Santa Fe Tel3 vs. Circa 62 #2

[gsteitz]

Considering picking up one of these to add to the quiver, would love any thoughts from the Cameron crowd?

 

Thanks!

[ace036]

Circa #2 all day IMO. I just love the way that head shape frames the ball. If only it was made with a topline instead of a sight dot...

[Nixhex524]

Santa Fe TeI3 for me.... blows the Circas away in feel IMO, and I also prefer a site line to a dot. I am not a huge fan of the dots in the cavity of the TeI3 so the Circas may win on looks there but that's about it for me.

[zzyzxx33]

I prefer the Santa Fe. You might also want to consider the Studio Design 2.5.

[gsteitz]

Thanks for the feedback! I am leaning towards the Santa Fe as I already have a California Hollywood (similar to circa) and have always loved the Dalehead shape. I just didn't realize until recently that a flow neck really suits me. The Circa is interesting to me because it's carbon steel, very clean looking and seems to be slightly cheaper and easier to find.

 

The trillium insert has always seemed really cool to me!

 

Additionally, is there any difference in feel with or without white elastomer border?

[zzyzxx33]

The older Santa Fe's are carbon a well as the Studio Design line. I don't feel a difference between the those with the elastomer and those that don't. I prefer the feel of carbon over trillium.

[Matt70]

Go for a custom Circa 62 #2 if you can find one. Far smoother lines.

 

 

[gsteitz]

Go for a custom Circa 62 #2 if you can find one. Far smoother lines.

 

 

Haha, I keep looking at this one in the BST! It's stunning. I'm just torn because it's very similar to the Hollywood I already have although it's carbon steel.

[Matt70]

I'm still undecided whether I should sell it or not. When I see it up on the forum like this I think not..!!

 

I used to own a Hollywood. No comparison in my book?

[gsteitz]

I'm still undecided whether I should sell it or not. When I see it up on the forum like this I think not..!!

 

I used to own a Hollywood. No comparison in my book

 

What do you mean by no comparison, curious what you like more about the Circa?

 

Also, would you mind telling me how long the blade is heel to toe? (odd question I know)

[Matt70]

I prefer the looks, the colour, the rarity, the fonts, the engraving, the neck flow, the rounded edges of the bumpers and finally the harder feel off the face.

 

I am on the road at the mo so will give you the length on Tuesday next week??

[Matt J]

I have a Newport TeI3, a carbon Newport, and a Circa 62 #2 - I'd say the length is identical on all three, heel to toe. The flange is slightly larger on the Newport than the TeI3, and then a little larger still on the Circa.

 

I think the Circa with the flowneck has the best feel of the three. Don't know if it's the more narrow cavity, flow neck, or finer face milling, but it's just a little more gratifying to roll.

 

It's good to know that the finishes are different on the different versions of the Circa's in case you ever refinish one. The ones with red paint fill had a thin nickel plate added before a blackener to make the Charcoal mist finish. SC had a bunch of problems with that finish. I think mostly from the blackener wearing off and the nickel making slight surface rust. The yellow paint fill is straight carbon black ox. - as far as I understand.

 

Edited to add: there may be a quarter or so of an inch difference - Newport and TeI^3 = 4 and 5/8" and the Circa being 4 and 3/8"

[super20dan]

i vote santa fe tele.

[Farkles]

I have both. Love the look of the tel but prefer the feel of the circa. I also have a circa #3 and am working with Kari on a KLP7J with a tel dot theme. Don't think I want the actual insert though as I love the carbon feel. Something like this.

[gsteitz]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

 

Man, it's pretty evenly divided here. It seems that those who have commented and mention having both, prefer the Circa. I'm curious, is the TeI3 just too soft?

[Matt J]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

 

Man, it's pretty evenly divided here. It seems that those who have commented and mention having both, prefer the Circa. I'm curious, is the TeI3 just too soft?

 

Believe it or not, no. To each their own, but I think the insert deadens the feel. It's not necessarily more soft due to the copper it's just muted due to the elastomer. The more I muse on it the more I think it's the narrower cavity in the circa and solid carbon head with the flowneck that makes it so satisfying to roll.

 

I always say, whether a nice blade iron or a putter, when the feel is just right you can actually feel a two parts of the collision nearly indistinguishable, but like a good cannon ball into a swimming pool. You have the initial piercing of the surface tension and then the bigger noise is the water back filling into the hole you just made... daDooonk. When a putter feels just right I think it's similar, slight compression / decompression on the face.

 

The Santa Fe may have better feel than the Newports I use. I suspect that all the little kinks in the plumber's neck also deadens the vibrations up the shaft. I was actually looking last night at some old fluted shafts that I have that could fit over that Circa neck. I think those fluted shafts and an ultra-thin grip might enhance the feel even more.

[Farkles]

Circa has a more feel to it imo. It's a satisfying soft click. Sounds great too.

 

Circa has a more feel to it imo. It's a satisfying soft click. Sounds great too.

[gsteitz]

Well, it seems like the scales might tip in favor of the Circa but I just ended up having an itch I needed to scratch. I love the Circa's and remember seeing and lusting for them just prior to purchasing my California Hollywood. However, two things that I just couldn't get past:

 

-I've wanted to try a Anser style flow neck

-Tel3 has a mystique to me going back to the first time I saw one in high school. I've never rolled one and I'm just hung up on it.

 

Thanks to a fellow WRXer (fyrglfr) I just picked up this '98 (pre elastomer lining) Santa Fe. It was even already cut down to my preferred length (33") so it seemed meant to be. The putter is absolutely gorgeous with only the slightest bit of rust speckling on the sole. Black ox finish is really stunning a frames the ball so well. I'm curious to try out the Pistolero, but might have to put on a trusty Lamkin Crossline. We will see.

 

Thanks for going down the rabbit hole with me, and don't hold me to any claims of being done digging! Here are some pics, hope ya'll enjoy! (sorry can't figure out how to rotate pics)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Matt J]

Good for you. Get a Circa too. You won't regret it. Not to mention they're almost free to own if you buy it right. Sell it in 6 months after you figure it out.

 

I've owned just about every model of Newport style putter Scotty has made, but I only keep three. The Circa was stamped by a previous owner at the Custom Shop with my name, and my wife bought it for me, so it's here to stay although I rarely use a flow neck on the course.

 

[Scotty1140]

Go for a custom Circa 62 #2 if you can find one. Far smoother lines.

Wow that's a nice looking putter.