Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges: In-hand pics of all grinds and finishes

[zip7111]

I ordered up a 50F, 54S, and 58S in the black finish with S400's. Cant wait to get them.

[thatboygaule]

Does anyone know if the raw black is actually raw or is it just the colour.

[knock it close]

[quote name='thatboygaule' timestamp='1393795254' post='8780170']
Does anyone know if the raw black is actually raw or is it just the colour.
[/quote] Raw, it will be harder to strip than the oil can though.

[Philipp]

[quote name='Hookshot33' timestamp='1393781458' post='8778334']
[quote name='Philipp' timestamp='1393781021' post='8778274']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1393716111' post='8773792']
Regarding the finishes, I thought the chrome was by far the best stock finish. However I would probably get the black and coke it to raw. I would give this wedge 5 stars in every category if there was no Gold Nickel, to me that fin
[/quote]
You can't "coke" them.
[/quote]

Yes you can, the black is the raw option in the SM5s
[/quote]

I doubt that. However, I'd be happy if I'm wrong.

[i]Quote form Team Titleist: The SM5 Raw Black finish is an unplated QPQ finish[/i]

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench"][i]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench[/i][/url]

[KevCarter]

[quote name='Philipp' timestamp='1393801768' post='8781782']
[quote name='Hookshot33' timestamp='1393781458' post='8778334']
[quote name='Philipp' timestamp='1393781021' post='8778274']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1393716111' post='8773792']
Regarding the finishes, I thought the chrome was by far the best stock finish. However I would probably get the black and coke it to raw. I would give this wedge 5 stars in every category if there was no Gold Nickel, to me that fin
[/quote]
You can't "coke" them.
[/quote]

Yes you can, the black is the raw option in the SM5s
[/quote]

I doubt that. However, I'd be happy if I'm wrong.

[i]Quote form Team Titleist: The SM5 Raw Black finish is an unplated QPQ finish[/i]

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench"][i]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench[/i][/url]
[/quote]

Good find!

[Hookshot33]

[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1393801904' post='8781796']
[quote name='Philipp' timestamp='1393801768' post='8781782']
[quote name='Hookshot33' timestamp='1393781458' post='8778334']
[quote name='Philipp' timestamp='1393781021' post='8778274']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1393716111' post='8773792']
Regarding the finishes, I thought the chrome was by far the best stock finish. However I would probably get the black and coke it to raw. I would give this wedge 5 stars in every category if there was no Gold Nickel, to me that fin
[/quote]
You can't "coke" them.
[/quote]

Yes you can, the black is the raw option in the SM5s
[/quote]

I doubt that. However, I'd be happy if I'm wrong.

[i]Quote form Team Titleist: The SM5 Raw Black finish is an unplated QPQ finish[/i]

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench"][i]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench[/i][/url]
[/quote]

Good find!
[/quote]

Shows what I know! Good find, although I sure hope it is relatively easy to remove or else I think they will have made a big mistake

[Quasimoto]

As the sig shows, I have 3 wedges coming - 48 52 56 in the Gold Nickel finish.
Can't wait to get my hands on these on course!

[Pure716]

[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1393789970' post='8779250']
[quote name='FSUbulldog' timestamp='1393789885' post='8779240']
[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1393789432' post='8779186']
[quote name='FSUbulldog' timestamp='1393788278' post='8779072']
Could someone elaborate the beinifts of "coking" it to a raw finish? Either way, it's still going to be a raw steel, correct? So, what effect does adding the rust give the wedge?

I don't mean to come off wrong, I'm genuinely curious.
[/quote]

Simply cosmetic. Some prefer the look.
[/quote]

Thanks! I thought I heard the rust had some effect on spin; if I remember correctly, it was in the New Taylormade Wedge thread?
[/quote]

We used to think that, but we were proven wrong years ago...
[/quote]

Thanks for the clarification. I'll have to see how these experiments work out for the members.

[Dizz]

[quote name='Quasimoto' timestamp='1393818495' post='8784672']
As the sig shows, I have 3 wedges coming - 48 52 56 in the Gold Nickel finish.
Can't wait to get my hands on these on course!
[/quote]

The Gold Nickel is my favorite of the finishes too. From address it doesn't glare nearly as much as the new Tour Chrome finish even in the sunlight and to me is hard to really tell its gold. Now looking at it close up or as it sits in the bag is a different story. I have two tour raw TVD wedges and the reason I chose the Gold Nickel was because from address it looked the most similar to those... I think that finish will do just fine. There have been several other OEM's use a gold looking finish with success over the years... PING used BeCu in irons and wedges that are still sought after 30 years later and Cleveland used BeCu and BeNi with success in their wedge lines. I remember those Cleveland wedges sold for $20 more than their stock chrome finish and used to sell out nearly instantly.

[maxfli985]

just ordered 52/58 m grind w/ raw black...super stoked

[Quasimoto]

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1393837395' post='8785674']
[quote name='Quasimoto' timestamp='1393818495' post='8784672']
As the sig shows, I have 3 wedges coming - 48 52 56 in the Gold Nickel finish.
Can't wait to get my hands on these on course!
[/quote]

The Gold Nickel is my favorite of the finishes too. From address it doesn't glare nearly as much as the new Tour Chrome finish even in the sunlight and to me is hard to really tell its gold. Now looking at it close up or as it sits in the bag is a different story. I have two tour raw TVD wedges and the reason I chose the Gold Nickel was because from address it looked the most similar to those... I think that finish will do just fine. There have been several other OEM's use a gold looking finish with success over the years... PING used BeCu in irons and wedges that are still sought after 30 years later and Cleveland used BeCu and BeNi with success in their wedge lines. I remember those Cleveland wedges sold for $20 more than their stock chrome finish and used to sell out nearly instantly.
[/quote]

Very true about the color over the years JW. All of my wedges the past 10 years have been black finished. This gold struck me as a very balanced trade between black and chrome. Also, according to Titleist website on these wedges they are double treated/coated with nickel. This will make them very soft feeling, probably the softest wedges I will have ever hit.

[SJP1]

Whoever gets the black finish and coke's them, please could you upload some "after" photos?

Thanks in advance.

[jetmech879]

I am having the hardest time picking a finish! Does anyone know if there would be a difference in feel between the 3 finishes?

[carrier street]

Anyone take a shot at removing the raw black finish yet?

[Sidetracked]

[quote name='carrier street' timestamp='1394341959' post='8830247']
Anyone take a shot at removing the raw black finish yet?
[/quote]

Don't think anyone has them yet.

[Dizz]

[quote name='Sidetracked' timestamp='1394342146' post='8830257']
[quote name='carrier street' timestamp='1394341959' post='8830247']
Anyone take a shot at removing the raw black finish yet?
[/quote]

Don't think anyone has them yet.
[/quote]

Yea the only guys that have them right now are touring professionals and some local pros... I got Gold Nickel for myself but did get the fitting mix several weeks ago. I did not try to make the Black Ox raw by "Coke-ing it" but it doesn't look like its gonna be nearly as easy to do.

The new fitting mix for Advanced Fitters is excellent.... every head with all the finishes to try, different lie angle heads, custom shafts in several different lofts so you can at least get a feel if you play something other than DG. There is even a graphite option as well as a light steel option which I thought was a great idea especially for your AP1 player interested in Vokey (custom shaft or not) wedges.

[Hookshot33]

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1394372391' post='8831109']
[quote name='Sidetracked' timestamp='1394342146' post='8830257']
[quote name='carrier street' timestamp='1394341959' post='8830247']
Anyone take a shot at removing the raw black finish yet?
[/quote]

Don't think anyone has them yet.
[/quote]

Yea the only guys that have them right now are touring professionals and some local pros... I got Gold Nickel for myself but did get the fitting mix several weeks ago. I did not try to make the Black Ox raw by "Coke-ing it" but it doesn't look like its gonna be nearly as easy to do.

The new fitting mix for Advanced Fitters is excellent.... every head with all the finishes to try, different lie angle heads, custom shafts in several different lofts so you can at least get a feel if you play something other than DG. There is even a graphite option as well as a light steel option which I thought was a great idea especially for your AP1 player interested in Vokey (custom shaft or not) wedges.
[/quote]

Surely CLR will take it off pretty easily I'd imagine. Worked very quickly with the black ox TVDs so I can't imagine these being much different.

JW you mentioned you went with gold nickel...how does the face look after some bunker wear?

[Dizz]

[quote name='Hookshot33' timestamp='1394372846' post='8831129']
[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1394372391' post='8831109']
[quote name='Sidetracked' timestamp='1394342146' post='8830257']
[quote name='carrier street' timestamp='1394341959' post='8830247']
Anyone take a shot at removing the raw black finish yet?
[/quote]

Don't think anyone has them yet.
[/quote]

Yea the only guys that have them right now are touring professionals and some local pros... I got Gold Nickel for myself but did get the fitting mix several weeks ago. I did not try to make the Black Ox raw by "Coke-ing it" but it doesn't look like its gonna be nearly as easy to do.

The new fitting mix for Advanced Fitters is excellent.... every head with all the finishes to try, different lie angle heads, custom shafts in several different lofts so you can at least get a feel if you play something other than DG. There is even a graphite option as well as a light steel option which I thought was a great idea especially for your AP1 player interested in Vokey (custom shaft or not) wedges.
[/quote]

Surely CLR will take it off pretty easily I'd imagine. Worked very quickly with the black ox TVDs so I can't imagine these being much different.

JW you mentioned you went with gold nickel...how does the face look after some bunker wear?
[/quote]

It's 20 degrees here in Ohio... not many bunkers to hit shots from... lol. You're probably right but from the few shots I hit with one of the demo Black Ox wedges it seemed slightly different. The next time I get a chance I will do some messing with the finish.

[Marks23]

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1393837395' post='8785674']
[quote name='Quasimoto' timestamp='1393818495' post='8784672']
As the sig shows, I have 3 wedges coming - 48 52 56 in the Gold Nickel finish.
Can't wait to get my hands on these on course!
[/quote]

The Gold Nickel is my favorite of the finishes too. From address it doesn't glare nearly as much as the new Tour Chrome finish even in the sunlight and to me is hard to really tell its gold. Now looking at it close up or as it sits in the bag is a different story. I have two tour raw TVD wedges and the reason I chose the Gold Nickel was because from address it looked the most similar to those... I think that finish will do just fine. There have been several other OEM's use a gold looking finish with success over the years... PING used BeCu in irons and wedges that are still sought after 30 years later and Cleveland used BeCu and BeNi with success in their wedge lines. I remember those Cleveland wedges sold for $20 more than their stock chrome finish and used to sell out nearly instantly.
[/quote]
JW, with the new K grind option in the SM5, I am curious if you finds any reasons to prefer the TVD K grind over it?

[Dizz]

[quote name='Marks23' timestamp='1394384270' post='8832133']
[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1393837395' post='8785674']
[quote name='Quasimoto' timestamp='1393818495' post='8784672']
As the sig shows, I have 3 wedges coming - 48 52 56 in the Gold Nickel finish.
Can't wait to get my hands on these on course!
[/quote]

The Gold Nickel is my favorite of the finishes too. From address it doesn't glare nearly as much as the new Tour Chrome finish even in the sunlight and to me is hard to really tell its gold. Now looking at it close up or as it sits in the bag is a different story. I have two tour raw TVD wedges and the reason I chose the Gold Nickel was because from address it looked the most similar to those... I think that finish will do just fine. There have been several other OEM's use a gold looking finish with success over the years... PING used BeCu in irons and wedges that are still sought after 30 years later and Cleveland used BeCu and BeNi with success in their wedge lines. I remember those Cleveland wedges sold for $20 more than their stock chrome finish and used to sell out nearly instantly.
[/quote]
JW, with the new K grind option in the SM5, I am curious if you finds any reasons to prefer the TVD K grind over it?
[/quote]

Slight differences in shape as others in this thread have mentioned... as always you should simply test them for yourself. The biggest thing I noticed are the leading edges when you manipulate the face at address to play different "shots"... those "touchy, feely" shots as Mr. Vokey calls them are so personal with every player and their chipping/pitching style. This is why I chose a low bounce K.

[stuart.f.cohen]

How does the 250 and 256 10 on the vokey website compare shape wise to the new SM5 50 and 56/10. Is the toe on the 200 series still rounder? Thanks

[Puppetmaster]

The fitter near me (Westfields) has the full cart of SM5 options now so hopefully I'll be able to try some of these out this weekend. I really like my TVD-M, so it'll be a hard sell to switch, but I'm interested in seeing the S and K grinds in a 60 deg wedge. I do play a variety of shots around the greens with the 60-M, and I think it's great for that, but I find that it digs a little too much on those longer pitch shots from 40-60 yard range. Obviously, part of that is technique, but I'm curious to see if the S or K might work for me.

[SJP1]

For those keen on a raw finish, it looks like the Black Ox might not be too tough to remove - judging by the normal wear alone on Chesson Hadley's gap wedge anyway.

 

 

[tjgolf64]

Per Team Titleist

 

 

 

David Npost: 4 Feb 2014 6:02 AM

Greetings to all Team Titleist and Vokey Nation members,

We certainly appreciate all of your input on various finish offerings in the Vokey lineup. The main reason we are offering Raw Black in SM5 is the popularity of the two black finishes in WedgeWorks (Black Ox and Graphite Ion). Oil Can has been declining in popularity for several years, so we felt it was time for a change in SM5.

It is true that many Tour players use raw wedges. There are also quite a few that use our Tour Chrome finish. The main reason that the players use raw wedges is that Bob Vokey and Tour Rep Aaron Dill will make small tweaks to many players' wedges and it's much easier to do so with a raw wedge than grinding through the chrome. In addition, Tour players change wedges more frequently than most amateur golfers.

The SM5 Raw Black finish is an unplated QPQ finish and will rust over time especially in the hitting area and on the grind. For those looking for a completely raw finish, check our our Hand Ground program through WedgeWorks at Vokey.com

Regarding WedgeWorks, we have some very cool new offerings coming later this Spring. Stay tuned to Team Titleist and Vokey.com for more details!

Regards from the entire Vokey Team,

Dave N.

Manager - Vokey Wedge Marketing

[Arpeggi]

FedEx delivered my gold nickels today! Can't wait.

[Redman]

Could someone explain how each of the grinds actually work? I've read the stuff on the site but it really only says if for digger, slider, etc. I have a really hard time telling the difference between some of the grinds and am curious about how they actually work to differentiate them. Thanks.

[mwmilk123]

[quote name='Arpeggi' timestamp='1394574320' post='8850293']
FedEx delivered my gold nickels today! Can't wait.
[/quote]
excellent, dDans quoted me a 3/10 ship date. im hoping they show up by friday. i ordered the 52F and the 58K black with the modus 120.

[Rapture25]

[quote name='mwmilk123' timestamp='1394585267' post='8851611']
[quote name='Arpeggi' timestamp='1394574320' post='8850293']
FedEx delivered my gold nickels today! Can't wait.
[/quote]
excellent, dDans quoted me a 3/10 ship date. im hoping they show up by friday. i ordered the 52F and the 58K black with the modus 120.
[/quote]

Discount Dans quoted my ship date as 3/11, ordered the same setup as mwmilk, except with ctapers. Weekend looks decent hopefully they'll be here before then.

[jrshelby]

For those keen on a raw finish, it looks like the Black Ox might not be too tough to remove - judging by the normal wear alone on Chesson Hadley's gap wedge anyway.

 

 

 

 

I just picked up my 52.08F grind and 58.11 K grind Raw Black and by now I knew you could not remove the finish. You can however take the black off, or change it chemically, to look and act like a raw wedge. The Raw black will obviously feel the best being un-plated and now I believe this will be the best of both worlds as spin killing rust won't be as frequent. IMHO the Raw black looked awful and now these look like my SM4 Oil cans with the finish removed. Heres what I did.

 

I let the wedges sit with Navel Jelly on for about a 1/2 hour and then scrubbed with a tooth brush.

 

Then I put CLR on a scotch brite pad and and softly went over the wedges to remove any chalkiness.

 

The last step was Blue Magic metal polish to remove any streaking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brianm423]

Looking good!