Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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
Specs
| $105 | Price | $130 |
|---|---|---|
| 12.7 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 7.65 oz | Weight | 8.4 oz |
| 93 | Swing weight | 100 |
| 6.2 | Twist weight | 6.4 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber | Surface | Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 should you buy?
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
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 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- 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 Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 measures 77 on 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 90 for spin off its Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit face, against 90 for the PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, with 6.4 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (77) as a result.
- 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?
- 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. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 77 and sweet spot 75 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 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 8.4 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 $130 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.
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- 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
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
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.