Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => SAF Bats => Topic started by: Ciaran on January 11, 2013, 06:45:52 PM
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About a month ago (probably longer as im very lazy) I went to see Andy down at SAF as I was meant to be in the area. I needed to get my TK bat weight reduced and spruced up and thought I would kill two birds with one stone!
After getting into this tiny little village I thought Id give Andy a call, but apparently you get no phone reception once you get West of London! So after about 20 minutes driving around for signal I finally got through to Andy. Once in his workshop, which is literally full of wood shavings, Andy gave me the tour! Lovely place and some ingenious designs to make putting the bats together easier!
When it was time to adjust the bat, Andy took the really modern method of a pencil, something to balance it on, and a set of scales! After about 5 minutes he made the bat feel perfect, and exactly like the bat it was meant to be based on. He then proceeded to spruce it up, make it look brand new and stuck some of his gorgeous stickers on it!
Looking at his softs, I loved his gloves and had to have them. For anyone looking the 40% off makes them an absolute steal, as they are comfy from the start. I have a friend who is new to cricket so wanted some new pads and gloves, and so bought a set from Andy straight away! To complete the collection, Andy showed me the duffle bag, OK, its not going to set the world alight, but it has plenty of pockets and is large enough for almost any village cricketers needs!
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/003_zpsd750e067.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/004_zps6550b368.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/005_zps908ad136.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/006_zps6060064b.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/007_zps1a8a48a8.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/008_zps3cd9899a.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/009_zpsa68aebbd.jpg)
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/ciaranwoodcock/010_zpse6a96a18.jpg)
I also had the chance to look at Andy’s award winning bat, and some of his other designs! The Hades that was there looked fantastic, if I didn’t have a thing for shoulderless bats then I would snap his hand off for one! – Im waiting on him to design a shoulderless Hades!
Dealing with Andy was great, hes not too hot on PM or Email but give him a call and you get great service and a genuine love for what he does. Theres not too many proper bat makers out there, so while we have them we should encourage them!
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those softs look classy! 8)
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What's the mechten like? Ive had my eye one for a while now
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Mine isnt one, but if the stickers are anything to go by then it will be brilliant! The stickers are actually really nice, classy and they have a great level of detail!
The bats I played around with while Andy worked were great, and most people on here who have bought from Andy seem to love their bat!
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Lush softs!!
But I could never go to SAF without buying a Hades!!! Mmmmmm!
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Same! No way I could go there and not buy a bat. Stick to buying softs online I think!
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Lush softs!!
But I could never go to SAF without buying a Hades!!! Mmmmmm!
So shall we tell Andy to get the gear ready there will be a Hades order soon!
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Totally agree Ciaran, the softs are incredible and I'm a big fan of the duffle, especially as it fits in everything I (as your archetypal village cricketer) need! Quality bats as well, my Infinity is extremely good.
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My Hades arrived yesterday! It's an excellently balanced bat, even though it's arrived in the wrong weight. Andy has been nice enough to offer a replacement, but it feels so good, we've agreed that I can give it a tryout first :)
Those softs look very tempting... I keep trying to telling myself that my kit can last another season!
Ciaran do you regularly use a shoulder-less bat? How do they play/feel?
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I only use shoulderless bats! Mainly as I don't play more than twice a week anyway! But the pickup is virtually unaffected and the weight means you have more middle in the bat! I love them! I think fattuscattus has a new one as well and he seems to like them a lot
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I only use shoulderless bats! Mainly as I don't play more than twice a week anyway! But the pickup is virtually unaffected and the weight means you have more middle in the bat! I love them! I think fattuscattus has a new one as well and he seems to like them a lot
I've always been interested in giving this style of bat a go and nearly went for it on a very reasonably priced Willostix Stick Classic LE at the end of last season. However, it's a big step to make the purchase on something I've not tried before.
Not wasting willow/weight in areas where it's not needed makes perfect sense.