Selkirk Labs Project 007 First Impressions
Selkirk’s latest is the Lambo of paddles: overpriced, overpowered, and impractical for most.
Coming straight from their LABS, the Project 007 is Selkirk’s first power paddle in a long time. Some things make it appealing, but a few hold it back. It’s still very much a rough cut.
Nowadays, it’s hard to find a compelling reason to spend this much money on almost any paddle. Yet, $300+ LABS paddles aren’t done, and Selkirk’s still trying to push the envelope while justifying the price.
Specs
Price: $333 (Code: INF-PBSTUDIO to receive a digital gift card)
Shape: Invikta - Elongated (16.4” x 7.5”)
Thickness: 14mm & 10mm
Core: Polymer with Titanium Mesh Layer
Face: Carbon Fiber with Infinigrit
Handle: 5.25”
Grip: 4.25”
Static Weight: 7.9-8.4oz
Swing Weight: 122 (14mm), 107 (10mm)
Balance Point: 24.3cm (14mm), 23.8cm (10mm)
Twist Weight: 6.08 (14mm), 5.21 (10mm)
RPM: 1764 (14mm), 1863 (10mm) **Grit consistency seems to be an issue across batches**
Warranty: 2-year
Design: Edgeless, Titanium Layer, Infinigrit Surface, Throat Hole
LABS Technology
There are three unique features Selkirk is advertising in this new paddle. The first is their “Infinigrit Surface”. Supposedly, this new coated texture will last 3x longer than a raw carbon fiber paddle.
Now, to be clear, this claim doesn’t compare their previous spray-on grit durability (which was below average). Instead, Selkirk boasts that their new tech is 3x better than essentially the best grit texture you can buy currently.
To the touch, “Infinigrit” doesn’t feel much different than the old spray-on grit. So I assume they’ve done something to make it more durable, adhere better, or not get chipped off so easily. Regardless, this is a bold claim, and if remotely true, then this could justify the high LABS price.
That said, I caution players to remain skeptical until further testing has been done by reviewers and others. Until I see some real data, then I’m not holding my breath.
The second advancement they’re touting is a titanium mesh layer. It’s placed between the core and the carbon fiber face. But remember the “titanium” buzzword makes my ears perk up, so I contacted one of Selkirk’s engineers for clarification.
I asked if literal titanium is used, and he said, “Yes, it is actual pure titanium metal inside of the paddle.” I have to believe this is true and that it's an actual feature versus a marketing ploy.
The third and last feature is the new hole design. Selkirk still claims it enhances airflow and makes it easier to maneuver. But honestly, it seems like a visual update to differentiate this new paddle from the older ones.
14mm vs 10mm Performance
While these versions are two of the exact paddle in different thicknesses, the stats between them vary wildly. As a result, they play very differently, and I have a strong feeling most people will lean heavily towards one over the other.
At the net, the difference is night and day. The 14mm’s combination of stats makes it feel slow (like most elongated shapes), whereas the 10mm is extremely fast. Its swing weight of 107 is impressive and more comparable to lighter, standard-shaped paddles.
Speaking of which, the “Epic” standard shape is available in both thicknesses if that’s more your style. I didn’t have those in hand, so this review is strictly on the “Invikta” elongated version.
As far as paddle feel, the Project 007 doesn’t have much of that plank-wood feel that the Power Air does. Instead, it kind of reminds me of the Amped Pro Air. That said, compared to popular Gen 2 thermoformed paddles, the 007 still feels like a plank of wood.
I’d describe the feeling as very bouncy off the face when hitting it dead center. This could be from the new titanium layer since the old Power Air doesn’t feel the same, but I can’t say for sure.
To me, both the 14mm and 10mm fall into the power category. When hit right, the 14mm’s pop is very aggressive and jarring from the other side of the net. The same and then some can be said for the 10mm. It’s Selkirk’s true power paddle.
The 10mm has a more aggressive pop and the ability to accelerate your swings during ground strokes or at the net. It makes you feel like you can get some serious power, and for that reason, it’ll be the more popular model. Additionally, the 10mm starts at such a low swing weight, so there’s a ton of room to customize.
Sweet Spot
For $300+, the sweet spots on both are problematic. It’s going to be this paddle’s #1 complaint.
If you miss the center, then you have no idea what you’re going to get. This could be partly to blame on current paddles spoiling us with increased sweet spots or mostly that smaller ones are frustratingly annoying.
If you’re someone who can nail the center every time, then this paddle could be a deadly weapon. However, if you’re like the vast majority of players, then that won’t happen.
I found this aspect most annoying during counters and blocks. When I’d luckily square the center, the ball reacted crazily and sailed out of bounds. This was due to me not being ready for the paddle to give so much energy back.
Then other times when missing the center, the ball would completely die. This was most frustrating when resetting or even just dinking. It almost felt like I’d never know what I was going to get. Was I going to get too much energy, not enough, or something in the middle?
Overall, I’m confident in saying these paddles are the least consistent across the face of recent memory. I completely lost confidence in my soft game during testing. And while this happens with most power paddles, I can still get to a point where I’m comfortable enough.
This might not be a universally shared experience, and maybe more testing would get me adjusted. So like always, take my playstyle and reactions into account for a more educated decision.
If I had to make the distinction, these negative sensations are experienced slightly more on the 10mm than the 14mm. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend this paddle unless you’re a higher-level player, have great confidence in your soft game, or are already used to the sweet spot of a Power Air.
Setup
Considering the 10mm’s small sweet spot and low twist weight, I highly recommend adding weight around its perimeter. To do so, you’re going to want to use very thin lead tape or buy Selkirk’s tungsten strips.
An example of this can be found through Amazon. For reference, here’s what it looks like using Pickleball Effect’s tungsten tape on the 10mm. The paddle’s so thin that the weighted tape just wraps around the face and doesn’t adhere well.
Using this amount of tape but in a thinner variant will likely be warranted. The 10mm’s low twist weight makes its sweet spot feel even smaller than the 14mm. Thankfully, this is a feature, not a downfall since you have more options to customize your setup out of the box.
Closing Thoughts
While it's nice to see Selkirk FINALLY put out a true power paddle, I believe the Project 007 is very difficult to use. If you’ve used the Gearbox Pro Power and were upset with the small sweet spot and seldom dead hits, then you’ll have a similar experience here.
However, if you can get over that, then the 10mm has some serious appeal to those who like to play very fast and aggressively. The 14mm is for those who want that but also need a slightly enhanced feel and sweet spot. It’s still powerful but toned down in comparison.
And if Selkirk’s grit durability claims are true, then that’s fantastic for the industry. It could change the game when it comes to the lifetime value of high-priced paddles.
You should consider the Selkirk Project 007 if:
You have money to burn.
Love Selkirk.
Want a true power paddle from the company.
As for everyone else, you should find a way to try the paddle before pulling the trigger. Overall, I can’t say the Project 007 is worth the price tag for most. There are too many good paddles out there that are cheaper and much easier to use.
These were my early impressions of this LABS release. I plan to further test the paddles' grit durability and have others playtest to get their opinions. Stay tuned for that update coming soon.
Interested in buying one?
If you plan to pick one up, use code INF-PBSTUDIO to receive a digital gift card with the link below.