Curiosity Series 533 — Victor BRAVE SWORD 12 se

Karry September 18, 2024 0

Fans of the Liangjian series, take a look at the latest addition. Over the past decade, the Liangjian series has weathered fierce competition and still survives, which is quite remarkable. Despite the excellent performance of the new Speed series, the Liangjian still has its distinctive features, with the 12 being a standout.

In the new era, where material advancements meet traditional designs, it’s worth anticipating how this combination will perform.

Specifications:
Weight: 4U G5, without grip, total weight in use: 90.34g, balance point: 302mm, shaft length: 215mm, medium-high stiffness, diamond-shaped aerodynamic frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock grooves, warranty up to 28 lbs, strung at 25-27 lbs with VBS66N.

The appearance is indeed elegant. The porcelain blue base coat gives a delicate touch, with a symmetrical pattern but differentiated sticker colors. The gold sticker at 4 o’clock looks very refined, striking a perfect balance. Being a flagship model, the T-head logo features gilded and subtle textures, reflecting light significantly at certain angles. The shaft appears slimmer; although it lacks the robust power feel of the older Liangjian models, it looks particularly sleek.

In terms of handling, adaptability, and swing speed, it’s fundamentally similar to the Liangjian 12, with no significant differences in these aspects. I’m unsure if there were any adjustments in weight distribution, but the differences in the experience with the 12SE and the 12 are not substantial. Both feature a large head frame and sweet spot, with a diamond-shaped aerodynamic frame providing high swing speed and sharp sound. Both also share the same feel of leveraging the racket and balanced weight during swings.

The material upgrade, however, has led to significant changes.

The traditional “wooden” stiffness of the old Liangjian has been improved with the addition of High-Carbon and the floating handle, making the hitting feel more elastic. The deformation of the shaft during forceful shots feels clearer, offering good power storage. This reduces feedback stiffness and difficulty of use while adding a bit of flexibility to the previously rigid shot mechanics. The material update improves the elastic response, allowing shots like backhand low hits or overhead clears to transition to the opponent’s court with higher quality even under compressed power.

In terms of feel, the 12SE has shown improvement in flat drives and blocks. The old 12 was quite stiff, with fast response in quick exchanges, and the 12SE largely maintains this performance. However, it has become more forgiving, a sign of its more mature design.

The GB version only offers the 4U specification, which is less favorable, especially for smashes. Despite the new shaft and handle, the 12SE hasn’t significantly improved in explosive power and speed. However, it has better continuity, allowing me to maintain balance even after a powerful smash is blocked. The 4U specification lacks the heavy and stable feeling, and the floating handle further softens the power feedback, making me feel less confident during strong attacks. The 55th’s performance in aggressive smashes shows a sense of compromise, perhaps due to aging.

Victory has indeed aimed to improve the Liangjian 12 with better materials and enhanced performance in the SE model. The current SE and 55th models are reasonably priced, so fans can buy them for sentimental reasons. The feel difference between the two models is quite noticeable. This isn’t necessarily a question of which is better, but it does remind me of the trend seen with some flagship models from other brands where they’ve taken a more friendly, soft, and non-core route in their updates.

Overall, I still quite like it.