Best Bridgestone irons?

[texas_golfer]

Looking for an older backup set of irons.  Something I can play when my main set is getting worked on (I tinker a lot) or when I may not be in my A game and don’t want to hit blades that day. Or just for fun to mix things up. 
 

anyway, I’ve never hit. But always heard good things of the old Bridgestone irons. But I don’t know which model are the good ones? J15 CB?  J40?  Thinking maybe something along these lines or some old Srixons or something similar. 
 

thanks in advance. 

[radtech]

J40 CB not the DPC one of the best clubs ever.  mic drop!

[texas_golfer]

23 minutes ago, radtech said:

J40 CB not the DPC one of the best clubs ever.  

Edited July 21, 2021 by texas_golfer

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Google?

 

This

Edited July 21, 2021 by LukeDonaldsTiger

[Christen_The_Sloop]

I have a set of TS-201. Very underrated CB

 

https://www.bs-sports.co.jp/press/2001/ts_ts201/ts201_1.html

Edited July 22, 2021 by Christen_The_Sloop

[naj959]

Go with the Bridgestones, much better iron than Srixon IMO. Had J15s and 785s and the 15s were better for me in every category.

[JDubya89]

J40 CB and it’s not even close in my opinion 

[rainkingjr]

Well, back under the old groove rules, most would have said J33CB's. For more recent/conforming, J40 CB.

[ZNDavis]

Hot take, J40 DPC >>>>> CB > J15 CB > the rest

Edited July 22, 2021 by ZNDavis

[Mudguard]

I think had J33 Combos, J38s, then J40s. I haven't used them in at least eight years. But they were the only set I've kept.

[RogerinNewZealand]

J33 cb 1st choice

J36cb are good

The attached pic,2009 Tourstage are forged, even softer than mp33 great value.......i sold my j33cb to my Boss..still got a job...then he bought Mizuno😃

[IL2AZ]

I have both the Tour B X CB and the J15 CB.  I am in the minority in that I prefer the Tour B X CB.  Little more compact than the J15 CB and feel more solid/dense out of the middle.  The J15 CB feels almost too soft at times IMHO.

[mogc60]

J38cb’s and J40cb’s were very very solid. 

[Nixhex524]

Just shipped mine off to their new home but the J15 CB are the best, at least for me and it isn't even close.

[Mudguard]

20 hours ago, RogerinNewZealand said:

J33 cb 1st choice

 

I don't think the J33s are conforming anymore, or was that only the blade?

[RogerinNewZealand]

As most of us are Off Contract and Free Agents at present,hence playing Mizuno Irons, i didnt think  groove compliance was important,sorry

[arson_garden]

Found a 6I J40 dual pocket CB on the range one day, before I turned it in I took a few smacks… was hooked.  Absolutely straight, longish head design, perfect sweet spot location.  Nothing quite like it on the market today, searching for a good condition set every day since then.  

[wam78]

The tour b x-cb's will never get  the attention and love of the j15's, but they are incredible irons as mentioned above.  Slightly smaller footprint than j15's with a very addicting feel.  The tour b's are  basically a continuation of the ts 201 as mentioned above.  Another one of my favs that I wish I still had are the tourstage 709 mc.  One of the best shaped irons ever IMHO.  Very crisp feel at impact with a lovely top line and pinched toe.  I might have to find another set...

 

[Enzogorlami]

J40s no brainer. I have a combo set I most likely won’t ever well 

[Drewhill44]

My J15 CB's have been in the bag for 4 years.  Best combo of looks, feel, and forgiveness of a players CB iron that I've ever played.  Plan on keeping them until they wear out. 

 

[RogerinNewZealand]

So much love for the J40s ! I wish they just kept going eg J33,36,38,40 then 42,44etc they lost shelf space and sales after the 40 series!

[Doaner84]

for some irons that you want to play around and shape and have a ball striking good time j33cb.  If you want a saturday night fling j40cb. if you want a sunday cruise down mainstreet in a big ole convertible cadillac j15cb.  

[Moonlightgrm]

Go here: https://www.golfworks.com/iron-head-mpf-ratings/a/870/

 

Click on Bridgestone, or any other manufacturer, and trust what the numbers tell you. Maltby is usually spot on.

[RolandofGilead]

1 hour ago, Moonlightgrm said:

Go here: https://www.golfworks.com/iron-head-mpf-ratings/a/870/

 

Click on Bridgestone, or any other manufacturer, and trust what the numbers tell you. Maltby is usually spot on.

Interesting comparing the J40 CB (labeled as “V” cavity) versus DPC (labeled as straight cavity). The dual pocket cavities move the horizontal CG almost 0.2” towards the toe and increase MOI from 11.5 to 13.1. That ain’t nothing. Were the DPCs longer heel to toe? That might explain the “C” dimension difference.
 

This is slightly off topic, but New Level cavity back irons appear to be heavily influenced by these classic Bridgestones. The 902s feature a single slot cavity and, most interesting, the same number font as the J15 line. Hmmmm. They follow a similar offset progression as the J15 and J40. Anecdotally, they have a very dense and solid feel on pure strikes, not the soft feel most people crave. These are probably the closest you can get to brand new Bridgestone irons.

Edited July 24, 2021 by RolandofGilead

[lefthack]

I've been looking at various Bridgestone irons, but there aren't a ton of lefties on the open market and that one's that exist tend to be pricey. I am taking notes based on this thread. 

[Llefty]

46 minutes ago, lefthack said:

I've been looking at various Bridgestone irons, but there aren't a ton of lefties on the open market and that one's that exist tend to be pricey. I am taking notes based on this thread. 

Would like to find a set of lefty J15CB or Tour B heads.

 

If anybody has something, let me know.

[nitram]

Tourstage Z101. Best feeling irons I've ever hit in over 40 years in golf. The J15B, J33B, and J40CB are their 1st cousins and worthy of being in anyone's bag.

Edited August 15, 2023 by nitram

[lefthack]

14 minutes ago, Llefty said:

Would like to find a set of lefty J15CB or Tour B heads.

 

If anybody has something, let me know.

 

I was just looking at these. If I sold a set, I could justify these.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Left-Handed-Bridgestone-J15CB-Iron-6-Set-5-Pw-/403013607246

Edited July 24, 2021 by lefthack

[naj959]

5 hours ago, RolandofGilead said:

Interesting comparing the J40 CB (labeled as “V” cavity) versus DPC (labeled as straight cavity). The dual pocket cavities move the horizontal CG almost 0.2” towards the toe and increase MOI from 11.5 to 13.1. That ain’t nothing. Were the DPCs longer heel to toe? That might explain the “C” dimension difference.
 

This is slightly off topic, but New Level cavity back irons appear to be heavily influenced by these classic Bridgestones. The 902s feature a single slot cavity and, most interesting, the same number font as the J15 line. Hmmmm. They follow a similar offset progression as the J15 and J40. Anecdotally, they have a very dense and solid feel on pure strikes, not the soft feel most people crave. These are probably the closest you can get to brand new Bridgestone irons.

Glad I'm not the only one that noticed the striking similarities.

 

This thread got me looking into sourcing a set of X-blades. I can see some 705s becoming a nice project build in the future. Darn you Golfwrx!

[dmeeksDC]

They have a lot of great irons. Any of the J36DPC, J40 DPC or any of the J36CB, J40CB, J15CB and the Tour B CBS. All really strong irons. I would have a hard time deciding which is best. Down to preference.