Juciao Titan 1.0
Important notice: This paddle is approved by the USPA, so it can be used for both recreational and tournament purposes.
Grip shape: The bevels were barely felt on my fingers, so the grip feels almost totally round. Bare in mind the handle is quite slim (see photo attached comparing the grips between the Titan and the 18K).
Grip length: The grip length is in line with all the typical standard-length paddles (5.3 inch length). So, for the two handed backhand, I had to put my index finger on the back surface of the paddle.
The looks: Due to the "Titanium" weave, the Titan's surface looks stunning! The "Titanium" weave is actually painted polyester weaved along carbon fiber, creating this unique surface. The paddle shape is referred as "hybrid", where the top part of the paddle is not flat, but has is curved upwards. So far, I haven't felt any difference in the responsiveness at the top part of the paddle between standard and hybrid shaped paddles, so it's mostly about the looks. The weight of the paddle and its balance point is more important than the shape at that part.
Baseline feedback: Always carrying one or two paddles to switch in-between games and draw comparisons, the Titan right away stood between the very soft and low-powered Spin 1.0 (40%) and the stiff and powerful 18K (60%). It didn't lack power which meant I could get consistent depth on my serves and returns, but at the same time it wouldn't carry overwhelming amounts of it on full swings that wouldn't allow me to place my shots at will during the opening shots of the point. I've only noticed a dead-spot towards the very top of the paddle, where the (heavier) 18K was a bit more forgiving.
* So far, all paddles have a dead spot above the handle and below the center of the sweet spot.
Mid-court feedback: This is where the Titan 1.0 I would say is the most versatile paddle of the ones I have tried so far. It exhibits what Luca from Rackets and Runners states as "dynamic playability": softens-up a bit when the pace gets slowed down and stiffens-up a notch when driving or smashing the ball.
Kitchen feedback: Compared to the 18K, the dwell-time felt a bit longer and the responsivenss became softer at the Kitchen, but withought having the vague feel the very soft Spin 1.0 exhibited in several occasions. It was almost impossible to "pop-up" the ball, slicing and top-spinning the dink shots were easy-peasy with this one and I don't thing the median recreational player around my level will have any issues with this one.
Stiffness and Comfort: Not being all the way as stiff as the Juciao 18K paddle I am comparing here, I feel confident to state that the Titan 1.0 is as comfortable as it gets considering the power delivery I got from the baseline on medium-pace driving shots.
Summary:
In my short experience with Pickleball and pickleball paddles and talking about newcomers to the sport with some tennis background like me, this paddle defines the "all-around" paddle. It does carry plenty of power from the back of the court, since it's about 85% as responsive as the stiffer 18K, so one can choose to stick to the baseline and keep driving his/her shots for Singles-play, but also delivers excellent adaptability at slower-paced and finesse shots at the Kitchen. The (very) slim grip enhances the maneuverability compared to thicker/more square-shaped/rectangular grips, capable to serve well the one-handed backhand player, the reaction wrist-flicks at the kitchen and make the overhead-smashes be executed faster.
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Both paddles felt on the stiffer side of the spectrum, compared to 3 other paddles I have been switching in-between. I would recommend both for Pickleball players who have put some decent "mileage" on the courts and are accustomed to this sport or people who have some decent racketsport background, like recreational tennis players, who don't need a very soft paddle to get into this very amuzing sport, especially if they are interested in Singles-play.
