Everything you need to know about Epon: Video and photos

[GolfWRX]

THE ULTIMATE EPON THREAD!!!

 

Check out out video and photos below, and click here to read our front page story on the Epon brand.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNAuJXoH8aM

 

AF-Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

AF-302 (Sorry for the wear -- this one was a demo)

 

 

 

 

 

AF-502

 

 

 

 

 

 

AF-702

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Edition RF-551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AF-901 (Epon's driving iron)

 

 

 

 

 

 

AF-103 Driver

 

 

 

 

 

210KGX Wedge

 

 

 

 

 

[easyyy]

The 302 irons surprised me the first time I saw them. The one thing that jumped out at me was the wider soles than the "typical" players cb iron. The soles being wider and having a fairly decent sized blunted leading edge grind should allow this set to very forgiving in relation to fatter shots. Meaning turf interaction is where these should show the advantages. The feel is very good after only one session. Very muted and soft feeling off the face. Hard to say compared to the mp-64 if one was softer than another.

Toplines are nice and on the thin side. Offset isnt to much or not enough. Really good looking sticks here on first looks. I asked for satin and received chrome. Not sure what happened there. I not going to complain though. I didnt pay the going price for these and really wanted them to post pics up and Epon some well deserved love they have earned. A friend of mine here in Dearborn swears by them and has a taken a few $$$ away from me in some epic battles on the course. He loves them and swears they are the best.

After one day and lots of balls at the range I have to say these are nice. Traditional and nice.

Here are some close up Pics of the AF-302 irons I just got in.

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7 Iron


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Wedges...

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[size=5]Comparison Pics with the Mizuno MP-64 Irons...[/size]


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[dutxdeanster]

I had no idea! they look good other than ferrules may make appearance better for me....but maybe these were pre-installation maybe? Nice either way and thank you for the pics!

[panicmotion]

i have a set of 702s in transit. cannot wait to hit them!

[2 down automatic]

[quote name='dutxdeanster' timestamp='1358548802' post='6255881']
I had no idea! they look good other than ferrules may make appearance better for me....but maybe these were pre-installation maybe? Nice either way and thank you for the pics!
[/quote]Those clubs had fitting components at the hosel which is why they dont have the ferrules on them

[Sean25rp]

Love the 302's and 551's.

[Scuderia]

Great article! About time something like this posted. Love the brand and good to see this kind of excellent PR.

I have my fair share of epons and love the product.

[chiromikey]

[quote name='dutxdeanster' timestamp='1358548802' post='6255881']
I had no idea! they look good other than ferrules may make appearance better for me....but maybe these were pre-installation maybe? Nice either way and thank you for the pics!
[/quote]
actually, epon ferrules are coveted! take a look at the rf-551's.

i'd love to have gotten more in depth with regards to technology but this was a very nice video article regardless. thanks!!

[Spoon]

I have had all those models. 551s and 302 s my favorites

[LionGolfer]

This has finally made it to this site. A few years late but better late than never. Wait till the other stuff permeates through.. in the next few years :-)

[tbowles411]

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

[freehb]

glad to see this thread...not sure why but it bothers me that avid gear junkies in this country don't seem to really appreciate the quality of epon and other JDM brands gear...

[freehb]

[quote name='LionGolfer' timestamp='1358561561' post='6257165']
This has finally made it to this site. A few years late but better late than never. Wait till the other stuff permeates through.. in the next few years :-)
[/quote]

I know, huh...

[Vegaman]

But of course, Wishon will come on and say that the chinese factory staffed by uneducated country folk/farmers (nothing against farmers as such mind) he uses and happened to work for, are much more advanced and produce better quality forgings than Endo.
As if the normally ever cost sensitive large OEMs that use Endo for their more expensive stuff and pay a premium for it wouldn't use the cheaper, better quality Chinese factory if it was so superior to the widely respected place that is Endo? That does not sound like the normally cost cutting well oiled international companies that they actually are.

[sweetswing22]

These remind me of the Bridgestones,Tourstage and Srixon irons of a few years ago.
The numbering of models same as Srixon.
Look very good. I'm sure feel is excellent. Buttery Smooth.

[Snufles]

[quote name='Vegaman' timestamp='1358597960' post='6258663']
But of course, Wishon will come on and say that the chinese factory staffed by uneducated country folk/farmers (nothing against farmers as such mind) he uses and happened to work for, are much more advanced and produce better quality forgings than Endo.
As if the normally ever cost sensitive large OEMs that use Endo for their more expensive stuff and pay a premium for it wouldn't use the cheaper, better quality Chinese factory if it was so superior to the widely respected place that is Endo? That does not sound like the normally cost cutting well oiled international companies that they actually are.
[/quote]

No need to step on Tom here.

This makes me want to go visit Pure Michigan.

[dozer996]

Love my Epons...now I want the copper 302's

[chiromikey]

[quote name='Snufles' timestamp='1358601607' post='6258803']
[quote name='Vegaman' timestamp='1358597960' post='6258663']
But of course, Wishon will come on and say that the chinese factory staffed by uneducated country folk/farmers (nothing against farmers as such mind) he uses and happened to work for, are much more advanced and produce better quality forgings than Endo.
As if the normally ever cost sensitive large OEMs that use Endo for their more expensive stuff and pay a premium for it wouldn't use the cheaper, better quality Chinese factory if it was so superior to the widely respected place that is Endo? That does not sound like the normally cost cutting well oiled international companies that they actually are.
[/quote]

No need to step on Tom here.

This makes me want to go visit Pure Michigan.
[/quote]
to be fair, tom may have brought that upon himself with some of his past posts...

[morebeerbettergolf]

That's why it's risky business posting on message boards as a retailer.

But I feel Tom brings a lot to the forums and am glad for his presence.

[guisician]

[quote name='morebeerbettergolf' timestamp='1358614939' post='6259689']
...
I feel Tom brings a lot to the forums and am glad for his presence.
[/quote]

+1 for sure!

[TRoc9892]

The AF-Tours and the Personals are two of my favorite looking sets of irons. Ever since I first saw the Tours I've been dying to try a set.

[Scuderia]

since this is the ultimate Epon thread, check these out! Not mine but custom by novogolf. They do their own refinishing and it's pretty incredible what they can do!

[Functionoverform?]

Hi Guys my first post on the this brilliant site. Gamed various clubs including Muira 501s. Using an old set of Ping i10s at present.
I have Epon Wedges and they are really something else. I read that the edges of the grooves are treated with a laser to help retain sharpness. Is that true and if so are they unique in that type of treatment, as mine do stop on a penny ( or Dime).
My question is where can I see and try several of the EPON irons in the UK. Several of their fitters are not responding to inquiries and others are 300 miles away. First i want to see the heads in the flesh, and probably want to try to actually hit a 501,551 and possible compare with the 302.

Any recommended UK Stockists or should I write direct to EPON? I dont mind importing but the customs charges etc just add to the costs.

Sorry if this is the wrong thread but its frustrating to see photos and hear about these clubs when i cant get to actually see them.

[chiromikey]

[quote name='Scuderia' timestamp='1358629320' post='6260769']
since this is the ultimate Epon thread, check these out! Not mine but custom by novogolf. They do their own refinishing and it's pretty incredible what they can do!
[/quote]
check what out?

[Mizunofan]

As you can see from my Username, I used to be a die-hard Mizuno fan until I hit the EPONs...

I've played the EPON AF-Tour blades since Bill Cho (Tappan Golf) first started carrying them and will never be able to hit another brand of iron ever again!

[Vegaman]

[quote name='morebeerbettergolf' timestamp='1358614939' post='6259689']
That's why it's risky business posting on message boards as a retailer.

But I feel Tom brings a lot to the forums and am glad for his presence.
[/quote]

I feel the same actually, brings a lot of expertise. But nobody is free from at least a bit of bias I guess.

[ian harris]

[quote name='sweetswing22' timestamp='1358600916' post='6258765']
These remind me of the Bridgestones,Tourstage and Srixon irons of a few years ago.
The numbering of models same as Srixon.
Look very good. I'm sure feel is excellent. Buttery Smooth.
[/quote]
Yep, Srixon 302's look the same and are the best irons I've played in 30 years. My new 588 cb's are close though.

[Jamboy72]

Really a very interesting topic here...thanks to Zak and all for the interview and information...two initial questions come to mind:

1) Richard...would love to know more in depth comparisons on the 302s vs. 64s as you have time...

2) If Endo is in charge of the vast majority of OEM forgings (not named Mizuno) and all of the raw forged heads come out of the same forging house, what are the substantive differences when comparing Epon to Srixon, Bridgestone, Titleist, etc?

[morebeerbettergolf]

[quote name='topekareal' timestamp='1358707775' post='6265463']
2) If Endo is in charge of the vast majority of OEM forgings (not named Mizuno) and all of the raw forged heads come out of the same forging house, what are the substantive differences when comparing Epon to Srixon, Bridgestone, Titleist, etc?
[/quote]

Other brands bring a design or mold to Endo and they just forge it for them. Epon is the house brand and creates their own designs, sparing no expense.

Epon irons notoriously play easier than other brands' same level or profile iron. (Players CB for instance). A 302, at least to me, is orders of magnitude easier to hit than a Titleist CB or Miura 501. The AF-Tour is renowned for being one of the easiest and most forgiving blade designs.

Epon also likes to make small batches of unique, special clubs. The cost of making small runs is quite high per unit manufactured, which is partly why the Personals, Zen putter, I-33 are so expensive. A lot of cost is also the exclusivity built into the price. For some it is worth it, for others not so much. Also many times people can custom order a certain finish.

I don't think there is any inherent manufacturing process that sets the Epon apart from the other companies that contract Endo to forge for them. I think what the average Epon buyer is getting for their extra money is a unique, very playable design for its profile, exacting standards, and many times a limited edition work of art. The fit and finish of high end JDM is second to none. This may not translate into better scores but the boutique benefits do add value for some buyers.

[Stretch]

[quote name='Vegaman' timestamp='1358597960' post='6258663']
But of course, Wishon will come on and say that the chinese factory staffed by uneducated country folk/farmers (nothing against farmers as such mind) he uses and happened to work for, are much more advanced and produce better quality forgings than Endo.
[/quote]

He seems to have mysteriously overlooked this one so far? Good to see that you never miss a single opportunity to make JDM devotees look like supercilious jerks, though. Congratulations on your vigilance!