Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: amritpremi on August 21, 2013, 06:52:11 PM
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Hi guys, I bought a custom made bat by Online Stockist which Ajit advertises as 'HANDMADE PLUS LIMITED EDITION ENGLISH WILLOW CRICKET BAT' (which he says is HandMade from Select Reserve Grade English Willow Clefts). Wanted you guys to see the pics and evaluate is it anywhere close to being Grade 1+ EW bat.
First regarding the customer service, it wasn't too bad (as I had already read a lot of comments). Ajit responded to all of my emails and we exchanged about 52 emails in total in 2 weeks time. The bat arrived with 1 week delay as promised (with his usual grand mother passed away style excuses) but the bat looks decent for the price and worth the wait.
Bat specs -
Weight - 2Lb 11.5oz - 2Lb 12oz (with 3 Grips on, as requested)
Balance/Pickup/Feel - Great, feels like a 2.10
Lowish Middle, minimal to no concaving
Edges - 38-39mm
Pings nicely ( I have never held a reserve grade bat so cannot compare with their ping but definitely much better than my Malik LE bat.)
Handle is round with slightly oval towards the end.
I bought this bat prior to joining this forum, hopefully I'll buy some good sticks from some of our forum sponsors soon. Apologize for posting pics taken from my phone.
Forgot to mention, around 11ish grains.
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/1_zps6a7160c4.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/5_zps4a7010cd.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/3_zpsf14500bd.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/4_zps1f7cf49e.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/6_zps3a4fdcb4.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/7_zpsef51b33e.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/2_zps009ba46a.jpg)
(http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/amritpremi/8_zpsd33f338b.jpg)
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Was finally able to add the pics :-[
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how much did it set you back mate
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Looks good. Clean face and back. And straight grains both on the front and back which is a good sign. If you are happy with it, it is well worth the money.
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I'd say it looks reasonable enough, and going on Wrights grading, it's probably grade 1.
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how much did it set you back mate
Was Canadian $270, around 165 quids including shipping.
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Was just curious, is the bat's profile close to Virat Kohli's bat profile?
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Nice bat. Not sure about the excessive edge tape.
I was looking to buy a bat from India as the exchange rate is great. Shame online stockist has not adjusted his prices to reflect it.
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Nice looking bat you've got there mate. What makes it custom though?
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Was Canadian $270, around 165 quids including shipping.
Is it just me but I don't think it's value for money.
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Doesn't look too bad. Not a bad profile and like the lack of concaving.
It looks like a grade 1 I would say, but the proof of performance is in the pressing.
And if you're happy with the performance then that's the important thing fella.
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Is it just me but I don't think it's value for money.
At that price, it wouldn't be in the UK. Not so sure about Canada though.
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Nice looking bat you've got there mate. What makes it custom though?
That's what OS names it, custom unbranded. But I specified the profile & the weight I was looking for. He tried to sell me another bat (he had it ready for shipping) which was 2.9 and had around 15 straight grains (and absolute beauty to look at, better than my current one), but it was 2 ounces too light for me, I want a bat which feels something in my hand and hence I look for heavier ones. I currently use 1 one of my team mates bat which is similar profile with 3 Lbs in weight (atleast) which feels nice to my hands, except when I have to play uppercut which gives me a jerk.
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I won't be comfortable spending that much money for an Indian made bat,specially considering the fact that I know nothing about the bat maker and his work.
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I won't be comfortable spending that much money for an Indian made bat,specially considering the fact that I know nothing about the bat maker and his work.
Had read about Ajit's delay issues but had heard good things about his bat/kit, just took a sort of small gamble which looks like hasn't gone too bad. I feel the bat would improve in play and looks like value for that kind of money. For sure my next bat would be English made from trusted guys. ;)
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At that price, it wouldn't be in the UK. Not so sure about Canada though.
Tim & Ryan, can I expect better stick from UK in 165 quids? I am keen on evaluating my options for next year, giving thoughts to Newbery, Salix, Aldred, Redback and Blackat. Is there something good at that price from M&H? My main criteria is performance, looks come second.
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is it just the pictures as the splice looks to be off centre compared to the spine of the bat?
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is it just the pictures as the splice looks to be off centre compared to the spine of the bat?
mate I think its due to the angle, was difficult holding bat with one hand and taking pics with another ;)
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That's what OS names it, custom unbranded. But I specified the profile & the weight I was looking for. He tried to sell me another bat (he had it ready for shipping) which was 2.9 and had around 15 straight grains (and absolute beauty to look at, better than my current one), but it was 2 ounces too light for me, I want a bat which feels something in my hand and hence I look for heavier ones. I currently use 1 one of my team mates bat which is similar profile with 3 Lbs in weight (atleast) which feels nice to my hands, except when I have to play uppercut which gives me a jerk.
The other bat that you are talkign about, was it from SS? :)...
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I could be wrong but looks more like a customised SS to me.
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It does look like the SS LE Gold but the handle does not look like a SS. My SS handle is a lot like a Laver and Wood handle.
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The other bat that you are talkign about, was it from SS? :)...
parthnayak the other bat was also a blank unnamed bat, the finish, no. of grains and looks were superb, this one comes equally close, willow is really great quality.
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I could be wrong but looks more like a customised SS to me.
Palmist not sure of Customised SS but looking at pics of all the bats he showed I believe his custom unbranded bats come most probably from SS factory.
imperivm the handle is not the best but looks similar to some of the SS round handles, was very thin round handle. The slight difference in the shape is due to 3 applied grips.
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sorry should have been clearer, when I said customised SS, I meant tweaked SS.