What was the best year for forged CB-ish type irons?

[Eazy Mac]

I thought this would be a fun question, I've done a little research and the year that sticks out to me for true forged, soft, high performing CB-type irons is... 2015! Irons that come to mind from that year are...

 

Bridgestone J15 CB

Srixon Z745

Honma TW727V

Mizuno MP-15 (more of a MB type I know, but had some extra forgiveness in there with the TI muscle so leaving this one in. Mp-5 was the true blade)

Nike Vapor Pro Combo (first came out in 2014 I think, but I believe they made them in 2015 too?)

 

I know Callaway, Titleist, and Taylormade all made forged CB type irons too but I wanted to highlight some of the lesser thought about ones to shorten the list initially.

 

What do you think was the best year for these type of irons? What others am I missing?

 

Let the discussion begin!

 

Edited February 23 by Eazy Mac

[1s1k]

No need for a discussion. 

 

You are correct. 2015

[AFcelica]

For that list idk the year but the original 745s were the best imo

[OnTheBag]

I've been around the game for a LONG, LONG time.  Two time periods jump out at me.

 

1994-1999 gave us some excellent forgings that included the Hogan Apex's and the infamous Titleist 680 & 681.

 

2012-2015 that gave us the ones you mention plus the Titleist 712 and 714's.

[Pepperturbo]

For me, can't say 2015 was THE year; more like 2019.

 

In 2016, I moved back to Titleist and bought 716 CB irons, which were fantastic.  But in 2019 switched to 620 MB and 620 CB, maybe the best forged CB iron ever made.

[mat562]

1991.

 

Edited February 23 by mat562

[mat562]

Maybe 1996.

 

Edited February 23 by mat562

[jt2gt]

Lots of good ones from 2017 including these from Callaway that could stand up against any modern day forged. 2015 with the 745 is a pretty good year too. 

[JAM01]

Wilson staff FgTour V2. 2012. Amazing irons, KBS Tour shaft stock, Lamkin Crossline grips. Wish I still had them. 

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

2 hours ago, OnTheBag said:

I've been around the game for a LONG, LONG time.  Two time periods jump out at me.

 

1994-1999 gave us some excellent forgings that included the Hogan Apex's and the infamous Titleist 680 & 681.

 

2012-2015 that gave us the ones you mention plus the Titleist 712 and 714's.

Shoutout to like 2001-2006, also. 
 

Hogan Apex Edge Pro

Mizuno MP-30 and MP-60

Titleist 690 CB

TM Rac TP and 300 Forged

Bridgestone J-33

Nike Pro Combo

Maybe not a great ‘single year’ but an awesome run featuring some timeless one-piece forged CBs. 

[pjc]

3 hours ago, Eazy Mac said:

I thought this would be a fun question, I've done a little research and the year that sticks out to me for true forged, soft, high performing CB-type irons is... 2015! Irons that come to mind from that year are...

 

Bridgestone J15 CB

Srixon Z745

Honma TW727V

Mizuno MP-15 (more of a MB type I know, but had some extra forgiveness in there with the TI muscle so leaving this one in. Mp-5 was the true blade)

Nike Vapor Pro Combo (first came out in 2014 I think, but I believe they made them in 2015 too?)

 

I know Callaway, Titleist, and Taylormade all made forged CB type irons too but I wanted to highlight some of the lesser thought about ones to shorten the list initially.

 

What do you think was the best year for these type of irons? What others am I missing?

 

Let the discussion begin!

 

2015 was quite a time period for sure.  I remember a really long thread on here with people going back and forth between the J15 CB's and the Z745's....it went on forever!

[jasona93]

1 hour ago, mat562 said:

1991.

 

Was not expecting to see my old irons here! Bought a second set years after losing them the first time in a card game to my cousin. Haven’t gotten around to reshafting and putting them in the bag for a bit. Did some reading on these that said they were Endo forged.

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

I know this isn’t part of the exercise, but let’s acknowledge that the present day has no shortage of options, either…

 

620 CB

JPX 923 Tour

P7 MC

TC 201

ZX7*

King CB

Apex CB*

0317 CB

Haywood CB

SMS Pro*

AF Tour CB2

Staff CB

301 CBs

 

*Some have clever weighting systems, but are still generally one-piece forgings. 

 

 

 

[OnTheBag]

16 minutes ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

I know this isn’t part of the exercise, but let’s acknowledge that the present day has no shortage of options, either…

 

620 CB

JPX 923 Tour

P7 MC

TC 201

ZX7*

King CB

Apex CB*

0317 CB

Haywood CB

SMS Pro*

AF Tour CB2

Staff CB

301 CBs

 

*Some have clever weighting systems, but are still generally one-piece forgings. 

 

 

 

I also have to give New Level a nod in the current list.  My oldest was a Titleist staffer for years and now has a set of New Level 623 CB's that he swears are the smoothest irons he's ever hit.  

[Christen_The_Sloop]

2 hours ago, mat562 said:

1991.

 

I've got a set of the Japanese version with double nickel. Only the 7 and W have ever been hit. Might have to dig'em out.

[jobin]

Titleist VG3, from Japan. From about 2014 and working fine for me.

[Hougz79]

I’m a big fan of 08.  MP-62 and X Forged…. Both such good CBs.

[chinaski]

3 hours ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

I know this isn’t part of the exercise, but let’s acknowledge that the present day has no shortage of options, either…

 

620 CB

JPX 923 Tour

P7 MC

TC 201

ZX7*

King CB

Apex CB*

0317 CB

Haywood CB

SMS Pro*

AF Tour CB2

Staff CB

301 CBs

 

*Some have clever weighting systems, but are still generally one-piece forgings. 

 

 

 

 

ZX7 is a nice iron. But put it next to a 745 and it's flat out ugly. 

Edited February 24 by chinaski

[indianwoodpro]

TaylorMade 300 forged 

Don’t know what year but guessing around 2000

[stryper]

Whatever the year…Mizuno MX-23’s  [/thread] 

[Ger21]

17 hours ago, 1s1k said:

No need for a discussion. 

 

You are correct. 2015

You left out the best ones.

2015 OnOff Forged Kuro.

 

[Tzoid]

I have played Srixon ZX5 , ZX7 ,  ZX5 MKII , New Level 902PD Mizuno Pro 223 , Mizuno Pro 245 and still keep coming back to the 

2015 OnOff Kuro Irons.  I seriously have lost count how many sets I have bought and sold but they are back in the bag.  This photo is my 1st set 😁

Edited March 21 by Tzoid