Curiosity Series 476— Victor BRAVE SWORD 15

Karry September 18, 2024 0

Curiosity Series 476— Victor BRAVE SWORD 15 is in a somewhat awkward position. It is said that when the Blue Factory secured the sponsorship of the Korean team, Lee Yong-dae chose his equipment. Although Liangjian 15 was intended to be a higher-end model than Liangjian 12, Lee Yong-dae preferred the feel of Liangjian 12, which led to the latter’s prominent reputation and acclaim.

Another version I heard is that Liangjian 15 was originally intended to be a mid-to-high-end product. Despite its hardness being just below Liangjian 10, its overall quality was not as high. However, this still does not explain the dramatic price drop of this racket.

Specifications: 3UG5, without the bottom cap, total weight 93.0g in used condition, balance point 296mm, middle shaft length 215mm, medium hardness, diamond-cut wind frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, warranty 28lbs, strung with 25-27lbs BS710/KT66F dual strings.

The cone cap design is similar to my MX-90, showing its age. From the pricing, it indeed doesn’t reach flagship-level standards; its mid-to-high-end positioning is accurate. Aesthetically, the frame color is banana chocolate, and the Sword at the 4 o’clock position is in dark red, which looks good. The pearlescent paint enhances its appearance, but the Liangjian’s wind-breaking frame is traditionally prone to damage. The sample I have has endured years of abuse, leading to numerous blemishes; the whole series suffers from this issue.

Upon closer inspection, Liangjian 15 also has a slight flat head, which might reduce its sweet spot area and make it a bit more challenging to handle. However, in practical use, the racket does not perform as aggressively in terms of hardness, and deformation is less difficult to occur. I do appreciate a slightly firmer feedback in doubles-speed rackets, so perhaps the Liangjian 15 has softened over the years. After all, it was once claimed to have hardness just below Liangjian 10… well, I haven’t tried Liangjian 10 yet.

The large face does not significantly aid in the tolerance of off-center shots, and the difference in shot quality when hitting within or outside the sweet spot is still noticeable, a characteristic of the flat head. With age, this Liangjian feels somewhat fatigued, and the frame doesn’t have a rigid feel. Perhaps the string setup is not ideal, with some ball cling making it feel somewhat awkward.

However, the swing speed is very fast, and the racket produces a sharp sound when cutting through the air, a feature of the current frame shape. Liangjian 15 performs exceptionally well in the mid-court and front-court, remaining agile despite being 3U in specification. It performs very well in flat drives, blocks, or intercepts with quick response and excellent feel for both forehand and backhand. Liangjian still delivers an impressive speed for doubles, even though it is a mid-to-high-end product.

Due to its swing weight, it is more flexible than the 09 but still has a lower quality for smashes and tolerance compared to other Liangjian models I have used. The slight power concentration from the flat head is somewhat reduced by the middle shaft’s elasticity and hardness. Its smash quality is mediocre, placing it in the upper-middle range of speed rackets. To achieve effective smashes, one still needs to focus on continuous and aggressive play rather than brute force.

I rarely consider using this racket for delicate net play; only in front-court situations without aggressive intentions do I make soft shots. Although Liangjian 15 has a good feel for back-court lifts, this is not entirely due to the large face but rather the current string setup that enhances control at the net.

Have I not compared it with Liangjian’s flagship models?

Despite its shortcomings, it is very affordable, costing around three times less, and provides exceptional value. For players seeking elasticity and advanced attack experiences in a speed racket, it might not be the best choice. However, Liangjian 15’s versatility and adherence to the Liangjian series characteristics make it a very cost-effective racket priced at 1180. It can outperform newer series like JetSpeed or Rapid in terms of value for money.