The Franklin C45 Aurelius is the Anna Leigh Waters signature paddle in Franklin’s C45 family, built on a traditional shape and offered in three thicknesses. It’s the lightest, fastest, and grippiest C45 yet, with genuinely elite spin and lightning-quick hands at the net. There’s a catch, though: it plays more like a tuning platform than a finished paddle. Here’s who it fits, how it plays, and whether it belongs in your bag.
Verdetto
Franklin C45 Aurelius
Mani veloci, spin d’élite e una sensazione connessa che premia la tecnica. La Genesis 4 dimostra che le racchette in schiuma possono fare di tutto — se sei disposto a investire.
|
|
Elite, data-backed spin
|
|
|
Ultra-fast hands at net
|
|
|
Three thicknesses, customizable
|
|
|
Too light stock, needs weighting
|
|
|
Small grip, short handle
|
|
|
Durability and edge-guard concerns
|
Specifiche
| Specifiche | Dettaglio |
|---|---|
| Forma | Standard |
| Nucleo | 12.7, 14, or 16 mm PowerFlex polymer with foam |
| Faccia | T700 carbon fiber, 45-degree texture |
| Costruzione | Double thermoformed unibody |
| Lunghezza | 15.7 in |
| Larghezza | 7.9 in |
| Lunghezza del manico | 5.1 in |
| Taglia casual | 3.9 in |
| Peso | 7.2 to 8.1 oz |
| Approvazione | USAP and UPA approved |
Prestazione
Potenza
Power is above average, with plenty of pop on tap. The PowerFlex core’s inner foam layer gives the ball a lively kick, and the thinner 12.7mm version in particular feels quick and explosive on counters and flicks. It’s not a pure baseline cannon, but there’s enough pace to attack and finish. Note that the very low stock weight means a lot of that power shows up once you’ve added a little weight to firm the paddle up.
Controllo
Control is decent but conditional. The foam channel expands the sweet spot and the thicker 16mm version leans toward touch and forgiveness, so the soft game is workable. The catch is the stock setup: with such a low swing weight and twist weight, the paddle can feel unstable and prone to dead spots on off-center hits until you add corner weight. Dialed in, it’s precise; out of the wrapper, it asks for tuning.
Rotazione
Spin is the Aurelius’s standout, and the data backs it up. The 45-degree T700 carbon face is among the grippiest surfaces independent reviewers have measured, especially in the 12.7mm version, with spin readings around 2,100 RPM. This isn’t a marketing claim, it’s real, accessible spin that lets you shape heavy topspin and biting slice. If spin is your priority, this is one of the grippier paddles available.
Sensazione
Feel is where the trade-offs live. Stock, the Aurelius is feather-light with one of the lowest swing weights of any paddle, which makes it incredibly fast in hand battles but also too light to fully trust, with some dead spots until you add weight. The double thermoformed build is solid, but the small 3.9-inch grip and short 5.1-inch handle limit two-handed players, and some owners have reported edge guard and durability issues worth knowing about.
Ideale per
The Aurelius is a great match for advanced players who want elite spin and ultra-fast hands, and who are happy to tune a paddle with corner weights to dial it in. It rewards tinkerers, since Franklin builds these as platforms rather than finished products. The three thicknesses let you target power, balance, or control. It’s a weaker fit for players who want a paddle that performs perfectly out of the box, for two-handed backhanders or those with larger hands given the short handle and slim grip, and for anyone wanting proven long-term durability.
Confronto
vs. Franklin C45 Parris Todd
Against the Franklin C45 Parris Todd, the two are different signature takes on the C45. The Parris Todd is an elongated hybrid with a longer 5.7-inch handle, better suited to two-handed backhands and reach. The Aurelius is a traditional, wider shape with an even lighter build and a short handle, tuned for fast hands. Choose the Parris Todd for reach and two-handers, the Aurelius for quickness and spin.
Valore
For the right player, the value holds, but with conditions. You’re getting genuinely elite spin, a quality double thermoformed build, ultra-fast hand speed, and three thicknesses to choose from at a premium price. The value case weakens because it needs added weight to trust, the durability and edge guard concerns are real, and the small grip and short handle limit who it suits. For advanced players who want a spin-forward platform to tune, though, the performance can justify the cost.
Finale
The Franklin C45 Aurelius is a fast, spin-rich paddle with a high ceiling for players willing to put in the tuning work. Its elite, data-backed spin and lightning-quick hands are genuine strengths, and the three thicknesses let you tailor the feel. But its too-light stock setup, small grip, short handle, and durability questions mean it’s a platform rather than a finished product. For advanced tinkerers who prize spin and speed, it’s a rewarding paddle, just go in knowing what it needs.
Domande frequenti
Does Anna Leigh Waters actually play the C45 Aurelius?
The Aurelius is her official signature shape and carries her name, but independent reviewers have noted she isn’t competing with this paddle on tour. Signature paddles are partly a marketing arrangement across the industry, so it’s worth judging the Aurelius on its own merits rather than on the name on the throat.
Does the C45 Aurelius need added weight?
For most players, yes. It has among the lowest stock swing weights of any paddle, which makes it extremely fast but also too light to fully trust, with some dead spots. Reviewers commonly add corner or perimeter weight, such as tungsten tape, to firm it up, add stability, and unlock its power and consistency.
Which thickness should I get, 12.7mm, 14mm, or 16mm?
The 12.7mm is the lightest, grippiest, and most powerful, but also the most demanding and least forgiving, making it a specialist’s choice. The 14mm is the balanced middle option. The 16mm leans toward control and forgiveness. All three share the same shape and high-texture face.
Is the C45 Aurelius good for spin?
Yes, genuinely. The 45-degree T700 carbon face is among the grippiest surfaces independent testers have measured, especially in the 12.7mm version, with spin readings around 2,100 RPM. The spin is real and accessible, letting you shape heavy topspin and slice, which is the paddle’s biggest strength.
How is the Aurelius different from the C45 Parris Todd?
The Aurelius uses a traditional, wider shape with a short 5.1-inch handle and an ultra-light build, tuned for fast hands. The Parris Todd is an elongated hybrid with a longer 5.7-inch handle, better suited to two-handed backhands and reach. They’re different signature shapes within the same C45 family.
