Tag: Kumpoo clown

New release, but this racket is definitely not a collaboration with DC. Whether it is a customized product for merchants is still unknown. Although “Joker” was once an independent concept and not necessarily a popular character, considering that Xunfeng previously released a “Captain America,” the naming of this racket warrants some speculation about its underlying considerations and possible implications.

Xunfeng has been quite active recently, and they have also changed their promotion strategy, becoming a bit more low-key.

Specifications: 4UG5, without base, weight in used condition 86.9g, balance point 305mm, shaft length 218mm, medium hardness, box frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, 30 lbs warranty, stringing 25-27 lbs with VBS66N.

This is a borrowed racket, and I am not aware of the current positioning or pricing of the Joker. However, based on the accessories and paint job, if it is a mid-range product from Xunfeng, it indeed shows some sincerity, with quite a refined design. The racket’s paint job features an asymmetric design, and the patterns are very much in line with the “Joker” theme. The contrast between blue and red immediately reminds me of the classic yin-yang face paint from the circus, which is a small childhood shadow of mine. Besides the rich thematic design, the stickers and paint quality are high, ensuring good texture.

The Joker’s frame is quite traditional, with a box shape and no rounding or narrowing treatments. The frame is of normal size with a relatively flat head, suggesting a decent sweet spot area.

When handling, it feels relatively light and nimble, more so than the head-heavy offensive rackets I’ve previously used, like the thick-shouldered Changshui. The Joker’s leverage feel remains quite noticeable, and the reduced swing weight further diminishes the effort required to generate power, making it quite friendly during the adjustment period. Its shaft tuning is also quite pleasant, providing good elasticity and addressing potential criticisms effectively, leaving a good first impression.

In practice, besides meeting the needs of beginner players, the Joker’s build allows it to perform well in fast-paced doubles play. Its lighter weight and swing weight sometimes make me forget it’s a box-frame racket. The shaft condition is not soft, effectively preventing the deformation common with longer shafts during continuous swings. In frequent flat drives and quick play, it can keep up with the rhythm and provide controllable quality in drives and blocks, leaving a good impression.

Of course, compared to top-end shafts, the Joker falls short in several aspects. The most obvious is its inability to provide sufficient momentum for a single powerful smash, making it challenging to achieve both speed and power in a single shot. This is a trade-off and indicates that users at similar skill levels need to adjust their mindset from relying on a single powerful shot to a more consistent play. However, at this level, it remains worth the money, delivering effective smashes and targeted shots.

Defending with the Joker is also quite comfortable. It can easily return opponent’s smashes to the backcourt, making it an effective scoring method when facing less aggressive or intelligent opponents. The racket does not have a strange power loss feeling, and it can handle defensive shots like high lifts or counter-attacks reasonably well, meeting the needs of transitioning from defense to attack. Even in passive situations, such as being tricked by a high shot or countering a backhand diagonal, its light and springy nature helps achieve the necessary recovery.

Additionally, I occasionally use it for net play, such as rainbows, finishing shots, or intercepting attacks, making the Joker quite versatile and enjoyable to use. Perhaps this Joker really is the character who brings joy in the circus?

The new racket is definitely not a DC collaboration piece, but it remains uncertain whether it is a custom piece made by the vendor. Although the “Joker” is a standalone concept and not necessarily a popular character, Kumpoo previously released a “Captain America” racket, so the naming of this racket might have some underlying considerations and could be considered borderline.

Kumpoo has been quite active recently and has changed its promotional strategy, becoming somewhat more low-key compared to before.

Specifications:

Model: 4UG5, stripped of the base, total weight in used condition is 86.9g, balance point 305mm, shaft length 218mm, moderate stiffness, box-shaped frame, 76 string holes, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, recommended string tension 30 lbs, strung with VBS66N at 25-27 lbs.

This is a borrowed piece of equipment from a friend. I do not know the current positioning or pricing of the Joker, but based on the accessories and paintwork, if this is a mid-range offering from Kumpoo, it certainly shows sincerity, at least in terms of design. The racket features an asymmetric design, with the paintwork and patterns closely aligning with the “Joker” theme. The contrast between blue and red immediately reminds me of the classic yin-yang face makeup of the Joker in the circus, which is a small childhood shadow for me. Apart from the rich thematic patterns, the quality of the stickers and paintwork is high, ensuring a good texture.

The Joker frame doesn’t have much to discuss; it’s a traditional box-shaped frame with no rounded or narrowed treatment. The frame is of standard size with a relatively flat head, which should ensure a decent sweet spot.

When first handling it, the racket feels quite light and agile, mainly due to the weight distribution. Compared to the head-heavy attacking racket Hou Yi, the Joker is much more nimble. However, during warm-up, the Joker’s power feel remains quite evident, and the reduced swing weight further decreases the effort required, making it very user-friendly, indicating it is a mid-range entry-level product. The shaft’s design is also quite pleasant, with good elasticity, which pleasantly surprised me and dispelled initial concerns.

In practice, the Joker serves well beyond just meeting the basic needs of beginner players. Its design allows it to perform well in fast-paced doubles play. The lighter weight and swing weight sometimes make me forget that this is a box-shaped frame racket. Additionally, the shaft’s firmness prevents significant deformation during continuous swings, maintaining shot stability. In frequent flat drives and quick exchanges, it keeps up with the pace and provides a controllable quality of shots, leaving a good impression.

However, compared to top-level shafts, the Joker still falls short in several areas. The most noticeable issue is that when the Joker’s weight distribution doesn’t provide enough energy for a powerful smash, its explosive power lacks both speed and force. This is a trade-off, which means players need to adjust their mindset in close-level matches and avoid relying on a single powerful shot to break through the opponent’s defense. Nonetheless, at this level, it still offers value for money, delivering effective downward shots and precision.

Defending with the Joker is also quite comfortable. A simple block can effectively use the opponent’s powerful shots to return to the backcourt, so when facing less aggressive or less intelligent opponents, repeatedly defending and pushing them back can be an effective scoring method. Moreover, the racket does not have a strange power loss feeling, and it performs reasonably well in defensive shots, meeting the needs of transitioning from defense to offense. Even in passive situations, such as being fooled by a high shot or a cross-court backhand, its lightweight characteristics can assist in achieving accurate escape.

Additionally, I occasionally use it for front-court net shots, finishing touches, or mid-court intercepts. The Joker is actually quite versatile and provides a good playing feel. Perhaps this Joker really is the character who brings joy in the circus?