Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: TommyDeeeee on January 02, 2012, 08:48:56 PM
-
Just been for a poke about on the M&H website and noticed the price of there products, especially bats! £400 for a cricket bat seems ridiculous for a cricket bat! i know some people on here have reeeally expensive bats, but they are something special... i was just wondering who, if anyone would be prepared to pay £400 for an 'off the shelf' bat... i use that term lightly as they will make to your specs slightly but, it is a set profile and such like.
-
I couldn't justify it to be honest but that's me.
-
I have had 2 top of the range Scats!
The first was one I couldn't seem to get on with that well. It is now with 100no and he gets on brilliantly!
The second is with me still and everyone things its a brilliant bat! So the pedigree is top notch!
But if you ask me whether I would fork out £400 and buy another I would say NOOOOOO!
I realise that the one I have is superb, BUT I would find a decent bat maker and get it copied with top performance willow and pay a lot less for it! 8)
-
Scats or M&H mr Hosk?
-
Sorry - didn't read properly!
I thought we were talking Millichamps (as in Julian and Scats!)
:(
-
Don't worry about it, I've done that a few times before realising lol.
-
Pete
When it comes to bats, the word "no" doesnt exist in your vocabulary.
-
M&H and £400 bats?
Personally I wouldn't pay that money for one. They are decent bats but decent at half that price!
The M&H Custom I have is absolutely superb but I have some bats that are as good and for around the £200-250 mark. And that Custom would cost close on £400 now?
-
M&H are not the only ones with £400 /£400+bats. There are other crazy priced bats too - Kook Players, GN capt choice, GM Players and our own Black Cat F40
One thing about M&H is that you will find it hard to get a dud bat from them. They might not look good (at times) but they play superb.
But spending £400 on a bat, I rather by 3 bats off Balnk Bats :)
Has anyone notices that Salix which was once the most expensive of bats, is now the most affordable with its top bat being sub £300 at most retailers. Salix ar the Rolls Royce of cricket bats. Can beet the craftsmanship and finish. The product is excellent in looks and performance.
-
You're right Yash!
Salix used to be thought of as more expensive than most other brands. But it looks as though some brands have caught up and overtaken them! ;)
-
I saw a Master in a store a couple of weeks ago and whilst it was an interesting shape, £400 was overpriced. The finish on it was really poor, lots of scratches on the back that shouldn't be there on a bat at that price.
-
I thought about this the other day why are these companies making bats so expensive in this current financial climate, I'm sure these £400 bats from the 'off the shelf' companies weren't around 4/5 yrs ago.
-
An M&H label doesn't guarantee you a great bat. A Non M&H label doesn't mean you won't get a great bat.
But buying an M&H make you a LOT more likely to get a great bat IMO.
When shopping for a cricket bat - before I registered on here (and before I even know anything about M&H), as soon as I picked up an M&H in a random cricket shop (Initially with my mind set on a Mjolnir) I had an epiphany. Then I saw the price tag and baulked. Though I knew I couldn't be without one!
The next week I went on a knowledge hunt and researched them (and probably led me to here!)
2 weeks later and I'm in Taunton knocking up Distinctions (albeit 2011 shape, my initial epiphany moment was with the 2010 shape, though am in the process of acquiring one of these too!) and eventually ended up with a 2'10 23 grained monster that picks up featherlite. Anything below the sticker is the middle!
I'd actually say the Amplus is their best bat, though they only suit people that can or need middle middled bats.
I am in little doubt they are the best off-the-shelf manufacturer in the world. But I've never seen a Scat in the flesh ;)
I suppose it's stretching my obsequiousness to suggest that due to a non-sponsorship principle there's a logic that suggests you have access to the sort of bats most brands save for the pros
-
Finishing is something you should not expect on M&H bats.
There is a reason for that. Most M&H bats would come oiled and knocked in / ready to play.
Best way to oil a bat in my opinion is to do it before waxing & polishing.
But all said and done, M&H bats do pack a serous punch.
-
I am in little doubt they are the best off-the-shelf manufacturer in the world. But I've never seen a Scat in the flesh ;)
If only you knew what i know.
-
If only you knew what i know.
Was going to say the same thing! ;)
-
Don't know what you mean Luke, but i was referring to the difference between a Scat and M&H bat. Pound for pound or shall i say ounce for ounce the Scats ive seen and had (3 of them) packed a much better punch.
But coming back on topic, the prices are unjustifiably extortionate in my humble opinion.
-
But aren't SCats custom bats where as M&H are off the shelf.
I have owned a SCat and would spend £400 on them rather than GN or Kook or GM.
-
But aren't SCats custom bats where as M&H are off the shelf.
I have owned a SCat and would spend £400 on them rather than GN or Kook or GM.
True, but M and H also offer a custom service though. I had one made there. Good day out it was.
-
Millichamp prices.... Are too high...
-
I don't know or play with anyone who would have a 400 quid bat,whether it is the master or the Newbery special edition bat which was around £1000.00 or something.A few of my team-mates would have the value of £400.00 over 2 or 3 bats,myself included.
I only hear of people buying these high priced bats on this forum.
I actually think Salix have been very clever with their pricing-they can see others racking up rrp's for the top bats and probably have done very well out of it.
I personally like Salix and i'm a fan of their bats.But if I had £400.00 i'd get 2 custom made bats from those manufacturers on this forum.
I don't personally believe a grade 1 bat made by h4l/saf/black cat/warsop would be any different than an M and H bat.
Remember pro cricketers are paid huge sums by the big boys to advertise bats-a lot of the time they are not their bats they are using but hand made by smaller companies.
The big companies rely on us,the club cricketers,to sell high priced bats too and the light is on and burning brightly for the masses... : :)
-
Millichamp prices.... Are too high...
Don't get me wrong, I completely agree...I don't think any bat is worth 400, though I do think they would be the first company I'd approach if money was no object.
-
Screaming Cat are even more though...
What's the name of M&H's bat maker?
-
£500 plus now
-
If Scats were made in this country I doubt they would be over £400!! The exchange rate over here kills us :( plus shipping and import duties...
-
When i spoke with Julian last, he did say that his prices have remained static for quite some years, the weak sterling is costing us big time,
-
If SCats were made here then they would be prices as per the market here.
A custom from compnaies like M&H, SCat would still cost £400 or thereabouts.
SCats are still the cheapest top quality bats in Aus compared to GM, GN etc
-
Screaming Cat are even more though...
What's the name of M&H's bat maker?
The one I know is nick.
-
The other is Rob Chambers, its Nick Taylor. Rob owns the company.
-
If Scats were made in this country I doubt they would be over £400!! The exchange rate over here kills us :( plus shipping and import duties...
Kills you? Spare a thought for us ozzies, that price is the norm over here.
-
The Grade 2 bats are 345. . .wow
-
Rob and Nick are at m&h, Nick recently made me a fantastic distinction that i can say hand on heart is a better finished bat than a Screaming Cat that Julian made for me, middle wise, i'm not sure which is better yet, but both bats put any other bats in my collection in a different league, Salix included, in terms of the type of cleft density wise that's been used, including a couple of newbery "pro" customs. Both these bats are huge for the weight, the distinction just more so. Are they better performers then my salix, newbery's or redbacks, i'd probably have to say not, but you do feel like you're holding something very special
-
Rob and Nick are at m&h, Nick recently made me a fantastic distinction that i can say hand on heart is a better finished bat than a Screaming Cat that Julian made for me, middle wise, i'm not sure which is better yet, but both bats put any other bats in my collection in a different league, Salix included, in terms of the type of cleft density wise that's been used, including a couple of newbery "pro" customs. Both these bats are huge for the weight, the distinction just more so. Are they better performers then my salix, newbery's or redbacks, i'd probably have to say not, but you do feel like you're holding something very special
Pictures please
-
Pictures please
Yes yes :D
-
will do as soon as i can get my bearings .. did i see a link for instructions to post photos somewhere ? Ayrtek Tom wasn't it?
-
yeah u need to register a photobucket account..
then upload pics from harddrive to website and post the image tag links
-
Bam:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=7712.0
-
I'll add this to the debate:
Yes, buying a £400 cricket bat is pretty bonkers, but, on the assumption we're in this to love decent pieces of willow, and to enjoy the willow, then having a bat collection of half a dozen GN Carbo's, Puma 4000's, GM 707's, Addidas Perrala's and an affordable grade one from one of the batmakers on here is infinitely more bonkers IMO.
Remember you only need one bat at a time, and for the sake of the price some have spent building up a large collection of average sticks, then you should think about getting a 'special' bat.
It's kind of why I struggle to buy anything for £200 ish - for 2 £200 bats I could get a Scat, and I'd choose the latter every time.
-
^^^^ £200 gets you a good as bat as ANYTHING!
do you really think scats etc are better performing than say the h4l LE or top of the rang TK?
i defo dont!
ive used bats costing around £300+
GN oblivion LE
GM icon le
M&H Custom
etc and none have been as good as a 200 quid bat from bespoke maker
-
^^^^ £200 gets you a good as bat as ANYTHING!
do you really think scats etc are better performing than say the h4l LE or top of the rang TK?
i defo dont!
ive used bats costing around £300+
GN oblivion LE
GM icon le
M&H Custom
etc and none have been as good as a 200 quid bat from bespoke maker
I kind of agree - I've got no time for anything from any big brand, LE or otherwise.
Assuming your interpretation of M&H Custom is the same as Bespoke, then you're just debating whether the guy picking and shaving the cleft is as good as the other.
If money was no object I would, Scat aside, get an M&H. I don't doubt there are good H4L's about. Just personal preference and feel that there's more chance of getting a truly special bat from M&H. Whether that's worth £200 is very debatable I agree.
I'm not sure if this next statement is particularly fair or accurate, though the very fact H4L is punting his Afridi/Akthar bats for £400 makes you think he too can produce 'super bats' though perhaps too indicates they're not available to the general public. It does, however, suggest there are better bats available that the £200 you paid for your "top of the range". With M&H bats (well the Distinction/Amplus/Master) they don't appear to save these bats for the 'pros'. (Just a theory tbh, and not really a reason why I choose them!).
Don't wish to go on and sound like an M&H fanboy, we've all got our preferences and that's mine. We're all village cricketers and it's only a bat ;)
-
I thought the price was higher because Afridi had used it so more of a collector thing?
-
right first attempt, sorry for the rubbish photos, artificial light not helping
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/DSC_2635.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/DSC_2634.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/DSC_2637.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/DSC_2638.jpg)
-
How much does it weigh?
-
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/a30c8080.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/7d554cd6.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/af279330.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/33d9d74b.jpg)
-
and for comparison ...
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/8a57ce54.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/b7bb9c80.jpg)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m638/sherpa75/f642a82f.jpg)
-
weights all with 2 chevrons all faced except the salix, the scat and salix also don't have toe guards ...
salix 2.11, scat 2.12, laver 2.10, newb 2.13, M&H 2.12
-
what a lovely collection!
-
thank you Buzz
-
That's the sort of collection I'm about. 8) YOu make me look frugal in comparison though, so I thank you!
Though they do look awfully new, have they all been refurbed?
-
Lovely stuff.
-
Wow Doesn't get much better than that!!, apart from Lucy Liu wearing nothing....
-
Wow Doesn't get much better than that!!, apart from Lucy Liu wearing nothing....
Pics Please ;)
-
actually, i played last year for pretty much the first time in over a decade and i seem to be making up for lost time in bat purchasing, the Newb was used last year and has been refaced, the other 4 i've taken delivery of over the last couple of months. A couple of SS ton platinum reserves were my match bats last season. But i do tend to mother my bats anyway and the Newb was a bit special being out of the world cup bin at the chalet, so i was keeping for prosperity or just scared of breaking it or something. The Laver was a replacement for a bat i couldn't get to open up at all, James kindly made me a new one as a replacement ... top service
-
Stunning bats and stunning photo's in impressed :)
-
i like to think of that as my John Newbery family tree appreciation, not sure where the lineage goes from there though
-
Pics Please ;)
I've been trying for a few years keep getting bloody arrested tho.....
-
Finishing is something you should not expect on M&H bats.
I'm not sure I agree, I think it's fair to expect a quality finish for such a high price.
I appreciate they do knock them in so they look at little uneven on the face but the back should look professionally finished for £400. The Hunts County bats at less than half the price had better finishes.
Having said that I do love their bats.
-
Pics Please ;)
Yes Yes :D
@Sherpa--- you are really at the top of the mountain with that collection; awesome stuff bud :o
-
Well impressed Sherpa, thats as good a collection as anyone on the forum.
No substandard nonsense there :D, quality stuff!
-
wish the ball and chain was as impressed!
-
Lot of heartwood in that M&H, reminds me of my SS custom bat (it turned out to be a real gem)
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=10089.msg187061#msg187061
More and more top end bats these days are made from performance willow rather than looks.
Absolutely love the M&H profile,though still can't believe the height of spine through out, these guys really have got some serious talent in bat making.