Badminton Racket Bonny Sharpened Arrow Reviews

Karry September 29, 2024 0

Entering the second half of the year, Babolat once again leads the way with a new release. The incorporation of boron fiber has helped establish a solid reputation for Babolat’s high-end rackets. Whether it’s craftsmanship, appearance, or value for money, Babolat’s current rackets seem very appealing to players, combining thoughtful design with original innovation.

Appearance:
The racket in hand is a black-and-purple “Sharpened Arrow.” Initially, I thought it might differentiate the 3U/4U versions by color, but that’s not the case. All versions are 4U G5, and you can choose based purely on personal preference. Personally, I find the black-and-purple color scheme more elegant and subdued compared to navy blue. The racket features a matte texture with bright silver stickers that shimmer in certain areas. The intricate pattern at the T-joint, once you get used to it, becomes more and more appealing. The paintwork has a unique design, with “CLASSIC CARBON SHARPEN ARROW” on the shaft and “POWER” on both sides of the frame, departing from the usual PowerPoint font, giving it a somewhat magical realism vibe. The racket’s frame design is asymmetric, with thorny vines dominating the motif. There even seems to be a rose in the design, possibly symbolizing resilience. The purple sections have more details than just plain color; they feature a subtle layer of design that’s more distinguishable in navy blue. I suggest checking the official Babolat site for details. While the pictures might look dull, in reality, under court lights and the silver stickers, it’s quite eye-catching.

Specifications:

72-hole wind-breaking frame
4U G5
String grooves at 3 and 9 o’clock
Total weight with original grip: 94.0g
Balance point: 300mm
Shaft length: 220mm
String tension warranty: 30 lbs
Strung with KT65 at 25-27 lbs

Feel:
Given its imposing name and the familiar internal wave structure, you might think it’s related to the Brave Sword series. But hold on before jumping to conclusions. Why do I say Babolat combines both borrowed and original elements? The “Sharpened Arrow” shares similarities in frame shape and internal wave structure with the Brave Sword 12, but in reality, the throat cap and the sharpness of the frame are different. It might be due to the painting process, but the “Sharpened Arrow” feels sharper, and the sides are slightly thinner, enlarging the sweet spot and stabilizing the entire frame. Its higher balance point gives it a bit of head heaviness, and although the swing speed and agility aren’t as aggressive as the Brave Sword, its excellent rebound speed and quick responsiveness balance things out. So, its speed attributes are not far behind pure speed rackets.

The biggest difference from the Brave Sword lies in the 6.5mm boron fiber shaft, which is tuned to be stiff, offering very clear and direct feedback. Do you remember the previous boron fiber-based attack model, “Xuanwu,” with a 6.8mm shaft? It was known for being stiff and responsive, far from feeling mushy. This was widely recognized by many players. The “Sharpened Arrow” features an even thinner shaft, providing greater explosiveness. The combination of the stiff shaft and wind-breaking frame results in a racket that delivers powerful shots, excelling particularly in singles and backcourt doubles, with its speed attack being quite potent.

So, in terms of feel, the only similarity it shares with the Brave Sword is its speed, but the internal characteristics are entirely different. The Brave Sword is more refined and elegant, while the “Sharpened Arrow” is more hardcore and direct, even bordering on aggressive in attack. My personal preference for thin, stiff shafts might be influencing my view, but from the first moment, I knew it suited my taste. In its current state, it offers fast and sharp smashes in the backcourt, with well-balanced control that doesn’t feel floaty. This performance is rare in a 4U speed racket. The only downside is that defense against powerful smashes can be slightly challenging, but being a head-heavy speed attack racket, it excels in fast, continuous attacks, particularly in doubles when executing consecutive jump smashes—it’s loud and packs a punch.

Summary:
The “Sharpened Arrow” truly lives up to its name. It’s not only fast but also delivers first-rate power. Given the boldness of its name, it’s no surprise that this racket is not meant to be compared with the Brave Sword series from either Babolat or Victor. Among high-end boron fiber rackets, the “Sharpened Arrow” stands out with its pure, sharp feel, surpassing models like the Cyclone 10 Pro and Steel Wing in terms of precision. If you’re looking for a high-value speed-attack racket, this one has the potential to follow in the footsteps of the popular “Xuanwu.”