Joe Powell Iron Blades

[Beniben]

OK, then I've tried to take care of the Iron #6 which was in moderately good shape...

 

The edgesole wore heavy marking, and the sole was ripped...

 

 

Then, I used my rotary tool with a mild grinder to start

 

Then I went on higher grains (80 -- 160 -- 320) step by step to erase the majority of the marks and trying not to impair the integrity of the club.

 

 

Next step is a chrome based polish to make it shine again ;)

[birly-shirly]

And I found a way to replace the ferrules... but with no insurance that it would last...

 

A rubber hammer, 4-5 hits and we're good

Still have to polish them ... but now, it's finally in its place...

 

I think one of the advantages of using heat, whether boiling water or steam, rather than brute force to reset ferrules is that the ferrule is more likely to stay put after heating and cooling.

[Beniben]

I assure you that "Brute force" was not at all what would apply here...

My 3 y.o. son would have hit harder than me (I was so scared to damage anything that I was surprise that so gentle taps would be enough)

 

I'm afraid ferrules would become loose again if I use the clubs, and then I'll use heat... but gentle heat...

Since it's made of plastic, I fear ferrules owould start to melt down ... (reshafting would be my only mean to restore the club then :/)

[Beniben]

Next step was to prepare them for a painting process...

 

Brass brush, sharp metal needle to take off former paint and dust and grass and mud ... ... ...

 

Purple nail polish on the number, and Blue one for the "Joe Powell" logo... They look fantastic...

 

Final step will be to use Chrome polish to restore the perfectly shining look..

 

All process pictures will be coming soon...

 

As they say "Stay tuned for seeing for my next episode" ;)

[Beniben]

OK,

Just hit them at the practice...

 

Well, except the #3 iron which is VERY VERY hard to hit...

All other are smooth, give incredible feedback and are quite forgiving regardless of the "blade" shape.

 

The ball flight is mid, I don't know about the spin, and I'm not good enough to generate backspin willingly during approaches (and the greens were really short cut and hard as rock)

But draw and fade effects were easily printed on the ball and were effective....

 

I'll give them some more practice rounds and I think I'll try them on a course during next event ! :)

[Beniben]

In he search of info about those blades....

 

I wonder what are the lofts of the irons ?

Do you have any "thing", cheat to determine the loft ?

 

Other than playing my actual Xk irons (which loft is known) and compare distances ?

 

Thanks in advance...

[Davewn]

In he search of info about those blades....

 

I wonder what are the lofts of the irons ?

Do you have any "thing", cheat to determine the loft ?

 

Other than playing my actual Xk irons (which loft is known) and compare distances ?

 

Thanks in advance...

 

Outside of a spec gauge at a golf shop, a magnetic protractor should get you pretty close for loft and lie. Would probably be helpful to have a friend read it for you when you have the club in playing position.

[Beniben]

I'll try the old fashion way...

Get my 2 iron sets to the practice... Hit some balls (probably ~100) to be fit... and then ... Compare the shot length to have an idea (even if I'm aware the shaft alsa have a role to play in trajectories and shot length).

 

Comparing ball flights, I should have a good idea of the lofts of these beauties ;)

 

I'll let you know... to be continued

[Beniben]

OK, after a 2-hour long practice session, I have my carry length (in meters,converted in yards... sorry, I'm French ... :/ )

 

Actual iron set (Acer XK Pro)

• Hybrid 4 - 24° - Carry 155m ' 160m & beyond / 175yds & more
  
• I5 - 27° - Carry 145m' 160m / 175yds
  
• I6 - 31° - Carry 135m ' 150m / 165yds
  
• I7 - 35° - Carry 130m ' 140m / 155yds
  
• I8 - 39° - Carry 125m ' 130-135m / 140-145yds
  
• I9 - 43° - Carry 115m 120-125m / 130-135yds
  
• PW - 47° - Carry 105m ' 105m / 115yds
  

Standard iron set lofts from 80-90's (may be Joe Powell's ????)

• I3 - 23° - Unusable (too hard to hit correctly)
  
• I4 - 26° - Carry ' 160m & beyond / 175yds & more
  
• I5 - 30° - Carry ' 155m / 170yds
  
• I6 - 34° - Carry ' 150m / 165yds
  
• I7 - 38° - Carry ' 140m / 155yds
  
• I8 - 42° - Carry ' 130m / 140yds
  
• I9 - 46° - Carry ' 115-120m / 125-130yds
  
• PW - 50° - Carry ' 100-105m / 110-115yds
  

"Delofted" series, like my XK pro compared to 90's usual lofts seams the same with the JoePowell's, maybe 1°less ?

 

Acer I5 is 27° & JoePowell's I5 should be 28° due to the 5yrds difference

 

 

More obvious, the difference with 2 iron sets are the overall weigth of each club. JoePowell's are heavier and this make differences for me

• More insurance adressing the ball
  
• Feeling more "powerfull" at impact (when it sounds well)
  
• Lesser need to "force" my shots
  

• I'm mo tired after shooting 100 times with it
  
• Off-center shots still make 120yards long, but in the wrong direction !!!!
  
• I have to modify the way I "relax" my worked/precise shots, or I'm a living Firework
  

I'll test these beauties on my next Event this saturday with a mid weather, perfect for golfing.

 

Next step is to weigh the clubs to continue specs of these clubs ;)