Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Custom Made => Topic started by: Colesy on July 06, 2011, 03:24:45 PM
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I took Andy up on his Bank holiday offer back in May to get a new SAF Premier willow bat for £150. Due to some complications, it is here 5 weeks later.
Specs:
2.8/2.9
Same shape as a Slazenger SXI
Oval handle
NO offset edge
Received:
2.9/2.10
SAF Fabrica/Erus mix
Weird shaped handle
Offset edge
Communication was easy on the most part, but after specifying what I wanted, and receiving something different is not that pleasant. Also, there seems to be a slight crack near the handle (pictured) which seems weird as the bat has not been touched by ball or mallet.
Here's the pics, taken on BlackBerry so sorry for the quality:
(http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/IMG00110-20110706-1605.jpg?t=1309965769)(http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/IMG00111-20110706-1605.jpg?t=1309965794)(http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/IMG00112-20110706-1605.jpg)(http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/IMG00113-20110706-1606.jpg)(http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/IMG00114-20110706-1606.jpg)
In two minds whether to keep it or return it as 1. I need a bat and 2. the fuss and hassle caused.
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Them cracks at the bottom of the splice normally caused when the handle has been fitted with a bit too much clout.
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What do you guys think I should do? It's not what I asked for or I'm batless without it...
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send it back, its not what you asked for!
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If it's not what you asked for and isn't right for you I would send it back. Better to borrow something until you can get a bat that is right for you and which you are happy spending money on.
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if you keep it you may like it, but then again if you know what you like you will only end up using it, realising its not for you then selling it on here at a loss. Better to send it back i reckon and get something thats suited to you
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I would definately send it back. If it's not what you asked for then you deserve some sort of refund/replacement. I've only heard good things about SAF untill now so I'm sure Andy will sort it out :)
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That is the highest middle I've over seen. Looks a weird shape.
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Is the toe shot square on? If it is then you also have the spine offset towards one edge. I think I'd have got in touch with Andy prior to putting this up on here and had a quiet chat about your concerns.
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Rather than being numbered, it says final addition?
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Rather than being numbered, it says final addition?
Yes, I remember he announced earlier this year that this was the final run of these shapes.
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Jeppers I announce I'm leaving and here I am. I contacted Joe offering a few options and asked him to call if he likes to sort it out. The crack is something that you generally don't see on other bats because of the stickers used. I've had some go across the back but none due to this slight splice crack so I am happy to send them out. The blade (willow)is very responsive and it is a good representation I felt of the order request based on another bat maker making it. Like I said Joe has a few options and told him ultimately I'm a nice bloke so nothing to worry about on all fronts. Would be nice to feedback via email first mind you ;) :)
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He is not wrong, we've been e-mailing each other and I've decided to at least try it out and Andy has been good enough to say if I don't like it I can always return it. Maybe I had a picture in my head of what it would look like and as it's different I automatically didn't like it. I've set it up with my grip style and applied a hammer edge and it does feel nice, still not touched it with a mallet or ball.
Maybe I came across a little negatively in the OP but Andy is a top guy and unless I have a go with this bat, I cannot write it off, Andy know a hell of a lot more about bats than I do so I'm trusting him on this one, and hope I'm proved right in doing so.
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Final decision is yours bud. Massively high middle tho
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To be honest, I've given my wood a pounding with a mallet and the middle isn't all that high. Probably the same as a GM Icon in terms of middle height. Suits me anyway.
It may not be a 2.6 40mm edged monster with 35 grains, but given a little time, it feels nice and goes well. That's all I care about. Thanks Andy :)
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Sorry Guys but did I miss something? has Saf left the forum completely?? and if so could we have the previous Saf Threads archived like we have had happen in the past?? annnnndd maybe some acknowledgement from the admins to Andy and thanks for the contributions over the last few years?
Sorry if it seems like i hijacked this post but there was nowhere else that had mention of our dearly departed SAF
:(
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Yes, the SAF section of the forum has now been removed and I believe their sponsorship deal will not be re-newed. This was done at Andy's request. I got the impression he didn't want to make a fuss, else I'm sure he would have posted some kind of announcement.
We are of course grateful for the contributions he has made, including various forum deals as well as his 'Ask the Batmaker' threads.
Andy has been involved in this and a few other forums for several years now, and he said to me that he won't be disappearing completely, it's just an end to SAF's formal involvement in this forum.
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I'am a big fan of Andy and his work but my theory is if you have a doubt about a bat your instincts are not often wrong and all this growing into a bat is hard to achive i think do not get me wrong it can happen but my theory is your not happy and your trying to reasure yourself through the forum.
Colesy i know your not a grain hunter that bat to me does look strange but it your bat ultimatly but if you have a few doubt about the look and pick up and if it truely is not what you ordered do not just make do mate sort it out.
Andy this is not a slight on you mate just a opinion the 4 bats i have seen in person of yours were very good and the one i have used was outstanding
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Thanks for your thoughts Dave. Although it may not been to many peoples' taste visually, it really does perform well and feels nicely balanced.
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Thanks for your thoughts Dave. Although it may not been to many peoples' taste visually, it really does perform well and feels nicely balanced.
Have you now used it in a net mate? :)
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Spent about 3 hours knocking it in today and hit a cricket ball around the garden, avoiding any windows or doors ;)
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Is the toe shot square on? If it is then you also have the spine offset towards one edge. I think I'd have got in touch with Andy prior to putting this up on here and had a quiet chat about your concerns.
So was this question about the spine answered?..The spine does look very offset to one side indeed
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Yes sorry, the spine is not in the centre of the bat.
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Joe I was going to pm you but seeing as SAF have gone from the forum, it may as well be said here. In the last few months we have had 2 people on here with saf bats that have cracked horizontally at the bottom of the splice. I'd keep a very close eye on the crack on yours if you do keep it.
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I've seen those and did run past my thoughts. Thanks Jon.
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from memory Colesy this is your first custom made bat... If it was me I would be disappointed to receive a bat that was split at the splice and had a spine that wasn't even close to the middle.. I really like the look of the Saf bats and considered buying one but not so sure now... Never seen a bat with a spine that is this offset.. If thats how it is supposed to be I really don't see the benefit.
Is this the T20 bat with the shorter blade?
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Just so you all know Joe was offered a refund, a change of bat etc etc. He is still, and is not under any obligation to keep the bat, he can return it anytime he likes. The splice crack is not a problem like I said, the ones that have gone across the shoulder have been down to a flaw in the willow or due to dryness. That said even when they've not been a fault in the willow I've replaced them. So Joe has choices so no need to worry about him.
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Can I ask the reason for the offset spine Norbs?
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Bad news guys. I didn't even get to use it this weekend (boooooo)
Saturday I got 0* off 1 ball which was a wide and yesterday I left my first ball and got given LBW second. So this weekend, 3 balls faced, bat used in none of them.
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That doesnt look like a crack to me mate on mine i have a stanley knife mark near the splice, so check it properly, I have one from andy and i have to say without a doubt its a GUN of a bat, ill definitely be being saf in the future, its my #2 Stick behind a redback i have the redback has a fantastic middle but isnt overly forgiving, lucky i havent missed the middle much in games :-P
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Long gone now mate. Got rid of it over a month ago and have another bat.