Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Riggers on February 28, 2012, 10:17:10 AM
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Hi I'm new to the forum but have been reading it for ages and thought id join as I have a great dilema that needs to be solved. I need 3 new bats for the season and having read so many posts have less idea then when I started. I have a budget of £750 in total for the bats. I need 2 identical match bats purely performance based with a light feel. The weight could be between 2.7 and 2.11 as Ive used bats at this weight before. I also want a slogging bat for 2020 matches which needs to be all middle. This seems easier as I like the look of the BlackCat Joker and the Willowstix Slogger. Would I be better to get the very best Idian bats or slightly less good UK bats for the money. Would it be better for me to get them custom made so the feel was better or buy performance willow.
1 Who would be the best bats to buy from
2 Custom shape or performance willow
3 Indian or UK
I should have said that I play cricket nearly every single day in the season so I do need 3 bats. I also have £250 to spend on 2 pairs of gloves and a pair of pads and a bag. But they are not as vital as choosing the bats. Please help me and narrow down the choice of options.
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Hi, Welcome along!
English Made for me!
Speak to Hell4 Leather, They are some beauts! I'm sure they can sort you out with that budget.
As far as a T20 goes; Bulldog SpirT20 is rated very highly.
Let us know how your search goes!
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Welcome to the forum fella. You're going to be spoilt for choice here.
Speaking of which you have a pm riggers :)
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Definitely uk made IMO possibly look at An Indian for your t20 bat?
Plenty of forum sponsors that will help you out with that kinda budget I'm sure mate.
Good luck with your search and let us know which you decide. :D
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I think I would want all 3 bats from the same place as I do like my kit to match if I can. From what I have seen UK made are better but cost more so at an average of £250 per bat would I be better getting the very best Indian bat or a good UK bat. Ive had M&H before but this season they are out of my range although I might be interested in the pads and bag again. A M&H custom is over £400 so if I bought a custom somewhere else would they be using cheaper willow.
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I think I would want all 3 bats from the same place as I do like my kit to match if I can. From what I have seen UK made are better but cost more so at an average of £250 per bat would I be better getting the very best Indian bat or a good UK bat. Ive had M&H before but this season they are out of my range although I might be interested in the pads and bag again. A M&H custom is over £400 so if I bought a custom somewhere else would they be using cheaper willow.
No they would not be using cheaper willow. You will find all the sponsors on here are cheaper than the big boys and provide equal quality and often better quality bats.
It's a wonderful place to be part of but the endless quality on offer means you'll be stuck for choice and always wanting more lol
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I am sure with your budget you will be spoil with choice, my suggestion would be to chose one bat maker for all your kit ( there are plenty very good in this forum) and the chances are you will get a very very good deal.
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i havent used a indian bat but i can confirm the uk custom mades are excellent. i have nothing to compare it to but others on here would be able to vouch for it in saying they are probably better in general.
M&H are a strange one, just because their prices are higher doesnt mean the quality is that much above the rest. dont get me wrong, they make a good bat but is it better than a top of the range bat from a smaller brand? Its all perception. I would say a H4L or any other uk bat maker will make one just as good if not better for a fraction of the price.
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we could kit you out within your budget but dont offer a T20 style bat so may fall down at that hurdle!! :(
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I know there are lots of choices. I need to narrow down the choices to 4 max and then see what I can get from each one. I can cross off M&H now as they are to much money. I dont like Gunn and Moore bats are they are too plain and the top bats are out of my price. The same with Gray Nicols as they are to much money and they dont do a 2020 bat.
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No they would not be using cheaper willow. You will find all the sponsors on here are cheaper than the big boys and provide equal quality and often better quality bats.
It's a wonderful place to be part of but the endless quality on offer means you'll be stuck for choice and always wanting more lol
Completely agree with that!
Just because there prices are higher (silly high) then it doesn't mean there better and I'm sure if you speak to one of the forum sponsors with that budget they'd be happy to completely kit you out at a very competitive price
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£750 quid for 3 bats! lol
jesus!
forget about the big companys
personally id go with
H4l or blueroom
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Hi there Riggers... If you like the Blackcat Joker then why not go all Blackcat.. Beautiful looking bats and from all reports perform wonderfully.. I'm sure if you buy 3 Blackcats you would get a good deal
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Hi there Riggers... If you like the Blackcat Joker then why not go all Blackcat.. Beautiful looking bats and from all reports perform wonderfully.. I'm sure if you buy 3 Blackcats you would get a good deal
Would be my choice too... they are brilliant performing bats and looks wise one of the best..
with 3 blackcats in your kit.. you will be a class apart in the cricket field .....
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You could go for Saf Hades , which has been doing well in the hands of fellow forumites. Check out the reviews on SAF hades.
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not many come on here and say...
I would like to spend a grand on kit as their first post!
the forum sponsors will extend you a very very warm welcome I suspect!
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Or you might even try shooting an email to Julian.. who knows he could give you a deal for two top of the range Screaming Cats.. Judging by my own observation and with the past experiences from other members here, you will not be needing the third bat.. :)
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id only get a screaming car,laver and wood if i got them a season before i wanted them,
as it takes ages to knock them in
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I agree with Buzz. Ping a PM to all the batmakers and tell them what you want and your budget. I'm pretty sure you'll get some excellent offers in response.
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If everything has to match, then I think Bulldog are the only company who do regular bats, T20 bats and Softs.
But if you're prepared to mix and match, the world is your oyster.
Could definietely sort you a Charlie French package - in fact probably not far off 2 packages with that kind of money!!!
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=16079.0
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If everything has to match, then I think Bulldog are the only company who do regular bats, T20 bats and Softs.
But if you're prepared to mix and match, the world is your oyster.
Could definietely sort you a Charlie French package - in fact probably not far off 2 packages with that kind of money!!!
[url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=16079.0[/url]
Blank Bats can also do this - as can H4L
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I better split the bats up and say they don't have to be from the same place except the pair.
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I would be tempted by either H4L or Blackcat. Don't let the lower prices fool you into thinking they will be inferior bats.
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For your t20 bat I'd say black cat joker.
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just bought a black cat custom and is a beauty! at lot of wood for the weight and really do ping. two of those and a joker would be pretty special. they dont do softs but what about the blankbats softs look very good and understated in my opinion.
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Were you wanting all your softs to match as well?
In that case I can think of Mongoose, Willostix and Lekka that do a T20 short bat, normal bats and softs.
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I think it would be easier to group my requirement in 3 groups.
1 2 identical match bats
2 1 2020 bat
3 2 gloves and pads and bag.
They don't all have to come from one place. I've been told that I should go UK made bats not UK brands as some sticker Indian bats. So who would make the best performing bats for my budget.
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I think it would be easier to group my requirement in 3 groups.
1 2 identical match bats
2 1 2020 bat
3 2 gloves and pads and bag.
They don't all have to come from one place. I've been told that I should go UK made bats not UK brands as some sticker Indian bats. So who would make the best performing bats for my budget.
Now there's a question... And the answer is pretty much all will as it is not the bat necessarily, more the batsman...
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You can get many great bats for around £200 each, there is no need to spend £250+. It's impossible to say who makes the best performing bats but H4L, Blackcat and a few others get good reviews.
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A load of us got bats made by m&h last year but mine broke due to use and I was told I'd need 2 bats minimum this year but can't afford 2 copies of my bat and sorts. My mate has just spent 800 pounds on a bat and gloves and pads and bag there so no way I can get all my kit from them. I want performing bats. I hit straight and hard and I'm right handed and 6ft tall if that helps.
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At m&h they keep the best performing wood for the bespokes. That is why they are so much money this year as they make so many for the Somerset team players like Tendulkar.
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everybody makes for tendulkar aparently! M&H is all hype u pay for the name simple!
if u want a bat that pings straight away and is one of best money can buy just got with hell for leather!
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everybody makes for tendulkar aparently! M&H is all hype u pay for the name simple!
if u want a bat that pings straight away and is one of best money can buy just got with hell for leather!
Hmmm. Mine still needs a load of knocking in.
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Plenty of people say they make for tendulkar but very few do but that's another debate
On the debate on the kit
Plenty will make stunning bats my pack custom and h4l custom are among best I have used and for t20 do you want a t20 style bat if so joker or bulldog are top bats
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So far for bats I have to narrow down to 4 from
Bulldog
Blackcat
Hell4leather
Instinct
Woodstock
Blueroom
Uzi sports
Blank bats
Charlie French
Redback
Ninja
Lekka
Rob pack
Nixon
Fatbats
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Ron pack is blueroom so narrowed it down a little
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Well u know how to make a person feel left out from a list :(
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Sorry, not a fan of the helmet but will consider the bats. Although that increases the choice.
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Would go for Woodstock! :)
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Well u know how to make a person feel left out from a list :(
I know that feeling :D :D :D
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20% off Woodstock bats until 1st of April as well. It's on their twitter feed, think you have to email them to order.
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Woodstock do everything you need, getting 2 custom made identical bats would be the same standard price as well, £225, £180 if you follow them in Twitter. Their softs are excellent quality, much like Newberry but cheaper. Got 2012 best cricket bat award for the Tour de Force as well :)
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Soltiare do also do a T20 style bat, their bats certainly do perform - This would be a good option if rest of the kit is very high end. As the T20 bat would be used only on the odd occasion, so you might not want to spend x amount of money on one.
I've got a Black Cat Joker, it is superb however I was luckily enough to pick one up 2nd hand so I didn't have to spend a lot on it.
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My H4L also need a lot more knocking in
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Redback is my obvious choice.
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Redback is my obvious choice.
Ditto.
The paradox sounds perfect for your style.
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I'm starting to narrow down what I like. I now know that some brands dont press there bats and some use someone else to make them. But then I'm told that the ones made by someone else are the best. Then Woodstock make all there bats by hand from clefts and Ninja hand choose every cleft from the willow seller. I will knock some brands off the list onight. I want to choose the bats on Saturday and then gloves and pads and bag by next week. Thanks to those helping me so far.
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I'm starting to narrow down what I like. I now know that some brands dont press there bats and some use someone else to make them. But then I'm told that the ones made by someone else are the best. Then Woodstock make all there bats by hand from clefts and Ninja hand choose every cleft from the willow seller. I will knock some brands off the list onight. I want to choose the bats on Saturday and then gloves and pads and bag by next week. Thanks to those helping me so far.
I am sure if you were to contact Gary at Redback, He will do a great deal for all of your kit, he has always done me a decent package price.
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I'm pretty sure that Woodstock don't press their own bats either and buy them in from the same place as everyone else who doesn't press their own!
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Redback is staying on my list. I am told very good things about them. Woodstock make everything themselves and all by hand. I've been told they do that directly by someone who has bought his bats there so would know and he is a big fan.
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Redback is staying on my list. I am told very good things about them. Woodstock make everything themselves and all by hand. I've been told they do that directly by someone who has bought his bats there so would know and he is a big fan.
Redback do everything by hand and so do Woodstock, but that doesn't mean they press the bat...
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How do they press it then?
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How do they press it then?
By using a third party. You can purchase willow direct from Wrights, grow it yourself or buy it from elsewhere and then send it off to be pressed...
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OK but is that good or bad?
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OK but is that good or bad?
Generally it's simply not an issue! The guys who press in the UK for others can be measured on one hand, and the quality is good.
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H4L certainly did me proud with my cleft when I sent it to them. Picking up a couple more next week. Can't wait!
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Hi mate,
Woodstock Cricket won the Wisdens Best Bat of the year 2012 in the Good Gear Guide this month. They are holding a pre season 20% off bats sale in line with the award and this makes their Grade 1 English Willow bats £180!!! They are also completely handmande which is very unusual nowadays and bespoke made to what you want so they would suit you perfectly.
Best thing to do is speak to John on 07867306381 who will be able to sort you out. They will probably sort you out a deal on soft gear too if you're interested.
That is a great price, do you use there gear? Is it as good as M&H?
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Isn't the Woodstock custom bat considerably more than £180?
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That is a great price, do you use there gear? Is it as good as M&H?
M&H isnt the be all and end all of the cricket bat world u know lol
any bat from a forum sponsor should match the performance of a M&H for half the price
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Isn't the Woodstock custom bat considerably more than £180?
Until April they are £180, after that price goes back up to the normal £225. Still great prices for great bats
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I think this is the best price so far £540 for all 3 bats. I might have my 2020 bat mad like the Gray Nicols Edge having used one tonight. Awesome bat and the handle is weird but really works.
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Just to let you know, Woodstock have 10% off softs as well. An option could be to get the gray nics copied by Woodstock at no extra cost, or get award winning TDF in an XL model.
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Aside from all the free advertising that Woodstock have had this evening, the batoffs with normal players using bats have highly rated Laver and Wood, Charlie French, Instinct and others. Neither m&h nor wood stock are the be all and end all of suppliers.
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I was really pleased with my Woodstock last year. ;) I would also recommend Charlie French and if bought off the forum they are great value.
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I was all set on getting Woodstock bats but so many things did not add up with it all and I saw that John is the bloke who was at Newbery as he has pictures of him on his website and not Michael as you said he was. And when i spoke to him last week he said he made everything and when I said I would get my match bat copied he yes but when I said I wanted to choose the clefts and watch them being handled and pressed he said no he was to busy and even though I said I would come up whenever he wanted he was not going to let me. Plus other people have cast lots of doubt on him and they have bats just the same for less money.
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They sound all the more dodgy from your disingenuous assertions you yourself are a punter off the street when actually you are (clearly) an employee.
That's not 'successful' nor 'business sense', that's desperate and undignified.
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OK so you make good points. You have been to watch him make yours so you can promise me he makes all the bats himself and not just sand them after buying them ready made. And can you promise me that you are only saying this beacsue you have tried the bats and not because you are part of Woodstock in some way?
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OK so you make good points. You have been to watch him make yours so you can promise me he makes all the bats himself and not just sand them after buying them ready made. And can you promise me that you are only saying this beacsue you have tried the bats and not because you are part of Woodstock in some way?
i think its best to make up your own mind. There are obviously some very biased opinions on certain companies. are they employed or are they just raving as they have good kit? we can speculate but will probably never know. There is a wealth of knowledge on here and nobody can deny that. Whilst some of it is possibly rumour id say a huge % is fact. I know first hand that Woodstock use CNC'd part made clefts. Ive had some from them, they were unshaped but toes and shoulders had been CNC'd. Do they do that all the time? do they just finish part mades? who knows.there arent many places in the uk that can CNC so putting 2 and 2 together = TK or one of the brands/companies he supplies. He gets his reputation because he is good, thats why so many people use his bats/ part mades etc etc. The woodstock bats are good and yes they won an award but thats not everything.
My advise is to do what you feel comfortable doing. if you have reservations about a brand, remove them from the list. Having dealt with Matt at H4L you cant go wrong. Ayrteks customer service is outstanding but never used their kit. Any of the forum sponsors will give you an outstanding service. Id go for one that gives you the option of speaking to the bat maker. If you want the full service from cleft to bat then there arent too many to choose especailly if you want to watch
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I only wanted to watch it being made from the cleft as John told that was what he did with every single bat and Im still allowed to watch it being shaped and sanded but why can he take the time to offer to do 3 bats like this but not just press one bat as Im really into seeing this happen as everyone says it is the most vital bit of batmaking.
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Dan,
Sorry you're CLEARLY wrong. Not at all an employee. I work in a completely different industry. Chin up pal. John is a long term friend and I love my kit so peraps I am biased but you'd be the same.
Can you read my questions and let me know please.
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Guys, we do need to be careful talking about who subcontracts what and who to.
Whilst it might be fun for us forumers to speculate, there can be knock on effects to the companies being bandied about. For instance, a brand might lose it's contract with a supplier if it s felt that any non-dislosure type agreement has been breached etc...
Or subversely, a supplier might lose a contract with a certain brand if they don't feel they are getting enough exclusivity of the product (e.g. why buy brand X, when brand Y is the same bat, but cheaper and with different stickers)
So please guys BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST
Also, Johnno has told the admins he does have a personal relationship with Woodstock (NO, not like that :P) - he's agreed to tone down any promotion of their products
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Dan,
Sorry you're CLEARLY wrong. Not at all an employee. I work in a completely different industry. Chin up pal. John is a long term friend and I love my kit so peraps I am biased but you'd be the same.
My mistake then, I assumed you were this person:
http://www.facebook.com/johnno.gordon
My apologies
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i cant speak for the 'he has a press/he doesnt have a press' discussion but i would imagine it could be one of a few options
he doesnt have a press so cant offer that service
he doesnt want to show you any pressing secrets he has
or he hasnt got time to show you that.
if your really keen on watching someone press a bat then you need to look at those brands we know definately have a press. Matt at H4L may well be able to let you watch him press but not the whole process.
other option is check out the various videos online. they never show the whole pressing process but you get the idea
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He said it would take him 3 hours to make a bat and I could come up and spend a whole day while he made all 3 abts but when I said how long would it take to watch 1 being pressed and handled he said he would have time to do that part so I said I would just pick the clefts with him and watch him start 1 bat and leave him my match bat to be copied twice but he said no to this but yes to sepnding a whole day there.
And can you conform you have watched him press and handle?
And can you confirm you are not part of Woodstock not work for them but are part of the business as 2 people say you are a director?
Yes Matt at H4L said I can watch him press and so did Charlie French
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well spotted dan
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My mistake then, I assumed you were this person:
[url]http://www.facebook.com/johnno.gordon[/url]
My apologies
Busted. I saw this but didn't want to post in case it was just coincidence
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When I went to pick my bat up. He said that his press was still at his old workshop and he was arranging to have it collected/delivered to him as soon as he could.
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Anybody know who kills frank foster in Corrie tonight?
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^^like^^
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Anybody know who kills frank foster in Corrie tonight?
Hahahahahahahahahah!
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Anybody know who kills frank foster in Corrie tonight?
Haha like :)
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i love this argument! does it really matter if he presses his bats or not?
they are good performance bats finished to a good standard by the sounds of things
so wat if the wood comes from the same place the art of bat making is shaping the bats
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Totally agree with Simmy!
I'll bring mine to the bat off so everyone there can judge :)
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Anybody know who kills frank foster in Corrie tonight?
:D
No idea myself, but if he's killed by a cricket bat press, I think we can eliminate some parties form the investigation. :D
(For the record I entirely agree with Simmy re: the press/making a bat)
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i love this argument! does it really matter if he presses his bats or not?
they are good performance bats finished to a good standard by the sounds of things
so wat if the wood comes from the same place the art of bat making is shaping the bats
But what if the shaping is all done by a CNC, and all the batmaker does it finish the bat?
Is there any art in that? Are they rightly considered a batmaker (which puts them on par with the guys who do make completely)?
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Totally agree with Simmy!
I'll bring mine to the bat off so everyone there can judge :)
Good idea. They do perform well, and are good bats. They tend to sell themselves, and as mentioned earlier, if you are getting a good bat, it doesn't really matter what was done by whom. Let's face it, most people like the GN Legends, and you've limited knowledge of precisely where they come from.
Looking forward to seeing the scoring from what comes up on Saturday!
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Riggers, also apologies about getting John and Michael mixed up... The only reason I said Michael was because I know for a fact John didn't get fired from Newbery... He left and so I automatically presumed it must have been someone else and it had to have been Michael.
With Newbery, The fact that the new MD is a complete no mark who had the business bought for him by his brother in law should tell you a lot. Having physically seen him tap bats with a mallet and then change the stickers on them to suggest they were Grade 1 when in fact they were Grade 2 or below to make more money I lost all respect for them. It is no longer run in the way Newbery used to be run when TK and NK had it.
I'm not they only one, where have all their pro's gone??? The standard of the customer service at Newbery now is terrible and the brand is taking a nose dive because of it!! I used to swear by Newberys until I saw what was happenning and I switched to used Woodstocks
I appreciate everyone has their own opinion, I am just airing mine. I hope you find some great bats though pal. Let me know what they are incase I fancy using something else at some point. It's always good to know what the bargains are!!
So is this a an honest view of what has happened at Newbery or are you slagging them off and rubbishing them because you work for Woodstock as loads of people have told me and it looks like on Facebook because you get paid to do so?
So what you are saying is loads of lies because you want to cheat me out of my money and you dont care about being honest if you get paid?
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i love this argument! does it really matter if he presses his bats or not?
they are good performance bats finished to a good standard by the sounds of things
so wat if the wood comes from the same place the art of bat making is shaping the bats
Absolutely agree, I don't give a crap if it's made of Canadian willow, pressed by having a weight watchers class sit on it or via any other method. As long as it's worth what I pay for it and when I swipe a ball over cow corner it stays hit then I'm happy.
Though having said that I do prefer open and honest feedback so I would prefer ordinary forum member to do most of the comments on how gear performs rather than brand owners.
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Reading the above - Johnno - what is wrong with tapping up bats and grading them anyway? Perhaps they were good performers? What made you think they were G2's, when NL, the Chief Exec thought differently?
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And I dont care if John presses his bats ot not but he told me he presses every bat and it is the lying that puts me off as lots of people have good bats which they dont press but they are honest about it.
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But what if the shaping is all done by a CNC, and all the batmaker does it finish the bat?
Is there any art in that? Are they rightly considered a batmaker (which puts them on par with the guys who do make completely)?
This comes back to the question, does anyone normal (i.e. who doesn't spend their time in CBF or CI) really care? If the bat works well, they generally won't ask loads of questions.
If the CNC shape originates from the batmaker in question, then surely they have designed the bat? As others have said, if the pressing is to their specification, does it matter who does it?
Every day you use an iPhone you use an Apple Product, designed by apple and made by someone else... What's different?
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Riggers
Take my advice mate, ignore this topic now. I had the same problem a few years back. Everyone has there own input and ideas of what is made and where etc and how good or not so good the finisher, maker, sticker upperer may be :)
Just go with your gut, it's your gear, your money and entirely your choice. If you like Woodstock go for them because you like the gear, same for any other brands you Considered. t doesn't matter who does what with the bats. If it goes like a stabbed rat it really doesn't matter if it was made in the fires of mordor or put together with a hobos grotty claw and spit. If it's a good stick it will serve you well, you'll score the runs with it and more over you'll be happy with your investment.
Go with your gut and if you use any forum brand or a brand that's worth us all debating over like this you are going to be guaranteed quality stuff.
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My Iphone has crap ping though...
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My Iphone has crap ping though...
Changed mine for an HTC and it goes better than my iPhone, think they are just pressed differently ;)
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Changed mine for an HTC and it goes better than my iPhone, think they are just pressed differently ;)
I heard they were all made in the same factory....
;)
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Should ask johnnog (Mr Woodstock in disguise) he knows who makes and who doesn't apparently. He may be able to tell me a thing or two about BR and other established makers, brands on here by the sounds of things.
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But what if the shaping is all done by a CNC, and all the batmaker does it finish the bat?
Is there any art in that? Are they rightly considered a batmaker (which puts them on par with the guys who do make completely)?
no if that is the case then your are just a brand that sells bats not a maker!
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If it goes like a stabbed rat it really doesn't matter if it was made in the fires of mordor or put together with a hobos grotty claw and spit.
Possibly the best single one line bat comparison I have ever heard! :D
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This comes back to the question, does anyone normal (i.e. who doesn't spend their time in CBF or CI) really care? If the bat works well, they generally won't ask loads of questions.
If the CNC shape originates from the batmaker in question, then surely they have designed the bat? As others have said, if the pressing is to their specification, does it matter who does it?
Every day you use an iPhone you use an Apple Product, designed by apple and made by someone else... What's different?
The Apple factory and sourcing practises have come under great scrutiny in the past few weeks. They have even released a full supplier list, to answer some questions posed by the press.
Queries and controversy over where things are made doesn't just go on in cricket forums.
Whilst most buyers don't care about where there bats are made, some do. Which is why certain brands/individuals are keen to paint themselves as 'Master Batmakers' - it brings an air of superior and handmade product to the table. And in cases where this isn't true, or is debateable, then the punter deserves to know.
Just because 90% of people don't care, it doesn't mean you should be dishonest to the 100%.
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But what if the shaping is all done by a CNC, and all the batmaker does it finish the bat?
Is there any art in that? Are they rightly considered a batmaker (which puts them on par with the guys who do make completely)?
Tom, you're fishing here as your knowledge on the industry trumps most members, and rightly so with your experience etc but I'm nibbling ;)
Name one brand with a large enough customer/production base that doesn't use a cnc in some shape or form?? Even if its just to shape the cleft in general? With demand.it would be impossible to hand make every single bat from the raw cuts in time to serve customer needs. Having the ability to make a bat from scratch is what defines a podshaver, there's a few genuine ones around today and even they will use a cnc to cut out the grunt work for production / time purposes. They'd be idiots not to help themselves.
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The Apple factory and sourcing practises have come under great scrutiny in the past few weeks. They have even released a full supplier list, to answer some questions posed by the press.
Queries and controversy over where things are made doesn't just go on in cricket forums.
Whilst most buyers don't care about where there bats are made, some do. Which is why certain brands/individuals are keen to paint themselves as 'Master Batmakers' - it brings an air of superior and handmade product to the table. And in cases where this isn't true, or is debateable, then the punter deserves to know.
Just because 90% of people don't care, it doesn't mean you should be dishonest to the 100%.
Totally agree. And those that paint themselves are usually discovered on here.
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A batmaker for me is someone with the ability and knowledge to make a bat from scratch, understand what makes a good bat, what suits certain players, and work consistently to improve it. They can use CNC to help themselves. I consider Tim Keeley a batmaker and a very good one at that. But there are a number of people jumping on the 'batmaker' bandwagon for marketing purposes, and not for the love of the art.
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A batmaker for me is someone with the ability and knowledge to make a bat from scratch, understand what makes a good bat, what suits certain players, and work consistently to improve it. They can use CNC to help themselves. I consider Tim Keeley a batmaker and a very good one at that. But there are a number of people jumping on the 'batmaker' bandwagon for marketing purposes, and not for the love of the art.
TK and RP are good friends and this conversation crops up a lot when I go to the pack cave. The general consensus from those guys is that its incredibly frustrating for the real podshavers more than anything seeing the pretenders claiming the title. But as we know they still produce quality products for many other brands, especially TK, but at least if you know the source you know the quality (pressing, willow) to expect
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no i'm not lying to you or anyone. Quite the opposite in fact.
Lol :D
Fair play for coming clean(ish), eventually.
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I've had to read that twice to make sure that I got it right.
You say you should come clean, as opposed to carrying on lying, you are a liar full stop and that last post is full of lies.
You have been caught out by people on here who have told me the truth about you and then forced you to admit it. Take it from em that I will not be using Woodstock ever and I will tell anyone I know so avoid it at all costs. It does not amtter to me that John was sacked, or that someone makes all his bats, or that all his softs are copied with his logo on. It matters when he lies and you lie as someone who makes a profit from the sales your lies bring.
Enjoy banter with who you like but without people knowing the truth you would be still doing whatrever you liked.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYlXay0njE
So what's left on your list?
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Blue Room
BullDog
Black Cat
Charlie French
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Why did he leave Newbery then?
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Guys there is a potential for this getting unnecessarily ugly...
Riggers you pointed out something that you noticed,,good spot.
Johnnog19: thank you for clarifying your postion...
IMO i think that should be the end of it, they are a award winning gear, how to market it is/might not be accurate in everyone's eye...we are all a little smarter and knowledgeable coz if this thread...
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Guys there is a potential for this getting unnecessarily ugly...
Riggers you pointed out something that you noticed,,good spot.
Johnnog19: thank you for clarifying your postion...
IMO i think that should be the end of it, they are a award winning gear, how to market it is/might not be accurate in everyone's eye...we are all a little smarter and knowledgeable coz if this thread...
Tushy - very good post - almost admin worthy :D
let's move on from the Woodstock debacle now thanks guys
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So does he press and handle every cleft? Does he actually have a press or does he buy them all in ready made and finish them then?
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Haha thanks but i would never want to be an admin,, i can't handle all the money you guys are paid, freebies, superstar lifestyle and all the girls who want you ;)
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So does he press and handle every cleft? Does he actually have a press or does he buy them all in ready made and finish them then?
Riggers - time to leave it now I think - you appear to have discounted Woodstock from your list - if you have any other questions regarding Woodstock I suggest you take them offline
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I'm not going to enter into an argument with you, if you don't use us then fine, and your friends don't use us fine! water off a ducks back, im not going to lose any sleep over it. Our kit speaks for itself, the Wisden proves that.
But, just to prove how little you know, John wasn't fired, that is a fact, Our softs are copied? Seen our new stuff have we? I don't think so. John doesn't have his bats made by someone else, fact. My friend, you have no idea... you just like to think you do
At least Dan saw it and took my last message for what it was.
Johnno your not doing yourself or woodstock any favours here at all.
I have a woodstock stick, that I collected off John earlier in February and it is without doubt a very very good stick.
Maybe it's worth woodstock becoming a forum sponsor? Then you can have your own place on the forum to talk about things like this, and then you can put pictures/posts/blog things that happen with woodstock as well. I have no doubt that John is a top notch bat maker/shaper/finisher as my bat is very decent. I feel your just digging a hole for yourself with every body on here.
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I think this can be deleted. Maybe just start another with your final 4 Riggers mate
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Guys, lets try and keep this reasonable, or we will have to lock the thread.
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Or people can tweet you @woodstock, eh ;)
I don't really think this needs locking/deleting, it's all fun and games and someone looking a little silly. This place must be the "cuddliest" forum I've ever been on!
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Johnno the forum sponsorship fees are very reasonable at £150 for the year....im sure after your recent accolade and how busy John is with the bats its not too much of a stretch for you.....all the other brands including us on here seem to manage to pay it to advertise (under our own names).
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I joined the forum as someone who loves cricket and also to have a little peek at what people think about Woodstock as a brand after having a chat with a customer who said I should have a look.
Johnno
Tom, Johnno has said that only came on because he wanted to see what the forum was like, after I had a chat with him about it. He joined as a member for himself, not to be representing Woodstock Cricket. I'm sure if Woodstock want to be part of Custom Bats forum they would apply as Woodstock Cricket and pay forum sponsorship fees. Many people on here work for cricket companies and they don't have the company they work for as their username do they? Neither does Johnno
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Tom, Johnno has said that only came on because he wanted to see what the forum was like, after I had a chat with him about it. He joined as a member for himself, not to be representing Woodstock Cricket. I'm sure if Woodstock want to be part of Custom Bats forum they would apply as Woodstock Cricket and pay forum sponsorship fees. Many people on here work for cricket companies and they don't have the company they work for as their username do they? Neither does Johnno
They pay the sponsor fees to advertise, push, plug and punt though. They're also completely honest as to their connections with companies and always start off on the right foot. Members put a lot of trust and money into the brands on here and that's a priceless reward for honesty, reputation and customer service.
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He may of come on as a cricket lover, but the minute he starts to promote his own brand so passionately is when he needs to consider being a sponsor!
Why should someone come on and promote his brand without paying fees when all the other sponsors pay their fees so that they can do the same. There have to be lines drawn somewhere and as he clearly stepped over that line, so therefore he has a couple of decisions to make!!
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Junter
I have no issue with this but when asked is he was part of Woodstock after starting a topic singing their praises the link was denied both in the topic and to the admin team who questioned the connection.
If I came on here under my own username and started saying how great our kit is without levelling the fact I own the brand I would be misleading the members IMO due to the obvious bias I have.
Perhaps if you read the 1st topic started by johnno you would see my comments are justified.
I have nothing against Woodstock or Johnno but as we and the other sponsors have to pay our way to advertise i don't see it fit have people on here giving a rave review for free in order to promote their own sales under their own name rather than their company one.
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Your problem is Tom that you don't shout loud enough about your kit as a brand and as a paid sponsor...
I have been privileged to watch you at work with an entire county side who you told would have to pay for their own helmets from you if they wanted them and considering that every single person in the room hasn't bought kit since they were a kid was impressive.
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Your problem is Tom that you don't shout loud enough about your kit as a brand and as a paid sponsor...
I have been privileged to watch you at work with an entire county side who you told would have to pay for their own helmets from you if they wanted them and considering that every single person in the room hasn't bought kit since they were a kid was impressive.
Banned member ^^^
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Nope, never banned ever.
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Banned member ^^^
Leo, I'm a member on your forum and you've never once tried to ban me on there, why this post here?
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Mike, maybe he's trying to get a competitive edge by having you on the 'other place' but not on here
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Just hibernating as all good bears do
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Leo, I'm a member on your forum and you've never once tried to ban me on there, why this post here?
Your not banned on CI thought, as far as I was concerned you were banned for good on here?
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Then I would have been entitled to a sponsorship refund from your good self?
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I was merely am employee of Custombats as you know, a request for a refund would have to be directed to the owner.
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mike was not banned, he was allowed to retain his membership to sort out one or two issues....
mike, Malcolm is looking forward to his call from you, although he is in India currently.
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I'm only messing with you Leo, you have enough problems with Mark Hughes taking you down this spring to worry about me...
Buzz, no problem, will try and stop by when he is back, please let me know.
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Mike, sponsor a lad by name of Stig ;-)
He needs to see the power in Talisman bats :D
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We had a lad called "Stig" at our school, it wasn't a term of endearment...
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Haha very true nothing is free is this day and age!! I have to recover the £6 it cost to get over that bridge somehow.
I'm going on a thread spamming rampage to push sales...
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I'm going on a thread spamming rampage to push sales...
Like
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Don't go changing Tom, you have a position of strength as you are strong design and quality wise. Those with less of both shout more to compensate.
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Fear not id rather let our products and customer service do the talking for our brand :)