Style of Play | Most effective paddle construction | TSD Model | Color |
---|---|---|---|
Lighter hitters |
Aluminum core w/ Graphite surface |
Pink | |
Light to Medium hitters |
Aluminum core w/ Carbon Fiber surface |
Carbon Fiber | |
Medium hitters |
Aluminum core w/ Composite surface |
Blue | |
Medium hitters |
Polymer core w/ Graphite surface |
Purple | |
Medium hitters |
Polymer core w/ Carbon Fiber surface |
Carbon Fiber | |
Medium to Harder hitters |
Polymer core w/ Carbon Fiber surface |
Carbon Fiber | |
Medium to Harder hitters |
Polymer core w/ Composite surface |
Black | |
Medium to Hard hitters |
Nomex core w/ Graphite surface |
Red | |
Medium to Hard hitters |
Nomex core w/ Carbon Fiber surface |
Carbon Fiber | |
Hard hitters |
Nomex core w/ Composite surface |
Orange |
Each core has playing characteristics that suit certain types of players. Each surface has characteristics that, when combined with a core material, give each paddle the performance profile that suits every player’s unique style and game.
Model A - Nomex Core with Graphite Surface - Power with Placement
This is an ideal paddle for Medium to Hard hitting players looking for power with fantastic ball placement. The Nomex core is a very hard material. It is both very durable and has a lot of power. You may lose a bit of pace control due to how quickly balls bounce off the Nomex core. The Graphite surface is light and responsive, yet hard and strong. Players like the quick action off the Graphite face. Because of the stiff surface, the ball doesn’t sink into it, so it is easier to direct the ball, providing fantastic placement.
Model B SE - Nomex Core with Triple Layer Carbon Fiber Diamond Weave Surface - Power with Control
This is great choice for players looking for more power but without sacrificing the ball control which is typical of Nomex core paddles. It has a specially developed Nomex core with a ground-breaking triple layer carbon fiber diamond weave surface developed specifically for pickleball.
Model C - Nomex Core with Composite Surface - Extra Power with Touch
This paddle is ideal for Hard hitting players who love to power the ball. Players looking for a paddle with extra power with touch would choose this model.The Nomex core is a very hard material. It is both very durable and has a lot of power. You may lose a bit of pace control due to how quickly balls bounce off the Nomex core. The Composite surface takes full advantage of the latest aerospace materials composite technology, featuring an incredible combination of touch, feel, and strength. It provides players with a bit more power than the other surfaces.
Models D, E, F - have Aluminum Cores
Model D - Aluminum Core with Graphite Surface - Touch with Placement
This is an ideal paddle for Lighter hitting players looking for a paddle with superior touch and fantastic ball placement. The Aluminum core provides outstanding“touch”. The ball pops off just a bit slower,which gives players an extra edge of maneuverability. You may lose a bit of power with Aluminum. The Graphite surface is light and responsive, yet hard and strong. Players like the quick action off the Graphite face. Because of the stiff surface, the ball doesn’t sink into it, so it is easier to direct the ball, providing fantastic placement.
Model E - Aluminum Core with Carbon Fiber Surface - Touch with Control
This is a great choice for Light to Medium hitting players looking for a paddle with superior touch, control, and accuracy.The Aluminum core provides outstanding “touch”. The ball pops off just a bit slower,which gives players an extra edge of maneuverability. You may lose a bit of power with Aluminum. The Carbon Fiber surface is similar to graphite but more durable. Players like the ultimate ball control off the Carbon Fiber face.
Model Kratos E SE - Aluminum Core with Carbon Fiber Surface - Touch with Control and Accuracy
This is a great choice for Light to Medium hitting players looking for a paddle with superior touch, control, and accuracy. The newly designed Aluminum core provides outstanding “touch”. The ball pops off just a bit slower, which gives players an extra edge of maneuverability. It has an 7 1/2” wide face and is 16 1/2” long with a 5” long octagonal shaped handle and 4 3/8” grip circumference. It has an extra large squarish sweet spot with a lot of surface area.
Model F - Aluminum Core with Composite Surface - Touch with a bit more power
This paddle is ideal for Medium hitting touch players looking for a paddle with a bit more power to put the ball away. The Aluminum core provides outstanding “touch”. The ball pops off just a bit slower,which gives players an extra edge of maneuverability. You may lose a bit of power with Aluminum compared to the other cores. The Composite surface takes full advantage of the latest aerospace materials composite technology, featuring an incredible combination of touch, feel, and strength. It provides players with a bit more power than the other surfaces.
Models G, H, I - have Polymer Cores
Model G - Polymer Core with Graphite Surface - Balance with Placement
This is an ideal paddle for Medium hitting players looking for a balanced paddle for touch and power with fantastic ball placement. The honeycomb Polymer core provides power performance, yet gives soft control for the touch shots. The Polymer core is the quietest due to being slightly less deflective, which also helps players with a little extra control since players have a split-second longer to manipulate the ball. The Graphite surface is light and responsive, yet hard and strong. Players like the quick action off the Graphite face. Because of the stiff surface, the ball doesn’t sink into it, so it is easier to direct the ball, providing fantastic placement. This is a popular combination due to its versatility.
Model H SE - Polymer Core with Triple Layer Carbon Fiber Diamond Weave Surface - Balance with Control
This is a great choice for Medium to hard hitting players looking for a balanced paddle for touch and power with great ball control. The honeycomb Polymer core provides power performance, yet gives soft control for the touch shots. The Polymer core is the quietest due to being slightly less deflective, which also helps players with a little extra control since players have a split-second longer to manipulate the ball.
Model H SE 2 - 16mm Polymer Core with Triple Layer Carbon Fiber Diamond Weave Surface - Best balanced paddle available today
The Model H SE 2 has power, control and now, a higher level of touch to craft shots that were never before possible. This is a great choice for Medium to hard hitting players looking for a balanced paddle for touch and power with great ball control. The honeycomb Polymer core provides power performance, yet gives soft control for the touch shots.
Model I - Polymer Core with Composite Surface - Balance with a bit more power
This paddle is ideal for Medium to Harder hitting players looking for a balanced paddle with touch, but a bit more power to put the ball away. The honeycomb Polymer core provides power performance, yet gives soft control for the touch shots. The Polymer core is the quietest due to being slightly less deflective, which also helps players with a little extra control since players have a split-second longer to manipulate the ball. The Composite surface takes full advantage of the latest aerospace materials composite technology, featuring an incredible combination of touch, feel, and strength. It provides players with a bit more power than the other surfaces.
Paddle Characteristic Comparison
Core Power from least to greatest:
Aluminum → Polymer → Nomex
Surface Power from least to greatest:
Carbon Fiber → Graphite → Composite
Core Control from least to greatest:
Nomex → Polymer → Aluminum
Surface Control from least to greatest:
Composite → Graphite → Carbon Fiber
Noise Level from least to greatest:
Polymer → Aluminum → Nomex
There are well over 100 paddle manufacturers serving the pickleball industry. We are the ONLY custom paddle manufacturer in the world. In order to understand what it is we do and why it’s unique, it’s necessary to understand how a paddle is made.
Every paddle with few exceptions has a honeycomb core. The different companies in the industry use one of three different materials for the core- aluminum, polymer and Nomex. We use all three. The core provides 75% of the way a paddle performs.
Then the honeycomb core is sandwiched between two thin layers of surface materials. Again, the different companies in the industry use three different materials- graphite, fiberglass composite and carbon fiber. We use all three. The surface material is about 25% of the way a paddle performs. Think of it as fine tuning the paddle’s performance characteristics.
The three different core materials combined with the three different surface materials make 9 different combinations of materials. Each plays differently. We make two (soon to be three) different shapes for our paddles. The Chaos has a large square sweet spot- at 8 1/2”, it is the widest paddle on the market. The Kratos has an equally large rectangular shaped sweet spot. Each combination of cores and surfaces is available in both the Chaos and Kratos shape.
Then we give each player the opportunity to select their paddle’s weight (ranging from 7.4-10.5 ounces).
Now comes the grip. Players can choose one of three different handle shapes, their grip size from 3 7/8” to 6”, one of three different grip materials and more than 10 colors for each grip style.
Now that the player has chosen the best paddle shape, core, surface and grip for their individual game comes the fun part. We can put any custom graphic the player chooses on their paddle face- either one of our many choices or one of their own- a picture, logo or graphic of their choosing.
Now every player can play with a totally bespoke paddle and watch their game immediately improve because they are playing with the right paddle for them in every way.
Every other sport has specialized equipment for every player except pickleball. Not anymore- now pickleball is catching up to other sports. Pickleball players spend a lot of time playing the game they love. Now they can play with the gear that suits them and not be forced to use a one size fits all paddle.
We are actively seeking avid pickleballers with sales experience to educate, demonstrate and promote Third Shot Drop pickleball paddles.
Please send your prior sales experience, where you play, how often you play, what level player you are, if you play Tournaments, how many players you can reach and your contact information to: Ashley@ThirdShotDrop.com