Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: clarke on May 04, 2011, 05:56:04 AM

Title: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: clarke on May 04, 2011, 05:56:04 AM: I want to buy a custom bat but am struggling who to go with. I have successfully narrowed it down to 5 brands which was a struggle as it is. These are

~~1) Vantage Custom (£220)~~
2) Black Cat Custo (£270) or Voodoo (£255) -Unsure if the Custom is any better than Voodoo...
3) Hell 4 Leather Monster (£245) . . . Depending if they can do anything in 2.8-2.9.
4) Blueroom M1+ New Wave (£200)
5) Redback Padadox (£245)

Im really lost they all look pretty good. I do want the highest willow grade available. At the same time I wouldnt mind some reasonable edge size. I dont know if 35mm would be too much for the weight range im looking at, absolute max 2.10. Any suggestions??? Whether its taking somthing ou.t or wrapping somthing. On value youd probably say Blueroom really stands out but im not sure.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: geelkabouter on May 04, 2011, 06:11:31 AM: Hi Clarke
Maybe one more to add to your list is instinct, top quality willow and great customer service.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: clarke on May 04, 2011, 06:15:57 AM: I know - but I brushed it as there top grade bat was £295. Probably a bit contradictory considering ive got Blackcat at £270, but im probably leaning against it for that in itself for that reason
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: geelkabouter on May 04, 2011, 06:24:41 AM: It's still worth a shot maybe just contacting Dan from instinct he has some deals going every now and then, he had an offer awhile ago where you could have gotten a 2"10 sniper for I think 230 or so, check in the instict topic. Maybe just pm him and see if he has anything
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Johnny on May 04, 2011, 06:31:04 AM: Vantage are no longer in operation, so I guess that narrows your search..
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Simmy on May 04, 2011, 06:46:56 AM: out of list ive had h4l and blueroom

h4l made me a lovely big bat. middle is massive not fully knocked in yet
blueroom made me a lovley bat at 2.10 middle is not as big as h4l but it did go like (No Swearing Please) of stick.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Number4 on May 04, 2011, 06:48:51 AM: I know my next brand will be between Hell4Leather and Saf...I love the look of both
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: sgcricket on May 04, 2011, 06:52:10 AM: maybe you can add Talisman to the list.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Number5 on May 04, 2011, 07:51:49 AM: Quote from: Johnny Firefly on May 04, 2011, 06:31:04 AM
Vantage are no longer in operation, so I guess that narrows your search..

Off topic...my apologies, but is that a fact or speculation just because they no longer sponsor a section on the forum? Me and I'm sure many other Vantage bat and kit owners would like to know what's going on.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Johnny on May 04, 2011, 07:53:44 AM: It's because Dan, who ran Vantage, now works for Salix
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: clarke on May 04, 2011, 10:07:56 AM: Well ive eliminated Vantage by default but SAF now enters the picture.

I did want a slightly bigger bat though which may be against SAF
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: roco on May 04, 2011, 10:09:54 AM: One of the biggest bats I've had was off talisman and he does customs if required and for a very good price
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: justnotcricket86 on May 04, 2011, 10:57:57 AM: H4L mate, you can't go wrong
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: mattw on May 04, 2011, 11:03:40 AM: If you're looking to spend £200+ I would PM Talisman.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: cooter on May 04, 2011, 08:34:19 PM: REDBACK all the way mate, they are the best bats i have ever seen and used and i've had alot of bats!! they ping and gary is always willing to help you decide which style and grade is best suited to you. you won't be dissapointed
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: SAF Bats on May 04, 2011, 08:36:53 PM: Quote from: clarke on May 04, 2011, 10:07:56 AM
I did want a slightly bigger bat though which may be against SAF

Just to let you know the amount of willow in a properly dried cricket bat is generally going to be same from anyone you buy from. What we won't do is compromise on performance for aesthetics
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Talisman on May 04, 2011, 08:43:09 PM: I would always offer my customer the chance for compromised performance if they specified it, you have to offer the choice in this competitive market....

Also my dry willow is drier than others at the same moisture content, don't ask me how but it is.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: SAF Bats on May 04, 2011, 08:48:23 PM: Quote from: Talisman on May 04, 2011, 08:43:09 PM
I would always offer my customer the chance for compromised performance if they specified it, you have to offer the choice in this competitive market....

Also my dry willow is drier than others at the same moisture content, don't ask me how but it is.

Genius reply :D :D
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: procricket on May 04, 2011, 08:50:42 PM: and my bats hit sixes if i hit them....
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Colesy on May 04, 2011, 10:41:44 PM: Mine must have a hole in :(
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: procricket on May 04, 2011, 10:44:04 PM: your runs a are to come Joe
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Colesy on May 04, 2011, 10:47:01 PM: I've picked the team I am playing for Sunday which is Lisvane away. Got my first ton against them last year, hoping I'll come good again. If not, I'm a bowler ;)
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: roco on May 04, 2011, 10:51:57 PM: Our top all rounder and leading wicket taker has just asked if he can bowl less as it's tiring and he's a batsmen any way cheeky so and so well better to have more than one string to your bow mate
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Colesy on May 04, 2011, 10:55:34 PM: Not really a string, more a strand of cotton lol.

Anyways i don't want to go off topic too much. Disappointed to hear Vantage isn't operating more as Dan made a beauty for one of our youth members.
Title: Re: Help picking a custom brand
Post by: Johnny on May 05, 2011, 09:21:56 AM: I'm sure Dan will continue making bats, just no longer under the Vantage Banner