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Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: FattusCattus on April 14, 2013, 02:21:58 PM

Title: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: FattusCattus on April 14, 2013, 02:21:58 PM
What the hell do people do whilst they're knocking in their blades? My god it's boring!!!!

I went for a walk earlier on to knock my bat in, I lasted about 40 minutes before I lost the will to live (and I was getting some funny looks).

Any suggestions on passing the time?
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: toenails97 on April 14, 2013, 02:22:41 PM
watch the IPL :D
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: fasteddie on April 14, 2013, 02:28:15 PM
If you only knock in the edges and leave the middle that will reduce the time taken.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: uknsaunders on April 14, 2013, 02:38:39 PM
If you only knock in the edges and leave the middle that will reduce the time taken.

and you'll get big cracks in the middle.

Pay somebody to do it FC if you are going to moan about it  :)
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Spanky on April 14, 2013, 02:43:54 PM
I normally do 10-15 minutes each day to break up the boring task.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: FattusCattus on April 14, 2013, 02:47:23 PM
and you'll get big cracks in the middle.

Pay somebody to do it FC if you are going to moan about it  :)

Normally I do Nicholas, but there is a recession on you know. We can't all throw money about like you!

I think I'll lend it to Simmy, that should sort the edges out.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: fasteddie on April 14, 2013, 02:49:40 PM
and you'll get big cracks in the middle.

Ooops!
I didn't know that.
I think I need to get my Aldred out. Thanks.

Is there an easy way? How about an audio book whilst your tapping. I love them and they eat-up hours whist exercising your grey matter.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: FattusCattus on April 14, 2013, 03:00:15 PM
Now you might be onto something there Edward. Lord of the Rings should just about do it!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: jbrommo on April 14, 2013, 03:11:15 PM
It may be a tedious job but its worth it in the long run!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Offthesquare on April 16, 2013, 07:22:40 AM
I tell my other half she's doing a great job......

Positive reinforcement works a treat
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Blazer on April 16, 2013, 07:56:21 AM
I do it in 10 minute segments totalling an hour using the M&H/ Puma/ Woodworm heavy mallet . The Millichamp people claims to be able to knock in a bat in 30 minutes .
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: uknsaunders on April 16, 2013, 08:29:23 AM
Normally I do Nicholas, but there is a recession on you know. We can't all throw money about like you!

I think I'll lend it to Simmy, that should sort the edges out.

I did 2 bats myself in the autumn, seems the best time to work out your frustration at not being able to play cricket! Try doing 5 minute spurts.

If you lend it to Simmy it will be in 2 pieces when it comes back lol
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: uknsaunders on April 16, 2013, 08:36:11 AM
Ooops!
I didn't know that.
I think I need to get my Aldred out. Thanks.


A few people suggest leaving the middle because it rebounds better and of course the areas most likely to crack are the edges. However, not knocking in your middle at all is asking for trouble. It's still an uncompressed piece of wood that's taking the full force of the ball, as opposed to a glancing blow. I skimped a little on the middle with my Tempo and picked up a compression crack for my troubles. I imagine it's the sort of thing the Pro's do as they are after performance and can chuck bats away.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: RoCo Da Pixie on April 16, 2013, 08:38:13 AM
I have got Paul @ IJC knock in two bats for me, I was happy with the result.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: trypewriter on April 16, 2013, 09:32:35 AM
I have got Paul @ IJC knock in two bats for me, I was happy with the result.

He did one for me - brilliant service and worth the money to have it done properly.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on April 16, 2013, 10:04:15 AM
I have got Paul @ IJC knock in two bats for me, I was happy with the result.

Couldn't agree more...think he may be too popular for his own good though, he always has a queue of bats to be knocked in whenever I go there!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: iand123 on April 16, 2013, 10:11:08 AM
its the worst part of buying a new bat if you ask me! wasnt too bad when we lived near a field as i could take the dog for a walk, let it off the lead and knock the bat in.

Have to say Paul @ IJC's nocking in service was both cheap and thorough - i'll defo be using that again
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: jazz15c on June 13, 2013, 10:06:25 AM
My new bat (GN100) came yesterday. It's pre-oiled and has a face on, so just the laborious knocking in malarkey to go. 15 mins each day until then should cover it (unless my house-mates decide to stab me cos of the noise...!) I'll have a net on Weds and use in a evening league match next Thurs, though I might think twice if we bat first and I open up against a new nut.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: fasteddie on June 13, 2013, 10:21:12 AM
I've grown too; actually kind of, in a strange sort of way, with a touch of resentment, and complete surprise, to the annoyance of my neighbors, in a kind of self-harming my ears way......knocking-in is Ok.

Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: piethepker on June 13, 2013, 10:30:17 AM
I actually quite enjoy knocking in, i always have never been able to sit still, so i find it something to do when i'm sitting at the computer desk or watching tv.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: PedalsMcgrew on June 13, 2013, 10:39:54 AM
I break knocking-in into the number of actual hits of the mallet. I try for 500 a day over a week or so and so far it's seemed to work quite well. It's amazing how quickly you can hit the bat 500 times! I find it better to concentrate on the number of hits and not the time spent doing it. It's like setting yourself a target....
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: fasteddie on June 13, 2013, 10:46:47 AM
I break knocking-in into the number of actual hits of the mallet. I try for 500 a day over a week or so and so far it's seemed to work quite well. It's amazing how quickly you can hit the bat 500 times! I find it better to concentrate on the number of hits and not the time spent doing it. It's like setting yourself a target....

I can't count that high!
Would you recommend counting to 5 many times over instead?
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on June 13, 2013, 10:49:29 AM
I can't count that high!
Would you recommend counting to 5 many times over instead?

Holding the bat in one hand and the mallet in the other, I couldn't even get to 5 as I couldn't use my fingers  ;)
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: PedalsMcgrew on June 13, 2013, 10:53:47 AM
I can't count that high!
Would you recommend counting to 5 many times over instead?

I break it into 10's! I used to be able to manage 25's but the mind isn't what it used to be and I'm easily distracted!  :D In all seriousness I do find it a much easier way of approaching knocking-in though. It feels a lot less intimidating than "I have to knock in a bat for 4 hours" 500 hits a day over a week is 3500 hits, at my strike rate that 2500 runs. That's more than I've scored in the last 5 seasons put together! So if it's not ready after that it never will be!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 13, 2013, 10:56:38 AM
I don't mind knocking in, until my forearm/elbow starts to give up, which is happening a lot recently, we are swamped with knocking in jobs.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Johng on June 13, 2013, 10:58:26 AM
2000 strikes then hit the bat up with good quality balls about say 200 and your done. I have done over 30 bats this way without a drama.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Kulli on June 13, 2013, 11:01:36 AM
I can't count that high!
Would you recommend counting to 5 many times over instead?

Put a pedometer on your wrist/mallet ;)
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: procricket on June 13, 2013, 11:15:40 AM
I enjoy knocking in bats I enjoy hearing them near readiness

My technique is simple keep going till it done helps having 3 hammers and a use if a bowling machine
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: fasteddie on June 13, 2013, 11:17:03 AM
I enjoy knocking in bats I enjoy hearing them near readiness

You should get the recruits to do it!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Dhiraj on June 13, 2013, 11:49:44 AM
The most irritating part is to knock in near the edges and toe...hate that!!!!Takes more concentration than batting!!!
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: kouservice on June 13, 2013, 12:17:30 PM
The most irritating part is to knock in near the edges and toe...hate that!!!!Takes more concentration than batting!!!

Specially when you have a bat that breaks into 2 pieces, although been knocked in for hours ;).
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: ItsJustCricket on June 13, 2013, 12:58:20 PM
Actually, the more you do it, the more enjoyable (and interesting) it becomes.  I'm not too keen on knocking in bats with scuff sheets on though - I much prefer seeing all the dents and grains opening up.  Call it the "fruits of my labour"!  :)
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Dhiraj on June 13, 2013, 01:53:26 PM
Specially when you have a bat that breaks into 2 pieces, although been knocked in for hours ;).

Hey dont poke fun!!! It will be bad omen for your Vantage  :D
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: RossViper on June 13, 2013, 02:49:19 PM
Stick a picture of piers morgans face on it, problem solved!

Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 13, 2013, 03:06:39 PM
Actually, the more you do it, the more enjoyable (and interesting) it becomes.  I'm not too keen on knocking in bats with scuff sheets on though - I much prefer seeing all the dents and grains opening up.  Call it the "fruits of my labour"!  :)

Agree on it being interesting, different manufacturers, types/qualities of wood, even 2 bats that are the same make and model will all have their own quirks and will need something different each time during the knocking in process.

Having a bowling machine certainly helps make it less draining, working on the face as well as getting myself into nick (against gentle half volleys) is a good way to pass the time. I don't envy you sitting in the corner at IJC whacking away with a mallet ;)

Scuff sheets are a nightmare, almost impossible to round the edges via any sort of shortcut method (rolling pin, sink rim etc) and they bubble up horribly round the edges when i use a mallet.
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: praguetaz on June 13, 2013, 04:56:25 PM
I jus' love it! especially now that i'm injured.. watching the Champions Trophy and working hard on the top edge of the scuff sheet/bottom of the labels to lengthen that middle.. times vary depending on when i get home from work so it could be between 10 and 30 minutes especially as i live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. Never when my fiances at home though.. it's my time.. good after a busy day at work too but I love listening to the sounds of the different parts of the bat.. it's like percussion music to the ears...

Doing 2 bats at the mo too.. a L&W Special Reserve - wide grains and can feel lots of vibrations in the handle.. not sure if that's a good sign in a performance cleft but the hammer rebounds/pings and then there's a TK Talisman Perfect Storm bought off the Hosk - lovely tight grains and completely different sounds and can't feel any discernable vibrations in the handle.

Did I say I love knockin' bats in.....

Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: timshort15 on June 13, 2013, 11:05:00 PM
round the edges via any sort of shortcut method (rolling pin, sink rim etc) and they bubble up horribly round the edges when i use a mallet.

Does rolling a rolling pin up and down the edges actually work?
Title: Re: God isn't Knocking-In Boring?
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 13, 2013, 11:41:12 PM
Does rolling a rolling pin up and down the edges actually work?

I find a sink rim is better as it is sturdier. But putting than handle in a vice and taking a rolling pin to the edges is a good substitute.