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When a paddle series expands, it usually means the original made waves—and that’s exactly what happened with Franklin’s C45° line. After testing the Hybrid model back in February, I was pumped to try the four new releases that dropped in June.
All four use the same Gen 3 tech, but with new shapes and core sizes to match different play styles. This review focuses on the Dynasty models—Franklin’s elongated design—available in both 14mm and 16mm.
After six weeks of testing:
14mm gets a strong 4.5 balls
16mm earns 4.25 balls
Both are solid all-court paddles—and yes, I still stand by my 4.5 rating for the original Hybrid.
Like the Hybrid, the standout feature is the electroplated edge guard—this time in festive Christmas green. Otherwise, it’s a simple-looking paddle with a long, tacky, perforated grip that feels great in hand. Lightweight and well-balanced, both models swung fast and agile.
The surface grit isn’t extreme, but the 45° carbon layering does the work. Aside from the 2mm difference in thickness, the two Dynasty models felt nearly identical.
As always, I tested both in stock form—no lead, no mods.
What Makes It Gen 3?
Before diving into performance, let’s look at what sets this paddle apart under the hood:
1. Double Thermoformed Construction + Dual Foam Edge Channels
The frame is built using a three-step thermoforming process: bonding the surface to the core, inserting both polypropylene and EVA foam into edge channels, and then thermoforming again to seal it all together.
Franklin says this increases strength, durability, vibration dampening, and core crush resistance.
2. Triple-Ply T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
Three layers of carbon are applied at 45° angles—hence the “C45” name. This boosts spin potential and surface durability while enhancing dwell time for better pop and control.
3. Electroplated Curved Edge
The unique curved edge adds strength without throwing off the balance—a sleek, functional touch that carries over from the original Hybrid.
On the Court: 16mm First Impressions
I started with the 16mm model. After just 10 minutes of warm-up and two games, it felt familiar in the hand. Its lightweight build and low twist weight made it quick at the kitchen line—perfect for fast volleys and smooth backhand-forehand transitions.
Power and pop were right where I expected for an all-court paddle. Spin surprised me—it was better than expected—and control on dinks, drops, and cross-court placement was good, but could be better. The sweet spot felt wide and forgiving.
Then the 14mm: Faster, Spinnier, Snappier
Switching to the 14mm took no adjustment at all. It played similarly to the 16mm at first, but after six games, some differences stood out: noticeably more pop, more power, and a lighter swing weight.
Topspin and slice shots felt even better, with more shape and control than I expected from a thinner core. Surprisingly, the 14mm seemed to offer more dwell time, giving me more feel and control over spin. That’s not typical—but it worked.
Franklin C45° Dynasty 14mmFranklin C45° Dynasty 14mm
Performance-wise, I found the 14mm outperformed both the 16mm and the original Hybrid. Sweet spot? Just as good. And after several weeks of testing, my impressions stayed consistent.
Customize It
Franklin promotes this paddle as ideal for customization—and I agree. With its low stock weight, it’s a great platform for adding lead tape where you need it most, whether that’s boosting power, improving stability, or adjusting swing weight.
I found this especially helpful with the original Hybrid, which really benefits from a little extra mass.
Comparing the Three Paddles
For my all-court, finesse-first game with a tilt toward power, the Dynasty 14 came out on top. It delivered the best overall performance, followed closely by the Hybrid, with the Dynasty 16 just behind. The differences weren’t dramatic, but if I had to choose one, the 14mm is the winner.
One small note: the flashy metallic edge guard looks great but scuffs pretty easily—even though I’m not someone who regularly scrapes or bangs paddles during play.
If you’re considering alternatives, the Versix Vector XL is worth a look. It’s a Gen 2 elongated paddle I reviewed recently, and it plays similarly to the C45° Dynasty—especially in terms of all-court performance. At $130, it’s a strong value, though durability is a concern. Core crush seems more likely here than with the Gen 3 Powerflex poly-foam core used in the C45°.
Another comparable option is the Diadem Warrior Edge BluCore 14mm, a Gen 4 paddle with a full foam core. While the construction differs, its specs are close, and it also offers solid all-court performance. That said, it’s listed at a steeper $280 price point.
Props to Franklin Sports for pushing innovation and expanding the C45° lineup to five shape and size options—there’s now something for just about every play style. (Tempo review coming soon!) These paddles make great lightweight upgrades for beginners and intermediates, and they’re ideal for players who want to fine-tune with lead tape.
While I’d like to see improvements to the scuff-prone edge guard, I won’t fault the price—$229.99 is in line with other Gen 3 and Gen 4 paddles, many of which run $40–$60 more. Plus, the one-year warranty and added core durability give buyers real confidence.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
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Drew combines his passion as an outdoorsman, sport fishing writer, amateur pickleball player and league co-leader/beginners coach, with his experience as a product review specialist for an online retailer. As a discerning consumer advocate, he brings a special perspective to test and review pickleball products. Game on!
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