The paddle Six Zero built its Australian reputation on — and the one Ben and Chris still reach for as a benchmark when they're testing everything else.
The quick verdict
The Six Zero Double Black Diamond is the paddle that put Six Zero on the map in Australia, and once you play a few sessions with it you understand why. Toray 700K raw carbon, foam-injected perimeter walls and Six Zero's Carbon Fusion Edge combine into a genuinely premium thermoform package at $224.99 AUD — a price that undercuts paddles it plays level with by $70 or more. Buy it if you're an intermediate-to-advanced all-court player who wants a forgiving, spin-heavy control paddle without paying pro-tier money. Skip it if you're chasing raw put-away power or a genuine elongated shape (more on that below — it's the single thing buyers get wrong about this paddle).
One thing to clear up first: shape
A lot of people search for the "Double Black Diamond elongated" — so let's settle it. The current Double Black Diamond is a 16mm thermoformed raw-carbon hybrid, not a true elongated blade. The hybrid shape splits the difference: more reach and sweet-spot than a widebody, more manoeuvrability and forgiveness than a full elongated. If your muscle memory is built around a long, narrow paddle you'll notice the difference at the kitchen — the DBD is quicker to reset than a 16.5" elongated. That's a feature for most club players, not a fault. But if you specifically want an elongated Six Zero, this isn't it, and it's worth knowing before you buy.
How it plays
The DBD's headline trait is spin that holds up. The Toray 700K face is genuinely gritty and stays that way well past the point where cheaper faces go smooth — Six Zero quote 2,000+ RPM and it earns it on third-shot drops and roll volleys. Off the bounce it's a control paddle first: the foam-injected perimeter and Carbon Fusion Edge push the sweet spot right out to the frame, so off-centre balls at the kitchen line still come off clean instead of fluttering.
Power is where you set your expectations. With a swing weight of 113 it's planted enough to drive a ball from the baseline but it's not a bomb — you generate pace with technique, not with the paddle doing the work. That's exactly what an intermediate-to-advanced control player wants, and exactly what a bang-it-flat power player will find underwhelming. On Sydney courts it's the paddle we keep coming back to as a reliable, no-surprises benchmark.
The specs
| Spec | Six Zero Double Black Diamond |
|---|---|
| Surface | Toray 700K raw carbon fibre |
| Core | Polypropylene honeycomb, foam-injected perimeter |
| Core thickness | 16mm |
| Shape | Hybrid (thermoformed) |
| Swing weight | ~113 |
| Edge tech | Carbon Fusion Edge (foam + carbon seam) |
| Colourways | Black (white logo) · Cherry (black edge) · Cherry (pink edge) |
| Price | $224.99 AUD |
Who it's for / who it isn't
Buy it if: you're a 3.5–4.5 all-court player who lives at the kitchen line, values a big forgiving sweet spot and heavy spin, and wants thermoform-tier build without spending $300+. It's a superb "one paddle does everything" pick and an ideal step-up from a starter paddle.
Skip it if: you're a power-first singles player who wants to end points off the drive, or you specifically want a true elongated shape for extra reach and put-away leverage. In that case look at a genuine elongated blade instead — the DBD's hybrid outline won't give you that lever.
Versus the rest of the Six Zero range
- vs Six Zero Coral 16mm: the Coral is the softer, more control-and-spin-biased sibling that's become Six Zero's runaway seller in Australia. The DBD is a touch more planted and driven; the Coral is more of a pure feel-and-touch paddle. If you want the full breakdown of Six Zero's two flagship colours, read our Coral vs Black Opal guide.
- vs Six Zero Black Opal: the Black Opal leans firmer and more power-forward. Players who find the DBD a little muted for their driving game often prefer the Opal's crisper pop.
- Not sure which Six Zero is you? Our Six Zero dealer guide maps the whole range by play style and budget.
The verdict
The Double Black Diamond earns its "put Six Zero on the map" status. For $224.99 you get raw Toray carbon spin, a sweet spot that forgives your worst hands battles, and thermoform build quality that reads well above the price. It's a control-and-spin all-rounder, not a power cannon, and it's a hybrid, not an elongated — get those two expectations right and it's one of the best-value serious paddles in the country. In stock now with free Australian shipping over $150.
Shop the Six Zero Double Black Diamond · Compare with the Coral 16mm · Browse the full Six Zero range
