Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: kingputt on May 30, 2011, 12:57:28 AM
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Morning gents, first of all, my name's Jamie and I'm a forum newbie!
I am currently in the market for a new bat at the moment as my trusty Big Kahuna and ancient Maxi 909 have decided to become planks! One make that increased curiosity among my options that include the likes of M&H, Salix, H4L, Choice, Gray Nicholls and Newbery is Chase.
I remember Matthew Hoggard using them for a certain time period and I have seen a few people on the club circuit using them. Their best grade 1 bats are very well priced at £225 and are available in a classic or modern profile.
Was wondering whether anyone has used or picked one up before. They are a factory order at my local cricket store and I really need to pick bats up before I buy them and hit them with a mallet.
Cheers,
Jamie
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Morning Jamie and welcome to the forum.
There is a speckled history with Chase on here as they aren't a forum sponsor. Some like their bats but i have never got on with them.
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I think that if you went to any forum sponsor such as... Redback, SAF, H4L. Then you won't go far wrong. Can't wait for my SAF to come :)
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The chase I used was a good one but only had a little hit
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I have sent Matt from H4L a PM and an e-mail regarding shaving me a new pod. Judging by the response on this forum, the H4L products look great! However, I am a custom bat virgin having gone with GM and Kookaburra throughout my career so far, I'm just hoping the product will deliver for the price premium. I could get a 909 Gunn and Moore for the same price and I know I would get a great product.
Can anyone convince me?
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You'll get a handcrafted bat with a lot of care put into it, made SPECIFICALLY for you. However you want it. That'd sway it for me!
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I have sent Matt from H4L a PM and an e-mail regarding shaving me a new pod. Judging by the response on this forum, the H4L products look great! However, I am a custom bat virgin having gone with GM and Kookaburra throughout my career so far, I'm just hoping the product will deliver for the price premium. I could get a 909 Gunn and Moore for the same price and I know I would get a great product.
Can anyone convince me?
Hi and firstly welcome to the forum.
About 6 months ago i bought 2 new bats, a Kookaburra CCX 950 and a H4L custom in my favourite profile. As soon as i got the H4L i sold the kook as i knew i would not use it because i liked the H4L that much.
Here is a topic on it: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=9198.0
It really is a super bat and matt was very helpful throughout ordering it. The performance of the bat matches anything i've ever used. Had a 8-a-side pairs cricket tournament yesturday and everyone wanted to borrow it lol!
I would cast my view on the other forum brands but i have yet to use any others, i'm sure they will alll produce good bats though.
Hoping to get some matching H4L softs this week! :D
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The other slight issue is that I am confused as to what profile to choose. I have two bats with very different profiles. GM Maxi 909 from 2004, slightly more classic profile with thinner edges but loads of wood behind them and a Kook Big Kahuna with concaved spine and HUGE edges. I score plenty with either bat but I'm now moving into adult cricket and I doubt I can lift my Kahuna up in time against 75mph bowling. I was struggling with my maxi, which is a good 3-4 oz lighter than my kook.
I do like the idea of having it tailor made to me, I had my road bike custom made to my specifications and I love it to bits, hopefully this bat can join the club.
Also have other H4L customers had 10+ not necessarily straight grains on their 5* willow. I doubt I can afford more than a 5* and I do like narrow grained willow... is a psychy thing I know but my maxi 909 (13 grains) performs much better than my kahuna (7 grains)
I would consider the H4L pads as well... they look classic, but they are quite expensive too!
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The other slight issue is that I am confused as to what profile to choose. I have two bats with very different profiles. GM Maxi 909 from 2004, slightly more classic profile with thinner edges but loads of wood behind them and a Kook Big Kahuna with concaved spine and HUGE edges. I score plenty with either bat but I'm now moving into adult cricket and I doubt I can lift my Kahuna up in time against 75mph bowling. I was struggling with my maxi, which is a good 3-4 oz lighter than my kook.
I do like the idea of having it tailor made to me, I had my road bike custom made to my specifications and I love it to bits, hopefully this bat can join the club.
Also have other H4L customers had 10+ not necessarily straight grains on their 5* willow. I doubt I can afford more than a 5* and I do like narrow grained willow... is a psychy thing I know but my maxi 909 (13 grains) performs much better than my kahuna (7 grains)
I would consider the H4L pads as well... they look classic, but they are quite expensive too!
I'm sure if you ask matt nicely he'll send you a couple of pics of clefts to choose from... well he did that with my 2nd one anyway.
With regards to profile, You can still get good sizes edges on a fairly light bat. Theres plenty of 2lb 8oz bats on here with 35mm edges. I take it you like a reasonably low middled bat?
As i said speak to him directly he'll sort you out if its a H4L you want :)
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Welcome to the forum!
Don't forget to have a look at the Redback range of bats. For what it sounds like you have to spend you'll get a very, very good bat from Gary.......
Give him a call and he'll help you pick a profile that suits your game.
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I LOVE the look of your Hattori jimba101 I would love to have the same kind of cleft you had! Mind, that profile you had looks incredible!! does it pick up really light too? Is it the same profile as the 666 you had?
Has anyone had any experience with both H4L and Redback bats and which do you prefer?
They're both in the same price bracket!
Oh I'm spoilt for choice.... get it? spoilt for CHOICE? 8) haha
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I have sent Matt from H4L a PM and an e-mail regarding shaving me a new pod. Judging by the response on this forum, the H4L products look great! However, I am a custom bat virgin having gone with GM and Kookaburra throughout my career so far, I'm just hoping the product will deliver for the price premium. I could get a 909 Gunn and Moore for the same price and I know I would get a great product.
Can anyone convince me?
Whether or not it will convince you, consider the following.
Kook is a brand name that sub contracts it's batmaking out to big manufacturers in Asia. There is nothing to say that Kook bats are not good, indeed I have used them and been pleased. However if when you buy a Kook it is useful to know that regardless of model or grade, it will have been mass produced in a place where quantity overrides quality.
GM make most of their bats (down to 404 grade I believe) in the UK and their operation looks mighty impressive. I have no doubts that they care about the quality of their product, so yes, you can be assured you will get a good bat. However, using your example, a 909 model is only their third higest grade. For the same money you can get something from H4L or similar small maker that will be the best of the best.
From what you say you are quite picky about your bats, nothing wrong with that. Although if you decide on a Kook or GM you may have to wait a while to find one that ticks all your boxes. By getting one from H4L et al, you will be getting a bat made specifically for you to your specification. You can request weight, shape, handle shape, grains, heartwood, no heartwood. In fact you can specify just about anything you want, so you know you will be getting the bat of your dreams.
It is a popular misconception that just because a brand is small or not well known or relatively inexpensive that it is somehow inferior to the bigger brands. It simply isn't the case. Indeed more often than not the smaller brand will make a superior product.
One more thing to consider, when buying a GM, GN, Kook, Slaz, Adidas etc a large chunk of what it costs you will be paying for some pro to advertise the brand. With a smaller batmaker, this isn't the case, you are just paying for the craftsmanship.
Welcome to the forum, I hope that has helped.
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GM 909 willow is still grade 1 though is it not? would it be on the same level as H4L 5* willow or would that be something like Original? I dont change my bats often so I want to get it right, hence the fussiness haha
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GM 909 willow is still grade 1 though is it not? would it be on the same level as H4L 5* willow or would that be something like Original? I dont change my bats often so I want to get it right, hence the fussiness haha
Don't read too much into grades, different makers grade differently. Point stands that a 909 is the third best level of bat GM sell, whether it is G1 or otherwise.
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From what you say you are quite picky about your bats, nothing wrong with that. Although if you decide on a Kook or GM you may have to wait a while to find one that ticks all your boxes. By getting one from H4L et al, you will be getting a bat made specifically for you to your specification. You can request weight, shape, handle shape, grains, heartwood, no heartwood. In fact you can specify just about anything you want, so you know you will be getting the bat of your dreams.
A custom bat could have all the right ingredients and not feel right in your hands. From that perspective nothing beats holding a bat and trying it first. The true value of a custom bat is once you establish connection with the bat maker so he what exactly suits you. Then you can get not only something that suits you but also all the ingredients which make you feel like a better player.
I am not sure where you are located but your best bet might be to find one of the forum brands nearest to you (All of them are quality!), go there try a few different bats and then get your custom bat made. I don't have that luxury but so far have not been disappointed with the quality of bats bought from the forum.
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I LOVE the look of your Hattori jimba101 I would love to have the same kind of cleft you had! Mind, that profile you had looks incredible!! does it pick up really light too? Is it the same profile as the 666 you had?
Has anyone had any experience with both H4L and Redback bats and which do you prefer?
They're both in the same price bracket!
Oh I'm spoilt for choice.... get it? spoilt for CHOICE? 8) haha
I sold the Hattori last week :S didnt want to let it go at-all but i received my student finance info through this week and my maintinence loan doesnt even cover my accomadation!
Both the bats pick up great, The 666 stickered one (GN Nitro profile) is slightly heavier and meatier though. The other one was just a standard 2lb 8oz Hattori.
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I am very happy to add that James's Hattori has found a loving home in Cape Town!
Received the bat today and it is a lovely piece of willow! One of the best finishes i a have seen on a bat in a long time. Stickers look really good as well. Pick up is a bit bottom heavy based on the Hattori profile but feels really smooth when shadowing shots especially drives. I have not had any nets with it yet but it feels really responsive right from the start and gives the impression that it will just get better and better with time. If this is 5 star willow i would love to see what the LE clefts would look like!
My point is that this H4L bat is a quality product and certainly better in performance and finish than many of the bigger brands of the same price. I wish it were easier and less expensive to get kit to SA otherwise i would have some more H4L bats!
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I am very happy to add that James's Hattori has found a loving home in Cape Town!
Received the bat today and it is a lovely piece of willow! One of the best finishes i a have seen on a bat in a long time. Stickers look really good as well. Pick up is a bit bottom heavy based on the Hattori profile but feels really smooth when shadowing shots especially drives. I have not had any nets with it yet but it feels really responsive right from the start and gives the impression that it will just get better and better with time. If this is 5 star willow i would love to see what the LE clefts would look like!
My point is that this H4L bat is a quality product and certainly better in performance and finish than many of the bigger brands of the same price. I wish it were easier and less expensive to get kit to SA otherwise i would have some more H4L bats!
glad it arrived safely and you are happy with it. Were you stung by SA customs in the end?
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Yup, another £35!! Not sure how but i received some other bats from UK couple of weeks ago and only had to fork out £15 and they were double the amount of the H4L! Also through UPD.
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Yup, another £35!! Not sure how but i received some other bats from UK couple of weeks ago and only had to fork out £15 and they were double the amount of the H4L! Also through UPD.
I could have sent it uninsured so you wouldnt have had the fees but not sure it was worth the risk... sorry mate!
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No probs mate, at least we've learnt something from this though. I'm now even more keen than ever to get a H4L LE cleft made up to my specs! Just wish Matt would respond to my e-mails!
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Has anyone been to H4L to have a bat made?