Jayce
Fans of the BRAVE SWORD series, come and check out the latest model. Over the past decade or so, the BRAVE SWORD series has weathered numerous challenges and managed to stay relevant, which is quite remarkable. Although newer speed racket series are also excellent, the BRAVE SWORD still retains its unique characteristics, with the 12 being a standout.
In the new era, when material advancements can meet the upgrade needs of veterans, it’s exciting to see how the combination of new materials and old concepts performs.
Specifications: 4UG5, without cap, weight 90.34g, balance point 302mm, shaft length 215mm, medium-to-high stiffness, diamond wind-break frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grommets, warranty up to 28 lbs, strung with 25-27 lbs VBS66N.
Elegance is indeed a defining feature. The ceramic blue base paint offers a refined touch, with symmetrical patterns but differentiated sticker colors. The gold stickers at 4 o’clock look very tasteful, just right. As a flagship model, the T-head logo features gilding and a dark pattern technique, with a high light reflectivity and noticeable glow from specific angles. The shaft appears more slender, lacking the robust power feel of older BRAVE SWORD models but looking particularly streamlined.
In terms of handling, adaptability, and swing speed, it fundamentally retains the characteristics of the BRAVE SWORD 12, with no significant differences to note. I’m unsure if there were adjustments in weight distribution, but from the experience with the 12SE, there’s no notable difference. It has the same 72-hole large frame, large sweet spot, and low wind resistance diamond frame for sharp swing sounds. It also shares the same noticeable handling feel and balanced weight for flexibility during flat exchanges.
The materials upgrade has brought significant changes.
The previous “wooden” stiff feel of the old BRAVE SWORD has been improved with the addition of BLX carbon and a suspended handle, making the shots more resilient and elastic. During power shots, the shaft deformation feels clearer, providing a good sense of loading. This improvement not only reduces subjective feedback hardness and usage difficulty but also adds some flexibility to the “more force equals more power” shooting mode. With the increased elasticity from material updates, even defensive shots like backhand low positions or overheads can be transitioned to the opponent’s side with higher quality.
The feel in flat exchanges has also improved. The old 12 had a stiffer shot feel, performing quickly in fast-paced exchanges, and the 12SE maintains this performance. However, the 12SE becomes more forgiving if the racket is held hesitantly or if the ball is intercepted or faked by the front player. It has more capacity to handle shots and execute high throws effectively. It remains fast but has become more user-friendly, which is a sign of maturity.
However, the GB version only comes in a 4U specification, which is not great news, especially for smashes.
With the changes to the shaft and handle, the 12SE has not shown significant improvements in explosive shot speed limits. The current version has improved coherence, even if a powerful smash is blocked diagonally, I can still maintain relative balance with a flat shot. But the 12SE still falls short in torsional resistance. The 4U specification inherently lacks a bit of weight stability, and the suspended handle further softens the power feedback, causing some subjective insecurity during strong attacks. The 55th series’ performance in attacking smashes gives a sense of compromise, even showing signs of age-related fatigue.
It’s not about profiteering; Victor indeed aimed to use better materials and improve performance with the successor to the BRAVE SWORD 12, and the actual effect is acceptable. The prices of the SE and 55th models have become more reasonable, so fans may want to purchase for sentimental reasons. However, the difference in feel between the two models is quite pronounced. This change isn’t necessarily about superiority or inferiority but reminds me of how Victor has softened and made flagship models more user-friendly in recent years.
Overall, I still quite like it.
