[Review Experience] VICTOR BRAVE SWORD 11 BKA

Jayce September 3, 2024 4 0

This is the second model in the BRAVE SWORD series, which was released more than a decade ago and witnessed the peak of the Korean team’s dominance. Therefore, versions with the BKA small wing are particularly sought after.

Its swing speed and frame shape are indeed classic. This classic design is validated by the introduction of the racket in the equipment library, as prominent players like Lee Dong-kwon, Jung Da-uk, and Ma Huang have used it, covering various professional players in men’s, women’s, and mixed events.

However, whether the BRAVE SWORD 11 or BRAVE SWORD 12 are still viable rackets today remains to be tested.

Specifications: 4UG5, with cap, total weight 92.0g in used condition, balance point 294mm, 7.0mm shaft, length 220mm, hard tuning, diamond-shaped wind-break frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string groove, warranty 26/28, strung with 26 lbs generic string.

The BRAVE SWORD frame is quite fragile; any contact with the shuttlecock easily chips the paint. The sharp edges result in a smaller contact area and more intense impact, which leads to noticeable wear on the sample I have. The color scheme, with its black, white, and red, reminds me of the JETSPEED 9 and Challenger 9500. From today’s perspective, it’s not particularly stunning—rather, it’s conventional. It’s worth mentioning that there are variations in the hardness markings based on different versions: TW indicates a softer racket, while CN indicates a harder one.

I haven’t experienced the sharp, whooshing sound of the BRAVE SWORD frame for a long time, but it returned after a few swings. Initially, I didn’t feel like this was a 4U racket; its weight isn’t light, which I found quite puzzling. As a 4U racket with a cap and strings, how does it achieve such a substantial feel with a balance point of just 294mm?

The static hardness of the BRAVE SWORD 11 is indeed high, with a shaft that looks significantly thicker than current rackets, possibly reaching 7.2mm with the paint. When adjusting to it, the dynamic hardness is also high, with a direct feedback and noticeable rigidity in the frame, and it feels similar to the BRAVE SWORD 12. It’s a classic feel, but with a slightly outdated material sensation.

Despite this, adapting to the racket isn’t particularly difficult. Due to its fast swing speed and long shaft, the feel during hitting is excellent, and the smooth swing experience combined with the large sweet spot of the BRAVE SWORD frame makes handling lifts and defensive shots quite comfortable. However, despite its high rigidity, the frame’s control over the shuttlecock’s landing point is not as precise, and the diamond-shaped wind-break frame still has its weaknesses in torsional resistance.

The swing speed remains impressive. Initially, I worried that switching from the 5U JETSPEED 90F to the BRAVE SWORD 11 might be a burden, but my partner adapted and trained with it, showing strong rally capabilities. The racket can handle fast-paced flat shots and net play, though I struggled to associate the BRAVE SWORD 11 with singles. At least it’s suitable for managing front-court shots at my level.

Of course, its head-heavy nature requires some adjustment in smashes. Initially, there were awkward situations where powerful shots would miss the line due to improper control, which had to be corrected by timing the swings. The power in smashes is good, and the speed is there, but the shaft’s lack of elasticity means that compared to the JETSPEED 100X, which increases speed through elasticity, the BRAVE SWORD 11’s shuttlecock speed decreases and becomes easier to defend against. Thus, it’s better to use the BRAVE SWORD 11’s advantages in consistency.

The low swing weight and high rigidity of the frame contribute to excellent instant power and initial speed. This gives the BRAVE SWORD 11 a sharp and sudden strike experience, allowing for precise and effective attacks. For a well-placed shot, a little arm power targeting open spaces or chasing shots can often score or create scoring opportunities.

The racket’s error tolerance is also sufficient, providing clear feedback during clears and drops, with a low error rate and effective in various defensive situations.

This feeling reminds me of Lee Hyun-il’s graceful footwork, fluid shots, and seemingly non-aggressive style of play, similar to the ghost steps.

However, I must say that my success rate with the BRAVE SWORD 11 is very low. The racket’s feel gives excessive confidence, leading to high expectations and many unforced errors. I remember one decisive match where I lost after holding four match points, making three line mistakes during serves and net plays. That was my issue.

This makes me think that the BRAVE SWORD 11 is a racket worth long-term adjustment and primary use, but its outdated shaft often leads to disappointment. It is a contradiction between being outdated and having no notable shortcomings.