Skip to content
DinkDexDinkDex

Franklin Signature Carbon STK vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16mm

On published specifications these two are very close. Every derived index sits within 8 points, which is inside the margin of an estimate built from spec sheets. Choose on price, handle length, or whichever brand you can demo.

DinkDex is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. This never affects which paddles we rank or how we rank them.

Specification comparison of Signature Carbon STK and Mach 1 Forza 16mm
Spec
Franklin Signature Carbon STK pickleball paddle
FranklinSignature Carbon STK
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16mm pickleball paddle
VolairMach 1 Forza 16mm
Price (MSRP)Manufacturer Spec$129.99$119.99▲
PowerDerived58▲56
ControlDerived5355▲
SpinDerived8793▲
ForgivenessDerived2929
Swing weight indexDerived5651
Core thicknessManufacturer Spec16 mm16 mm
Face materialManufacturer SpecToray carbonRaw carbon
Core materialManufacturer SpecPolypropylene honeycombPolypropylene honeycomb
ShapeManufacturer SpecElongatedElongated
LengthManufacturer Spec16.5"16.5"
WidthManufacturer Spec7.375"7.4"▲
Handle lengthManufacturer Spec5.75"▲5.5"
Static weightManufacturer Spec7.9 oz7.87 oz
Balance pointDerived22.2 cm21.9 cm
ThermoformedManufacturer SpecNoNo
USAP approvedManufacturer SpecYesYes
ReleasedManufacturer Spec20232023

These two are hard to separate

Every derived index is within a few points. Our scores come from spec sheets, and spec sheets can't capture feel — at this margin the honest answer is that you should demo both rather than trust a number.

Analysis

Where they actually differ

Only differences big enough to matter are listed. Anything inside the margin of an estimate is left out.

Face
Toray carbon against Raw carbon — the main driver of the spin difference.
Handle
Franklin Signature Carbon STK has the longer handle at 5.75" — the deciding factor if you hit a two-handed backhand.
Franklin Signature Carbon STK pickleball paddle

Choose the

Franklin Signature Carbon STK

  • You hit a two-handed backhand
Check price at Amazon

$129.99 MSRP. Retail prices change often — we link out rather than quote a price that might be wrong by the time you read this.

Volair Mach 1 Forza 16mm pickleball paddle

Choose the

Volair Mach 1 Forza 16mm

  • You prefer the brand or the feel

No retailer links for this paddle yet.

Also consider

Other paddles in this range