Badminton Racket Kawasaki NEZER X Reviews

Karry September 29, 2024 2 0

Having a long battle line is not necessarily a good thing. Last year, the Kawasaki Razer 1916 had clear performance differences between its two versions, catering to different preferences. This year, inspired by that, they released three new models, but I haven’t yet found one that I’m fully satisfied with, indicating that their fast-moving product strategy is still a bit too aggressive.

Until yesterday, when I tried the Razer X, I finally encountered a racket that felt relatively harmonious to use.

Parameters: 4U G5, with a base, total weight 95.3g, balance point 293mm, 6.8mm shaft with 46T material, shaft length 215mm, moderate stiffness, aerodynamic frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 string grooves, warranty up to 30 lbs, strung at 25-27 lbs with KT66F.

This year’s three Razer models share the same design language, differing only in color tones. The X, similar in level to the Y, uses a dark base coat with a vibrant purple-red color that seems to indicate its aggressiveness. Due to the color differences, the snake scale stickers at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions on the frame are more pronounced.

Among speed rackets, the Razer X feels relatively neutral, still with a slight head-heavy feel and the 4U specification. The shaft stiffness isn’t very high, and upon first using it, the shaft’s deformation and sweet spot area give a soft feel; the shots come out easily with good elasticity, but you need to control the power to avoid hitting long. However, for my specs, I would prefer a stiffer shaft; the initial feel is a bit too soft, lacking explosiveness.

That said, the elasticity still ensures good speed on shots, providing good pressure in high clears, although control over the force is essential. The overall torsional resistance isn’t outstanding but is adequate; controlling landing points on long shots requires more practice.

Compared to the Razer Y and Z, this racket allows me to feel the speed and agility more distinctly, though it has the highest balance point among the three. During flat exchanges and receiving smashes, it pushes my reaction abilities to the limit, with adrenaline surging during close encounters. However, the shaft isn’t stiff enough, and the recovery speed after a bend in the swing isn’t quick, making it prone to floating shots.

My biggest dissatisfaction arises from its performance when a decisive attack is needed. The slightly higher balance point doesn’t hinder the downward pressure feel much, but it cannot compensate for the soft shaft, which limits the user’s explosive potential. While this type of racket still has advantages in maintaining continuous speed, the subjective experience of lacking a powerful finishing shot diminishes confidence during heavy smashes.

This is a fairly standard speed racket with a soft feel; its upper limit isn’t high, but it’s approachable enough, enhanced by its good paint quality and the thoughtfully designed racket cover. While I know it won’t accompany me in more rigorous competitions, the ease of use gives me a sense of comfort. Interestingly, after using all three models, it’s the X that provided a steady and manageable experience throughout.