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Hey there. First time posting a review. I'm not affiliated with Victor and bought this racket with my own money, so my bias here would only be that I was made in Taiwan - just like this racket, the TK-FC Ltd A. Here we go!
The full name for this racket is the Thruster K Falcon Claw version 2 TTY signature edition. There are around 4 versions of the Thruster K Claw around: the first edition with the 6.4 mm shaft, the special TTY Olympic box set edition, this one (6.5 mm shaft), and the cheaper non-signature edition (? without FreeCore, 3 and 4u sizing).
YMMV
I have here a 4U, 2022 version of the Claw Ltd A - with transparent cone and butt cap, purchased at 270 AUD.
It has been strung with Yonex Exbolt 65 string at 28 lbs. I have additionally placed a thin overgrip on top of the factory grip.
I am swinging this racket with a body that's 185 cm and 94 kg.
Handling
Victor's FreeCore handled rackets have a very different feel compared with most other rackets on the market. There's reduced vibration, decreased feedback and it feels longer in swing. If you are new to synthetic handles, it'll take a couple of weeks to adjust.
The racket feels rigid and fairly quick in the hand. In motion, the Claw is sharp through the air and packs a crisp, solid punch. It is very stable on impact and bounces back quickly from bigger hits. The Claw is not forgiving of mishits however.
Overall, it handles superbly for a head-heavy racket, though it is a little taxing on the shoulders compared to most 4u rackets.
Control
Surprisingly for a racket called Falcon Claw, this racket is very precise and consistent, rather than being a messy smash machine. The birdie usually goes where I want it to with great reliability. I find my steeper smashes to be more consistent. Returns and defensive strokes are also very accurate.
The Claw is an excellent racket for running the other players around. It is a very accurate conductor of your birdie plans.
Speed
The Claw swings through the air quickly and in a sharp manner. It is very quick for a head-heavy racket, but it is not primarily a speedster. There's no sluggishness at all.
Power
The Claw offers good power with drives and smashes. It doesn't have quite the level of maximum power as a top-tier 3u Astrox, but it does hit more powerfully than most rackets do.
Power generation does take some mastering, as the Claw plays a bit differently from the more common head-heavy hitters. It has great power transmission and repulsiveness, and has excellent stability even during the most forceful impacts.
Technology
I won't go listing all the marketing catch phrases on Victor's website, but the Claw Ltd A basically has a majority of Victor's high end technology. It is, after all, Victor's most expensive racket in regular production at the time of writing (according to Victor's own Taiwanese catalogue). The Claw is basically a top tier carbon racket with all the bells & whistles that Victor has patented.
One feature to pay attention to is the synthetic FreeCore handle. If you don't like the FreeCore feel, don't buy the Claw. If you want to try FreeCore, give it a solid month's trial before deciding on its merit.
Quality of Manufacture
The Claw is very well made and looks to be one of the best representations of MiT manufacturing. It is a very high quality racket.
Aesthetics
The matte white frame and metallic gold detailing immediately caught my eye. It definitely stands out as one of the better looking rackets in badminton stores. The matte finish is very nice! TTY fans will like the signature details on this racket.
Value
With a RRP of 7500 NTD and being available in Australia between 260 to 280 AUD unstrung, the Claw Ltd A is definitely a premium racket.
The Claw is not 'good value', but it is a high quality product which will appeal to badminton enthusiasts and people with money to spare.
Who is it for?
The Claw is a good fit for attacking, counter-attacking, control, back court and singles players.
It is a head-heavy and rigid 4u racket, so larger males or more experienced players could use this as a jack-of-all-trades doubles racket too.
I would say, given the steeper learning curve and skill demand compared to most rackets, the Claw is for players of intermediate proficiency and above.
Who is it not for?
Beginners and those who are physically weaker than average will struggle to bring out the full potential of the Claw.
Unlike the recommendations from most online retailers, I don't believe the Claw is beginner friendly. It's not a forgiving racket.
Pros:
Very high quality racket
Sexy, will turn heads on the court
No major weaknesses
Excels in power, control and stability
Very sharp and crisp in the air
Quicker than most power rackets
Option to string up to 31 lbs
TTY's racket
Cons:
FreeCore handle may not be to everyone's taste
Premium/luxury pricing
Somewhat demending of shoulder/arm strength compared to other 4u rackets
Not forgiving - the Claw will point out your inadequacies and mistakes
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