Jayce
A truly intriguing racket. I’ve encountered many top players who have used various rackets, and almost every time after trying them, I find myself thinking, “Did they really prefer using this racket?”
And this one perfectly matches my almost stereotypical understanding of Taoist’s style.
Specifications: 3UG5, without cap, weight 92.5g, balance point 300mm, 7.0mm shaft, length 220mm, 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 KT66F.
This racket is exceptionally visually appealing. The deep black base color immediately gives it a high-end look. The LHI on the shaft signifies its exceptional background. The symmetrical design of the frame paint, with minimal stickers on the wings, creates an elegant layered effect with gold stickers at 3 and 9 o’clock and blank spaces at 4 and 8 o’clock. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a BRAVE SWORD frame, and I’m struck by how thin the 12 o’clock position is. The sharp wind-break design remains consistent, but it brings disastrous low paint durability, easily chipping and making the high-end appearance seem almost wasted.
Unfortunately, it’s prone to frame hits before adaptation, making it even more prone to damage. The frame’s sharpness and thinness, combined with its fast swing speed, make it difficult for many to adjust initially. This seems to be an inherent love-hate characteristic of the BRAVE SWORD series. Additionally, the low ball pocket feel and the characteristic woody impact of the era’s materials are also notable.
However, compared to the more rigid and aggressive BRAVE SWORD 11R/12, the LHI, as a signature racket for a singles player, is relatively softer. The racket’s sweet spot has shock-absorbing grommets and inner waves structure on the horizontal strings, effectively lowering the effort required to hit the ball. It seems Taoist’s Taiji style doesn’t require an extremely rigid weapon for support.
So, is the LHI aggressive? Not really. Apart from a slightly less appealing feel (neutral), the racket is very gentle, to the point where some players find it a bit too soft.
In flat exchanges, it continues the series’ excellent performance. The current LHI, being a 4U version, can quickly adapt to sudden mid-court flat exchanges and effectively handle awkward shots, showing great agility. Although it was used by a singles player, it performs exceptionally well in doubles—actually, it might be even more suitable.
Initially, I didn’t understand the racket’s relative neutrality, but as I used it more, I came to appreciate the top-end BRAVE SWORD’s qualities more deeply.
Veteran players are familiar with Li Xuanyi’s playing style: fluid and mysterious Taiji. In high-level matches, it’s hard to force him into a particularly passive position, and he doesn’t show much aggression during long rallies. However, if an opponent shows even a slight crack in patience, he will seize the opportunity to strike decisively. This unpredictable nature of when an attack might come is quite intimidating.
And the LHI truly represents this style.
Because it’s light, it feels well-suited for various tempos of play. When you feel you can increase speed, the LHI’s high swing speed and strong continuity allow you to quickly ramp up the pace with powerful smashes or flat exchanges. Conversely, when you need to slow down and control, the large racket face and sweet spot provide ample tolerance, allowing easy defense against the opponent’s smashes and disrupting their rhythm through changes in line and backcourt control.
It’s friendly, allowing you to decide the right moment for an aggressive attack. Taoist’s career rarely featured heavy smashes, but even without a full wind-up, he could still execute sharp, deadly smashes with just wrist power. This enhances the aggressive aspect of the racket.
It’s versatile, with impressive control. The large racket face aids in controlling net shots, and for advanced players with consistent movements, the LHI’s light weight enhances the success rate and threat level of shots like push shots and net tricks. Additionally, with the ability to compress the swing, it offers varied responses for backcourt shots, adding deception to the game. Although its elasticity and resistance to twisting fall short compared to modern rackets, its control and offensive versatility remain remarkably impressive.
This is a classic racket that becomes more enjoyable the more you use it. On the court, it feels like everything is under control, showcasing its enduring value.
