Blades: Should YOU try them or are they dead? 

What irons do you play?

I bought a set of clubs from a yard sale for $20 USD...thats why I play blades.

I suck and I play blades. When I tried forgiving clubs I still sucked.

Love the first guy who gave the blade a try, no nonsense, no over analysing a good technique is more important than any club

From 2002 to 2012 I averaged 185 rounds per year. I played blades from 2007. When folks said they weren't forgiving, I replied, I don't want a club to be forgiving, I want a club that requires me to hit it correctly. I found that blades gave me great enjoyment. Presently I am 83 years old. I expect to get back to playing in 2022. Yes I still have my blades. Thanks for the pep talk on blades.

Most people say they lose confidence from blades. In my unpopular opinion playing blades gives me more confidence.

The guy on the 1 handicap gave the most honest answer ever....hitting a blade is more difficult with a raging hangover hi from Brisbane Australia

I’m a mid-handicapper but love my blades. As someone who strives to improve his swing, and practices more than I play, I like the feedback I get from each strike. And when I do hit them well (which happens less often than I’d like), they feel incredible.

I just celebrated my 23rd year with the same set of Titleist Tour Model blades (1-PW). I love them as much as anything else in my life. After all this time just looking at them still makes me smile. Because of the sheer quality of their design, materials, and construction, coupled with their timeless, traditional, incredible look, I have only contributed ordinary care and everyone assumes they are 2020 clubs. I can't walk 45 feet in or out of a clubhouse without someone complimenting them. It's extraordinary, absolutely crazy. I'm a traditional guy, avoid trendy golf-wear, play a Titleist ball, and favor classic pro's like Hogan, Faldo, and Mickelson. So I like the old-school, non-gimmicky sense my tour blades contribute. I believe that just having them in the bag takes 4-6 strokes off my round [than a different iron], because during club selection and pre-shot routine YOU GET SERIOUS.

They need to give you a show on the Golf Channel. I’ve just started binging your videos. Great commentary. Keep it up Rick.

Everyones discussing confidence levels and shine and shit, meanwhile Im just here watching rick going "Wtf are blades and why are people so divided on them?"

I love it when i hit a pure 3/4 iron MP-69 off the tee. The feel is like no other!

I played cavity backs as my first set and began with a handicap of 28. 2 years into playing golf I reduced my handicap to 24, then recently I decided to make the change to blades and found I have far more control over loft, spin and distance, as long as I strike it properly. I have improved my game by an average of -10 shots since the change and feel I will keep getting better. Loving my set of blades and glad I took the risk and gave it a crack! 😁👍

"I've been Rick Shiels" 14:17 Thanks for clarifying Rick.

That dude's swing at 10:50 was some kind of crazy

Would love to see how a vintage blade such as the Hogan Apex compares to a modern blade such as the Wilson Staff just demonstrated. Thanks Rick! Am loving your investigative series.

Just realized now that I’ve been using bladed irons that my dad gave to me. I’ve always enjoyed golf but never looked into clubs, as I couldn’t afford them. But now looking into getting a new set for myself, I’ve seen the difference. Probably why I’ve been more attracted to the thinner irons rather than the bigger more forgiving irons.

I play the Wilson f5 100 anniversary blades. I play blades strictly for the feel. Nothing is better than catching a blade in the sweet spot. Also the feeling helps you tell how you are missing the bad ones. Helps improve a game quicker. Also moving the ball left to right and up and down is a lot easier.

I went back to playing my blades recently and I absolutely love them. It's like playing with your favorite wedges all day.

I play off 14 and have been using Cobra blades for years. I find they give you so much more feedback and encourage you to concentrate on the swing rather than the hit. Yardage wise I agree, I use more club and do get plenty of height with all of them, and I find distance control is way more consistent. I have no plans to replace them any time soon.

They look stunning. The V6 were and still are amazing clubs. Would love to try them but I would probably strengthen them tho.

Rick, I think this is brilliant! I honestly believe that blades aren’t dead, but should definitely be used towards the bottom of the bag 6/7 through to PW (depending on how confident you are with a 6 Iron). Your content is the highest quality! ⛳️💪🏼

Stunning irons they are making me reconsider renewing mine. I’ve been using Nike v pro combo for a few years and I love them but the Wilsons have got me thinking.

Please don't let blades die! I currently play with Wilson Staff FG-55 Blades from pre-2000 and I have shot my best rounds ever with them. Will never go back to cavity backs. Keep up the great work Rick!

I did get this set two and half weeks ago. Absolutely love these clubs! I was testing 4 sets of clubs and these came out as winner. The feel is amazing. They look nice.

Great review format, beautiful irons. My first set of blades helped me to learn a better golf swing through feedback.

Great video Rick, enjoyed the format - I use Mizuno MP5's up to 7 iron and then MP25's - the MP5's are pretty forgiving for that type of club but there is definitely something it the fact that when you hit a blade you tend to concentrate more because you know you can't get away with it as much...

This was a great segment, well done! I started playing golf in 1964 when I took my first lessons at the age of 6 and played throughout my life, although I took a 20 year hiatus and am just getting back into the game since taking retirement. I have seen all types of irons come and go in that span of time. Blades, Low Profile (Browning 440's), Ping Eye's, Cavity Backs, Perimeter Weighted, Hybrids, so on and so on. In the end blade irons are a thing of beauty, no matter the manufacturer they all had this sense of style and elegance. With today's clubs most of them are quite ugly and they do tend to be inconsistent in their play. I'm hitting Taylor Made irons today (SIM 2 max). I like them a lot but I wish I could still use my old Titleist 821 Tour Model irons but at 64 that isn't going to happen since they have extra stiff shafts and built up grips. I could have them re-shafted and gripped, but I kind of want to leave them in their glorious original state. You want to see something really scary? Pick up the 1 - iron from this set and and address the ball, lol!

Interesting that I just dug out my old blades and shot under my handicap by 3, off 14. Felt like a comfortable pair of slippers. Needed an extra club for longer irons. Took a few holes to get back into the short game. Thanks for the reviews. Please keep going. From New Zealand

Nice documentary style video, different from the more usual vloggy stuff. I liked it a lot. Great video Rick

Good video rick. Really like the talking to other people part keep it up. Cheers from BC Canada

I have been a mid handicap golfer on and off for years now and I have been keen to move onto blades for a while.. this video has helped and the comments.. always great help thanks again

My last set of forgiving irons were 12 yrs ago, I tried blades for the 1st time as a 12 HC... never played anything else since. Love the feel and the consistency.

I personally use a set of Mizuno Blades I purchased roughly 15 years ago. I love the way they feel, I find them very consistent distance wise, and they definitely look awesome!

I play blades and I’m not going to be taking them out of the bag. The control I get from them is unrivaled. You can keep your extra distance from the cavitied irons. Great vid.

I grew up with blades as a first set of clubs. I'm used to the look of little offset and a more compact head. The shaft is important and newer potential players of blades can obtain a great feel if they find a shaft that fits their swing speed and tempo. My two favorite sets were Top Flite Tour Edition irons Bird on Ball logo. and Mizuno MP 14.

I love the small head but I play Mizuno forged cavity backs. Nothing gives me more confidence behind the ball than blades but the tiny added forgiveness in a CB helps. Gives me the small head design that I can work but just a little extra help. Blades are definitely not dead. Not even close.

Learned on a set of titleist accu-flo's.. you learn where the sweet spot is pretty quickly on blades(dime sized spot a half-inch from center toward heel on these), and your focus shifts from mechanics to strike location. Blades can be great for over-thinking golfers.

I use an old muscle back blade Mizuno tzoid pro 1 originals I still have good distances with them my 7iron 175-180 5 iron 205-210

I play old Wilson Staff FG-51 forged blades Circa 1991. I absolutely love the feel. I have a 1 iron through sand wedge but use alternate wedges. Great video!

Late, but this video has made me realize that I learned how to play golf on a really old set of bladed clubs. And I got a new cavitied set as a gift, but I havent been able to shake the feeling that the old clubs felt much better when I hit it well. This explains a lot

I play ping i500 irons and i absolutely love them. I( feel like the are the perfect balance between looking great and performing great.

I have never seen a square driving range basket.

Play Ping S57. Love the look, the feel and the “honesty” of a bladed iron. The “honesty” thing is actually the reason I chose the Ping S57 irons, which although not a blade, it gave me an iron that was honest and therefore could learn from my mistakes and get instant feedback of a poor strike. Ironically, one of the best irons I’ve owned for feedback of strike was the set of Lynx CTS-1 Black Cat irons. For a cavity back, they were a very nice looking club too. I would very happily play a forged iron set. In fact, would be more matter of fact about a less than good strike, or result and take the effective punishment without fuss.

I'm still playing my Titleist your model blades from around 1987. I bought the 2-sw and still love them today.

Rick this was such a well produced video - and the interactions with the average golfer was a perfect touch! Really enjoyed this!

I’ve used MP33s for a long time & I love them 6-9 irons only, beautiful 👍

I Play the Wilson Staff model and they are exceptional... they replaced my Wilson FG62 another great blade!

Love them, always played with them from a young age - Mizuno Pro MS series, later Cleveland Tour CG1 etc. - exactly what you are saying: distance control: behind the green is not usually a great place to be. Also the look and the feel is what helps - without the feel I would struggle (I tried clubs with a lot of weight in the bottom, an awful experience) The Wilson's are beautiful, by the way :)

I started playing golf in 1970, all we had were blades! My 1st matched set Wilson Sam Sneads, then I started playing Macgregor as a BIG Nicklaus fan! Nobody knew long irons were scary back then! Carried on with (mostly) blades till 3 months ago with S59’s, now using i210’s but if I can get my old game back, hello Blueprints!😍😘

I've been playing my Hogan Apex ii for 40 years, love them!

I have a set of Wilson Staff Dynapower blades from around 1970, given to me by my grandfather. I keep the 4 iron in my bag and it is very effective for hitting low shots out of the rough or under trees. I hit it from around 100 yards out. After seeing this video, I think I will take the 9 out and see what I can so with it. It was my favorite club years ago.

Love the look of a blade and have never played anything else. But now looking at a completely new set might be leaning to a mixed set. There is absolutely nothing like the feel of hitting a ball using a blade😲 PURE! 👍🇨🇦

i’m a mid-low handicapper and i play wilson tour blades from the 80’s and in my experience the “players” clubs such as blades have drastically improved my golf game. they’ve made me a better ball striker and afford me all the control and feel i want. i think the transition to blades is something every golfer would benefit from. BLADES ARE NOT DEAD 😂

I play with the legendary Titleist ap1 718 steel shafted clubs and im 13 years old. Rick keep up the goid work!!!

Rick, I just returned to this video after picking up a set of 2011 TM Tour Preferred MB/CB 3-P, and I don't regret it one bit even though I'm a 25ish handicapper. Absolutely LOVE the feel of these things, and they look so much better than my chunky 716 AP1's that I hit no better. Blades it is!

Blades will over time improve your ball striking. The smaller sweet spot, which is still rather big from a historical perspective, will recalibrate and fine tune your swing path and strike. They will improve your game if you're a good iron and especially short iron player. If you are not a good player, then they will have the same effect. They will make you get your ball striking in a better shape. Of course, there will be a lot of bad feeling shots along the way, but these little "failures" are what motivates and gives you the feedback to improve. I tried the cavity backs for a while and didn't like them because of their inconsistency, especially around the greens.

Titleist 712mb irons 3-PW I’ve been playing blades since I started playing. My dad gave me my first and said if you can hit these you will be a pretty good player.

I have mizuno mp18 Sc with the mentality of moving forward on skill not forgiveness 18HC

I've watched your videos for several years and this may be your best. My dad gave me a set of Walter Hagen blades in the 80's and I played with them a few years before trying to buy a better game with new irons, it didn't work. My longest run was with a set of Titleist 981 irons and they are great. Currently in the bag is a set of AP2's. I'm a 12 handicap and like most of us wonder if I should go to a more forgiving set would help my scores. I tried that for one season with a set of AP1's, and it didn't help. I like my AP2's and have no plans to replace them, but I do bring the old Haig Ultra blades out sometimes just for fun. Keep making videos like this, we need it.

Blade's in my humble opinion are the best game improvement irons

I tried blades for the first time a few weeks ago. The feel on good shots was amazing and the bad shots weren't really all that bad. Definitely considering getting blades in the future

I don’t play now but when I did, I played off 8 and used mizuno tp11’s and really loved those clubs. Keep on doing what your doing Rick & maybe one day I’ll return. 😀

I love blades, I use a Wilson Staff Tour Blade set 1-PW from the late 80´s- I love it. It was a present from my uncle (PGA Pro in the 80s)

Wilson v6. Love them. Thin and good from the top with a pretty solid about of forgiveness. Kinda weird how forgiving they have been.

I'm still using my FG17's. Love them still.

This was really well presented. I began to play in the mid 90's. Began with cavity backs. Had some old school Ping irons. As a lefty it was difficult to find reasonably priced clubs that fit my game and suited my eye. After being able to break 90 consistently, I had a set of Nike blade knock offs made with Harrison shafts. The 1st day i went to the range I thought out loud "how am I going to hit with these?". By comparison, they felt pure. They felt like an extension of my hands. What I didn't realize was that being more consistent with my technique and ball striking, made the clubs give me that extra feel. When you mishit an iron though, it will let you know immediately. So it makes you focus. Not long after switching to blades, I broke 80 twice in back to back weeks. Fast forward twenty plus years later, I still have them, but arthritis has crept into my knees so golf is very difficult.

I’m old school. Grew up when there was nothing else and never felt comfortable looking down on oversized clubs. I like the feedback they give you.

I absolutely love bladed irons. The Wilson Staff blades in my opinion has always been the best looking blades!😍😍 Great video Rick and i dont feel blades are dead. I think more people should try them as they might just surprise themselves.🏌🏻‍♂️

I love this Rick! Getting the opinion of different skill level golfers gives more perspective. Also, I've been recently been considering getting a set of blades even as a mid handicapper. So this is great insight. 😀

When I was a 6 and lower I loved my blades. Still use the if I was up to 12 cap. I love the small the head look and my 3 iron was one of my absolute favourite especially on short par 4’s where you want only 210m drives leaving a full wedge into the green.

Must admit Rick you opened my eyes on blades. I've always been terrified of them, I'm 15hc and always used Ping cavity clubs, simply because they look easier to hit. But my son uses blades he's a 5 HC. So maybe I need to rethink my clubs. Love your videos, keep up the good work. Dave B, Chichester West Sussex

When I played at least 5 days a week (9 holes) I played with my 1967 vintage Wilson Staffs ( also had 1964's) not as good as the 67's but loved to play with them cause they allowed me better control and better shot making ability than my modern Titlist cavity I also have. Also the blades helped me know what condition my swing was in. If things went off the rails, then I'd get out the cavities and work it out. :) Love those blades!

Titleist Mb 718 👌🏼 can’t beat a blade for feel, control and shot shaping!

I played with Wilson Staff blades for 30 years. Love them. Older now and don't play as often, have gone to cast. Miss the 3 iron...

I play Mizuno Hot Metal Pro irons. They’re close enough to a blade look for me. I’m convinced that one of the problems with traditional blades in the past was the lack of choice in shafts. You’d always have Dynamic Gold R300, S300 and nothing else. Twenty years ago they were way too heavy for me. Now with all the emphasis on fitting it’s a different story. If I was knee deep in money I’d get a set of the current Mizuno blades with a Nippon Zelos 7 shaft, a shaft you might see on the ladies tour being used by a 140 lb girl. Being 70 they suit me perfectly...light like graphite but with loads of feel. Rick, you are one of those guy who could break 75 using hockey sticks. Thanks for a fun video with good group of guys pitching in.

I’ve played Titleist 690 MB’s since 2005 and they made me a much better player. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Love the control I get with them.

I have a gorgeous set of MP-33 blades that I haven't swung in five years - you've inspired me to dust them off and give them a try.

Gone back to playing a mid 80ies set of top flyte blades, love them .Although have to hit a club stronger on my yardages.

Mizuno mp18. My first set of blades and honestly I had no problem hitting them and I was coming from r7 tp. For me, it's the look at address. I have a problem hitting clubs with thicker top lines. Another thing I really liked was the feedback. I could actually feel off center strikes and make adjustments mid round. The distance control seemed a lot more consistent too.

If u can practice hitting blades to the point where your striking is on point then u can hit anything I switched to blades! I was a 18HC and lowered to 11HC in about just 2months

I have been playing a set of 2 thru PW of Mizuno MP37s for 18 years. LOVE THEM! I have recently hit some newer irons. Im 67 years old and I like the new shafts and irons. I recently hit some newer irons and was 20 to 30 yards further than my blades. But the feel when you stripe one, OMG

Those irons look great. I bought a set of Wilson blades in 1990 when I first started playing. Only set of irons I've ever owned.

Wilson staff most underrated clubs on the market

Until recently blades were the only irons available (I've been playing for nearly 70 years!! Once upon a time scratch, now 5). I've never used anything else.

P790’s are my favorite clubs out! I’ve hit and owned pretty much every call away and taylormafe irons besides the big bulky ones. I had the p770’s which were more of a blade and switched to the 790’s which are just a little bigger but imo look better. They’re also about 10-15 yards longer. My 7 iron for instance with the 770’s go about 160-165- and with the 790’s I carry about 175. The new technology basically gives you the feel and look of a blade with the forgiveness of a larger iron in a small- medium package.

Very nice video Rick! I have both blades & perimeter weighted irons, and I prefer playing with my blades. I am a mid-handicap golfer and agree 100% with your views around the blades. They aren't as long as my other irons, but I seem to enjoy more feel and can shape my shots easier. A miss hit shot in winter is not fun, but when you do strike it well, it's silky smooth! Thank you for a very interesting video!

"Whats inside" sent me here, cheers!

Gary Woodland just won the US Open with these gorgeous irons. Another major won with Wilson. How many is that now? 62?

Great vid Rick, love your enthusiasm for the game, keep em coming 👍

I play blades and I love them! Ben Hogan Icon irons with Equaliser 2 wedges.... Gorgeous clubs with the best feel!

Drop a club Not suprised (compared to cavity back, inserts etc) but!!! When you can strike a ball well consistently, as said, they focus your game. To use an analogy ' like threading a needle with thread'.

Hey there Rick! When are you going to do a top 10 on Drivers and Iron for 2019? Thank you!

Your Video hits a Soft Spot. Never wanted the game to be easy. Love the challenge. Hogan Radials were first set I ever bought and they still look great. Moved to Mizuno MP69's to this day. Struggling with new 69's, I was approached at the range by retired Touring Professional Mike Colandro (RIP), he took the 3-Iron, dropped on the ground and said "We won't need that, get a hybrid", to which I said "If I'm paying you, you'll teach me how to hit that"! He said "You can't cheat with blades, No scooping. Trap the ball!" Weeks later I would rattle off a bucket with only the 3 - like butter. I had to laugh when you pulled the 3 and shuttered! :-). It's not my favorite club, but it's my favorite story and thank you for your channel and the opportunity to tell it again!

Nothing beats the feel of a well struck blade. And if you can work the ball these will clubs can do so much. Mainly it is the feel that is addictive. I play a set of Mizuno MP-14's from 1997. As good as any iron on the market today. I may change woods and wedges, but not my Mizuno's.

Sometimes I try practicing with Mizuno M-14s blades because I know immediately when I don't hit the sweet spot, which is the size of a dime. The distance drops off and the contact does not feel good. But I switch to Titleist DCI 981 cavity-back for competing with friends and family on the course. The sweet spot seems larger, size of a quarter. Both sets have the same stiff steel shaft. When I hit a blade well, it feels like a hot knife through soft butter, and nothing compares. But when I hit it outside the sweet spot, it let's you know with your hands and ball flight, which helps to fine-tune your swing.

I’ve been using MP32s with project X rifle shafts since 2006. I wouldn’t swap them for anything. Blades rock! 🏌️‍♂️

I learned to play with blades when I was young. @ 14 I acquired a set of tour Sounder blades... the smallest blade out there. Anyway, after years on blades, when I made the switch to, actually Pings. I was instantly a scratch golfer. From a solid 2 or 3 hdk.

Speaking for myself I always love the sound of the blade striking the ball specially on camera most beautifulest sound of golf I guess all the other clubs do that too but for me the thinner the line on the top of the club the more appealing it is for me

I'll never sell my Wilson Staff Fluid Feel's from the 80's (I Think!) So beautiful and so lovely to play; sure, frustrating some times, but you can't beat the feel of hitting a blade well!