Jayce
Ah, the high-end JETSPEED series is almost sold out!
This experience comes from a session where I got to try out some equipment for free. The racket owner is the same person who provided the Victor Thruster 77 in previous reviews. I must say, she’s not only beautiful and kind-hearted but also an excellent player—generous and graceful…
In the end, I broke her BG80 string during the trial, and she even declined my offer to arrange stringing service for her. I could only buy her a Pocari Sweat drink as an apology.
Sigh… I didn’t tell her that I was attracted to her equipment the first time I saw her join our company’s badminton session. It’s kind of bad that I’ve been eyeing her racket for a while.
Specs: 4UG5, without the grip bottom, total weight of 87.9g in use, balance point at 312mm, 6.8mm Pyrofil carbon shaft, length 210mm, medium stiffness, fully aerodynamic frame, 9–3 o’clock groove, 76-hole string bed, tension warranty of 29 lbs, strung at 25 lbs with BG80.
Sakura Blade! It’s so beautiful! Saying this makes me feel like I’m echoing the “AMD, yes!” sentiment. The primary colors are pink and blue, complemented by numerous stickers and decals, making it very well-decorated. The pink undercoat at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions of the frame, with a few small flowers, really makes one’s heart flutter. She really is a Sakura girl! Originally, I thought I wouldn’t be interested in this kind of appearance based on promotional pictures, but once I had it in my hands, I couldn’t put it down. However, the paint is easily damaged; the stickers or undercoat at the aerodynamic parts can chip off with just one frame hit. Also, it’s essential to pair it with a white overgrip.
But I feel like this racket has a bit of an aggressive vibe. The head-heavy feel is quite noticeable, probably among the top in the speed-focused JETSPEED series, more so than the JETSPEED 12 in my impression, but the swing speed is also high. Before using this racket, I was using the somewhat hand-damaging VTFLcw. When I applied the same power rhythm to the Sakura Blade with its considerable head heaviness, an embarrassing thing happened—I kept hitting the frame! And this was right in front of the racket owner! The head heaviness and swing speed seem to have a significant discord, unlike the JETSPEED 12F, which is responsive and fast. Although it’s not difficult to drive, the hitting rhythm needs some adjustment.
This might also explain why second-hand Sakura Blades are so rare, and the ones that do show up all have chipped spots…
Honestly, apart from that, there are no barriers to using this racket. The sweet spot is large and easy to find, the Pyrofil carbon shaft is sufficiently elastic, and hitting within the sweet spot is not an issue—it’s like a faster Falcon. The ability to borrow power is very evident, and the shaft isn’t too stiff, making swings and hits comfortable and reliable.
In terms of the frame’s aerodynamic treatment, it’s not as thin or aggressive as some others; the thickness is about the level of the JETSPEED 12TD, which I believe helps with stability. This is also why many professional players have chosen it for international competitions. Additionally, take a look at the players who’ve used it—you wouldn’t expect someone as rugged as Liu Team to have used it too.
Considering offensive performance, I prefer the JETSPEED 12F over the JETSPEED 12. If we’re just talking about powerful smashes, then the entire JETSPEED series seems to take the JETSPEED 10/Ahmad as the benchmark, with others being at least a level below. But compared to the JETSPEED 12, the F version’s head heaviness gives a more solid feel when smashing, and the reduced driving difficulty allows for more aggressive smashes from the backcourt in doubles, without having to conserve energy too much.
Similarly, because of the head heaviness, the ball is more naturally guided downward during smashes, preventing it from floating. The sharpness of the F-suffix speed racket’s placement surprised me. The lower driving threshold also enhances the user’s continuity in offense. Moreover, due to the application of TERS resin in the shaft, the recovery speed after deformation is decent, and there was no flicking during continuous smashes throughout the trial.
However, the JETSPEED 12F feels a bit less responsive in flat drives. Although the swing speed is fast, the initial acceleration is slightly slower, and smaller strokes don’t produce as crisp and forceful hits. The overall tuning isn’t as stiff, and the string bed exhibits some holding sensation, making it usable in faster-paced mid- and front-court exchanges but not as quick as the JETSPEED 12. In fact, its somewhat sluggish release characteristic is also reflected in smashes, which might not be as appealing to players who prefer a quick and punchy feel. However, it performs much better in defense and when dealing with passive situations, thanks to its good power transfer and driving attributes.
Also, I’m not sure if it’s because the girl didn’t use this racket much or if it’s the racket itself, but compared to the JETSPEED 11/12 I borrowed from a friend before, I personally feel that the JETSPEED 12F’s shaft doesn’t fatigue as quickly in a match, and the more enduring elasticity boosts my confidence.
The popularity of the JS12F isn’t just because of its looks. I’ve seen many strong men who like to bring it to the court. It’s a great racket with both external and internal qualities, and its performance in doubles is equally impressive despite its approachable side.
Good racket, and a good girl too.
