Wood Pickleball Paddle Review | Durability & Playability Insights

Original Big Wood Pickleball Paddle

The Original Big Wood Pickleball Paddle offers a unique blend of sustainability, craftsmanship, and performance. With a patent-pending Hollow Core design, this paddle is made from high-quality basswood and walnut, making it not only eco-friendly but also durable and aesthetically pleasing. This mid-weight paddle is ideal for players of all levels who value control, power, and spin, while also appreciating sustainability and luxury in their equipment. Whether you’re an intermediate player or advanced, this paddle promises to enhance your performance while helping the planet.

Specifications

• Weight: 8.1 – 8.3 oz
• Dimensions: 16 1/4″ L x 7 5/8″ W
• Thickness: 0.78″ (20 mm overall)
• Material: Basswood core, Walnut face
• Handle Length: 5.5″
• Grip Circumference: 4.25″ with overgrip

Big Wood Pickleball Paddle Performance Analysis

• Control/Feel: Soft and forgiving around the net.
• Power: Impressive for a wooden paddle, generates significant power.
• Spin: Surprising spin potential for a wooden paddle, although it may reduce over time with play.
• Pop: Great pop when driving the ball, with a distinct wooden sound.
• Forgiveness: Mediocre forgiveness.
• Maneuverability: Slightly head-heavy but still maneuverable for quick play.

In-Depth Review

Design & Build Quality

The Original Bigwood Pickleball Paddle is a great looking paddle with it’s exceptional craftsmanship and design. The basswood core and two-ply walnut face give the paddle a unique, elegant look while ensuring durability. The eco-friendly materials, including the biodegradable Eco-Poly finish and custom tanned leather grip with a biodegradable overgrip on top of it, add a luxurious touch. Each paddle is handcrafted in the USA, meaning no two paddles are exactly the same, and the leather edge guard (yes, an edge guard made of leather) enhances both the durability and aesthetic appeal.

Big Wood Pickleball Paddle On-Court Performance

Control

This paddle shines in control, especially in precision shots at the net. It’s soft touch around the kitchen (which was surprising) makes it ideal for players who rely on dinking and finesse shots. Despite being wood, the paddle doesn’t feel clunky, delivering smooth and accurate ball placement.

Power

The Original Bigwood paddle offers an impressive amount of power for a wood-based paddle. The design and weight, combined with the slightly head-heavy feel, helps generate strong drives, giving players the ability to hit powerful shots.

Spin

Although wooden paddles are generally not favored for spin, the Bigwood paddle pleasantly surprised me. The walnut face paired with the basswood core enables decent spin generation. While the surface may smooth out with extended use, it’s also possible that, due to the wooden face, the pickleball will continue to roughen the surface, helping maintain spin over time.

Pop

The paddle delivers a satisfying pop on drives and hard hits. The natural flex of the wood gives it a unique responsiveness compared to traditional composite paddles, and the sound it produces is distinct and enjoyable.

Forgiveness

Off-center hits are handled okay by the Bigwood paddle. Its 20 mm thickness and Hollow Core design create a large sweet spot, allowing for decent performance even when the ball isn’t struck perfectly.

Maneuverability

Despite its slightly head-heavy design, the Bigwood paddle remains maneuverable. Players can react quickly in fast exchanges, though those used to lighter paddles may need time to adjust.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
  • Eco-friendly and sustainable materials
  • Beautiful, handcrafted design
  • Excellent control
  • Decent power and pop for a wooden paddle
  • Unique sound and feel
• Cons:
  • Grip could be more cushioned for comfort
  • Slightly head-heavy for some players
  • Higher price point for a wooden paddle

Player Feedback

Customers have praised the Original Bigwood paddle for its unique look. Many also appreciated the combination of power, spin, and eco-friendly design, noting that it performs surprisingly well for a wood paddle. Overall, players are thrilled with its performance and aesthetics.

Final Thoughts

The Original Bigwood Pickleball Paddle is a unique option for players who value sustainability, luxury, and performance. Its all-court playability makes it versatile for different play styles, and the eco-friendly materials used in its construction appeal to environmentally conscious players. The paddle’s performance rivals mid-tier composite paddles, making it a good choice for intermediate and advanced players looking for a unique and powerful wood paddle. Similar paddles on the market, may offer different materials but cannot match the Bigwood paddle’s eco-conscious craftsmanship.

Comparable Paddles

(This paddle is uniquely all wood, but plays similar to these paddles)

• Stinger MC-1
• Redeemed Genesis
• Mak Pickleball Hoggox Blade

Q&A

• Q: What is the weight of the Original Bigwood paddle?
  A: The paddle weighs between 8.1 – 8.3 oz, making it a mid-weight paddle.
• Q: Does the paddle generate enough power for aggressive players?
  A: Yes, the slightly head-heavy design allows for significant power generation, suitable for aggressive players.
• Q: Is the grip comfortable?
  A: The tanned leather grip with the biodegradable overgrip on top is durable, but some players have noted that it could be softer for more comfort.
• Q: Can this paddle generate spin?
  A: Surprisingly, yes. The walnut face helps generate a decent amount of spin, although it may smooth over time.
• Q: Where can I buy the wooden paddle?
  A: The Bigwood paddle sells for $220, but use discount code PICKLETIP for 10% Off bringing the price to $198 at the official website.