Ever wondered if a combo set of pure muscle backs and sleek cavity backs could actually deliver both feel and forgiveness without breaking the bank?
We got our hands on the Takomo 301 MB + CB irons and put them through the full Bogey Book gauntlet to find out.
They look stupid good in the bag but can they actually back it up on performance, feel, and consistency? Let’s find out!
Key Takeaways
If you don't have the time to read the full review of the Takomo MB + CB Iron set, here are the main things you should know.
- The Takomo 301 MB + CB combo set is seriously good-looking — classic blade-style muscle backs with smooth cavity backs in the longer irons.
- Forgiveness is surprisingly decent for blades, especially on flushed shots. But when you miss? You feel it.
- Feel and feedback are next-level — pure strikes feel buttery, mishits sting (as they should with blades).
- Not made for everyone — if you're not used to blades, expect a learning curve.
- Incredible value for the price — getting forged irons like these at ~$700 is wild.
But if you like watching reviews in video format, here is the full review on our YouTube channel!
Are The Takomo 301 Irons Worth The Hype?
First Impressions
Takomo nailed the design here. The 301 MBs (muscle backs) are clean and minimalist no flashy branding, just a pure blade that gives serious “player's club” energy.
The combo set gives you the best of both worlds: more control and feel in the short irons (MB), and a bit of forgiveness in the longer irons (CB). Not many brands offer this kind of flexibility at this price.
Right out the gate, we noticed that even on cold swings, the clubs didn’t punish us as badly as we expected. That’s not to say they’re easy to hit, they’re blades, but they reward good contact with beautiful ball flights.
Trackman Testing
We started with pitching wedges and worked up through the 8, 7, 6, and 4 irons — alternating between muscle backs and cavity backs where the combo set switches over.
Numbers Highlights:
- PW: 109–124 yds (Carl), 117 yds (Arvo)
- 8i: 150 yds average
- 7i: 180–190 yds on good hits
- 4i: 230 yds bomb (Arvo), 215 yds solid (Carl)
The consistency improved as we got warmed up, and when we caught them clean, the feel was unreal. Miss it just a hair? You knew it. But the ball still got out there decently.
Arvo even dropped a 227-yard four-iron with a 1.49 smash factor. Legit blade magic.
Muscle Back vs. Cavity Back
You’d think the feel between the MB and CB would be night and day… but it’s not. The transition is smooth — likely because of how the combo set balances playability and feedback.
That said, we both leaned toward preferring the look and feel of the muscle backs. They’re less forgiving, sure, but when you stripe one? Nothing feels better.
The cavity backs in the longer irons do offer noticeable help though — especially on the 6i and 4i, where control gets trickier.
Simulated Course Play
We took the irons out on a simulated hole (90 yards) and added a little spice by banning pitching wedges on one shot. You know we had to make it tough — four-iron flops over water anyone?
We also played a closest to the pin from 150 meters with 7-irons. Honestly, this might’ve been the most fun part, even though we did struggle a bit.
Watch the full Takomo Irons Review Video to find out who took the W in these challenges!
The Longest Skull Challenge 🥴
Yes, we invented a new test: how far can you skull an iron shot? Three swings each, longest smash wins.
It’s dumb. It’s fun. But it also revealed something real, these irons are playable even on bad contact.
The ball still moves and doesn’t just dribble off the face. So… maybe there's some forgiveness in these after all?
Pros & Cons of the Takomo 301 MB + CB Irons
✅ Pros
- Pure feel on center strikes — incredibly satisfying
- Combo set gives playability in longer irons without sacrificing looks
- Clean, minimalist design — major players-iron vibes
- Amazing price for forged blades (under $800)
❌ Cons
- Distance is lower than typical game-improvement irons (as expected)
- Mishits can feel harsh — not ideal if you're not used to blades
- Not fitted? Could struggle if shaft doesn’t match your swing
Final Thoughts
The Takomo 301 MB + CB set isn't for the faint of heart — but for mid to low handicappers wanting more control, feel, and style without spending $1,400+, these are a serious contender.
You’ll feel every shot, you’ll learn more about your swing, and you might just fall in love with blades.
We would absolutely bag these for a season.