Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Your Kit => Topic started by: yvk3103 on March 08, 2013, 06:46:25 PM
-
Since 2 people on here already have AJK kit and J am sure a few others will follow suit. I thought of creating a separate AJK kit topic.
I will shortly put pics of my AJK kit and also why I chose the AJK over brands.
Soulman1012 do you want to post here as well?
Btw, Barrington's have sold quite a few of these bats, so surprised that apart from mine and Soulman's bats nothing has popped-up on the forum.
-
I've just got a Salix so does that qualify as AJK?
-
Are these your pads yash
http://www.barringtonsports.com/products/11/style/salix_ajk_xxix_limited_edition_batting_pads_2013/17681/view (http://www.barringtonsports.com/products/11/style/salix_ajk_xxix_limited_edition_batting_pads_2013/17681/view)
They should have there own section in off the shelf
-
I've just got a Salix so does that qualify as AJK?
The AJK is the top model that Salix offer. Made from the best of the best clefts in both performance and looks. Exceptional bat's.
-
But are there actually AJK softs? Or is it just Salix players softs?
-
Here are the pics of my AJK Kit:
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/82382C63-AC7C-46EE-962A-482B5AFBDB95-4407-00000772FF4EEAA8_zpsf1f5b146.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/B39CDAD9-8100-47C6-A543-5998D537AEE7-4407-00000772F7FD4776_zpsd750dc8b.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/8E3808CB-5B6F-479A-9246-CAADFE5926FE-4407-00000772F3EC7019_zps1e357431.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/AD1B9BF9-7E4A-415D-A50A-FA3EBDAFCE55-4407-00000772C84F613B_zps52931409.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/C13E9951-2E18-4433-82B0-BA0F7332D82E-4407-00000772CCD4EFED_zps1a64e2cb.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/25D1CFD8-6004-4157-8F6B-D70F78360EEC-4407-00000772D206F389_zpsa445d829.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/351E37FC-FA94-4981-AFB4-F004F7530298-4407-00000772D68B9B54_zps142b4e15.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/EEBFB128-E0F5-4B96-908D-9300A511CE69-4407-00000772DCE4B2D4_zps445a86cf.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/yvk3103/F3CAD906-1342-4521-953B-FABDBA3D55F0-4407-00000772E1A522EB_zps91934839.jpg)
-
Those look absolutely quality. Really amazing looking bats. Classy softs too
-
Love it Yash
When did you pick up the second ajk
So tempted to sell my bats and go get one!
-
Very tasty gear that
-
Smart kit mate love the bats and gloves something about the top hat not overly sold on but top kit mate
-
Is it possible to be sexually attracted to an object?
-
I've just got a Salix so does that qualify as AJK?
Sorry Tushar. Salix bats dont count. See your Torque its very nice.
I spoke with Andrew to clarify what was the difference between Salix Players bats and AJK bats - Andrew said that the AJKs were made from the very very best willow they can find from the 1000s of clefts they get and hence limited to 20-30 bats a year. Same as LW Signature or the Cenko.
Having used my AJK, I have let go of all my other bats - which is a tough decision for someone like me who has access to a steady flow of top quality bats. (The Hosk can vouch for this).
-
Love it Yash
When did you pick up the second ajk
So tempted to sell my bats and go get one!
Pads and 2nd AJK delivered today.
3rd AJK will be a 100% custom made
-
They do look pretty spectacular Yash both the willow and also the softs
Are there any county players using AJK bats and softs as they look seriously top of the range gear?
-
Just wanted to add, these bats dont look big as these have a curved face, but still have a 36mm edges on a 2lb8oz and 2lb9oz.
The 3rd custom made AJK will have 40mm+ edges on a 2lb9oz with a slightly lower middle
-
Lovely kit Yash, extremely good mate.
That Puma grip looks absolute class on the that bat, compliments the colour of the stickers extremely well!
-
That photoset was Equipment Erotica
-
That is classy kit.
I'm sure you're going to enjoy playing this year!
-
They do look pretty spectacular Yash both the willow and also the softs
Are there any county players using AJK bats and softs as they look seriously top of the range gear?
I dont think Salix pay any player to use their bats, but they do sponsor quite a few junior county players under their S3 scheme.
But I feel Salix are a very boutique brand and their quality, designing, attention to detail do to some extent make up for the sales they may loose out due to lack on pros using bats with Salix ids.
I feel Salix have done phenomenally well in the past 1-2 years (growth wise) and will strengthen their position further this year.
Pressing wise, I think Andrew is top of the pack along with his old friend :)
-
Lovely kit Yash, extremely good mate.
That Puma grip looks absolute class on the that bat, compliments the colour of the stickers extremely well!
Thanks mate.
I earlier had a golden/bronze GM control grip and it went very well with the golden/bronze spots. But I felt the Puma grip looked perfect.
-
They do look pretty spectacular Yash both the willow and also the softs
Are there any county players using AJK bats and softs as they look seriously top of the range gear?
No I don't believe so, not stickered as Salix bats anyway. There are a few young players on the S3 sponsorship scheme I would imagine and don't know what they will be using. This bat is only availble through Barringtons as a thank you for all there years of support I believe or direct through the Salix factory or custom visit. Same as the softs I believe.
Will post pics of mine a bit later as well.
-
Here is my AJK bat. My softs are in the garage in the kit bag and its raining so not going outside. I keep my bats in doors in my bat cave.
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/23066A27-2B94-4105-8638-ADF0C141BD2F-218-00000007EC96D619_zps73077b76.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/0FCB60E4-7E4F-4E32-9986-1C4DC5709363-218-00000007FB71A1C1_zpsdb479ffd.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/01BD3041-C8A8-4699-85A1-FC608329E97F-218-000000080F38E677_zps0881c1c8.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/6C86B846-FEE7-4314-BE7D-903A9B4E16D1-218-000000082882FEF9_zps1daccefd.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/06DE2EBB-7853-4C0D-993E-82DEE1ED5AD8-218-0000000838B46544_zps1f1adfd4.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/EA2BFD85-B07B-4615-B140-40BBBBAEE6E0-218-0000000845F9EBF9_zps75785619.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/2D2A5AE1-E7F3-4C38-9B19-CC9F7EBEFB6F-218-00000009687ED6A4_zps325f7538.jpg)
(http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u642/soulman1012/DCF578C6-8EC8-483F-B719-117593F8C795-218-0000000970ADBAB9_zpsbccc0955.jpg)
The exacts of the AJK. 2.9 1/2 in weight fully dressed with single gold spiral grip. 37mm edges as widest point with a mid positioned middle 10 dead straight grains that go straight through the toe. Flat face. The best pick up of any of my bats and superb balance and ''ping''. Also showed a profile pic of my falx which is 2.10 to show the size of the AJK compared to the previous model's off the shelf. Sorry about pic's only got iphone 4 as a camera at present
-
Loving that. Love the yellow walls too...
-
Loving that. Love the yellow walls too...
I was going to decorate last year when we bought the house but I spent the money on a new bat and gloves (honest truth) And since then it has just become my little office, bat cave, dumping room what ever you want to call it. For some reason the previous house owner must have though canery yellow was in tha year lol
-
AJK kit looks really awesome!
-
I was going to decorate last year when we bought the house but I spent the money on a new bat and gloves (honest truth) And since then it has just become my little office, bat cave, dumping room what ever you want to call it. For some reason the previous house owner must have though canery yellow was in tha year lol
"Canary yellow? That's Australian gold my friend and don't you f***ing forget it"
-
If the colour honestly is "Australian Gold" then I am decorating first thing in the morning and pinning my ashes posters to the wall. God save the queen lol
-
I asked AJK what we had to do to stock this kit in future (they're not 100% exclusive to Barringtons) and he basically answered "sell more of our bats!" If the sight of this doesn't inspire me, I don't know what will! Lovely kit, Yash - thanks for sharing! :)
-
Lovely looking kit Yash - those bats look amazing and if they go as well as they look, then they will be a bowler's worst nightmare! :(
-
Those bats look absolutely perfect.
-
Those bats look absolutely perfect.
They are basically perfect. The Mary Poppins of cricket bats.
-
Lovely looking kit Yash - those bats look amazing and if they go as well as they look, then they will be a bowler's worst nightmare! :(
One of them is already giving bowlers a hard time in the nets. The one with the Puma grip, is almost ripe and goes like a rocket.
However, what I instantly like about these bats was the balance and pick-up.
-
I asked AJK what we had to do to stock this kit in future (they're not 100% exclusive to Barringtons) and he basically answered "sell more of our bats!" If the sight of this doesn't inspire me, I don't know what will! Lovely kit, Yash - thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks Paul.
Hope you reach this milestone soon and get to stock the AJK range.
Are there any other retailers getting the AJK range for 2013?
Considering that Barrington's was more associated with hockey it is very hard to believe that they sell more Salix bats than any other retailer. I think there is more to that explanation from Andrew. I knew from mid of last season that Salix will be doing exclusive bats for Barrington Sports.
I think time will tell how exclusive this range is :)
But not really bothered as these bats are 99% perfect for me.
-
The more time I spend on this forum I may want to start saving money or selling some of the stuff in my house like my coffee table and couches because I think I am going to end up buying a new bat each week.
-
Slightly off topic.
But the only non Salix bats that I have found to have come the closest to these AJK bats in balance, pick-up, size and ping were the blank SS player grade (true player grade) bats that Lukey Sports had posted on here a few months back. Those 2 bats Lukey had were mental (though not as mental as these AJKs) and for the price they were top value for money.
-
Sorry Tushar. Salix bats dont count. See your Torque its very nice.
I spoke with Andrew to clarify what was the difference between Salix Players bats and AJK bats - Andrew said that the AJKs were made from the very very best willow they can find from the 1000s of clefts they get and hence limited to 20-30 bats a year. Same as LW Signature or the Cenko.
Having used my AJK, I have let go of all my other bats - which is a tough decision for someone like me who has access to a steady flow of top quality bats. (The Hosk can vouch for this).
Oh ok...hmm another purchase coming up then :-[
-
I thought AJK sticks were only offered to Barrington since they are their biggest customers but that was it and had nothing to do with best of the best, assumed it was similar to players but i could be wrong..
You are correct. A reward for Barrington is a range that they don't have to compete with anyone else on price with.
-
What are you going to do with them all when you go to the Czech republic?
-
So does this gear not have Salix on at all? An interesting branding exercise if they don't, to put out supposedly top of the range gear without your brand name
-
What are you going to do with them all when you go to the Czech republic?
That possibility is very bleak now. May shift to London office.
-
So does this gear not have Salix on at all? An interesting branding exercise if they don't, to put out supposedly top of the range gear without your brand name
No reference of "Salix" anywhere. Just "AJK"
-
So does this gear not have Salix on at all? An interesting branding exercise if they don't, to put out supposedly top of the range gear without your brand name
Its a separate brand. Obviously most people will put two and two together, but there is no mention of Salix on the AJK stuff as far as i'm aware.
-
"made for kit nerds"
-
Haha I guess so. Just seems a bit odd if its meant to be their top gear but doesn't actually advertise the main brand at all. I'm sure there are other similar examples in other areas of business though
-
You are correct. A reward for Barrington is a range that they don't have to compete with anyone else on price with.
As long as I have known Barrington's they have never competed on price. I always found then min 10% dearer than the likes of Owzat, Romida, Lorimers, VKS etc etc. However, this year they are priced in-line with the market.
From what I have been told from both entities, AJK is "best of the best".
I am not sure of this, but I would never have named Barrington Sports as a top 10 cricket specialist retailer and hence I find it hard to believe that they were the biggest customers for Salix (could be true, but difficult to imagine).
I have spoken to both Salix and the guys at Barrington Sports and therefore know more on the actual reasons, which go beyond just buying more and more of Salix. There are some other synergies in though process of both companies. Obviously, I am not the right person to comment on the specifics, maybe will ask someone from Barrington's to register on the forum and clarify.
-
"made for kit nerds"
Not sure as CD is still not on board :)
-
Its a separate brand. Obviously most people will put two and two together, but there is no mention of Salix on the AJK stuff as far as i'm aware.
Could well be a long-term well thought out plan.
-
Spoke with Andrew at length recently on the phone, he approached us about the possibility of us stocking Salix (incidentally, possibly the nicest person i've dealt with in cricket to date, and absolutely no pressure or hassle to stock the gear, just happy for us to wait until we are ready, which will probably be 2014)
Part of the conversation was me asking what the AJK range was. He said it was a new brand, exclusive to Barringtons (to start with at least) as a reward for being Salix's biggest account. As its exclusive to them, there's no need to discount, ever (even when other retailers are knocking prices down in end of season sales/selling discontinued ranges etc) as they are the only ones selling it and it won't go out of date.
-
Jake, there is no point in us debating this as we will never know what the actual reasons/basis are for this and neither Andrew or Barrington's are obliged to shared exact details with us.
Time will tell, who else will get this range to stock. Followers are always followers.
Personally, I am least bothered who else gets to stock the AJK range (if ever), as I will still buy from Barrington's as their customer service is always raising the bar for others.
I have heard excellent things about you and Paul as well, so I have my 4 best ports of call sorted for my cricket gear - don't need any more.
-
I off to Cheshire very soon might have to have a look at barringtons and see ifi agree with the Ss bit yash my players grade is quite nice...
Might have to finally meet up mate
-
I wasn't debating/contesting anything that has been said, just adding what i know/have been told :)
-
Would be a decent range to stock but it sounds like they may be keeping it very exclusive?
Would love to see how these feel and go in comparison to a top performing Salix 8)
-
I off to Cheshire very soon might have to have a look at barringtons and see ifi agree with the Ss bit yash my players grade is quite nice...
Might have to finally meet up mate
PM me when you are planning your trip to Cheshire matey.
-
Would be a decent range to stock but it sounds like they may be keeping it very exclusive?
Would love to see how these feel and go in comparison to a top performing Salix 8)
Pete, I will send you once of my bat to have a few nets with. You can do a better review than me for sure and you have a better camera and camera skills than me :))))
Do you want to 2lb8oz or 2lb9oz or these are twigs for you?
-
Send me a 2'9 fella.....if it is as good as you say, then I may have to prize it from your grip! Don't want you getting bogged down with too many bats until you are sure where you'll be working soon! ;)
I don't have a Cenkos but I seem to have most other top-of-the-range bats to compare it with ;)
-
Send me a 2'9 fella.....if it is as good as you say, then I may have to prize it from your grip! Don't want you getting bogged down with too many bats until you are sure where you'll be working soon! ;)
I don't have a Cenkos but I seem to have most other top-of-the-range bats to compare it with ;)
Will send next week.
Pack your family off for an early Easter holiday and you enjoy this bat in the nets :)
-
Granted, these bats look fantastic, no getting away from that. But surely these would of been his top of the range Salix bats last year and the years before wouldn't they?
-
I'm curious to know more about the softs actually, and how they differ to Salix's. I thought the AJK range was just bats until I read this thread...
-
Spoke with Andrew at length recently on the phone, he approached us about the possibility of us stocking Salix (incidentally, possibly the nicest person i've dealt with in cricket to date, and absolutely no pressure or hassle to stock the gear, just happy for us to wait until we are ready, which will probably be 2014)
Part of the conversation was me asking what the AJK range was. He said it was a new brand, exclusive to Barringtons (to start with at least) as a reward for being Salix's biggest account. As its exclusive to them, there's no need to discount, ever (even when other retailers are knocking prices down in end of season sales/selling discontinued ranges etc) as they are the only ones selling it and it won't go out of date.
Jake, that is exactly correct. The AJK is only available through Barringtons as a retail outlet or direct from Salix on a custom visit.
I have seen first hand Barringtons order at the factory and t is indeed a big account each year.
-
Granted, these bats look fantastic, no getting away from that. But surely these would of been his top of the range Salix bats last year and the years before wouldn't they?
I have a Pod Players and Strike Players, as well as an amazing Praestantia G1 which goes like a canon!! So I will compare and let you know in a few weeks whether you are correct in your assumption fella ;)
-
Look forward to your review Mr Hosk.
-
The bats and pads look absolutely brilliant, not sure about the gloves for some reason - I just don't think the look quite right.
Sadly my bonus is going towards my mortgage and I can't justify lashing out on these.
-
There is a serious case of bat envy going on here!
That looks amazing.
I'm trying to imagine what a 2lb 14oz AJK would look like.........
-
There is a serious case of bat envy going on here!
That looks amazing.
I'm trying to imagine what a 2lb 14oz AJK would look like.........
However you wanted it to look as you could get it custom made with a visit to Andrew.
-
Barringtons have a combo deal on now for the AJK range
-
3rd AJK will be a 100% custom made
Saw your new AJK today mate, as. You know I work at Salix on a part time basis and when I walked in today Andrew was shaping your bat. I'm not going to spoil it for you but my god will you be impressed the performance off the mallet was out of this world. Really look foward to you recieving this and your views mate.
-
Saw your new AJK today mate, as. You know I work at Salix on a part time basis and when I walked in today Andrew was shaping your bat. I'm not going to spoil it for you but my god will you be impressed the performance off the mallet was out of this world. Really look foward to you recieving this and your views mate.
Thanks for the heads-up mate.
You got me itching more. Can't wait to get it now:)))
-
That black and grey puma grip is a beauty, i really fell in love with that grip.
-
Thanks for the heads-up mate.
You got me itching more. Can't wait to get it now:)))
Can honestly say I was very tempted to walk out with it lol.
-
Can honestly say I was very tempted to walk out with it lol.
Thanks for not giving into your temptations :))
-
Prices at Barringtons have softened and the combo deal is still on; £396 for the bat; £525 including the pads and gloves too.