Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: Whispering Death on June 26, 2012, 05:22:54 PM

Title: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Whispering Death on June 26, 2012, 05:22:54 PM
I know that this has probably already been answered somewhere on here but I haven't found it.

I know about Julian Millichamp but have no idea who 'Hall' is.

Anyone know?
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Nickauger on June 26, 2012, 05:26:18 PM
Jonathan Hall, owned the farm where the bats were made (I think). One of them played for Chard, I think it was Jonathan Hall, before they went to Australia. Don't quote me on it, my folklore is pretty ropey at the best of times.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Nickauger on June 26, 2012, 05:59:04 PM
Jothan Hall, partner of Julian Millichamp when Millichamp and Hall was founded
I thought that bit was a given lol!
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Cover_Drive on June 26, 2012, 06:04:24 PM
I thought that bit was a given lol!

Haha true, my bad.

My internet connection is awful here so my messages take ages to be posted.

Having said that I have deleted my earlier comments :)
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Tom on June 26, 2012, 08:07:08 PM
"Julian Millichamp and Jonathan Hall started up M&H in 1987. Working from a farm in rural Somerset they quickly began to make a name for themselves as batmakers to the stars of the day. Many Test and County professionals flocked to their door irrespective of whichever cricket company they were contacted to. They simply re-stickered their M&H bat with their own sponsor's logo. In 1994, Julian sold his interest in the company and moved out to Australia to set-up the new Millichamp-Puma operation. Jonathan Hall remained at the helm, Henry Greswell bought a small financial interest and James Laver arrived to make bats. The firm moved to their Taunton HQ in 1996. Jonathan Hall sold the company to Henry Greswell and Rob Chambers joined the bat-making team under James Laver. James left in 1999 to set up his own company in New Zealand with partner, George Wood. Henry Greswell sold the company at the beginning of 2001 to Rob Chambers, now the senior batmaker who also assumed the additional mantle of Managing Director. The famous M&H shop moved into the main M&H building and life continued on as usual. Same high-class product - same high-class service."
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Bruce on June 26, 2012, 08:20:39 PM
So, to sum up; Millichamp or Hall now have nothing to do with Millichamp and Hall.

That's a great few paragraphs though, Tom. Very precise and to the point, you don't normally get that much information from companies that have been bought and sold on.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Bulldog Cricket on June 26, 2012, 08:46:26 PM
First made in Merriot near Crewkern at John halls patents farm. Went there to watch my brother have a bat made. I must have been about 15.

John and Julian both played for chard. Jon was a good player and captained Chard to the prem league title in 1990. He also captained Dorset. My business partner still keeps in touch with him. Lives and works in London.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: GarrettJ on June 26, 2012, 09:26:52 PM
im thinking of getting the new MH Distinction .... what do people reckon to these?
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: BakarooBonzai on June 26, 2012, 10:12:42 PM
Since you guys are on this topic, does anyone know the bat makers family tree?  I was always curious who apprenticed for whom, etc.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: GoldenArm on June 26, 2012, 10:24:32 PM
im thinking of getting the new MH Distinction .... what do people reckon to these?

The only one I've actually seen and handled in the flesh was the one at Uzi Sports. Its certainly an imposing bat to say the least! But I just couldn't imagine anyone who isn't built like a Norse/Greek God actually being able to wield the thing. The crazy profile with its vertiginous spine and the overall feel of the bat rendered it, in my opinion, completely unusable. Plus lets not forget the fact it costs the earth and for that much you could go buy just about anything you wanted.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Dan W on June 27, 2012, 06:51:01 AM
im thinking of getting the new MH Distinction .... what do people reckon to these?

Hands down it's the best bat I own (if I'm middling it/feeling confident! Got ones with bigger edges when I'm not!).
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Bruce on June 27, 2012, 07:38:23 AM
If I could have any bat, it would be a Distinction.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: GarrettJ on June 27, 2012, 08:15:56 AM
I already have the Distinction form 2010 with the thin edges and a 75mm spine at around 2lb 10 or 2lb 11 and it feels very light to me. It is a great bat but they have changed the shape.

I was wondering if the new shape is as good?

Might get one when the sales start as i dont pay VAT they are a bit cheaper but at £300 but that is still a lot when i can physically pick up the bat before buying it.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on June 27, 2012, 08:20:34 AM
What's the difference between the 1 and the 11 model? Is just purely cosmetics? Both descriptions are exactly the same grade 1+ etc...
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: GarrettJ on June 27, 2012, 08:34:40 AM
The old model has edges no thicker than a 1p and a thin toe and a massive swell and not meat near the edges. If you hit the centre of the bat no matter how high up it feels like you have middled it.

The new ones have a thicker edge and toe so they have changed the shape to give more meat at the bottom which may alter the balance and as a result i dotn know if they have reduced the size as i havent seen one in the flesh. I presume they have as there will be more wood due to the toe and edges.

I see some bats on here which are a simialr size but dont look it because they have thicker edges. There is an Aldred XL on here that has 40mm edges and 70mm spine which is probably bigger than the Distinction but doesnt look that way becasue of the chunky edge.

Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on June 27, 2012, 08:50:21 AM
I meant for 2012 models, distinction and amplus you can get 2 different models as it were. 1 is £300, 1 is £400. Both state oversize cleft made from grade 1+ super clefts.
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Cover_Drive on June 27, 2012, 08:58:51 AM
Rob, I think the difference is between the grades.

GarrettJ, mate old shape is crap, just sell that bat to Rob ;) 8)
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on June 27, 2012, 09:06:19 AM
GarrettJ, mate old shape is crap, just sell that bat to Rob ;) 8)

That makes perfect sense  ;)
Title: Re: Millichamp and HALL
Post by: Number4 on June 27, 2012, 10:38:56 AM
I meant for 2012 models, distinction and amplus you can get 2 different models as it were. 1 is £300, 1 is £400. Both state oversize cleft made from grade 1+ super clefts.

Grade 1 or grade 2 English willow.


Distinction Mark II Cricket Bat

Availability: In stock

£345.00
PRICE AS CONFIGURED: £345.00
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Quick Overview
The M&H Distinction boasts a huge classic profile, unimposing edges and a gentle bow. Made from Grade 2 English willow, oiled and knocked in, the Distinction is also supplied with a bat cover.