Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 09:30:08 AM

Title: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 09:30:08 AM
After speaking to the guys at Hawk about a bat they were selling cheap due to some damaged caused whilst making the bat I went to see it.

As always the guys @ Hawk were very helpful and replied to plenty of emails I sent them with questions regarding bats they had etc...

I was told that the damaged bat that I went to viewed was an xbow2 weighing in at 2'12 with slight shoulder damage, the bat felt slightly heavier and wasn't that impressive in size compared to other bats I have seen. The grains on the bat were fairly straight and evenly spaced with a bit of heartwood. I had a look at the shoulder damage and it doesn't look too bad, they've fixed it up by glueing it together and putting some dowell in.

Whilst I was there I also saw another bat with a fair bit more damage, with a large crack in the toe - it was being sold as a net bat and at £20 I couldn't refuse.

When i got back and weight them, the Xbow2 came in at around 2'13 and the net bat came in at 2'10, the net bat looks like it was going to be a very nice bat.

Anyway, here are some pics of the bats.
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0605.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0607.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0606.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0604.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0608.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0611.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0610.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/matthewwatkins7/IMG_0609.jpg)
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 09:31:51 AM
The pictures don't really show the damage of the net bat so well, but it the crack at the back of the bat comes up to the lower piece of dowell that was put in to 'in theory' stop the bat from cracking further up the bat.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: tim2000s on October 19, 2011, 09:48:03 AM
The pictures don't really show the damage of the net bat so well, but it the crack at the back of the bat comes up to the lower piece of dowell that was put in to 'in theory' stop the bat from cracking further up the bat.
Classic way of stopping a crack propagating (similar to why aeroplanes don't have sharp corners on their doors and windows...). Drill a hole through the end point to change the stress route, but as it's a cricket bat, you need to fill the hole with something. The net bat looks like it has quite a high middle, but pretty large for 2lb 10oz?
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: 19reading87 on October 19, 2011, 10:22:56 AM
So you can buy damaged bats from hawk???
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 10:25:59 AM
Willow looks nice but that net bat is just a weird shape
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: tim2000s on October 19, 2011, 10:38:54 AM
Willow looks nice but that net bat is just a weird shape
It's very similar to a number of the L&W bats.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 10:40:04 AM
Similar except for the wobbly edge
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: peplow on October 19, 2011, 10:45:59 AM
Similar except for the wobbly edge

wobbly edge?
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 11:01:23 AM
Yes.. From the shoulder to just were the edges thicken its like a wavey edge.

Only on the net bat...the other bat looks fine
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: peplow on October 19, 2011, 11:46:43 AM
Yes.. From the shoulder to just were the edges thicken its like a wavey edge.

Only on the net bat...the other bat looks fine

Trust me when i say that makes it similar to L+W bats..
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 11:47:14 AM
The net bat isn't finished that well, but I guess that's because there's no need to put lots of time and effort into a net bat that has split whilst making. It's huge for it's weight, i'll measure the edges etc when I get back from work.

The bats were a steal, I paid £70 for the damaged bat - had a tap up with it and it seems very nice. It picks up well for the weight, and I couldn't believe it was 2'13ish.

I quite like the shape of the net bat, the guys in there were explaining to me the last time I went in there that those shapes are more for their pros (or top end range) as they have less wood around the toe/shoulders where it's not needed and mainly around the middle of the bat etc...
So I'm assuming this would've been a top end bat before the crack in the toe of the bat.

So you can buy damaged bats from hawk???
Yeah, apparently they get them quite often. I just emailed them enquiring about cheaper bats they had to offer and they told me about these. He also showed me another bat that looked lovely that had cracked whilst pressing - but it was pretty much a write off.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Kulli on October 19, 2011, 11:50:41 AM
at 90 for 2 bats you can't reall complain, even if you get a season out of them thats pretty good going.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 12:04:43 PM
at 90 for 2 bats you can't reall complain, even if you get a season out of them thats pretty good going.

Indeed, at that price I couldn't turn them down tbh.

Neither of them come with any guarentee or anything, however I would expect the Xbow2 to last a fair while. The damage isn't that bad tbh.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 12:13:08 PM
Trust me when i say that makes it similar to L+W bats..

Never seen any with "wavey" edges..

Yes similar to the special profile no doubt... maybe my screen is wavey
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Kulli on October 19, 2011, 12:26:32 PM
Indeed, at that price I couldn't turn them down tbh.

Neither of them come with any guarentee or anything, however I would expect the Xbow2 to last a fair while. The damage isn't that bad tbh.
Really depends on your luck, could last like a normal bat, or it might start to open up again pretty early on.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 12:28:34 PM
Hopefully they will last.... they look nice... hope they go well too
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: peplow on October 19, 2011, 12:31:20 PM
Never seen any with "wavey" edges..

well a fair few of us have, some at first hand, but anywaysss tis a bargain at 90 for the 2 bats!
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Simmy on October 19, 2011, 12:32:40 PM
did they have any g10's really tempted?
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 19, 2011, 12:35:09 PM
well a fair few of us have, some at first hand, but anywaysss tis a bargain at 90 for the 2 bats!

 Must have kept the pics of them off the forum
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 12:42:32 PM
did they have any g10's really tempted?

They didn't have any made up when I went in last saturday but I've seen a few before and they look very impressive. I played against a few guys who had them last season and they certainly performed well!

I think Hawk make most of their bats to order, especially this time of the year.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 12:44:39 PM
Really depends on your luck, could last like a normal bat, or it might start to open up again pretty early on.

True, but I thought it was worth the risk. I've been looking to get a Hawk bat for a while, so this is the perfect opportunity to see how they perform and whether I can justify on paying their prices.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Kulli on October 19, 2011, 12:51:14 PM
True, but I thought it was worth the risk. I've been looking to get a Hawk bat for a while, so this is the perfect opportunity to see how they perform and whether I can justify on paying their prices.
Yeah, as i said, worth the risk that that price.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: kenbriooo on October 19, 2011, 05:01:14 PM
So you can buy damaged bats from hawk???

Cue a hundred or more emails to Hawk asking if they have any broken / damaged bats for sale!
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: ollie97 on October 19, 2011, 05:03:45 PM
that bat for £20?! blimey!
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: jonpinson on October 19, 2011, 05:19:44 PM
Must have kept the pics of them off the forum

You are coming over as a Laver evangelist, denying events of the past. At the beginning of the year there were several customers who has issues with their new Laver bats that had problems due to shaping. Sam recieved a Reserve with non-symmetrical edges, so he knows what he is talking about.

Anyway, Hawk...look very good for the money.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 05:47:53 PM
Anyway, Hawk...look very good for the money.

Well these are very good for the money and everyone I know who has had a Hawk has been more than happy with them, however their prices aren't cheap to be honest.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: beaver5 on October 19, 2011, 06:08:57 PM
I bought one myself at the end of last season for £35. It had fairly minor damage and had one pin in the side. When I got it home I decided it was a bit heavy for me so sold it to a team mate for the same price. He's been using it in some matches this season and its still going strong.

They had several when I went in ranging from £15 to £50 depending on the level of damage. Went back a few weeks later but they'd sold out.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 19, 2011, 08:23:37 PM
the xbow2 (shoulder damage) 2'13 -  has edges of about 3cm and about 5.8cm to the spine at it's biggest point
the blank (toe damage) 2'10 - has edges of about 3.8 and aboutm 6.5cm to the spine at it's biggest point

this is compared to my 2'10.10 talisman which has edges of about 4cm and 6cm to the spine at it's biggest.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: RossViper on October 19, 2011, 09:07:03 PM
Are these bat damaged during manufacture, or are the refurbushied bats?
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Number4 on October 20, 2011, 07:11:01 AM
You are coming over as a Laver evangelist, denying events of the past. At the beginning of the year there were several customers who has issues with their new Laver bats that had problems due to shaping. Sam recieved a Reserve with non-symmetrical edges, so he knows what he is talking about.

Anyway, Hawk...look very good for the money.

Like I said to Sam I am only commenting on what I have seen and if bats have been kept off the forum because they have issues then how can members know whats going on..

I'm not a Laver evangelist I commented on the wavey edges of THIS bat. Maybe I should buy a pair off rose coloured glasses everyone seems to wear over there...

Anyone selling any on the forum? 

I seen Sams bat that he got and was originally happy with until everyone else started commenting on the shape and I also seen some bats that were maybe an ounce heavier than asked for. If people aren't happy with what they received then I have no problem with them complaining and getting the problem fixed, which I think was done on every occaision. I have also seen bats on here with offset spines and cracks and broken handles as well.. who cares as long as the problem is fixed.

I have 2 Lavers here and both are excellent bats... Does that make me know what I am talking about to?

Get off your high horse, take off the rose coloured glasses and go out and smell the roses I was simply making an observation of THIS bat on THIS thread.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: jonpinson on October 20, 2011, 08:44:29 AM
We can only go on what people present on this forum. To counter your argument somewhat, the bat in question here cost £20 and damaged which the buyer was aware of, the Lavers with.problems cost nearly 20 times that.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 20, 2011, 09:22:11 AM
Are these bat damaged during manufacture, or are the refurbushied bats?

Damaged during maufacture.
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: Manormanic on October 20, 2011, 11:51:22 AM
Indeed, at that price I couldn't turn them down tbh.

Neither of them come with any guarentee or anything, however I would expect the Xbow2 to last a fair while. The damage isn't that bad tbh.

just depends if you get a ball in that area of the bat really!
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: 19reading87 on October 29, 2011, 07:55:44 PM
What grade willow is that Hawk classed as mate???
Title: Re: My Visit to Hawk
Post by: mattw on October 31, 2011, 10:46:09 AM
As far as I am aware, they only use G1 willow.