Pro Kennex Black Ace Pro

[Chairman3]

Who is getting one?
Who has played it?
What are your thoughts?

I plan tto get one of the oval shaped ones, primarily because it looks better than the square one.
I have seen it in person, it is sweet looking.
Raw carbon face, nice texture and actually the whole paddle face seems to be raw carbon with the sticker of the design (spade) pressed on top. Feels good in the hand, like all Pro Kennex paddles. Weighty/solid, but thin and maneuverable.
The "buttcap" has a see through part so you can see the kinetic balls (or whatever they're called)
Traveling round the holidays but will write a small review after I've given it a proper going over

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-i got a chance to borrow one, and hit a few balls while warming up
-not enough to give detail review
-it felt good and direct!,
-like the other thin frame prokennex paddle i tried
-its a good buy, enjoy it!!

 

[Chairman3]

-i got a chance to borrow one, and hit a few balls while warming up
-not enough to give detail review
-it felt good and direct!,
-like the other thin frame prokennex paddle i tried
-its a good buy, enjoy it!!

Man you get around...racquets and paddles
Where do you find the time....

 

[1HBHfanatic]

@Chairman3
-just lucky to come across it i guess
-i started the warmup next to the player, and i recognized the paddle
-i inquire about the feel, and she inquired about mine (diadem.warrior)
-without much hesitation, we swapped paddles and tried them right there
-btw she seemed like an ex college player, didnt get to such details, maybe next time

-but to your point!!
-soo many paddles/racquets, soo little time!

 

[srvnvly]

-i got a chance to borrow one, and hit a few balls while warming up
-not enough to give detail review
-it felt good and direct!,
-like the other thin frame prokennex paddle i tried
-its a good buy, enjoy it!!

Is it as powerful as initial reviews say it is? If it had a longer handle and was 16.5” long, I would be even more intrigued, still…

 

[A_Instead]

Not sure how anyone can use a sub 16 inch paddle..

 

[Chairman3]

Finally got to play with the Ovation model, the one I think is better looking and more interesting to me.

Nice easy power when you hit the sweet spot, which seems to be squarely in the center and widest part of the paddle.
Not bad touch, but again the sweetspot is a little hot so be careful. It is very defined though, you can tell when you're in it.
Solid feel for sure, I really like the thin but hefty feel of PK paddles.
Toward the tip it is a little dead/low-powered. Not really a surprise, but for dinks or touch shots, you probably want to use the top 1/3 because as I said the sweetspot is lively.
I'd say great spin (if that's possible) the raw carbon face seems to do its job.
Very maneuverable as well, but not noticeably more than a square paddle. Maybe slightly
My main issue is making consistent contact where I want on the paddle face.
In tennis I do tend to hit the middle top of the stringbed, so for pickleball it is similar.
Adjusting to use the sweetspot when I need it Is what I need to concentrate on with the Black Ace.
I'd say the square one might have a little more consistency from mid to top of the paddle because it's squared off shape. I.e. less drop in power

I will likely buy the Black Ace ovation as I am very drawn to the aesthetic, it is a very good paddle, and I'm a casual pickleballer which means I need one good paddle to last me awhile. I won't spend endless hours demoing.