Home News Puma and Panther, feline behavior for Black Crown

Puma and Panther, feline behavior for Black Crown

11/05/2017

This time, we come with the news for this year that Black Crown brings us, to which we are grateful that he always trusts us to test his shovels before they even go out to the public ... As a novelty, the test will not be a single shovel but of the two Pro models that will launch the brand: Puma and Panther. With them, they will cover the needs of all types of players, regardless of their style of play

Padel World Press .- We have had the pleasure, as we have already mentioned, of proving once again in scoop Pro shovels that brings us the brand of the 'Black Crown' before they go on sale, so from these lines do not tire of thanking One and a thousand times the trust placed in us.

For its Pro blades, Black Crown has chosen two names, Puma and Panther, whose common nexus is that they are feline, stealthy and deadly ... That is something that, without talking to the top managers of the firm about it (and after the test of both), we can say that it has a lot to do with their behavior.

Already in the WPT Santander we could see that one of the models, the Puma, was the weapon chosen for this season by the emblematic players of the brand: Marta Marrero and Tito Allemandi.

Said the previous thing, we are going to realize a joint test of both shovels but not with the aim of establishing a comparison, since they are two different shovels.

We have tested both models during several games and training sessions, so we can safely tell you that they have good durability ... They have hardly suffered or even any loss of paint. As we always say, we must never give the point for lost so we have not hesitated to risk with them and even so they were returned as new. So we give them a ten in this regard.

We start with the product in hand ...

The first thing that caught our attention was the color of the covers that protect them, to match the main color of the blades.

The Puma model comes with a cover in green color 'phospho', very striking that surely will delight those who like not to go unnoticed.

For its part, Panther is presented with a black case, which highlights the crown of the brand in gray, more discreet but no less beautiful.

Once with them in hand, we will describe them independently:

Panther, in a semi-teardrop shape, has the faces of the blade in the 'carbon seen' mode, of a base color in black, with the famous crown that gives the name to the brand very highlighted using the red color with yellow edges and the name of the model in red too.

It has the handle of medium size, with the rope of normal support and clearly to the touch we noticed that it has the weight moved to the head, although it is not something exaggerated.

Puma, in a semi-tear shape, also has the faces of the blade in the 'carbon seen' mode but with a very nice green base color, which is not striking but striking, and the crown in black with the edge in yellow and shovel pattern in yellow.

One of the first things that will catch the attention of anyone who wields it is that it will have the feeling that it seems smaller, even as if it did not have regulatory measures ... If we look closely, it does not have so much to do with the size of the face of the blade but with the size of the grip or handle. It has a large handle size that, added to the bridge that joins the face and the handle, makes the faces of the blade (the blade itself) be higher than normal ... That is why you have the feeling that it is smaller than what really is.

Once we get used to that feeling, not only does it not affect the ball hit but rather it helps us with the way of holding it because it does not allow us to take it higher if desired, it makes it easier to hit well above the balls that we hit. high (smash, x3, etc ...) and, above all, it is very comfortable for those who blows backwards (that each time is being taught more), and even on the right, do them in two hands (method used by the player nº1 Black Crown Marta Marrero).

The weight of this blade is very balanced, the rope is simple and it is very agile.

Likewise, we have to stop to comment on a detail that, even without knowing if the brand had this objective in its manufacture, has also caught our attention in these two models: On both sides of the bridge it has included a detail that stands out from it in material made of rubber with the name of Black Crown since this material helps a lot in backhand hits when holding the paddle with the non-dominant hand and offer a little resistance to launch the paddle. Being made of rubber, even with sweat we can comfortably hold the bridge with our fingers. It may not be a detail that many people do not care about and we insist that we do not know if the brand did it with that intention ... But we liked it because it helps.

We take our feline weapons and… to the track !!

As we have already said, we are going to analyze two shovels of the same brand within the same test but they are different from each other, so we are going to structure it by differentiating the behavior of each blade in each stroke.

As always we start the test with the rally at the bottom of the track.

With Puma we have a very comfortable shovel in the background. The touch is medium and moves from one side to the other without problems. If something starts to stand out of this model is that we have a perfect ball control in each hit. The output of the ball and the power seem well compensated so they do not affect much the speed we want to contribute in each shot. The sweet spot is very broad, I would almost say that it occupies almost all of the shovel, so you will not get tired of touching and touching from behind.

With Panther, we have a model that requires a little more concentration in each shot from the bottom of the track. The sweet spot is smaller, we would say of medium size, and the touch of the shovel is hard something that helps to have more control of the ball although it penalizes a little more when we play outside the sweet spot. We are noticing that it has more power than ball output so we have to accompany the shovel a bit more but it will help in other facets of the game how the defense will be.

It's time to take a few steps and go up to the net ... Let's volley.

With Puma we continue to emphasize the comfort that it offers us in the beating. Either because of its sweet spot or its middle touch, the fact is that we can hit the ball without fear of going crazy and with absolute control in each stroke. It is also on this side of the track that we begin to notice that it is a shovel that behaves quite well at the moment of applying speed to the ball. With regard to what we discussed in the 'product in hand' about the size of its grip and therefore, the total of the shovel, this is where it would cost us a bit to do it. Although it helps a little bit in the backcourt, in the volley it costs a bit to do it, but we repeat that it does not have a noticeable impact in the hitting (although it is worth noticing for those who do not get to it first).

With Panther, from the volley is when we started to see that he has a clear conception of attack. As soon as we grab a comfortable volley, we squeeze the ball and it shoots off causing great damage to the rivals. With the help of hard touch the lower volleys, or control, as well as the wall blocks will be very accurate. It is true that we lose a little touch with the ball, something that can penalize us a little more from the back of the court but not like that on this side. It is an attack blade, with a spectacular sound when we crush the ball.

And in this position, let's run the smash.

Puma is a shovel that has surprised us in this aspect. Until this moment we had not noticed that we had an aggressive shovel but rather of precision. However, once we hit the smash we see that it responds perfectly to this blow and even gives a small extra extra strength. Surprising when we hit the first time and although it is not a shovel that has this blow as special, we can say that we bring the balls without having to force our body more. Again, the size of the grip in this case will benefit us enough to grab the ball well up.

With Panther we confirm definitively we are facing an attack model. In the smash we add to its touch and sweet spot the weight slightly displaced to the head and, with it, we remove all the power that it has inside. It is a shovel of dry blows but with a perfect power but not much exaggerated. It is not one of the 'gunships', and it may not even be listed as a powerful shovel, but it is a role model in this type of blows, so those looking for a shovel to help in the smash, Panther helps but not be a 'smash balls'.

As soon as we go back to use the tray.

With Puma it is a blow to use without problems, both on the back side and on the right side. As much as if we need depth as if it is placement, we can take advantage of all kinds of hits with this shovel, very comfortable. Perhaps in the tray we miss a plus of aggressiveness but if we know how to give it to you from our hand, you will not have problems in obeying our order. At our service always.

With Panther, the tray stroke will require a plus of technique to execute it with full guarantee. It is a more difficult padel racket to tame, because the sweet spot will not play in our favor if we are more novices in this aspect ... On the other hand, for those who have the technique, they will have back an aggressive plus with which they will be delighted. Vipers are deadly. Technical and aggressive shovel, do you dare? We get it and boy do we have fun.

And we return, bound by the balloon, to make a wall outlet.

With Puma, a wall outlet with precision and varying speeds, does not enjoy much aggressiveness alone but we can do all the above and also hold the rival, perfect.

As for the balloons, these will go without problems because, as you will have noticed with all the above, is a shovel that costs very little to be done.

With Panther, the opposite is true. Although we have control we also have a very effective attack bonus for those starts that are high… In them we can lower the ball and hurt the brave who stays in the net. As for the variation of speeds and precision, once again it will require a plus that we have to put ourselves. If we are technicians, we will not be disappointed. As for the balloons, it is necessary to accompany the ball and mark the gesture well, otherwise we will not have problems for it to come out where we want.

When we go down from the back and legs in defence.

With Puma, agile and fast that does not penalize anything but does not add to our balls, it will be a good shovel to defend whenever we know how to do it. Having the sweet spot so broad will make our little mistakes are not so obvious and, therefore, we can continue to play the point.

With Panther, it would be necessary to say that this shovel is to apply force to the ball. Those balls that are almost impossible to lift simply with a small gesture will go effortlessly to the other side of the net. Undoubtedly, as soon as we have the chance to damage the opponent, we have to go up to the net, but while we achieve it, we will be able to endure even in the worst circumstances.

In summary…

Of aesthetics, we give a high note. They are very nice 'per se' shovels also have two sides on one side a striking and beautiful Puma and, on the other, a Panther with a sobriety that dazzles instantly. In addition, it has some details such as the rubber bands on the bridge or, in the case of the Puma, the size of its grip that draw attention and from which only good things are taken. Black Crown always hits with the design of the blades and once again they have achieved it.

The Puma model is a shovel recommended for all types of players. We have already classified as comfortable in all aspects, therefore, with good touch and control of hitting. It has a good balance of weight and power-output ratio of the ball. Surprised by unexpected behavior in the smash and, of course, is a player.

The Panther model requires that we have more technique with it. We would recommend it for medium high and high levels. A shovel that stands out in attack with a hard touch and with which you can (and should) squeeze the ball whenever you have occasion. It is a model for those who want to have the rival at their mercy.

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Greetings and ... See you on the tracks!

Puma

- Power: 3.

- Control: 4.

- Gameplay: 5.

- Design: 3.

- Finishes: 5.

Panther

- Power: 4.

- Control: 3.

- Gameplay: 3.