Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 10:21:44 PM

Title: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 10:21:44 PM
Greetings all,

Long time guest, first time poster.

I've been reading the forum for quite some time and have gathered a few tools, refurbed old bats, reshaped some old bats, and feel I'm ready to take the next step and make my own bat from scratch.

Where can I get pressed willow clefts from? I've seen part made's from H4L but to be honest I was wanting to start from the beggining. I'll need handles as well...

I live in Yorkshire if that helps at all.

Thanks all.
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: tim2000s on March 20, 2013, 10:37:02 PM
Given you're in Yorkshire, have you thought about trying Kippax?
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 10:39:29 PM
Kippax, warrior, Nixon, all Yorkies and should ne able to sort you out.

Where abouts are you based??
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 20, 2013, 10:40:56 PM
Where abouts are you based??


Yorkshire      ;)
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 10:42:23 PM

Yorkshire      ;)

Eeehh deary me
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 10:54:01 PM
Wow, thanks for replying so quick.

I drive past Kippax on a regular basis so I'll call in. Didn't realise Richard Wensley was still going?

How much can I expect to pay? Ball park figure, given that I only want a low grade cleft.
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 10:57:52 PM
Wow, thanks for replying so quick.

I drive past Kippax on a regular basis so I'll call in. Didn't realise Richard Wensley was still going?

How much can I expect to pay? Ball park figure, given that I only want a low grade cleft.

Richard wensley packed in years ago mate when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It's two different guys now. Bats are no where near as good but the clefts they use are JS Wright's and some beauties make their way in the workshop. You'll probably pick one up fairly cheap from kippax, ask Chris on here mate. Send him a message or just drop in.
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 11:02:59 PM
Many thanks for your help Rob.
Right, Chris from Kippax, I'll drop him a message soon.

Far away into the future, but what would a minimum order from JS Wrights be?
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Simmy on March 20, 2013, 11:05:10 PM
forget about wrights unless u want lost of wood..

and why bother with wrights when kippax are on your door step?
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 11:10:21 PM
forget about wrights unless u want lost of wood..

and why bother with wrights when kippax are on your door step?

Seconded. You'll be able to pick your clefts from Kippax as well
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 11:11:55 PM
I didn't realise Kippax grew their own willow until just now. I need to have a chat with them.

It just seems a bit cheeky to me though, going to a bat maker for willow, it's competition!
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 11:13:35 PM
I didn't realise Kippax grew their own willow until just now. I need to have a chat with them.

It just seems a bit cheeky to me though, going to a bat maker for willow, it's competition!
Where do you think they make their money pal?? They sell willow to loads of people. It's their majority of work as far as I'm aware.
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: Banksy on March 20, 2013, 11:20:27 PM
Never knew!

Handles from there as well?
Title: Re: Sourcing Willow Clefts
Post by: ProWannabe88 on March 20, 2013, 11:22:18 PM
Yeah man. It's good stuff as well. Pressed a bit harder than some but that only means they take a bit longer to play in. Loads of guys at club rave about the. Good sticks.