Karry
The legendary “slacker’s weapon.” In my opinion, Bonny’s most well-known product isn’t the Zhan Gui Dao, the J20 series, or the 1982 series; it’s this Light Blade 9001. It’s on almost every beginner and intermediate racket recommendation list, proving its reliability. Recently, a new color version of the 9001 was released, but my old color version was a gift from a friend, and it allowed me to experience the classic feel of Bonny.
Appearance: The old color version is simple—silver-gray base paint with gold accents. Many people criticize its appearance, but I find it understated and restrained, matching the racket’s character well. It’s not flashy, and you can’t expect a “slacker’s racket” to have the vibrant colors like yellow or red seen on Lin Dan’s models, right? Upon closer inspection, the paint quality is quite good, and the combination of gold and blue on the frame is well-balanced. A refined racket paired with my dashing self—it makes me the most stylish player on the court.
Specifications:
- 76 holes
- 3-9 o’clock string grooves
- Box-shaped frame
- Fully equipped weight: 89.2g
- Balance point: 293±2mm
- Handle length: 210mm
- Shaft length: 210mm
- Strung with VBS70
- 1.5K WOVEN woven carbon fiber technology
Playing experience: I already have several Bonny rackets, including the 2013, White Tiger, and Qilin, as well as rackets from other brands. Since my playing style leans toward offense, my rackets tend to be on the aggressive side, so I had both high expectations and some concerns about the 9001. The first time I tried it, I hit a few clears, and wow, it was effortless! You don’t even need to worry about your hitting posture—it’s truly effortless. Thanks to the moderately soft shaft (I find it softer than expected), the shuttle flies high and far, offering a completely different experience from stiffer rackets. This feature also helps in easily escaping the opponent’s smashes, making it strong in passive defense, especially boosting the effectiveness of my backhand shots.
However, on offense, you need a good level of power to get the best out of it. The racket’s smash power is lacking—when I use it, my heavy smashes from the backcourt rarely succeed, and the shuttle placement can be a bit unstable, often floating slightly. It’s best to rely on speed and play with continuity, especially aiming to win points from mid-court to the frontcourt. Otherwise, if the shuttle lands in the backcourt without a great opportunity, I suggest resetting the rally with a high clear. The racket also performs well at the net, with effortless control when slicing. Overall, it’s a racket with weak offense but strong defense. Also, it’s really not tiring to use—there’s hardly any strain on my hands or wrists, and the only fatigue I felt was in my legs from footwork, which can become addictive.
Conclusion: The Light Blade 9001 is a very user-friendly racket. I’ve used it in several singles and doubles matches, and from my personal experience, it’s definitely more suited for doubles, particularly for players positioned in the mid to frontcourt. For singles, I’d recommend a playstyle that focuses on placement and four-corner control, rather than an aggressive, smash-heavy style. If you’re a player who thrives on relentless attacking, the 9001 may not give you the satisfaction of fluid, fast-paced shots. But as a backup racket with specific functional uses, the 9001 performs well. At a price point below 300 RMB, its performance is undoubtedly great value for money. I’m confident many other players would agree with me—this is definitely a racket that deserves a permanent place in your bag.
