Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control

Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.

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Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14

Selkirk

Labs Project 007 Epic 14

82$130
Full review →
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control

Selkirk

SLK Halo XL Control

84$100
Full review →

Quick answer

Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, which costs $130.

Overall pick: Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control · $100 · IQ 83.8

Paddle DNA head-to-head

  • 77Power80
  • 89Control88
  • 90Spin89
  • 77Forgiveness84
  • 75Sweet spot85
  • 84Stability82
  • 92Maneuverability78
  • 76Pop78
  • 88Touch86
  • 83Consistency86
  • 50Swing weight70
  • 74Twist weight80
  • 49Launch angle55
  • 64Plow through76
  • 85Softness80

Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control specs

Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.

Head-to-head specification comparison of the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 and the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control.
SpecSelkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
Street price(USD)$130$100 — better
IQ score(/ 100)8283.8 — better
Weight(oz)8.48
Core thickness(mm)1416
Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster100112
Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable6.4 — better6.2
Shapestandardelongated
Face length(in)15.916.4
Face width(in)7.857.4
Handle length(in)5.255.75
Grip circumference(in)4.254.25
SurfaceFlorek Carbon Face with InfiniGritRaw T700 carbon fiber
Core materialPolypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer SystemRev-Core polymer honeycomb

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.

Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control verdict

A $100 raw-carbon elongated with a 5.75 in handle — the cheapest credible paddle in the database for a two-handed backhand player who wants real spin.

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control scores 70 against 50 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 — a 20-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is $30 cheaper at $100.

  • Swing weight

    Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 20 points (70 vs 50).

  • Maneuverability

    Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 14 points (92 vs 78).

  • Plow through

    Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 12 points (76 vs 64).

  • Sweet spot

    Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 10 points (85 vs 75).

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

Narrow

Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control

Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 85 vs 75, forgiveness 84 vs 77, twist weight 80 vs 74. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.

  • Sweet spot
  • Forgiveness
  • Twist weight
See the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control

Intermediate

3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.9 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $30.

  • Maneuverability
  • Touch
  • Control

Advanced / tournament

4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 83 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $30.

  • Plow through
  • Power

Arm-sensitive players

Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.8 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $30.

  • Forgiveness
  • Twist weight

Which one should you buy?

Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14

Take Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 if you want maneuverability (+14), softness (+5). 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 →

Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control

Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control if you want swing weight (+20), plow through (+12), sweet spot (+10). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.

Read the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control review →

Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control FAQ

Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 or the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 82), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 20 points.
Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. 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 Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control scores 80 for power against 77 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. That comes from a 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core swinging at 112 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 88. 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 89 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 77). Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.4 vs 6.2), but Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control makes it back on sweet spot (85) and overall face stability.
Is the price difference worth it?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control costs $100, $30 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. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control avoids.
Which one is better for beginners?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 85 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?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (112 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 to the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads on swing weight by 20 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $130 vs $100, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.

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Guides featuring these paddles

Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 and Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control in context against the rest of the database.

Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 and Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.