RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm vs 14mm (Ignatowich vs Ryan Fu)
RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm vs 14mm: these are the same $358 elongated RPM Friction Pro V2, the James Ignatowich 16mm and the Ryan Fu 14mm, so almost everything is shared and the whole decision comes down to core thickness. Both run the same tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core and the same CarbonBite carbon face in an elongated frame, both are Gen 3 and listed Professional. The 16mm Ignatowich is the thicker, more forgiving, more plow-through build: a higher swing weight of 117, a higher twist weight of 6.5, and a touch more weight at 224 g. The 14mm Ryan Fu is the thinner, faster, crisper build: a lower swing weight of 113, 3 g lighter at 221 g, and a published 2300+ RPM spin figure, tuned for competition quickness and feel. Want the softer, more forgiving 16mm feel with a bit more plow-through? The Ignatowich is the pick. Want a crisper, faster paddle with more pop and quicker hands? The Ryan Fu 14mm is the one. Every real spec is below, then our honest take on who each suits.
We stock both at Pickld. Here is the honest read.
RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm vs 14mm: specs side by side
| Spec | Friction Pro V2 16mm (Ignatowich) | Friction Pro V2 14mm (Ryan Fu) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (RRP) | $358.00 | $358.00 |
| Weight | 224 g (7.9 oz) | 221 g (7.8 oz) |
| Swing weight | 117 | 113 |
| Twist weight | 6.5 | 6.2 |
| Spin | Not published | 2300+ RPM |
| Core | Tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam | Tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam |
| Face | CarbonBite carbon (Axial Carbon Layup) | CarbonBite carbon (Axial Carbon Layup) |
| Core thickness | 16 mm | 14 mm |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Grip | 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference | 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference |
| Generation | Gen 3 | Gen 3 |
| Skill tier | Professional | Professional |
| Play style | Power, Spin | Power, Spin |
| Availability at Pickld | In stock; the product page is the live figure | In stock; the product page is the live figure |
| Warranty | RPM manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) | RPM 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
Friction Pro V2 16mm (James Ignatowich)
The 16mm is the more forgiving, more plow-through of the two, and it is the paddle James Ignatowich plays. Same tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core, same CarbonBite carbon face, same elongated frame as the 14mm, but the thicker 16mm core softens the feel and adds a little dwell on the ball, which helps on resets and blocks at the kitchen. It carries the higher swing weight at 117 and the higher twist weight at 6.5, so it is the steadier head on off-centre contact and drives with a touch more mass behind it. At 224 g it is 3 g heavier than the 14mm. If you want the softer, more forgiving feel and a bit more plow-through on drives, this is the one.
Friction Pro V2 14mm (Ryan Fu)
The 14mm is the crisper, faster paddle, and it is Ryan Fu's competition build. The thinner 14mm core gives a firmer, more responsive feel and more pop straight off the face, and the lower swing weight of 113 makes the head quicker in fast hands battles. It is 3 g lighter at 221 g, and it publishes a 2300+ RPM spin figure where the 16mm does not publish one. The trade for that speed and crispness is a slightly lower twist weight at 6.2, so the head is marginally less forgiving on off-centre hits than the 16mm. If you want a fast, crisp, popping paddle for a hands and speed game, this is the pick.
The verdict: which should you buy?
- Pick the Friction Pro V2 16mm (Ignatowich) if you want the softer, more forgiving 16mm feel, the steadier head (117 swing weight, 6.5 twist weight) and a touch more plow-through on drives and resets.
- Pick the Friction Pro V2 14mm (Ryan Fu) if you want a crisper, more responsive feel, quicker hands (113 swing weight), more pop off the face and a published 2300+ RPM spin figure.
And who each one is not for
Skip the 16mm if you want the fastest hands and the crispest, most responsive feel. The 14mm is quicker in the swing and pops more off the face, which suits a speed and hands game better.
Skip the 14mm if you want the most forgiveness and a softer feel. The 16mm has the higher twist weight and the thicker, softer core, so it is steadier on off-centre contact and easier to reset with.
Both are the same $358 elongated Friction Pro V2, so this really is a core-thickness call. 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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- JOOLA Perseus Pro V vs RPM Q2
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm and 14mm?
They are the same $358 elongated Friction Pro V2 with the same tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core and the same CarbonBite carbon face, so the difference is core thickness and how it plays. The 16mm (James Ignatowich) is thicker, softer and more forgiving, with a higher swing weight of 117 and a higher twist weight of 6.5. The 14mm (Ryan Fu) is thinner, crisper and faster, with a lower swing weight of 113, 3 g less weight and a published 2300+ RPM spin figure.
Is a 16mm or 14mm paddle better?
Neither is better outright, they suit different games. A 16mm core is softer and more forgiving with more dwell on the ball, which helps resets and control. A 14mm core is firmer and more responsive with more pop and quicker hands, which suits a speed and hands game. On this pair the 16mm is the Ignatowich, the 14mm is the Ryan Fu, and both cost $358.
Which one spins more?
The 14mm Ryan Fu publishes a 2300+ RPM spin figure, while the 16mm Ignatowich does not publish a spin number. Both share the same CarbonBite carbon face, so the grit is the same; the thinner 14mm core is what lets it publish the figure it does. We list the maker's published numbers and do not guess where one is absent.
Which is more forgiving?
The 16mm Ignatowich is the more forgiving of the two, with a twist weight of 6.5 versus the 14mm's 6.2 and a thicker, softer core. Higher twist weight means the head resists rotating on an off-centre hit, so contact away from the sweet spot stays truer.