The Franklin C45 is a solid paddle choice for someone looking for a power oriented paddle with decent power, good pop, and good maneuverability. This paddle comes in very light, although mine came in above the average weights I’ve heard of at 7.7oz. It has some pretty good grit on the face compared to many of the more recent paddles I have tested. The handle on this paddle is excellent, with no soft foam in the handle and nicely defined bevels. The diameter is a little on the smaller side, but that can be adjusted with additional overgrips by adding a Hesacore grip if you prefer something larger.In stock form this paddle (no weight added) this paddle plays just ok. The very light build sacrifices power, stability, and the sweet spot is probably below average. Right out of the package the paddle felt a little stiff which is what I expected from a 14mm paddle.However, with added weight and some break-in time this paddle plays very differently. After lead tape, protective edge tape, and overgrip my paddle is now up to 8.8oz. My weight setup included .5gram/inch tape from 1 inch above the grip to an inch past the start of the top bend in each side. I added some additional 1 gram/inch tape from the same starting point up to about 3 o’clock. With the added weight it is still pretty maneuverable. With the weight and some break-in time the paddle now feels surprisingly soft for a 14mm paddle. It feels like there is some pretty decent dwell time on the paddle when you hit the ball now.Spin:With the gritty face and decent dwell time I found it pretty easy to generate spin and shape my shots as desired. You do feel like there is some pocketing of the ball on the paddle face.Control:With the added weight this paddle feels pretty easy for me to control. But keep in mind that I’ve been playing with power paddles since the first Gen 3 Joola hit the market last year. The sweet spot is about average, but there is a noticeable dead area in the lower portion of the paddle which you shouldn’t normally be hitting. You’ll know when that happens though. I added some extra weight down low on the paddle and am currently testing to see if that helps or not. I really like the surprisingly soft feel for a 14mm paddle.Power & Pop:Power with this paddle is decent. It is noticeably less than the current Pro 4 Joola, but is still good enough to lean into the power paddle category. Pop is very good and provides good firepower for quick flicks and counters at the net.The Franklin C45 14mm has a nice blend of good power, very good pop, while maintaining good maneuverability. It is dual approved (USAP and UPA-A certified) so it would be suitable for any tournament player. This paddle also has a full year warranty which is not so common in Pickleball these days. Overall, it is a pretty good choice for someone wanting to get into a power paddle and who is willing to add weight to the paddle to get the most out of it.

To start I'll say while this is a 5-star review, I immediately noticed a blemish on the edge guard on the bottom right (pictured). For a $200+ paddle, these types of issues shouldn't exist. I'm sure customer service would exchange it, so no deduction in overall stars for this.So my C45 out of the box weighed in at 7.65oz with a swing weight of 103.5 and a 5.48 twist weight. Out of the 60+ paddles I've played with and own, this had the lowest numbers by far. For reference, your average paddle these days weigh closer to 8 ounces with a swing weight of 112+ and a 6.0 twist weight. As it has been said by many reviewers and influencers already, this paddle was made so that users can and should customize the weighting to fit their preferences.I played a few games with the paddle as is and even allowed my two younger kids to demo it. The consensus was the same. Despite feeling light and fast, the paddle felt unstable and lacked power on drives without modifications. Currently I have .5g per inch tungsten wrapped around most of the paddle edge and have an over grip over a Hescaore elongated grip. Paddle is weighing in a 8.55 ounces with a 118 swing weight and 6.5 twist weight. With these modifications, I have been really enjoying this paddle.The power is there on full drives with a very linear and predictable feel to slow balls down or generate a quick speed up. The sweet spot feels bigger than my Paddletek Bantam ESQ/TKO paddles and the edges don't die out like them either. This paddle also has great touch and feel despite that thinner paddles provide. In comparison, my 16mm Joola Agassi Pro just feels more hollow and disconnected from the ball.All in all if you are comfortable and knowledgeable with how to tune your paddle, this Franklin C45 is one of the few paddles out there that gives a ton of room for modification. This has become one of my favorite hybrid paddles to use and with mods it tops my list for overall performance. There are additional shapes coming from Franklin so be mindful of that if you're on the fence regarding shapes to choose from.

I recently tried out the Franklin Sports C45 Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle, and I was surprised by how nicely it handles. Franklin isn't necessarily a brand that immediately comes to mind when I think of high-performance pickleball gear, but this paddle is changing that perception.Franklin Sports has raised the bar for competitive pickleball with the C45. This paddle boasts a 14mm thick PowerFlex polymer core and an elongated 5.7" inch handle with a 4.3" inch handle circumference (weight range 7.6 - 7.9oz). It's a hybrid design, promising a blend of control and power.One of the standout features is the double-thermoformed unibody frame. This construction technique enhances the paddle's structural integrity and noticeably reduces vibration compared to other paddles I've used. The large inner foam channel also contributes to the paddle's structural soundness while keeping the polymer core intact, ensuring long-lasting performance.The on-court feel is impressive. You get a distinct "pop" when you hit the ball, but also feel in control of your shots. The 45-degree peel-ply carbon fiber surface layer provides significant grit and spin, allowing for robust, fast shots with reasonable control. This design effectively maximizes grip and spin potential, enabling players to harness the paddle's power without sacrificing precision.Franklin has stepped up their game with the C45 Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle. It offers a combination of power, control, and innovative technology, making it a serious contender in the competitive pickleball market. If you want to elevate your game, the C45 is worth considering.