I have added one level of classification. For me, “Player’s Blades” come in two sizes: tiny and small. I think it’s important to identify the most compact muscle back iron head in the world. That’s the one you choose to test your ball striking to the max. The Miura “Baby Blade” is in a class by itself – the perfect manifestation of a muscle back blade. It is a class of one.
The Miura Tournament Blade and the Vega MB-01 are a bit bigger. These two models present a perfect head to head comparison to understand differences in feel between Miura and Vega. (You can set that test up for yourself at the Golf Lab.)
The most important “forgiveness” factor in iron head design is size. The bigger the iron head, the easier it is to hit. But there is a point when the iron head is “too big”. You will know – it looks and feels awkward. A good test is to practice short chips and pitches from deep rough around the green. When you can’t get the club head cleanly on the ball, it is too big.
I group iron heads by size because that’s the best common denominator for “skill level”. Contrary to the conventional wisdom that cavity-back designs are always easier to hit than muscle back designs, my experience with customers tells me the opposite can also be true.
A player who wants to understand how weight distribution affects ball flight can set up a test among heads with high, medium and low centers of gravity. For example: In the “player’s blade” class, matching a MacGregor 985 against a Miura Tournament Blade and a Vega VC-01 is the ultimate test of high, medium and low center of gravity in an iron head.
“Super Player’s Blade” – the tiniest, most compact muscle back blade. If you have the skill, this is the ultimate size and shape for solid feel and maximum control over ball flight. Very low to zero offset.
Miura Baby Blade “1957” – “smallest, most compact in the world.
Miura Tournament Blade
Vega VM-01
MacGregor Customs – 1970-1990
Maruman Conductor (Miura Forging)
“Player’s Blade” – Plenty of challenge for good players.
Vega VM-02
Adams CB-1
Tourstage MR-23
Titleist “T” (Tiger) Stamp 1991
Tourstage Z-101
Bridgestone J-36 blades
Bridgestone J-33 blades
Mizuno MP 33, 37
Mizuno MP 14, 29
Wilson Staff 1969
Wilson Staff 1963
MacGregor 985
“Midsize Blade” – The “sweetspot” for forged iron shape and size.
Miura 501
Miura 202
Miura 301
Miura 102
Vega MC-02
Bridgestone J-33 CB
Bridgestone J-36 CB
Hogan GCD Forged
Game Improvement Blade – This is a completely new category. Who has ever heard of “game improvement forged blades?”
Vega VC-03
Miura “Passing Point”
Miura 102
Bridgestone “Joe Blade”
“Souped-up Irons” – A new category. Space-age clubs, oversize for maximum forgiveness, every trick in the trade for balance.
Mizuno 990 “Pro Series”
Adams Redline
Wishon 770
Wishon 870
I would move the J33 up next to baby blades. I have the J33b’s and have hit the baby blades. I agree that the baby blades are small, but what I feel really makes them stand out and even appear smaller than what they are is their toe shape and short score lines. That being said, I have compared the two and hardly found any difference in actual size. One thing more, Bridgestone’s have long hosels which moves the center of gravity up. I think the bridgestone’s have less offset also, but a simple specs comparison would prove or disprove that. Pound for pound, the J33b’s give a serious run for the money to the Miura’s, and are a fraction of cost. Just my 2 cents. Thanks!
Thanks very much for this list- very interesting!
Where would you put the Epon AF-Tour Blade on this list? This is what I’m currently playing; itching to try a set of Miuras but not sure whether I should go towards the 501′s or the blades. Thanks in advance.
would like to get a heavy 3 iron O weight or better.with a big head. that i could hit from the fairway and tee. have strong hands and upperbody like feel of the heavy club.