[Review Experience] VICTOR BRAVE SWORD 12

Jayce September 3, 2024 1 0

It’s really old, so much so that I’m not particularly interested anymore. The motto of my equipment preferences is “buy new, not old.” The last time I saw it on the international stage was during the Rio Olympics men’s doubles quarter-finals with Long Xing. As expected, it lost to the pair using the newer JETSPEED 10/12.

If we look back to the end of last year, there was a batch of clearance stock that made this racket available at a relatively good price, offering some value for money at that time. But now, it has even increased in price along with other new products…

Thanks to a friend for lending it to me; otherwise, I wouldn’t have voluntarily picked up the BRAVE SWORD series for a test.

Specifications: 4UG5, without cap, total weight and balance point not measured, high shaft hardness, wind-break frame, 72-hole string bed, strung with 26-28 lbs BG80P.

Let’s briefly discuss some now less common parameters or features of the BRAVE SWORD. First, its shaft remains at 7.0mm, which, after the paint is applied, is noticeably thicker compared to today’s rackets, reminiscent of the Yonex CP7000. Then there’s the inner wave frame, which many other brands use to enlarge the sweet spot, reduce vibration, and improve stability. Lastly, the special material single-line vibration dampers at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions are said to benefit the feel.

Victor is indeed known as the “Blue Factory” for a reason; blue is a prominent color in many of their rackets. The BRAVE SWORD 12 features a classic color scheme with black, blue, and white. To be blunt, it reminds me of Akiyama Mio’s underwear… it’s that classic. Combined with its full wind-break frame, it certainly has a sharp sense of speed.

Although it is categorized as a head-light racket in Victor’s performance matrix, it actually has a certain head-heavy feel and is quite comfortable to handle. Nowadays, many speed rackets feature complex wind-break frame shapes, but only the BRAVE SWORD series (including the Force 3) produces a “whooshing” sound during swings, as if cutting through the air. After spending so much time with the JETSPEED series, I would unconsciously think that Victor’s speed rackets have increasingly larger string beds, but the BRAVE SWORD 12 shows that this is not the case; its string bed is also quite large.

A large racket face is one reason why the BRAVE SWORD 12 is easy to handle. The shaft tuning is also quite reasonable—though stiff, it’s not difficult to drive. During smooth swings, it deforms slightly, and the large sweet spot is easy to find, reducing the chance of mishits due to fast swing speeds. The BRAVE SWORD still maintains a high swing speed, and its wind-break sound can be heard during actual play. Coupled with the appropriate head-heavy feel, the racket, as a flagship of Victor’s old-school speed rackets, is quite adaptable.

Moreover, the frame feels quite solid overall. It is said that wind-break frames have significant torsional resistance issues, which I also experienced with the Force 3, feeling less solid in shots and with deviations in landing points. This floating sensation is reduced in the BRAVE SWORD 12, making shots feel more stable. Interestingly, both models use the inner wave treatment on the frame, but whether this difference in feel is due to brand psychology or actual performance differences remains unconfirmed.

Another point is that the BRAVE SWORD 12’s shaft issues are widely recognized. In actual use, I do notice a perceivable difference in elasticity compared to current high-end rackets, but the negative impact on feedback is less severe than expected. The concentrated sweet spot still feels good. Perhaps the vibration dampers play a part in this. In comparison, there are speed rackets that are much stiffer, such as the Wind Blade 500.

So, in summary, it remains a capable speed racket.

As an old flagship for doubles, it embodies the qualities of a pioneer speed racket, with its inherent advantages: high swing speed, good maneuverability, and excellent shot feel during flat exchanges. The large racket frame and sweet spot effectively increase the tolerance, making it particularly good for receiving smashes and defensive plays. With appropriate swing weight and some head-heavy feel, even the 4U version maintains enough power for back-court attacks. The feel for small shots is average, and there are no significant weaknesses.

If not for the sentimental value, the BRAVE SWORD 12 still offers value during clearance sales due to its forgiving nature, decent feel, and effective attacking quality. However, considering the brand advantage, many mid-to-high-end speed or balanced rackets now offer comparable performance at competitive prices. If you still want to purchase this flagship, its current price might be more about nostalgia. There are already many good speed rackets available now.