F:aktor Golf Stryke Irons - Review

[Pexeter]

I apologize for the lengthy post...

 

I've been playing T150's w 105x Axioms for a while now and wasn't really in the market for a new set but was browsing iron sets casually.  I started looking at DTC company offerings (many of I had already knew of) when I came across a list of DTC companies on an obscure site and low and behold there was one on the list I wasn't familiar with, Faktor.  I checked out the website and was intrigued but could not find any information out in the wild except from a podcast interview (Bumbling Golfer?) with the owner Joel on youtube.  He was an avid JDM equipment user collecting many sets of irons and decided he want to create something similar to that market with soft S20C steel.  I had always played Pings (i200, iBlade) and now T150's but I knew I want to try out a soft feeling iron (Miura, Srixon, Takomo, etc..) At this time I wasn't really sure I wanted a new set of irons but a couple weeks later I just got a hair and shot Joel an email asking more about the irons and if it would be possible to swap out my Axioms if I did decide to go that route and he was extremely accommodating answering all my questions.  I asked Joel if they offered any demo clubs to try out, and I hope I am not putting him on the spot here, but he came back and said that he doesn't have a demo set at the moment but he would make me a deal.  He would build me a set that I could try for the week and if I didn't want to keep them I could return no questions asked and he could use them as a demo set.  I told him what I currently played and at this point I was 99.9% I wanted to stick with my Axioms, I told him I had always played 130g steel shafts and last year made the swap to the 105x graphite and he also said he would set me up with his Faktor shafts but if I didn't like them he would have no issues swapping out for my Axioms.  So I ordered a set of Stryke irons that he built to my specs and they were sent out within the week.  As far as I know Joel just started F:aktor late last year and at this point my best guess is that there are probably less than 100 sets out there, but the service and end product you receive are exactly what you would expect from such a starting venture, concierge white glove.  I opened the box to find a perfectly packed iron set with high quality F: logo'd head covers, a sleeve of Faktor balls, Faktor repair tool, and stickers...and a very attractive set of irons.  Joel is very confident in his product and after speaking with him I was thinking how could I ever be like, "Yeah these aren't for me", But I am glad to say I didn't have to. 

 

The Stryke irons feel fantastic and although are a slimmer profile than my T150s, are surprisingly just as forgiving if not more so.  IMO the topline is sexy thin.  They are 1 degree weaker than my T150's but I was not losing any distance with these in comparison and feel amazingly soft, when you flush it you know, its like butter. As for the shafts:

 

There wasn't any information listed on the Faktor shaft but right away I noticed that it was very lightweight.  He set me up with his X-Stiff shaft and even though it is a light shaft, it felt very stout/stable as with my Axioms. My calculations after weighing these with my existing setup I had calculated these shafts must be roughly only around 70g which to me was crazy.  I didn't think I could ever go any lighter than my 105's, I mean Im not a senior Im 40 with a 110 driver SS, But I hit them great and I didn't see my shots go any higher or offline. I play about 3x/week and practice daily and I liked the setup,  but would pick up my 105 and hit a few shots and would think I wanted to swap them out, something about the lightness was in my head.  I was sure I was going to swap them out for my Axioms but Joel said maybe it was a mental thing and to give it a few more rounds.  So I did just that and after playing numerous rounds with them I can honestly say I am very much enjoying this lightweight setup, it just feels so much easier. 

 

If I had to nit pick, there is a minimal amount of offset in the P wedge and 9 iron which I wasn't used to, but it didn't take long to get used to it. Joel is awesome to work with and very passionate about his product and brand, and It's great to be able to be a part of a growing small business with such a passionate owner.  Other than what I've written I have no affiliation with Joel but I hope by making this post I can help him get his product seen and give people a chance to see what he has to offer, as of now there is very little if no information out there and no mentions of Faktor anywhere on WRX.  

 

Stryke Lofts:

4i 21

5i 25

6i 29

7i 33

8i 37

9i 41

PW 45

 

 

 

 

Edited February 24 by Pexeter

[Willrich27]

Those actually look so sick. For some reason smaller brands sometimes struggle with the PW having more offset than normal. Not sure where this stems from but if you can get used to it then it’s no big deal. 
 

Overall I like the minimal offset look while having more rounded edges. 

[tatertot]

They should have invested in a dictionary ... their spelling is atrocious.

[boont]

Logo makes me think the owner is a Fizik enthusiast...

[Pexeter]

3 hours ago, boont said:

Logo makes me think the owner is a Fizik enthusiast...

 

Could be, He's a longtime bike shop owner in CA..

[medic170979]

7 hours ago, Willrich27 said:

Those actually look so sick. For some reason smaller brands sometimes struggle with the PW having more offset than normal. Not sure where this stems from but if you can get used to it then it’s no big deal. 
 

Overall I like the minimal offset look while having more rounded edges. 

I’m not even sure the offset is that much, but that top line transition is a bit odd and makes it look like way more of a shovel than the leading edge does.  They are really sharp, but your point on the smaller brands and the offset/topline transition is well taken. That said, I think I could get used to it if I had an extra $1200 laying around. 
 

@Pexeter thanks for sharing the thoughts, experience, and pics!  These definitely are some great looking sticks that I had never heard of prior!  Are these solid forging or hollow body? 

Edited February 24 by medic170979

[Pexeter]

47 minutes ago, medic170979 said:

I’m not even sure the offset is that much, but that top line transition is a bit odd and makes it look like way more of a shovel than the leading edge does.  They are really sharp, but your point on the smaller brands and the offset/topline transition is well taken. That said, I think I could get used to it if I had an extra $1200 laying around. 
 

@Pexeter thanks for sharing the thoughts, experience, and pics!  These definitely are some great looking sticks that I had never heard of prior!  Are these solid forging or hollow body? 

 

They are a solid S20C forging, I believe the Strykes are more expensive than his flagship iron because it has milling done to it.  I do like the minimalist design of the flagships though, but I don't think they have the same leading edge relief as the Stryke. 

 

If anything it is awesome to be able to personally communicate with the owner and get insight from him, Im not sure he will be able ro keep that up once his company starts growing.  He is getting a tour van/trailer setup to do demo days for anyone interested.  After this whole experience I did wind up ordering a gap from him to replace my SM10 that I just received...

 

[Adam C]

I've got a demo set of the flagship irons in my shop right now. They are really really good. If you like the look of some of the classic Japanese forged stuff, these are right there in terms of looks. And really surprising how forgiving they are for a blade style iron.

[HalfSet]

22 minutes ago, Adam C said:

I've got a demo set of the flagship irons in my shop right now. They are really really good. If you like the look of some of the classic Japanese forged stuff, these are right there in terms of looks. And really surprising how forgiving they are for a blade style iron.

 

Can you comment on the size of the Flagships? I just noticed they have lefties... might have to snag a set for my travel bag 🤔

[Pexeter]

48 minutes ago, Adam C said:

I've got a demo set of the flagship irons in my shop right now. They are really really good. If you like the look of some of the classic Japanese forged stuff, these are right there in terms of looks. And really surprising how forgiving they are for a blade style iron.

 

Man I hate to admit it, but as much as I like the Stryke the flagship minimalist look is very appealing to me, I shouldn't have went back to his site to look at them. I went with the Stryke because I thought somehow they were better tech but ultimately I think its just the advanced milling on them...wonder if Joel would swap me out 😛

[MickeyTankBank]

All I can think of looking at the name

 

[PedronNiall]

1 hour ago, Pexeter said:

 

Man I hate to admit it, but as much as I like the Stryke the flagship minimalist look is very appealing to me, I shouldn't have went back to his site to look at them. I went with the Stryke because I thought somehow they were better tech but ultimately I think its just the advanced milling on them...wonder if Joel would swap me out 😛

 

They probably are better tech so you didn't steer the wrong way there. That cutout above the "muscle" is what the new gen of blades that offer the forgiveness of cavities have in some form or another: MC 502, Staff Model, etc. Not much to be done with a traditional muscle, though the toe trim on their Flagship may add a little help on toe strikes. By all appearances the Stryke should be kind over more of the face and have better turf interaction with the sole design.

 

Only miss for me is no 3i, but I guess everyone's assuming buyers will be bagging a one-off driving iron at the top of the bag anyway.

[Lobber]

Intrigued by these.  Can’t find the lofts, etc. on their website.  Am I missing that?

[Pexeter]

10 minutes ago, Lobber said:

Intrigued by these.  Can’t find the lofts, etc. on their website.  Am I missing that?

 

Just reach out to Joel he will hook you up with specs, info@faktorgolf.com but I did list the lofts of the Stryke's in the first post.  I also have the Stryke lies, weight, and bounce I can post if you want.

[Lobber]

12 minutes ago, Pexeter said:

 

Just reach out to Joel he will hook you up with specs, info@faktorgolf.com but I did list the lofts of the Stryke's in the first post.  I also have the Stryke lies, weight, and bounce I can post if you want.

Thanks!  Will do

[Adam C]

22 hours ago, HalfSet said:

 

Can you comment on the size of the Flagships? I just noticed they have lefties... might have to snag a set for my travel bag 🤔

They are compact but not too skinny on the lines. Well proportioned where the top line matches up well against the width of the hosel. Sole width is comparable to a Mizuno style blade.

[JAM01]

Would love to see head only sales or 1/2 sets ala the GEOM irons. 

[Kingcat990]

Interesting open mold concept iron. I see more offset in the short irons than the long irons. That is indicative of some Japanese blueprints. Looks cool though, the more options in golf equipment, the better. Enjoy OP, thanks for sharing. 

[theequipmentjunkie]

The design looks pretty neat!

 

Any idea if they are reverse progressive offset? Looks like the short iron has more than the long, but could just be angle.

 

Would be curious to see the offset specs 

[uW0tM8]

I have a set of their F:lagship irons as well as the wedges being built up as we speak. I have been able to hit the irons so far, and they feel amazing. Look fantastic as well. Don’t really know if there’s ever a reason to pay OEM prices for a set of blades when they look, feel and perform this well. Will be interesting to see if Joel produces some CB style irons as well! Would love to do a combo set if so. 

[Big_Mong]

On 2/25/2025 at 1:10 PM, Pexeter said:

 

Just reach out to Joel he will hook you up with specs, info@faktorgolf.com but I did list the lofts of the Stryke's in the first post.  I also have the Stryke lies, weight, and bounce I can post if you want.

Hey mate, great review! You've convinced me to pick up a set when Joel brings out the 3i in a few months! If you could post the lies, weight and bounce, that'd be brilliant, cheers.