It’s almost crazy to think there was a time in MyGolfSpy’s history when Cobra didn’t sell wedges. The 2012 Trusty Rusty reboot changed all that.
Eight years later, you could argue that, with Cobra KING MIM and now Cobra KING MIM Black, the company is at the forefront of innovation in irons and wedges.
Sure, the lineup is not nearly as robust as some others. Cobra’s comparably small size mandates that it picks its spots.
While it has no aspirations of being the market leader or offering more options than anyone else, Cobra has continually positioned itself on the leading edge of innovation – often exploring next-generation technologies.
Such is the case with its MIM wedges.
Your MIM refresher
If you’re unfamiliar with MIM, the first thing you need to know is that it stands for Metal Injection Molding. The process involves mixing metal powder (in this case, 304 stainless) with a polymer binding agent, heating into a paste and pumping the result into an injection-molding machine to create the desired shape.
Once the dust settles, the heads go in a furnace to remove the polymer binder. The heads are then heated to 1,340 degrees Celsius, where everything is welded together before the secondary milling process sharpens things up.
According to Cobra, the MIM process creates a smoother grain flow which reduces voids in the material and ultimately creates a feel that’s softer than forging.
The final step in the process is robotic polishing. As we’ve covered before, the equipment industry likes to use polishing as a euphemism for grinding. By letting properly programmed robots do the delicate work, Cobra can reduce variances in weight and thickness while producing more consistent grinds.
Golf clubs are a bit like golf balls in that nearly anybody can make a single part that performs to a given performance spec. It’s the quality and consistency – the ability to replicate the exact specification – that separates the leaders from the also-rans.
Ultimately, the MIM process is about creating a more consistent product.
Cobra KING MIM Black Wedge
As is typical with line-extension releases, the Cobra King MIM Black wedge is the same as the current MIM wedge (released last year) except it’s black. Apart from the reasonably durable QPQ finish, the only notable change is that Cobra has expanded the MIM lineup into the high- and low-bounce space.
Previous MIM wedges were available in versatile grind (mid-bounce) only.
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Three Grinds
The Cobra KING MIM Black Wedge is offered in three grinds.
Versatile Grind (50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees)– The mid-bounce offering in the Cobra wedge lineup, as its name suggests, is designed to work in a variety of conditions. Heel and toe relief allows you to manipulate the face around the green while Cobra’s signature notch helps keep the leading edge closer to the ground.
WideLow Grind (56, 58 and 60 degrees) – Also true to its name, the WideLow is a wide-sole, low-bounce offering that’s a bit like the Wedge Works K Grind. It’s ideal for shallow swingers or dry conditions and it works well out of soft bunkers and moderate rough.
Classic Grind (52, 56 and 60 degrees) – Cobra’s high-bounce option, the Classic Grind offers a medium-width sole with trailing-edge relief. It’s the digger wedge in the Cobra family.
The Cobra KING MIM Black wedge is the company’s first MIM’d offering to be available in ONE Length. It should go without saying that they’re ideally suited to golfers playing ONE Length irons. Given the niche nature of the offering, availability is limited to 56- and 60-degree offerings in Versatile Grind only. Now you know how lefties feel.
Arccos Standard
Cobra continues its partnership with Arccos. MIM wedges come standard with Arccos Sensor-enabled Lamkin Crossline Connect grips.
Cobra KING MIM Wedges – Pricing and Availability
Cobra KING MIM Black wedges are available beginning June 12. The retail price is $149. The stock shaft is a KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 (125 gram) Black shaft. All loft/grind combinations are available for right-handed golfers. Like the ONE -Lengthers, lefties are limited to 56 and 60 degrees in the Versatile Grind.
For more information, visit Cobragolf.com.
Jay
4 years ago
Have all the NASA engineers ended up in the golf industry? I have been that consumer that kept waiting for the promises that were made by so many golf manufacturers to truly give me something that was significantly different than the previous generation of clubs – but pretty much finding for decades that most of it was simply cosmetic with a couple different tweaks that sounded great in theory, but just didn’t really add up to much.. How often do we see Real innovations in the industry like the first high MOI Ping putter, a cavity backed Ping Eye iron, Nike’s solid multi-layer compound urethane covered ball, an Odyssey two-ball putter, Great Big Bertha driver, or PXG style hollow injected maraged multi-metal irons, hit the shelves and change the game entirely? I’m truly loving that so many companies are doing more than just follow the leader these days, and not just doing their own knock-off version of the wealthier company’s product. This new metallurgy, robotic milling, grinding and polishing is mind bending. I’ve pretty much gone from the 20th century into the 21st with all new clubs within the last 6 months, and can’t smile enough. I was a firm believer in forged blades, and wouldn’t change for anything, until this year. I was firmly stuck in my Scotty Newport 2, and other variations of that original style, until this year, went from heavy shafted driver to ultra light weight explosive shafts. One of my golfing buddies couldn’t stop talking about how his life has changed with the new compression shorts he wears golfing, yeah even the clothing makes golfing a better experience. I still take out my 40 year old Hogan blades, persimmon woods, Original 8802 Wilson putter, and balata wound balls just to remind myself of how far we have come, and I still love that game. A great shot still feels blissful with the old stuff, but these new innovations are truly space age creations. I can hardly wait to try these MIM wedges. They look fabulous. What a great time it is to be a golfer.