GRUVN RAW-16H Paddle Review

Listed specs: 16.5 inch overall length, 7.375 inch width, 5.875 inch handle, 16mm core, raw T700 carbon fiber face, about 7.9 oz; retailers list it as USA Pickleball approved.

After USA Pickleball removed CRBN paddles from its approved list in April 2022 (a decision CRBN disputed), a number of players who had used CRBN paddles moved to GRUVN. Professional player JW Johnson reportedly used the RAW-16H in a few tournaments. Since then, they have gained more popularity, but they are not yet as well-known as some of the leading brands despite this increase in popularity. You never know what kind of quality you'll get when you buy a paddle from a smaller company. I was pleasantly surprised though with these paddles.

I put the RAW-16H, which is their most popular long paddle, through its paces for the purpose of this review. After having used each of these paddles for over a month and a half, here are some of my thoughts.

Performance Summary

The 16mm core of GRUVN paddles is protected by the raw carbon fiber on the face. When you put these two things together, their paddles feel very smooth and comfortable. Both of the models I tested could be called control paddles. Thanks to these, it was easy for me to dial in my dinks, thirds, and resets.

The RAW-16H is 16.5 inches long overall, with an extra-long handle. The extra-long handle lets me attack the net with flicks and rolls I've never been able to do with any other paddle. 

Build Quality

Both of these models are made with a 16 mm core and a face made of raw carbon. These two things about GRUVN paddles are pretty much the same everywhere. These paddles are fairly unique.

The RAW-16H is different from other paddles on the market because its handle is so long. The whole paddle is 16.5 inches long, and the handle is 5.875 inches long. A long handle is usually between 5.25 and 5.5 inches long. This paddle is one of a kind because it has the longest handle I've ever seen.

Attacking

The RAW-16H is not a power paddle, but it is a great attack paddle that is a lot of fun to use. The handle is 5.875 inches long, making it the longest paddle I've used. This makes whipping and flicking the ball simple. This was extremely useful to me while driving. I thought I was moving the ball well and getting it to go over the net. When I was playing singles, I found that this paddle was ideal for hitting hard, angled passing shots.

Both of these paddles have a lot of spin, which you should be aware of. Both are thicker in the middle, and the outside is made of raw carbon fiber. When you combine these two elements, you'll be able to grab the ball and spin it exactly where you want it to go. It didn't spin the ball as much as other raw carbon fiber paddles (perhaps the 16H), but it spun it much more than a fiberglass or graphite face.

Soft Play

The RAW-16H is an excellent soft game and defense paddle, but it falls short of the 16R in a few ways. The longer handle is the main selling point. The length of the handle and the size of the instrument's head surprised me. The sensation was similar to holding a tennis racquet. It's possible that with more time and effort, I could get used to it, but that didn't happen in the two weeks I worked on it. Even though this paddle has excellent overall touch and feel, it couldn't compete in the soft game with my 16R.

Who is this paddle for?

I thought these were supposed to be control paddles. These, on the other hand, are not standard sizes. I liked how they felt and played, but the 5.875-inch handle length may not be for everyone. Because not everyone plays the same way or requires the same equipment, these paddles could be considered niche.

Because of its unusually long handle, the RAW-16H has a very specific market. In shape and weight, the handle resembled a tennis racket. Any experienced tennis player would appreciate the longer-than-usual handle. This could also work for you if you like to play the net in unusual ways and want something light and portable.