I recently purchased a BK Rapier pro, BK's mid-to-high end for the 700 series racquets. I find this racquet to be suitable for the intermediate-advanced player, and the performance compares reasonably well to Yonex Carb 23 and MP 77, but at a lower cost of $90-100 CDN (as opposed to around $140 CDN for overpriced yonex products). It's rather stiff so you can groove your smashes, but I felt it doesn't sacrifice too much control. Mid-weight at 88 grams strung. Factory strings are Ashaway Rally, looks like its strung at around 19lbs. Once I get new strings,at 22 lbs tension, I suspect the feel and power will be even better. Overall, after a few plays, I recommend this product for the cost-conscious badminton player who still wants a good racquet. Thoughts? BKs and Yonex are dominant racquets where I play, both get mostly positive reviews, but I noticed that Yonex's break more easily on clashes etc, than BK. Other racquets I've looked at: ISO 97VF - light but weak, saps all power from your shots. Just feels funny, to be avoided.
For the higher end there are the millenium series (20xx). I had also contacted Black Knight recently and they told me that in mid-February they will have 6 new high end and 5 in the mid and two of these racquets will contain the Turbo Flex which should give us more power (similar to the Yonex MP serie) Norm
I have also played with the BK M2010 and also the 795TI. Compared to the Rapier Pro 765TI: The 2010 is a less powerful racquet, but more light and maneuvrable, and better suited for doubles. Trouble is it retails for over $200, and appears fragile. The 795TI is good racket, comparable to Rapier in performance, but with a more flexible shaft, and therefore less forgiving I think if your technique or balance is off on a particular shot, or if your shot is off the sweet spot. I saw this one for about $140 CDN. I'd stick with the Rapier at the lower price tag, in terms of value. Most of us aren't in a position to collect fancy racquets like stamps.
