2023 Bridgestone 221cb in hand pics (comparison w/ the Srixon ZX7)

[toastinato]

43 minutes ago, easyyy said:

I have yet to game these. Still cant get out of the ZX7's. Going to the range today to hit these, Artisans and the new 770's for fun.

 

 

Let's hear about them some more! I play the zx7 mkii but bridgestone always has a special place in my heart. 

[toastinato]

46 minutes ago, easyyy said:

I have yet to game these. Still cant get out of the ZX7's. Going to the range today to hit these, Artisans and the new 770's for fun.

 

 

Any chance you have some sole comparison pics to the zx7? 

[9ironiscash]

J15cb imo are one of the best ever- would be very impressive if they improved on them. Also the j15 were available in lefty! 

[edwelly]

Excited to read about how the new irons hit.

[bcbrantley]

This is my 4th set of Bridgestone irons.  I have gamed J33’s, still have my J40’s, and still have my Tour-B X-CB’s.  I bought a set of 221CB’s on eBay from Japan and they are awesome.  Unfortunately I have only played them once since I got them in December but NE Ohio weather is being nice and maybe we will get an early start.  I have Aerotech Steelfiber CW 110 X shafts which I installed in them and swing weighted them to D-2.  These things are smooth.  Love the way they feel in full, half, and punch shots.  Distance is similar to the Tour B’s but the feel and consistency I think is better.  I also like the DPC in the 5 iron as it just felt like it had more forgiveness when I hit it.  I got the clubs for $790 and had to pay $53 in freight and $52 I think in taxes.  They shipped fast and I got them in a week.  I wish Bridgestone sold more irons in the US but they just don’t have the following.  If you are considering forged Cavity Backs you should take a serious look at the 221CB’s.

Edited February 12, 2023 by bcbrantley

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 11/25/2022 at 4:46 AM, easyyy said:

These Bridgestone 221cb irons look good. They are shorter heel to toe more in the short irons than the long vs the ZX7. The satin finish and frosted face quality is what you would expect from Bridgestone. Not sure what the grade of steel is but they were very easy to bend. 

 

S20C, which is a Japanese standard equivalent to AISI 1020. I believe Artisan uses the same for their wedges (don't know about their irons).

 

So yes, it is very soft, though oddly on their website Bridgestone say they can only adjust lie and loft by 1.5*. 

 

Bridgestone site (Japanese)

[SwooshLT]

Looks like my Mizzy 223s!!! Very nice and the slot technology is a nice addition 

[ClarkGriswold]

Im not good enough to game either those or the zx7 but such good looking iron.

[Rosco1216]

On 2/3/2023 at 10:46 AM, easyyy said:

I have yet to game these. Still cant get out of the ZX7's. Going to the range today to hit these, Artisans and the new 770's for fun.

 

 

If you find these are collecting too much dust and not knocking any sets out of the rotation, I’d be happy to take them off of your hands. 

[idrive]

On 2/3/2023 at 9:46 AM, easyyy said:

I have yet to game these. Still cant get out of the ZX7's. Going to the range today to hit these, Artisans and the new 770's for fun.

 

 

 

Curious if it's the ZX7 or the ZX7 MKII's you "Still cant get out of the ZX7's"

 

On 2/11/2023 at 5:57 PM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

S20C, which is a Japanese standard equivalent to AISI 1020. I believe Artisan uses the same for their wedges (don't know about their irons).

 

So yes, it is very soft, though oddly on their website Bridgestone say they can only adjust lie and loft by 1.5*. 

 

Bridgestone site (Japanese)

 

Generally speaking the reason they don't like to bend irons more than 1.5* is the potential of wrinkling the finish.  I've bent many a set of Tourstage irons (Bridgestone) over the last 20 years and never had a problem with the finish.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

14 minutes ago, idrive said:

 

Curious if it's the ZX7 or the ZX7 MKII's you "Still cant get out of the ZX7's"

 

 

Generally speaking the reason they don't like to bend irons more than 1.5* is the potential of wrinkling the finish.  I've bent many a set of Tourstage irons (Bridgestone) over the last 20 years and never had a problem with the finish.

 

The fear of messing up the finish makes some sense.

However, I've bent a few Bridgestone (and a Tourstage club) 2* or more and never had a problem.

 

So far...

[Jaywh2]

@easyyy did you ever game these.  I’m trying to reshaft the ones I bought last fall and haven’t hit them yet. Trying to decide to keep or sell and just stick with Mizuno or Srixon.  Just curious of any comments from anyone who hit or played them extensively. Feel is primary question. Forgiveness would only be secondary.  Thanks