Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm vs Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)
Pickle's 5-axis score
Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.
Close call — here's the tiebreaker
Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm carries more plow-through on drives, while Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) is easier on the arm and quicker at the kitchen. Carbon fiber face on Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) favors consistency;
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm | Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.8–8.2 oz | 7.2–7.5 oz |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Core thickness | 14mm | 12.7mm |
| Core material | — | PowerFlex polymer core |
| Face material | Aramid + carbon fiber composite | T700 carbon fiber with 45-degree peel-ply texture (double-thermoformed unibody frame) |
| Handle length | 5.25" | 5.1" |
| Price | $199.95 | $229.99 |
Weight
Shape
Core thickness
Core material
Face material
Handle length
Price
What the spec differences mean
- Weight. Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm is listed at 7.8–8.2 oz; Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) at 7.2–7.5 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) is 0.6 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
- Core thickness. Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm has a 14mm core; Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) has a 12.7mm core, so the Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm core is 1.3mm thicker. What core thickness changes
- Length and width. Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm measures 16.4" × 7.4"; Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) measures 15.7" × 7.9". The Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm is 0.7" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
- Handle length. Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm has a 5.25" handle; Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) has a 5.1" handle, so the Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm handle is 0.15" longer. What grip length changes
- Face material. Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm lists its face as Aramid + carbon fiber composite; Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) lists T700 carbon fiber with 45-degree peel-ply texture. Paddle face materials explained
Who each paddle is for
Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm
Best for intermediate players (3.5-4.5) looking for a balanced upgrade who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 14mm core balances pop and control, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.
Playing style: control
Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)
Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with a quick, hands-first style. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 12.7mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the raw textured carbon face holds spin on rolls and resets.
Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.
Pick the Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm if…
- ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
Pick the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) if…
- ✓you want a quick, hands-first paddle
- ✓you want a hot face for put-aways
- ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
More matchups with the Diadem Sports Warrior BluCore 14mm
More matchups with the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)
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