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Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: Buzz on November 08, 2012, 10:01:04 PM

Title: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Buzz on November 08, 2012, 10:01:04 PM
I have to say there has been a bit of conversation around the different types of handle insert, cork or rubber.

now personally I have used both and not really known the difference...

what do you think?

here are the two options in two english made bats.

(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac151/buzzrockport/utf-8BSU1BRzEwNTMuanBn.jpg)

(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac151/buzzrockport/utf-8BSU1BRzEwNTUuanBn.jpg)
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: uknsaunders on November 08, 2012, 10:04:44 PM
you can have both in the same bat as well. Rubber,Cork, Rubber on my Ayrtek.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: pacman75cricket on November 08, 2012, 10:10:07 PM
Good bats have had Cork inserts, had a Bernie Facer with cork(a pre forum custom bat).
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Simmy on November 08, 2012, 10:21:21 PM
well i have settled my cork vs rubber argument as both msr bats have cork the 2nd bat has no vibration! so must be a poorly fitted handle on the 1st bat
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: 19reading87 on November 08, 2012, 10:39:17 PM
Never noticed a difference if I'm honest...
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Cover_Drive on November 08, 2012, 10:55:56 PM
I have personally never noticed a difference, to be honest, I would say we will never be able to notice a difference.

I have seen loads of players bat and even to them it makes no difference whatsoever. We are fussy when it comes to equipment so we go in depth detail unlike players who care about feel and performance.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: procricket on November 08, 2012, 10:58:06 PM
Agree UZair to them it about mainly pick up the feel

Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: M77 on November 08, 2012, 11:41:38 PM
Materials are important but the construction is key... I think Simmy can now testify to this. You can have all the best components but if its a poorly assembled handle you may be able to tell

Having played around with these for a while I like cork... But I like treated cork. Also two springs. Introducing new materials is tough so I applaud James Laver as I think it'll have more to offer than the Slaz handle. I really think improvements can be made and that hopefully was proved this evening. But I'll leave other guys to comment on what they found rather than what it is that I have done. 
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: tim2000s on November 08, 2012, 11:53:43 PM
Do tell us more...
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Buzz on February 12, 2013, 07:44:36 PM
I thought I would bring this back up as we are now seeing many UK made bats with cork handles, all the GM bats, plus recent bats from black cat and blank bats.

some of the big Indian brands are also using them, SS for one. KG for another


given that how key the handle is to how we feel the shots, I am really interested at this change.

do other people care? what do you think?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: wilkie113 on February 12, 2013, 07:46:16 PM
I can't say I've ever looked at whether or not it's rubber or cork in my handles. So it's never made a difference to me I suppose?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: procricket on February 12, 2013, 07:46:44 PM
Is there a shortage of certain handles
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Chad on February 12, 2013, 08:31:17 PM
I am quite interested in this as well. Perhaps rubber offers more flex, and cork offers a slightly stiffer (marginal) handle?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: hell4leather cricket on February 12, 2013, 08:51:46 PM
Weight is the simple answer
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: kouservice on February 12, 2013, 09:03:49 PM
What about the new Hexa handle technology introduced by Slazenger ? It looks like a hole in the handle. how do they insert cork or rubber in these handles ?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: uknsaunders on February 12, 2013, 09:26:22 PM
Weight is the simple answer

how much weight saving are we talking about?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Canners on February 12, 2013, 09:26:55 PM
from what i hear there can be a difference of at least an ounce in weight, there by given bigger bats at a lighter weight
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Cover_Drive on February 12, 2013, 09:42:51 PM
The KG I came across had cork and it was dreadful! Detested it!!

My SS has rubber.

When I got CA bats made I asked Zahid Javed why they don't use rubber and he as Matt said it adds weight and there isn't much of a difference anyways.

Personally I prefer rubber as it makes pickup better IMHO which does make sense as more mass in hands.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Ryan on February 12, 2013, 09:52:38 PM
I think the best combo is cork/ rubber/ cork.  The cork sticks better than rubber so its used in the ends.

 
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: tim2000s on February 12, 2013, 10:26:42 PM
My B3 is cork and i can't tell the difference!
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: tushar sehgal on February 13, 2013, 01:16:14 AM
Never paid attention to this, so if i get it right cork inserts essentially replauce the dark rubber inserts/lines in your bat handle? would that be the only way to tell? can someone post pics..i am not sure i would have noticed...
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Chad on February 13, 2013, 01:20:17 AM
Never paid attention to this, so if i get it right cork inserts essentially replauce the dark rubber inserts/lines in your bat handle? would that be the only way to tell? can someone post pics..i am not sure i would have noticed...

Sure, I'll get some pics up, give me a few minutes. 8)
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Chad on February 13, 2013, 02:35:01 AM
Cork inserts:


MSR
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030261_zps74ef3213.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030264_zps7f417efa.jpg)


CA Plus 5000

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030259_zps669faaaa.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030260_zps4e32bf7e.jpg)




And rubber inserts:


Broken Fusion bat (Unsure if UK or Asian made...)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030255_zps70451351.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030254_zps517348b8.jpg)


Red Ink LE

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030249_zpsf2078644.jpg)


Hunts County Triumph Cyclone

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030245_zps533f47f9.jpg)


Helios Atlas

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030267_zpsf281182e.jpg)



Hybrid Handles:


Laver and Wood PB with C-ten handle (Has cork inserts)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030250_zpsdce5642e.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030252_zps3f4dcc39.jpg)


Pakistani made Plain bat - cork-rubber-cork handle (An absolute gun according to friend I bought it for)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030256_zps8a48b5bf.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/P1030257_zps5fd179fd.jpg)



I didn't actually realise that rubber inserts came in different colours until I looked at my Helios' handle a little while back! Generally speaking, if you dig your nail slightly into the insert, you will find that rubber ones are slightly 'bouncy' while cork tend to be harder.

The fact that the C-ten handle has cork inserts suggests to me that cork inserts may perhaps give a slightly stiffer handle than rubber inserts, but I could be very wrong. They may be used instead of rubber as cork is lighter, or maybe even because the handle just constructs better with cork! A question for JL himself I reckon!

One thing I don't know how people figure out is the 'piece' number, like a 12 piece cane handle, how do you tell? From a glance, I can't really tell at all, I would call all of the handles I have popped up 4 piece cane handles, but I am not sure. What does the number of pieces do to a handle anyways? :-[
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Cover_Drive on February 13, 2013, 05:28:58 AM
...
One thing I don't know how people figure out is the 'piece' number, like a 12 piece cane handle, how do you tell? From a glance, I can't really tell at all, I would call all of the handles I have popped up 4 piece cane handles, but I am not sure. What does the number of pieces do to a handle anyways? :-[


Its not visible as top is sanded, buffed etc so the joints are difficult to see.

However, here is a picture which I found. Not very comprehensive but should give you an idea;

(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb312/majid100no/SG12piecehandle.jpg)

I think pieces add strength to the handle, greater the number of pieces stronger it will be (and more energy absorption) and vice versa.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: jamesisapayne on February 13, 2013, 10:48:56 AM
Its not visible as top is sanded, buffed etc so the joints are difficult to see.

I always thought they were solid pieces Uzair!

Now I know ;-)
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: tushar sehgal on February 13, 2013, 12:00:50 PM
Thanks Chad and Uzair
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: IQ on February 13, 2013, 12:12:09 PM
One thing I have seen, the Pak made bat handles have a lot of black "burn" marks.

What are those? (Hope some one knows what I am talking about!)
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: tim2000s on February 13, 2013, 01:01:48 PM
I believe a 12 piece handle is supposed to be stiffer than a 4 piece handle.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Fezballoh on February 13, 2013, 06:37:46 PM
One thing I have seen, the Pak made bat handles have a lot of black "burn" marks.

What are those? (Hope some one knows what I am talking about!)

Could be where they are turned on the lathe that the operator is using a blunt chisel when he's turning them out. Someone posted a lovely video of a bat factory on here somewhere and you can see the guy turning square handles into round ones (you've gotta be real careful doing that belive me!) Ryan, are you making your own handles on your lathe? I might have a go if i can source some cane.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Ryan on February 14, 2013, 01:00:30 PM
Could be where they are turned on the lathe that the operator is using a blunt chisel when he's turning them out. Someone posted a lovely video of a bat factory on here somewhere and you can see the guy turning square handles into round ones (you've gotta be real careful doing that belive me!) Ryan, are you making your own handles on your lathe? I might have a go if i can source some cane.

Not yet, I'd like to give it a go but its hard to find them "unturned". Be good if i could as I'd prefer them to be a bigger oval so I'm not constrained on the size.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: IQ on February 14, 2013, 03:22:32 PM
Could be where they are turned on the lathe that the operator is using a blunt chisel when he's turning them out. Someone posted a lovely video of a bat factory on here somewhere and you can see the guy turning square handles into round ones (you've gotta be real careful doing that belive me!) Ryan, are you making your own handles on your lathe? I might have a go if i can source some cane.
Sounds interesting - this video. which company was it for? wont mind checking it out.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Fezballoh on February 14, 2013, 10:01:17 PM
The video is somewhere on the bat makers section, I'm sure. It's all one guy doing most of it on a 3 phase band saw. Amazing to watch and something I would never even think about doing for fear of lopping off a finger!

Ryan, I am chasing down a company that might be able to supply raw cane that could be machined into slats. Well up for making my own handles instead of buying them for £15 a piece! I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: alee on November 08, 2018, 06:32:11 AM
Hello everyone,

I just recently bought a Gray Nics Powerbow 900 bat and what i noticed is that the inserts are not at a straight line.

They are running diagonal across the handle. An analogy would be like looking at a clock and running 10 to 4 rather then 9 to 3 ( straight line)

Does this mean it is a poorly fitted handle?

thanks for the responses,
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Buzz on November 08, 2018, 09:33:54 AM
Unusual for a GN, but yes I probably does. Is the bat definitely genuine?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: FattusCattus on November 08, 2018, 09:46:40 AM
Hmmm! I read this as using a rubber or a cork, surely there is a place for both?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Mattsky on November 08, 2018, 01:38:00 PM
Oooooh, missus!
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: alee on November 08, 2018, 07:18:26 PM
Unusual for a GN, but yes I probably does. Is the bat definitely genuine?

Yes, it is a genuine bat. The ping is not bad actually. The handle is a bit towards the thinner side, slightly oval at the bottom.

Also there seems to be a white residue, maybe a filler, shaved where the handle and the blade meet.

Should i return the bat back?
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: alee on November 09, 2018, 05:23:18 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/QMMW3yxM/DSC-0053.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sXQQBGWd/DSC-0054.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2yn1GpT0/DSC-0055.jpg)
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: edge on November 09, 2018, 05:24:51 AM
I've got a couple of bats where the handle's like that, never had any problems. Photo of the binding's not clear but just looks like glue.
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Buzz on November 09, 2018, 10:04:04 AM
Looks fine. Enjoy the bat
Title: Re: rubber vs cork?
Post by: Tailendfielder on November 09, 2018, 10:18:52 AM
Rubber inserts alot heavier than cork. Thats the only real difference. I heard something like ten times heavier.