In my 4 years of playing I have only played with the z5. Originally they were made in the USA, but now made in Mexico. They are basically indestructible, but after years of use they become more of a control paddle as they start to lose their pop. As far as I know they have always been made with a nomex core and graphite face. Great overall paddle, don’t fall for the hype of the newer more expensive paddles
Played with this for my first year. It’s good enough to where I didn’t initially know how inferior it actually is. Sort of a backhanded compliment. It’s got good pop especially with lead tape. IMO it’s lack of spin and touch hold it back. Not a terrible paddle but not worth what it’s priced at. Especially considering you could pay a little more on something else and be much better off. I use a warrior and the difference is amazing.
How could you be so wrong. The original X5 I own was made in Mexico and is one of the fastest paddles on the market for pure sweet spot speed. The inner honeycomb shaped core is made from fire retardant material known as Nomex. This material creates high pitched pop when struck and produces much power. The one you have is a slower more control model with slower polymer replacing Nomex in the core. I have this one and it was made in China. You can tell newer model cheaper made, slower, but cost the same. It will replace faster better made original model made with Nomex in core. All companies have replaced faster core materials for cheaper, easy to mold, and slower plastic known as Polymer. The outer face of paddles are made from different material often a mixture of materials for speed, control or spin.
