Franklin C45 Parris Todd vs Six Zero Boulder Opal
Franklin C45 Parris Todd vs Six Zero Boulder Opal: two premium spin-and-power hybrids that arrive at the job from opposite directions. The Franklin C45 Parris Todd is a fast, head-light paddle: a thin 13.25mm PowerFlex honeycomb core with an inner foam channel, a 45-degree T700 raw carbon face, and a very low swing weight of 104 that makes the head whip through fast hands. It runs a long 14.5cm (5.7 in) handle for two-handed backhands and sits at $379.99. The Six Zero Boulder Opal is the more planted paddle: a 14mm G4 aerospace solid foam core in a Carbon Lite frame, a grippy SharkSkin raw carbon face, a higher swing weight of 115 and a higher twist weight of 6.4 for more plow-through and a steadier head, and it costs $300. Both are hybrid shapes tagged Power, Spin, both suit intermediate-to-pro players. Want the quickest hands and a long handle? The Parris Todd. Want more stability, a solid foam core and a lower price? The Boulder Opal. Every real spec is below, then our honest take on who each suits.
We stock both at Pickld. Here is the honest read.
Franklin C45 Parris Todd vs Six Zero Boulder Opal: specs side by side
| Spec | Franklin C45 Parris Todd | Six Zero Boulder Opal |
|---|---|---|
| Price (RRP) | $379.99 | $300.00 |
| Weight | 220 g avg (7.75 oz) | 227-235 g (8.0-8.3 oz) |
| Swing weight | 104 | 115 |
| Twist weight | 5.6 | 6.4 |
| Spin | Not published | Not published |
| Core | PowerFlex polymer honeycomb, inner foam channel | G4 aerospace solid foam |
| Face | 45-degree T700 raw carbon fibre | SharkSkin raw carbon fibre |
| Core thickness | 13.25 mm | 14 mm |
| Shape | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Grip | 14.5 cm (5.7 in) handle, 4.15 in circumference | 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference |
| Skill tier | Intermediate, Professional | Professional |
| Play style | Power, Spin | Power, Spin |
| Approval | USAP and UPA approved | See product page |
| Availability at Pickld | In stock; the product page is the live figure | In stock; the product page is the live figure |
| Warranty | Franklin manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) | Six Zero manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) |
Specs are the manufacturer figures we hold on each product page. Where a number is not published by the maker, we say so rather than guess. Availability moves, so the product page is always the live answer.
How they actually play
Franklin C45 Parris Todd
The C45 Parris Todd is Franklin's fast, tour-ready hybrid, built to Parris Todd's spec. Its 13.25mm PowerFlex polymer honeycomb core with an inner foam channel is the poppier, springier construction of the two here, and paired with a very low swing weight of 104 it gives you the quickest hands at the kitchen and the easiest paddle to whip through a fast exchange. The 45-degree T700 raw carbon face is built for grip and spin, and the long 14.5cm handle suits two-handed backhands and reach on the drive. The trade for that speed is stability: at a twist weight of 5.6 it is the less forgiving head on off-centre contact, so it rewards clean central striking. If you want the fastest, poppiest paddle with a long handle, this is the one, and at $379.99 it is the pricier of the pair.
Six Zero Boulder Opal
The Boulder Opal is the more planted, more forgiving paddle. Its 14mm G4 aerospace solid foam core in a Carbon Lite frame gives a firm, muted, consistent pop rather than the springy honeycomb feel of the Franklin, and it stays stable shot to shot. At a swing weight of 115 it drives with more mass behind it, and its twist weight of 6.4 is meaningfully higher than the Parris Todd's 5.6, so the head is steadier when you catch the ball off centre. The grippy SharkSkin raw carbon face keeps it spin-capable, and it is tagged Power, Spin like the Franklin. At $300 it is $80 cheaper. If you want more stability, more plow-through and a solid foam core for less money, this is the pick.
The verdict: which should you buy?
- Pick the Franklin C45 Parris Todd if you want the quickest hands (104 swing weight), a poppy honeycomb-and-foam-channel core, a long 14.5cm handle for two-handed backhands, and a tour-player build.
- Pick the Six Zero Boulder Opal if you want a more stable, more forgiving head (6.4 twist weight), a solid foam core with more plow-through, and a lower $300 price.
And who each one is not for
Skip the Parris Todd if you want the most forgiveness on off-centre hits or a lower price. The Boulder Opal has the higher twist weight of 6.4 and comes in $80 cheaper.
Skip the Boulder Opal if you want the very fastest hands and a long handle. The Parris Todd's 104 swing weight and 14.5cm handle are built for quick hands and two-handed backhands.
These two share a spin-and-power brief but split on core and speed, so it comes down to whether you value hand speed or stability. To see the wider bracket, browse our professional paddles, power paddles and spin paddles collections. Not sure on shape or weight? Browse the full paddle range.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Franklin C45 Parris Todd and the Six Zero Boulder Opal?
Both are premium hybrid paddles tagged Power and Spin, but they play differently. The Franklin C45 Parris Todd is faster and poppier: a 13.25mm PowerFlex honeycomb core with an inner foam channel, a very low swing weight of 104 for quick hands, a long 14.5cm handle, and a $379.99 price. The Six Zero Boulder Opal is more planted and forgiving: a 14mm G4 solid foam core, a higher swing weight of 115 and twist weight of 6.4 for more stability, and a lower $300 price.
Which one has faster hands?
The Franklin C45 Parris Todd has the faster hands. Its swing weight of 104 is well below the Boulder Opal's 115, and a lower swing weight means less effort to move the head, so it is quicker in fast exchanges at the kitchen line. The Boulder Opal trades some of that speed for more plow-through and stability.
Which is more forgiving on off-centre hits?
The Six Zero Boulder Opal is more forgiving, with a twist weight of 6.4 versus the Parris Todd's 5.6. Higher twist weight means the head resists twisting when you catch the ball away from the sweet spot, so mishits stay truer. The Parris Todd's lower twist weight is the trade for its faster, lighter head.
Do both paddles spin well?
Both are built for spin: the Parris Todd uses a 45-degree T700 raw carbon face and the Boulder Opal uses a SharkSkin raw carbon face, and both are tagged Spin. Neither manufacturer publishes an RPM figure for these two models, so we do not quote one. We list the maker's published numbers and say so where a figure is absent rather than guess.