vs 68, consistency 83 vs 79. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and keep the $25.
- Control
- Touch
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 64 vs 47, touch 88 vs 85, control 89 vs 85. Swing weight 100 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 85 vs 82, twist weight 74 vs 68. Its 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want maneuverability (+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 →Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Take Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 if you want plow through (+17), swing weight (+11), stability (+10). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 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 100 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 77 for power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core swinging at 100 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 at 89 versus 85. Its 14 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 77 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.2 and 6.4.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $25 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14: 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core with a Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.25 in handle.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 77 and sweet spot 76 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads on plow through by 17 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $105 vs $130, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs BALLR+ 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.