Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Cover_Drive on April 03, 2011, 06:19:47 AM
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Well well well where do I start with this bat? One word I would like to use early on for this bat is perfection!
First of all below are the specs I had asked for;
Weight: 2.8-2.9 lbs
Handle: Short Handle, Semi-Oval Handle
Grains: 12-15, Grains like the bat (link given below) would be ideal! Regardless the number of grains they should be evenly spaced and perfectly straight!
Edges: Anything close to 40 mm or above that.
Spine: Anything close to 70 mm or above that.
Profile: Big massive profile for its weight.
Additional Comments: Ultra Light Pickup and very good balance bat overall. Also make sure the bat is only English made no Indian made etc bat please and make sure it is not over-dried cleft.
04 February 2011 is the date when I had placed order of my Oblivion and had paid for it and 02 April 2011 is the day I got my hands on this bat! Almost 8 weeks wait for a bat is certainly my longest wait for anything I have ever bought since I was born on Friday of September 14 1990 at noon time.
This bat was ordered through Asad Bhai who said he will be going to Gray Nicolls to hand select my bats but he didn't find one which was "exceptionally good" so he ordered one and Gray Nicolls were let down as they had falsely promised me of the dates. [Custom orders from Gray Nicolls are very expensive ones and they don't take them but Asad Bhai did his magic :) ]They said it will take 2 weeks and then after 2 weeks another excuse came up etc so I was angry and after 7 weeks I had decided that I will cancel my order and would like my money so as I had said that to Asad Bhai GN people said my bat will be with Asad Bhai next day so I told myself where I have waited 7 weeks lets wait another 24 hours so I gave Asad Bhai one last chance! I was quite pissed off throughout the deal because my money was stuck in there for 2 months and I did not get anything and was being treated poorly!
Anyways, coming to the bat. I did not weigh it but it feels like 2.8sih in my hands which is exactly what I had asked for and look for in a bat. Considering the fact this is low sweetspot bat and pickup should be heavy but I will be honest to my full extent that this bat has amazing pickup! I would say the pickup is up there with Icon but not ahead of Icon, Icon still leads the pack but this bat is not very far from it. The balance is impeccable, when I hold the bat I hardly feel any weight, this how light and good this bat feels in my hand!
Regardless of what circumstances are Gray Nicolls is my all-time favourite company and this is the second Gray Nicolls bat I have bought in my life. The first one was Gray Nicolls Powerbow 3 Star and considering the fact it was low end bat it felt and played brilliantly! So with this bat my respect for Gray Nicolls further increases! They are the best!! :D
I find it tad dry so I will oil it and knocking will be required too!
Got carried away with this review so bear me with the length.
Again any question(s) and criticism please don't hesitate to ask me!
Enjoy the pictures!
[Sorry for the amount of pictures! Didn't wanted to leave anything out as its Gray Nicolls, my favourite brand:D:D:D]
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05591.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05592.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05594.jpg)
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More pictures..
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05626.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05602.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05603.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05604.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05606.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05607.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05608.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05609.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05610.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05611.jpg)
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More..
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05617.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05618.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05621.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05622.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05623.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05625.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05627.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05628.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05629.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05630.jpg)
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More...
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05631.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05632.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05636.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05637.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05644.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05642.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05653.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05655.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05656.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05657.jpg)
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Last set..
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05659.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05660.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05613.jpg)
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05614.jpg)
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lovely bat mate, does it have any markings showing who made the bat, like on the sholder or toe of the bat? be interested to know what they all mean (like the newbery ones). i'm sure the GN fans on here will be able to shead some light.
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Cheers mate :)
Actually yes it was on shoulder.
I took a picture for you and other who'd be interested;
(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/DSC05675.jpg)
I would be keen to know what it stands for.
Thanks
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I though the stamp was the grade, ie. LE, players, carbo etc.
Think it was pete hosk that posted it. Maybe try the search function for it
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i wonder if Alex would be so kind as to fill us in. dont know if it stands for the person whos made it or the model of the bat like you said jimba.
thanks CD, loving your new bat collection!! little bit jealous if im being honest lol :(
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CD one thing in your review confuses me, you say you found it a bit dry, but surely if you wanted a 2'8-9 bat with 40mm edges and high spine you know they'd have to dry the willow?
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What are the specs on what you received Uzair? Looks a stunner anyway :)
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I was going to get a Gray Nicolls Oblivion this season but after feeling its horrible balance decided against it. Most big names have terrible balance these days.
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I was going to get a Gray Nicolls Oblivion this season but after feeling its horrible balance decided against it. Most big names have terrible balance these days.
Perhaps that suggests a disparity between the amount of care they take for a PP or a Custom like this was. I have heard of some PP's that were planks, and it is sad to see from a brand that generates so many sales and lots of people like :(
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Perhaps that suggests a disparity between the amount of care they take for a PP or a Custom like this was. I have heard of some PP's that were planks, and it is sad to see from a brand that generates so many sales and lots of people like :(
I think youre spot on. I just don't trust the major brands anymore, big price tags, cool graphics but poor bats. The last 3 years ive been using DP from cape town. Highly recommended!
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Are you based here or abroad Slogsweep. I'm intrested in trying all these brands out :)
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Are you based here or abroad Slogsweep. I'm intrested in trying all these brands out :)
Im in the UK now. DP have a UK website www.dpcricket.co.uk
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cover-drive..... another stonking bat you'v got yourself there fella...
You'l be taking Pete Hosks crown at this rate :)
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cover-drive..... another stonking bat you'v got yourself there fella...
You'l be taking Pete Hosks crown at this rate :)
Hes got some way to go before he threatens that mammoth collection :)
Still, a fantastic stock of bats CD mate
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How much did this one set you back mate? Looks a stonker!
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CD one thing in your review confuses me, you say you found it a bit dry, but surely if you wanted a 2'8-9 bat with 40mm edges and high spine you know they'd have to dry the willow?
You can't say they over dried the willow. A single coat will be sufficient
What are the specs on what you received Uzair? Looks a stunner anyway :)
Thanks :)
I pretty much got what I had asked for :)
cover-drive..... another stonking bat you'v got yourself there fella...
You'l be taking Pete Hosks crown at this rate :)
Cheers mate :)
I have no intentions to crown Pete Hosks nor I wish you! To crown him you need to rob a bloody bank every week!!
Hes got some way to go before he threatens that mammoth collection :)
Still, a fantastic stock of bats CD mate
Cheers mate!
I have decided that Flare LE was my last bat and after that for sometime I won't buy anything.
How much did this one set you back mate? Looks a stonker!
295 Pounds which includes 25 Pounds shipping to Canada, so 270 Pounds for local fellas there.
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You can't say they over dried the willow. A single coat will be sufficient
Thanks :)
I pretty much got what I had asked for :)
Cheers mate :)
I have no intentions to crown Pete Hosks nor I wish you! To crown him you need to rob a bloody bank every week!!
Cheers mate!
I have decided that Flare LE was my last bat and after that for sometime I won't buy anything.
295 Pounds which includes 25 Pounds shipping to Canada, so 270 Pounds for local fellas there.
Yes mate but you need to appreciate the only way you can give a bat bigger than normal edges, less cncaving than usual and a bigger spine than usual is to use willow which weighs less per unit of volume. The way you said it, it sounded as though you were surprised that it was dry...well you shouldn't be. There is no magic involved in making big bats, only the time spent in the kiln.
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Jon, whats your problem mate :D?
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looks a top bat. from the pics, looks a mid middle and not a low one. but has hude edges even at the toe.
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For those who are interested. I got to use the bat on weekend, it is a decent bat. Middle is good for front foot shots, haven't really tried for back-foot shots yet. Requires fair amount of playing in albeit I faced 39 overs (obviously not connected everything..) with it on Saturday.
However, I'm struggling with coping with its feel. I will persist with few more nets session and see where I stand. Fingers crossed!
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is this the first time you have used since you bought it? I can understand the waitlist you have "to use your bats" ;)
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is this the first time you have used since you bought it? I can understand the waitlist you have "to use your bats" ;)
Yes, this was first time I ever used the bat ever since I got it.
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That's mental!
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As usual Uzair bro with his stunning bat :)
Amazing collection you are having in country like Canada 8)