Tips Memilih Raket Bulutangkis

raket Bulutangkis

Bagi Anda yang ingin lebih serius dalam bermain bulutangkis, maka sebaiknya Anda harus lebih memperhatikan raket yang Anda pakai. Sebuah raket yang bagus, adalah yang sesuai dengan karakter permainan Anda. Pilihan raket yang tepat, niscaya akan turut membantu prestasi Anda.

Komponen yang tidak terlepas dari sebuah raket adalah senar, dan menjadi salah satu yang paling dibutuhkan dalam bulutangkis. Jenis-jenis senar pun memilki ciri yang berlainan terhadap efek pantulan cock. Kebanyakan senar memiliki ketebalan 21 ukuran dan diuntai dengan ketegangan 18 sampai 30 + lb.

Sebagai panduan bagaimana memilih raket yang baik, berikut adalah paparan ringkas spesifikasi dan istilah untuk raket bulutangkis standar. Spesifikasi berikut memang bukan patokan standar internasional, namun hanya sebagai pedoman umum saja. 

1. Kelenturan Gagang (Stiffness of Shaft)

a. Medium (Fleksibel)

Pemindahan sebagian tenaga yang berpusat pada pergelangan tangan. Pemusatan energi untuk tungkai yang fleksibel saat raket diayun memberikan daya tolak lebih besar saat shuttlecock menyentuh raket. Jenis ini sangat baik untuk pertahanan (defensive) atau untuk mengontrol gaya permainan lainnya.

b. Stiff (Limited Flexibility)

Pemindahan tenaga yang memungkinkan dari pergelangan tangan. Tangkai jenis ini sangat dianjurkan untuk teknik permainan bertahan (defensive). Maupn permainan serangan (offensive).

c. Extra Stiff (Minimum Flexibility)

Pemindahan tenaga secara maksimum yang berpusat pada pergelangan tangan. Gerakan tangkai raket yang minimalis memberikan ketepatan yang lebih baik atas penempatan shuttlecock. Raket dengan tangkai jenis ini sangat ideal untuk teknik permainan serangan (offensive) seperti smashing, net kill dan sebagainya.

2. Bentuk Frame Raket

a. Conventional - Berbentuk Oval Standar.
b. Isometric - Berbentuk cenderung persegi (Square Head Share).

3. Komposisi Frame

a. Basis Material

• AluminiumHi
• Modulus Graphite
• Super Hi-Modulus Graphite
• Ultra Hi-Modulus Graphite
• Nano Carbon

b. Mesh

- Woven Kevlar
- Titanium Composite (Utility Titanium)
- Ultra Titanium
- GForceTi
- UltimumTi

4. Shaft Composition (Komposisi Gagang)

a. Bahan Baku

- Aluminium
- Hi-Modulus Graphite
- Super Hi-Modulus Graphite
- Ultra Hi-Modulus Graphite
- Nano Carbon

b. Mesh (join gagang dengan frame)

- Titanium Composite (Utility Titanium)
- Ultra Titanium
- UltimumTi

5. Bobot Raket

a. 2U (90-94g)
b. 3U (85-89g)
c. 4U (80-84g)

6. Panjang Total (frame tip - handle end)

a. Standard (665mm / 26.0 inches)
b. Long (675mm / 26.5 inches).

7. Ukuran Grip

a. Hi-Qua G2 - 3.25 inches, Tactic / Yonex G2 - 4.00 inches
b. Hi-Qua G3 - 3.50 inches, Tactic / Yonex G3 - 3.75 inches
c. Hi-Qua G4 - 3.75 inches, Tactic / Yonex G4 - 3.50 inches
d. Hi-Qua G5 - 4.00 inches, Tactic / Yonex G5 - 3.25 inches

8. Toleransi Tegangan Senar

a. Aluminium & Hi-Modulus Graphite Frames

- Main 18-20lbs (8-9kg)
- Cross 20-22lbs (9-10kg).

b. Super & Ultra Hi-modulus Graphite Frames

- Main 18-24lbs (8-11kg)
- Cross 20-26lbs (9-12kg).

9. Titik Keseimbangan dari Ujung Grip

a. 270-280mm = Head Light (Defensive)
b. 275-285mm = Neutral (All Round)
c. 285-295mm = Head Heavy (Offensive)
d. 295-300mm = Extra Head Heavy (Offensive)

Sudah saatnya Anda sebagai seorang pebulutangkis, memilih raket yang sesuai dengan kapasitas permainan Anda. Walaupun spesifikasi diatas bukanlah merupakan patokan khusus, namun setidaknya dapat membantu Anda memilih jenis raket yang sesuai dengan gaya permainan Anda.

sumber : bulutangkis.com

Carlton Airblade 35

This is another one of those that escaped my GAS when I was Carlton crazy. It was elusive until I had the chance to get a second-hand one at a good condition from a guy from BC.

This is also the racket that changed my mind about the string tension that I normally use. It came strung with NBG98 @ 25lbs, which I initially thought was too high for me. Upon more frequent use I found that the 1lbs increase from my usual is actually a good thing, and it stuck ever since.

As for how the racket performed, I had thought it felt like the wonderful Fireblade FX8, but the more I use it the more it's got its own feel.

This review's my opinion of the racket form using it in my games, my style, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Carlton Airblade 35
Est. Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25 lbs

I use this racket for singles play, but seriously recommend it for doubles.

Defense
This racket is fast. And with an even balance, it's got enough push to send the shots to where you want to get an advantage. Swinging the racket around gives you a nice and sharp swoosh, not a very common trait in rackets unless you're wielding a Bravesword.

However, the flex in the shaft doesn't help much when you want to give a good lift to the back of the court from a smash. Those who like to test their defenses and tired the opponent out with high lifts should take note of this.

To make up for the lack of lifting prowess, the Carlton Airblade 35's drive defense is impressive. I'm able to whip the racket around to push the shuttle nice and flat across the sides. It's one of my favorite form of defenses, and this racket allows me to pull it off with ease.

Attack
Here's where this falls a little short. The flex in the shaft adds well enough to the attack, but given the light weight of the frame, it's better off being stiff if you're after something with a little more threat. Smashes with the Carlton Airblade 35 come off the string bed with a loud punch, but somehow the shuttles don't travel fast enough for my liking.

Your best bet with this racket is probably the drive shots, since the lighter frame allows the execution of one fast wrist snap.

Control
This didn't feel as good as I thought it would. There's a missing feel that most other good rackets will have. The shots coming off the Airblade 35 are a little softer to feel, a little loose, and a little too unpredictable for my liking.

I wasn't able to place the shuttle as well as I wanted to, and this affected the quality of defensive and attacking shots in the game. I'd blame this on the softer flex of the shaft, which makes me wonder if 4U rackets should just all be stiff so that the control doesn't suffer much.

Looks
The elegant Carlton Airblade 35 comes in black with white accents throughout the head frame and shaft. The signature rubber grommets, the predecessor of the V12, are placed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, yellow and outstanding from the black and white of the overall design.

Very sleek.

Carlton Airblade 35

Defense: 8

Attack: 7

Control: 7

Looks: 8

Carlton Airblade 35

This is another one of those that escaped my GAS when I was Carlton crazy. It was elusive until I had the chance to get a second-hand one at a good condition from a guy from BC.

This is also the racket that changed my mind about the string tension that I normally use. It came strung with NBG98 @ 25lbs, which I initially thought was too high for me. Upon more frequent use I found that the 1lbs increase from my usual is actually a good thing, and it stuck ever since.

As for how the racket performed, I had thought it felt like the wonderful Fireblade FX8, but the more I use it the more it's got its own feel.

This review's my opinion of the racket form using it in my games, my style, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Carlton Airblade 35
Est. Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25 lbs

I use this racket for singles play, but seriously recommend it for doubles.

Defense
This racket is fast. And with an even balance, it's got enough push to send the shots to where you want to get an advantage. Swinging the racket around gives you a nice and sharp swoosh, not a very common trait in rackets unless you're wielding a Bravesword.

However, the flex in the shaft doesn't help much when you want to give a good lift to the back of the court from a smash. Those who like to test their defenses and tired the opponent out with high lifts should take note of this.

To make up for the lack of lifting prowess, the Carlton Airblade 35's drive defense is impressive. I'm able to whip the racket around to push the shuttle nice and flat across the sides. It's one of my favorite form of defenses, and this racket allows me to pull it off with ease.

Attack
Here's where this falls a little short. The flex in the shaft adds well enough to the attack, but given the light weight of the frame, it's better off being stiff if you're after something with a little more threat. Smashes with the Carlton Airblade 35 come off the string bed with a loud punch, but somehow the shuttles don't travel fast enough for my liking.

Your best bet with this racket is probably the drive shots, since the lighter frame allows the execution of one fast wrist snap.

Control
This didn't feel as good as I thought it would. There's a missing feel that most other good rackets will have. The shots coming off the Airblade 35 are a little softer to feel, a little loose, and a little too unpredictable for my liking.

I wasn't able to place the shuttle as well as I wanted to, and this affected the quality of defensive and attacking shots in the game. I'd blame this on the softer flex of the shaft, which makes me wonder if 4U rackets should just all be stiff so that the control doesn't suffer much.

Looks
The elegant Carlton Airblade 35 comes in black with white accents throughout the head frame and shaft. The signature rubber grommets, the predecessor of the V12, are placed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, yellow and outstanding from the black and white of the overall design.

Very sleek.

Carlton Airblade 35

Defense: 8

Attack: 7

Control: 7

Looks: 8

Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel

I've been uncertain about this racket, and that has resulted in more games than usual with it before I commit to a review. I've played singles with it for the last three sessions and here's what I have to say about it.

Let me first state that I'm no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it. If anything, I'm a high-beginner level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

With that said, now on to the review.


Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel
Dry weight: 70g (6U)
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 30lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: BG66 Ultimax @ 26lbs

Technology
- Superlight Nanographite Titanium Gel
- Muscle-Tec Wide Body Head
- Lightest Isometric Frame in the world

Defense
I expected great things from something this light, and it didn't disappoint. Despite the heavyheadedness of the frame, I could feel the weight dissipate as the racket cut through the air. At 70g, the superlight construction definitely increased my defense capability.

But the light weight does have its set-back. I had a little trouble generating enough power to convert defense into an opportunity to attack. When I try to lift behind the attacker, I ended up giving him a second chance. And when I tried to rectify that with a little more wrist, the shuttle flew out of court.

Control
Which brings me to the next point about control. I've said before that I believe that the weight of the racket affects the amount of control that the player can exert over the shuttle, and for this case it's very evident.

Drop shots, smashes, net shots, lifts, clears and defence - all of them suffered from the lack of control that this rackets gives. I also took into consideration the tension on the strings and 26lbs on a superlight frame might cause a little control loss.

It actually had me thinking more on how to keep the shuttle in than where to put it, and that's a battle lost.

Usually I put out-of-control shots down to my lack of skill, but this one had one too many for me not to put the blame on.

Attack
I wrote on top that the racket is extremely head heavy, and that translates into the smashes, clears and drives that this racket can deliver. Although I feel that if the M-Tec 70 was strung at a lower tension I'd get even better offence, the current state is more than required for a nice game of attack.

Looks
Black and white were always the favorite colors when it comes to badminton rackets, and Karakal delivers with the M-Tec 70. The racket comes primarily white with black tribal markings down the sides of the head, ending off with the logo at the t-joint, with technology decals cascading down the shaft onto the handle.

Comparison
This is the lightest racket that I now have, with the APACS WREX Punch coming in a close second.

I remember I had the same problem with the WREX Punch - lack of control, but the Karakal makes up for it with the high energy hits that it can generate with such little effort.

But when you compare it to the 3U, head-heavy big boys, the Karakal comes out short with its lack of direction and overall ease of mind that the others give me. I guess 6U is too much for me to take.

Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel

Defense: 9

Attack: 8

Control: 5

Looks: 9

Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion

Let's start off with the obvious - this is one sweet looking racket. Red and gold and white all over in a really nice combination. One of those that you have to get after one look.

My first impressions were pretty good. The racket showed a very good defense potential while offering up good options for attacking play. While head-heavy, it swung fast enough to give you a good edge when being attacked.

So after a restring to get the tension and feel right, I went back onto the courts.

That being said, I took it out for a run today in games of singles and doubles. Three hours later I decided that I've had enough experience with it to give a written review.

Note. This is my review of the racket, written after my personal experience with the racket. Enjoy, and comments welcome.

Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion
Est. Weight: 86g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Slightly Head Heavy
Stiffness: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs

Defense
Very good. Particularly for the cross court drives and blocks. I found myself whipping the head of the racket rapidly to counter smashes, and it was a thrilling experience. Even shots coming in from short lifts were handled sufficiently well.

Notable were my backhand blocks in the games of singles I played. The Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion was able to guard against most of the attacks given, giving me a lifeline for an attempted escape where other slower rackets might not have.

Having a fast racket but head-heavy racket like this one is quite hard to find, and it sure feels good to know that you'll be quick and creative on the defense while having enough power from the racket to boost the quality of return.

Attack
Medium-flex rackets tend to give a very good thump when you put your arm into it, and the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion isn't an exception.

The shorter handle adds to the power, what with more shaft to flex and contribute to the catapult effect. Fast smashes with the wrist are surprisingly efficient with this racket, and for tall players like me it gives the opponents a little more to worry about since we can whip the shuttle down from up high without too much of an arm swing.

Drives may be a little weak as a result, since the softer shaft won't allow for fast energy transfer down. I didn't find myself performing a lot of those shots, preferring to counter smashes into defensive drives instead, borrowing from the power of the opponent's attack.

Another problem with the attack for the Roots Explosion was in control.

Control
When you can't aim a powerful smash, you might as well not attack.

It took me quite some time to get used to the range in accuracy of the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion. The softer shaft seemed to make aiming rather bothersome, each of my shots missing the mark by a rather large variable.

I found myself missing shots aimed at the back corners as well, which can be rather demoralising since they're the shots that are supposed to give your opponent a little bit of trouble.

I shudder to aim down the line with this; must have given my singles opponent at least ten points by missing the side tram lines. Conversely, I was hitting well when I switched to a stiffer shaft racket.

The power in the racket gave me good distance judge, thought the accuracy still had a little wavering. Hitting the back of the courts should be no problem with this racket.

Netplay was also commendable, with the heavy head taking credit for the ease of control at the front.

Looks
Fiery. Red and gold slashes streak the racket's head and shaft, its asymmetrical design a sight to behold.

Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion

"Fast but reckless."

Defense: 9

Attack: 8

Control: 8

Looks: 10

Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III (Silver)

Boy this was a hard one to review! But I'm finally think I've got enough experience with the Li-Ning N55-III to give it a proper one.

I'd like to begin with the rollercoaster account of my time with the racket. Right off the bat it felt great - lighter than the purple one, faster, but still offering the same power and steepness of attack.

The defense was memorable as well, and it all seemed like an easy choice to review.

But then one fine Saturday, on my last run before the review, I found something strange about the racket. I suddenly faced loss in control and considerable loss in shot quality. Clears began to become shorter and smashes were hitting the net.

That prompted me to give the N55-III a little more time to run in.

And about three weeks later, here I am.

Note. This is my view of the racket, written after my personal experience with the racket. The pure nature of a review is to inject a perspective into a situation.

And here is mine.

Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III
Est. weight: 87g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs

Defense
For something so head heavy, the N55-III performs remarkably well in defense. Might have been something to do with the air-stream slots cut into the head frame, but I doubt it can do that much of a difference.

So, due to unknown reasons, the head heavy and heavy racket manages to turn away most attacks that came my way on the courts. I found that the weight accords me that little bonus in power when I block shots.

Smashes were turned in to net drops for clear winners with the Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III, and it felt good. Defending with this racket feels natural and quick - the ease of positioning the shots remained the truest of the arsenal I possess when yielding this racket.

I've only ever had the chance to do some drive defenses, and those turned out pretty well too.

Attack
On to the sweet stuff. Li-Ning rackets are known for their abusive use to head heavy orientation to obtain the powerful attack, and this isn't an exception.

The head heavy N55-III gives you a very satisfying boom when you hit the shuttle right, probably also again likely due to the air-stream system incorporated into the head frame.

The shuttle speed ain't too shabby either. Many times my shot came back half court, readying itself for another whacking. The combination of low angle and quick acceleration really gives the Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III an edge in the offensive game.

Whether it's a hard smash to down the lines or a quick snap of the wrist pull off that surprise attack, the racket is a joy to use.

Control
Remember the front when I said the racket had two personalities? Some times it's hot - throwing the opponent across the courts with well-placed angles. Some times it's not - seriously,  I cannot explain the frustrations I get with this seemingly wonderful piece of equipment.

So I found out the truth today. This racket drains your arm strength rather quickly. After a few games, I started to lose sight of the sidelines and especially the back court. A short swing seemed to send the shuttle the wrong way.

About four games in (I played six games of singles tonight) I found that my backhands are losing quality and I was getting smashed at as a result.

Shots are thrown off, drops hitting the net, smashes losing power, net shots just not cutting it close enough.

All because this racket makes fatigue build-up a very real thing.

Looks
This racket is gentleman dashing - silver and gold streaks flanked by a black and silver shaft. It gives off a gun metal feel that is oh-so-charming. Must buy.

Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III

"Awesome while strength lasts."

Defense: 9

Attack: 9

Control: 7

Looks: 10

Li-Ning Flame N36

Those looking for an ArcSaber 11 review or an ArcSaber FB review may have to wait for awhile. The two rackets, though very popular on my search ranking, have yet to appeal to me. (Although I have to state officially that the ArcSaber 11 with the yellow strings are awesome).

I will take this chance to revisit an old racket of mine that I've not been able to use. I took it out to court this morning and felt that it was about time to write a review for this gem.

The Li-Ning Flame N36 was my first Li-Ning racket. Prior to this, I have had a lousy impression of the brand. To me it was lacking in research and all it did was throw together some graphite into a mound.

This racket changed everything.

Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Li-Ning Flame N36
Est Dry Weight: 96g (3U)
Grip Size: S2 (Yonex G5)
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs

I recommend this racket for shot accuracy and control.

Defense
Being even-balanced basically means that the N36 is fast to swing, and offers a little more power than head-light rackets. I had little difficulty blocking smashes with this racket, and with a little proper footwork I do see myself directing the shots into empty areas of the court.

Lifts to the back court might take a little beating though, since the weight of the Flame N36 is a on the lower end of the 3U scale. I found myself missing the back lines a couple of times, but at least the speed of the racket in defense gives me a better bet when the shuttle comes flying down.

Drive defense is great. I could turn the shuttle downward and with good speed, thanks to the lack of gravitational forces pulling down the head of the racket.

Attack
Here's where the Li-Ning Flame N36 lacks. I was able to get a good angle on my smashes, but the speed and power were sorely lacking. There just isn't enough weight to get a good punch in.

I would recommend using drives as your main point clincher, since the racket excels at the flat exchanges. I was able to get a very good pace on the drives, much better than how I performed on the smashes.

If you're a fan of drop shots, then this racket might just make your to-buy list. Thanks to the very good control rating, the Li-Ning N36 allows you to perform almost any sort of drop shots you want.

Control
If there was any racket that could practically hit any corner of the court, this would be it. I felt very at ease with the N36, and the shots that I performed showed it.

The best plays were when I was casually throwing the shuttle around, picking and dropping the pace when I wanted to. There was no fear of losing control of the shuttle because it became so easy to place. From forehand clears to backhand drops, there was no shot that felt out of control.

This quality supplements the lack of punch in its power play, allowing you to win points through superb placement and by simply out pacing your opponent.

Looks
Gold and red go very well in the Li-Ning Flame N36. The oriental motifs around the head frame give it a very asian feel, and is seldom seen in rackets these days. The usual sleek lines and illustrations are replaced with tasteful curves and shimmer.

Li-Ning Flame N36

Defense: 9

Offense: 7

Control: 10

Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng

What first struck me was the design of the racket (what else, right?), and also the amount of flex that Li-Ning gave to it. They're a fan of stiff rackets, but this one came across with a medium flex feel, which made me feel good.

About time they made head heavy rackets with a slightly flexible shaft.

The results were notably good, with the N9 performing well in many areas of the court. If you're looking for a slightly flexible N90 without the overly head-heavy distribution of the N90-II, this one might be a choice for you.

The N9 also comes with a rather innovative head shape. It's sword shaped on the top half, but cuts inwards to form a armored shaft ala the Nanoray 700RP. This gives it a very unique feel - it brings the head weight distribution slightly lower towards the t-joint, makes the swings a little faster, but delivers the punch because of the heavier and more stable t-joint area.

This would a lot more welcome if they were to win the BWF World Championships, but this is a good racket that's worth shouting about so here goes.

Note. This review is my opinion of the racket for my use. Take this with a pinch of salt since I don't play the game as well as most of you out there. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with this racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
Est. Dry Weight: 89g (3U)
Grip Size: S2
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs

I recommend this racket for heavy smashers (it's made for use by Fu Hai Feng, people).

Defense
Anyone who's ever used a head heavy racket and compared it to a head light one would tell you how it usually swings slower. This slower swing speed is compensated with a heavier block towards the back court.

Remember what I said about the unique head shape of the N9? This comes into play when I try to explain why this racket isn't as slow as I had initially thought it would be.

The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng feels like an even balanced racket on the defense. This is largely due to the weight distribution closer to the t-joint instead of being at the very top.

The racket suffers less from the slower swing than its head heavier counterparts, but has enough mass at the t-joint to deliver a good lift to the back if needed.

From lifts to blocks and drives, the N9 performs admirably in the games that I've given it. The medium flex might take a little more power from the hard blocks, but overall I was pretty impressed with how fast it responded.

Attack
"TurboCharging" and "Fu Hai Feng" sounds like this racket has steroids imbued into its graphite. The sadistic thing is that it actually feels like it does.

Attacking strokes with this racket feels true and powerful. The heavier t-joint gives you a very good accuracy on the smashes and the drives, and this is always a nice gift to someone who doesn't rely much on attacking like myself.

I've always been a fan of flexibility in the shaft when it comes to giving that long big swing to smash it home. It was made the Yonex Voltric 70 a winner, and it is what makes the Li-Ning N9 such a potent attacking racket.

Very powerful attacks.

Control
Here's when it sounds a little too good to be true. The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng actually gives you a pretty decent aim, given its propensity to put its users into overdrive berserk mode.

I give kudos to the solid t-joint (I have got to figure out what they call this head frame shape...).

Ok I just checked the racket and it's called the Dynamic-Optimum Frame.

So kudos to the solid Dynamic-Optimum Frame, which grants this racket the accuracy without losing out much on the power. Rackets that feature variations of this technology (i.e. Yonex Voltric series, Nanoray 700RP) tend to also be devastating in both attack and accuracy, and the N9 doesn't come across as any much different.

When I take a shot, I tell myself where I want the shuttle to go, move to the shuttle, swing, and see how it turns out.

The N9 gave me very few surprises. Nice.

Looks
Black and gold adorns the entire racket, making this a very majestic beast. Li-Ning rackets have progressively improve in design (seriously, has anyone seen the first generation N50?), and this is a tremendous effort in making badminton look sexy.

Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng

Defense: 8

Attack: 10

Control: 9

Li-Ning Woods N90-II

Before I got one, I've not had a good impression for Li-Ning rackets. They're really over-priced, and their design sense could really use a little improving. All of the rackets that I've seen hanging off the racks at the sports store are usually dusty and not really in a rush to go anywhere.

But that was until I got one of these babies. The Li-Ning Woods N90-II proved to be a really good racket both offensively and on the defense. While weighing a tonne, the racket somehow allows a very delicate and overwhelming sense of control and speed.

I might even say that it's right up there in terms of usability with the Yonex Voltric 80 (which in my opinion is the best racket that Yonex has ever made).

First off, the N90-II looks like a very fiery dream. It screams CHINA, and might even impart some of the skill of their best players to you (patent pending). Ha.

It's taken me awhile since getting my hand on a Li-Ning Woods N90-II to write this review, mainly because I don't really want to use it too much in case I damage the very awesome paintwork.

But enough of my vanity and onto the review proper.

This review's my opinion of the racket from using it in my games, my style. There are a lot of ways to play badminton, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Li-Ning Woods N90-II
Est Dry Weight: 90g (3U)
Grip Size: S2 (eq. Yonex G5)
Balance: Head Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 24lbs

I use this racket for singles play.

Defense
At first handle, I shudder to think what my defense with this racket would be like. I remember when I first used the Yonex Armortec 900 Power and how the weight of that racket totally destroyed my reaction speed.

The N90-II comes heavier and bulkier than the AT900P, but when it came to swing the racket in the face of a drive or smash, the Li-Ning racket comes off very well. It's able to deflect most of the attacks that come at me with as much finesse as it has power.

The good thing about the weight is the way it helps you deliver a good block or defensive drive to the back of the court without the use of much energy.

On the softer blocks, the weight of the racket head also helps when you want to pull off all those tricky dropping net shots that hug close to the net. A light touch is what it usually needs to tip the shuttle over.

I don't know how Li-Ning does it, or if it's because I got lucky with the weight distribution of this one, but the N90-II is insanely easy to use on the defense, far outclassing any of the other head heavy rackets that I've come across.

Attack
The first smash I threw with the N90-II got a compliment from my playing buddy. I remember how nice it felt coming off the string bed, and how good it sounded. I'm not a power player, so my shuttles don't carry a lot of speed, but the Li-Ning Woods N90-II delivers a rather satisfying speed with the shuttle.

The well-made racket also boasts a nice driving speed, with the shuttle moving a fast speed away with the lightest of touches. Wrist players will especially enjoy this as you get a high yield with very little effort.

Swings on the racket come off really fast as well, and the added weight in the head gave me a very good angle with the natural follow-through that came with the downward swings.

However, I did feel a gradual loss in speed when it came down to the flat exchanges. The wrist won't be able to support the weight of the racket or as long as your other rackets that for sure. The slightly whip-like nature of the shaft helps in this situation, allowing better energy transfer when you need it.

Control
Have you seen Lin Dan throw off shot after shot of impossible angles and velocity? Well, using the Li-Ning Woods N90-II made me feel like I could pull off some of those shots if I wanted to.

The slightly larger head frame of the racket delivers the promise of a wide assortment of shots into your arsenal. Larger string bed, larger surface area to play shots around with.

Need a tighter spin on your net drops? Take aim a little off the center for a harder feel. Want the repulsion to push the shuttle off the the back line? Take the shuttle with the enlarged sweet spot to get maximum distance without using too much arm strength.

Once again, I'll have to credit the heavy head of the racket for the wonder drop shots that it's managed to pull off for me. The shuttles spin off the string bed and seldom fails to find it's way sharply towards the other side.

I judge how good the control is for a racket by how much I'm able to direct the play of a game. The more I can walk around the court, the more control I feel I am getting, the more comfort I'm feeling, the better my shot quality.

The Li-Ning Woods N90-II really made my games a breeze.

Looks
I call this the dragon. It's primarily red, with white yellow and gold streaks running down the head frame and onto the shaft, where gold writing completes the majesty of the Li-Ning Woods N90-II.

Like an emperor sitting on his throne, my N90-II sits domineeringly on my shelf, a power resting within waiting to be unleashed.

Li-Ning Woods N90-II

Defense: 9

Attack: 8

Control: 10

Mizuno Tetracross 700

I love the Mizuno brand. I've filled my closets with their shirts and bags, and for the longest time, I've looked at their rackets on the websites wishing that I could get my hands on one of them. Unfortunately, there's no distributor in Singapore for the brand's rackets, and they've been elusive.

Until one day I chanced upon someone on the Badminton Central Forums wanting to let go of a mint condition Tetracross 700. I jumped, and here it is with me ever since.

My first Mizuno! But it didn't impress when I took it to the court eagerly for a test run - the clears were weak and the weight wasn't as suited for my play as my expectations.

But time went on and I changed to using the racket for my doubles games. It's been performing well so far, and I've got a review for you guys.

This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games, my style. There are a lot of ways to play badminton, so take this review with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Mizuno Tetracross 700
Est. Dry Weight: 85g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head Light
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax 66 @ 25lbs

I use this racket for doubles play.

Defense
The Mizuno Tetracross 700 is blazing fast. The isometric head shape is very slight, and that lends quite a bit to the aerodynamics of the racket. Being a head light racket also helped it achieve a very good speed on the swings. Smashes hardly trouble me with this in my hand, and the time it gives me as a result allows me to control the return pretty well.

Something that I noticed about the Tetracross 700 was how I could drive a shuttle low with speed to the other end of the back court from a smash. A flick of the wrist and it's gone to the other side, sometimes before the attacker can land or move proper.

However, high blocks are a problem. Given the lack of power from the racket, the underarm lifts from smashes too a little beating, often not strong enough to get to the back court.

But despite that I've noticed that I don't get attacked a whole lot when I'm equipped with the TC700. And if I ever were, I'm pretty confident that I can give a good defensive fight.

Attack
I received a comment on the blog that this is a wrist racket, and that the smashes from the Mizuno Tetracross700 would be amazing for someone who's able to harness the use of the wrist.

It didn't take long for me to find out how good this racket was to smash. The sound of the shuttle came off sharp and resolute, a reflection of its path to the other side of the court.

There's a loud smash, and then the shuttle is controlled to the other end, into the tightest opening. Though the largest problem for the racket so far is its inability to clear too far, the attacking prowess of the racket somewhat makes up for it.

Control
Of the three types of rackets that I have I think head light ones give me the most problem when it comes to controlling the shuttle. The Mizuno Tetracross 700 performs quite well in this aspect, allowing me to place the shuttle rather accurately and with speed, but only if it's an offensive downward stroke.

The racket seems to have a problem generating power when you're trying to clear or lift. As mentioned earlier, you'll really need your wrist to make the long clear happen.

And one thing happens when you've concentrating too much on getting the distance on the shuttle - you lose control. Having to use more than usual strength to get the longer shots will mean you can't place it as well.

This showed when a larger than usual portion of my clears failed to get beyond the first service line.

Net control is great, with the light head of the racket allowing you more flexibility and agility to pull off the trick shots.

Not too shabby, but the long clears really lost quite a bit of appeal for me.

Looks
I don't like green, especially when I know that there's an other shade of blue to the Mizuno Tetracross 700. It's not pretty, but I won't go as far as to call it hideous.

Mizuno Tetracross 700

Defense: 9

Attack: 7

Control: 8

Toalson Ti Max Power Axe

It's been awhile since I had a review out, and I've been trying quite a few of the rackets that got left behind. There was this one particular one that I've been wanting to buy, but didn't get enough conviction of acquire... until the store gave me a good discount :)

It's got a bad design, but I managed to convince myself that it bears the colors of Captain America (and so it got its nickname) and that gave me some peace in terms of its looks.

It's got a few technologies that I like - the sharp head frame that's characteristic of the Victor Bravesword series, and the tapered inner core from the Yonex Armortec series. These two, coupled with a nice thick and stiff shaft adds to quite a power boost.

Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Toalson Ti Max Power Axe
Est. Dry Weight: 85g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Pro Kennex Pro Flex 85 @ 27lbs

I recommend this racket for when you need extra power in your attacks.

Defense
For something with the word "axe" inits name, I wouldn't start off by expecting its defense to be any good. Top heavy, stiff shaft and high tension basically adds to my worries of a glass cannon racket which can only attack and will start giving away points on the defensive.

But looks can be deceiving! The Ti Max Power Axe is able to generate quite a good speed on its swing, and  that allows you to bring the weight of the racket along swift enough to take on most defensive shots you like to make.

People who play with me know that one of my favorite shots is the backhand return drive, where I place a smash from my left side down to the opposite side of the court. The Toalson Ti Max Power Axe does that with ease.

However, the racket does fail on its drive defense. I found it slower the the upwards lift and downward swipes, the weight of the racket coming through evidently when kept in the horizontal position for extended periods of time.

Attack
Axe. The word comes into play again when we talk about power. This racket is raw power. Raw. Power. That means it hits hard. Well.

A fast swing speed generated from the head frame shape brings along the power and reinforcement from the tapered inner core and the stiff shaft to create one of the hardest-hitting racket I own. This puts quite a bit of force onto the receiving racket, which weakens the quality of the reply and opens them up for the second stronger attack.

From jump smashes to a full arm destroyer (like what they do in women's singles / doubles matches), the Ti Max Power Axe performs superbly.

Though the same problem applies for the drives. Somehow the racket doesn't yield properly in the drive shot position.

Control
When you're running on so much power there really isn't a need to aim much, is there? I just place my sights somewhere in the middle of the court and let loose. They know it's coming, but getting it back well is a whole different ball game.

When it comes to the more delicate shots, expect a little inconsistency from your hands because they're likely more used to blasting the shuttle away by now. I managed to control the shuttle pretty well around the court, but it's just not one of those rackets that you'd want to use for a control-type game.

Looks
Captain America colors. But fugly otherwise.

Toalson Ti Max Power Axe

Defense: 8

Attack: 10

Control: 7

Looks: 3

Victor Bravesword 10 (2nd Gen)

So it took awhile for me to get here (what with all the new rackets that I got my hands on). The Victor Bravesword series of rackets have gained quite some fame for themselves with their fast swing speed.

This facination with the Bravesword 10 started when I purchased a replica from Bekia (who have gone on to make their own named rackets) which performed very well. In fact, it's the only racket that I gave full marks for so far. From defense to power and control, there was nothing that I found lacking in the The original Victor Bravesword 10 tested out well in singles play, though I soon found it lacking in weight to play for long. I took it out for some doubles action yesterday and it surprised me with its accuracy and speed.

So without further adieu, the review.

Also, starting now I'll try and include a one-line round-up for the racket I'm reviewing, to give an overall impression of what I think the racket is good at for me. This comes at the end with the picture(s).

Note. This review carries my own opinion of the racket from my use. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Victor Bravesword 10 (2nd Gen)
Est. Dry Weight: 88g (3U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Even (3/5)
Stiffness: Very Stiff (5/5)
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs

I recommend this racket for doubles play. Too even-balanced for singles to use for long.

Defense
I like defending. It gives you a great sense of satisfaction when you manage to turn your opponent's attack into a mad scramble to an uncovered area of the court.

When the Bravesword 10 was first used in my doubles game yesterday, I found just that. If the attackes from the opponent were too flat, I was able to drive defense it across the other side of the court. Given the stiffness of the racket, I was able to generate quite a bit of power to lend that drive sharply past the front player.

When the shots were too low to drive, the swing speed of the Victor Bravesword 10 came into very good effect. The racket was able to respond to almost all of the smashes thrown at me, with satisfying results. Despite the stiffness I was able to move the racket about and change grips at ease before the shuttle came to me, and that allowed me to vary the defensive shots if need be.

Attack
This is where the even balance of the racket dragged it down. The Bravesword 10 didn't manage to throw off the power smashes that the rest of my rackets could do, even if I gave it my all on the smash. Somehow, the lack of weight in the front didn't allow me to get off as much power as I wanted to.

Which made me favor the front of the court a lot when I played yesterday. Most experiences at the back were the sharp smash downwards or the drive forward before I moved up to close off the front.

It's good, but not really the choice if I were to come up against defense-crazed veterans.

Control
Amazing. So seldom did my shots fly off course with the Victor Bravesword 10, be it defensive drives or attacking smashes. The shuttle just seemed to fly where you want it to, and I give it to the extreme stiffness of the shaft.

Though I did find a little difficulty controlling the tight net shots (not enough weight at the front I guess), the racket came off very well on control.

Looks
Seems the Victor Bravesword series have come to adapt a similar look - primarily grey with the different accents for the various rackets.

The Victor Bravesword 10 comes with black and white accents down the 5 and 7 o'clock of the head frame. The "Sword" decal comes branded in gold, as bright shiny red text adorn the shaft of the racket.

Victor Bravesword 10

"Defensive Drive Powerhouse"

Defense: 10

Attack: 7

Control: 10

Looks: 7

Victor Bravesword 15

Awhile back I had the chance to get my hands on a member of the coveted Bravesword series from Victor. What struck me first about the even-balanced Bravesword 15 was its design (what else right) - pure hotness. With the usability of the racket out the window, all that's left is to pay.

I must admit that I've not been a Victor fan. The previous rackets that I've happen to get my hands on - Spira 21 and Meteor X80 - were disappointing to say the least. Perhaps I wasn't skilled enough to use the rackets, perhaps they just didn't suit my style.

So when I took to the courts with the suave BRS15, there wasn't much expectations. Boy was I surprised!

This review's my opinion of the racket from using it in my games, my style. No one plays badminton the same way, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Victor Bravesword 15
Est. Dry Weight: 86g (3U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Slightly Head-Heavy (4/5 by Victor standards)
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff (4/5 by Victor standards)
Strings: BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I use this racket for singles and doubles play.

Defense
There's this thing about even-balanced rackets when it comes to defense. It brings the swiftness of the head-lights and the power behind the head-heavys into a lovely combination (well, the good ones anyway). The Victor Bravesword does this beautifully, allowing controlled returns from smashes and drives that adds an element of awareness to my games.

The Bravesword 15 is excellent when it comes to flat drives as well, pushing the shuttle straight across to the other side with the speed you'd expect from a head light racket. The added weight to the front of the racket frame gives it an extra power boost, so watch the tape to check your shots don't go straight out the back tramlines. That happened to me a few times already.

Let's say this again, because I want to do this justice - the Victor Bravesword 15 gives you a fast, fast defense that comes with enough power to place the shuttle comfortably. BUT, watch the smaller head frame; it's going to give you a bit of frame hit and a paint chip here and there if you're not careful.

Attack
Explosive. Very bloody incredible.

Control
Even-balanced rackets have always given a good sense of where the court is, and this one is no different. Perhaps the smaller head frame makes it a little more challenging to place the shuttle, but it all adds up in the end.

The stiffness makes it easy to push and slice the shuttle around the court. Much of the game was then used for thinking where to place the shuttle instead of worrying about whether the shuttle will fly out. The back-to-backs were also well-placed, with less shuttles sailing out of the back tramlines as compared to the other racket I brought along (VT80).

Looks
Glittering black serves as the canvas for the golden motifs that line this gorgeous racket. A hint of red adds that subtle ferocity that comes out of its smashes. All this on a slim head frame with the infamous Sword frame shape gives this piece of equipment all the reason you need to own it.

Racket Royalty.

Victor Bravesword 15

Defense: 9

Attack: 9

Control: 9

Looks: 10

Victor Meteor X80

I've always doubted Victor rackets. Something about Taiwanese graphite versus Japanese graphite and that whole experience with the Spira 21 left me thinking that it's just a whole lot of marketing by the Korean National Team.

The chance came to get this racket at a reasonable price, and I jumped to see what it could do. The racket was of the lighter build, and I took it to my doubles games.

Initial experiences were pleasant, and here's the full-on.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.

With that said, now on to the review.

Victor Meteor X80
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs

Technology
- Octablade
- Peakwaves
- Nano Tec
- Carbon XT
- Eighty-80

Defense
Being 4U, this racket was naturally quick on the get-go. There wasn't any need to get accustomed to the weight and swing speed, so I'll say the MX80 is a pretty nice racket to just pick up and go. Very forgiving, and very gentle on the arms despite being very stiff.

The weight in the head can hardly be felt when you swing it, but the moment the strings come into contact with the shuttle you can feel the power from the shaft going to the shuttle; a quick flick of the wrist is all you need to make the shuttle travel to the far ends of the court, and I found myself throwing the angles a little too much sometimes.

That being said, receiving smashes with the Victor Meteor X80 is a breeze. The light weight allowed quicker response from the wrist and the weight transfer upon hitting took care of the distance.

Thanks for the weight transfer, clearing to the backcourts were also easy, even if I were thrown off position and had to force a clear from a lower angle.

Attack
Head-Heavy + very stiff = very good for smashing. Quick drops, fast smashes, check smashes and drives, all good with the MX80. I was comfortable with the speed of the smashes, which were reasonably hard to return.

This coming from a 4U racket is good enough for me. I'm not a hard hitter so this one's not very vital.

Control
I would like to add that the grip size for the MX80 seems a scale lower than the Yonex equivalent. For example, I've found Yonex's G6 to be like Victor's G2.

That's a good thing, because the MX80's smaller grip size gave me loads of control around the court. From performing the deceptive drop shots to placing the smashes down the line, I've got a pretty good grasp of direction as far as the MX80 goes.

One thing I did observe was that because of the lighter weight of the 4U racket, I've seen myself throw the shuttle off the sides a little too much. Might want to take better control of the wrist for future games.

Looks
I also have a thing for cell-shaded graphics, and the Meteor 80 fit right in. Somewhat similar to the Yonex Voltric 80 in color scheme (and some might argue, design), the MX80 is definitely a looker.

Red, black, white and GOLD in a combination of ferocity and swiftness. Quick, sharp edges dominate the principal markings on the racket shaft and head, with the grand touch of gold shaded to accord it the higher.

Comparison
I'm going to pit the Victor MX80 against the Carlton Fireblade FX8, which I find to be more of lass the go-to racket for me if I wanted to have a good game.

The MX80 wins in the speed department; I found myself vexing the weight of the FX8 after I picked it up for a game of singles right off a couple of doubles. From then on, the FX8 just felt too heavy and not very comfortable to use and control.

Using the MX80 for singles games, I felt that I missed the ease of control that came with the FX8. There were instances where I could've pushed the shuttle further and hit a little harder if I had the added weight of the Carlton Fireblade with me.

But since this is a doubles racket, I'd like to compare it with the S-Lite. But first I'll have to get more playtime off the Carlton head-light racket.

Victor Meteor X80

Defense: 9

Attack: 7

Control: 8

Looks: 9

Victor Spira 22

I'll be honest. I've sold every single Victor racket I've come to own so far. Somehow they all seem to fade away after the first few uses. What seemed to be a good racket seems to get its ability sapped away by time and more frequent use.

I fully believe in the term "familiarity breeds contempt", and it seems really apt in the case of my experience with the Victor brand.

Unfortunately, this is also the case for the Spira 22. I wrote a resoundingly good First Impression of the racket, all in the hope of this being the one good one that slipped through the Victor curse.

Not that it's a bad racket, mind you. The Spira 22 has it's qualities, it just seems to become less and less useful the more games I play with it.

Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Victor Spira 22
Est. Dry Weight: 97g (3U)
Grip Size: G2 (Yonex G5)
Balance: 4/5 (Victor's rating system)
Stiffness: 3/5 (Victor's rating system)
Strings: Pro-Kennex Pro Flex 85 @ 27lbs

I recommend this racket for singles play.

Defense
The defense for the Victor Spira 22 isn't very memorable. I don't recall having a lot of difficulty fending off attacks, nor can I truly say that the racket offers me the ease of placement on defense like the lighter Karakals.

Being on the head heavy side, I seemed to be able to block smashes and drives better than lift them. The slightly flexible shaft also lends to the difficulty in lifting after a smash. Having such limitations narrow the game play and won't allow me to move the opponent around as much as I want to.

However, I do notice that the Spira 22 delivers a very decent drive defense. If the smashes come too flat, it's all too easy to have the racket twist it's head and send the shuttle zipping down the opposite

Attack
Brutal. The Spira 22 has a fast swing speed. Coupled with the high tension-high repulsion qualities of the Pro Kennex strings, the attacks from the racket is one to be looked out for.

At the front of the court however, the Victor Spira 22 becomes a liability. Somehow I can't seem to lift the racket head fast enough to intercept shuttles. The racket soon becomes one that is more suited to play the back court, sending clears and smashes down the enemy line.

Control
Shot-making with the racket is easy. The head is stable enough to give right direction to most of my shots. However I did notice that I get more mis-hits with this racket than most. I usually stop making frame hits after I get warmed up to the shuttles, but that problem continues to bug me with the Spira 22.

Being less head heavy than my usual singles rackets, the Spira 22 also didn't allow me to clear as accurately. Having to use more strength from the back contributes to the larger amount of unforced errors to the sides.

This fact contradicts the point I made earlier about the racket being a back court racket. Not being able to move the shuttle across the back lines is a bad trait to have for something more suited to a rear attack style of play.

Unlike the long clears, drop shots and net play didn't seem to disappoint. The Victor Spira 22 is heavy enough to shift weight to the shuttle on the tight net shots, and also makes the drop shots a little more efficient since the natural weight of the head on the down swing will take care of the flight towards the opponent's front court.

Looks
I've been having a blue racket craze of late, and the Spira 22 adds to the collection with its electric blue exterior lined with streaks of black and silver.

Add the very matching Pro Kennex strings to that and you've got a very cool-looking racket.

Victor Spira 22

Defense: 7

Attack: 9

Control: 7

Looks: 8

Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade

I've written quite a bit of reviews and still have quite some rackets left over, so I thought I'd start a poll on which review the readers would want to read next. Many thanks to those who took time to vote. I'm also thinking of an open-ended poll to see what sort of badminton article you would like to read so stay tuned and keep your questions ready.

Now without further ado, I shall attempt to give a fair review for the Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade:

This is the last of the three World Beating Performance rackets that I got my hands on, mainly because it's hard to find.

The AS10PG comes in a gentleman's white, laced with gold streaks down the inside of the head frame and shaft. At first glance, you'll most definitely feel that it's one handsome racket. Very befitting for the prince of Badminton, Peter Hoeg Gade.

One of the main reasons the review took so long to write was because I wanted to get enough games in to give it a fair trial, and it was quite hard at that moment because I was suffering from a bad case of GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

So now, half a year after the pristine racket reaches my hand, I am ready.

This review's my opinion of the racket from using it in my games, my style. No one plays badminton the same way, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade
Est. Dry Weight: 88g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 24lbs

I use this rackets for singles play.

Defense
There's something magical about 3U, even-balanced rackets when it comes to defense. Somehow the racket head moves fast enough to meet the fastest smashes, and still is powerful enough to deliver a nice high block when you need it.

The Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade delivers well in this aspect, and even adds a little stability to boost your defense ratings. Standing strong in defense shouldn't be a problem with this racket. The slight boost to speed given by the even balance also allowed me to play around with the returns, varying them from left to right depending on how fast my mind could think.

Drive defense seems to benefit from the AS10PG as well, providing enough to return straight shots with equal ferocity.

If you're a wall in defense, this racket will be a nice addition to your armament.

Attack
With a good defense, you're able to turn a properly executed block into a nice attacking opportunity. And the ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade ain't too shabby in this department.

I found that I didn't exactly live for the high lifts when using this racket, as compared to when I wielded the Voltrics or Powerblades. The AS10PG just didn't give the attack power that's present in the head-heavy rackets that I own. The shuttle reaches a decent speed, but it's nowhere as explosive nor addictive to attack with.

While you'll need some time in the gym to be able to crack the whip on the shuttle for this racket, the drive attacks you execute with this racket will amaze you. Once again, the even-balance combination of speed and power delivers distinctly on the drives. ANd being strong defensively, you should be ready for a drive return if the opponent does manage to catch your silver bullet.

Control
Being even-balanced, the AS10PG doesn't deliver as well in this area as the Voltric behemoths, but it's redeemed by its tight controls. Technical players who enjoy hitting the lines, rejoice!

I felt extremely comfortable playing with this racket because I knew that it will place the shuttle exactly where I want it to.

With the Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade, you'll stop looking at the racket when you mis-hit, because you know in your heart that you can't put any blame on it.

Smashes, drives, drops, tight net shots, backhands, trick shots... the works. This princely racket will give you one good control game.

Looks
I don't think any player can look at this racket and not want to own it - white, gold, black and grey come together in a very handsome creation.

Underneath the main colors, a throbbing red core stands as a red "P", signifying the passion of one Peter Hoeg Gade.

Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade

Defense: 8

Attack: 7

Control: 10

Looks: 10

Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition

So we're up to the second on the readers' choice - the Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition. This one has been the in racket case for quite some time, and I have to thank the readers once again for actively voting to get me off my ass and writing a few reviews.

Taking off from the first impressions (link above), we're left with a well-recovered wrist and a trip to the courts with the ArcSaber 11 TH.

Initial swings were ok, the racket felt good, the weight was ok for an even-balanced racket, and I had no complaints for the shots that came off the racket.

So the games came, and it's pretty much what you'd expect from an ArcSaber - quick, powerful, versatile, accurate.

Note. This review carries my own opinion of the racket from my expereince. Comments welcome!

With that said, let's go!

Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition
Est. Dry Weight: 97g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 27lbs

I recommend this racket for both singles and doubles play.

Defense
This is probably the first thing that caught my attention. The AS11TH performs remarkably on the defensive, able to turn smashes into really quick drives across the other side of the court at the turn of your wrist. It's not too shabby when it comes to the blocks either.

The even-balanced ArcSaber 11 TH allows me to be quite creative in defense, and with the added speed bonus I can even mix a few trick shots when my brain gets to it. Double motions, no problem. High lift to net block, no problem. Smash to cross court drive, let's get some!

Attack
Here's where it gets interesting. I've never been able to get a decent smash off something even-balanced - there just isn't much weight in the head to get that thump.

The Yonex ArcSaber 11 TH denies this to a certain extent. The racket is able to generate a very decent attack. Jump smashes are a pleasure to execute, and I find myself much too happy to give the shuttle a good swat.

It gives off a good sound to boot too! The sonic metal that Yonex boasts might actually have something to do with it. The racket does give a sharper tone when you hit. Add this to the quick swing from the lack of weight, and the stiffness of the shaft, and you've got quite the attack.

It's not confined to the hard hitters either. The AS11TH gave me the more delightful drops shots tonight. The shuttle somehow resists moving towards the service line, drifting short and plunging quickly to the other side of the court with just a slight touch of the racket.

Control 
Not too shabby, but not quite the level of control that the N90-III gave me though. I found some of my shots drifting too far of the sides of the courts a little off target.

Apart from the occasional blunder, the AS11TH gives a pretty good feel once I'm in a decent position to play the shots. My more creative choices came off satisfactory, with little to complain about. The weight of the racket felt just right to pull off those higher difficulty attempts at getting a point.

Didn't get much chance to take the net, but the few times that I did didn't leave a bitter taste of regret.

Though there seemed to be a little difficulty taking the cross-court tight netshot, I'm going to attribute it to the lack of skill instead of the lack of weight in the racket to lend to the follow-through.

As for the backhands, I found a little inconsistency in the quality of the shots. Having pinpointed that to my position when I hit the shuttle, there seems to be very little space for error when you decide to turn and take the backhand. But when you do hit the right spot, the shuttle teleports.

Luckily you'll be fast enough to take the attacks that come should you fail to launch a good backhand.

Looks
Classic Taufik grey and black and gold - dignified, classy, powerful. The Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Special Edition might appear boring at first, buy you'll grow to like the timeless combination.

Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition

"Crown Jewel of the ArcSaber Series"

Defense: 10

Attack: 8

Control: 9

Looks: 8

Yonex ArcSaber 8DX

I've probably spent the most consecutive hours on this racket than any other... And not because it feels so good, but because I'm trying to get something good out of this racket.

I mean, it's a Yonex right?

 Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Yonex ArcSaber 8DX
Est Dry Weight: 98g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Super
Strings: Yonex BG80 Power @ 23lbs

I recommend this racket for singles play.

Defense
Have you ever played video games and saw this big heavy dude with a gun? The Yonex ArcSaber 8DX makes you feel like that guy. Everyone thinks you're a pushover and takes a shot at you, only to have you have no choice to soak up all the damage because the darn racket won't allow you to move fast at all.

For smashes, it's too heavy to get a decent lift. The followup smash will be painful. For drives, it's too heavy to give a decent return. The followup smash from the front of the net will be painful. For drop shots, it's too heavy to give you decent movement on the court. The weak return drop will give a painful net tap.

Two things from the ArcSaber 8DX will be your challenge - its weight and its staggering stiffness. Both too difficult for me to overcome.

Attack
You know that big guy you always liked to aim at? He also always happens to have a big gun. The 8DX gives you a pretty good attack, what with the weight and the stiffness. Solid hits from the overheads have got to be its few redeeming qualities.

Shuttles will fly off fast from its string bed, and it will be a threat from the back court, but watch for that return drive because it'll be your downfall.

Control
Because it's an ArcSaber, the control that be that far off. The 8DX gives you a good sense of the shuttle, but seldom did it make me feel in control because of the lack of flex in the shaft.

Something so stiff gives every hit a dull feel, and that makes calculating the shot that little bit harder. From the drops to the clears to the smashes and drives, there's just that little bit of accuracy missing.

Looks
Classy. The Yonex ArcSaber 8DX combines white, red, black and bronze into a very nice combination. The beauty is also in the details - how the bronze becomes glossy at the ArcSaber's signature Carbon Nanotube decal at the head frame, the textured shine at the ArcSaber lettering down the shaft, and the bronze / gold finish at the cone when you hold it to a light. Delicate.

Yonex ArcSaber 8DX

Defense: 5

Offense: 7

Control: 7

Looks: 8

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash Taufik Hidayat

This is my first serious racket, and it's taken me that long to have a good enough hold on it to write a review confidently. The first impression I had for this very technical racket was its weight. Took me awhile to get used to a 3U one (considering I started out with a 5U APACS), and I even thought it was head-heavy!

Now, a year down the road, my skills have improved substantially and I'm able to properly wield and use this racket to better effect.

This review is from my own opinions of the racket and the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt. If you've got any questions on this racket, feel free to ask.

Ok, now on to the review.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH
Dry Weight: 86-89g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I've used this racket only for singles play.

Defense
Being an even-balanced racket, the defense rating for the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH does not disappoint. However, it takes a little getting used to because of the smaller head, which sometimes mean a frame hit here and there.

This special characteristic of the racket allows for quicker swings and harder returns on defense, and that is always welcome.

Switching from side to side was easy, the same I'd expect from an even-balanced racket. Holding the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH, it feels a little longer than the other rackets I have, and that translats to easier reach for netshots. Just a hunch.

Attack
Advertised as the racket that produced the fastest recorded badminton smash in the world, the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH takes its aerodynamic frame seriously. Cutting across the air with a very crisp sound, the racket gives its wielder very little air resistance when swung.

However, the lack of weight in the front makes the racket lose out to the Voltric 80 in terms of raw power. Comparing it with the ArcSaber 10 PG however, the Z-Slash TH seems to edge out a little bit.

But we don't all win games with smashes, don't we? I noticed that the hits coming off the Z-Slash TH takes advantage of its quick swing speed, delivering the drives and check smashes at a delectable pace.

Control
Here's where this racket shines. When you're able to get reasonably good hits off its small head, the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH offers a very acute level of control. There's not a lot of room for error, but you'll be glad you took the time to tame the beast that is the Z-Slash.

Looks
I've no complaints against most of Yonex's racket designs, and the Z-Slash TH is no different. Taking the official colors for Taufik Hidayat, red and black, the designers added a dash of white and gold for that motion blur effect when you swing the racket head.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH

Defense: 8

Attack: 8

Control: 9

Looks: 8

Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed

Well, this is a long time coming hasn't it? I've gotten really busy at work and that practically wipes out my weekday games, so it's taken a lot longer for me to have a good enough idea of how to write this review.

Trust me, I've been meaning to get this out as soon as possible, lest I forget how good the Z-Speed felt. I have to admit though, that the first thought of giving this racket a good try was when Kenichi Tago kicked Chen Long's behind with it during the Thomas Cup.

I've been a fan of the youngster's and it's nice to know that he's still got a kick left in em. Was almost sure his time had come when he met with the losing streak last year.

But anyway, the racket turned out pretty darn well, and I can see how Tago chose this over the Voltric 80, Z-Force, and Z-Force II.

Note. This is a review of my experience after using the racket for a number of sessions. Take the findings with a pinch of salt. I'm not as good as some of you guys out there.

Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed
Est. Dry Weight: 85g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Light, but feels more even-balanced
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 28lbs

Defense:
Being touted as the fastest swinging racket out there, it's not surprising that this racket can pretty much block anything that comes its way. I find myself returning some seriously threatening attacks with the racket, and it's amazing.

The nanoray Z-Speed will pretty much react as fast as your eyes can see. Many times I didn't even turn my head and the racket somehow managed to land itself in the path of the shuttle. It's so quick I can't even believe that I got the shot back sometimes.

What's more about the defense is the amount of power and accuracy I manage to get into the returns. Any racket that allows me to do a backhand drive on a stretch pretty much takes the cake. Holding this racket gives me an awesome feeling at the front of the net, and for doubles that's a big plus.

If I were to say anything bad about the defense, which also holds true for the other sections to follow, is that the smaller size of the head frame (which comes with the Yonex 'Z' Series of rackets) will demand a good accuracy to hit home. A smaller sweet spot means harder, more accurate shots, but it also means more practice to be able to pull those off.

Control:
For one of my two-hour singles session, I tried using control sessions, which basically means I reduce my attacking shots to an absolute minimum and only hit the hard one on the kill.

The result was good. The Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed was able to hit all corners of the court without much trouble. I had good control of the situation and didn't have to be moved around a lot despite the amount of attacks my opponent was throwing at me.

Clears were effortless, the fast drop shots from the back were good, backhands were of passing grade (remember I don't play as much as I used to), and tight net shots turned out fine.

I distinctive remember being able to hit the hard flat shot to the back, throwing the opponent into thinking it was out. For a player of my calibre, that took some skills. Having the Z-Speed definitely helped.

Attack:
Pow.

This racket holds the world record for having the fastest smash. Well I'm no Tan Boon Heong, but I can feel the difference in speed of the shuttle coming off the string bed, and I like it.

Two things in particular for attacks when I use this racket. The first being the steepness of the shots that I'm able to pull off. As though being fast wasn't enough, my smashes with the Z-Speed seem to come off at a steeper angle than the other rackets, and  it had something to do with the racket being head-light.

I'm also able to execute some really good (and steep) smashes off the wrist. A simple twist and the shuttle goes whipping. Gives you a good feeling that you've got an extra surprise element to your shots.

However, I do feel that the Z-Force II is able to throw off a heavier smash than this one. Not that's it's an issue for me, but for those looking for explosive power in addition to speed, you might want to give the head-heavy series of rackets a try.

Looks:
I have to say it grows on you. And bright orange is a good color to be zipping through the air doesn't it?

Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed

"Speed Demon."

Defense: 10

Control: 10

Attack: 9

Looks: 9