Makino MB1 and 88B2

[DLR]

These irons check all the boxes. Are the 2 irons different?

How do they compare to other blades? Mizuno, Kyoei, Masda, Epon, Miura? 

[CredFuples]

21 hours ago, DLR said:

These irons check all the boxes. Are the 2 irons different?

How do they compare to other blades? Mizuno, Kyoei, Masda, Epon, Miura? 

 

Sending out the Bat signal for @NerdyGolfer.... he's one of the best in the business when it comes to JDM, just depends on what you're looking for in the irons themselves: Feel? Forgiveness? Looks? Etc.... 

 

I haven't hit any Makino irons, but had some Miura's which are soft but dense as most folks describe, currently playing some Masdas (Kyoei forged)  which are very dense (with some softness) and have played Srixons which were by far the softest of the bunch (endo forged). I think Makino is also Kyoei forged, so you'll get something wonderfully dense and soft... not super super soft like endo.. again its all preference!

[NerdyGolfer]

1 minute ago, CredFuples said:

 

Sending out the Bat signal for @NerdyGolfer.... he's one of the best in the business when it comes to JDM, just depends on what you're looking for in the irons themselves: Feel? Forgiveness? Looks? Etc.... 

 

I haven't hit any Makino irons, but had some Miura's which are soft but dense as most folks describe, currently playing some Masdas (Kyoei forged)  which are very dense (with some softness) and have played Srixons which were by far the softest of the bunch (endo forged). I think Makino is also Kyoei forged, so you'll get something wonderfully dense and soft... not super super soft like endo.. again it’s all preference!

I’m here! Haha

 

The two irons are in fact different (very subtle though). The 88-B2’s are going to have more weight transferred higher on the head, so it raises CG. That change in shape on the back of the head also moves CG (vs the MB-1’s).
 

MB-1’s have weight fairly evenly distributed across the back of the face. The topline is ever so slightly thinner as not as much weight has been pushed to the topline (I attribute this to less stability, bet every player is different)

 

Now this is where it gets fun! Makino now has the 88-B3 heads which are a more forgiving version of the B2’s. May not be your speed, but they include a hollow pocket that’s drilled out of the bottom of the club for increased ball speed on off center strikes. Sole is a touch wider and scoring lines are a touch longer.

 

Either of those options are amazing. Makino is starting to make some big waves in the US and I’m here for it!

 

Also, as mentioned above, Makino is Kyoei Golf forged.

 

And happy to provide more details, just need to know what you’re looking for exactly.

[DLR]

Thanks for the information @NerdyGolfer and @CredFuples. I like the looks of the MB1s but maybe a lower ball flight with the B2s would be good. Have some thinking to do on that purchase.

[NerdyGolfer]

2 hours ago, DLR said:

Thanks for the information @NerdyGolfer and @CredFuples. I like the looks of the MB1s but maybe a lower ball flight with the B2s would be good. Have some thinking to do on that purchase.

Either of the two are solid heads! Feel fantastic and are gorgeous in person.
 

Shoot me a message and I’ll help you get some demos if you are state side 

[Astead17]

@NerdyGolfer this was awesome information thank you so much. I am a 5 handicap. Pretty decent iron striker but not perfect. Are the B3’s in my wheel house? They look stunning. How would you compare them to some Mizuno 243’s??

[NerdyGolfer]

1 hour ago, Astead17 said:

@NerdyGolfer this was awesome information thank you so much. I am a 5 handicap. Pretty decent iron striker but not perfect. Are the B3’s in my wheel house? They look stunning. How would you compare them to some Mizuno 243’s??

Happy to help! The B3’s are an incredible head. I’d say size wise they are very similar to the 243’s with maybe a touch more forgiveness leaning towards the mizunos (but very close really). I’d imagine your ball striking as a 5 HC would bode well with the B3’s. The dark copper finish is insanely gorgeous too!

 

Shoot me a message if you want some pictures or have any other questions 🙂

[SwingBlade]

Very impressive irons.  If I understand, they drill out a cavity which enables a slight face deflection for a little more speed and forgiveness?   That's very interesting tech.  

[NerdyGolfer]

10 hours ago, SwingBlade said:

Very impressive irons.  If I understand, they drill out a cavity which enables a slight face deflection for a little more speed and forgiveness?   That's very interesting tech.  

Only on the B3’s. This is tech borrowed from Fujimoto. They kind of coined this one. Makino and Fujimoto are owned by the same company.

 

its basically a (maybe) 1/4” bore horizontally through the toe and they tack weld/ grind smooth for a seamless finish. This is why they call them “semi” hollow
 

if you weren’t told they were hollow you probably wouldn’t notice the difference. Fantastic clubs

[golftech]

On 6/15/2025 at 6:25 PM, NerdyGolfer said:

Only on the B3’s. This is tech borrowed from Fujimoto. They kind of coined this one. Makino and Fujimoto are owned by the same company.

 

its basically a (maybe) 1/4” bore horizontally through the toe and they tack weld/ grind smooth for a seamless finish. This is why they call them “semi” hollow
 

if you weren’t told they were hollow you probably wouldn’t notice the difference. Fantastic clubs

Who is the parent company for Fujimoto and Makino.  I’m loving for Fujimoto CBs, but curious on some wedges from both and Makino flow neck putters. 

Edited June 18 by golftech

[NerdyGolfer]

1 hour ago, golftech said:

Who is the parent company for Fujimoto and Makino.  I’m loving for Fujimoto CBs, but curious on the she’s from both and Makino flow neck putters. 

Third project is the parent company and owns Fujimoto, Makino, NNRG, MA3 and possibly one more brand? Pretty sure it’s just a shell company, so you won’t find much on them (them being third project)
 

can you edit the last sentence? Trying to get context and can’t haha

[golftech]

Just edits

On 6/15/2025 at 7:59 PM, NerdyGolfer said:

Third project is the parent company and owns Fujimoto, Makino, NNRG, MA3 and possibly one more brand? Pretty sure it’s just a shell company, so you won’t find much on them (them being third project)
 

can you edit the last sentence? Trying to get context and can’t haha

edited 

[NerdyGolfer]

On 6/17/2025 at 10:56 PM, golftech said:

Just edits

edited 

I have some Fujimoto FT-2 TW wedges and they are some of the best feeling wedges I own. Makino makes a really good wedge that’s kyoei forged, so two different styles I guess? But both excellent. Both make great putters too, but Makino has many different options and they’re really sweet looking. Don’t have any but man are they nice