Vokey SM8

[produff26]

ordered a 54 & 58 SM8 directly from Titleist. Both were to be 2 degrees up and +1". Wedges came +1" but standard lie. Had them bent 2 degrees. Played 2 rounds so far and I love them!

[BostonWRX]

 

[QuigleyDU]

This is pretty similar to what I found. Though for me, the SM7 launched lower throughout and spun a touch more.

End result, buy the SM7 on a huge discount and you will have some awesome wedges for a great price.

[BostonWRX]

Yeah looks like no difference really. Personally think the SM8 looks better in tour chrome thats about it

[QuigleyDU]

Looks are as important as anything and as big of a selling point as any data.

[wely324]

I ordered 2 custom wedges, kinda ridiculous that they can’t even show up to the proper spec!

[chisag]

 

... I am a little disappointed in my SM8's finish after 2 nights in white vinegar. Yours has that raw look but mine has a sparkle to it, almost like a zinc head. I have done this with many different wedges and this is the first time it has turned out like this one.

 

[tbowles411]

Looks kind of cool to me at least.

[jwhite86]

I agree, I like the look

[chisag]

... For me at least, the whole reason for going raw is having a dull finish to the head that won't glare in the sun. I have a feeling this sparkle finish will most definitely glare in the Phoenix sun. I guess I will find out when I get there in a week or so.

[DFS PFD]

Looks like you didn't wipe with scotch brite pad after soaking to finish the process

[chisag]

 

... Scrubbed with scotch brite and then steel wool.

[BirdieBirdieX]

Too long in the vinegar. No need for 48 hours. I've had this happen before with some SM6s and I hated them. Didn't glare though, however, they rusted up like garbage.

[chisag]

 

... Exactly how I did my SM7. I started with 24 hours and one scrub that got most of the black finish off, then another 24 to get the rest off. I am guessing I have done this 5 our more times thru the years and this is the first sparkle finish I have encountered. Here is how it looked after 24 hours.

 

[QuigleyDU]

I wonder if you just brushed it with some scotch brite pads if it would knock that down.

[DFS PFD]

You guys stripping wedges using a variety of weak acids for variable periods of time may try doing a simple 5 minute bath in etch and prep (35-45% phosphoric acid) so you can fine tune this process a little more.

[chisag]

 

... The reason I use white vinegar is we are a completely chemical free home. It isn't always easy but it is doable. A less than ideal finish on my raw wedge is a small price to pay for doing our part in protecting the environment. Not trying to start a discussion, just explaining why I use a weak acid.

[Yzmerf]

The first one i did maybe spent 30 minutes total in the Vinegar. Lot of elbow grease with a green scotch brite. Ill post picks of the other 3 later. soaked a little longer and actually used a palm sander with the scotch bright really like how they look

 

[DFS PFD]

And I appreciate your initiative, I really do. Wasn't trying to single you out at all, only making a suggestion for others who may try to replicate.

[CallawayLefty]

Has anyone gotten a wedge works leading edge grind? If anyone has pics I’d love to see them.

[1s1k]

Yikes on those sm8's soaked in vinegar for 48hrs. Might have to put my sm7 wedworks 46,50,54 & 60 heads on the BST. Sounds like they could be in demand.

[Yanki01]

try some 300 grit sand paper. I have my new, jet black SM7 soaking right now. on my past black to raw wedges i've only needed the scotch brite pads to make it work.

[SAM_PGA]

30 mins is all you need in Distilled White Vinegar, rinse and scour with the grain using a green scotchbrite pad. Repeat once.

Years ago I had SM5's in vinegar overnight and they ended up terrible and had to use a buffing wheel to get them somewhat normal.

[GrandmasterJ]

im pulling the trigger on the SM8s today since I had enough trade in to pay nothing. The big question is now jet black or tour chrome haha

[Yanki01]

I know this is the SM8 thread but on the topic of removing the black finish. my new jet black SM7 was sitting in vinegar for about 5hrs while I was at work today.

 

took it out, alcohol wiped it down. 120 grit, then 320 grit followed by the green scotch brite pad. looks great and uniform now.

 

[chisag]

 

... Yup, that's the finish I was looking for. The irony is I had no problems with my SM7 and SM6 going raw, just the SM8 has that strange sparkle finish. I'll take some fine grit sand paper to mine, flow with scotch brite again and that should fix it.

[GrandmasterJ]

in your opinion what holds up longer over time? Or should I go with what the other guy did with the jet black? Hard to decide and it’s just a color haha

[ThinkingPlus]

Seems like a waste of good scotch, but if it gives the right patina then maybe it is worth it. ;-)

[cw1209]

I genuinely don't understand the raw finish obsession. It's possible that a raw finish used to have sharper grooves, but Titleist now cuts the grooves factoring in the type of finish. The grooves will also wear faster with a raw finish. PLUS you are taking sandpaper to the face of the club which I assume would dull the grooves even before they ever hit a ball. If you are looking for glare reduction, the black finish you are removing seems to be ideal for glare reduction. To me, the only advantage of a raw finish is for custom grinds, which you have to buy raw from wedge works anyhow. So why strip the wedge? I can get down with the rusty appearance. Had a set of SM4 oil cans I liked quite a bit, but I won't tell you they performed any better than a chrome finish set.

[Yzmerf]

My whole reason is to keep it looking the way it does now and to be able to do my own grinding. Both chromes will eventually get dinged up and scratched, with this finish little time with the scotchbrite and its back to the way it is now. Obviously grinding a wedge that has been plated will look like crap