Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 90Power86
- 80Control86
- 84Spin90
- 78Forgiveness80
- 80Sweet spot82
- 82Stability86
- 84Maneuverability72
- 92Pop82
- 74Touch82
- 80Consistency84
- 66Swing weight76
- 74Twist weight86
- 60Launch angle54
- 78Plow through86
- 62Softness68
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 7 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Bantam Poly-Core | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A 14 mm hands-battle paddle. Pop 92 and maneuverability 84 make it the fastest counter-punching option Paddletek builds, at the cost of a small margin for error.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 84 against 72 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Swing weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points (76 vs 66).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 74, stability 86 vs 82, consistency 84 vs 80. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.7 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Bantam TKO-C 14, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 86 vs 78, touch 82 vs 74, spin 90 vs 84. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — softness 68 vs 62, twist weight 86 vs 74, forgiveness 80 vs 78. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+12), pop (+10), launch angle (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+12), swing weight (+10), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 81), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 measures 90 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam Poly-Core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 80. 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 84 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam Poly-Core core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $200, 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 TKO-C 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
- Series One Project Black vs Mod TA-15 3S 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 TKO-C 14 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.