Jayce
The reputation of this racket is likely suffering due to quality control and pricing issues. Although it should be a great mid-range/high-end racket based on its aesthetics, materials, and actual performance, manufacturing flaws have unfortunately had a negative impact.
From the front, this demonstrates how quality control can irreversibly affect a product’s reputation.
Specifications: 4UG5, unstrung weight 89.0g, balance point 309mm, 6.8mm shaft, length 210mm, medium stiffness, 8-4 o’clock grommet configuration, 76-hole string bed, tri-frame, strung with 28lbs Aerosonic.
This is a racket endorsed by Tian Houwei, and the included cover features his signature, which is quite sincere for fans of Tian. As for the racket itself, I think the frame design is better than the shaft. The font on the shaft model is in square black type, with a gray-black decorative strip that doesn’t appeal to my aesthetic. However, the frame’s color is richer, with many detailed paintwork designs, making it look more layered. Among Kumpoo’s recent products, this is the best-looking one I have used, surpassing the Taiji series.
Don’t assume that just because it is endorsed by Tian Houwei, it is a difficult racket to handle—Hong Wei also endorsed the Shiri. Regarding its specifications, the fact that it only has a 4U option already reveals the target audience of this product. However, the quality of the product is not related to its grade; it still needs to be assessed based on actual usage. A straightforward way to improve the experience is by using high-quality materials.
The 6.6mm shaft is indeed quite impressive. Although 40T material may not be top-tier nowadays, its thinner diameter and graphene technology ensure better elasticity. The large 76-hole string bed, especially the expanded grommets at 2 and 10 o’clock, gives the racket a “square face” look similar to the TK Falcon and Altius J1, increasing the sweet spot and tolerance.
I usually warm up with new rackets to get familiar with their characteristics. In the initial trials, it was easy to determine that this is a “sugar water” racket. The 4U weight, medium balance point, and low wind resistance of the tri-frame construction make it significantly easier to handle. The medium stiffness of the shaft allows it to deform more easily. The Shanhai is indeed very user-friendly, and after a few high clears, it’s easy to grasp its nature. However, the tri-frame construction is rare, especially the box-frame design at the T-head, which I have only seen in the HX900X. It might improve frame stability and resistance to twisting, but why not place it at the T-head for better wind resistance? If you want to enhance swing speed and stability, swapping the oval and box-frame sections might be better. It seems more likely that they wanted to avoid patent issues. Nonetheless, it does improve performance, and the string tension can reach an impressive 35 lbs.
The stability of the frame is indeed good, and its directional control is above average for its level. It can hit where you aim with precision, especially for flat high shots. Combined with the current string setup, it has good speed and noticeable pressure, and the placement is likely accurate.
The Shanhai’s offensive performance is also excellent. Besides the characteristic “sugar water” feel, its elasticity and downforce provide a good smashing experience. Despite using 40T material, the shaft quality is impressive, reaching the highest level of elasticity among Kumpoo’s products I’ve tried. I recommend pairing it with a hard, high-elastic string. Although the head-heavy feel is not as pronounced as the Titanium Extreme, it still delivers sharp and powerful smashes.
However, it’s not ideal for speed play. While it’s stable in the mid-front area, its rhythm is a bit slow, making it less responsive during fast exchanges, and the shots may lack crispness, often requiring lifting to escape. Fortunately, the Shanhai excels in defense due to its large frame and sweet spot, making it reliable for continuous defense. The Shanhai is more suited for doubles than singles.
I agree with many players’ opinions that the Shanhai resembles some classic models from mid-range Victory rackets, like a box-frame Swift. Its aesthetics are also good. With the rising prices of the top three brands, if Kumpoo can keep it under 400 RMB, it should perform well in the market. However, the initial issue with the “grommet workmanship” might have led to lasting negative effects. It’s a bit of a pity.
