Curiosity Series 458— Victor BRAVE SWORD 09

Karry September 18, 2024 0

I didn’t expect it to be such a Liangjian.

Six months ago, I wouldn’t have felt the urge to complete a speed racket series that’s been around for over ten years. Although it’s called classic, it can also be considered outdated, especially since the JetSpeed series deeply resonates with me, and there’s no need to go retro if purely pursuing performance.

Yet, I’ve started using even older models.

Specifications: 3UG5, without the bottom cap, total weight 92.9g in used condition, balance point 311mm, middle shaft length 215mm, high hardness, diamond-cut wind frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, warranty 28lbs, strung with 24lbs Victor NS880.

I find the Liangjian 09’s appearance quite dull—silver base paint with a small amount of red at the racket head. The whole racket looks unremarkable and blunt. It seems there are no intentional decorations or many stickers, and the technological applications aren’t indicated. However, the Liangjian frame’s characteristic of easy paint chipping is preserved, and the old issue of paint flaking off the cone cap makes it look worn over time.

The feel of this racket is surprisingly heavy for a speed racket. This reminds me of the 3U JetSpeed 70k, but Liangjian 09 is clearly stiffer. Initially, I worried that the old strings would make the racket feel too soft, but it turned out I underestimated the string bed’s tension, as the ball response still has a crisp, bouncy characteristic. The Liangjian series’ direct and stiff feel is truly unique.

Even though the string’s elasticity has significantly decreased, the racket’s head heaviness still provides substantial leverage, sending the shuttlecock to the baseline with a higher arc in clears. Compared to newer products, it doesn’t show any significant lag. I believe changing the strings could improve its shuttlecock speed and overall performance.

This is my first time using such a heavy Liangjian and experiencing such a solid performance from a speed racket. Besides the enhanced grip from the racket’s weight, the NS880’s ball-wrapping feel helps Liangjian 09 provide an excellent experience in net play. During warm-ups for net play, I could already feel the “closer to the net with each stroke” sensation, and in doubles play, I occasionally managed to pull off a lucky net shot. Even with my basic skills, I began to enjoy working on net play.

Moreover, the large racket head increases tolerance, reducing the chances of mistakes from overly aggressive shots.

However, the increased head weight does result in some loss of agility. Agility isn’t the same as swing speed, but the characteristic “whoosh” sound is still noticeable during active play. Liangjian 09 slows down during flat drives and quick blocks.

In passive play, it sometimes struggles to keep up, and continuous defensive play can be taxing on small joints, increasing the workload and causing forearm fatigue.

The Liangjian 09’s enhancement in control actually comes at the cost of some continuity and agility, making it more suited for singles play.

This Liangjian’s attacking feel is very close to traditional offensive rackets—stiff feel with a slightly heavy head, and a solid down-pressure response. Due to the string’s condition, I didn’t push for full power in backcourt attacks, keeping each down-pressure shot to about 70% to maintain continuity for the next shot. Even so, Liangjian 09’s sharpness and power in smashes exceeded my expectations. Despite the decrease in string tension, it can still produce satisfying smashes.

However, it does have some inherent torsion resistance issues regarding placement.

In summary, as long as you don’t treat it as an old relic, it remains a capable and reliable racket. I didn’t expect the Blue Factory to release an upgraded version of Liangjian 12 this year in the name of commemoration. I also didn’t anticipate that even a more aged high-end model would still be highly effective.

Its unremarkable appearance is well-matched with its robust build.