Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Custom Made => Topic started by: FallingFast on October 04, 2011, 08:45:01 AM
-
I realise this is similar to some other posts on here but would still like some advice. I want to purchase a custom made bat having had to suffer with a G&M Hero for the last 4 years (picks up like a plank and performs like one).
To give you some clues I am looking at up to £200, we mainly play on low, slow wickets and I mostly play off the front foot. Best bat I ever had was a Bradbury Sterling back in 2004 when I visited Bradbury's Pod Shavers Barn in Bishops Lydeard and got to pick from about 12 bats; about 2lb 10oz, plenty of wood, and light pick-up.
Not that worried about width of edges, number or straightness of grains just want a bat that will perform. I have narrowed choice down to companies I can visit as even though I hand picked the G&M so couldn't do worse by mail order!
Any advice appreciated...short list is...
Nixon Thunder
Blue Room Wipe Out
Redback Paradox
Late entry...Solitaire
-
Firstly welcome to the forum - we get a load of people who do a first post like yours - and the responses will be typically there are loads of custom bat makers who will make a wonderful bat for you specifications on this forum. We are really lucky in that we have access to some of the leading brands in the world from Laver and Wood, GM, GN to small boutique bat shavers.
My suggestion is that you look around the forum in each of the different sponsor sections and choose the stickers you like the best and go for one of those. Lots of members have bought bats off all the sponsors on this forum and there are very few, if any who are dissapointed.
Personally H4L are doing an offer which will leave you with some change at the moment... so they may be an option.
Finally if you want a solitaire in 2lbs 10, ask for a 2lbs 7or8 as he weighs his bat very naked, in the morning, after a dump...! ;)
-
The thing you may struggle with is if you play on a low slow wicket you will prob need a mid-low or low middle and unless you have concaving they won't pick up light as the wood is further from your hands as I use a similar bat
-
h4l all day long!
-
Finally if you want a solitaire in 2lbs 10, ask for a 2lbs 7or8 as he weighs his bat very naked...!
haha
i think there's a special offer going on for 175 pounds for a custom made hell 4 leather..
or if you strictly want to stick to your list,then a redback will do really good as my mate loves his.
others in the list are also very good but i've only held a redback from that list and i loved it!
-
H4L Hattorri
That is all
-
As good as H4L are, let's not forget about Redback, SAF and other makes on here!
They are quality and I can honestly say that they are as good as any others on here.
-
sorry pete but i dont see saf or redback in the forum sponsor section?
-
Ooooh, so that means all makes not directly sponsoring this forum must be bad then? ???
-
sorry pete but i dont see saf or redback in the forum sponsor section?
Do we have to pay to even get out names mentioned now??
-
Seems a bit unlike you Simmy!
-
I'm sure it was a spur of the moment post.
We try to give a fair and balanced opinion on this forum and offer choices. Plus I'm sure that Redback will soon have their own section, hey Gary? ???
Seriously Simmy H4L are absolute quality and I'm sure that 99% of bat buyers would be over the moon and beyond with one!
Anyway, back on subject - Blueroom tend to also be good quality, or the ones I have used have been excellent.
Nixon I have never used but heard good things about them. And in most of our experiences on this forum, Solitair have been great value but tend to struggle to get one under 2'12. And H4L (as mentioned) offer absolute top notch bats (and softs) with the special offer on the 5* bats on at the moment!
And that's not even starting to consider other decent custom brands!
The suggestion from Buzz was actually quite a sensible one! The reason is, that there are so many quality brands available that sometimes the thing that will help you choose will be the visual opinion of how they look and the stickers!! As sad as that sounds, if you can't choose between several brands, sometimes it will be the deciding factor! Welcome to the forum fella
-
I have a redback paradox premium that I got recently off Gary, only used it once but it seems like a great bat. Based on the one innings I have used it for I'd recommend Redback but I'll probably do a full review once I've had more time to use it next season. Having said that I'd love to have a H4L, especially with the current offer but at the time I bought my bat I decided to go for Redback.
Also, I completely agree with Pete's comments. I think the forum should be open for anyone to post their feedback on any brand irrespective of it they are a sponsor. I personally would like to buy from the sponsors as I think they seem like great people who try their very best to provide quality products at good prices. I'm not just saying this to fit in or to promote any brand, if I'd had bad service from a forum sponsor then I'd expect to be able to say so on here as long as I didn't break any rules.
-
To be fair, we have reviewed and commented on every brand under the sun, not just the sponsors, so Pete is being fair...
Or at least, I know I have!
-
I also think it is reasonable to plug the forum sponsors who pay for the upkeep of the forum...
But (it appears initially thanks to my first post) we have digressed.
so many lovey bats, so little time in the summer to use them all... hummm it must be tough having money burning a hole in your pocket to choose a bat.
-
Ooooh, so that means all makes not directly sponsoring this forum must be bad then? ???
yes >:(
-
Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. Basically the gist of what everyone appears to be saying is most custom made bats are great and can be made to your spec so it depends on personal preference i.e. looks.
Also looking at Bulldog; H4L is a fair way from me and would prefer to pick up before buying.
Keep the suggestions coming :D
-
H4L is a fair way from me and would prefer to pick up before buying.
Keep the suggestions coming :D
Where are you then?
-
Glorious Gloucestershire; in case you are wondering Blue Room and Nixon (south) aren't that close to me but I pass nearby them for work occassionally
-
Hunts will be your closest bet then I suspect.
I am pretty confident you can find a reasonably decent bat there!! Although if you are close to Brizzle you could see Tom at Ayrtek - he has some nice bats with shiny stickers on :)
edited to appease any westcountry folk
-
"brizzle" :D we take it seriously down here!
-
I always thought it was 'Bristaaaaall!'
-
Yes Hunts is fairly close, had some of them years ago which were really good but the last one I had was a complete dud, sold it on and the guy who bought it gave up on it (and he can time a ball!!) - seem to be pressed quite hard and put me off. Not that fussed about shiny stickers, just a good bat will do
-
If you want custom made and try before you buy, you really need to speak to the batmakers to arrange a visit, where you can see the bat being made and any adjustments can be made through the process. I know Solitaire in Worcester recently offered this service for a very good price.
-
If you are in Bristol then Redback in Exeter is reasonably close, I made the trip down there from Bristol and was more than happy. Can also pop in to M&H on the way down!
-
H4L looks a really good offer and feedback on their bats is excellent BUT I am still reluctant to buy without actually picking up a few bats and they are too far to drive to; not that fussed about seeing the bat made but think it is important to know roughly what you will end up with.
Will be going close to Blue Room and Nixon in the next couple of months so will pop in and have a look at their products if time permits.
Thanks for all the advice.
-
dont go nixon if u want anything modern. they only do traditinal shapes with no concaving
-
OK cheers.
-
Just another into the mix, Hawk not to far from you.
-
Just another into the mix, Hawk not to far from you.
I don't think they're custom made... I think they only sell stock shapes...
-
Hawk isn't too far but most of their bats look like they have higher middles (except G10 which looks huge) and priced quite high! We play on mainly low wickets so don't think Hawk would suit unless someone knows differently.
-
you can book an appointment there and have one made - certainly call them and ask, they are really nices guys there. Not all will have high middles.
I can't help on the price though!
-
Cheers..another option just as I was getting closer to choosing. Actually Hawk price is within budget as long as I don't choose Pro or Players which I don't think is neccessary anyway
-
I play in Cornwall and there are a few hawk bats in the top league on the hard covered pitches, but a few lads in my team had one and didn't suit the slow low tracks That we play on every other week
-
Kind of what I thought. Anyone any thoughts on buying from H4L without seeing/picking up a few of their bats?
-
I play in Cornwall and there are a few hawk bats in the top league on the hard covered pitches, but a few lads in my team had one and didn't suit the slow low tracks That we play on every other week
Who in Cornwall do you play for?
-
Kind of what I thought. Anyone any thoughts on buying from H4L without seeing/picking up a few of their bats?
ive had two h4l not seen pics really or felt pick up of them..
just sent matt my specs told him what i wanted paid the money few weeks later bat turns up and its just wat i asked for :D.
my excel monster picks up bottom heavy cos its massive! but thats how i actually like bats
-
Who in Cornwall do you play for?
The mighty St Blazey cc lol
-
Although SAF has had a few negative comments recently, I would still recomend Andy as one of the top 5 bat makers (sorry podshavers) in the country, and is not tooo far in Oxfordshire. Give him a call. I have had 2 bats from him and i think the new designs will be available end of November ,but dont quote me.
-
I don't think they're custom made... I think they only sell stock shapes...
Have had some experience of Hawk. Top quality bats and don't know why they don't get mentioned more on here. They repaired my Salix and did a really great job, very friendly and will do a bat in any shape or style you want. Several team mates have them and see them used by many players in Worcs & B'ham league. Will seriously consider one once my Salix falls apart. Oh and good enough for Bell and KP!
-
Purchased a Redback this week, always my first choice based on reviews and my mind was made up as we were passing within a couple of miles on a trip to Devon. Contacted Gary and arranged to visit, told him roughly what I was looking for and he had several bats that fitted the bill for me to look at. After much waving around of sticks chose a Paradox in Premier Grade about 2-9 with a superb pick-up. Also ended up buying gloves and pads as they were by far the most comfortable I've ever tried.
Bat looks great (sorry haven't counted grains or measured edges as that really doesn't interest me) and I'm sure it will perform brilliantly when oiled and knocked in.
Many Thanks to Gary, very friendly guy and great customer service - even took time out to explain to my wife how bats are made while I was "shopping." Would highly recommend Redback to anyone looking for a new bat.
-
And we're hoping that a little initial review with photos wil follow? ;)
-
i live for these photos and reviews! lol