Proton Series One Project Black vs Ronbus Tenon
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Ronbus Tenon takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus Tenon wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
91 vs 86
Forgiveness
88 vs 80
Hand speed
110 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 87.8 vs $200 at IQ 83.8
Overall pick: Ronbus Tenon · $180 · IQ 87.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power88
- 86Control91
- 90Spin90
- 80Forgiveness88
- 82Sweet spot89
- 86Stability88
- 72Maneuverability78
- 82Pop83
- 82Touch89
- 84Consistency90
- 76Swing weight72
- 86Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle54
- 86Plow through82
- 68Softness85
Proton Series One Project Black vs Ronbus Tenon specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series One Project Black | Ronbus Tenon |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 87.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer |
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.
Ronbus Tenon verdict
Ronbus doing what Ronbus does: a flagship-tier build at a mid-tier price. The Tenon lands closest to the premium all-court paddles on scored traits while costing about $100 less.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Ronbus Tenon scores 85 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus Tenon is $20 cheaper at $180.
Softness
Ronbus Tenon leads by 17 points (85 vs 68).
Forgiveness
Ronbus Tenon leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Ronbus Tenon leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
Touch
Ronbus Tenon leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
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
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, sweet spot 89 vs 82, consistency 90 vs 84. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 72, forgiveness 88 vs 80, touch 89 vs 82. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is a narrow pick at this level — touch 89 vs 82, maneuverability 78 vs 72, control 91 vs 86. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is the clearer pick at this level — softness 85 vs 68, forgiveness 88 vs 80. Its 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want swing weight (+4), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Ronbus Tenon
Take Ronbus Tenon if you want softness (+17), forgiveness (+8), sweet spot (+7). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Tenon review →Proton Series One Project Black vs Ronbus Tenon FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.8 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Ronbus Tenon leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus Tenon, at 110 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 Proton Series One Project Black or the Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon scores 88 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus Tenon at 91 versus 86. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Ronbus Tenon, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.7), but Ronbus Tenon makes it back on sweet spot (89) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus Tenon 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Ronbus Tenon: 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Ronbus Tenon is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus Tenon at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Ronbus Tenon?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Tenon leads on softness by 17 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $180, 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.
- Series One Project Black vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Tenon vs R1 Pulsar
- Series One Project Black vs Edge 18K V2
- Series One Project Black vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Series One Project Black vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Loco 16mm Standard
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- 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 Proton Series One Project Black and Ronbus Tenon in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series One Project Black and Ronbus Tenon. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.