The Best Old Milled Blades Under $300?

[snowmangolf]

As my obsession for putters and collection of putters continues to grow, I’m starting to get interested in the older stuff. Looking mostly for blades. What kind of cool stuff is out there and has a premium/special feel? Maybe brands that are no longer around? Maybe some cool “boutique” brands that weren’t as mainstream? Generally a fan of Anser style blades. 

 

Would love to see some pictures of whatever is being recommended if you currently have one! 

[Misc1600]

Tad Moore 

[nuclei]

Mid-90's Cameron's are an option in your price point now.  Newport 1, Newport 2, Sante Fe, and Coronado (my fav).  Microbell shaft, original pebble Royal grip, carbon steel w/ black oxide finish = best feeling putters in ~$300 range imho.  Not a fan of the terrylium inserts or the stainless versions that came out after this Classic line.  They all came in 35", heads are 350g or less, but the original shaft, and particularly the original grip, are key to the feel.  I have several and don't care if the head is all beat up, as long as it's all original and the sweet spot isn't marred.  

 

If you can find one in your price range, an original Truett handmade TP Mills blade is tops for feel.  Pencil hosel, carbon steel hand-shaped head, black ox finish.  The sweetest of sweet spots, but not overly forgiving like the massive MOI putters these days.

[MattM97]

Honestly just hop on ebay and deep dive various searches. You can find a ton under 300 and would be a cool collection too. 

[Phabs]

Never Compromise is pretty over looked - they had some milled options that we're pretty good from what I remember.  

 

Some of the best current on the cheap are the Clevelands. 

[cgasucks]

My Rife Aruba Blade Putter is 100% milled and can be had for under $300.  

Edited March 22 by cgasucks

[BombsIntoTheWoods]

38 minutes ago, Phabs said:

Never Compromise is pretty over looked - they had some milled options that we're pretty good from what I remember.  

 

Some of the best current on the cheap are the Clevelands. 

Ill second this, never compromise had some cool quirky milled putters. I had a dinero and it felt amazing, regret selling it.

 

[ColinKelvin]

If you're looking for Anser-type blades then why not go to the source?  You can get Karsten CO Ansers made in 1967-8 for $150 or so.  Try to find one with the shaftband intact and minimal dings.  A 60s Anser should definitely be in your collection.  You could also look for an Anser 2 in BeCu or BeNi - the latter are very hard to find (gold paint fill).

 

Between them, the Anser and Anser 2 must be the most copied putter designs of all time.

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

7 hours ago, snowmangolf said:

As my obsession for putters and collection of putters continues to grow, I’m starting to get interested in the older stuff. Looking mostly for blades. What kind of cool stuff is out there and has a premium/special feel? Maybe brands that are no longer around? Maybe some cool “boutique” brands that weren’t as mainstream? Generally a fan of Anser style blades. 

 

Would love to see some pictures of whatever is being recommended if you currently have one! 

 

[JungleJimbo]

1 hour ago, ColinKelvin said:

If you're looking for Anser-type blades then why not go to the source?  You can get Karsten CO Ansers made in 1967-8 for $150 or so.  Try to find one with the shaftband intact and minimal dings.  A 60s Anser should definitely be in your collection.  You could also look for an Anser 2 in BeCu or BeNi - the latter are very hard to find (gold paint fill).

 

Between them, the Anser and Anser 2 must be the most copied putter designs of all time.

 

 

@ColinKelvin 

Any insights on

(A) Ping STR?
(B) the Anser "5BZ" BeNi... vs
(C) the standard Anser BeNi?

I like all of these ... but the "BZ" series (and the "CU 5" series) somehow creates a 'tingle' during putting practice, with its Long-Neck and exaggerated offset ... 

(i think the "CU5" = could be a precursor / inspiration for the Evnroll Tour Stroke putting trainer? https://us.evnroll.com/product/tourstroke-trainer/ )  

 

 

[ColinKelvin]

3 hours ago, JungleJimbo said:

@ColinKelvin 

Any insights on

(A) Ping STR?
(B) the Anser "5BZ" BeNi... vs
(C) the standard Anser BeNi?

I like all of these ... but the "BZ" series (and the "CU 5" series) somehow creates a 'tingle' during putting practice, with its Long-Neck and exaggerated offset ... 

(i think the "CU5" = could be a precursor / inspiration for the Evnroll Tour Stroke putting trainer? https://us.evnroll.com/product/tourstroke-trainer/ ) 

 

The STR is a fairly rare model - nice enough. The Anser 5BZ has a much longer blade than the BeNi Scottsdale remake because it's based on the Anser 5 head IIRC while the Scottsdale is very compact like the first Ansers.  The BZ and '5' putters all had a LOT of offset; I believe most of the '5' models were/are face-balanced.  Definitely more than an echo of them in that Evnroll model.

[weakputt]

I love the mid to late 1990's milled putters. In my opinion the Golden Era of milled putters.

You may not be able to find a minty Cameron for under $300.00, but you can find a gamer or one that needs some TLC or a refurbishing candidate for under $300.00.

 

Don't rule out Ping cast putters from the mid 1960's to 2000 or so. You can get some of those that are minty for well under $300.00. Scottsdale remakes, especially in make BeNi can be a real value.

 

I'm sure you know all of this, but you asked for opinions. Good luck with your hunting.

[JungleJimbo]

4 minutes ago, weakputt said:

I love the mid to late 1990's milled putters. In my opinion the Golden Era of milled putters.

You may not be able to find a minty Cameron for under $300.00, but you can find a gamer or one that needs some TLC or a refurbishing candidate for under $300.00.

 

Don't rule out Ping cast putters from the mid 1960's to 2000 or so. You can get some of those that are minty for well under $300.00. Scottsdale remakes, especially in make BeNi can be a real value.

 

I'm sure you know all of this, but you asked for opinions. Good luck with your hunting.

@snowmangolf 👆🙄 Luckily we don't know where @weakputt lives/stashes his putter collection ... otherwise we might be tempted!

 

One/Two that hasn't/haven't been mentioned .... Kenny Giannini putters!

And Bobby Grace too? (Not just side-saddle putters... some of BG's designs / face milling = ahead of his time? e.g. quite similar to the SIK DLT technology?)

 

https://www.bobbygraceputters.com/

 

 

 

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/512640/putter-veteran-kenny-giannini-introduces-custom-line-of-putters/ 

 

 

 

 

[Mike_C]

12 hours ago, Phabs said:

Never Compromise is pretty over looked - they had some milled options that we're pretty good from what I remember.  

 

Some of the best current on the cheap are the Clevelands. 

Agreed, I have a Never Compromise limited edition in the bag now, and another NC Dinero slant neck in my office.

 

To be honest, the new Cleveland HB soft milled 4 is pretty much the exact head design with their soft milled face.

[Konklifer]

Any Kevin Burns 93xx series.

[braincramp52]

Find any model of the Ping Redwood series. You're welcome.😀

[kmay__]

On 3/21/2023 at 11:35 PM, cgasucks said:

My Rife Aruba Blade Putter is 100% milled and can be had for under $300.  

I was going to say the same, I have the Antiqua from that same line and it is a great putter. I got it for 80 bucks never used. Also have an older Never Compromise which has the changeable weights under the sole plate which is pretty cool. 

[snowmangolf]

Just pulled the trigger on this from Ebay. Looks like it’s in pretty good shape 

[kmay__]

^ Sweet, I'd love to have a milled Ping in my collection. That one is an interesting shape, don't usually see the neck that far heelside on a blade with a cavity... that thing is quite the mix of different styles rolled into 1.

[wam78]

Ping redwood is a great option.  Odyssey protype is another one that can be had for sub $300.

[MCCA]

For me Yes Dawn very underrated for it's Tech & Feel.

[mkidding]

Saw a MINT Scotty NP2 on classified a couple days ago for $240. You might want to take a look

[JungleJimbo]

On 3/22/2023 at 9:20 AM, snowmangolf said:

As my obsession for putters and collection of putters continues to grow, I’m starting to get interested in the older stuff. Looking mostly for blades. What kind of cool stuff is out there and has a premium/special feel? Maybe brands that are no longer around? Maybe some cool “boutique” brands that weren’t as mainstream? Generally a fan of Anser style blades. 

 

Would love to see some pictures of whatever is being recommended if you currently have one! 

hi op @snowmangolf

the old “Cleveland Classics” milled putters = would seem to tick the boxes ✅ you’ve mentioned?

 

 

Edited March 25 by JungleJimbo

[Jaygolf37]

How about this Sizemore SB-2?  I freaking love it.  No other milling quite like it. Great roll. Soft. Great balance.

 

Cool thread, BTW.

[MattUtah]

You did good with the Ping Redwood. If you like a firm feel they hold up to anything out now. Great looking too.

 

If you like a softer feel the Yes! putters are honestly still amazing. Not the best looking but roll the ball well and feel great. My favorites are the Tracy II, Ann, Callie MB and Tour, and Nicole Tour. The last three will be hard to find but the Tracy II and Ann aren’t. 

 

[JungleJimbo]

30 minutes ago, MattUtah said:

You did good with the Ping Redwood. If you like a firm feel they hold up to anything out now. Great looking too.

 

If you like a softer feel the Yes! putters are honestly still amazing. Not the best looking but roll the ball well and feel great. My favorites are the Tracy II, Ann, Callie MB and Tour, and Nicole Tour. The last three will be hard to find but the Tracy II and Ann aren’t. 

 

@MattUtah is that Yes!Nicole Tour = like a Dawn with a mid-slant neck?

 

 

[dhen9]

I really don't think there's a better series of milled putters to he had for precisely this price point as the 2008-2011 Cameron Studio Select. 

[MattUtah]

57 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

@MattUtah is that Yes!Nicole Tour = like a Dawn with a mid-slant neck?

 

 

 

Yeah, kind of a Newport 2 shape with long slant. Has like 30* toe hang. 

[Bigarch]

Found this rascal a few years ago and it needed a little work (I'll include a before picture).  But I believe this was one of the first putters with a milled face.