Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro Oni 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro Oni 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, which costs $130.
Power
88 vs 77
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Forgiveness
84 vs 77
Hand speed
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
100 vs 115 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$130 at IQ 84.6 vs $130 at IQ 82
Overall pick: Vatic Pro Oni 16 · $130 · IQ 84.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 77Power88
- 89Control86
- 90Spin89
- 77Forgiveness84
- 75Sweet spot85
- 84Stability86
- 92Maneuverability74
- 76Pop85
- 88Touch82
- 83Consistency84
- 50Swing weight78
- 74Twist weight83
- 49Launch angle60
- 64Plow through84
- 85Softness82
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 | Vatic Pro Oni 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 | $130 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82 | 84.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 100 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.85 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System | Foam-edged thermoformed polymer |
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.
Vatic Pro Oni 16 verdict
Vatic's answer to the $250 foam paddles at roughly half the price. It gives up some polish in finish quality, not in scored performance.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 78 against 50 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 — a 28-point gap. They are effectively level on control, softness, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $130, so price cannot break the tie.
Swing weight
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 28 points (78 vs 50).
Plow through
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 20 points (84 vs 64).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 18 points (92 vs 74).
Power
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 11 points (88 vs 77).
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
Vatic Pro Oni 16
Vatic Pro Oni 16 is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 85 vs 75, forgiveness 84 vs 77, twist weight 83 vs 74. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 92 vs 74, touch 88 vs 82, control 89 vs 86. At 100 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Labs Project 007 Epic 14, hybrid on the Oni 16.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.8 vs 82.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Labs Project 007 Epic 14, hybrid on the Oni 16.
- 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 (+18), touch (+6). 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 →Vatic Pro Oni 16
Take Vatic Pro Oni 16 if you want swing weight (+28), plow through (+20), power (+11). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Oni 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 or the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.6 vs 82), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 for Vatic Pro Oni 16. 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 Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 88 for power against 77 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-edged thermoformed polymer core swinging at 115 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 86. 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 face on Vatic Pro Oni 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 77). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $130. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- 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. Vatic Pro Oni 16: 16 mm Foam-edged thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, 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 Vatic Pro Oni 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 at 8.2 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 to the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads on swing weight by 28 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $130 vs $130, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 and Vatic Pro Oni 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.