Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => It's Just Cricket => Topic started by: ItsJustCricket on January 15, 2013, 01:24:18 PM
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More exclusive cricket bats to IJC: Sneak Preview & Unboxing - Affinity Cricket Bats (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKboM4nSeJY#ws)
If you want to see Vantage, Hammer or Affinity cricket bats in the flesh, all under one roof, there really is only one place in the world to go! :)
More on Affinity to come in future - top work, Marcus, and congratulations - the bats look (and sound) incredible! :)
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Its great that you are now stocking these (Vantage, Affinity & Hammer) Paul. Something little different than a lot of retailers in UK :)...can't see the video at work so i will criticze the bat, especially the stickers when i get home ;)
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Crikey, that's some high end gear appearing at IJC Paul. ;)
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grains look really good on those. hadn't heard of the brand before though.
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what are the prices? i like the look of them
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These look lovely, very classy
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Phwoar, you sure kept this addition secret Paul! Looking really good. :)
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Phwoar, you sure kept this addition secret Paul! Looking really good. :)
It's just two bats at the moment, Chad, and they are extremely limited edition, with only 50 of each to be made this year. So, to be honest, it's more of a "suck it and see" hence my lack of promotion before!
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Wasn't there a comment about the prices on here earlier, has it been deleted of was it on another thread.
Only asking as I was going to say I know they're expensive (certainly way too much for me given my meagre batting talent) but from what I know about Marcus I'm sure he'll do everything he can to make sure his bats are worth the price.
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Those bats look pretty tasty. Will have to pay a visit soon!
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what are the prices? i like the look of them
£325. They really are stunning bats, and the Spectre pings off the toe - incredibly well pressed...
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I really like the stickers on these, but especially the Spectre. 8) I may have to visit sometime soon, but I'm back in university already on Monday, having only finished my exams today. :( I think seeing the bats in person would be worth the couple of hundred mile journey though. 8)
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Wow, they look sheer class! Lovely lovely looking decals and what not! I'm impressed..
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Ohhh I like!
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Paul
Have you any photos including profile shots of the two Affinity bats, checked the Affinity website but doesn't seem to be any clear photos on there either.
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Paul
Have you any photos including profile shots of the two Affinity bats, checked the Affinity website but doesn't seem to be any clear photos on there either.
Not right now, but I'll take some later today and upload them to this thread. I think the Carbine's profile will prove to be popular on here...
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profile pics in the webshop it seems...
http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=common/home (http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=common/home)
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just had a look, love the spectre profile...
profile pics in the webshop it seems...
[url]http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=common/home[/url] ([url]http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=common/home[/url])
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What isn't there are photos of the shapes, which is what I'll post on here later to prove the lack of concaving, especially on the Carbine...
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Here's the Carbine...
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o538/ItsJustCricket/009-1_zps0ba4d938.jpg)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o538/ItsJustCricket/004-2_zps8193c86f.jpg)
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And the Spectre...
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o538/ItsJustCricket/008-1_zpsed418744.jpg)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o538/ItsJustCricket/005-1_zps12c37677.jpg)
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Spectre looks a nice profile.
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spectre looks like its made for me lol
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Both bats look great.
I, however, am partial to the Spectre. Lovely looking bat!
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I want that Spectre. Whats the weight on that Paulios?
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The Carbine gets my vote.
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Paul, how does Spectre picks up?
I'm having dreadful time here.. :(
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Both lovely looking sticks with plenty of meat
Agree spectre looks pick
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I want that Spectre. Whats the weight on that Paulios?
The Spectre is 2.11 and feels about half an ounce lighter, despite being a tad bottom heavy. Of the two, the Carbine certainly picks up lighter but no real surprise given the middle position etc.
I have asked Marcus about a 2.9 Spectre for me - even if I have to pay normal price for it I'll probably go ahead, as they're that good, and I know it'll suit my game and help me score a few runs...
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They must be good if they're tempting you away from your salix Paul.
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Hey Paul,
Any chance you could give us the weight of the carbine?
Cheers
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They must be good if they're tempting you away from your salix Paul.
Oh, no, nothing will tempt me away from that, Graham! But it's the only match bat I have at the moment, and I'm intending to bat a bit higher up the order this season, so would like another match bat really. It's between the Spectre and a Hammer Hel 156. Might just end up getting one of each!
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Hey Paul,
Any chance you could give us the weight of the carbine?
Cheers
Carbine is 2lb 10oz
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Carbine is 2lb 10oz
Thanks mate. From the looks of it, it must have a great pick up, very nice shape.
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Thanks mate. From the looks of it, it must have a great pick up, very nice shape.
Even nicer grains, mate! :) Of the two, the Carbine is certainly better looking...
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Even nicer grains, mate! :) Of the two, the Carbine is certainly better looking...
It does indeed look aesthetically pleasing :)
However, as I mentioned earlier, I really love the look of the spectre profile.
Can't complain either way really, awesome looking sticks.
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Carbine is 2lb 10oz
Thank goodness for that - too heavy for me! ;)
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Oh, no, nothing will tempt me away from that, Graham! But it's the only match bat I have at the moment, and I'm intending to bat a bit higher up the order this season, so would like another match bat really. It's between the Spectre and a Hammer Hel 156. Might just end up getting one of each!
Paul, I think you ought to 'man up' and go for the 'blue monster'. ;)
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I paid a little visit to paul at IJC yesterday. Saw the affinity bats and the hammer range, very impressive! If the Hammer bat cover is anything like its description it may well be worth an investment.
Apologies for taking up your entire day Paul, didn't realise the time until you said 'i'm closing up in ten minutes!'
Hope you managed to get that E41 knocked in in time for the customer.
I urge anyone in London, who is interested in picking up and feeling a top bat before buying it, to pay Paul a visit. You can get nice gear at Lords (maybe not the oval anymore) if you fancy paying through the nose, but you wont get the service or the prices that you can get from someone as passionate and committed as Paul.
Jake
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Be nice to see these in action if we have a sunday fixture next season! ;)
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The Affinity bats have just been uploaded to our website, so can now be ordered online, here: http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/affinity-m43 (http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/affinity-m43)
Look out for the video reviews very soon - aiming to get one of the bats up on YouTube by the close of play today...
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The video of the Spectre is up: Affinity Spectre Cricket Bat Review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrauEnmvSag#ws)
What does everyone think of the ping??
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Oh, no, nothing will tempt me away from that, Graham! But it's the only match bat I have at the moment, and I'm intending to bat a bit higher up the order this season, so would like another match bat really. It's between the Spectre and a Hammer Hel 156. Might just end up getting one of each!
as the business picks up mate...so will your bat collection...ive got about 5 now for myself...and also noy have a H4L on the way as well...and considering im not really playing much cricket these days, i think im headed in the wrong direction..
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I will refuse to bowl to you Paul when we play you if you have that bat!
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Sounds cracking, good review as always Paul!
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These video "reviews" just get more and more ridiculous, it appears every bat "pings" phenomenally.
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Most probably because they do. I have never doubted Paul and i never will. There is no stopping you passing comment but i am pretty sure he would not lie about something like that. Of course each bat he receives will ping reasonably well, because most of the time they are different brands. So one bat he receives is in his mind the best pinger, then another pinger comes along and thats his new favourite...Or he just has some great pinging stock, which is most likely the case seeing as the bat i purchased a couple of weeks ago does indeed have exceptional ping.
I agree, surely if bats are hand selected mainly on ping, then they will indeed ping well as claimed?
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I agree, surely if bats are hand selected mainly on ping, then they will indeed ping well as claimed?
Ask Asad how much I was tapping up bats yesterday and you'll get the idea. Most of our bats are picked for ping and looks. Some of the bats we stock are pretty ugly - especially some of the Newbery ones, but as they tapped up so well, I picked them nonetheless...
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These video "reviews" just get more and more ridiculous, it appears every bat "pings" phenomenally.
I'm pretty damn sure that if he hand picks them, he is hardly going to pick one that doesn't "ping". I'm pretty sure he doesn't say every bat pings that well, there are only a handful which he is impressed by the response to the point where he praises the bat.
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Don't watch them if you don't find them useful... Problem solved. Paul puts a lot of effort into these, to make a living, and your criticism isn't even remotely constructive!
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It's people who make criticism who will choose a bat that performs like an ironing board but has got 14 ruler straight grains and no blemishes. I'd use anything that performed after seeing how well the butterfly sticks go I got off Dean. As a retailer I bet it's difficult to turn down those absolutely stunning sticks because the don't perform quite as well as a lesser looking one, but I think performance is key. You guys who can hand pick sticks are under pressure to get the best you can, and from what we get to see on here. You pick the cream of the crop. Keep up the good work
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What is wrong with using the word 'ping'? I was giving my point of view on your rude comment and explaining why Paul truthfully often talks of the exceptional ping on his stock. I dont think that language or more rude comments was necessary either.
I just wish he would tell me more about the resonance of the cricket bats, that's the most important part.
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I just wish he would tell me more about the resonance of the cricket bats, that's the most important part.
If it is so important, then you can hear it on the video, and make your own mind up about it. I find bats often don't sound as good on video when hitting it with a mallet, so if it does sound nice on the video, then it probably sounds a lot better in the flesh.
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These video "reviews" just get more and more ridiculous, it appears every bat "pings" phenomenally.
no mate...not all bats ping well..
Slazenger V100 ultimate cricket bat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtDzrHmvXQ#ws)
2011 V100 ultimate sucked..
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the V100 panther was a classic..
slazenger v 100 panther cricket bat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-yQZDhai-I#ws)
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"Some people would say POS" HAHAHHA :D
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no mate...not all bats ping well..
Slazenger V100 ultimate cricket bat ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtDzrHmvXQ#ws[/url])
2011 V100 ultimate sucked..
I meant the IJC ones, I actually quite like the ones you do.
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I meant the IJC ones, I actually quite like the ones you do.
The likes of myself, Paul and Asad handpick the majority of bats. Looks play an important part in my picking process, but i always pay attention to how they perform with a mallet/ball.
Why would Paul handpick, and then review, a dud? It would reflect badly on his own picking process.
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I meant the IJC ones, I actually quite like the ones you do.
Have you seen this one? I'll be honest and say I picked this bat mainly on looks, and although I wasn't scathing, I certainly didn't say anything about this bat having phenomenal ping! Gray-Nicolls Oblivion 5 Star Cricket Bat Review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfkOU8IVzk#ws)
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The likes of myself, Paul and Asad handpick the majority of bats. Looks play an important part in my picking process, but i always pay attention to how they perform with a mallet/ball.
Why would Paul handpick, and then review, a dud? It would reflect badly on his own picking process.
Just been catching up with this and to me the above is the key point. Paul and the other retailers will pick what they consider to be good bats which they think will sell as its in their interests.
It's absolutely upto the buyer if they trust them based on a video review if they can't get to the shop. They might embellish a little as after all they make their living by selling kit, but i dont think they'd ever lie and sell you a plank while claiming its great. Personally I would trust the reviews as I've bought a few things off Paul and he's a great bloke, even made time to have a chat about cricket when I called him to order. I'm sure the same is true of Asad and Jake as well from the comments I've seen on here.
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People,are trying there best to offer something different ie the video review of bats my theory is the market is there for this and fair play for going down that root just don't expect everybody to like it.
There seems to be so many bat experts about talking some right waffle half the time either a bat plays well or doesn't in the end and I mean people on here not the shops
Paul keep doing what your doing mate it is not for me but I still watch and look at them because I like cricket bats and if I saw a bat on the video I liked I may purchase it.
Handpicking by the shop means nothing to me either because it is your handpick selection not mine that's my job if I come to the store but I see the merit of it for Internet sales
By the way I like the look of affinity bats they look lovely sticks and the decals are good.
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I agree with Dave on this! What I might pick if I went to a big manufacturer for the stock in my imaginary shop would almost certainly be different from what anyone else would pick. Like everything it's all personal preference. I can appreciate that handpicking would mean you can get first dibs on the nicest looking bats (grains etc) and for a retailer that is very important but does handpicking really guarantee better performing ones? Is there a foolproof method for judging future performance? I'm not sure there is....!
I like the reviews though, much better than pics! For things like softs and bags I think they're invaluable.
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I agree with Dave on this! What I might pick if I went to a big manufacturer for the stock in my imaginary shop would almost certainly be different from what anyone else would pick. Like everything it's all personal preference. I can appreciate that handpicking would mean you can get first dibs on the nicest looking bats (grains etc) and for a retailer that is very important but does handpicking really guarantee better performing ones? Is there a foolproof method for judging future performance? I'm not sure there is....!
I like the reviews though, much better than pics! For things like softs and bags I think they're invaluable.
Of course not, i think many of us know that some bats can take time to open up and really start to ping. Obviously this is difficult to predict.
What we can guarantee by handpicking, is if there is a genuinely lovely looking bat (as long as it performs too) or if there is a bat that really flies off the mallet, then we are able to take it with us. We are also able to filter out duds and genuinely ugly bits of driftwood.
Ordering from some suppliers without going to pick it can be a lottery.
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Thought this review was good Paul, although you need to practice on bouncing your balls ;)
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rp27, you wonder why you got a warning? frankly, you are being unnecessarily harsh, and acting like an ass, If Paul thinks a bit pings well, then why do you have any reason to doubt him? If for some reason you do doubt him, then go to his shop and try it for yourself! Yes he makes some mistakes, but he is a human, and none of us are perfect.
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rp27, you wonder why you got a warning? frankly, you are being unnecessarily harsh, and acting like an ass, If Paul thinks a bit pings well, then why do you have any reason to doubt him? If for some reason you do doubt him, then go to his shop and try it for yourself! Yes he makes some mistakes, but he is a human, and none of us are perfect.
Well said! 8)
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rp27, you wonder why you got a warning? frankly, you are being unnecessarily harsh, and acting like an ass, If Paul thinks a bit pings well, then why do you have any reason to doubt him? If for some reason you do doubt him, then go to his shop and try it for yourself! Yes he makes some mistakes, but he is a human, and none of us are perfect.
I agree. And if you do tap these bats up you will agree with Paul too!
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Paul in your opinion, what is the better bat - the affinity carbine, the willostix spitfire classic or the kook ricochet 1000? Is the spitfire still your favourite new model?
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Paul in your opinion, what is the better bat - the affinity carbine, the willostix spitfire classic or the kook ricochet 1000? Is the spitfire still your favourite new model?
Still prefer the Spitfire, yes. Of the Affinity bats, I prefer the Spectre, and actually feel that taps up better than the Spitfire, but for various other reasons I prefer the Spitfire overall. That's just my opinion though!
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I preferred the shape of the carbine, but the Spectre tapped up so so well
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The videos are informative as always - but if you REALLY want to find out about a specific bat that Paul has in stock I'd advise paying IJC a visit.
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The videos are informative as always - but if you REALLY want to find out about a specific bat that Paul has in stock I'd advise paying IJC a visit.
Couldn't agree more. They are even more impressive and sound amazing in person!
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If anyone is keeping score / cares, the spectre has now been sold. Still, it's good to see that the buyer and myself are not the only people who agree about the ping!
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If anyone is keeping score / cares, the spectre has now been sold. Still, it's good to see that the buyer and myself are not the only people who agree about the ping!
its easy when you know the right people and are using the right tools hey? ;)
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Just an update: the Carbine video review is uploading to YouTube now. For those of you who are interested in this bat (I know there are a few on here), please either check back our channel in an hour or so, or PM me and I'll send you the link...
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i got my Spectre yesterday from Marcus....its an absolute beauty and a belter as well..
stickers are phenomenal, look really good in person.i prefer the back sticker over the front though...and the blade / profile is awesome...bat is 2.13 and has 30mm edges and about a 63mm spine height...yes i said 30, not 40mm..
over all finish is superb, willow is G1, no heartwood and has 8 or 9 grains
ive been thinking about how to tackle this "pinging off the toe " topic as different people will have different ideas as to where the toe is and how far up it goes.
(http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q790/Jason_Mellet/IMG_3426_zps9a27ccf0.jpg)
so if you classify the " toe " as the bottom 4" of the bat, then yes there is some decent ball response from the toe area. i would say from about 2" up from the very base you do get some good ball response. probably better than any other bat ive ever seen. Does it PING and well as the sweetspot? No it doesn't. But as you move further and further away from the sweetspot or COP as on all bats the ping or ball response will diminish. taking into consideration my bat is a 2.13 naturally im going to have more meat on the blade than a 2.7.
This really is an awesome bat and certainly worth the price tag..
check out http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk (http://www.affinitycricket.co.uk) or http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk (http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk) for more info.
i look forward to getting my new H4L in a week or two and comparing them.
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what is cop?
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Centre Of Percussion ,
andy at saf bats has done a lot of articles / vids on this
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what is cop?
Centre of Percussion.
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The new borrowed word from andy
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what is cop?
Come on coach - that's the bit your supposed to hit it with!
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What pickup index is it?
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What pickup index is it?
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now my turn to be informed,
what is a ' pickup index ' ?
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GM marketing gumpf
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Centre of percussion to me is not the main part of performance of the bat it the performance in coverage pic which is more important to us sluggers
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oh sorry guys, i was just trying to engage some of the smarter folks out there...yeah COP is the sweetspot....did you guys know you can actually move the sweetspot....oh yes you can....and yes thats some knowledge i picked up from a smart gentleman with a gorilla...
im actually working on a basic yet effective pickup index scale type thingie.. take a bat that weighs 2.7 on the scale and has a neutral pickup....then take a 2.10 with neutral pick up...then another with a 2.13 pickup and use them in my video reviews of other bats...if the bat im reviewing weighs 2.9 but " picks up" 2.7 then i pick up the 2.7 bat and compare them...
then maybe just say that bat X has a pickup index of +1 or -1 compared to its weight...i.e. bat weighs 2.8 but has a pickup index of -1 or -2 meaning it feels slightly lighter than it actually weighs or +2 if it feels heavier.
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Come on coach - that's the bit your supposed to hit it with!
so all of every bat reviewed on here then.
or when I bat, the inside edge...
a little bit of knowledge doesn't make you an expert.
I thought the Cop stays in the same place, but you can move the COR.
but that is for the smarter guys on here.
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Buzz it is not about middles I worry about
None of us are good enough to middle the ball every ball so it is the
Pic
Performance in coverage
That a whole different ball game
Like willow pick up is individual and personal a index is as variable as willow
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Well said Dave
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We could go into a great deal of detail regarding COP, but frankly it isn't worth it. There are a number of theories in the wild and the one currently with the strongest backing seems to relate to vibrational harmonic nodes.
A bat is a bat. See ball hit ball... The player is far more important!
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Hammer, how inferior are they to your brand bats?
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Hammer, how inferior are they to your brand bats?
If you weren't renowned for trying to stir and cause trouble I would actually answer that question...but this isn't a thread about hammer cricket or which is better out of the two..
Feel free to buy one of each and give us your biased opinion.
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If you weren't renowned for trying to stir and cause trouble I would actually answer that question...but this isn't a thread about hammer cricket or which is better out of the two..
Feel free to buy one of each and give us your biased opinion.
Think you've got the wrong person Jason, that doesn't sound like Uzair at all. ???
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Think you've got the wrong person Jason, that doesn't sound like Uzair at all. ???
What he said!
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Facebook-like-button.png)
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in fairness its a bit of a difficult question to ask anyone to answer honestly given he stocks and sells both bats and has a personal tie to one.
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Think you've got the wrong person Jason, that doesn't sound like Uzair at all. ???
Quite! The only thing Uzair stirs up is a thesaurus page!
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Quite! The only thing Uzair stirs up is a thesaurus page!
And serious bat envy
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I read Uzair's post to be...
hmmmm I love the look of both of those new brands.. but I only want to buy one. what should I choose?
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Just want to share that I've had a nice chat with Marcus this evening.
For those like myself who thought he must have got most of his trade via favourable Youtube reviews turns out its mostly from word of mouth and seeing the product in action*. Speaks volumes about the product as far as I'm concerned.
*some friends on the boundary saying 'it must be the bat' after hitting a 19 ball 50. ;)
whilst im sure the youtube views help, i can 100% attest that the bats are superb. i have a spectre myself and have 4 x 50's this season and a 54 ball 120 not out all in T20 cricket....no doubt the bats work.
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Just been watching the YouTube vid on the T20 Affinity bat, quite fancy it as something different! Holidays are a terrible time for looking at bats!!