Which type of shuttlecock for practice?

[Stalker]

Plastic or feather?

[Slanter]

Plastics for coaching though, little b*stards!:mad:

[ksooi]

Definitely feathers.....

[ayl]

G'day,

Worn out feathers are great for warm ups. Practice hit ups and smashes without worrying busting a new shuttle

[Phil]

Is this what we use or would prefer? I usually have to use plastic, but I work now so I can buy some cheap feathers for practice. Unfortunately, my club plays with plastic, so the casual players wouldn't like me bringing in feathers. Besides, they would ruin them since they are used to wacking vinyl shuttles.

I have a box of worn out birds for drills that don't require proper flight such as low serves and net kills. I've collected most of them as leftovers from tournaments, and I even have a bunch that were still good from tournaments. :D

Phil

[badrad]

if the competitive environment is feathers, the students must practice with feathers. if it is a lower level, school environment, the plastic is suitable.

i usually solicit used plastic shuttles from neighboring community centers and clubs. they are usually very helpful and supportive, so i will get boxloads of old plastics for the kids to play with. the problem you will to address is how bad a shape the shuttle is in before it is finally retired.

with feather shuttles, this may be a bit harder to obtain unless you are with a local club and you can acquire all the spent shuttles. the life of a used feather unfortunately is still shorter than the used life of a plastic, before the shuttle practice value is nil.

where i consider a shuttle useless is when you spend more time concerned with the flight and response of the shuttle than with your particular drill. so, when i am practicing smashes, a more used shuttle is acceptable, while a service or touch stroke should be practiced with a cleaner shuttle to ensure touch consistency is achieved

[cooler]

Both nylons and feathers are ok with me, each has it own good and bad points. Nylon has one flight pattern and feather has a slightly different one. There is no right or wrong of using nylon shuttles as some people believe as both side is hitting the same shuttle.

[bigredlemon]

my club only use plastic... looks like i'm one of the rare plastic people... 80% feather users? wow..

[zero]

my club uses plastic and feather, but you have to pay more yearly fee to use feathers!!....cheap ppl!!....:mad:

But I use feather most of the time when I don't pay the "High Priced" fee because I join lots of tournaments, so the coach doesn't care because he thinks we are practicing for tournaments....hehe...

I agree with cooler than feather and nylon have 2 different flight patterns, but not THAT different...;)

[LazyBuddy]

I use 80% nylon ones for practice. In tournaments, they always provide feather ones.

Ok, now I have one more excuse for not being successful in some of my tourny... hmmm... "different fly parttern"...

:D

[jwu]

used broken down feathers for practice of course, not that rich. sometime people at the club do bring out the yonex as-50 for practice, hey it's their money.

[Joanne]

I hate using plastic, no idea why. The feel just isn't there. That's how I feel anyway. We always use old shuttles at my coaching........some, at least. :)

[cheongsa]

The date stamp of the last post on this thread is 2002, but the date stamp of the thread reads "Today"?

[kwun]

The date stamp of the last post on this thread is 2002, but the date stamp of the thread reads "Today"?
today was the last "voted" date.

[skkydig]

i use feather most of the time. but is it true that plastic shuttle weakens your string compared to feather?

[Dill]

Depends what you use to play with, if you play with feathers then its useless to warm up with plastic and vice versa since they fly differnetly.

Feathers for me (long live the feather, well more than 2 rallies anyway)

[bluejeff]

I think I better clear up on what "practice" means (to me) :)

If Practice shots for myself (with decent friends/players) are really training ones, then I use feather, the normal ones I used in games, such as AS30&40&50 and Champions&Tourneys.

If Practice shots are for fooling around with my gf or friends or having fun, then I will use plastic ones.

[brandonwong]

defenitely go for feather... normally using sea lion for practice

[fishmilk]

thank god lee's uses feathers =)

[Break-My-String]

I primarily practise with used feather shuttles because

1) I prefer to play w/ feather during matches
2) I get an ample supply of used shuttles

I use plastic to drill when the facility will supply the plastic shuttles, but they tend to be cheaper, heavier, and slower.

You can't practise w/ "used plastic" because the flight characteristics is like a rocket, while used feathers tends to be slower (with similar deceleration curve as a new shuttle) thus giving more time to concentrate on the drill, ie/ footwork, stroke, etc.

Cheers!

[TheGr8Two]

I primarily practise with used feather shuttles because

1) I prefer to play w/ feather during matches
2) I get an ample supply of used shuttles

I use plastic to drill when the facility will supply the plastic shuttles, but they tend to be cheaper, heavier, and slower.

You can't practise w/ "used plastic" because the flight characteristics is like a rocket, while used feathers tends to be slower (with similar deceleration curve as a new shuttle) thus giving more time to concentrate on the drill, ie/ footwork, stroke, etc.

Cheers!
Actually, I find that sometimes the opposite occurs.

With the plastic, the cork starts spining off the skirt, and the shuttle won't have that nice bounce as when it is new.

For feather, when number of feathers come off, there seems to be less drag, and it just launches like a rocket.

[Break-My-String]

Actually, I find that sometimes the opposite occurs...For feather, when number of feathers come off, there seems to be less drag, and it just launches like a rocket.
I agree the opposite can occur for feathers. What I usually do is save the ones that are not too used (such as missing 2 or more feathers), the ones that have all the feathers in tact and not too "fluffy". :D

Cheers!

[JRMTL]

Another point to bring is that feathers have a lot less impact on your elbow and ankle when you hit it than plastic birds. Therefore, for injuries, feathers are way better.

JRMTL

[patfam]

I would definitely go for feathers.

Then again, which brand? I've been trying out a few brands like Wilson, Aerotec and SeaLions and found that usually we would use about 3 shuttles per game. Is that normal? or is there a more lasting shuttle? jeez, its darn expensive.

[carlol]

feathers! used, but serviceable feathers for practice, for fooling around.

New feather birdies when the competition is decent and the score is being counted.

[aznphi1osopher]

i tend to use plastic at certain open gyms, and feather at others, really depends on the level of the gym and my opponet ^_^. but for coachin i mainly use plastic to coach , because they tend to kill feather ones realli realli fast -_- . i remember once i brung out the feathers , they hit it bak n forth say.. 4-5 times ? and the feather was destroyed -_- i didnt know how they did it, but they accomplished sumtin i didnt think dat was possible haha ^_^. so i stick wit mainly plastic, and since the tournaments uses plastics aniways ( high school team) but i do order feathers alot of it , well the cheapeset i can get just to get them a feel on feathers, its like.. 2-3$ for a dozen , they are decent feathers and when i buy them i buy in bulks since, i order them out of country.

[other]

Another point to bring is that feathers have a lot less impact on your elbow and ankle when you hit it than plastic birds. Therefore, for injuries, feathers are way better.

JRMTL

really? i find that feather ones seem to cause me more damage than when i play with nylon ones

[TrunkZ69]

feather defintely hurts less than plastic. when i hit with plastic at 27 lbs, even for short periods of timem, my arm hurts like hell. with feather 29 is fine :)

and some people mess up feathers really quickily because they are use to plastic. you can hit a plastic bird on the skirt a bit and sitll hit very good shots. so they are basically used to the timing of plastic and end up hitting skirt alll the time when they hit. hence, wasted goose feathers :( please don't serve noobs high quality birds when they are starting off :crying:

[Beryl]

Plastic's a lot easier. It doesn't need half as much strength to pull a backhand, unlike feathers. Looks like I'd have to stop buying Yonex birds and start picking up unwanted birds off the floor at my training club. And get cheaper shuttles too. Any reccommendations? A beat up shuttle travels more slowly than a new one, right?



p.s we hate to admit this but we must: tennis players never have this problem with their balls...sigh

[Break-My-String]

...start picking up unwanted birds off the floor at my training club. And get cheaper shuttles too. Any reccommendations?
Don't buy bottom-of-the-line "training" shuttles, just buy quality shuttles that you can afford and you would like to use during regular play.

Then save the used ones for drills.

Cheers!

[cappy75]

Not true though, tennis balls do lose their bounce over time. Depending on how hard the player hit and the quality of the balls, one could use up a tube of 3 balls in one day/session. Not as expensive as shuttles, but still needs replacing.


p.s we hate to admit this but we must: tennis players never have this problem with their balls...sigh

[Saiful]

Normaly i use recycle feather for training and drill. You may carry 1 or 2 empty tube and these recycle feathers shuttlecock you may find everyware at your club after you play. Not every one is born to be rich, these is one of the way you may save some of your money.

[laughable c.]

i find plastics harder to hit ie more strength is needed to get it across. the heaviness is similar to when i hit used shuttles. that's why i just stick to feather. but i save the used ones for stroking.

[aerotus70]

feather all the way, the sport hall that i fequent have lots of rich ppl that like to throw slightly dmg shuttles away just walk 1 rnd and lots of shuttles to use for stroking ;)

[altreality]

I use the used shuttles for wram-ups and stroking or if these are not available, the cheaper new shuttles.... Games and tournaments are diff.

But its feathers all the way.
I never liked nylon - it's flight is well.. a little wierd and the past 2 times I used nylon I found that it favoured hard hitters... smashes are faster - and you need a lot less effort to do a proper clear...

I guess we are quite lucky here - we get feather shuttlecocks ranging from USD6 to USD 20 per tube..... theres something to suit everyone !

[FrozenHell]

Plastic for me:)

Least it is durable.Will have enough time to aim and get use to other badminton skills.

[ants]

You will never go wrong using feathers for practice. You can really 'feel' your shots compare to plastics.

[smash_master]

i have to say feather i mean when you play with plastic and then feather you can see a noticable difference i find that the hit off a feather is cleaner but thats just my opinion. and if you cant afford feathers then just look for then at where you play im sure that you can find some that are just sitting there in good condition waiting for you to take them:cool:

[tranvi007]

Feather birdies are best in the humid countries. But here it's dry and cold and the birdie doesn't fly too well. So plastic would be better. But in Asia feather birdies are awesome, my shots are so much more accurate and it flies so much better. The disadvangtage is that u gotta so through so many birdies, cuz they break easily.

[junjie]

I still prefer feather shuttlecocks for practices, lowergrade feathers that is. The cost is relatively lower. It has a different feel, can't switch to plastics even for practices.

[Break-My-String]

Feather birdies are best in the humid countries. But here it's dry and cold and the birdie doesn't fly too well...
If it is "dry", then more the reason why you should steam the (new) shuttles before you play, and pending on the steaming technique, the shuttle will last longer.

For the (used) practise feather shuttles, it more important to have non-fluffy feathers than to have it steamed!

Cheers!

[coryprice]

I know this may be an old thread that I am replying to, but I have just recently joined Badminton Central.

I wanted to add, and ask some things regarding feather shuttles that I haven't entirely gotten from reading through the thread replies so far:

First, has anyone tried the Yonex Mavis 370 shuttles. I called Yonex and they tell me that they fly as close to feathers as any plastic shuttles have before. The testing they show indicates only something like only .005 seconds less than the recovery time of a feather shuttle. Has anyone tried it enough to say it feels reasonably close to feather. It feels no better than the Mavis 300s or 350s then I will not bother ordering them from overseas somewhere.

Second, do the feather shuttles get destroyed around east coast USA very easily? I know in Edmonton, Canada, where I am from, they could really fall apart quickly, even with court-side steaming. If anyone has any input on this then I will know whether to invest in feather shuttles for my own practice.

Third, I ordered some lower grade feather shuttles for about 8.50/Dozen because true feather ones are so much more expensive. In my research, I read that these just use feathers that are rejected for simple reasons. (ie. sometimes the color is not right, a slight mishape in the feather, or something else that might not have that great of an effect on the flight of the shuttle. I will find out shortly if they are any good for myself, but I see some people seem to think practice shuttles are no good at all, and yet others are willing to use beaten up, left-over tournament or club grade shuttles instead.

So those are my thoughts and questions if anyone has any further input. I do know that the shuttle use is very dependent on where you live, and have experienced that from playing with the wrong plastic shuttles which flew to fast, and feathers which fell apart after only a few rallies from even average level players who don't hit that hart, because I lived in a climate which was high up (thin air meant birds flew faster), and very dry (feather shuttles would stay moist for only a couple rallies).

My conclusion: you must find the shuttle that is right for you, right for your budget, and right for the area you are playing in.

Cory

[Break-My-String]

...the plastic shuttles testing indicates only .005 seconds less than the recovery time of a feather shuttle....Not only is there the recovery time, there is also the greater rate of deceleration which feather shuttles tend to have after being stroked (compare the difference in flight when attempting a tight net shot or defending a smash).


...do the feather shuttles get destroyed very easily?...even with court-side steaming...I have compared shuttles that were steamed just prior to playing versus a damp papertowel in the tube 3 days before using. My tests showed the papertowel method had a result of a 15-20% increase in durability.


...I ordered some lower grade feather shuttles for about 8.50/Dozen because true feather ones are so much more expensive...and yet others are willing to use beaten up, left-over tournament or club grade shuttles instead...Goes back to one of my earlier post...

Don't buy bottom-of-the-line "training" shuttles, just buy quality shuttles that you can afford and you would like to use during regular play. Then save the used ones for drills.


...because I lived in a climate which was high up (thin air meant birds flew faster), and very dry (feather shuttles would stay moist for only a couple rallies)...When you live at a higher elevation, you use a slower speed to compensate for the thinner air resistance, but still you will need to humify the shuttles a few days before you play. If you play on a regular basis, shoving a wet papertowel once a week should keep your shuttles going!

Cheers!

[coryprice]

I have compared shuttles that were steamed just prior to playing versus a damp papertowel in the tube 3 days before using. My tests showed the papertowel method had a result of a 15-20% increase in durability.
That's an interesting tip, which I will have to try. I did not steam them just prior to playing necessarily. I would have steamed them at regular intervals leading up to using them, and then they would be steamed all night, and then just before playing, but I'll have to try the "constant" humidity level that would come from the paper towel in the tube. Thanks!

Cory

[kwun]

cory, dont' overdo the steaming. there is a possibility of overdamping the shuttle and it will come out soft and mushy. furthermore, i have seen shuttles which have moulds on it probably caused by too much moisture and then left unused for too long! :)

[coryprice]

cory, dont' overdo the steaming. there is a possibility of overdamping the shuttle and it will come out soft and mushy. furthermore, i have seen shuttles which have moulds on it probably caused by too much moisture and then left unused for too long! :)
:rolleyes:Yeah, that happened to me already. I did the papertowels, then when I got down to the third shuttle, there was mold on the tip. I am just going to steam them just before using them, and only for a few minutes, like I've done before. Had good success with that. Thanks for the tip about oversteaming them though.

[Neil Nicholls]

First, has anyone tried the Yonex Mavis 370 shuttles. I called Yonex and they tell me that they fly as close to feathers as any plastic shuttles have before. The testing they show indicates only something like only .005 seconds less than the recovery time of a feather shuttle. Has anyone tried it enough to say it feels reasonably close to feather. It feels no better than the Mavis 300s or 350s then I will not bother ordering them from overseas somewhere.

Yes, played with 300s 370s and variety of feathers (Yonex, Carlton, Ashaway, Yehlex).
The plastics don't come close
(I don't think much of Ashaway's Quill plastic shuttle either)

I prefer 370s to 300s. Slightly more durable. 370s hold their shape better than 300s.

[TheGr8Two]

But when you actually get hit by a feather shuttle, it hurts more than if you got hit by a plastic shuttle. ;)


Another point to bring is that feathers have a lot less impact on your elbow and ankle when you hit it than plastic birds. Therefore, for injuries, feathers are way better.

JRMTL

[Extremesmash]

try sea lion. IBF approved. Cheap and good. 3 models.
rgds

[Kai91]

u can try impact... their practice shuttle are rather cheap and good but i am using victor service now...a good choice

[BethuneGuy]

In Toronto, price of plastic is about 1/3 cheaper than feather. In HK, if i remember correctly, feather is about same price as plastic.

[goldmedal]

in my view, it is plastic for training and feather for games, because for the drills, you want a tough shuttle for repetetive hitting w/o getting destroyed

[shawn30_k]

my opinion is dont even use the plastics at all.i mean like someone else said earlier.there os definetely a real difference when u hit the plastic shuttle.there isnt any feeling.if you use the plastic for drills and the feel is different when you play a match using feather the amount of force you have to use will be greatly different and you feel very fustrated and will make many unforced errrors.trust me ive tried it before.anyway my friend also keeps hitting the tip of the shuttle so that it splits into 2.so who say the shuttle will last longer than faeather shuttles.thats even worst because when is comes out once it will becomse loosen and the tip will keep coming off.

[Dave18]

I prefer plastic.


What shuttlecock do they use for high school tournaments?

[wubuseah]

feather forever!!!
btw...gotta ask, do you actually bring an electric/gas/charcoal(lol) steamer to the court to steam your shuttles or just bring a hot water flask? :D

[Gollum]

Steaming shuttles needs to be done well before they are used. You want them to be quite dry by the time they are used, not dripping or damp.

[wubuseah]

just had a few games with my friend from beijing here in malaysia, he said that feather shuttles still fly the best in malaysia lol
he says it still isn't anywhere near the same even after steaming in beijing.

[takahira]

feather's for sure.... as I was taking some lessons during the past summer, the coach there used worn out feathers.... the feel is great.... and I don't have to worry about busting up some nice new feathers.... :rolleyes:

[manduki]

maybe this is because I'm only a beginner, but i find that feather and platic is around the same other than a very slight difference in feel when contact is made. I must admit the feather feels nicer:p . However, I dont think that small difference in feel accounts for its price;) .

Maybe when i become better, I'll learn to appreciate the feather birds more:p

[wing-omega5-0]

usually, i play with plastic purely because they're cheaper and last way longer.
the only problem to this is that i love using feathers. the fly well and make a beautiful sound when u hit:D . i'm just...not a rich enough person to be buying feathers to play with all the time.

[jackson_ngo]

I use both feather and plastic, the feathers offers better feel. When cost is concern, i'll use some high grade plastic birds, mavis 350 and above, the durability makes up for the differences in feel. The difference in feeling between plastics and feathers is still there, but not as much compared to lower grade plastics.:p

[bilbobaggybum]

I use feathers when I practice adnd when I play at my club, the reason is plastics are just not the same. I feel I would not enjoy my games as much and as I can get hold of 12 feathers for about £4.

[__Lam]

i like to train with feather or really slow synthetic birds. In an actually game i feel that i can smash faster, backhand clear with ease. and drive with alot more power. (we use fast or medium-slow birds in games and tourneys) I just like to curl the synthetic nylon skirt more outwards for extra slowness. Slow shuttles sound better too... Fast shuttles for training defense / reflexes. Squeeze the skirt tighter together so its more aerodynamic.

[cooler]

i like to train with feather or really slow synthetic birds. In an actually game i feel that i can smash faster, backhand clear with ease. and drive with alot more power. (we use fast or medium-slow birds in games and tourneys) I just like to curl the synthetic nylon skirt more outwards for extra slowness. Slow shuttles sound better too... Fast shuttles for training defense / reflexes. Squeeze the skirt tighter together so its more aerodynamic.

Advantage Nylon shuttles :p

[sac_man]

Nylon shuttles -Should be banned.
I don't recommend it for any (level) players, it fly lot faster, it's just feel wierd.

[DinkAlot]

I practice exclusively with feather. The only time I use plastic (on occasion) is the practice of returning smashes.

As for feature practice shuttles I use:

DHS 302 (use this the most cause they are good Bang-for-the-buck)
MMOA Super Select 950
Hi Qua Purple or Blue
Victor Gold (when I can't find the others)
Victor Green Champions
Trump Reds (love the shuttle but hard to find)

[Noob848]

i only have AS50 s and they are far too expensive to snap in a practice, so plastic mav 350s work for me

[DinkAlot]

Update:

The recent batch of DHS 302s, Hi-Qua Purple and Blues and Victor Golds have not been holding up. I don't know why but a reliable source said it may have to do with the Asian Bird Flu aka Avian Flu.

I've been using the Bad R Us Professional at $14/tube and they are excellent for the money, on par with the Trump Reds. I got them from Andy Tran aka Monkey from SGVBC. If you go there, you can pick them up for $14/tube. If online it's $17/tube:

http://www.badrus.com/flashless/shuttles.php?manufacturer=BADRUS

Even the BadRUs Club Shuttle is good at $13/tube.




I practice exclusively with feather. The only time I use plastic (on occasion) is the practice of returning smashes.

As for feature practice shuttles I use:

DHS 302 (use this the most cause they are good Bang-for-the-buck)
MMOA Super Select 950
Hi Qua Purple or Blue
Victor Gold (when I can't find the others)
Victor Green Champions
Trump Reds (love the shuttle but hard to find)

[hongkie]

Anyone tried RSL shuttlecocks? i think they make pretty good birds if durability issue is concerned. Tried an RSL Practice 12.Doz tube last week, it can even last a few more smashes than the current AS-20 i am using. But it doesn't come cheap too. S$26 per tube. But it is definately worth the deal. I got the one with speed 77.

[DinkAlot]

I think the RSL Practice is OK for durability, the speed is a bit slow but it's a decent practice bird. However, for the money, I'd rather spend a bit more $2 US and get the Bad R Us Professional or even the Bad R Us Club.



Anyone tried RSL shuttlecocks? i think they make pretty good birds if durability issue is concerned. Tried an RSL Practice 12.Doz tube last week, it can even last a few more smashes than the current AS-20 i am using. But it doesn't come cheap too. S$26 per tube. But it is definately worth the deal. I got the one with speed 77.

[J_M_V]

Anyone tried RSL shuttlecocks? i think they make pretty good birds if durability issue is concerned. Tried an RSL Practice 12.Doz tube last week, it can even last a few more smashes than the current AS-20 i am using. But it doesn't come cheap too. S$26 per tube. But it is definately worth the deal. I got the one with speed 77.

I've used tens of dozens of RSL Practice shuttlecocks in training (my former team used to have only them in practice). Don't really have much good to say about them: one tube might have been ok, but the other one really poor. I mean some of the birdies didn't last more than 4 - 5 clean clears before totally breaking up. Here they are cheap, about 10 - 12 euro per tube, but not worth the money. Team was using mainly 77 and 78 speeds. RSL Silver IMO is the first good quality RSL shuttlecock - all above that (e.g. RSL Tourney) are excellent, but have the price tag too :( .

[Arief]

Never used plastic shuttles before lol... I guess it's more common in Europe and US..

[juris]

Since all tournaments here use feather, we practice exclusively with feather. We prefer RSL Tournament shuttles. :p

[Arief]

anyone here tried protech pt10 and ashaway classic? (blue colour one) I feel that these 2 are the best shuttles..

[Arief]

anyone here tried protech pt10 and ashaway classic? (blue colour one) I feel that these 2 are the best shuttles..

[__Lam]

FOR SURE... without doubt, plastic shuttle :D :D :D just bend the skirt back for a while, shuttle will be SOO slow, good strength and smash/clear training, as for reflexes just bend the skirt inwards, like grab the bird in a fist for a minuite, the bird will be super fast, like you can smash as fast or faster then a pro (i cant do it but you guys probly can)... good reflex training.

they also last longer then feather birds, the cork popping off the shuttle is the most common way of busting a plastic shuttle, but you can always superglue it back(this is gonna effect the weight of the shuttle but w/e) on so yeah they last forever

[DinkAlot]

I've used tens of dozens of RSL Practice shuttlecocks in training (my former team used to have only them in practice). Don't really have much good to say about them: one tube might have been ok, but the other one really poor. I mean some of the birdies didn't last more than 4 - 5 clean clears before totally breaking up. Here they are cheap, about 10 - 12 euro per tube, but not worth the money. Team was using mainly 77 and 78 speeds. RSL Silver IMO is the first good quality RSL shuttlecock - all above that (e.g. RSL Tourney) are excellent, but have the price tag too :( .

I agree, the RSL Tourney # 1 and RSL Tourney Classic are very good shuttles, at least for the money, here in the U.S.

[DinkAlot]

Some more updates:

Victor Champion No. 3 (aka Eagle): very good for $12/tube. Good all-around.

MMOA Super Select MS-950: excellent for $12/tube if you can find it. Very durable. The most durable shuttle I have used for under $25/tube. Even when the feathers are gone, save the shuttle, you can use it for practice, it still flies decently well! :eek: :D

DHS-201: good for $12/tube. Flies well. Durability a bit better than average

DHS-302: this current batch is not so good in terms of durability. But for $10/tube it's OK for practice.

[Blue_Smash]

Unless theres an upcoming event or something I'll usually stick with the nylon birdies. Although I do prefer feather birdies.

[DinkAlot]

One more update: just bought 20 tubes of MMOA Select and it's very good too. Not quite as good as the Super Select 950 but close enough. Good stuff.

[werfer]

I use Mavis 350's for practice and school play. I tried feather a couple of times and busted them too quick. So im going nylon for practice!!

[quintessence]

I agree, the RSL Tourney # 1 and RSL Tourney Classic are very good shuttles, at least for the money, here in the U.S.


I tried the RSL tournament grade, it is the worst shuttle I ever played. It was good for only a few strokes. In terms of durability, all YY seems to be very good, but they are highly priced. There are many better alternatives such as FZ Forza Air Force Tournament, Aeroplane green label (#76 only), Gosen S-200 (#77 only), Prizm and ect. These are lot cheaper if you buy in bulk.

I strongly recommend my friends not to play both feather and nylon shuttles. The trajectories of these two types of shuttles are very different. This can be checked quie easily by performing high serves with them. The landing distance could have a difference of more than two feet. Thus your hitting time will have to be much sooner for nylon shuttles. You will be frustrated and don't even know the real reason as your strokes will be very inconsistence if you are playing both.

[DinkAlot]

I tried the RSL tournament grade, it is the worst shuttle I ever played. It was good for only a few strokes.

Quin: I see you reside in Canada, that can affect the shuttle adversely. You mentioned the Aeroplane shuttle as being durable. Here in Los Angeles where it's warm, the RSL Tourney and Aeroplane play about the same in terms of durability and flight. It would be difficult to tell where and when the shuttles came from and what elements (temperature/humidity) the shuttles were exposed to.

By you saying the RSL Tourney is the worst shuttle you ever played with leads me to believe the shuttle was "frozen" or "sunbaked" or some similar extreme. Oh well. :p :D

[quintessence]

Quin: I see you reside in Canada, that can affect the shuttle adversely. You mentioned the Aeroplane shuttle as being durable. Here in Los Angeles where it's warm, the RSL Tourney and Aeroplane play about the same in terms of durability and flight. It would be difficult to tell where and when the shuttles came from and what elements (temperature/humidity) the shuttles were exposed to.

By you saying the RSL Tourney is the worst shuttle you ever played with leads me to believe the shuttle was "frozen" or "sunbaked" or some similar extreme. Oh well. :p :D

You may right. I played Aeroplane #76 and Forza #78. Both of them are equally good except that aeroplane is heavier.

[DinkAlot]

You may right. I played Aeroplane #76 and Forza #78. Both of them are equally good except that aeroplane is heavier.

This is good dialogue because the Aeroplane here was a bit lighter, relatively speaking. The shuttle was probably a bit dry. Very interesting stuff huh? :)

[Chire]

Come on, plastic?

How will you ever learn to play with feather if you train with plastic ones. Not recommended especially if you're training for a tournament. Besides, plastic shuttlecocks feel like rocks, they're heavier - they loosen your string tension and reduce the rackets durability. The way they fly is so different as well.Using worn out shuttlecocks is a good option, as suggested earlier on this thread.
The line between plastic and feathers is pretty much the line between playing for fun and training to achieve some goal.

My 2 cents.

[kmodak]

defenitely go for feather... normally using sea lion for practice

The club in India where I use to pls each feather shuttle cost 10 Rs ie ~ 25 cents. So the choice was very clear. Feather all the time.

[GunBlade008]

There's no 'both' option :(

[DinkAlot]

Update: I have been using the King FS-707 shuttle (http://www.ibuysports.com/KingShuttle707.html) for the last 2 months and for $9.50/tube, it's great. It flies true and is relatively durable. If you mist/humidify them, they are quite durable.

There's really nothing bad about the shuttle except maybe they don't visually look as consistent as some of the other shuttles. Don't be fooled, they fly well and are now the benchmark for me, for under $15/tube. :)

[mabuhay]

From my experiences, plastic is okay for practice since I'm on a budget, but the feel of feather can't be matched. Yonex Mavis 350 is a good plastic to use. I used Wilson WS-400 club feathers, but I would not recommend them. The flight is nice at first, but these birds are not very durable, even after humidifying them. I prefer plastic over used feathers for practice. The flight of the used feathers I played with were wobbly.

[BaddGolfer]

This is good dialogue because the Aeroplane here was a bit lighter, relatively speaking. The shuttle was probably a bit dry. Very interesting stuff huh? :)

As the shuttles are presumably sorted by weight for different speed categories, does a shuttle getting a bit dry affect its weight and there by its speed? If the answer is Yes, then I have a follow up question on that... :p Thanks!

[DinkAlot]

As the shuttles are presumably sorted by weight for different speed categories, does a shuttle getting a bit dry affect its weight and there by its speed? If the answer is Yes, then I have a follow up question on that... :p Thanks!

Yes, Sir.:) :D

[chessymonkey]

As the shuttles are presumably sorted by weight for different speed categories, does a shuttle getting a bit dry affect its weight and there by its speed? If the answer is Yes, then I have a follow up question on that... :p Thanks!

Well a shuttle that is dry does break a LOT a LOT quicker
u'll notice it affects your pocket more so then the speed and weight.

[BaddGolfer]

Yes, Sir.:) :D

Ok, So, if we have shuttles that got dry, then can we restore them close to their original weight and speed by hydrating them periodically over a 2-4 week period? Or are they a lost cause once they became dry? Thanks!

[DinkAlot]

Ok, So, if we have shuttles that got dry, then can we restore them close to their original weight and speed by hydrating them periodically over a 2-4 week period? Or are they a lost cause once they became dry? Thanks!

I'm not an expert on this but I will say yes, to a certain extent...

...I saved/rehydrated about 10 tubes that were very dry, sitting in a person's trunk for about a week. I did my normal routine and let it sit for two days, inspected the feathers, they still seemed a bit dry so did my routine again, waited a day, played them and they were very close to original spec.

However, YMMV. Different circumstances will yield different results. Maybe I was lucky.

[chessymonkey]

Ok, So, if we have shuttles that got dry, then can we restore them close to their original weight and speed by hydrating them periodically over a 2-4 week period? Or are they a lost cause once they became dry? Thanks!

Yap ,back when i was playing 100% feather, i used to steam the entire
cone of birdies the night before.

And refering to the original topic.. when ppl talk about the
tempeture/dry/humidity affecting the bird's performance.. its more refering to the weather condition, bird travel the air at a differencet speed depends on the temperature and hummidity of the air. So differnt weight/speed of birds are there in order to adjust to where you live.

[BaddGolfer]

I'm not an expert on this but I will say yes, to a certain extent...

...I saved/rehydrated about 10 tubes that were very dry, sitting in a person's trunk for about a week. I did my normal routine and let it sit for two days, inspected the feathers, they still seemed a bit dry so did my routine again, waited a day, played them and they were very close to original spec.

However, YMMV. Different circumstances will yield different results. Maybe I was lucky.

Thanks for the info. I have some that I feel are dry and will try and see if it makes a difference. They feel light and are slow compared to other shuttles I have of the same speed from the same manufacturer but a different model. What does one look for when inspecting a shuttle visually to figure out if they are dry or not? Also, I have 3 or 4 different tubes open at the same time and I steam them about once a week till I run out of all the shuttles in the tube and I noticed a couple of times that the last few shuttles were a little faster than the earlier ones. Maybe its possible their weight changed or it could be a conincidence...

[chessymonkey]

like how you would smooth the feather after a long rally
if the bird is dry u can really tell the feather is stiff and crunchy (ran out of vocab here as eng isn't my native)

[DinkAlot]

What does one look for when inspecting a shuttle visually to figure out if they are dry or not?

Inspect the feathers on the shuttle. If they are dry then they need to be hydrated. To tell the difference, look at a hydrated shuttle. The feathers will be thicker, stronger, more robust.

Regardless, I make it a habit to always mist (I use a humidifier) the shuttles I'm going to use a day in advance. Since I've been doing this, I've seen a 10%-40% increase in durability.

[feralee]

Plastic during my primary school time..
now using feather. Sea lion.
but found that RSL is not bad :)

[BaddGolfer]

Inspect the feathers on the shuttle. If they are dry then they need to be hydrated. To tell the difference, look at a hydrated shuttle. The feathers will be thicker, stronger, more robust.

Regardless, I make it a habit to always mist (I use a humidifier) the shuttles I'm going to use a day in advance. Since I've been doing this, I've seen a 10%-40% increase in durability.

Thanks for the info. I noticed if the tube is not full (with the dozen shuttles), the hydration seems to work better for me. Maybe more steam gets locked in the tube that way. Also, did you notice "dry" shuttles feel any different when you just hit them. I felt they didn't feel as solid compared to the good ones and it kinda felt like hitting something made of paper or somesuch.. Maybe there's more vibration in the hit...

[DinkAlot]

Thanks for the info. I noticed if the tube is not full (with the dozen shuttles), the hydration seems to work better for me. Maybe more steam gets locked in the tube that way. Also, did you notice "dry" shuttles feel any different when you just hit them. I felt they didn't feel as solid compared to the good ones and it kinda felt like hitting something made of paper or somesuch.. Maybe there's more vibration in the hit...

Yep, not as solid when they dry. When hydrated the shuttles feel a bit more substantial. The key is the feathers are shiny and feel thick.

[Volts]

RSL Tourney No.1 !

[RSLCANADA]

I used to like RSL Tourney No.1 until I tried RSL Classic...... It last longer in Advanced games.

[camilla]

I only use feather..................except wen I fool around with my friends or family(plastic)

[mandm]

I used to like RSL Tourney No.1 until I tried RSL Classic...... It last longer in Advanced games.

Hi m8
How much you pay for the RSL Tourney & RSL Classic (per tube)
thanks

[wun.sun]

When you guys say train, what exactly do you mean. Are you doing drills that attempt to last the shuttles as long as possible? I have to train with plastics. cause if I train with feather, I go through 4 - 6 birds an hour, and thats being careful. Feather too expensive...:(

[DinkAlot]

When you guys say train, what exactly do you mean. Are you doing drills that attempt to last the shuttles as long as possible? I have to train with plastics. cause if I train with feather, I go through 4 - 6 birds an hour, and thats being careful. Feather too expensive...:(

We generally train with old birds. There are lots lying around SGVBC plus I have my own. The only time we will use new birds is if we're testing new equipment and want to minimize variables.

[mandm]

we used the old birds (from matches) for training/paractice so we get the chance to utilise the birds to maximum....

[-George-]

surely it has to be feathers because plastics behave in a slightly different way, so to practice with them would almost be a waste of time. you can buy second hand feathers relativly cheaply anyway.

[acolyte]

i normally use plastics fer training and just rallys, but in games itz noramally feathers

[carlos]

I normally use plastic with a cork base. Mainly due to cost.

Yesterday my friend and I killed 2 feathered ones inside 5 minutes. They just don't last!

[Baddict_2006]

Sorry guys i vote for plastic coz its much more durable for me,but im still like cheap feathers for practice game.hehe.:crying:

[-George-]

i don't really see where people are comin from with the cost issue. where i live u can buy a box of second hand (but still in very good condition) AS-50s for £2, about $3.5 US. i find these last for ages, even with practicing slices or smashes, so i would never practice with plastic shuttles.

[DinkAlot]

i don't really see where people are comin from with the cost issue. where i live u can buy a box of second hand (but still in very good condition) AS-50s for £2, about $3.5 US. i find these last for ages, even with practicing slices or smashes, so i would never practice with plastic shuttles.

You don't see where we are coming from because you have this option. :) Unfortuately we do not.

With that said, would be able to send me some shuttles? :p :D :D

[joits]

i use nylon simply because i don't want to have to replace feather shuttles everytime we break one. i'm trying to save money. i'm not at the level where i care really whether i use nylong or plastic. its all the same to me at this point. maybe when i improve... i'll stick to feathers.

[asuncion_03]

feather shuttles are better..

[robc06]

I always use feathers, 52's mostly. But we only play with 51's. We always train with faster shuttles.

For warm ups we have boxes of old feathered shuttles collected each week.

[Infernus]

I prefer feathers, but as it is way to expensive for me, I train with plastic.

[olle_whitehead]

i voted for feathers for the simple reason that A) my club can afford feather shuttles and all tournaments i entire are feather and B) my coach provides feather shuttles for free

so it depends on individual circumstances to whether you use feathers or plastics

[akshaykanade]

i use feathers. using feathers makes the practice more enjoyable. it also allows me to try various shots which i find difficult with a plastic shuttle

[Oggie]

do I have to memorize this?? :D .......feather, of course.... I would go to the court counter and ask for the box of practice shuttles (which are the used shuttles left lying on the floor after a match and picked up by the cleaners). Also, I also recyle used shuttles as long as the flight is still tolerable. In my bag I usually have two tubes: one is for fresh birds, the other is for bruised and beaten birds.

[morewood]

Plastic, feathers don’t last a quarter of the time.

[Joemel]

wish that they will develop nylon/ vinyl/ plastic shuttles which simulate the flight of feather

[zasboy]

I practice with old feather birdies but I sometime will use Hiqua Team 24 feather birdies. They are pretty cheap practice birdies. A tube of 24 is about $15USD.

[RiceBaiiKhao]

You guys are lucky, they aren't expensive where you guys live..
For an AS-20 dozen here, it is 34,99 $ (canadian collars).. but
in my friend's club, its 22$ T_T i plan on joining them soon

[asphyxiate]

Shouldn't you just practice with what you play with regularly?? Or else it just screws you up...?

[DinkAlot]

Shouldn't you just practice with what you play with regularly?? Or else it just screws you up...?

If you are extremely wealthy, sure. :p

[Baderz_Jas]

Feather shuttles of course! :D :p when we train, we use the not-as new shuttles and when we play a game, we use the all-new shuttles. :D

[Baderz_Jas]

personally, I find it hard to do slice drops with plastic shuttles :p :D or spin netshots :p :D

[DinkAlot]

personally, I find it hard to do slice drops with plastic shuttles :p :D or spin netshots :p :D

Who needs to drop or tumble when, if you hit it hard enough, you can fold the feathers on a plastic shuttle for an unreturnable smash? :p

[Baderz_Jas]

Who needs to drop or tumble when, if you hit it hard enough, you can fold the feathers on a plastic shuttle for an unreturnable smash? :p

haha :D but I don't have the power yet :D :rolleyes: ;) :p :) :D

[asphyxiate]

If you are extremely wealthy, sure. :p


Feather shuttles of course! :D :p when we train, we use the not-as new shuttles and when we play a game, we use the all-new shuttles. :D

See? It all works out. :D
Personally I use plastic since I don't compete or do any serious badminton.. but I have used feather and I find it difficult to switch from either to the other. Best to stick with what you're comfortable with, I think.

[thatoneaznguy]

I have to use plastic, since that's what I'll be trying out for my team with. My school is full of cheap people, so plastic it is.

[jiayous]

me preffer feather.... I feel better at spin netshot :-)

[Dummey]

Feather for anything that involves hitting. Plastics for drills that are just footwork that require birds because there aren't always old birds to use. A tube of cheap plastic last for the rest of eternity because i don't hit them XD

[bigbadjohn]

i use worn out feather are great for pre match harm up and yonex mavis 300 are good for clubs :) john boy

[bigbadjohn]

i use worn out feather are great for pre match harm up and yonex mavis 300 are good for clubs :) john boy

[azn_123]

Would be feathers if I was doing private--I want private!!!!:(

[JaCk™]

worn out shuttle will be good enough.. but not those shuttle which are totally worn out..

[azn_123]

personally, I find it hard to do slice drops with plastic shuttles :p :D or spin netshots :p :D

Ohh lala lol but for jsut slicing at the net not slice drops I find the plastics really tumble. But I don't really use feathers, only used a few times:( I'll be buying some later hehe:D

[adamp1]

i always play with feathers as you will become more accurate in seeing the feathers flight path, if you start with a dead feather it makes you hit the new one wrong more often which decreases the feathers life.

[JaCk™]

depends.. if we have the purchasing power, there is no harm in using new shuttles when stroke or warming up. :)

[CoolDoo6]

I don't practice. So, no shuttle is necessary. If it wasn't for the sake of others, I don't like warm up either. I just wanna play game.

[azabaz_ipoh]

I have always, and i suspect will always be, a feather lover. be it for training, practice or actual play. i like the feel better. even the inconsistent flight makes it more interesting and has more personality. the last time i used nylon shuttle was when i was a kid. nope, did not enjoy it. how should i say this, toooooooo...... plasticky? he he he. i used old feather shuttle for banging the wall. fairly good ones for warm up and training. good ones for actual play.

[~sss~]

I always use feather one bcuz it interesting & i can enjoy it..
For now, I just play for fun..so, no need to practice..

[PHOENIXSHUTTLES]

Hey guys...have you try Phoenix Shuttles yet...I'm will give some away as sample and have a group buy soon.

Keep you guys posted...or you can head over to www.phoenixshuttles.com (http://www.phoenixshuttles.com)

Quantity discount is available.

den


I always use feather one bcuz it interesting & i can enjoy it..
For now, I just play for fun..so, no need to practice..

[ctjcad]

Hey guys...have you try Phoenix Shuttles yet...I'm will give some away as sample and have a group buy soon.

Keep you guys posted...or you can head over to www.phoenixshuttles.com (http://www.phoenixshuttles.com)

Quantity discount is available.

den
...oi, yes, please keep us updated on that offer and group buy deal...:)
If they're available, i might swing by SGVBC and pick up some from you..;) :D :cool:
Btw, do you have the Phoenix Gold in town??..:)

[james23336]

i would use the nylon ones becuz they last longer and the feather for like the real games so save the feather ones?? inno

[Qu3sT10nMaRk]

I use plastic cuz its cheaper and more duriable so yea plastic the way to go for me ... anyways im trying to finish off my backhand smash so yea id kill alot of feathers ... hehe

[PHOENIXSHUTTLES]

Ya the Gold ones are in.

Dennis



...oi, yes, please keep us updated on that offer and group buy deal...:)
If they're available, i might swing by SGVBC and pick up some from you..;) :D :cool:
Btw, do you have the Phoenix Gold in town??..:)

[PHOENIXSHUTTLES]

Feather or Plastic...if you let Dinkalot got his hand on...he will smash the birds into dust! Pooff!:D



You don't see where we are coming from because you have this option. :) Unfortuately we do not.

With that said, would be able to send me some shuttles? :p :D :D

[badboy4life]

depends what ur practicing... if u r trying 2 develope techniques use feather...if u wanna pratice defence...use plastic..they r quicker and make u think more and u have 2 more agile 2 get em back!

[Sze Huang]

A feather would be a definite choice. If you practice all the time using a plastic shuttle , you will feel very much different when hitting a feather shuttle in a game. I think that although plastic shuttles are rather durable compared to feather , the quality of practice is greatly reduced.

[Smash_killer]

Hi
As anyone tried the new Head plastic range?

John

[Capablanca]

Some of you have mentioned in various posts that you can bend the "feathers" of a nylon birdie and make it go as fast as a bullet so that it is unreturnable. My question is whether this is something that occasionally happens or is it automatic with you all. The reason I ask is because I have played with both feather and nylon but have been playing with nylon for much longer and personally have seen this done only 2-3 times in a 10 year span. I, myself, cannot do this but I don't doubt that there might be some of you that can create this phenomenon occasionally and maybe even frequently.
I practice with both feather and nylon; it just depends in which place I play.

[baddictx]

For wall practice and warm-up shots I use a yonex mavis 300 but when in play I prefer a feather shuttle of course.

I prefer the Tronex Championship Grade Goose Feather shuttles because they would last about 2-3 games (for us hard hitters) compared to the RSL Tourney 1 shuttles which can only last for about 1 set. Maybe it's just me though. =p

[madwolfie]

Is Victor (Champion - green tube) shuttlecock still as good as before? Went to Malaysia and got a tube since I saw it. I have not seen it sold here in Singapore. (perhaps in Queensway but haven't been there in a while...)

[cappy75]

Not quite. Plastics will develop your reflex but more than likely it will make you lazy in game situation because if you can hit hard with the shuttle you don't need to aim too much. That means you get less variety shots that'll move you around the court. Feathers all the way (unless cost hinders you too much).


depends what ur practicing... if u r trying 2 develope techniques use feather...if u wanna pratice defence...use plastic..they r quicker and make u think more and u have 2 more agile 2 get em back!

[Craig]

Feather all the way. To me, feather creates more shot and more technique needed. Control and smarts is the main idea when using a feather to me. Playing with plastic seems to be the complete opposite to me, to me, people tend to be more of a power player when using plastic, instead of actually thinking about the shot of placement and the smarts of the game like feather would make you think. Thats all me, i know some of you are gonna be like wTf hes weird of that doesnt make sense, but to sum it up, feather is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jhirata]

I usually make use of used shuttles found in bins to practise, if they're still in good condition. Plastic shuttles are horrible.

[Daylightkiller]

i always use used feathers for practice.

[Elixau]

I'd go for feather, it's better (to me.)

[cryptail]

The shuttles people use depend on 2 things I think...
1 Budget
2 good player or not (beginners usually use plastic)

I more like the feathers and I do train with them...
When we have played a match, we take all the used birdies together and we put them in a big box. When we train we take those shuttles, they are great to train with.

Cryptail

[george@chongwei]

feather is always suitable for practise but it depends on u...

[CkcJsm]

I prefer feathers.
But since I'm cheap and poor. I have to use plastic.

[coley]

i always use feathers nowadays, use a cheaper shuttle for training thow, usually part used ones

[xXazn_romeoXx]

lol i'd go with plastics for the main part..but switching to duck feathers to experiment ^^...

[KazeCloud]

I've never practiced with feather. I've only used plastic. Is that why I think my smashes are always slower? Haha. And also since plastics have slower smash speed, how should I change my game tactics?

[jhirata]

I've never practiced with feather. I've only used plastic. Is that why I think my smashes are always slower? Haha. And also since plastics have slower smash speed, how should I change my game tactics?
Instead of playing offensively, you could play like.. deceptively. Use lots of sliced-drops, deceptive netshots, etc..

[jchan04]

if you play feather matches then you most definitely must practice with feather. The feel and control of feathers are very different. Like even smashing and return a smash is different. When nylon players play with feathers the first time, they'll call feather slow but it's the way it flies.
Go for duck feathers if you want practice but goose feather are the best to play matches with. Many companies like SOTX have duck feathers at the lowest grade of shuttles and then goose feather as the top grade. practice with the low grade and play with the higher grades. and the price difference for the duck and goose feathers are very different.

[aerotus70]

I usually make use of used shuttles found in bins to practise, if they're still in good condition. Plastic shuttles are horrible.


yes i do that too when i was a poor student hahaha :D plastic shuttles just feel wrong...

If you have some $ to spare, can try ashaway practice shuttle (red/orange tube) cost around S$9.90 for 12(few yrs back), durability is better than AS10 IMO

[jchan04]

in Terms of Yonex shuttles, which ones are most used for matches and/or training? AS-50? AS-20

[AznAndrew]

Anyone please tell me what the differences are? I'm buying new birdies, and so, i' m wondering the Pros and cons of each.

[xXazn_romeoXx]

in Terms of Yonex shuttles, which ones are most used for matches and/or training? AS-50? AS-20

lol i think 50s are int'l opens, while 40-30 is good enough nationally...so that leaves 20-15 pretty good for regional/provincials or any tournament wise...but 10s seems pretty bad to practice with..=\

[woduhuk]

just out of curiosity, how big of a difference in feel is there to you guys from feather to plastic.

yea, i play with almost only plastic, though i do have feathers, for some reason, i keep wanting to save them..

[Sleepy]

I've used a feather once in 2 years of playing. I must be missing out.
We use plastic at school, for training + matches

[Baddict_2006]

definitely feathers..kawasaki brand!good quality but the price is cheap.:)

[RED&WHITE]

Feather is the one, plastic is to small and doesn't have right feel like feather, who cares if feather is expensive.

[Moggy]

For clear/smash/drives plastic aren't that bad, but they really suck for net play and drop shots

[BlankShot]

Plastic. It's kinda hard for a High-School student to afford feather birds :O

[shawn30_k]

Plastic shuttlecocks
Are for non-competitiveplay where the aim is to try and hit the shuttle to one another and not to allow it to land on the floor. If you want to have some fun with a beginner, and get him or her interested in the sport, this is definetely the one to go for.

Feathered shuttlecocks
For all and any kind of competitive play, where the aim is to kill off your opponent. With it's superior flight-path and solid visibility compared to plastic shuttlecocks,(where it gets difficult most of the time to spot the shuttle when it travels at high-speed) even for training this is what you should be using, if your goal is to be a competitive player.

[Dealucis]

I don't know why, but I get really annoyed when using plastic shuttles. I feel like I wasn't playing badminton at all, but i guess it's just me.

[tenggk]

Not only is the feel different, the sound as well :)


I don't know why, but I get really annoyed when using plastic shuttles. I feel like I wasn't playing badminton at all, but i guess it's just me.

[Marshmallow64]

Feather, but the damaged feather ones.

[phandrew]

my club uses feather shuttlecocks that were used from the last social when we practice.

[hendrawan_88]

feathers of course.. :)

[CHOcobo]

i'm surprised most people here plays with feather. feather for me last only about 10 smashes and it's gone bad. i play with a combined both smash and placement play. plastic to me last longer, are lighter, and make better sounds. one plastic will last about 20 feather i'm guessing. save money! :D

[KazeCloud]

Plastic shuttlecocks
Are for non-competitiveplay where the aim is to try and hit the shuttle to one another and not to allow it to land on the floor. If you want to have some fun with a beginner, and get him or her interested in the sport, this is definetely the one to go for.

Feathered shuttlecocks
For all and any kind of competitive play, where the aim is to kill off your opponent. With it's superior flight-path and solid visibility compared to plastic shuttlecocks,(where it gets difficult most of the time to spot the shuttle when it travels at high-speed) even for training this is what you should be using, if your goal is to be a competitive player.

My whole league plays with plastic. We are pretty competitive.

Feathers are just expensive. Our school is recently built so we are a little short on cash probably.

[Sasho]

I do not know if that had been discused, but there are cheap noname feathers on eBay:
Click (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24-Feather-shuttlecocks-BNIB-shuttles-shuttle-cocks_W0QQitemZ200228612616QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1064 64QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem).

May be better than plastic:rolleyes:

[eddiemon]

I use plastics for recreational play and practice. Feathers die too fast.

[gendruw]

i use plastic only for warming up strokes. any game will use feather shuttle.

[Sasho]

I got my DHS 402 yesterday and tried it last night...
Not so bad I thought it will be. May be too fast but it can be corrected:)
And I payed only about $13 including shipping. Can I get better shuttles for this price?

[phandrew]

I got my DHS 402 yesterday and tried it last night...
Not so bad I thought it will be. May be too fast but it can be corrected:)
And I payed only about $13 including shipping. Can I get better shuttles for this price?

You can get RSL classics for $14US. I found DHS 402 at training shuttlecock level so they are pretty poor. You can get the RSL classics which are one of the best shuttlecocks on the market for a dollar more.

[Sasho]

Link, please :)

[phandrew]

Link, please :)

Here you go.

http://wingeebadminton.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=20

Wingeebadminton increased their prices on shuttlecocks

[shawn30_k]

But how do u even see the plastic shuttle when the smashes or steep cuts come lashing out towards you?? It virtually can't be seen right???
My whole league plays with plastic. We are pretty competitive.

Feathers are just expensive. Our school is recently built so we are a little short on cash probably.

[weinsteinium]

Here you go.

http://wingeebadminton.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=20

Wingeebadminton increased their prices on shuttlecocks

How much is shipping at Wingeebadminton? I didn't see anything on their website about it.

[mtr1993]

I always play with feathers. I would take a used feather over a plastic any day.

[phandrew]

How much is shipping at Wingeebadminton? I didn't see anything on their website about it.

You have to email the owner so he can give you a quote on shipping. The email is on the homepage.

[cooler]

But how do u even see the plastic shuttle when the smashes or steep cuts come lashing out towards you?? It virtually can't be seen right???
pretend u r playing against lin dan, kido or fu haifeng lol

[Chiku]

difinitely go for feather... currently using RCL SILVER/ RSL... the plastic have a superb speed, some can coz damage to my string...

[phandrew]

difinitely go for feather... currently using RCL SILVER/ RSL... the plastic have a superb speed, some can coz damage to my string...

I never heard of RCL before.

[Chiku]

here especially east coast of Malaysia the brand quite famous... its from china... the shuttle quite balance n can compete with sea lion/ RSL/ and Apacs

[cooler]

it depends on wat r u practicing for...

[taneepak]

But how do u even see the plastic shuttle when the smashes or steep cuts come lashing out towards you?? It virtually can't be seen right???

I believe it is harder to sight plastic shuttles, even the yellow ones, because the shape of the plastic has collapsed and comes to you like a thinner and smaller version of the original. The shuttle thus becomes smaller and sighting it, like looking at all small things, become difficult.

[cooler]

I believe it is harder to sight plastic shuttles, even the yellow ones, because the shape of the plastic has collapsed and comes to you like a thinner and smaller version of the original. The shuttle thus becomes smaller and sighting it, like looking at all small things, become difficult.not all badminton shots are 100+ mph.....

[cooler]

I believe it is harder to sight plastic shuttles, even the yellow ones, because the shape of the plastic has collapsed and comes to you like a thinner and smaller version of the original. The shuttle thus becomes smaller and sighting it, like looking at all small things, become difficult.not all badminton shots are 100+ mph.....
Beside, part of the training is to see and react on fast moving small object.

[taneepak]

not all badminton shots are 100+ mph.....

Almost all high shots are difficult to sight with plastics. That is why they come up with an option of yellow, as yellow is the easiest colour to see. But when you look at an incoming plastics shuttle, the cone diameter has shrunk, and no amount of colour tricks, whether yellow or yellow with flashing lights, will unwrap the shrunken plastic shuttle and restore it to its original size for you to see. Maybe they should make the plastics shuttle double its cone diameter, so that its collapsed state will at least look more like a real shuttle instead of any difficult-to-see projectile. In short, besides a total lack of control plastics are too small to see in play.

[phandrew]

difinitely go for feather... currently using RCL SILVER/ RSL... the plastic have a superb speed, some can coz damage to my string...

Do you have a picture of the RCL tube?

[Chiku]

Do you have a picture of the RCL tube?
will upload it soon...

[Chiku]

Do you have a picture of the RCL tube?
here the pict... so for delayed...:o
the price around USD13.90/ RM43/=

[phandrew]

here the pict... so for delayed...:o
the price around USD13.90/ RM43/=

Is that tube the highest grade for that brand?

[Chiku]

Is that tube the highest grade for that brand?

nope... this the 2nd grade... if not mistaken the 1st grade would be RCL millenium and GOLD... the price am not sure...

[phandrew]

Is it possible for you to give me a comparison of the top RCL shuttlecock and RSL classic?

[Chiku]

The durabality of RSL calssic tourney is much2 better compare to 1st grade of RCL shuttlecock...

[phandrew]

The durabality of RSL calssic tourney is much2 better compare to 1st grade of RCL shuttlecock...

Thanks for your opinion. If RCL was better i would have bought RCL since they are the same price.

[Chiku]

Thanks for your opinion. If RCL was better i would have bought RCL since they are the same price.

no problem mate...:)

[andrewdan25]

Try PROTECH shuttlecock guys, I have been using it for a quite a while now. Quality is excellent. They have pretty good practice range shuttlecocks.
Very popular in Malaysia and Singapore.

Obviously lar, the brand originated from Malaysia...

[offscott]

If I can choose, I'd choose cheap ones lol

[eddiemon]

I like to use plastic for practice and playing with friends.

[shawn30_k]

Try PROTECH shuttlecock guys, I have been using it for a quite a while now. Quality is excellent. They have pretty good practice range shuttlecocks.
Very popular in Malaysia and Singapore.

Obviously lar, the brand originated from Malaysia...

Protech shuttles now so expensive. And if you read the other thread, where the shuttlecock expert gave his comments, he said there was some discrepancy in the shuttle quality.

[GameGod]

I don't mean to boast, but I am quite able and willing to spend money on Badminton, so I do. I play with the tournament style, using Yonex AreoSensa 50 for all types of practice and play. I don't actually bring any other type of shuttlecock to Badminton courts with me when I go to them. I bring many tubes when I go (perhaps 20 tubes), so that we can switch shuttlecocks whenever one is damaged enough to affect the play. I do, of course, prefer not to switch shuttlecocks when we are merely doing the drills (1 shuttlecock per drill per person is my normal), but in gameplay, I am not afraid to go through sixty shuttlecocks to ensure that the games run smoothly (of course, I'd prefer if these sixty shuttlecocks would be spread over two or three games instead of a possible one game).

Overall, I think that feather shuttlecocks should be used for all kinds of practice, although a shuttlecock of as high grade as Yonex AreoSensa 50 may not be necessary. However, when practicing for, or with people who play in, tournaments, I believe that Yonex AeroSensa 50 should be the type of shuttlecock practised with, and also played with in the tournament itself, regardless of the age group.

So, overall, I believe feather shuttlecocks should always be used for practice for all kinds of players; plastic shuttlecocks are their low-grade version for cheep people who won't put in the extra money for the real experience.

[Swingbadabada]

If you're gong to nuse a feather in a game u may aswell use them in practice :P

[smashingmark]

It depends on what kind of player you are... If you play in tournaments, I would advice you to train with the same type of shuttles they use. So if they use plastic, then you should train with that. Two very different feels when you use plastic and feathers.

In Malaysia we use feather shuttles (http://smashingmark.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/shuttletalks-rcl-shuttlecocks-review/)however its becoming more and more Xpensive! Hmm Cant remember when was the last time I used a plastic shuttle.. when I was in primary 3? lol..

[cooler]

It depends on what kind of player you are... If you play in tournaments, I would advice you to train with the same type of shuttles they use. So if they use plastic, then you should train with that. Two very different feels when you use plastic and feathers.

In Malaysia we use feather shuttles (http://smashingmark.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/shuttletalks-rcl-shuttlecocks-review/)however its becoming more and more Xpensive! Hmm Cant remember when was the last time I used a plastic shuttle.. when I was in primary 3? lol..

exact quotes from the movie "The Graduate' (LOL:D:p)


Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you - just one word.
Ben: Yes sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Ben: Yes I am.
Mr. McGuire: ‘Plastics.’
Ben: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
Ben: Yes I will.
Mr. McGuire: Shh! Enough said. That’s a deal.

[Danstevens]

In a tournament I played today, I was taken aback. We used plastic shuttles (Mavis 300). I asked why, and apparently, the technique of the best U15s in my county isn't good enough to warrant using feathers. I was both shocked and offended and played terribly with the stupid plastics. Hopefully, in next week's tournament, I'll be able to use my favoured shuttle type. I always practise with feathers so plastics take some getting used to and in all other tournaments, I have used feathers.

[globenstein]

In a tournament I played today, I was taken aback. We used plastic shuttles (Mavis 300). I asked why, and apparently, the technique of the best U15s in my county isn't good enough to warrant using feathers. I was both shocked and offended and played terribly with the stupid plastics. Hopefully, in next week's tournament, I'll be able to use my favoured shuttle type. I always practise with feathers so plastics take some getting used to and in all other tournaments, I have used feathers.

Aren't you dramatizing it a bit? I mean, you were "offended"? Just because they use a different type of shuttle?

What I find offensive is the way you consider your fellow players' techniques "not good enough" not because of the quality of their play but because they use different equipment.

[Danstevens]

What I find offensive is the way you consider your fellow players' techniques "not good enough" not because of the quality of their play but because they use different equipment.

I think that perhaps I didn't make my post very clear. One of the tournament organisers said that our technique (as in all competitors in the tournament) wasn't good enough, when asked why we were to be using synthetics when in every other tournament I have been asked to play in by my club, feathers have been used.

[7315200]

On the other day I was buying shuttlecocks and the vendor told me that using plastic shuttlecocks would not be wise with my Yonex Ti10. She recommended Magnum Blue Speed 7.5 feather shuttlecocks.

We didn't share the same language and her English wasn't that great, so I did not completely understand everything she said. But I got the idea that plastic shutttlecocks might be bad for the string. Is there any truth behind this statement?

FWIW I enjoy playing with feather shuttlecocks as the dynamic of the game and the motion/curve of the shuttlecock is better. Different beasts anyway, feather and plastic.

[Danstevens]

I don't think plastic shuttles are bad for strings. Nobody would use them if they were. Feather shuttles are better anyway, providing you can afford half decent ones.

[stellarindia01]

Hi,
I am Stella and I like playing badminton. I just want to know which kind of shuttlecock is best for regular practice. Please reply.

Stella

[krisss]

In a tournament I played today, I was taken aback. We used plastic shuttles (Mavis 300). I asked why, and apparently, the technique of the best U15s in my county isn't good enough to warrant using feathers. I was both shocked and offended and played terribly with the stupid plastics. Hopefully, in next week's tournament, I'll be able to use my favoured shuttle type. I always practise with feathers so plastics take some getting used to and in all other tournaments, I have used feathers.

Dan which tournament was this :O

By the way if you can get to kent there is an under 16 tournament.

The junior Kent open :D
I'm porbably going to go , because I only played one tournament this season.

Next year I'm playing 10-12 :D

[badar]

i guess it is very obvious that feather shuttle gives you the real flavour of badminton
guys I am really confused about the speed of the shuttle.Is there any standard?????when i started playing someone told me that very slow shuttle is used at inter-national level but later i found that it is not true.then i heard that a full-blooded, under-arm,fore-hand shot should reach the back-line for the doubles service, hit from the other side of the court.
So can any one help me plz?????:(

[Danstevens]

Dan which tournament was this :O

By the way if you can get to kent there is an under 16 tournament.

The junior Kent open :D
I'm porbably going to go , because I only played one tournament this season.

Next year I'm playing 10-12 :D

Some local tournament. It was complete rubbish lol. All of my club's away matches seem to be played with synthetics as well but it's quite funny when clubs come and play us at Chilwell and the odd looks we get when we ask if playing with feathers (usually Yonex AS-30 and above).

I'm tempted by the Kent junior open. I'm not sure whether I can get there or not but if I can, I might make a showing.

[Danstevens]

i guess it is very obvious that feather shuttle gives you the real flavour of badminton
guys I am really confused about the speed of the shuttle.Is there any standard?????when i started playing someone told me that very slow shuttle is used at inter-national level but later i found that it is not true.then i heard that a full-blooded, under-arm,fore-hand shot should reach the back-line for the doubles service, hit from the other side of the court.
So can any one help me plz?????:(

Yes, there is a standard and most people work it out by the test that you state. For example, cold sports centres require a faster shuttle speed to be standard as colder particles are more dense than warmer ones - slowing the shuttle down. This is why you get different speeds, so there is a standard all over the world. Where-ever you play, from the coldest place to the warmest, if the shuttles have been chosen correctly, the game will be the same. The professional game is played with supremely high quality shuttles at exactly the right speed.

If in doubt, go medium - it's fine for most places. If you find it's too fast, select a slower speed of the same shuttle next time, too slow - go for the faster speed.

[badar]

Yes, there is a standard and most people work it out by the test that you state. For example, cold sports centres require a faster shuttle speed to be standard as colder particles are more dense than warmer ones - slowing the shuttle down. This is why you get different speeds, so there is a standard all over the world. Where-ever you play, from the coldest place to the warmest, if the shuttles have been chosen correctly, the game will be the same. The professional game is played with supremely high quality shuttles at exactly the right speed.

If in doubt, go medium - it's fine for most places. If you find it's too fast, select a slower speed of the same shuttle next time, too slow - go for the faster speed.
Thank you very much man, but I would like to know that how fast is the shuttle you play with???reason I am concerned is that i like to play with slow shuttles.So slow that only very well timed and powerful clears reach from one to another end of the court.But I played an inter-university tournament where the shuttles used were much faster to my liking and I had a real tough time.

[Danstevens]

Thank you very much man, but I would like to know that how fast is the shuttle you play with???reason I am concerned is that i like to play with slow shuttles.So slow that only very well timed and powerful clears reach from one to another end of the court.But I played an inter-university tournament where the shuttles used were much faster to my liking and I had a real tough time.

I like to play with normal paced shuttles. That way, any social match or tournament you go to, there should be no problems - the shuttle speed should be consistent.

[Cvldfire]

i used feather both playing and training

for plastic shuttle cock: i'll used it for WALLING specially strengthen my backhand and enhance my reaction time....:):D......"""

[Carbonlist]

i made my own birdies out of paper, do you guys want to try?

[GT0ro]

Aren't you dramatizing it a bit? I mean, you were "offended"? Just because they use a different type of shuttle?

What I find offensive is the way you consider your fellow players' techniques "not good enough" not because of the quality of their play but because they use different equipment.

one hard smash is usually all it takes to win a point with plastic. not a good smash, just a hard smash.

if it was a tournament to see who could smash the hardest, then plastic would be great.

[Destricto_Ense]

i made my own birdies out of paper, do you guys want to try?
Hahaa.. does it involve crumpling up a sheet of A4 pad? :p

Myself, I use plastics 'cause I'm cheap. Getting myself some Mavis 2000's though, the most feathery plastics out there.

[BiiMB]

feather for me
may be the used ones.....

but can't switch back and forward from feather to plastic and plastic back to feather....
feather feels better

[Scott_G500]

one hard smash is usually all it takes to win a point with plastic. not a good smash, just a hard smash.

if it was a tournament to see who could smash the hardest, then plastic would be great.

I just realised how true this is. Good point!

[cooler]

one hard smash is usually all it takes to win a point with plastic. not a good smash, just a hard smash.

if it was a tournament to see who could smash the hardest, then plastic would be great.


I just realised how true this is. Good point!
too bad all this talk about plastic shuttle being unplayable by advanced players is just extrapolated trash talk and not based on actual comparison. I always try to observe cases where good feather players in plastic playing situation, and reality is not what some of u make it out to be.

Case in Point.
Last nite i walk into my club late because i was busy with errands and swing by there because i had to return a strung racket to a plastic player there. I saw a MD match between a pair of feather players against a pair plastic players, mavis 300 to be exact. Sometime these 2 feather players play plastic because they are drop in and that night, they couldn't find another feather pair to play with so they end up playing a pair of our regular mavis players.

Feather players: one age 17 feather trained and competed in jr tournaments,i rate him a solid B level. The other one aged 28 , don't know his training background but have competed in many feather tournaments like alberta series and vining wolff strathmore open. I would rate him a solid B+. Both are very hard smashers, much much harder smasher than the nylon pair players, can even do decent backhand drive and smash. They are 'young' and quick and hit hard.One use AT700 LTD, one use Arc Saber 10. I have played with and against them before, so i am not making things up

Mavis 300 players, club regulars, one age 38, never competed, one aged 47 and he competed in 1 recreational (feather) tournament per year. First guy uses a clone racket of some sort and the older guy uses a 4U At800OF. I rate both are solid B players. I have played with and against them before as well, so i am not making things up.

At the end of the session, i ask the club regular (plastic player) pair what was the result. He told me, 1 game each. The rubber set stop at 14-14 due to closing of the gym. My initial thot was the better level (B+,B) feather pair should have clobbered these old oldies pair too but was surprised the plastic pair held up against supposed better players.

My point is, if these more skilled and harder smashing feather players( B+, B level) could only muster an even score against a pair of older and slower mavis players (B,B), i would say smashing the dumb plastic shuttle for easy win didn't help them at all. If u think u can clobber a plastic player just by smashing it harder than them, you should try playing against them (similar level) first before making extraordinary claims. Of course if u pick on some noobie mavis players, smashing hard will do the trick.

[cooler]

btw, if u guys have better theory on why these MD pairs end up being so close in their score, please post them

[cooler]

one hard smash is usually all it takes to win a point with plastic. not a good smash, just a hard smash.

if it was a tournament to see who could smash the hardest, then plastic would be great.if a player tops out his swing velocity say 250 km/hr, it would be same top speed for feather and plastic. What make u think that he can smash the plastic shuttle faster than 250 km/hr? U guys are all jestering myths because u dunno the fact.

[Scott_G500]

GT0ro (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/member.php?u=31128)'s comment is true at least for me. I play against people who are at most B level players, so most can't smash that hard or don't choose a good spot to smash. I noticed that when playing with feathers, smashes are much easier to return than when playing with nylons.

[cooler]

GT0ro (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/member.php?u=31128)'s comment is true at least for me. I play against people who are at most B level players, so most can't smash that hard or don't choose a good spot to smash. I noticed that when playing with feathers, smashes are much easier to return than when playing with nylons.so does easier also mean it take less effort and less skill to achieve a task?

[Scott_G500]

Not necessarily less skill or effort, just not as good reflexes because the smashes tend to slow down. Most of the players smash close to the body, but not directly at the body so my chances of returning the shuttle are greater when playing with feathers.