Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: SaadIjaz on September 20, 2012, 10:10:28 AM
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Folks,
This is what this forum is all about.. Coming to the experts for advice :)
I recently saw Barrington Sports having a Sale on the Salix Bats - They have a Pod G1 2.8 in Sale, which I am very much interested in. I have asked them to hold the 2.8 for me which they very nicely will till this Friday.
Now, I normally buy my bats personally visiting a shop or warehouse so I can see it for myself, but for once I decided to take a punt and buy online.. I requested them to send me some photos of the actual bat and they got back to me with these pretty poor quality, low res photos.. But better than nothing I thought!
So here are the Pics:
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/photom_zps2f818399.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/photo_zpse306d3ba.jpg)
Now, I wanted advice from any Salix Pod Owners out there, or people with genuine knowledge about bats.. Sorry if I sound stupid, but Wouldn't this classify more of a performance grade than Grade 1 based on the grain structure and finish? Your opinions?
Secondly, and I know judging from these low quality photos is very difficult, but what do you think the Bat will play like? Without a doubt, I know we can trust Salix as being one of the best out there but I still thought I share it with our Forum members for your valued opinions..
Would it be worth spending £200+ on this stick, at this stage of the season? Or wait till next year for the Torque and other ranges Salix will be launching. Although I suspect prices will be a lot higher..
Thanks guys - Your thoughts are much appreciated.
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ive just bought an M and H in barringtons sale they were excellent from start to finish and sent me a top grade bat
if your spending 200 pounds i would go down and visit them personally it's only in Kent
grading is very strict there the gr1's I have seen personally have no heartwood,but that does not mean it's graded wrong,just the ones ive seen have very minimal colouring.
the bat will paly fine it's the person holding it that scores the runs
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Thanks Mate, Although Barrington's Address shows up in Chesire? you sure they are in Kent?
I live in Essex, and Anywhere in the surrounding areas such as Kent, Surrey, Sussex would be easily accessible.. But Chesire is a little far..
You can see some Heartwood on the inside edge here.. I had the impression that Salix Grade their bats G1 bats on Performance and Looks, but the Performance grade just on Performance.. therefore this bat in the photo looks more on the Performance side than a G1..
Maybe I'm being too picky.. But I'm sure as you suggested, the bat will play well.
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barringtons are in cheshire
salix are in kent, if you want a salix and are spending 200 quid go down to salix yourself
they are fine with visits providing you phone first and they are also helpful to help you choose. they are always busy so whatever day they suggest stick to that.
ive been a few times and it's well worth it.they know what they are talking about and if andrew is there and can spare 10 mins you go away enlightened on what to look for in a good bat
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You mention £200+, but how much is the bat in the sale for? If it's around £250 mark it's alot to be spending on a unseen bat and the discount offered isn't that large, to justify a blind punt on a bat.
I seen variable quality of willow in Grade one Salix bats I've seen recently, some have been lovely others less so.
You could get a belter of a bat from some of the forum batmakers for a similar price, and could place more faith in them delivering a top bat even without you visiting them.
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Good Point JimmyG - The discount they have offered on Sale is £214 precisely.. It is a good price for a Salix G1 bat I feel..
PPccopener - Yeah Good advice mate, Although I gave Salix a ring instead of paying them a visit, spoke to the man himself actually! He said to speak to Barrington's directly and get their opinion on the wood quality etc.. It is difficult to get anyone competent enough in their warehouse team to talk to me about bats, they emailed the photos which is a big favour from their POV I think..
Andrew also said, Barringtons are a good shop and they come to hand pick their bats which was a confidence booster.. But there is still that slight doubt, should I be spending £200+ without feeling and looking at the bat? I know I have the option of returning it and getting a refund..
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Good Point JimmyG - The discount they have offered on Sale is £214 precisely.. It is a good price for a Salix G1 bat I feel..
PPccopener - Yeah Good advice mate, Although I gave Salix a ring instead of paying them a visit, spoke to the man himself actually! He said to speak to Barrington's directly and get their opinion on the wood quality etc.. It is difficult to get anyone competent enough in their warehouse team to talk to me about bats, they emailed the photos which is a big favour from their POV I think..
Andrew also said, Barringtons are a good shop and they come to hand pick their bats which was a confidence booster.. But there is still that slight doubt, should I be spending £200+ without feeling and looking at the bat? I know I have the option of returning it and getting a refund..
£214 is a great price for a G1 Salix. Barringtons have a great reputation as do Salix.....I'd say it wouldn't be much of a gamble at all...if it's the weight you want then get it. It's not going to be a plank is it? If it is then send it back! If Barringtons go and hand pick them then they are hardly going to pick out bad ones, that would defeat the whole object of going there! ;)
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well normally i would say dont spend 200 without seeing it for sure. but ive just done exactly that in the barringtons sale.
end of the day,you have the option of a no quibble return policy(ive done this in the past myself)
there's no issues,it's a straight refund if you dont like it for any reason.
so youre covered there.
if you really want a salix 200 quid is about right but as others have said you could get a custom made one for that. it's really up to you and personal choice.i like salix and m and h bats but you get good and bad from every manufaturer....
if youre not 100 per cent sure it may be worth speaking to h4l or saf
those bats are well liked on this forum
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You could also take a look at the Lukey's thread - some interesting stuff there - if it hasn't all been snapped up. Worth a 'phone call?
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How many bats do you own already?
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I recently purchased a Salix Pod Grade One from Paul at ItsJustCricket. As far you're concerned aesthetically then I would say Salix not only grade on looks but performance as well. My Pod does not have prettiest face but it surely pings nicely.
I have had Salix Rogue in past and that bat is very good despite it is just a Rogue.
Pod is Salix's flagship model, it is beautifully balanced and feels good in your hands.
So I rate Salix extremely high in my books, hence, I might be biased for some people because I have nothing but praise for Salix (except 2013 decals and some gear :( )
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How many bats do you own already?
The Bats in my Avatar Pic are just a show off ;) MY real match bat is a Puma Calibre 5000 and I have a GM Icon 909 as a spare net bat.. Only own 2 bats.. Which is doing the job.. But when I buy a new bat I normally sell an older one to replace it..
The Puma Iridium, GM LUNA Are my younger brother's bats and the MIDs I am selling once I buy a newer one....
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I bought a Pod off Paul at IJC, which was then stolen from me by my younger brother. He absolutely loves the bat, as it flies and weighs 2.10, but feels like 2.8. I bought him a Falx at 2.13 as well, which has an excellent balance for a bat at that weight for a wet/net bat, but he still finds it hard to use anything but the Pod. If you have that 214 to spare, you can't do much wrong at all going for it. :) from my experience, any grade of Salix plays really well!
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Thanks a lot for all the advice/messages/opinions guys..
Some mixed opinions here, as if spending that much money surely you should go and see the bat.. To which I totally agree, cos I remember when Picking up my Calibre 5K (costing me £189) I still went down to CricketDirect in Herts to view it and pick it myself..
But then again, some have suggested with a secure refund option, what's there to lose... Plus the added benefit that AK himself said Barrington select the best bats, and the fact that we are discussing a Salix here not an ordinary off the shelf brand.. Then it all makes sense to take a punt and hopefully earn myself a beautiful stick..
I am paying a visit to Morrant in South Woodford this evening, as I noticed they have this bat in stock:
http://www.morrant.com/cricket_bats/salix_pod_grade_1_wp_cricket_bat/117142_p.html
If this turns out to be a nice bat, be it a 2011 model.. I will probably go for this isntead and it saves me £10+Postage pLus the fact that I get to see it in person.. I surely dont think the Pod 2011 had changed too much compared to the 2012 model has it?
Thanks once more for all your responses.
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Mate, if you're in Essex, you might consider paying Warsop a visit, down in Chelmsford. Their top of the grade bats cost 225 (regular price). Plus no postage, being able to see the bat in the flesh and meet the batmaker himself.
http://www.handmadebats.co.uk/index.html (http://www.handmadebats.co.uk/index.html)
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Thanks mate.. Yeah Used to be a big fan of Warsops but in my experience of seeing all the players including my brother owning one.. They break too easily.. and everytime the break seems to be a split toe.. I've seen 3 or 4 with my own eyes suffering the same damage..
Although having said that, I only ever used a Warsop once in an innings and scored an enjoyable 50 - they go like anything in the nets.. Just seem to be short term lasting bats for some reason....
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we also have the following:
http://uzisports.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_44&products_id=1019
Regards
Asad
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Thanks a lot Asad - Looks like a beauty but a little way out of my price range at the moment..
I am starting to hear a few people on the forum and going to consider buying off the sponsors here isntead.. hence have my eyes on a few BlankBats now :)
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Saad, please empty your inbox.
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emptied
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In terms of forum sponsors, I would recommend Helios, Laver or Vantage from experience. (Helios is the only one I have used, but have 2 Vantages and a Laver on their way, and the customer services were nothing short of excellent, especially Matt from Vantage, as he has constantly been contacted by me and met every one of my fussy demands!) Based on reviews here, Blank bats, H4L and SAF would be good shouts too!
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I would tend to go for a maker who presses and makes their own bat to my specific spec at the moment!
So SAF, Laver, Blueroom, H4L would be my initial list. But I have H4L and Lavers which are excellent - Lavers do tend to take a little time to play in and get going, but once played in they are excellent. The H4Ls and Blueroom I have/had are top notch as well! But I think SAF will get my interest next!!! 8)
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I would tend to go for a maker who presses and makes their own bat to my specific spec at the moment!
So SAF, Laver, Blueroom, H4L would be my initial list. But I have H4L and Lavers which are excellent - Lavers do tend to take a little time to play in and get going, but once played in they are excellent. The H4Ls and Blueroom I have/had are top notch as well! But I think SAF will get my interest next!!! 8)
Big Fan of SafBats myself.. I have seriously considered ordering one at many occasions in the season.. ended up losing interest for a while.. h4l would get the most interest out of me these days, Contacted Andy @ Laver recently about a bat but then our deal sort of fell out as it was a little out of my budget.. But Lavers would be a bat I would invest in any day if I had the money..
Hence why something affordable and with excellent reviews at the moment sounds like BlankBats.. I am speaking to Mike about a potential bat he may have somewhere.. If I end up buying it will post review and pictures..
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Big Fan of SafBats myself.. I have seriously considered ordering one at many occasions in the season.. ended up losing interest for a while.. h4l would get the most interest out of me these days, Contacted Andy @ Laver recently about a bat but then our deal sort of fell out as it was a little out of my budget.. But Lavers would be a bat I would invest in any day if I had the money..
Hence why something affordable and with excellent reviews at the moment sounds like BlankBats.. I am speaking to Mike about a potential bat he may have somewhere.. If I end up buying it will post review and pictures..
Saad, I have a blank bat and it is great, especially for the price. It compares favourably to a kook rogue 850 and Quantum LE that i used in some nets. Having said all that, there is a lad in our league who ahs a Salix and hits some lovely efortless 6's, he says its the bat and wont let anyone even touch it!