Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Kippax Cricket => Topic started by: RICHARDIIII on July 09, 2013, 02:50:50 PM

Title: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 09, 2013, 02:50:50 PM
I'm really pleased these guys (Kippax) are on here now so I can offer a full review of them and their bats.

I started playing cricket again in 2011 after a 15 year break. After looking on custom bats for ages trying to pic a bat, I thought I'd go to the Kippax factory ( My U14s captain had one back in 1994!). The website doesn't do them justice, there were about 30/40 bats, all different weights, low middles, high middles and middle middles, from 7-20 grains to choose from, so you can pic your perfect bat. Non of them graded, as they are all the best (Kippax sell clefts, and so save the best for themselves). Chris (not Chris Kippax but the other chap) was really helpful, as I hadn't played for a while, and wasn't sure what I wanted, but I chose a low middle 2lb 13. A great little bat, and after many a SIX over the bowlers head, I fancied something a little bigger.   

I wanted a custom bat making, around 3lb 3-5, with 9-12 grains, and heartwood on one edge. They had the perfect bat already made up in the workshop:- a "Super King" 3lb 4, mid/low middle and 9 grains with a lovely pink edge.  When knocking a few balls up it felt soft, as when it hits the middle, you cant feel it through the handle, but the ball doesn't ping off, it springs off! When knocking it in with a mallet, I was shocked at how much the mallet fires back off the bat.

After 15 mins in the nets, my wrists were a bit sore, but I was in awe - when you middle it, be it a drive, defensive shot or slogging a spinner you can't feel anything through the handle, and it sounds different from any other bat, it makes others sound like brittle fence posts!  It's the sort of bat that you can blast spinners over the mid-wicket boundary, right over the heads of any fielders standing by the rope! The sort of ball loosing sixes that make people laugh, and smash the top row of the pavilion roof (when I don't clear it completely!)

After using it for 2 years, I just taken it to them for a service. I thought £40 was a bit over the top for a bit of a sand, but collected it today, and it looks AMAZING! The latest stickers, new tape, sorted all the marks when my wife through it off the kitchen table! Just like a brand new £300 bat. Shame I don't have any before pics, but watch this space for pics!


http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3161/2qa4.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3161/2qa4.jpg)

Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Buzz on July 09, 2013, 02:59:06 PM
The latest stickers, new tape, sorted all the marks when my wife through it off the kitchen table!

I am pretty confident there is a bit missing in this bat review, but I can't quite put my finger on it (and I don't just mean the pictures)

It may have something to do with what prompted your wife to throw the bat off the table.

When I first read this I thought it was throw it at the kitchen table... perhaps you could ahve embelished the story just a little... why let a fact get in the way of a good story...
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Ams4287 on July 09, 2013, 03:03:26 PM
I am pretty confident there is a bit missing in this bat review, but I can't quite put my finger on it (and I don't just mean the pictures)

It may have something to do with what prompted your wife to throw the bat off the table.

When I first read this I thought it was throw it at the kitchen table... perhaps you could ahve embelished the story just a little... why let a fact get in the way of a good story...

As its 3'4 it could have been used as a breakfast bar! ;)

Richard must be built like a tank or play very short innings
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 09, 2013, 03:45:44 PM
I am pretty confident there is a bit missing in this bat review, but I can't quite put my finger on it (and I don't just mean the pictures)

It may have something to do with what prompted your wife to throw the bat off the table.

When I first read this I thought it was throw it at the kitchen table... perhaps you could ahve embelished the story just a little... why let a fact get in the way of a good story...

ah well, it went something like this "Richard put your things away"
"yes in a minute"
"Richard put your things AWAY"
"Hang on!"
"RICHARD, MOVE THIS F**KING BAT"     ***CRASH ***
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: trypewriter on July 09, 2013, 03:50:59 PM
Is this an everyday story of Yorkshire folk?  :D
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 09, 2013, 03:54:43 PM
As its 3'4 it could have been used as a breakfast bar! ;)

Richard must be built like a tank or play very short innings

6'1 13.5st ... I work Sat, so only play T20s and you have to retire at 50, so I'm never in longer than 12 overs. But I always think.. if your average 17 year old weighing 10st can use a 2.10, then surely I can play with a bat that's only 10oz heavier!
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 09, 2013, 03:56:37 PM
Is this an everyday story of Yorkshire folk?  :D

...She was 8 months pregnant at the time, and had spent all Sunday afternoon cleaning the house whilst I'd been playing cricket!
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: trypewriter on July 09, 2013, 04:10:41 PM
...She was 8 months pregnant at the time, and had spent all Sunday afternoon cleaning the house whilst I'd been playing cricket!
You've got a good un there mate!  ;)
Gives a new meaning to 'throwing the bat' though.  :D
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: trypewriter on July 09, 2013, 04:24:16 PM
On another note, I've always liked the look of Kippax bats. Saw one in action a couple of weeks ago and it was well weathered but still going very strongly indeed.
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Ams4287 on July 09, 2013, 04:38:20 PM
6'1 13.5st ... I work Sat, so only play T20s and you have to retire at 50, so I'm never in longer than 12 overs. But I always think.. if your average 17 year old weighing 10st can use a 2.10, then surely I can play with a bat that's only 10oz heavier!

Like your thinking! :D
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 10, 2013, 02:43:57 PM
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6179/2j62.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/2j62.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/3830/vu99.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/vu99.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3161/2qa4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/2qa4.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: mr_wickets on July 10, 2013, 02:54:05 PM
Looks MASSIVE!!! As a bowler I wouldn't fancy bowling at that bat. No ground is big enough!
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on July 10, 2013, 07:51:36 PM
Looks a nice stick that, I couldn't even lift it personally though!
The only thing I don't like about Kippax is the branding, I used to like the old bats with the dragon on
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Nickauger on July 10, 2013, 08:04:56 PM
Not a fan of the colosus stickers and again the poorly done branding!
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Julesoak on July 10, 2013, 08:17:09 PM
I think the retro branding looks great - I remember first seeing one of them years ago and was intrigued.

I think the branding should only be done if it can be done clean.
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: FattusCattus on July 10, 2013, 08:26:41 PM
I'm with Nickers on this one - really dislike the branding, it looks a bit 'Yoof' to me. Much preferred the old Dragon branding, that was really nice.
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: countycricketplayer on July 10, 2013, 11:30:12 PM
Front looks alright but the colossus sticker on the side does the bat no justice 
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: RICHARDIIII on July 11, 2013, 10:23:43 AM
Front looks alright but the colossus sticker on the side does the bat no justice

I love the colossus stickers!  But to be honest, when you middle it with a 3.4 bat, you don't care the slightest about the stickers or how clean the branding is,  you just appreciate the wood!  Although, when I first got it, it had the dragon on it (as does my bag, pads and gloves) which I loved, being a Yorkshireman, I prefer substance over style!
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: countycricketplayer on July 11, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
I suppose if you've got a bat that size no one will be looking at the bat just for the ball in the next field
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: cleanbowled on July 12, 2013, 02:22:01 PM
Looks a very nice bat, right up my alley. Nice to see another forum member as well using big bats at these weights.
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Ryan on July 12, 2013, 06:16:51 PM
I quite like the kippax branding,  does exact what it's supposed to. I really like the wavex stickers too.
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Ryan on July 12, 2013, 06:17:12 PM
Looks a lovely bat by the way 
Title: Re: Kippax Review
Post by: Nickauger on July 12, 2013, 08:15:14 PM
I don't mind the stickers, think they're fairly inoffensive. I do have a problem with the edge branding and colossus stickers!