Seems like a fairly thorough test, with many iron models having been reviewed. The testers appear to be value conscious in their grading, but Epon's are still ranked much lower than the Snake Eyes 675B for instance, in both value and feel. Surprising.

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Golf/News/se...amp;R=EPI-22716

Epon AF-301
TG rating rating is 2.5/5 Stars

These top-end forgings performed reasonably well in our test, but they failed to stand out in any department and lost crucial marks in the value category. Our testers questioned if the huge pricetag was worth it, as there seemed no obvious payback in actual performance or results, and there were even some reports of a harsh and unforgiving feel. But, these are still seriously high-quality clubs with sleek and stylish looks, giving plenty of niche appeal, and are clearly aimed at the discerning golfer looking for something a little different.

Snake Eyes 675B
TG rating rating is 4/5 Stars

Only just pipped to our Bronze award, the 675 won admirers in our test and our test pro loved its soft feel and all-round performance. Players will appreciate the forgiveness on off-centre hits, while the design maintains a traditional appearance, with a thin top line, bevelled Tour-grind sole and minimal offset. With a shiny chrome finish, this is a real players’ club and gave solid results. We tested the musclebacks, but the 675C cavity backs are also available for more forgiveness. Both can be combined to create a combo set.

This post has been edited by rexwrx: Apr 16 2008, 12:06 PM

Wonder how the set was shafted and put together... one thing we've discovered is the right shaft choice in the AF-301 is crucial. That harsh and unforgiving feel is not what most here would say, and many here have been playing them far longer than those testers did probably only in a short time. Also they posted a pic of the AF-501... did they review the right iron? (^_^)

Let's have it guy's. We have members here who have hit R7TP, Epon, Vega, Titleist, and others what you say?

Thing that makes me not agree with this test is that I have TMTP irons, Vega, Titleist, and Epon irons here with me and the Epon and Kyoei are noticeably softer than the TM TP and others they rank so high.

They are ranking 1035 & Cast irons as better feeling than 1020 & 1025 Forged irons.

I dunno my 301s w/1150s are pretty much a perfect match for me. Moreover my 301s w/1150s are way more forgiving than my mp60s w/s300s. As far as harsh.... never been harsh for me, MP60s are WAY harsher w/DGs300s, dunno maybe it could have been the shaft, cuz 1150s are pretty darn smooth.

I have owned TMracs(miuras), R7TPs, R7 forged, Mizuno 37s 32s amd 60s, titleist 680cbs 695mbs. (some friends of mine play snake eye blades, callaway big berthas, etc.... they say "JDM is to expensive")

IMO none of these clubs compare my epons. LOL in fact, I'll come right out and say it, "I literally think snake eyes are cheapo knock offs that anyone can buy." Not saying they suck... but I wouldn't buy them.

I don't think it is even fair that TG compared the 301 to a snake eye club. lol Its like comparing a VW beetle to a 911turbo.

Hands down Epon goes in my bag. All my other sets except the R7 forged, have been sold.


2.5/5 is really odd for epon

The main problem is the UK sterling price tag.... something like 1200 GBP if i remember - that's $2500 US for the standard no customised set! (only 5 - PW also maybe?). Here in Thailand they're not cheap - but cost about same as Tourstage, ie ~ $1000 for a 5-Pw set.

If the tester knew the price before hiiting the ball..... he'd expect them to feel like the inside of a chinchilla fur lined codpiece!

coops

Ha! My beloved Scratch Ar-1s with 1018 steel didn;t even make it to the test LOL. And I still love my Ar-1s.

NO doubt about it Chris. I read the article on the newstand, and I could not believe my eyes. I understand the value criteria, definitely not cheap clubs, but when it comes to performance and feel, they are second to none. The feel of a well-struck iron, does not even compare.

I have had so many golfers on the driving range, some of them PGA Pros, come to me and ask me what irons I am hitting, just from the sound at impact.


Epon RULES.....

the test seems questionable, shows a pic of the AF-501, but test it's supposedly on the AF-301, and then they test the Bridgestone J33. They dont even make that model anymore. Did the mean J36? , pic shows a J33.... hmmmm

Hmmm British Golfing mags never give in-depth reviews, I don;t know of anyone that takes them seriously.....

They are used by consumers to see what is new/available at a particular pricepoint.

You never know the full spces of what they are testing. I wouldn;t be surprised to find out they'd
mixed the review up.

Today's Golfer always struck me as a 'tabloid' type of mag. ie. not taken seriously.... just my opinion though!

I have played more than 1/2 the clubs listed better than EPON and I didn't find one the comes close to the feel or craftmanship of the Epon AF 301. I am makeing the assumption that 301 is just like the Technica Pro 1, which is the set of irons I have in the bag.

They clearly have no clue what they're talking about. Just look at their review of the Srixon i701 -

"The press-milled face increases spin control in rough and wet conditions, and a new sole design reduces turf drag from all lies. Decent performance and solid feel were plus points, but a slight lack of forgiveness in our test meant that Srixon’s offering fell a little short of the top scorers."

First of all, the i701 (non-tour) doesn't come with press-milled face. I'm also willing to bet that they are by far one of the most forgiving sets in the test. Certainly more forgiving than MP67, MT-Pro, ZB Forged, TP Forged, etc. Of course we here know they were probably talking about the i701 TOUR and not the regular i701. But it just shows how incompetent they are by using the regular i701 in the picture, title, AND description when they're clearly talking about the i701 Tour. I really feel sorry for some their readers that may not know any better.

Bat

Btw, AF-301 HARSH?!! you have got to be kidding me.

This post has been edited by Bat: Apr 17 2008, 04:48 AM

Here's a quote of their description of the Ping i10 "...with a noticeably penetrating ball flight created by its low centre of gravity." Hmmm Reeally??

Also, along with the incorrect photos of the Epon and Srixon, the Snake Eyes pictured is the 675C not 675B.

Bat

This post has been edited by Bat: Apr 17 2008, 05:10 AM

We have now learned that this magazine rates the club based on the amount of money the golf OEM spends on advertising in that magazine. Anyway that is what their bigger competitor says as well as Itochu which is the EU distributor for Epon.