Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Buzz on March 12, 2013, 10:35:45 PM
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It was a cold evening at the barn, at demonstrated by Tim's batting attire:
(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac151/buzzrockport/IMAG0104_zpsc90bab8c.jpg)
but still FattusCattus, Tim2000s and I ventured boldly forth to test a selection grade two bats, dressed as Michelin men in multiple layers.
the results will be forthcoming, however there were multiple expletives as bats were atrociously used, wafted and generally abused in the name of fun.
it is reasonable to suggest that this session will not compare to any magazine testing at lords.
what we do know is don't hit the ball off the toe of a bat on a cold night.
we would also like to make an apology some of the bats were dressed inappropriately as a result marks for looks were not forthcoming...
more later, once i have regained the feeling in my fingers.
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I genuinely was expecting a thread on my other sport, table tennis then...
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it was because some of the bats pinged and some ponged...!
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Haha far too clever for me of a Tuesday evening Buzz!
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Some of the timber that both pinged and ponged...
No Grade 1 bats allowed!
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr293/tim2000s/temporary_zps3eea0ed6.jpg)
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So was it the Kooka Blade SE that ponged off the toe? you are a bunch of brave men!! isn't one of you supposed to be on crutches?
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The kg must have done well very underestimated bats
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The results are quite interesting and raise some good questions as to what represents value for money!
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Here's a little taster of a bat that was most definitely Ping:
http://youtu.be/3a5hOuTfsRY (http://youtu.be/3a5hOuTfsRY)
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And one that was a bit more "ping-Pong"...
http://youtu.be/8XiKBq3gL8w (http://youtu.be/8XiKBq3gL8w)
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I hope no one got hit on the flesh, or that would have stung in these conditions!
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I think the pong sounds better than the ping.
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I thought the topic was about my holiday in Bali
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Rare and grainy footage of me attempting to bat for the first time in 6 months!
thanks for sharing that!
was it even darker than normal last night?
Here's a little taster of a bat that was most definitely Ping:
[url]http://youtu.be/3a5hOuTfsRY[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/3a5hOuTfsRY[/url])
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I'm not sure... Definitely colder though!
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very ropey from the buzz cover was licking his lips :( to cold for my likeing roll on some sort of summer >:(
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it was my second ball in 6 months after an Achilles operation, please cut me some slack!
anyway cover got out of the way because his hands were too cold.
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For information, the bats that were put through their paces were as follows:
A KG that cost £95.
My "Pendle" which was made from a £65 cleft and pressed by Matt H4L.
Two MSR bats, one at £40 and one a £25 net bat.
A 2012 Scoop, which when bought would have cost £165, but currently cost upwards of £175 and can be found at £200 :o
A Laver Special Reserve which cost £200 but would set you back £249 direct.
A Dynadrive that cost £160.
A B3 Custom One Stripe that came in at £165.
The scoring was done as follows:
Each person was asked to rate Overall Appearance, Willow, Pick-Up and Ping and each was averaged to give scores out of 10 for all four. Ping is taken from use with a real ball, against the Bola and bashing it with a mallet. The price was taken into account and, as per previous batoffs, anything less than £100 was awarded 10 points, then decreased by a point per £25 interval, i.e. £101-£125 = 9 points, £126-£150 = 8 points. Bats below £50 were awarded a bonus point!
The average scores for appearance, willow, pick-up and price were summed and multiplied by the "ping factor" which is the average ping score divided by 10. This gives a score out of 40 and if the quality in use was deemed to be terrible, then the ping factor brings the score down.
Where do you think the various bats came out?
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it was my second ball in 6 months after an Achilles operation, please cut me some slack!
anyway cover got out of the way because his hands were too cold.
clam down dear only pulling you leg not the bad one ;•)
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For information, the bats that were put through their paces were as follows:
A KG that cost £95.
My "Pendle" which was made from a £65 cleft and pressed by Matt H4L.
Two MSR bats, one at £40 and one a £25 net bat.
A 2012 Scoop, which when bought would have cost £165, but currently cost upwards of £175 and can be found at £200 :o
A Laver Special Reserve which cost £200 but would set you back £249 direct.
A Dynadrive that cost £160.
A B3 Custom One Stripe that came in at £165.
Damn, if I'd known I would of shipped my Icon and Tempo down. Both G2.
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Damn, if I'd known I would of shipped my Icon and Tempo down. Both G2.
I am not sure we would have been able to lift them, all the bats tested were 2 10 or under!
clam down dear only pulling you leg not the bad one ;•)
The good one is sore too this morning and my hand are still ringing from trying to drive a yorker with the B3... aaarrrggggg!!
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Very much intrigued to know how the 'Pendle' fared .
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:(Can't beat driveing a yorker bat makers best shot
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:(Can't beat driveing a yorker bat makers best shot
Oddly, it was only Buzz hit by the stinger, twice, this time. The other testers didn't suffer this pain from the B3. Having said that, I really suffered it off the Blank MSR, as seen in the video. With regard to that bat, we thought it may have something to do with the handle.
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If I was to guess the Ping/overall rating here is what I am guessing. Pendle I think would be top along with KG simply because in H4L I trust :)
# 1 (tie) - A KG that cost £95 & "Pendle" which was made from a £65 cleft and pressed by Matt H4L.
# 3 - A Dynadrive that cost £160.
# 4 - A Laver Special Reserve which cost £200 but would set you back £249 direct.
# 5 - A 2012 Scoop, which when bought would have cost £165, but currently cost upwards of £175 and can be found at £200
# 6 - A B3 Custom One Stripe that came in at £165
# 7 & 8 respectively - Two MSR bats, one at £40 and one a £25 net bat.
Only one I am not sure of is Scoop, it might move up or down one I am guessing based upon how well played-in it is....
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Only one I am not sure of is Scoop, it might move up or down one I am guessing based upon how well played-in it is....
All bats are purportedly knocked in.
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Pah! Yet again no footage of me, just endless video clips of Pretty Boy and Who Killed Kenny!
I've a good mind to speak to my agent.
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Pah! Yet again no footage of me, just endless video clips of Pretty Boy and Who Killed Kenny!
I've a good mind to speak to my agent.
Your footage refused to upload. Something about a file too large error. I'll give it a squeeze and see what I can do tonight...
Whilst you are waiting for the inimitable cat, anyone want to know the results?
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Put us out of our misery
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Here you go then...
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr293/tim2000s/PingPong_zps81fb2caf.png)
I think my observation would be that the MSR bats felt a little like false economy. Yes they are cheap, yes the net bat is designed for use in the nets, but even in nets, you like to feel value for your shots and finding on the middle on both of them was pretty hard. Not finding it was generally not to be recommended.
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Here you go then...
([url]http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr293/tim2000s/PingPong_zps81fb2caf.png[/url])
I think my observation would be that the MSR bats felt a little like false economy. Yes they are cheap, yes the net bat is designed for use in the nets, but even in nets, you like to feel value for your shots and finding on the middle on both of them was pretty hard. Not finding it was generally not to be recommended.
In defence of the MSR bats - they were the very cheapest net bats and they were both a really nice shape. I think if we had bought better quality ones say at just under the £100 mark like the KG we would have seen much better results. The ones we had were certainly pretty cheap and cheerful!
Also the KG is 2lbs10
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Also the KG is 2lbs10
Sorry, memory not serving me correctly.
I'd agree on the MSRs, they were really the bottom end bats, and as earlier pointed out, the price reflects this.
I think the biggest disappointment was the Laver. It's not bad, but I don't think it lives up to the promise that is made about Special Reserves on the Laver website. I personally think it is better against real balls than Bola balls.
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with the Laver is was also a bit lighter than the other bats and was difficult to get used to the difference for timing purposes - perhaps we could have spent a bit more time with it ?
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If your benchmark is 2'9oz then the ping and possibly the pickup could be weighted around the average, with points deducted for ping (heavier bat = more willow and in theory better performance) and added for pickup (heavier bat should pickup worse than a bat of a lighter weight / similar profile). 2oz difference is roughly 5% mass of the bat. It's never that simple but it would get closer to a like for like comparison.
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Not sure it really makes that much difference. The two lightest of the top four weighed the same and cost the same. The one that came in fourth wasn't deemed to have the beat "ping". While you can argue a bit about weight, i think if the number 2 bat had weighed 2lb 14 you would have a point, but it was actually within an ounce of the winner and deemed to have a worse ping!
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Yay! The KG and the Pendle were the best in the hands of a 'proper batsman' - apart from Tim's abominal handle!
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I think the MSR bats are priced to be nets only, whereas the other bats could be most peoples match bats. Maybe a higher priced MSR bat would have been equal if not better than some of the others.
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Here you go then...
([url]http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr293/tim2000s/PingPong_zps81fb2caf.png[/url])
I think my observation would be that the MSR bats felt a little like false economy. Yes they are cheap, yes the net bat is designed for use in the nets, but even in nets, you like to feel value for your shots and finding on the middle on both of them was pretty hard. Not finding it was generally not to be recommended.
If this isn't proof that we hand-pick only the very best at IJC, I don't know what is?! :D 8)
A very cool idea, guys, even if the scoring system is a little on the complicated side!
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If this isn't proof that we hand-pick only the very best at IJC, I don't know what is?! :D 8)
A very cool idea, guys, even if the scoring system is a little on the complicated side!
well I don't that you get the best you get some good bats same as any other store other wise other shops won't want all the crap mate
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well I don't that you get the best you get some good bats same as any other store other wise other shops won't want all the crap mate
Not getting into anything now - just wanted to make a light hearted comment in my lunch break, which you've obviously taken the wrong way...
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So looks is non-willow aesthetics (stickers, colour, grip, etc) and willow is willow aesthetics?
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well I don't that you get the best you get some good bats same as any other store other wise other shops won't want all the crap mate
I believe not all shops handpick their stock so it's not quite the same as any other store.
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I believe not all shops handpick their stock so it's not quite the same as any other store.
Correct, Vincent, I think it's only a handful that do actually...
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So looks is non-willow aesthetics (stickers, colour, grip, etc) and willow is willow aesthetics?
Non willow is shape and branding (although there may or may not have been some dubious branding on some of the bats)
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I don't think you should mark your own bats either. It would be interesting to drop out those scores from the results table.
I make the B3 the clear winner. If you only care about the performance aspects (pickup and ping).
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I don't think you should mark your own bats either. It would be interesting to drop out those scores from the results table.
I make the B3 the clear winner. If you only care about the performance aspects (pickup and ping).
I can assure you there was no bias with the owners and their own bats.
The B3 was absolutely not the clear winner, the Dynadrive was the winner, with the KG second. The B3 picked up well and was great in the middle, but was marked down for the off middle shots (my hands are still ringing from a couple of stingers!), the Dyna seemed to be a more forgiving bat, it also was marked down for average branding and we didn't like the shape of the toe and the handle was an acquired taste (I found it too thick, Fattus liked it, and Tim likes ridiculous square handles).
If Tim had been able to hit the ball, rather than wafting at thin air, I think the KG would have scored even better. ;) Universally we liked the GN Dyna, the looks and branding, the pick up and it went well. Sounded terrible with the mallet though which was wierd - I think it just needs to be used more in matches and against a cricket ball
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I am playing devil's advocate a little but if you added the "performance" measures together, pickup and ping in my book you get:-
B3 - 10+8.17 = 18.17
KG - 8.6+8 = 16.6
Dynadrive - 7.6+8.25 = 15.85
The rest being 14's or lower. B3 pickup is best by a distance and very little difference in ping between all the bats. Sounds like some of the actual experience didn't transfer itself to the scoring.
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The b3 had a 10 pick up - but it also was a long handle which would have helped the pick up artificially.
Putting it another way, if any of the three of us had a choice of which bats to use in a match, from the selection - I am not sure that any of the three of us would choose the B3 first.
I would have chosen the KG (but then that isn't surprising as I had the grip set up for me and thus liked the feel of that bat the most) then Tim and Fattus would almost certainly choose the Dyna.
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The rest being 14's or lower. B3 pickup is best by a distance and very little difference in ping between all the bats. Sounds like some of the actual experience didn't transfer itself to the scoring.
The b3 had a 10 pick up - but it also was a long handle which would have helped the pick up artificially.
Putting it another way, if any of the three of us had a choice of which bats to use in a match, from the selection - I am not sure that any of the three of us would choose the B3 first.
I would have chosen the KG (but then that isn't surprising as I had the grip set up for me and thus liked the feel of that bat the most) then Tim and Fattus would almost certainly choose the Dyna.
As i think has been said many times on the forum, it comes down to the users. One user got a couple on the toe of the B3 and as a result marked it down. The other two didn't so it didn't affect their scoring.
As always with a batoff, each person's opinion is subjective, and some mark their own bats worse than the other participants do based on comparing all the bats.
I'd say that the top four bats in the table are the best four at the test and the thing that really pushed the B3 into 4th is the toe stinging that was caused. Having said that, I'm not sure that a long handle helps the B3 pick up as it usually results in people complaining about the bat picking up heavy! I'd also say that as it stands, they are in the right order.
However much we like to pretend that we don't think about appearance, I'd rather walk out to bat with any of the top three stickers than those on the B3...!
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Kg are vastly underrated and for 100 sheets hard to argue with.
Mine is better than some of my bats that cost 300 pound
Oh and it was not hand picked
Good to see you back buzz
And the pendle that bat is a bat of legends
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And here's the indomitable Mr Cat, fondling Dirty Dyna...
http://youtu.be/YkS7tpvlEb0 (http://youtu.be/YkS7tpvlEb0)
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#properbatting :D
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he looks so slim from a distance :D
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And here's the indomitable Mr Cat, fondling Dirty Dyna...
[url]http://youtu.be/YkS7tpvlEb0[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/YkS7tpvlEb0[/url])
Best flourish in the game!
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That's because I am Nicholas! - it's falling off me now I've given up booze and all this fruit is giving me the squits!
By the way, the best ping was the KG and Dyna, I don't care about any of the other stuff, and the B3 was very unforgiving, I didn't rate it that much by comparison.
Anyone wanna buy an MSR or Scoop cheap? :)