Is a blade just a blade? How do I decide which blade to game?

[LowAndLeft32]

Im looking at adding a new to me set of blades to the bag. Im trying to determine how I figure out which one to get. How do you decide? Some say all blades are the same. Some see differences. Do you decide base on brand name, reputation, look, feel, sound, muscle placement, lead edge, offset, or something else. Im currently looking at the following sets. Which set would you recommend? Do see differences in newer blade models such as 620mb of MP20s? Do you think $600 is a fair price for a 9/10 gently used set of any of Titleist or Mizuno irons listed below? Or should I quit searching and keep using my Nike VR 2 Pro Blades. Thanks for your thoughts. 

 

Titleist 690

716mb

Mizuno MP 32

MP 33

MP 68

MP 69

Miura yet to be determined

Other

Just keep the Nike VR Pro blades

Edited May 7, 2021 by LowAndLeft32

[PJE]

Well if they're blades, leading edge and offset ought to be similar so it will come down to looks or if you are into brands, brand name. 

I think, despite oddities like the Sumo drivers, Nike made some very fine golf equipment. So, keep the Nikes. If you want something new, you can't go wrong with Mizuno.

[lefthack]

Sole grind and width, what looks good, what feels good. Being lefty didn't give me options to try before bought. So it was what looked good that I could afford. 

 

Having hit my Mizuno MP-32 a few rounds now, I know a 32 set or 32/33 combo are in my future. But I also want to hit the Miura's.

 

Not much interest for me in any other OE's since my list is pretty long now.

 

Miura CB/MB combo 

Mizuno MP-32/33 combo 

Haywood MB comes out in lefty end of this year. 

 

I still have my BGD's in the mail in a week or two and just finished building my KZG combo. I can only play so many. 

[benclab]

Look of top line, offset and how bounce acts at contact and through. All blades are not the same.

[Pepperturbo]

MB's all appear similar, but they are not equal.  I put them in two categories.  Contemporary MBs with strong lofts and related easier specs, more offset, and designed to be a bit easier to hit.  Then others similar to my 620MBs with traditional lofts and specs, next to 0 offset, low bounce that require a bit more attention to detail to strike well. 

 

Which depend on your skill and maybe how much challenge you like and how patient you are.

[Yoshifan151]

Blade designs differ a lot from one manufacturer to another. Sole design is the biggest one that will have an impact imo. But if you like your VR Pros I'd stick with them personally, those are one of the best blade sets ever in terms of a total package.

[bodhi555]

2 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Im looking at adding a new to me set of blades to the bag. Im trying to determine how I figure out which one to get. How do you decide? Some say all blades are the same. Some see differences. Do you decide base on brand name, reputation, look, feel, sound, muscle placement, lead edge, offset, or something else. Im currently looking at the following sets. Which set would you recommend? Do see differences in newer blade models such as 620mb of MP20s? Do you think $600 is a fair price for a 9/10 gently used set of any of Titleist or Mizuno irons listed below? Or should I quit searching and keep using my Nike VR Pro Blades. Thanks for your thoughts. 

 

Titleist 691

716mb

Mizuno MP 32

MP 33

MP 68

MP 69

Miura yet to be determined

Other

Just keep the Nike VR Pro blades

 

Can't comment on prices as I'm in the UK, but I have a set of VR Pros and have hit most of the others you mentioned, and my honest advice would be to - assuming they're still in good condition - take the VR Pros to a fitter, make sure they're set up for you, and enjoy. Of the sets you mention they are probably the "friendliest" with the tungsten weight and the additional grooves. For reference I tried my 7 iron against an MP20 and a 620MB, mine was both 5 yards longer and noticeably straighter. 

 

Of the others I'd probably go for a set of 716 MBs as I enjoyed those, but would still prefer the Nikes. 

Edited May 6, 2021 by bodhi555

[puttingmatt]

As with all clubs, your personal choice should be all that matters.

Any of the MB'S listed would be fine.

All are good, if you can find them in good condition, especially the MP 33's, and 68's.they are a bit older, look for some MP5'S or MP4's.

[craz-e]

Only way you can decide is go hit them off grass, subtle differences like some width and grind can make a massive difference. Also just make sure you can hit those funky golf shots you might be called upon, punches, high, low etc.

no need to change for the sake of it

[boggyman]

3 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

MB's all appear similar, but they are not equal.  I put them in two categories.  Contemporary MBs with strong lofts and related easier specs, more offset, and designed to be a bit easier to hit.  Then others similar to my 620MBs with traditional lofts and specs, next to 0 offset, low bounce that require a bit more attention to detail to strike well. 

 

Which depend on your skill and maybe how much challenge you like and how patient you are.

Never seen blades with less than 46/47* for a PW. Who’s making these “Contemporary”  aka strong lofted blades? 

[lefthack]

I will add I loved my VR Pro Combos. The blades are fantastic.

[PEI_Golfer]

If I already had a set of the VR Pro's, I don't think that any of the suggestions would be really worth changing it up, great set of blades.  I'm partial to a bit older blades and have the OG Nike's and just picked up a set of 690.MB's this week.

[LowAndLeft32]

4 minutes ago, PEI_Golfer said:

If I already had a set of the VR Pro's, I don't think that any of the suggestions would be really worth changing it up, great set of blades.  I'm partial to a bit older blades and have the OG Nike's and just picked up a set of 690.MB's this week.

I just realized I had a typo. I was looking at the 690mbs as well but no dot. 

[cgasucks]

The shape of the blade has virtually been changed for decades.  You can only forge a billet of carbon steel into so many shapes.  It is really up to the person to decide.   You can't go wrong with any of the blades you listed.  Your current Nike Blades are can still perform up there with today's blades.

 

For me, I would choose one which is based on looks and feel and how it frames against the ball at address.

Edited May 7, 2021 by cgasucks

[MofoJones]

Some of the older blade styles seem to locate more mass low - which helps make them be more forgiving to lower strikes. 
 

Likely the best performing blade of all time in the Maltby ratings is the VR TW’s. Most blades are around 300 in the ratings score. 

[LowAndLeft32]

3 minutes ago, MofoJones said:

Some of the older blade styles seem to locate more mass low - which helps make them be more forgiving to lower strikes. 
 

Likely the best performing blade of all time in the Maltby ratings is the VR TW’s. Most blades are around 300 in the ratings score. 

This is interesting. Do you happen to have the Maltby details handy for the Vr 2 pro blades as well? Also are you looking at the MPF score? Thanks 

[LowAndLeft32]

19 minutes ago, PEI_Golfer said:

If I already had a set of the VR Pro's, I don't think that any of the suggestions would be really worth changing it up, great set of blades.  I'm partial to a bit older blades and have the OG Nike's and just picked up a set of 690.MB's this week.

Also why are you partial to older blades? Thanks 

[PEI_Golfer]

2 minutes ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Also why are you partial to older blades? Thanks 

 

I'm cheap and I can get lots of things for little money, so more to try out.  While I have a split set of the 620s and think they are sexy as hell blades, they cost me more than 5x what I paid for the 690s.

Edited May 7, 2021 by PEI_Golfer

[DaRiz]

Looks at address 

sound/feel

looks in the bag 

 

in that order, no other criteria need be analyzed 

 

and for the age of the irons mentioned I feel $400 is a more reasonable price

[MofoJones]

11 minutes ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

This is interesting. Do you happen to have the Maltby details handy for the Vr 2 pro blades as well? Also are you looking at the MPF score? Thanks 

Yes looking at the Actual VCOG (Actual Vertical Center Of Gravity) 

and MPF score (higher the better). 

 

For reference, the golf balls radius sits 0.84’’ off the ground. 

[Nard_S]

6 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Or should I quit searching and keep using my Nike VR Pro Blades.

This.

[cgasucks]

26 minutes ago, PEI_Golfer said:

 

I'm cheap and I can get lots of things for little money, so more to try out.  While I have a split set of the 620s and think they are sexy as hell blades, they cost me more than 5x what I paid for the 690s.

 

That is my philosophy too.  I have dozens of clubs in my basement acquired from Craigslist, Thrift stores, and Value Village for peanuts.  I recently bought a Maxfli Austrialian Blade 3 iron (the early 2000s version) for $3 CDN.  I always wanted to try those irons out when I first started golf but couldn't afford it at the time and now I can.

Edited May 7, 2021 by cgasucks

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I'd stick with the Nike VR blades, to be honest.

$600 for a set of MP33s, 32s, or whatever mentioned seems steep unless they are in really, really good shape.

[phizzy30]

If you truly love your VR blades and hit them well, keep them.  You can always send it places like BOS golf and get them refinished. 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Some blades are a touch more forgiving and not soo stingy on the hands. I prefer these kind.

[LowAndLeft32]

3 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I'd stick with the Nike VR blades, to be honest.

$600 for a set of MP33s, 32s, or whatever mentioned seems steep unless they are in really, really good shape.

They are all In really good shape. However, I thought $600 Steep well. 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

2 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

They are all In really good shape. However, I thought $600 Steep well. 

 

This being GolfWRX, I suggest you keep you VR Pro irons AND buy another, older set of blades, just not for $600. Get a set in reasonable, or fairly beat up condition, just to try out and compare against your VRs (which are a lovely iron, btw).

 

I'm very much in the same camp as @PEI_Golfer and @cgasucks, in that I like to get older iron sets for low, low prices.

For example, I recently got a lovely set of Mizunos for a little over $100 including postage. They're probably custom MS-11s from late Eighties/early Nineties, I would guess.

 

Yeah, I'm just showing them off😜

[Aviador Naval]

12 hours ago, Yoshifan151 said:

Blade designs differ a lot from one manufacturer to another. Sole design is the biggest one that will have an impact imo. But if you like your VR Pros I'd stick with them personally, those are one of the best blade sets ever in terms of a total package.

I agree with this post - especially the bold part.  I have MP20 and 718MB.  At casual glance, there appears to be no difference other than logos.  In fact, Titleist has more bounce and more camber, the combination of which make them much easier to play when the course is a little moist (at least for me...).

 

Also agree that VR Pros are fantastic irons.

[bladehunter]

Older MBs tend to have a square flat sole.  Some willl even sit up on their own on a flat surface ( head only ) without being supported .  These soles play significantly different than The modern rounded ( cambered ) soles.    Then you add in the modern strong lofts at 47 or so snd you may need a gap wedge.  There’s more to consider like vertical center of gravity (vcog) and offset.  
 

so no. A blade is not a blade. At all. 

[Tree Levino]

1 minute ago, bladehunter said:

Older MBs tend to have a square flat sole.  Some willl even sit up on their own on a flat surface ( head only ) without being supported .  These soles play significantly different than The modern rounded ( cambered ) soles.    Then you add in the modern strong lofts at 47 or so snd you may need a gap wedge.  There’s more to consider like vertical center of gravity (vcog) and offset.  
 

so no. A blade is not a blade. At all. 

 

Always dropping knowledge. I mean, he does hunt blades after all! 

 

This is correct. They are not the same. The VR Pros are legendary for good reason and you probably won't find blades that are much better, OP. I have found certain blades will give you a bit more speed for some reason (Apex MB '18, Wilson Staff Blades, Ping Blueprint). The MPF doesn't tell the whole story as I imagine the VCOG is affected by bounce or something. Lower bounce irons tend to have lower VCOGs than higher bounce (most Pings have high VCOG measurements while Mizuno has low as an example).