Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Proton Series One Project Black wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, which costs $180.
Power
91 vs 86
Spin
Proton Series One Project Black
90 vs 83
Control
Proton Series One Project Black
86 vs 79
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black
80 vs 72
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 78.6 vs $200 at IQ 83.8
Overall pick: Proton Series One Project Black · $200 · IQ 83.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 91Power86
- 79Control86
- 83Spin90
- 72Forgiveness80
- 74Sweet spot82
- 80Stability86
- 73Maneuverability72
- 92Pop82
- 72Touch82
- 78Consistency84
- 74Swing weight76
- 71Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle54
- 88Plow through86
- 56Softness68
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every 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) | $180 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78.6 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon fiber | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Bantam power core | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A pure pop paddle. Counters come off the face faster than almost anything in the database, and the trade-off is a firm, chatty feel on soft shots.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Proton Series One Project Black scores 86 against 71 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, plow through, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is $20 cheaper at $180.
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 15 points (86 vs 71).
Softness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 12 points (68 vs 56).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Touch
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
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 the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 71, forgiveness 80 vs 72, sweet spot 82 vs 74. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — touch 82 vs 72, control 86 vs 79, spin 90 vs 83. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
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 — touch 82 vs 72, spin 90 vs 83, control 86 vs 79. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
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 56, twist weight 86 vs 71, forgiveness 80 vs 72. 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 pop (+10), power (+5). Its swing weight of 115 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 (+15), softness (+12), touch (+10). 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 78.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 115 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 scores 91 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam power core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 79. 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 83 for the Carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with the higher forgiveness score (80 vs 72). Its 7 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 costs $180, $20 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 TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam power core with a 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 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 less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 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. Proton Series One Project Black leads on twist weight by 15 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $180 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- Series One Project Black vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
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 TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 and Proton Series One Project Black in context against the rest of the database.
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.