Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 04:31:34 AM

Title: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 04:31:34 AM
I dont know if anyone on here has seen or used this brand before but..

http://www.willowizard.com.au/About.htm
Made in Australia, somewere in Victoria.
Stickers look alright! Not a horrible website ether..

What do you boys think?
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Hads45 on March 27, 2011, 04:46:19 AM
$660 = 420 pounds for there top bat.. Alot of money for a small unknown brand given the quality you are guaranteed at that price elsewhere. There bats dont also show there profile on the site that I can see.
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Jenko on March 27, 2011, 04:48:27 AM
Never seen or heard of them before...and I live here lol

Don't look too bad....big price jump between the LE bats and the other ones available...not sure I am a fan of the shape of the Wand Pro Players! Just looks a bit odd.....stuff all timber at the top of the bat....I guess your not meant to use the top though hey :-)
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 04:56:01 AM
Realisticly, that is alot of money..I did find it odd that there were no profile pics aswel! The Wand Pro Players does seem to have quite a flat toe.. although, the more i look at it the les it looks that odd!
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Jenko on March 27, 2011, 05:01:28 AM
(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac110/Phantom_VE/resizer.jpg)

Haha I dunno....your right though, the toe is skinny and the splice area is skinny too....still not looking less odd to me! Yeah Dunno that I would want to pay that sort of money for a largely unheard of brand
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 05:08:11 AM
It is odd.. And the splice part that is skinney seems to go for quite a way down the back of the bat!
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Black Cat Cricket on March 27, 2011, 05:10:15 AM
$660 = 420 pounds for there top bat.. Alot of money for a small unknown brand given the quality you are guaranteed at that price elsewhere. There bats dont also show there profile on the site that I can see.


It's not a lot out there though. It just feels expensive because of the weak pound.
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Jenko on March 27, 2011, 05:12:56 AM
True, most LE/top range bats here in AUS are around that price....most are usually more that that.
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 05:43:11 AM
There are two on ebay Australia..
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WILLOWIZARD-WAND-CRICKET-BAT-/180547751378?pt=AU_Cricket_Sporting_Equipment&hash=item2a097c0dd2

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WILLOWIZARD-THE-Wizard-ENGLISH-WILLOW-CRICKET-BAT-/180412537373?pt=AU_Cricket_Sporting_Equipment&hash=item2a016cda1d

A few profile pictures!
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: 19reading87 on March 27, 2011, 08:11:29 AM
Interesting shape that first bat...
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: cricketboy2010 on March 27, 2011, 08:21:10 AM
they are really top bats.

a lot of the top players use these bats over here, in our national league.

they have MASSIVE middle's but they are very light.

there softs (most of all there pads) are also great and offer a heap of protection...

thanks Nick
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on March 27, 2011, 09:21:33 AM
i think the lad who was involved was playing at Bristol in the WEPL a couple of yrs ago as they follow us on FB i think ???

was a nice lad and knew his stuff
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Johng on March 27, 2011, 09:40:32 AM
Majority of the bats are made by MJ Champ. I think that says it all.
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on March 27, 2011, 12:14:19 PM
Is that good or bad? I tryed googling MJ Champ, couldnt realy find anything..
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: procricket on March 27, 2011, 12:18:29 PM
I was in Melbourne in 2008 and used there softs for a month good quality same as ianwills and there bats were of India origin but the one we tried was nice

greg chappell cricket centre in melbourne sold them bud
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Willowizard on June 27, 2011, 12:51:12 AM
Majority of the bats are made by MJ Champ. I think that says it all.

Hi guys , just came across this thread , and thought i would hopefully answer any questions you have .

So JOhng i've quoted you first mate , as its interesting that only this season coming have some of my sticks started coming from MJ. Was in the factory picking clefts about a month ago on my way home from the UK (bristol is a great place to be) SO quick on the knowledge there mate. For years willowizard sticks were made here . but like most brands you need an indian bat to compete in the market. These guys make hundreds of bats a day, and watching them work, they know what they are doing! The top ends i now make myself (with UK sourced willow) bespoke to order and knock out a few in winter when my cricket curating job is quiet and allows me too.

Now the reason my top end bats are a little pricey (by UK standards) top range OZ bats sell for 7-800 here. Is because i travel to the uk , source the willow send it to OZ and finish them here. i pick out the best willow i can get my hands on and was fortunate enough to make some great connections while in the UK to allow me to do this.
Willowizard is a small boutique brand, 1 man operation (who has a full time job) but i try very hard to give people a personal service and source the best willow and gears i possibly can. IN australia people are quite happy to depart with hard earned if they know they are getting a quality product. This is what a do with my top ends. They are the best bats i can offer people and the service i try to provide pre and more importantly POST sale is where i distinguish from the larger brands. I have to pay more for the top willow due to smaller buying power. BUt am happy to do this as i then know i am giving my customers the best i possibly can.

You are all spot on bout the website , i need better pics of the bats , to show profiles, to do all these things by ones self takes time or money to get others to do it . I've been trying to make a UK site myself , takes an amateur too long if i could hybridise my 2 sites it would be amazing! but beyond my PC knowledge.
I'm slowly becoming more adept at photoshop and taking pics so i am looking to correct this. Aswell as the ordering options on the website for purchasing bats. Web man charges a fortune , but i'll get there. I'm spending forever it seems trying to get spinning images for bats and soft gears onto the sites with limited success again, being a pc novice.LOL

As for the shape of the wand, have had no returns on it here YET!!! Which is no major concern as there is a full season warranty with willowizard bats. I do everything i can to keep my customers happy , sometimes above and beyond what is expected. As i want people to be happy with the brand and keep coming back. So the wand is a higher middle with australian wickets in mind, which allows a thick edge , weight down for bat speed over here , aswell as good balance and pick up. the shape of the wizard is more suitable to uk conditions ( playing over in uk for 5 years , why i have decided on the wizard shape due to lower playing wickets , and so a slightly lower to all round middle balance point)

Hope this answers some questions , any more please ask i'll try and answer all.
Toby thanks for starting this thread mate email me through the WW website you can have a discount on your next purchase, if you planned one? CRicket boy thanks for the kind words same offer to you.

CRicket forum great to be involved hope my response has not broken any marketing rules if so i apologise.
Pm me and let me know.

Thanks for your opinions and feedback i'll take it all on board and hopefully improve, WOW that was an essay hope it all makes sense.

cheers brad
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: peplow on June 27, 2011, 07:58:50 AM
Which part of bristol mate?
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: procricket on June 27, 2011, 08:24:45 AM
I have used willowizzard bats And softs goods bought from gccc in Melbourne west Dudley I can assure people this they played very well and the softs were quite good as well

Good to have another brand around good stuff
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on June 27, 2011, 10:09:50 AM
Brad is a top bloke meet him a few times now (unfortunately for him) at Bristol CC whilst hes been over here chasing the Sun ;)



Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: iand123 on June 27, 2011, 01:39:48 PM
Hi guys , just came across this thread , and thought i would hopefully answer any questions you have .

So JOhng i've quoted you first mate , as its interesting that only this season coming have some of my sticks started coming from MJ. Was in the factory picking clefts about a month ago on my way home from the UK (bristol is a great place to be) SO quick on the knowledge there mate. For years willowizard sticks were made here . but like most brands you need an indian bat to compete in the market. These guys make hundreds of bats a day, and watching them work, they know what they are doing! The top ends i now make myself (with UK sourced willow) bespoke to order and knock out a few in winter when my cricket curating job is quiet and allows me too.

Now the reason my top end bats are a little pricey (by UK standards) top range OZ bats sell for 7-800 here. Is because i travel to the uk , source the willow send it to OZ and finish them here. i pick out the best willow i can get my hands on and was fortunate enough to make some great connections while in the UK to allow me to do this.
Willowizard is a small boutique brand, 1 man operation (who has a full time job) but i try very hard to give people a personal service and source the best willow and gears i possibly can. IN australia people are quite happy to depart with hard earned if they know they are getting a quality product. This is what a do with my top ends. They are the best bats i can offer people and the service i try to provide pre and more importantly POST sale is where i distinguish from the larger brands. I have to pay more for the top willow due to smaller buying power. BUt am happy to do this as i then know i am giving my customers the best i possibly can.

You are all spot on bout the website , i need better pics of the bats , to show profiles, to do all these things by ones self takes time or money to get others to do it . I've been trying to make a UK site myself , takes an amateur too long if i could hybridise my 2 sites it would be amazing! but beyond my PC knowledge.
I'm slowly becoming more adept at photoshop and taking pics so i am looking to correct this. Aswell as the ordering options on the website for purchasing bats. Web man charges a fortune , but i'll get there. I'm spending forever it seems trying to get spinning images for bats and soft gears onto the sites with limited success again, being a pc novice.LOL

As for the shape of the wand, have had no returns on it here YET!!! Which is no major concern as there is a full season warranty with willowizard bats. I do everything i can to keep my customers happy , sometimes above and beyond what is expected. As i want people to be happy with the brand and keep coming back. So the wand is a higher middle with australian wickets in mind, which allows a thick edge , weight down for bat speed over here , aswell as good balance and pick up. the shape of the wizard is more suitable to uk conditions ( playing over in uk for 5 years , why i have decided on the wizard shape due to lower playing wickets , and so a slightly lower to all round middle balance point)

Hope this answers some questions , any more please ask i'll try and answer all.
Toby thanks for starting this thread mate email me through the WW website you can have a discount on your next purchase, if you planned one? CRicket boy thanks for the kind words same offer to you.

CRicket forum great to be involved hope my response has not broken any marketing rules if so i apologise.
Pm me and let me know.

Thanks for your opinions and feedback i'll take it all on board and hopefully improve, WOW that was an essay hope it all makes sense.

cheers brad


I'll build you a website for a free bat! :)
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Perkins17 on June 27, 2011, 01:47:24 PM
just found an interesting little section here  :-[
"From this point all Fearnley bats are hand shaped and crafted to each piece of wood’s characteristics. The bat makers lovingly shape the willow by manual planers & spoke shaves to maximise each cleft of wood’s optimum balance. Once the initial shape has been done by hand the bat is then sanded and polished to a perfect finish."
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Willowizard on June 27, 2011, 02:44:12 PM
Brad is a top bloke meet him a few times now (unfortunately for him) at Bristol CC whilst hes been over here chasing the Sun ;)

TOM how are you mate , nothing unfortunate at all mate always a pleasure . back in the cold of OZ , well not for you blokes . Say Gday to redders if you see him .
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Willowizard on June 27, 2011, 02:53:25 PM
Which part of bristol mate?
Clifton , just over the suspension bridge ( great part of the world)
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: peplow on June 27, 2011, 04:29:19 PM
lovely, love a bit of clifton!
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: toby176 on July 13, 2011, 09:35:12 AM
Awesome! :D
Title: Re: Willowizard cricket
Post by: Byo on July 13, 2011, 09:55:10 AM
I played in the Chairmans Legends XI v Presindents game up at Bristol CC on Sunday and few of these were being used - looked good sticks!!