[Review Experience] VICTOR BRAVE SWORD 15

Jayce September 3, 2024 1 0

The BRAVE SWORD 15 is in a somewhat awkward position. It is said that when Victor sponsored the Korean team, Lee Yong-dae chose his equipment. Although the BRAVE SWORD 15 was positioned higher than the BRAVE SWORD 12, Lee Yong-dae preferred the feel of the BRAVE SWORD 12, which contributed to its strong reputation and popularity.

However, there is another version that suggests the BRAVE SWORD 15 was intended to be a mid-to-high-end product. Despite having a stiffness just below the BRAVE SWORD 10, its quality wasn’t as high. Even so, this doesn’t quite explain the dramatic price drop of the racket.

Specifications: 3UG5, without cap, weight 93.0g, balance point 296mm, shaft length 215mm, medium stiffness, diamond wind-break frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grommets, warranty up to 28 lbs, strung with 25-27 lbs BS710/KT66F.

The cone cap style is similar to my MX-90, showing its age. The pricing confirms it’s not at flagship level, correctly positioning it as mid-to-high-end. The frame’s color scheme is banana chocolate, with a dark red Sword emblem at 4 o’clock, which looks good. The pearlescent paint raises its visual appeal, but the BRAVE SWORD’s wind-break frame is traditionally prone to damage. My sample, having been battered over the years, shows many flaws, with the whole series often termed as “flower swords.”

Upon closer inspection, the BRAVE SWORD 15 has a slight flat-head feel, suggesting a smaller sweet spot, which may increase the difficulty of hitting. In practice, however, the racket’s hardness isn’t as aggressive, and deformation is not as hard to achieve. I do like a slightly firmer feedback in doubles speed rackets, but perhaps after years, the BRAVE SWORD 15 has softened a bit. After all, it was once said to have stiffness just below the BRAVE SWORD 10… Well, I haven’t tried the BRAVE SWORD 10 yet.

The large racket face doesn’t significantly help with shot tolerance; there is still a noticeable difference in performance depending on whether you hit within or outside the sweet spot, a characteristic of the flat-head design. Over time, the BRAVE SWORD feels a bit worn out, with the racket face not feeling too stiff. Perhaps the string setup is not ideal, as there’s some ball sticking, which feels somewhat off.

However, the swing speed is quick, and the racket produces a sharp sound when cutting through the air, a notable feature of the current frame design. The BRAVE SWORD 15 performs excellently in the mid-court and front-court. Despite being a 3U racket, it is very agile, excelling in flat exchanges and defensive play. The quick response and feel for both forehand and backhand flat pushes or net blocks are very good. The BRAVE SWORD maintains excellent speed in doubles play, achieving a prominent level of agility even as a mid-to-high-end product.

Though it is more agile than the 09 due to its swing weight, its smash quality and shot tolerance still fall short compared to other BRAVE SWORD models I have used. The flat-head design’s concentrated power is diminished by the shaft’s elasticity and hardness, combined with a smaller swing weight, making its smash quality merely above average among speed rackets. To achieve effective smashes, a consistent and aggressive approach is necessary, relying on speed and strategy rather than pure power.

I rarely consider using it for delicate net shots; only when playing at the net with less aggressive intentions do I use it for soft blocks. While the BRAVE SWORD 15’s rear-court lifts feel good, this is not entirely due to the racket’s large face but also the string setup’s ball-holding effect, which enhances net control.

Despite the numerous shortcomings when compared to flagship models, its very low cost—around three times cheaper—makes it highly cost-effective. For players seeking elasticity and advanced attacking experience in a speed racket, it may not be the ideal choice. However, the BRAVE SWORD 15’s overall versatility and its adherence to the BRAVE SWORD series characteristics make it a great value at a price of 1180, even compared to newer JETSPEED or Hyperion series models. At this price, it offers a significant advantage in the speed racket category.