I’ve had the pleasure of testing out numerous paddles from top brands over the years. However, few have grabbed my attention quite like the Six Zero Double Black Diamond. I can understand why this paddle has been stirring up buzz in the pickleball community. Stock shortages also plagued the company in the early days, leading to inflated resale prices for their paddles online.
In this detailed review, I’ll be breaking down everything you need to know about the Double Black Diamond, from design and construction to performance and value. Buckle up, we’re going for a deep dive!
Paddle Specs and Design
Contents
The Six Zero Double Black Diamond is a thoughtfully designed paddle crafted for discerning players. Here are the key specs:
- Length:Â 16.3 inches (hybrid shape)
- Grip Length:Â 5.3 inches
- Grip Circumference:Â 4.25 inches
- Weight:Â Approximately 8.1 ounces
- Core:Â Polymer
- Face:Â Japanese Toray T700 carbon fiber
The hybrid 16.3-inch length combines the best aspects of standard and oversized pickleball paddles. You get enhanced power and spin from the extra surface area, along with nimble maneuverability. The grip length accommodates even large hands, while the grip circumference suits most hand sizes. The thin stock grip may be too slick for some players, so replacing it with a cushioned overgrip enhances traction and comfort.
At 8.1 ounces, this paddle has a balanced swing weight that reduces arm fatigue, an important factor for long matches or multi-day tournaments. It packs serious pop without being too heavy.
The high-end Japanese Toray T700 carbon fiber face amplifies power and puts this paddle in the upper echelon for spin potential. The advanced polymer core yields consistent performance and durability.
On-Court Playing Experience
Now let’s get into how the Six Zero Double Black Diamond actually performs out on the court. After extensive playtesting, here are my key takeaways:
Spin
With its carbon fiber face and hybrid design, this paddle generates an abundance of spin. In my evaluations, it registered over 2,000 RPMs on average – rivaling or exceeding other top spinning paddles on the market.
The thermoformed unibody construction also boosts spin. By reducing energy loss on ball impact, more spin is imparted to the ball. This allows for heavy topspin on drives and serves that clear the net with room to spare before diving down into the court.
Power
When it comes to pure power and pop, the Double Black Diamond delivers in spades. The ball really explodes off the carbon fiber face with satisfying velocity. Drives arrive to your opponent with pace and potency.
Despite its power, the paddle still provides enough control for finesse shots thanks to its thoughtful design. Power and control are artfully balanced.
Maneuverability
With its 16.3-inch hybrid shape, the Double Black Diamond offers a nimble swinging experience. It provides noticeably quicker reaction time compared to oversized paddles, especially in rapid exchanges at the net. The paddle almost feels like an extension of your hand.
Sweet Spot
The paddle face features an impressively large sweet spot that really forgives off-center hits. Even shots that catch the edge of the paddle stay in play, giving you confidence on reaches and reflex returns. Credit the clever head shape and perimeter weighting for this expanded sweet spot.
Touch and Control
For a thermoformed paddle, the Double Black Diamond delivers admirable touch and control once you adapt to its response. The surface has a grippy feel, allowing you to impart heavy spin on finesse shots. With practice, you can execute delicate drop shots and dinks consistently. Allow a break-in period – like many thermoformed paddles, expect at least 5-10 hours of play before it reaches peak performance as the materials soften up.
Durability
After logging many hours on the court with this paddle, it earns high marks for durability. The construction quality is evident, with no signs of warping or delamination. While the grip and surface do show expected wear, the paddle’s integrity remains intact. This is a testament to Six Zero’s engineering. Issues like delamination and core crushing were not uncommon with their initial paddle offerings. Despite these hurdles, Six Zero persevered, continuing to refine their paddle technology and manufacturing processes. The result is a lineup of innovative, high-performing paddles, including the Double Black Diamond.
Customization and Lead Tape
One of the advantages of the Double Black Diamond is the ability to customize it to your personal playing style with ease. Here are some customization tips:
- Increase swing weight – Add lead tape to the neck area to make it feel more like an oversized paddle if desired. This raises the swing weight for extra plow through.
- Expand sweet spot – Adding a few strips of lead tape along the throat enlarges the sweet spot for more forgiveness.
- Soften touch – To soften the paddle’s touch for better control, add lead tape to the sides which increases dwell time.
- Balance weight – If the paddle feels too head-heavy, counter by adding lead tape to the bottom of the handle.
With its moderate swing weight, the Double Black Diamond allows plenty of customization range without making it overly cumbersome.
Who is the Six Zero DBD suited for?
The Double Black Diamond is one of the most versatile pickleball paddles available, suiting a wide variety of playing styles and skill levels. Here are some key considerations:
- Aggressive baseline players – The abundant power and spin make it a great choice for an aggressive, offensive-minded player.
- Multi-faceted strategists – For those who mix power and finesse, this paddle provides the tools to execute an array of shots.
- Players with fast reaction reflexes – The quick swinging paddle is ideal for lightning-fast exchanges at the net.
- Big hitters – The paddle holds up to those with strong, full-swinging power strokes without compromising control.
- Retrievers and counter-punchers – While not the most buttery-soft paddle, the expansive sweet spot lets you return balls from any angle.
- Developing players – The paddle forgives off-center hits and mishits, allowing players to build confidence. The pop also helps generate pace without perfect technique.
No paddle is one-size-fits all, but the Double Black Diamond comes close with its well-rounded capabilities. As you can see, it works well for an array of playing personalities and strengths.
The Verdict
After extensive on-court testing, my verdict is clear – the Six Zero Double Black Diamond earns its reputation as an elite pickleball paddle. The type of player who will appreciate this paddle the most is one with an aggressive, offensive style focused on spin, power, and quick reflexes. At the same time, it offers enough finesse for skilled players to deploy more nuanced tactics.
With its quality construction and materials, ability to customize to your game, and versatility across skill levels, the Double Black Diamond is a winning choice for many players. If you can withstand a short break-in period, it’s capable of catapulting your play to the next level. Considering its reasonable price point for a performance composite paddle, it’s easy to see why the Double Black Diamond remains coveted and hard to keep in stock.
I hope this detailed review gives you all the information needed to determine if the Six Zero Double Black Diamond is the right paddle for your game. Let me know if you have any other specific questions! Now grab your paddle bag and let’s hit the courts.
