Badminton Shuttlecocks – Let the Birdie fly

When it comes to shuttle selection, there are three options available - Local Made feather shuttles, imported feather shuttles & Nylon Shuttles.

Local Feather Shuttles: are cheapest options available. These shuttles feather size is small and usually used in badminton outdoor courts. They are durable very strongly built, have cheap price but fly is not very good.

Nylon Shuttles: Because of increase in natural feather shuttles prices, most of intermediate players are shifting on nylon badminton shuttlecocks. Although they are pricy but due to their durability at average they cost less and available in both yellow and white colors. As per our observation Quality of different brands shuttles are almost same because all brands are sourcing from similar factories.

Yonex Mavis 7 is famous and most expensive, Ghafoor GS tournament, Millat B5 & Gold Star have almost same quality and price. Flight of shuttles are even but player have to put more force while hitting and net drop is difficult. These shuttles are not recommended for elderly players and those players who are training for professional match.

Imported Feather Shuttlecocks: are sourced mostly from China, because only they have capacity to produce large amount of high quality natural feathers. Quality of these shuttles are very high, have very smooth flight and also most expensive. Only 77 Speed shuttlecocks are suitable for playing in Pakistan due to its weather and average altitude. Choosing these shuttlecocks are tricky and required some technical knowledge. Explain in details below.

How to Choose the right badminton Shuttlecock (Natural Feather) in Pakistan

Because feathers are grown naturally so all duck or goose feather don’t have same quality. First factories sort feathers into grade and then built shuttles by the feathers of same grades. Feathers are divided into 5 to 7 grades at average.

1^st Grade: feathers have straight thick shaft, barbs are thin and have less space between them and barbs are even on both sides of shaft. These are considered highest quality badminton shuttlecocks, very durable and have smooth precise flight. This grade usually go to big brands and used in national and international tournaments.

2^nd Grade: feather have straight thick shaft, space between barbs are little more and barbs are even on both sides of shaft. These shuttles also have good quality and smooth flight, used in club play and professional players training.

3^rd Grade:  feather have less thick straight shaft and space between barbs are little more and barbs are even on both sides of shaft. These shuttles have smooth flight but less durable due to less thick shaft. These shuttles are used for club play and professional players training.

4^th Grade:  feather have less thick straight shaft, barbs are less and not even on both side of shaft. These shuttles don’t have less durability and less smooth flight. These shuttles are used in club and casual play.

5^th Grade: feather have curved thin shaft, barbs are less have more space between barbs, and barbs are not even on both sides. These shuttles don’t have smooth flight and very little durability. These shuttles are used by casual and hobby players.

6^th Grade: to onward these shuttles are not suitable for play normally comes with racket set as free. Only children can casual paly with these shuttles.

How to Select and Increase the Durability of Feather Shuttlecocks?

No matter how expensive shuttlecocks you buy if they are dry they will start breaking very early. Grade 1^st to 4^th feather Shuttles are ok for club play and they last longer if they are fresh and moist.  If shuttles production date is old there are chances that they are dry and will break easily. So, first rule of thumb always tries to buy fresh shuttles. No matter what you do natural moisture can’t return.

If you find shuttlecocks less moist or dray, try to do some procedure which can moist them. Like giving them steam, keep in fridge for some time or keep them in a moist cool place. Price of badminton shuttlecock depends upon grade you are buying. Some manufacturer mix different grades shuttle in a box, you need to careful while judging the price.

Second rule of thumb, before bulk buying of shuttle boxes, always open one box check its freshness and grade then go for bulk buy. And you have to repeat this process on every new buying because each production batch can be different.

Which Feather Shuttlecocks we offer – in light of above principles.

Wecan Shuttlecock: is 2^nd grade feather shuttlecock, from many years its choice of most to clubs. Sometimes manufacture mix 2^nd grade with 3^rd grade.

Winmay Shuttlecock: is recently introduced in replacement of Wecan. It is 3^rd Grade Shuttlecock, it is fresh and have no mixing so it is serious contender of Wecan.

TaiLai Shuttlecock: is fourth grade shuttle cock, quality is normal but price is low. Recommended for club and casual play with caution.