Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => Aldred Cricket Bats => Topic started by: Aldred Cricket Bats on December 03, 2013, 02:00:32 PM
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Ok as promised the first of some butterfly bats handled and pressed and I am seriously impressed with the feel of them unbelievable to be honest.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8742651652737d88f594dcd59fe43648_zps4e7e4198.jpg)
If you like the looks of any let me know.
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If I were in the market for another new bat (:(:( I have more than I can use...) this is what I would be buying, in fact the one on the right to be precise, or maybe the one in the middle!!
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Are they priced the same as the normal bats? Love a bat with character, and its like they say, ugly girls are good in bed.
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The one in the middle is so tempting!!! I may need to start shifting a few bats to fund one of these beauties!!
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http://youtu.be/-d9HFY6ZbR8 (http://youtu.be/-d9HFY6ZbR8)
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Just email me if this has sparked you up into going for a butterfly aldred173@btinternet.com
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Oh oh oh oh, look at those beauties :D
Please do the one in the middle 2lb7! ;)
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Will get one shaped up tomorrow so you can see the finished product then it will go up for grabs
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You seem to be trying to stop yourself smiling on the vid! Like everyone else I think the middle one looks good.
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I'm always smiling when I'm making bats especially when they feel like that
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Will get one shaped up tomorrow so you can see the finished product then it will go up for grabs
Can I PM you my request Paul?? :D
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3-4 gone chaps sorry but don't worry because having been handling a few up I reckon there will be a load of light ones so 'Don't panic'!
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These look like beauts, cant wait to see them finished. This could be a new bat for the year.
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Can't wait to see the finished items... Given the apparent impending shortage of multi-grained willow (sounds like a breakfast cereal), think the utilisation of butterfly willow, especially at these prices and as well crafted and finished as Paul's clearly are, think they will prove a popular addition to any batsman's / bat lover's armory.
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They certainly sound sweet.... Pingalicious!!!!!!!!!
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None of the stuff I have read, including JS Wright's webpage, really convinces me that I can see a butterfly shape.
Perhaps, for my own reference, I should call it 'sausage stain' or something?
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None of the stuff I have read, including JS Wright's webpage, really convinces me that I can see a butterfly shape.
Perhaps, for my own reference, I should call it 'sausage stain' or something?
I'm kind of with you on the look of some of these butterfly willow although a team mate has a GM apex with 2 butterfly stains and the grains coming off the "body" make it look like a butterfly.
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I know what you mean but some do have the butterfly stain. Well here's the finished butterfly in the velocity shape as promised. 2-7 and its a real belter.
http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs (http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs)
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I know what you mean but some do have the butterfly stain. Well here's the finished butterfly in the velocity shape as promised. 2-7 and its a real belter.
[url]http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs[/url])
Is this bat available Paul?
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No this one was made for someone. That one at 3-6 is a beauty well to be honest they all are I can't choose between them it's just down to what weight you require and which bets fits the bill for it, just let me know
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Thanks, what is the middle position of the velocity?
I use an M&H Original High and the middle is pretty much spot on. It's about 8-14 inches from the toe.
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Wow 14" that's up just under the splice must be some bouncy tracks your on :D . These are just huge middles as the spine runs deep up the bat so whilst the spine starts low down the middle extends up the bat. Let's put it this way I played county cricket with bats with smaller middles than this has or any of our bats for that matter.
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Interesting read
2. The Sweet Spot
Every batter knows that there is a special spot on a bat where the shot feels best. It sometimes feels so good that there is almost no sensation at all that the bat hit the ball. It's the same with a baseball bat or a tennis racquet or a golf club, so there is nothing special in this respect about cricket bats. Two special points on a bat are good candidates for the sweet spot. Technically, they are known as the fundamental vibration node and the centre of percussion. The node point is concerned with bat vibrations. Most impact points on a bat will cause the whole bat to vibrate, including the handle. Those vibrations persist well after the ball has left the bat, and they tell you whether you hit the ball cleanly. The biggest vibrations result when the ball strikes the tip of the bat. However, there is a spot about 150 mm from the tip where an impact causes no vibrations at all. That is the node point. As the impact point moves closer to the node point, bat vibrations get weaker and the shot feels nicer.
An impact near the tip of a bat will generate bad vibrations and it will also cause the handle to jerk forwards (towards the bowler), pulling your hand and arm with it. An impact higher up, near the handle, will push the handle backwards towards the body. In both cases there is a certain amount of jarring that feels unpleasant. The result is a sudden shock to the arm in one direction rather than a back and forth vibration. There is an impact point between the tip and the handle where there is no sudden motion of the handle at all. That point is called the centre of percussion. However, recent measurements show that it is too close to the handle to qualify as the sweet spot that batters talk about.
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Wow 14" that's up just under the splice must be some bouncy tracks your on :D
I may have overestimated the height. That's what being sat at a desk at work will do to your memory!
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I always feel that a good bat is a good bat. The bulk of the wood needs to be in the key area of the blade. I used to to use the same shaped bats on county tracks as I did on club tracks sometimes I used heavier bats on club tracks certainly. If a lister cook gave a bat away everyone would be fighting over it even if it was a totally different shape to the ones they used and they would love it just because it is pressed beautifully and is a great bat.
I am a big believer that there is a lot of bull spoke about bats and that if the bat has a good big middle then that's the key. Shape becomes a personal thing and not many of the pros will get a choice of shapes they will be given some bats some will feel better than others and they will be the ones they favour. I was just sent power spots by gn and 175 by chase when I was playing two different shaped bats you couldn't wish for but I never had a bad one.
If you know a bat has a big middle it gives you extra confidence if you have confidence you feel in fine form. Cricket is 90% in the mind (http://)
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I always feel that a good bat is a good bat. The bulk of the wood needs to be in the key area of the blade. I used to to use the same shaped bats on county tracks as I did on club tracks sometimes I used heavier bats on club tracks certainly. If a lister cook gave a bat away everyone would be fighting over it even if it was a totally different shape to the ones they used and they would love it just because it is pressed beautifully and is a great bat.
I am a big believer that there is a lot of bull spoke about bats and that if the bat has a good big middle then that's the key. Shape becomes a personal thing and not many of the pros will get a choice of shapes they will be given some bats some will feel better than others and they will be the ones they favour. I was just sent power spots by gn and 175 by chase when I was playing two different shaped bats you couldn't wish for but I never had a bad one.
If you know a bat has a big middle it gives you extra confidence if you have confidence you feel in fine form. Cricket is 90% in the mind (http://)
Ha Ha - it's the other 10% that is giving me all the grief!
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That's the tough bit :D
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Praying I get a bonus at work, or my bet comes in this evening or something so I can get one of these
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Think positive
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I always feel that a good bat is a good bat. The bulk of the wood needs to be in the key area of the blade. I used to to use the same shaped bats on county tracks as I did on club tracks sometimes I used heavier bats on club tracks certainly. If a lister cook gave a bat away everyone would be fighting over it even if it was a totally different shape to the ones they used and they would love it just because it is pressed beautifully and is a great bat.
I am a big believer that there is a lot of bull spoke about bats and that if the bat has a good big middle then that's the key. Shape becomes a personal thing and not many of the pros will get a choice of shapes they will be given some bats some will feel better than others and they will be the ones they favour. I was just sent power spots by gn and 175 by chase when I was playing two different shaped bats you couldn't wish for but I never had a bad one.
If you know a bat has a big middle it gives you extra confidence if you have confidence you feel in fine form. Cricket is 90% in the mind (http://)
I couldn't agree more! For years now, I have used an Amplus and had myself convinced that I needed the high middle but I have recently bought a Screaming Cat which has a really full middle and it feels and hits just as well as my beloved Amplus. It took me a week or so to adjust to the Scat but the balance and ping is superb. When you get a new bat and the first drive is right out of the screws you instantly get that bond!
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Ok here's a couple of pics of the 2-7 Velocity butterfly that I made and was on the video. Very lucky individual the customer who has this.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/188be6c1fa1cf2dc606d21e931dce4ae_zps1a1e9c95.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/34834a54adc48e4d499afa17835904d1_zpsf5d01940.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/661c549528e8c573cbd05aea85b526c5_zpscf009b29.jpg)
Great buy these guys at £125.00
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That is farking massive for 2.7
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Kulli yes it is big for the weight there seem to be a few really light clefts in the butterfly stain bats. Heaviest out of the first 10 or so has been 3-10 in its raw state. I always feel with my bats that if you pic a cleft in its raw state in the right manner you get a nicer bat so for example the cleft for that bat was 3-4 in it raw state handled up, the finished product is 2-7. That was perfect as after it's bound gripped etc you add 3 oz with the materials I use. So to recap if you see a raw cleft on my thread that is 3-7 and you want a 2-10 bat that would be spot on.
Make sense?
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Just something else to add to that is that I am a big believer that you get more in your bat if you have it made up to weight undressed as when it is bound and gripped it improves the pick up and feel so you end up with a great feeling bat with more wood in it.
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I know what you mean but some do have the butterfly stain. Well here's the finished butterfly in the velocity shape as promised. 2-7 and its a real belter.
[url]http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/hHsSIYTzFvs[/url])
The ping on that one is is literally over the roof! :D...nice sound too...are butterfly stain bats usually hard pressed?
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Well they tend to be harder by nature so they take a touch longer to really get going but it's well worth the wait. :D
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Ok here's a couple of pics of the 2-7 Velocity butterfly that I made and was on the video. Very lucky individual the customer who has this.
Great buy these guys at £125.00
Didnt you say 225 in the videos or did I hear that wrong?
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£125 for the butterfly
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£125 for the butterfly
How much would the shipping to Canada be?
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How much would the shipping to Canada be?
Will check it out for you
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Will check it out for you
Thank You
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Here's another beauty going out to one of my local club players and it feels so good I can't tell you how good it feels
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/86fa9e3dae79e46432aa5fe2152831ce_zps1a40f73a.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/11d6c3e140e7faf36a3243dfec612624_zps7cbc7798.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/bbd33093fbca7a715360d78289c086b1_zps9f6050ca.jpg)
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Love those stickers!!!
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That 'Made by Humans' sticker is class !
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Another cracker, shame the main sticker covers up the large butterfly at the top.
Looks like a still shot from a bullet penetration demo :D
(http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Misc_Images/DocGKR/Handgun_gel_comparison.jpg)
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Having seen these stickers in the flesh on JB's bat they look a lot better in person!
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Glad you like toenails
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I need to get it knocked in so we can test it out in the nets on the 22nd!!!
Tony is right, the stickers look even better when you see them and I was a fan of them in the photos!!
The finishing is outstanding Paul, taps up lovely with a ball!! Thanks
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Here's another beauty off out on Monday 2-9
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/2a5ad42a8718bf8fc03594996f792e1c_zps57648eb0.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/ab31e1c09cad71dbedccd072f0d77762_zps8b338528.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/ee3fa2275a89c3d511cd09fa63ed8ef8_zpsb58b7183.jpg)
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I need to get it knocked in so we can test it out in the nets on the 22nd!!!
Tony is right, the stickers look even better when you see them and I was a fan of them in the photos!!
The finishing is outstanding Paul, taps up lovely with a ball!! Thanks
Glad you like jb packed as many runs as I could fit into it so don't waste them all in the nets. No good being a net player be a middle player.
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I need to get it knocked in so we can test it out in the nets on the 22nd!!!
Tony is right, the stickers look even better when you see them and I was a fan of them in the photos!!
The finishing is outstanding Paul, taps up lovely with a ball!! Thanks
Yeah Jon, I'm getting my python knocked in some more and might be able to have a sly use of my new bat for Christmas so there's plenty of bats for us to use!
Really like the profile on your aldred, has loads of wood in the driving area! Then again the way you were smashing the ball with the kudos so does that!
Only critic I had with the aldred is that it wasn't as nice and soft as your H4L so maybe that could be a thing for the future Paul?
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I think that unless you are an expert (which I am not) it's a bit hard to assess pressing. I bounced a few ball up and down on my Supreme and thought it was quite soft pressed as seam marks were easily visible. However, another guy gave it a few taps with a mallet and pronounced it to be fairly hard pressed in his opinion. - I still think it's quite soft.
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Ahh pressing. Well if you under press will feel good allow for thick edges but will have a chance of breaking up quicker. Harder pressed will take a tad more knocking in but will open up. Tough one isn't it as professionals get free bats so doesn't matter too much to them if it breaks customers don't want to keep breaking bats and also as a bat maker if you kept getting bats back that break you won't be in business very long and the butterfly bats are a bit harder naturally
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Ahh pressing. Well if you under press will feel good allow for thick edges but will have a chance of breaking up quicker. Harder pressed will take a tad more knocking in but will open up. Tough one isn't it as professionals get free bats so doesn't matter too much to them if it breaks customers don't want to keep breaking bats and also as a bat maker if you kept getting bats back that break you won't be in business very long and the butterfly bats are a bit harder naturally
Yeah I completely agree, I've used hard pressed bats in the past that have turned to rockets after a season; but I just love the soft sound they make like a trampoline. It wasn't pressed like a rock, to be honest just pressed like my Salix when I first got it but personally I like a softer blade...I loved the profile though Paul so never know you may get a message for a G3/Butterfly model!
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Can these be ordered with slight differences to the face and toe?
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What do you mean by differences to the face and toe.
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What do you mean by differences to the face and toe.
After studying the photos I retract my comment regarding the face (as it is flat enough) but as for the toe I was thinking square. :)
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You can have a square toe without a problem I'm not a fan of square toes but if that's how you like them no problem.
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Me a bit thick.
Can someone explain why a harder pressed bat takes longer to open up yet a bat with more grains (and less sap wood which is naturally harder I believe) or a butterfly stain is supposed to go from the off?
Have I misunderstood or am I missing something?
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Me a bit thick.
Can someone explain why a harder pressed bat takes longer to open up yet a bat with more grains (and less sap wood which is naturally harder I believe) or a butterfly stain is supposed to go from the off?
Have I misunderstood or am I missing something?
Butterfly will supposedly take a while to get going, like a harder pressed bat. I wouldn't want to attempt to give definitive answers on this subject, though.
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Me a bit thick.
Can someone explain why a harder pressed bat takes longer to open up yet a bat with more grains (and less sap wood which is naturally harder I believe) or a butterfly stain is supposed to go from the off?
Have I misunderstood or am I missing something?
Do not deign to understand the true meaning of the universe, be thankful for the given bounty that is willow and leather. ;)
Okay I admit, I don't really know either.
Maybe a harder pressed bat needs a longer shake down time to relieve the extra stress it's been put under. I think it's a fine line with pressing, from being under pressed to over pressed to being one for the bin. Every cleft is different and it takes a master craft-mans' skill and knowledge to get it as right as possible but even they get it wrong occasionally.
From my experience, a softer press will need more knocking in to bring the ping up to it's best but will go from the off. Heartwood, butterfly, tight grains and knots/blemishes are harder wood and need less knocking in but maybe need more time to loosen up to become springy.
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Well they tend to be harder by nature so they take a touch longer to really get going but it's well worth the wait. :D
Hi Paul,
Firstly, I'm very interested in what you're trying to achieve here with a different mindset of what makes a good bat (your point about being conditioned to hunt pure sapwood rings true) and the looks of the final products. Unbelievable value for money at £125!
Just wondering, do you think that the general properties of this willow that you have identified in this thread (harder, more resilent and lighter) lead to it being suited to a particular style or type of bat?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
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Mtown good question, I certainly don't profess to know all the science behind willow and everything that goes with it as I know many of the other bat makers seem to be able to talk about. All my knowledge is purely through experience, that experience is gained from years of playing cricket my knowledge of basic construction of which I learnt as my trade before I played cricket for a living and everything that I have learnt from making and learning the art of cricket bat making over the last 10 years of learning about it. I don't scrutinise what I do too much as I know what I am doing works as an old bat maker once told me and a guy I did my apprenticeship under when I left school, if it ain't broke don't fix it. So my view is basically that no specific willow is suited more to one certain style of play, a cleft that is naturally lighter will allow you to have more bulk in the bat for its weight. My personal view is that there has been a lot of hype about big bats, well when I was playing we had the older shaped bat even bats at 2-12/3lb didn't have huge amounts of wood in them compared to what we have today. I don't know if the willow had a higher moisture content but the bats didn't have the scooping out the back of the bat to allow for the bats to have huge edges they were full backs and thin parallel edges. Now players in first class cricket don't hit the ball any further than they did then but there was always a freak who was going to hit the ball out the ground just like there are now and they didn't bring the boundaries in then they kept big playing areas as there was no 20/20 game to try and bring excitement purely for boundaries.
So butterfly willow is just something that was such a popular buy when I was trying to get into cricket in the 90s as it was a fantastic performing blade but didn't cost as much as the top grade 1 bats and as a young man playing more cricket as an amateur than a professional I had to get what I could afford and they lasted pretty well too, but I have to say they weren't the cheapest of bats then that's for sure but a good compromise. Now over the last 15 years or so the trend has gone to pure white faces with nice perfect straight grains, which has got to the point that companies are selling lesser quality willow and having printed grains put on a sheet to cover the face of the bat to make it look perfect and whilst not selling at a premium price will sell at not far off what we charge for our top end bats. All because people are worried about the looks. Now a great quote from an old friend of mine who is no longer with us god bless him was about a bat he had which was a real ugly thing but I went like stink and he said, " I look at my bat like a good night at a night club, never rule out the fat lass as they try harder to please" now once I got back up off the floor from laughing and looked at what he said he was right, it's down to how the bat performs and how you learn how to work with it. As I have said before amateur players look at where the middles placed the shape the pick up its dead weight etc and then after all that think about the performance. As bog standard professional you get a couple of bats sent at the weight or around the weight you want you don't get given a particular choice of shapes you get what they want you to use especially as a young professional and as long as the bats are performing they don't mind and I have seen players score consistent runs in 1st class cricket with just ordinary looking bats by what you tend to look at in the shops, and that was before central contracts came in so against the Ambrose Walsh Donald etc .
My experience from being a professional suggests to me that it doesn't matter what you buy you need to get to know your bat, you need to spend time hitting balls with it with throw downs just pinging a ball up and down on the bat on your own just having the bat in hand so you get to know the true natures of its balance and feel and grow with it. You don't just get it and expect it to score runs for you its your paying partner and you are the one that takes control of it. You can swap and change all you want but at the end of the day your responsible for the shots played and selected. A bad workman always blames his tools. I'm not saying that you should use a bad bat because a bad bat is no use whatsoever as it saps confidence from you but people are all too ready to blame the bat or anything else for that matter for them not getting runs. As a bat maker I now don't try and pander to fashions I am just looking to deliver what we used to use as professionals and not go with fads, gimmicks and fashions. The way a cricket bat works has been good for hundreds of years and there is no reason to think that we should know any better that the master craftsmen 80 years ago science or no science there are only so many ways you can shape a piece of willow and only a few ways of pressing them. Every piece of willow has its own different properties that's why hand making is so good as you can make we each bat to suit that particular cleft machines are great as they churn out bat after bat exactly the same shape not mistake but a machine can't read the willow it reads a programme.
I am a traditionalist and love making bats the way I do by hand and would do it as a hobby just as I would have with cricket as I love it just as much and I truly believe that it takes a lot of hard work to do anything properly and nothing is instant and that is the way I operate as a business I will do things methodically and slowly to build the best business and the best products possible and intend to do so for many years to come and it's not about the money it's a way of life. I have no investors so it's all down to me so I am the only one to blame if anything goes wrong and likewise I haven't got to pander to others to satisfy their monetary needs, I've got enough of that with my mrs.
Ok so it ended up a bit of a waffle I apologise but we can talk for days about the virtues of this that and the other but at the end of the day a good bat is a good bat whoever has made it, but don't be blinded by all the rubbish talked about bats and willow, if you have ugly Betty in your hand and its scores you runs stick with her.
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Is that butterfly stain on the Blueroom Bompara LE picture, Paul?
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Sorry whats the blue room
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http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=26695.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=26695.0)
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Yes sorry got it rob packs room. No that's just a nice cleft with a natural growth mark in it. A butterfly stain is a definitive stain that is dark like heartwood and spans from a central smaller mark. These vary in size and shape.
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Thanks.
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Mtown good question, I certainly don't profess to know all the science behind willow and everything that goes with it as I know many of the other bat makers seem to be able to talk about. All my knowledge is purely through experience, that experience is gained from years of playing cricket my knowledge of basic construction of which I learnt as my trade before I played cricket for a living and everything that I have learnt from making and learning the art of cricket bat making over the last 10 years of learning about it. I don't scrutinise what I do too much as I know what I am doing works as an old bat maker once told me and a guy I did my apprenticeship under when I left school, if it ain't broke don't fix it. So my view is basically that no specific willow is suited more to one certain style of play, a cleft that is naturally lighter will allow you to have more bulk in the bat for its weight. My personal view is that there has been a lot of hype about big bats, well when I was playing we had the older shaped bat even bats at 2-12/3lb didn't have huge amounts of wood in them compared to what we have today. I don't know if the willow had a higher moisture content but the bats didn't have the scooping out the back of the bat to allow for the bats to have huge edges they were full backs and thin parallel edges. Now players in first class cricket don't hit the ball any further than they did then but there was always a freak who was going to hit the ball out the ground just like there are now and they didn't bring the boundaries in then they kept big playing areas as there was no 20/20 game to try and bring excitement purely for boundaries.
So butterfly willow is just something that was such a popular buy when I was trying to get into cricket in the 90s as it was a fantastic performing blade but didn't cost as much as the top grade 1 bats and as a young man playing more cricket as an amateur than a professional I had to get what I could afford and they lasted pretty well too, but I have to say they weren't the cheapest of bats then that's for sure but a good compromise. Now over the last 15 years or so the trend has gone to pure white faces with nice perfect straight grains, which has got to the point that companies are selling lesser quality willow and having printed grains put on a sheet to cover the face of the bat to make it look perfect and whilst not selling at a premium price will sell at not far off what we charge for our top end bats. All because people are worried about the looks. Now a great quote from an old friend of mine who is no longer with us god bless him was about a bat he had which was a real ugly thing but I went like stink and he said, " I look at my bat like a good night at a night club, never rule out the fat lass as they try harder to please" now once I got back up off the floor from laughing and looked at what he said he was right, it's down to how the bat performs and how you learn how to work with it. As I have said before amateur players look at where the middles placed the shape the pick up its dead weight etc and then after all that think about the performance. As bog standard professional you get a couple of bats sent at the weight or around the weight you want you don't get given a particular choice of shapes you get what they want you to use especially as a young professional and as long as the bats are performing they don't mind and I have seen players score consistent runs in 1st class cricket with just ordinary looking bats by what you tend to look at in the shops, and that was before central contracts came in so against the Ambrose Walsh Donald etc .
My experience from being a professional suggests to me that it doesn't matter what you buy you need to get to know your bat, you need to spend time hitting balls with it with throw downs just pinging a ball up and down on the bat on your own just having the bat in hand so you get to know the true natures of its balance and feel and grow with it. You don't just get it and expect it to score runs for you its your paying partner and you are the one that takes control of it. You can swap and change all you want but at the end of the day your responsible for the shots played and selected. A bad workman always blames his tools. I'm not saying that you should use a bad bat because a bad bat is no use whatsoever as it saps confidence from you but people are all too ready to blame the bat or anything else for that matter for them not getting runs. As a bat maker I now don't try and pander to fashions I am just looking to deliver what we used to use as professionals and not go with fads, gimmicks and fashions. The way a cricket bat works has been good for hundreds of years and there is no reason to think that we should know any better that the master craftsmen 80 years ago science or no science there are only so many ways you can shape a piece of willow and only a few ways of pressing them. Every piece of willow has its own different properties that's why hand making is so good as you can make we each bat to suit that particular cleft machines are great as they churn out bat after bat exactly the same shape not mistake but a machine can't read the willow it reads a programme.
I am a traditionalist and love making bats the way I do by hand and would do it as a hobby just as I would have with cricket as I love it just as much and I truly believe that it takes a lot of hard work to do anything properly and nothing is instant and that is the way I operate as a business I will do things methodically and slowly to build the best business and the best products possible and intend to do so for many years to come and it's not about the money it's a way of life. I have no investors so it's all down to me so I am the only one to blame if anything goes wrong and likewise I haven't got to pander to others to satisfy their monetary needs, I've got enough of that with my mrs.
Ok so it ended up a bit of a waffle I apologise but we can talk for days about the virtues of this that and the other but at the end of the day a good bat is a good bat whoever has made it, but don't be blinded by all the rubbish talked about bats and willow, if you have ugly Betty in your hand and its scores you runs stick with her.
Paul, that's the most comprehensive and fun to read reply I think I've ever read. I like your honesty, and think that your views on owning/buying a bat are very mature and totally against the idea of self-promotion that some would jump at the chance to do - the idea of having one bat and using it/finding out its nuances/giving it enough time to perform properly is completely alien to quite a few people on here who seem to go through bats like wildfire.
I've learned a valuable lesson on here that constantly buying bats in the belief they have the answer to bad technique or patience is not the answer. The value I place on my current bat (one of two I own) has increased loads and the more I play with it the more I get an affinity with it.
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Thanks for such a considered, humorous and personal reply Paul. I agree with all of the above and love your style of throwing all of your thoughts down on the page.
I had in mind that the properties might have suited a slogger's/'t20' bat, allowing plenty of wood for the weight but resilient enough to endure a few hefty mis-hits but that doesn't really fit in with your policy of sticking with the basics of what works I guess
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Hefty blows and mis-hits. Hmmmm well we all have those don't we but I must say there are cultured mis-hits and there are the true agricultural mis-hits. What I have seen over the years and particularly now people have developed the misconception of how you can hit the ball since 20/20 has come in that people tend to blow the toes and lower inside edges on bats purely because they are trying to hit Yorker length balls into next week. It doesn't really matter what wood you use at some point it's going to break, its wood. You don't see pros trying to launch these out the ground you see them running them and just blocking them. A Yorker is a Yorker in anyone's money and is not a ball that's there to be launched over the boundary. The heavier the bat the more chance you have of it staying in tact as it has more bulk in it. A big light bat may not have the strength because its dryer hence not at strong.
My own selling point of view is that when I sell a bat to someone I don't expect to see them back for at least two years apart from to give it a clean up. Unless they are playing a hell of a lot of cricket, but let's make it clear that theory for me runs to good cricketers as I have found that lower standard players do have a tendency to break the toes and inside edges more through the type of shots they play. But then again if they are particularly poor the bat might last a lifetime. ;)
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Mightily impressed both with your bats, and your refreshing philosophy regarding bat making
I have this forum to thank for highlighting your company and products, as I'd never heard of them before
I will be in touch to place an order in the new year,,,
Thank you for posting the pics and look forward to positive reviews that will hopefully follow
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Thanks northern for your kind words. I have tried to look at it in the same way as I did with my cricket to be fair. I played cricket to see where I could go with it as my personal drive, but that all stemmed from the fact that I loved the game and striving to achieve was the thing that kept me going and the thought of playing alongside people I worshipped was a huge thought in the back of my mind and I still felt like that when I became professional. I look at making bats in the same way. I love doing it. I have found a love for a career that I had when I was playing and my drive beyond that is to quietly and honestly go about my job in the way that I can do it best and if further success comes of it all the better. I will give it my heart and soul and carry on enjoying it. I started the business with absolutely nothing and will just keep trying to move it forward in the best way I can and just as I do with my coaching I will try and share my experiences and knowledge as much as I can as I had one or two people do the same for me when I started in both careers.
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It's fairly obvious from the pictures of the bats,,that you have indeed applied this to the production of your bats..
It's a shame that over the last twenty years or so,,,,the quality and performance of certain high end bat producers has been a joke,,,,,
I'm not sure if that's down to a lack of decent willow? Or that manufacturers think we, as consumers will continue to buy sub standard products at over inflated prices, just because of clever marketing? My sons friend has just bought a M&H Amplus @ £400 just on the back of all out crickets review!!!!
But I think the more reviews and posts of companies like yours the better for all..
At the end of the day,,,we just want to smack seven bells out of the opposition bowling, with the best bit of willow we can afford
And from what you have said,,you love the game as much as we do,,,,,which in turn, means you understand what, we as consumers need out of a cricket bat
Kind regards
Mark
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I really enjoyed reading the very thorough and entertaining post you wrote Paul, I haven't quoted the entire piece as it takes up a lot of space.
I agree with huge amounts of what you wrote, the one bit I disagree with and would be interested to hear your thoughts, and other thoughts on is the bit I have copied below.
As a bat maker I now don't try and pander to fashions I am just looking to deliver what we used to use as professionals and not go with fads, gimmicks and fashions. The way a cricket bat works has been good for hundreds of years and there is no reason to think that we should know any better that the master craftsmen 80 years ago science or no science there are only so many ways you can shape a piece of willow and only a few ways of pressing them.
I'm a big believer in embracing technology and using it to its fullest, and a believer that just because it was good 20, 30, 40 or even 80 years ago it doesn't for one moment mean it is of any relevance today.
The point of reference for me is always the people who use the equipment to make a living. I don't see any of the players on the international scene or the county scene for that matter using bats that have any resemblance to the bats used even 10 years ago. They use modern bats with all the gimmicks and fads because they are better than they were, if they were not they would not use them.
The same can be applied to golf and tennis, there are no professionals using wooden headed drivers or wooden tennis racquets because their job is to perform at the best of their abilities and only the most modern of equipment will allow them to do that.
Tradition in any sport is important as it keeps the soul of that sport centred, but I don't believe it has any place to play in the equipment that is used other than the parameters in size and materials used it sets out in the laws.
As I said, I really enjoyed and agreed with most of what you wrote, I just don't think tradition has much relevance in the design of modern sports equipment and don't think that progress should be dismissed as a fad or a gimmick.
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I personally think,,that to some extent,,,bats will return to a more traditional shape,,ie no stupid edges,,,which to me,,as far as fads go,,,,is ridiculous ...
To embrace new technology and design thinking etc is one thing,,,but a cricket bat is restricted by the laws that have applied for many years...
If I'm honest,,,I can't hit the ball further with my Affinity spectre,,than I could 25 yrs ago with my DF magnum or GN dynadrive..
I still think a properly pressed and shaped bat,,at a weight we can comfortably play shots with,,,,is where it's at?
Maybe I'm just getting old?,,,,,but then, I was my clubs leading run scorer,this season,,so what do I know!ha
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Stevo I agree the golfers and tennis players aren't using wooden drivers or tennis players aren't using wooden rackets. The main difference is that we are only allowed to use wood. There's only so many ways you can adapt the wood. The only other thing is the handle and at first class level we can't use man made materials we are restricted by the laws to what we can use. So whilst we are held to working within the parameters of the laws the only things we can work on really are shape and pressing and new formats of handle within the letter of the law. How many top players do you see using the long handled short blade bats or even double sided bats. One or two gave them a go but in return for lots of money.
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Good point about the materials re golf and tennis.
I guess my point is that people are often too quick to dismiss modern design and become nostalgic about tradition when everything points to modern design being better. When I see a bloke who is paid to play the game use a bat that is an exact replica of one used 20 or 30 years I may change my mind.
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It's just that I haven't seen anyone hit it any further than botham Richards hick moody gilchrist etc with huge bats recently
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Totally agree, but they were exceptional cricketers.
The big modern bats allow more players to hit it a similar distance to those guys than in the past. Now, strength and conditioning of today's cricketer plays a big part in the hitting of a ball a long way, I just believe that the design of those bats has far more to do with it.
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I personally think,,that to some extent,,,bats will return to a more traditional shape,,ie no stupid edges,,,which to me,,as far as fads go,,,,is ridiculous ...
To embrace new technology and design thinking etc is one thing,,,but a cricket bat is restricted by the laws that have applied for many years...
If I'm honest,,,I can't hit the ball further with my Affinity spectre,,than I could 25 yrs ago with my DF magnum or GN dynadrive..
I still think a properly pressed and shaped bat,,at a weight we can comfortably play shots with,,,,is where it's at?
Maybe I'm just getting old?,,,,,but then, I was my clubs leading run scorer,this season,,so what do I know!ha
I agree - after all, years ago people were hitting it miles with V12s, Jumbos and Magnums. Just get a bit of meat behind the middle!
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Totally agree, but they were exceptional cricketers.
The big modern bats allow more players to hit it a similar distance to those guys than in the past. Now, strength and conditioning of today's cricketer plays a big part in the hitting of a ball a long way, I just believe that the design of those bats has far more to do with it.
I'm going to say it before someone else does - the reason these guys can hit the ball so we'll is because it's what they do for a living, and as you said they have strength and conditioning work to aid this.
What part of the bat do they use. The middle
How big is the middle: the height if the spine, which is dictated by the cleft
Are clefts any bigger than they used to be: discounting oversized ones, no
So could these blokes hit it as far with a traditional bat: Yes
Why do they have big edges then: marketing
Your average Joe doesn't middle everything, so having more wood on the edge would boost his confidence. Also note we on this forum have far more knowledge than the guy who buys a bat because he wasn't a a red one etc.
In short I'm saying big edges are a fad, and the pros use them because they get free kit. Big edges are aimed at village players who enjoy a game of cricket once a week, but because that's what the public want the pro's have to endorse such products.
If KP used a bat with next to no edge and a huge, non concaved spine I know what all the colts would suddenly be using.
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What a load of rubbish Cameron, I middle everything! ;)
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What a load of rubbish Cameron, I middle everything! ;)
I said your average Joe doesn't middle everything, I never mentioned James' batting ability ;)
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I think a lot of it comes down to the choice available nowadays with the plethora of designs available. Back in the day even if you went for what would now be the bespoke option from one of the big names the options that you got were pretty basic - handle length and what weight, though you did get personalised stickers. There was none of this 'where would you like the middle?' malarkey. You got what you were given. OK the brands had their flagship designs and shapes, but I would imagine that if you went to Duncan Fearnley and asked them to produce you a Magnum in the SS Jumbo shape they would have told you to go to SS.
Ah, life was simpler then! :D
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It's just that I haven't seen anyone hit it any further than botham Richards hick moody gilchrist etc with huge bats recently
Paul, that's very true. I was talking with a mate during the lunch break during the waca test just gone. We've both been to atleast 1 day of the perth test ever since we were 5 or 6, we're both 40 now..... the 3 hardest hit shots ive ever seen were struck by; viv, robin smith and andrew symonds. Interestingly 2 of those were 4's and symonds orthodox off drive (shield match) was fielded by a mid off 2/3 the way to the fence, the fielder then ran off the ground with broken fingers, serious striker symonds. So obviously ive seen balls go further, but not as far as I can remember were any actually travelling as fast as the 3 I mention above.
However, what does strike me as evidence of the superiority of the 'modern bat' is that mishits now clear the ropes. How many times now do you see blokes clear the ropes and when the camera goes back to the batsman, he's inspecting the toe of his bat in disgust! Also seems some not overly large blokes that dont really hit it that well clear the pickets easily (bailey).
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This is quickly beginning to be my favorite thread on the forum! Paul's posts are a delight to read!! It has already tempted me into getting myself an Aldred Butterfly this season. I am someone who normally sticks to having one bat in the season so you can imagine how good the posts here are!! :D
Paul - Just wondering, is it possible to get a Butterfly with a customized specs?
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Mo town what are you thinking exactly just mail me and I will try and give you some answers
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I would imagine it's good for custom bat makers that they are restricted to wood.
If they could use man made materials then bats would be made by GM, GN, Kook, Nike Reebok.
With wood even the top bat makers are restricted to the quality of the cleft and the skill of the bat maker.
If they could make them out of carbon fibre would brands such as Aldred, H4L, Bulldog etc be able to start up/exist?
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Mo town what are you thinking exactly just mail me and I will try and give you some answers
Sure will do Paul. Thanks.
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I would imagine it's good for custom bat makers that they are restricted to wood.
If they could use man made materials then bats would be made by GM, GN, Kook, Nike Reebok.
With wood even the top bat makers are restricted to the quality of the cleft and the skill of the bat maker.
If they could make them out of carbon fibre would brands such as Aldred, H4L, Bulldog etc be able to start up/exist?
I can't see why not. It's just a different skill set. Look at what Ayrtek have done with helmets for example.
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Paul, that's very true. I was talking with a mate during the lunch break during the waca test just gone. We've both been to atleast 1 day of the perth test ever since we were 5 or 6, we're both 40 now..... the 3 hardest hit shots ive ever seen were struck by; viv, robin smith and andrew symonds. Interestingly 2 of those were 4's and symonds orthodox off drive (shield match) was fielded by a mid off 2/3 the way to the fence, the fielder then ran off the ground with broken fingers, serious striker symonds. So obviously ive seen balls go further, but not as far as I can remember were any actually travelling as fast as the 3 I mention above.
However, what does strike me as evidence of the superiority of the 'modern bat' is that mishits now clear the ropes. How many times now do you see blokes clear the ropes and when the camera goes back to the batsman, he's inspecting the toe of his bat in disgust! Also seems some not overly large blokes that dont really hit it that well clear the pickets easily (bailey).
Well I used to be a specialist point fielder and to robin smith you used to drop 10 yards further back. People do clear the boundaries I agree but they always have. I can remember two players that I thought I had done with the slower ball and lulled them into the trap with my men out ready and as I shouted catch it I turned to see it land in the stands Neil smith Warwickshire and Chris cairns New Zealand. At the end of the day they have got enough middle on it to make the difference. If you hit one towards the edge all that happens is that the bat naturally twists in the hand so you don't make the full contact but if it near enough to the main middle area of the bat your grip, swing path and swing speed group together to give the ball the momentum it needs to travel to the boundary. From a coaches point of view you can swing as hard as you want but if your technique isn't there the percentages of hitting the ball a long way are very slim. If your technique is good the percentages of hitting the ball consistently and distance are a lot higher with less effort. Combine this with strength and conditioning you are onto a winner. Why are professionals so good? Because they do the simple things really well and that then allows them to develop and evolve their finer skills.
I come across many players in league cricket that can hit it miles as far as any county player but can they do it consistently? No they can't as they don't have the basics behind them to do it no matter how big their bat is but they live by the idea that they can hit it a long way, but how often. I can't hit it a long way, but I can hit the boundary and I find it harder to hit further against club bowlers with no pace as you have to hit it. County players use the pace of the ball even the spin bowlers have pace at that level someone like kumble was played like a seamer and in fact he bowled at 70 mph at times. The best make it look easy because of technique and could score runs with boycotts stick of rhubarb the bat is just the icing on the cake which when middles makes it harder for boycotts mum to catch it in her pinnie :D
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I can't see why not. It's just a different skill set. Look at what Ayrtek have done with helmets for example.
I reckon the outlay for the development and machinery for it would blow small companies away. I have seen the research at Loughborough that goes into golf clubs and its millions of pounds. The cost of research is incredible and they employ scientists to to it for them. I am no scientist and I certainly couldn't afford to employ one. Then you would have patents and copyrights of the materials used on top of all that.
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Well I used to be a specialist point fielder and to robin smith you used to drop 10 yards further back. People do clear the boundaries I agree but they always have. I can remember two players that I thought I had done with the slower ball and lulled them into the trap with my men out ready and as I shouted catch it I turned to see it land in the stands Neil smith Warwickshire and Chris cairns New Zealand. At the end of the day they have got enough middle on it to make the difference. If you hit one towards the edge all that happens is that the bat naturally twists in the hand so you don't make the full contact but if it near enough to the main middle area of the bat your grip, swing path and swing speed group together to give the ball the momentum it needs to travel to the boundary. From a coaches point of view you can swing as hard as you want but if your technique isn't there the percentages of hitting the ball a long way are very slim. If your technique is good the percentages of hitting the ball consistently and distance are a lot higher with less effort. Combine this with strength and conditioning you are onto a winner. Why are professionals so good? Because they do the simple things really well and that then allows them to develop and evolve their finer skills.
I come across many players in league cricket that can hit it miles as far as any county player but can they do it consistently? No they can't as they don't have the basics behind them to do it no matter how big their bat is but they live by the idea that they can hit it a long way, but how often. I can't hit it a long way, but I can hit the boundary and I find it harder to hit further against club bowlers with no pace as you have to hit it. County players use the pace of the ball even the spin bowlers have pace at that level someone like kumble was played like a seamer and in fact he bowled at 70 mph at times. The best make it look easy because of technique and could score runs with boycotts stick of rhubarb the bat is just the icing on the cake which when middles makes it harder for boycotts mum to catch it in her pinnie :D
I remember a work colleague who accidentally got roped into a league game way above his level. He had a torrid time at the crease and told me: 'I was facing a spinner and when he hit me on the pads IT HURT!'
In similar vein some very good club cricketers I knew played in a benefit game with some of your old county guys (before your time) the top five all had a number of centuries to their names and one guy was coming in on the back of a 178 NO. They couldn't put bat to ball and Derbyshire had to bring John Wright on to bowl to give them a chance - and he took a 'fifer'.
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Yes i find it difficult when I bowl in league cricket as the majority of batters get the ball to unusual areas compared to what I spent a career getting used to. Also in the league you generally get away with playing with your pad whereas in county cricket if you play with you pad you are given out. In fact umpires in second eleven would tell you down the wicket," we here to use the bat sunshine use your pad and your gone". But then In league cricket they won't give the lbw and then out the blue they will give someone and it will be a howler.
I always say to people although county cricket is played the same as club cricket it is a totally different game in the way it is executed. People used to get cocky to me and reckon they could have a go at county level because they had seen me off or not got out to me but I always said to them fair enough well played but if it was in county cricket you would have had to see off Devon Malcolm Phillip defreitas dominic cork before I even get chance to bowl. That brings a whole new outlook to it the game it's not just one decent bowler in the team.
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Paul, I meant to ask earlier in this thread, can you say why the clefts in the op are handled at the ends that they are? Given the butterfly is a cosmetic issue only, wouldn't putting the handle at the other end have minimised the visual impact of the stain on the playing face of the bats? Interested to know.
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Paul, I meant to ask earlier in this thread, can you say why the clefts in the op are handled at the ends that they are? Given the butterfly is a cosmetic issue only, wouldn't putting the handle at the other end have minimised the visual impact of the stain on the playing face of the bats? Interested to know.
I believe areas with the butterfly stains are meant to be harder and the ball flies off it.
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Yes the stain does tend to be a little harder also you are governed or I certainly am the way I do it by the way the grain runs through the toe of the bat.
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Yes i find it difficult when I bowl in league cricket as the majority of batters get the ball to unusual areas compared to what I spent a career getting used to. Also in the league you generally get away with playing with your pad whereas in county cricket if you play with you pad you are given out. In fact umpires in second eleven would tell you down the wicket," we here to use the bat sunshine use your pad and your gone". But then In league cricket they won't give the lbw and then out the blue they will give someone and it will be a howler.
I always say to people although county cricket is played the same as club cricket it is a totally different game in the way it is executed. People used to get cocky to me and reckon they could have a go at county level because they had seen me off or not got out to me but I always said to them fair enough well played but if it was in county cricket you would have had to see off Devon Malcolm Phillip defreitas dominic cork before I even get chance to bowl. That brings a whole new outlook to it the game it's not just one decent bowler in the team.
The player most effective in a club match will not always be the one best suited to stepping up a level.
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Yes the stain does tend to be a little harder also you are governed or I certainly am the way I do it by the way the grain runs through the toe of the bat.
the straighter it runs through the toe the less likely it is to split along a grain than if the grain goes off at angle?
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The player most effective in a club match will not always be the one best suited to stepping up a level.
So True...there are lot of bullies at the club level who fail to perform when they are made to go up a level.
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boycotts stick of rhubarb
Actually a 2lb 6. Never more than 6 grains. Never oiled. I know, he said.
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Actually a 2lb 6. Never more than 6 grains. Never oiled. I know, he said.
It gave him "good techniiiiiiiqqueee"
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So True...there are lot of bullies at the club level who fail to perform when they are made to go up a level.
There are also a lot of 'good technique' players who look good but also fail to live upto it but still get a gig as they 'look the part'.. as well as can't hack it when they move up. It's all a balance, if it weren't you would have every member of the test squad looking and playing the same. some ugly players might well play far better at a higher level than lower because the ball comes on more, wickets are better etc etc.
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The player most effective in a club match will not always be the one best suited to stepping up a level.
Say that to the Adelaide strikers bowlers, as they watched a clubbie smash 101 of 39 balls against them today,
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There are also a lot of 'good technique' players who look good but also fail to live upto it but still get a gig as they 'look the part'.. as well as can't hack it when they move up. It's all a balance, if it weren't you would have every member of the test squad looking and playing the same. some ugly players might well play far better at a higher level than lower because the ball comes on more, wickets are better etc etc.
No, technique is more more important the higher you go up. Good technique doesn't mean same technique.
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So your saying you don't get sloggers higher up? Absolute crap in my opinion, I've seen plenty of sloggers in northants prem/div 1 and in WEPL now. They are just slightly better sloggers than lower down, better eye/reaction.
A good batsmen will score runs no matter what league they are in. Pollard is a slogger, Sammy etc all are top pros.
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Nice to see you've started a craze, Paul. Laver now offering Butterfly customs for £250!!
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Nice to see you've started a craze, Paul. Laver now offering Butterfly customs for £250!!
Hmmmm think I better put my prices up, what do reckon chaps
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Another way of increasing profit-margins, I've heard. ;)
Yes that's a way I suppose, trouble is I am not in it for that I don't want to have to rely on anybody in the process if I can help it and want to continue to be solely responsible for the process from start to finish. I know I have handles made at the min but that will change eventually. If I can just get it to where I am just relying on my willow supplier that would be great as I don't have enough years in me to benefit from growing my own I don't reckon. Plus I get incredible satisfaction from seeing it all start from a raw cleft and see it then evolve and grow I to a lovely finished item.
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Hmmmm think I better put my prices up, what do reckon chaps
I'd sooner buy a butterfly from you knowing you're making it because you love doing it not just to double your profit on a piece of willow! I'm incredibly happy with mine and even more so because you went to the effort to find the right cleft for me, although I'm sure others would do this.
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£250!?!? :o
Really cheeky if you ask me. Sure a good batmaker is worth paying for but it's probably cost them a minimal amount compared to sourcing a G1 or 2 .
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Yes that's a way I suppose, trouble is I am not in it for that I don't want to have to rely on anybody in the process if I can help it and want to continue to be solely responsible for the process from start to finish. I know I have handles made at the min but that will change eventually. If I can just get it to where I am just relying on my willow supplier that would be great as I don't have enough years in me to benefit from growing my own I don't reckon. Plus I get incredible satisfaction from seeing it all start from a raw cleft and see it then evolve and grow I to a lovely finished item.
Good man. I hope to be able to come and see you soon.
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Do you remember James Laver working at Leicester, Paul?
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No I don't what year would that have been
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No I don't what year would that have been
I'm told it was around the time Leicestershire won the Championship. 1996?
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Really cheeky if you ask me. Sure a good batmaker is worth paying for but it's probably cost them a minimal amount compared to sourcing a G1 or 2 .
I suppose the tough thing for James is that he has to ship his willow out to New Zealand then ship it back to sell so that's got to put your prices up. This has always been my doubt about bats that have been shipped in from India or Pakistan that are being sold here for £80 - £150 for what you are told players and grade 1 as it is not financially possible after all the shipping import duties etc to do it and make a profit, at least James prices reflect what he is having to cover and its honest. That's where I am determined not to change is what I get is what I sell to you and am happy to keep it as transparent to the customer as possible.
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I'm told it was around the time Leicestershire won the Championship. 1996?
Oh ok well that was in my time didn't come across him though at that time I am afraid, I wish I had I must say
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Oh ok well that was in my time didn't come across him though at that time I am afraid, I wish I had I must say
Apparently M&H was at Grace Road. I only recently found out. I was in Uni in Leicester at that time, but had lost interest in cricket.
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On the L&W website, Greg MacMillan says that at least seven of the Leics. Championship winning side used bats made by Laver.
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Gregor Macmillan was a proper Jazz hat – saw him play a mercurial innings art Cheltenham once.
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He was a good player, batting stance like a giraffe drinking water
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And, funnily enough, an M&H man, if I remember correctly.
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Yep possibly I seem to remember him with hunts county too I may be wrong, they were good bats then.
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Laver worked for M&H. M&H had a site at Leicester. That was what I was enquiring about.
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Good bats now too ive got one,perhaps not as popular as some other brands...
Paul,thats my point really(by the way thanks for contributing to the most interesting thread for ages)...us clubbies tend to change our bats quite often thru one reason or another-sometimes blaming the bat if we are in a trot-you mentioned in an earlier thread getting used to a bat properly,when you played did the pro's like to stick to one bat or change often?
We know these days the top players have loads of bats but ive heard some will stick to the same bat for ages...
We saw sachin use the same bat for years which was a surprise to some of us
Deep down most of us club players know a 450 quid top of the range bat wont help us...
If you had a tip for us clubbies about our bats what would it be?
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Glad to see they are still good bats I like to see English companies surviving and producing quality, if I can keep going like they have I will be very happy indeed.
Tips hhmmmmm let's see, when you find a good bat stick with it, most of the pros I played with stuck with a good one and nursed it like a baby. Look after them give it a light sanding a couple of times a year and a bit of linseed keeps it from drying out helps stop the dinting as well when it gets dry. Don't try and smack Yorkers out the ground as seems to be the fashion with club players since the introduction of 20/20. You don't see pros trying it they know they ain't going to get it anywhere.
Have a back up bat that you are happy using maybe a lower grade that is similar to your main bat as if you see something going wrong with your best bat you can call for the other with confidence that it will be as good whilst your other gets chance for some TLC. They are expensive things and priceless if you have confidence in it. Playing issues aren't generally the bats problem it's the one that's holding it. Practice well working on using the full face of the bat hitting in the V as much as possible only allowing that V to shift slightly according to the line of the ball. In theory the V should open up more off side than leg side as if you try and hit too square leg side you tend to either miss it regularly and it hits the pad thus missing out on 4 runs or leading edges. In other words try and hit mid on more often till you get confident in the leg side shots. The harder you try and hit it the less frequently you will do so, keep shape. If you do that and you've found your bat it should be with your for many years of club use if you look after it.
I go through this all the time in the workshop when people come to have bats made, I should put my coaching fee on top of the bat price I reckon :D.
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Glad to see they are still good bats I like to see English companies surviving and producing quality, if I can keep going like they have I will be very happy indeed.
I think Hunts bats are mostly made in India now.
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Excellent advice Paul
Food for thought for some of us :)
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I think Hunts bats are mostly made in India now.
Oh I think I'm gonna cry
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I think Hunts bats are mostly made in India now.
thats a shame
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It is that absolutely gutted to hear that
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thats a shame
I had my hands on a new Caerelux the other day - I wasn't impressed at all by the finish and the stickers don't look great up close..
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A cricket bat manufacturing sized snapshot of everything that is wrong with the modern world. Possibly.
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definitely. Hunts used to be a proper "English" product, so its saddening to hear of them moving toward the gaudy world of mass produced crap-dom!
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definitely. Hunts used to be a proper "English" product, so its saddening to hear of them moving toward the gaudy world of mass produced crap-dom!
"Mass produces crap-dom" is a bit harsh mate, you'll get some very good bats come out of it...
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Gregor Macmillan was a proper Jazz hat – saw him play a mercurial innings art Cheltenham once.
He was my rabbit lol - knocked his middle peg out in a President game. He had dumped me into the hospitality tent twice and had an eye on lunch! He even thanked me at a net once when I gave a very gentle examination lol . caught up with him a few years later and he had packed up and couldn't find even hold a bat. His off spin was something though, never been bounced several times in an over and it turned yards. He was about 6'4 though. Played a few years at Marlow before going first class.
Sent from my Lenovo B6000-F using Tapatalk
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My new Butterfly arrived today...
I asked Paul for;
2'10 dressed
Oval handle - single grip
Standard Velocity Profile
Medium bow to the blade
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0662.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0666.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/6052783a-b908-40e1-9779-603faf7c3f7b.jpg?t=1394485011)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0663.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0664.jpg)
Not weighed her or tapped her up yet. But a great first impression! Such a lovely profile.
And as per others I echo the statement of Paul being a great person to order from and his services was fantastic.
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My new Butterfly arrived today...
I asked Paul for;
2'10 dressed
Oval handle - single grip
Standard Velocity Profile
Medium bow to the blade
([url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0662.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0666.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/6052783a-b908-40e1-9779-603faf7c3f7b.jpg?t=1394485011[/url])
([url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0663.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/Morgamus/IMG_0664.jpg[/url])
Not weighed her or tapped her up yet. But a great first impression! Such a lovely profile.
And as per others I echo the statement of Paul being a great person to order from and his services was fantastic.
Looks great! How much did you pay for this beauty?
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Hi Paul,
Did you get the email I sent last Monday (through the submission form on the site)?
re: butterfly supreme
Thanks.
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A butterfly gold sovereign and a grade 1 silver off out to Cumbria tomorrow. Both absolute beauties, lucky man
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/19e76c079bc8d263bed1c1ed6cc847ee_zpsdbc14cc4.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b23579be56606a2ab6c0da380b5ae4a4_zps315501ea.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d1e80c9441c240d57883de85f51ae8fb_zpse1b311c6.jpg)
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I used my Butterfly for the first time Monday and again last night, and wow, for a hard bat it seems to go really well, although it would appear the area that sees the most of the ball is from the bottom of the stickers down roughly 3-4" so doesn't quite make the best use of the limited meat on the bat, so I may have to get another at some point with a higher middle.
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I used my Butterfly for the first time Monday and again last night, and wow, for a hard bat it seems to go really well, although it would appear the area that sees the most of the ball is from the bottom of the stickers down roughly 3-4" so doesn't quite make the best use of the limited meat on the bat, so I may have to get another at some point with a higher middle.
Butterfly bats often take a bit longer to open up than other bats but when they do they go like hell. Don't be fooled into thinking the ball only goes off the part of the bat where the bulk is, it goes from there right up towards the stickers, like I have said before the old style bats thin edges what people would now say low middled bats would ping from exactly the same areas as any of the modern bats.
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Here's the perfect example one of the original chase bats that I was sponsored with, playing on county tracks bouncy most people would look at this profile now days and say its ideal for low wickets, not true the middle on this bat was just the same as any other bat and its one of the best bats I ever had and I had some good ones. It's not the shape that's making it ping
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/114c68ff3ffd695fe564cab5e75e2c95_zpsb7721ea5.jpg)
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I think if I were to go for another at some point if anything I'd ask for smaller edges, I'm not a huge fan of the big edge, and neither of my Warsops had this. I love the shape, i think rather than a higher middle per say I would like a little more meat of the bat in this area as its light and relatively thin when compared to a heavier bat, but it went very well when I was off driving which is where most the marks came from higher up the bat. Only when I was cutting did this spot move down the bat.
I'm totally sold on the butterfly I have to say, if they all perform like this seems to they're a true bargain!
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Really like the profile on the Silver Sovereign. Looks to have a slightly higher middle than the Gold?
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Not really its just how it looks different due to the spine running right down to the toe of the blade.
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I think if I were to go for another at some point if anything I'd ask for smaller edges, I'm not a huge fan of the big edge, and neither of my Warsops had this. I love the shape, i think rather than a higher middle per say I would like a little more meat of the bat in this area as its light and relatively thin when compared to a heavier bat, but it went very well when I was off driving which is where most the marks came from higher up the bat. Only when I was cutting did this spot move down the bat.
I'm totally sold on the butterfly I have to say, if they all perform like this seems to they're a true bargain!
Sounds to me Dunc a bit typical of indoor practice as indoors people generally drive at balls that are not as full as outdoors because it is truer than a typical early season wicket so the ball is always hitting slightly higher up the bat. We always practiced as bowlers to be driven indoors as when you get outside the length is good so in return batters who have been practicing in the winter and driving through the ball that's back of a length have got to draw themselves back In when they get outside as the same length won't be there for hitting. Does that make sense, I have all my bowlers when I'm coaching still bowling full and try and get the batters to think about outdoor lengths rather than indoor ones.
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Makes perfect sense Paul, if I look at my other bats I do hit the "middle" more rather than further up the bat, but there are quite a few higher marks on my bats, so whether thats a timing thing or just me, I don't know but have never had an issue with splicing the ball on a regular basis.
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Like I have said before there isn't a bat made that you can middle up near or on the splice, if you can remember the old SS jumbo it's spine ran parallel to the face further up the bat it didn't change the middle of the bat and suddenly allow you to middle it somewhere up near the splice or down near the toe. You still nailed it in the same area as you would have on any other bat.
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Here's the perfect example one of the original chase bats that I was sponsored with, playing on county tracks bouncy most people would look at this profile now days and say its ideal for low wickets, not true the middle on this bat was just the same as any other bat and its one of the best bats I ever had and I had some good ones. It's not the shape that's making it ping
I am so pleased to see a batmaker say this! It corroborates my view from a variety of testing.
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In good news, if you are on the newsletter you can get a laver and wood butterfly for the very very special price of £230! :o
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In good news, if you are on the newsletter you can get a laver and wood butterfly for the very very special price of £230! :o
I saw that and thought "Wow, shipping from NZ suddenly got really expensive"!
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As much as I love my laver, prices are extreme, I more than sure for that kind of money i can have a much more hands on custom bat, that does an equal if not better job ;)
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Another beauty off out to London tomorrow, a long blade velocity butterfly and it picks up beautifully especially for a long blade I think they can be tricky to get as good a pick up on them than a normal blade but this feels like a feather even at 2-11 and it goes very nicely
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/85970db9587e2973bb1c0b2ccf4093d7_zps72c2f393.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/42016a62dc9db3c05e4816b8efd7a58e_zpsed45b466.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8ec394d77521539d84f874c5f8598314_zps4ee6687c.jpg)
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Another beauty off out to London tomorrow, a long blade velocity butterfly and it picks up beautifully especially for a long blade I think they can be tricky to get as good a pick up on them than a normal blade but this feels like a feather even at 2-11 and it goes very nicely
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/85970db9587e2973bb1c0b2ccf4093d7_zps72c2f393.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/42016a62dc9db3c05e4816b8efd7a58e_zpsed45b466.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8ec394d77521539d84f874c5f8598314_zps4ee6687c.jpg[/url])
Now that is a really lovely cleft. It should have a nice, durable toe. :)
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crikey that looks like it's got some meat on it!
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Cannot wait to receive mine, some serious butterfly envy at the moment.
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I cracked.... Ordered a velocity one and supreme :)
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i have been thinking of getting a long blade this has made me want one even more
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Magnificent. I too have cracked and placed an order!
Keep up the great work Paul.
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Tim - you better keep an eye on that or it might get lost in my bag... ;)
looks stunning and I love that profile
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Here's a lovely butterfly super short handle pick up for 2-8 dead weight is 2-10, it pings like stink too. Looking around it appears a trend has started for butterfly clefts, I wonder where that started will have to find something else to start as they are becoming all too common ;)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/15f88d6826b04c254728beb96ea332b8_zps7f290bd2.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b8ec7844b55c73f320d487accef0c1da_zps31297727.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4c4c067776c33cddb33fa92ade1af7e1_zpsc0e8b43e.jpg)
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Yes..it's all your fault Paul.
All this business of making quality bats at reasonable prices......
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It just shows that if you price something right it'll sell like hot cakes. As always, I'm sure you 'could' have sole them for 200 instead but the chances are it wouldn't have sold anywhere near half as many.
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It just shows that if you price something right it'll sell like hot cakes. As always, I'm sure you 'could' have sole them for 200 instead but the chances are it wouldn't have sold anywhere near half as many.
Not just price but knowledge! Paul (seemingly lol) knows his onions! And is straight talking without the sales fluff, and he has a playing back ground so knows what works and what doesn't. Larger companies should adopt his attitude!
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
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Two lovely bats out tomorrow, two butterfly one unusual supreme with a 2" shorter blade squarer toe made to be 2-7 naked weight. The other is a gold sovereign for a lovely gentleman who came on Saturday to have it made, long trip from Surrey I have to say. He usually uses 2-8 but we kept checking this for him as we made it and he loved the feel of it as it is now and that's just under 2-11 picks up beautifully.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fa07db62630b3b5d4717541d1dacf622_zps2c32d72f.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/92f27545f95b8543488ba3e607631661_zps5ff3c259.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fa25eb690476a640b3935f2a6bf93bff_zps648f4697.jpg)
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It just shows that if you price something right it'll sell like hot cakes. As always, I'm sure you 'could' have sole them for 200 instead but the chances are it wouldn't have sold anywhere near half as many.
It's a fair price. Fair in the context that you don't need to charge the earth.
Democratic pricing is the way forward. Well done Paul.
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I believe the Supreme is mine...it looks epic!!!!!
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:D
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I was waiting for Osbourne to announce, in honor of Aldred cricket, tax breaks for Butterfly willow. Seeing as you have resurrected it from the back of the wood shed.
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:D
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...and that Gold Sovereign is mine! Looks absolutely superb, can't wait to see it for real and looking forward to seeing how it goes. I've been lurking on the forum for sometime and just joined. Had a fascinating afternoon with Paul in his workshop (garage) on saturday, it's great to see a proper craftsman at work.
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...and that Gold Sovereign is mine! Looks absolutely superb, can't wait to see it for real and looking forward to seeing how it goes. I've been lurking on the forum for sometime and just joined. Had a fascinating afternoon with Paul in his workshop (garage) on saturday, it's great to see a proper craftsman at work.
It takes me all my time to say workshop instead of garage for sure but it is a workshop and will remain so until I build a bigger one but it works just fine, the drive to work can be a bit of a nightmare in a morning though ;)
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It takes me all my time to say workshop instead of garage for sure but it is a workshop and will remain so until I build a bigger one but it works just fine, the drive to work can be a bit of a nightmare in a morning though ;)
Got two spare large barns :). If you fancy a commute to cheltenhamshire :(
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Supreme is the gorgeous ever cleft I have seen..lovely bit of shading on it.
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Hey Paul,
Does the location of the butterfly stain on the blade matter at all?
For example, does a stain at the toe make the toe stronger?
Does a stain in the middle of the sweet spot make the middle better/pingier?
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It takes me all my time to say workshop instead of garage for sure but it is a workshop and will remain so until I build a bigger one but it works just fine, the drive to work can be a bit of a nightmare in a morning though ;)
Oops think I managed to cause unintentional offence with my 1st ever post :-[ I was never suggesting it wasn't a workshop, it did look a bit garage-shaped though :). It certainly doesn't seem to make any difference to the quality of the product coming out of it - Paul obviously takes great pride in his craft and rightly so... I'll get my coat
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No offence taken at all, takes a lot more than that to upset me. ;)
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Hey Paul,
Does the location of the butterfly stain on the blade matter at all?
For example, does a stain at the toe make the toe stronger?
Does a stain in the middle of the sweet spot make the middle better/pingier?
I've been wondering this too...
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Hey Paul,
Does the location of the butterfly stain on the blade matter at all?
For example, does a stain at the toe make the toe stronger?
Does a stain in the middle of the sweet spot make the middle better/pingier?
Just incase you missed it, something I've always wondered, though i guess answering it may drive up the demand for certain types of butteryfly bat and down others. :)
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Imagine if where the stain is actually performs better: we will be ordering "grade 1 butterfly" bats.... This could completely throw out all we have grown up believing... :o
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My feeling is and I'm not a scientist and don't profess to know everything there is about willow only what I have learnt through hands on making is, the stain tends to be harder so therefore if it is in the middle of the bat it takes longer to open up than normal but performs fantastically well when it does and in my experience from using them has a different sound to it. If the stain is near the toe in theory it should strengthen the bat but as I say to everyone it is at the end of the day a piece of wood coming up against a hard ball. Unfortunately now days due to 20/20 people seem to think that you can hit Yorkers to the moon and back...WRONG. You could be Viv Richards if you don't middle it or somewhere near you ain't hitting it out the ground. Keep an eye out in the butterfly section as we have ordered a lot more and I reckon we've picked some beauties so may well be doing something slightly different in our selection choices, we will see.
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What I also noticed Paul, is that due to the additional stiffness around the stain, it changes the vibrational characteristics of the bat at that point and you get more of the hand stinging vibration.
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What I also noticed Paul, is that due to the additional stiffness around the stain, it changes the vibrational characteristics of the bat at that point and you get more of the hand stinging vibration.
You don't once it's opened up. That's because it is naturally harder, they tend to take longer to open up than a normal piece of willow does.
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Here's a lovely velocity off out to Australia 2-8 and a real nice feel to it
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/184663d0d4382c165ed69064c613cb7c_zpsa94132d9.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/9b94670487547933e4dde9d01a13e251_zpsea534fd3.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8dd83e45055661ed56ebd1f9b87ecd06_zps071759e5.jpg)
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My feeling is and I'm not a scientist and don't profess to know everything there is about willow only what I have learnt through hands on making is, the stain tends to be harder so therefore if it is in the middle of the bat it takes longer to open up than normal but performs fantastically well when it does and in my experience from using them has a different sound to it. If the stain is near the toe in theory it should strengthen the bat but as I say to everyone it is at the end of the day a piece of wood coming up against a hard ball...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Paul, the best insights often come from experience.
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Here's a lovely velocity off out to Australia 2-8 and a real nice feel to it
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8dd83e45055661ed56ebd1f9b87ecd06_zps071759e5.jpg[/url])
Wow! Envious of that bat!!
The way the butterfly flicks around on the back of the bat looks like a flame to me!
Paul if you don't mind telling (and presuming the aussie buyer doesn't mind) what was the price of this bat?
With a butterfly cleft do you know how it will look before the finished product?
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All our butterfly's are £135 shipped in the uk. You have an idea how they are going to look yes but always lovely to see the transformation when sanded and polished
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Ok.. Now I'm getting impatient seeing all these :)
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Patience dear boy patience ;)
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Patience dear boy patience ;)
Haha. Never was a virtue of mine. I am learning though.
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Lovely staining especially on the back. If only willow was harder I'd use butterfly as flooring or furniture. :-[
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Well my Gold Sovereign has arrived, it's gorgeous. It's absolutely superbly finished and I don't think the butterfly stain even looks ugly, it gives it character. I wonder if I should have gone for a tiny bit lighter pickup, I can feel it's a tad heavier than my usual 2-8 but I'm splitting hairs. Can't wait to use it, must be patient! Been getting some funny looks playing air shots in the office. :)
One question Paul (and might help other customers), you say they'll take a bit longer than some bats to "open up", I don't have the luxury of being able to spend hours in the nets, so would loads of extra knocking in with the mallet concentrating around the butterfly mark help to get it ready quicker?
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Well my Gold Sovereign has arrived, it's gorgeous. It's absolutely superbly finished and I don't think the butterfly stain even looks ugly, it gives it character. I wonder if I should have gone for a tiny bit lighter pickup, I can feel it's a tad heavier than my usual 2-8 but I'm splitting hairs. Can't wait to use it, must be patient! Been getting some funny looks playing air shots in the office. :)
One question Paul (and might help other customers), you say they'll take a bit longer than some bats to "open up", I don't have the luxury of being able to spend hours in the nets, so would loads of extra knocking in with the mallet concentrating around the butterfly mark help to get it ready quicker?
I'll more than happily hit a few 1000 balls on he bowling machine with it if you want :)
Can have it back to you by next weekend :)
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Well my Gold Sovereign has arrived, it's gorgeous. It's absolutely superbly finished and I don't think the butterfly stain even looks ugly, it gives it character. I wonder if I should have gone for a tiny bit lighter pickup, I can feel it's a tad heavier than my usual 2-8 but I'm splitting hairs. Can't wait to use it, must be patient! Been getting some funny looks playing air shots in the office. :)
One question Paul (and might help other customers), you say they'll take a bit longer than some bats to "open up", I don't have the luxury of being able to spend hours in the nets, so would loads of extra knocking in with the mallet concentrating around the butterfly mark help to get it ready quicker?
Yes spend a bit longer with the mallet then get an hours worth of throw downs with descent old balls. It may not take too long to knock in, you will tell by the feel of it and looking as the face isn't showing signs of dents. Small surface cracks are good as it shows a really nice piece of responsive willow.
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I'll more than happily hit a few 1000 balls on he bowling machine with it if you want :)
Can have it back to you by next weekend :)
Didn't you read the other thread? That will damage the bat causing delamination and performance degradation. Or something ;)
Actually, on that note, Paul, what's your view on using the Bola as part of the knocking in/preparation process?
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I'll more than happily hit a few 1000 balls on he bowling machine with it if you want :)
Can have it back to you by next weekend :)
As if ;) remember I'm a newbie here so no taking advantage!
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As if ;) remember I'm a newbie here so no taking advantage!
Worth a shot :)
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Didn't you read the other thread? That will damage the bat causing delamination and performance degradation. Or something ;)
Actually, on that note, Paul, what's your view on using the Bola as part of the knocking in/preparation process?
Not a big fan to be honest. There are no short cuts, all the bats that are supposed to be ready to play just aren't really you can't imitate the process, if its worth doing its worth doing well and it helps your bat survive. It's the way of the world now I'm afraid if there seems to be an easy option people will take it.
I know when I was playing we used to have throw downs from new but we controlled how we hit the ball as in starting gently and working the power up over a period of time as and when we felt it was right until you felt confident that it was ready.
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My Supreme arrived today. I'll write a detailed review with photos over the weekend at some point. All I'll say is this: it looks absolutely stunning and I'm half tempted to put it in a glass case and have it on display in my living room! I've not stopped smelling it either haha.
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Here's a lovely velocity off out to Australia 2-8 and a real nice feel to it
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/184663d0d4382c165ed69064c613cb7c_zpsa94132d9.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/9b94670487547933e4dde9d01a13e251_zpsea534fd3.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8dd83e45055661ed56ebd1f9b87ecd06_zps071759e5.jpg[/url])
Magnificent. I can hardly wait for it to arrive. Thanks Paul.
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Just thought I'd post a quick comment to say thanks Paul. I've spent a couple of hours beating the living daylights out of the lb that came to London, and got bored so decided to use it in nets tonight.
It works very well, and does exactly as it is supposed to at a great price. Very impressed with it. And as you say, hitting the stain with a ball doesn't cause undue vibration. It sounds slightly different, but still flies off the bat face.
Once again, thanks!
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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now I can't wait to see and use mine!!
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In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."
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In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."
Butterfly suddenly becomes pro grade 1+++++++++ :)
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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Watch this space we have some beauties in now I have got used to what to look for
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In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."
If the trunk is big after only a few years, doesn't that mean the grains will be wide?
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Watch this space we have some beauties in now I have got used to what to look for
Ooooh, can't wait for mine! :)
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It is usual to find that the older the tree the more grains you get they are also narrower.
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older trees will have more grains.
the tightness of the grains is frequently caused by being higher up the tree, which is which bats with lots of grains can be more susceptible to breaking.
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I thought one grain was one year's growth?
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Yes spend a bit longer with the mallet then get an hours worth of throw downs with descent old balls. It may not take too long to knock in, you will tell by the feel of it and looking as the face isn't showing signs of dents. Small surface cracks are good as it shows a really nice piece of responsive willow.
what about vertical cracks going along the grains? i have had a few bats, where it almost looked like the strips of sapwood between each grain were separating from one another. initially freaked out, but performance seemed to actually improve.
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That is gold brokenbat. That is what you want. :)
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what about vertical cracks going along the grains? i have had a few bats, where it almost looked like the strips of sapwood between each grain were separating from one another. initially freaked out, but performance seemed to actually improve.
Exactly all the best bats I've had and I've had some good ones have gone like these, the key is to look after them through the season and out of season. A nice light sanding and a little smear of oil will keep it going nicely. Some of the bat faces don't stick very well when oiled but if you let it really soak in for a week or two you can put a face on ready for the season.
Maybe I should do a little video on basic maintenance
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That would be good, also one showing a good bat opening up would be good for people.
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I thought one grain was one year's growth?
indeed and trees are wider at the bottom than the top!
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indeed and trees are wider at the bottom than the top!
OK.
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That is gold brokenbat. That is what you want. :)
The often misused term 'opening up' actually means this, brokenbat.
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In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."
50" circumference trunk in 9 years, that pretty fast growing.
That's about 16" diameter, splits down into 8" clefts with 9 grains. Chop off the inside wedge and cleanup the bark edge and that'll give you roughly 4 grains. Reckon it'll ping like a trooper.
I also see the price of butterfly going through the roof, expect it to reach £400+ in the next year or so for a finished bat.
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expect it to reach £400+ in the next year or so for a finished bat.
With wide grains.
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Looking forward to seeing the new Willow
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Ok here's a batch off down to Cheltenham on Wednesday all the ranges in butterfly and a gold sovereign in a players grade plus softs. A great set of kit, bats all made ranging between 2-9 and 2-11 with lovely pick ups and the players grade is an absolute peach plus the new made in England sticker on the handles :D
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/646ea89fe80d24d2755b3ebf71323383_zps53453b84.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/c6eb173e49e877125ca106f2052e34ac_zps70971934.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/1cecb3b1f066ec92dfb465ff39868ab5_zps9d69555d.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4eeeaaa23006e973f089e5f8f29c88fe_zpsf99f45b4.jpg)
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Aidy? ;)
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bat in the middle looks like a special stick !
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Ok here's a pic of some of the clefts but trying to get time to sort them into some form of order at the moment plus the first few grade 1 that I've handled up. Picked some lovely players clefts too just haven't got to those as yet but grade 1s grains grains grains ;) also keep an eye out for something new in our butterfly bats we have some ridiculously beautiful butterfly clefts, will put it up on here first in the next 3-4 days
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/daa0919bb63dbe558fd3748aa1795ef2_zps3e2111b8.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/37e04f52de9a3f64d7b52b4a97769186_zps9ac65b59.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e98346580f0a916b0e0cf70b07a8f250_zps46a37b4e.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/cedd2f71921c395b9e1658ba71bfc211_zps8509cb36.jpg)
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Butterfly Players? ;)
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Aidy? ;)
:)
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So these are butterfly clefts ?
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No these ones aren't just slammed pics on here as someone requested, give me a few days and I will reveal the new butterflys
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No these ones aren't just slammed pics on here as someone requested, give me a few days and I will reveal the new butterflys
You tease!
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Ok here it is. We haven't put this on our website yet. As you all know we have set a trend with the butterfly bats over the last year and I have now selected some beautiful willow now that I am confident in what I am looking for. So seeing as we have ordered many more clefts this time we have selected a certain amount of very special butterfly clefts and creating what will be known as our butterfly grade 1 bats. These are the ones that look and feel very special indeed. They will have not only beautiful markings but special grains too, they are a combination of everything you could look for in a butterfly. We will still be offering our standard butterfly bats too.
Our grade 1 butterfly clefts will be £170 shipped in the uk. Here are an example of the sort of clefts we will put to one side for these beautiful bats just get in touch
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/3cecfe1cb4906214deeea7df7be83a90_zps513b0123.jpg)
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Left hand side and second from right both look like great clefts!
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They are all beauties photos never quite show them off as well as they should, I only pick out the ones that look and feel exceptional. We have selected very well this order and touch wood we keep selecting better each time
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the one in the middle looks like it has 20 grains.
i imagine a lot of people would be put off it because there is so much hardwood
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That is a beautiful piece of willow and weighing in at 3-9 in its current state would make a lovely 3-10 bat. It pings beautifully
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Paul, how do these compare to some of the clefts you've used previously and sold at the normal price? Will some have been this good, as the one I've got isn't disimilar and pings very nicely (my new match bat over a £300+ Gray Nics).
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Our grade 1 butterfly clefts will be £170 shipped in the uk. Here are an example of the sort of clefts we will put to one side for these beautiful bats
Oh gawd, what have we done...!?!?! :o
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Oh gawd, what have we done...!?!?! :o
I was thinking EXACTLY this!! LOL! :S
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Dunc it's more a case that I have a larger selection to choose from. The last lot I had I had never used them before and didn't know really what I was looking at and needed to learn about them. This time we have hand selected more and taken the trouble to try and pick out the very best looking ones we can. The original idea was to try and introduce different grades of butterfly but learning from my first lot I feel it would be very very difficult to put a full grading system in place as the variation of colouring is vast so I have decided to go with purely the ones that are looking and feeling very special indeed. Like I say int the first batch we had we had a few that were of this ilk but it was a case of learning what we get and how we select it to give you the customer the best choice for varied budgets. I don't feel we could ever put these prices up ridiculous amounts as that's not honest but I do feel we need to treasure these prices of willow and not just cast them off as mediocre as they have been done over the last 15-20 years because they are not perfect white clefts.
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I guess what I feared is starting to become a reality!!
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I guess what I feared is starting to become a reality!!
price rises?
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price rises?
Yep, as a fad takes off prices tend to rise,
A shame, I'd have had one of those "g1" butterflies over my g3 aldred, but not at 170.
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Without the intention of causing any malice , The price point was attractive for forum members wanting to have the pleasure of finest handmade Aldred bats without spending a lot of money combined with the renewed viewpoint about butterfly willows and their apparent capability. However it's good from a business point of view to use early season rush to sell bats at an elevated price point. The broader market would still go on looks and can get better looking albeit arguable perfomance for 170 gbp.
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I wouldn't be surprised to see someone else offering butterfly bats at a bargain price now....
Not my cup of tea but can definitely see the appeal to some
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I think we're jumping the gun a bit here guys.
Paul please correct me if I'm wrong.
My understanding is you can get a butterfly G1 for £170 - a bat that would be Grade 1 and £255 otherwise! (£85 saving, not bad)
Clefts which are butterfly I presume will still be £135 (or similar) if they are not what would be a G1 cleft without the butterfly stain.
I hope so as I'm planning a Frankenstein bat to be made this Autumn for next season.
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i dont understand how a butterfly cleft can be classed as grade 1.
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i dont understand how a butterfly cleft can be classed as grade 1.
Thank you. We have all been saying for years that performance clefts are a way to shift ugly clefts and grading can only be done on looks as you cannot measure performance. Therefore how can a butterfly ever be grade 1? I think at best a butterfly would be grade 3, it does not and cannot perform better then a good performing grade 3, 2 or 1 so only basis left to grade is looks.
In my post on the Forum Fads I was atleast only referring to member going gaga over butterfly but I am a little surprised to see this, I had thought other brands might do this.
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I think for £170 you'd be better off going elsewhere to buy a bat. Least it would be G1 or G2 and better looking. Granted the performance might not be better. However how are we to know how good a bat plays before buying it.
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I think at best a butterfly would be grade 3, it does not and cannot perform better then a good performing grade 3, 2 or 1 so only basis left to grade is looks.
Sorry Tushar, a totally false statement. A butterfly bat could perform equally to any of these, including a G1+++ Super Pro Willow bat. That's down to the skill of the batmaker (talk to a couple of people on here with Butterflys that perform brilliantly). What it can never do is look like perfect, unblemished, white willow.
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grading is done the the look of the grains and the look of the willow. No room for discussion here, that's how its done in the industry.
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Sorry Tushar, a totally false statement. A butterfly bat could perform equally to any of these, including a G1+++ Super Pro Willow bat. That's down to the skill of the batmaker (talk to a couple of people on here with Butterflys that perform brilliantly). What it can never do is look like perfect, unblemished, white willow.
Let me correct that, what I meant was it could be as good as grade 1, 2, 3 or any of 1+++ but we don't know that as "Its a natural product and impossible to determine performance" etc. etc. so if it could play just as well as anyother grades how do you grade it? well to me only based on looks, then its a grade 2 or 3.
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I think we are splitting hairs here (as ever with grading)
Paul called them G1 Butterfly bats - not G1 bats - i.e. a separate grading to a G1 bat.
A butterfly bat is by definition a grade 4 bat.
A Grade 4 Blade
A Grade 4 Blade is normally over half colour or contains butterfly stain (see our page on Imperfections in Willow). This wood is also normally bleached just to make it “look better”, it will still play as well as the other grades. Any number of grains are possible with often only 4 grains, the willow containing ‘butterfly’ stain is very strong, there could also be more “speck”.
The price is up to the seller (and how much the buyer is prepared to pay)
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At the end of the day I can see exactly where Paul is coming from - there are going to be some butterfly clefts with 4/5 grains and some with 15 - this is simply a way to distinguish between them. Maybe calling it "Butterfly Grade 1" could confuse some but I can see the idea behind it. After all a beautiful straight 15 grained cleft with a slight butterfly stain would be more desirable than a 5 wobbly grain ugly butterfly cleft.
I'm all for the distinguished prices just maybe not calling it Grade 1/2/3 etc, potentially something like Butterfly and Premium Butterfly?
At the end of the day Paul makes a fantastic bat and even a Butterfly cleft should be more than the £135 he sells the standard ones for - the craftsmanship that goes into the blade alone should be worth that.
Just my thoughts on the subject!
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I'm waiting for the magically "crown" butterfly to appear. Or just a grade 4 version.
As surely these super dense lightweight clefts that get raved about don't just come in g1+++++???
Or does no one actually bother to measure the density of the non pretty clefts?
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i weigh all my clefts before choosing. I know the magic number. I have 2.7 bat the same size as a 2.13.
I think neon and buzz have hit the nail on the head. Paul was probably innocently using the word grade 1 as he is used to distinguishing good clefts in this way.
I think neons suggestion of "Premium" would be more appropriate and the furore would die down.
His pricing is none of our business.
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My Black Cat Shadow at a cost of £275.00 is a real looker unblemished white willow with 11 straight grains, my Paul Alfred butterfly same spec at a cost of £135.00 pings equally as good so why the difference in price it can only be visual.
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I see where people are coming from tbh, I'm not taking anything away from Paul but £170 for a "G1 Butterfly" is crazy imo esspecially when the likes of GN who charge through the roof allow you to get a 5 star Grade 2 English willow bat for £160 which in essence will be much better looking esspecially when sponsors such as Uzisports and Vitas hand pick them!
Imo there should only be a £20 increase at the most, but in essence you are still getting a butterfly grade 4 bat whether it be a grade 1 butterfly or a standard butterfly. Butterfly bats aren't meant to be about looks, so why having more grains makes a difference or not in price is beyond me. Mr. aldred is still getting butterfly clefts and grade one butterfly clefts for the same price I presume....HOWEVER I COULD BE WRONG SO APOLOGIES IF SO Mr. Aldred!!
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My Black Cat Shadow at a cost of £275.00 is a real looker unblemished white willow with 11 straight grains, my Paul Alfred butterfly same spec at a cost of £135.00 pings equally as good so why the difference in price it can only be visual.
It is visual, clefts are like women. You are attracted to nice looking ones but you dont know if she is a pain in the (No Swearing Please) or not until you try her out. alternatively you could get a not so pretty woman who turns out to be right up your street.
Looks is the only way to price a bat and have sort of an industry wide standard .... unfortunately.
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Crown clefts are not all good looking Chris.
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Ok guys maybe I haven't made myself too clear.
What I am doing is creating a grade within a grade. If it was purely a grade 1 cleft it would be £255. Because of the demand of people we are trying to create a bit of choice in the butterfly collection for the simple reason there is so much variety and typically when people get in touch about them I spend hours selecting pieces out for them taking photos and finding them the very best looking pieces at the appropriate weights along with the nicest features. This exact same thing happens with grade 1 and player grades and every other grade that we manufacture. As I said when we first started making the butterfly bats they were at a rock bottom price as we were dipping our toe in the water to see what reaction we got. This has escalated beyond belief and have now had to invest in far more willow to cope with demand. There are many companies now on the band wagon of manufacturing butterfly bats and many literally just stickering up bats. As I said earlier in this thread, this for the quality and service is a very reasonable price indeed particularly for the trouble that we go to in making these for our customers from very start of the process to finish.
When we select and order our clefts from the suppliers we have to order in increments of large amounts of lower grades compared to higher grades this has changed the way we grade our grade 2 and 3 stocks. We no longer are ordering as many grade 3 clefts and our grade 2 clefts that don't hit the mark in looks will go down to the 3s. So in actual fact anyone ordering a grade 3 is actually getting a grade 2 at an outstanding price, and we have to offer these prices as a small company because it's actually very hard to sell grade 3 bats as people think they are not a good bat to play with. It's got to the point now in the quest to give good customer service that I am corresponding to people most nights of the week sending photos of clefts and answering questions for them until gone 11 at night, that's my choice but that is actually taking the time spent on a bat from 3-4 hours manufacture to 4-6 with everything else that goes with it.
So all in all we are just trying to create something special in the butterfly willow that has been neglected over the last 20 years and stand out in the market, we were pretty much the initial ones on this forum bringing the butterfly to the customer again and a lot of people are now doing the same so I am wanting to give you something else that again is different. Hope that makes sense
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Paul,
Gotta say these bats I've just opened are lovely! Especially the grade 1.. It's pretty darn big :)
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If people really imagine that the multi national companies are putting grade 2 clefts in the shops at £160 I would think again it ain't so they are selected on looks not the true grading from suppliers. I would like to tell you what I was actually told by one of the companies that make for big names in India about what is actually shipped but I can't afford the lawyers. Most bats with blemishes get bleached because they want pristine looking white willow on a shop shelf.
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Paul,
Gotta say these bats I've just opened are lovely! Especially the grade 1.. It's pretty darn big :)
Glad they arrived ok
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Paul, my point was when hand picking bats the GN 5 star bats that are claimed grade 2 English willow by GN look great with many of grains and heartwood on the outside edge etc. All I'm saying is when going with vitas or Uzisports you can get a bargain. I love your videos and I think your very skilled at bat making but personally I don't see the need for the price rise especially when I know companies offer grade 1 bats for £200
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£135 is a good deal £170 isn't in my opinion
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Paul, my point was when hand picking bats the GN 5 star bats that are claimed grade 2 English willow by GN look great with many of grains and heartwood on the outside edge etc. All I'm saying is when going with vitas or Uzisports you can get a bargain. I love your videos and I think your very skilled at bat making but personally I don't see the need for the price rise especially when I know companies offer grade 1 bats for £200
Fair enough and I understand your thoughts. If I have made an error in my business thoughts I will have to stand by it but we will have to see over time. I know what quality I am putting out there and what is and has gone into it so I have to price accordingly. I will be the first one to put my hands up if I have got it wrong I can tell you.
I would be interested to know how many companies put out true grade 1 bats at £200 that press themselves and make from start to finish by hand and not having part made or totally made by others. I ask this question for one reason, I as a person and a business want only one thing and that is to be able to stand with my product next to me and know that i have created a top quality product by my hands from start to finish,be it a player in division 12 or one of my colleagues playing on the county circuit nothing different for either one and that my customers are getting exactly what I advertise as a company. I unfortunately got a severe shafting in business by someone who was supposed to be a very close friend the year I came out of playing and I still have never got rid of that feeling and I can tell you I would never want anyone I do work for be it bats or coaching to feel as they have been dealt something they haven't paid for. That's why I am always open and honest on this forum unfortunately sometimes people don't like that but that's how I am and intend to stay
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Crown clefts are not all good looking Chris.
But are the ugly ones still a non advertised price? Or is a 1 stripe low density cleft available at a 1 stripe price?
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I think everyone needs to stop ragging on Paul. It's still a good price for the product, and anyway, it's up to Paul to choose what he sells his wares for.
If he wants to sell them for a Million quid each then thats his perogative. We seem to forget, we're consumers. Not Shareholders!
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I think everyone needs to stop ragging on Paul. It's still a good price for the product, and anyway, it's up to Paul to choose what he sells his wares for.
If he wants to sell them for a Million quid each then thats his perogative. We seem to forget, we're consumers. Not Shareholders!
Unfortunately an issue with a forum, the internet and today's society, people have a place to air there views, and they will.
20 years ago, aldred g1 butterfly at 170 appears in romida so catalogue at your club, and you'd just say "that's a tad expensive" to a few team mates and move on.
Now you can tell the brands your views, and hope for a reply. Weather they do nanny thing about it or not is upto them.
No one buys them these clefts will end up at 135 with the others, or people buy loads, and there'll be 195 next season.
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Yeah thats true smilley, people seem to have more opinions now, and seem to need everyone to agree with them!
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I have to say that at first, I was taken aback by the new G1 butterfly grading. After all, a butterfly is a butterfly and I assume they are all priced the same. So why the premium?
But I totally get where Paul is coming from and his reasoning is spot on. I too was keen on a butterfly and I would have been really picky looking for the best butterfly for the money. And if I was doing that, I can imagine everyone else would be doing that as well. And with the amount of butterfly bats Paul has posted, imagine how much time he spends picking clefts for customers and the to-ing and fro-ing with those customers! And for that service, I believe he is justified in charging a premium. Perhaps Paul should not have allowed people to pick butterfly clefts. After all, it is a £135 bat and I doubt many bat makers out would let you pick a cleft at that price point!
Time will tell if the new pricing will work. I don't envy you Paul! But keep doing what you're doing! :)
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But are the ugly ones still a non advertised price? Or is a 1 stripe low density cleft available at a 1 stripe price?
Crown clefts have never been selected on looks there are ugly Crowns mate ones which are 1 stripe in looks.
Plus crown willow has never been advertised mate
You think most pro bats are all beautiful grained beauties you would be wrong.
Back on topic to butterfly I have tried and used them in average a butterfly cleft is heavier than most.
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If I have made an error in my business thoughts I will have to stand by it but we will have to see over time. I know what quality I am putting out there and what is and has gone into it so I have to price accordingly. I will be the first one to put my hands up if I have got it wrong I can tell you.
I don't think you've made an error. Your price is a reflection of a whole raft of factors. One of which is knowledge and experience.
Your prices are very competitive indeed.
"170 for the best butterfly clefts is fair. You said that they last longer and really do perform. Dean at Vulcan has one and (I think( it's a couple of years old. He hits the ball like Thor! Can't be that bad.
A very, very small number of people have raised an eyebrow. I wouldn't change my business on the instant response of a very small handful of people, especially as they on the whole anonymous and have not declared their credentials.
Your credentials are known and given due respect. Stick to your guns. I'd buy at that price (if I didn't have a room full of H4L's!) and wouldn't bat an eyelid.
Thumbs up from down south.
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I don't think you've made an error. Your price is a reflection of a whole raft of factors. One of which is knowledge and experience.
Your prices are very competitive indeed.
"170 for the best butterfly clefts is fair. You said that they last longer and really do perform. Dean at Vulcan has one and (I think( it's a couple of years old. He hits the ball like Thor! Can't be that bad.
A very, very small number of people have raised an eyebrow. I wouldn't change my business on the instant response of a very small handful of people, especially as they on the whole anonymous and have not declared their credentials.
Your credentials are known and given due respect. Stick to your guns. I'd buy at that price (if I didn't have a room full of H4L's!) and wouldn't bat an eyelid.
Thumbs up from down south.
Thanks fasteddie I sometimes find it hard to comprehend how some people look at it. If the big brands are charging £500 in the shops for mass manufactured bats how much would they charge if they were making everything to the customers specs along with the service to go hand in hand that the small bat companies like ourselves on this forum offer day in day out. I know for myself I am not a vat registered company so I have to soak all the vat up myself then have it taken from me by the inland revenue at the end of each year along with all the other essentials that you have to pay to the government, on top of that you have to keep your prices realistic to try and take some business away for the big names on top of that you have to not only put enough aside for your next order of clefts so that's on minimum orders so a good few thousand there, stickers best part of £1000 each time you have a set in small numbers if you want the best quality, then what's left if your lucky you can take a wage from it, hence why I still do a lot of coaching. Sometimes I think it would be easier to get a 9-5 job somewhere with no risk, would I enjoy it? No not at all and certainly wouldn't get the satisfaction I get from seeing people happy with what I have made.
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Another example of a butterfly g1 cleft
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/36f3165b995a106fde47486428318aa6_zpsab1e8b2d.jpg)
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I think we're lucky to get a handmade custom product at an affordable price point. If you want a butterfly bat get one if you want a good looking piece of willow go for that, Mr aldred answers a lot of questions and contributes a lot to our beloved forum as do other independent batmakers. They are what make our humble game a passion.
I imagine if paul had set the butterfly's at 155 and split the difference the world wouldve balked at the 20 quid increase, but then still found it a bargain.
Ive now jumped off my soapbox!!!
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The price set is what mr Aldred thinks is a fair reflection of the quality of the product.
Only time will tell if £175 is the correct price, the "invisible hand" will do its work.
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That butterfly above is barely a mark, very clean otherwise. I can totally see the reason for pricing like this. Pay it or don't.
Also, you're doing well to get change out of 190 notes for a 2014 5 Star GN, which is mass produced and have pin knots, which I think are far worse than a butterfly (I think they make a bat feel dead in that spot).
Finally, this forum has had a LOT of sponsors. How many have contributed any where near as much as Paul? From my experience, none of his posts have tried to shroud things in mystery or make out that something's more than it is. I bet he knows a little more than some self-professed bat nerds. I hope they sell Paul. Good luck.
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"170 for the best butterfly clefts is fair. You said that they last longer and really do perform. Dean at Vulcan has one and (I think( it's a couple of years old. He hits the ball like Thor! Can't be that bad.
Does this mean that £170 for a G4 bat is now justified in your opinion? Sure at one stage on another topic it was not?
Deans Butterfly bat is indeed purely on performance an outstanding piece of wood.
Finally Paul from my very limited knowledge people will knock something that you do or disagree with a price point, view, statement mate. You have built a very good brand with excellent reviews mate and an increase of £35 per bat on the previous price is negliable in the current world we live in. I have not had any experience of using a butterfly bat personally but a few and more seem to join the band daily so to me they still offer a great bat at a very good price point.
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As always the threads on Paul's page bring up some interesting opinions on various aspects of bat making. At the end of the day as others have pointed out, with all bat manufacturers you have the personal choice to pay what you like, we all know a £400 bat does not guarantee performance, it's a shame that a newcomer to the game may walk into a high street cricket shop and expect better performance the more money they part with.
I for one know where I'd rather part with my money, like all custom bat makers, the knowledge and craftsmanship and hours that go into making a bat regardless of it's grade make it a no brainer in terms of where I'd part with my cash in future.
Even at £175 for a butterfly bat, I imagine it's difficult for someone like Paul to make all that much profit on a new bat. I've no idea how much a single butterfly cleft costs but as Paul has stated above, 4-6 hours work goes into making each bat. I doubt any of us would grumble at paying £40 per hour labour down our local garage for our car to be repaired yet some baulk at £175 for a handcrafted cricket bat that's taken many hours to perfect to their own exacting specifications.
The open and honest approach Paul and others have adopted is most refreshing. Others have noted that various of the big name brands appear to be inconsistent in their grading and therefore their pricing.
You get what you pay for in terms of looks but no one knows how a bat may perform. I guess it all comes down to how much effort and knowledge an individual is prepared to pay for. I would say it's a damn sight more than most high street brands and you're supporting a UK manufacturer to boot.
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Ok this will be last post here on this.
There are a lot of other brands that offer great service, no offense to Paul, and very well priced gear. I am not sure when offering good service became an added feature to a seller/retailer instead of being the norm, I expect good service when I spend my money. If you go out to eat do you expect good service? do you always get it? no but those places don't always do well.
Atleast I am consistent, G4 Aldred is overpriced in my opinion and so are HH but I am not saying don't sell at that point, sell at whatever people buy it for, its your business not mine. Do I doubt the quality of either product, no way. I am sure they are great but not for me.
We continuously see these things happen and sit back moan about for a little bit, then we conform and it becomes normal. As for contribution to the forum, there have been a lot of sponsors, lots have shared a lot of their knowledge, SAF comes to mind & Talisman is another...then their are others...
You know good service? Matt@H4L, Keiron @ Bulldog, Asad @ Uzi are few to name just quickly....they don't charge anymore than others for similar products despite great service they offer. Asad must have sent me hundreds of pics when I sometimes don't even end up buying. Matt always replies, Keiron not only contributes but also helpful...list goes on....not sure if I have made my point but I am done on this thread...good luck to everyone...butterfly can indeed cause a hurricane ;)
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Like people have said, many will be happy to pay £175 for a bat like these, its your choice at the end of the day. I know what id rather spend my money on when it comes to an Aldred made to my spec and choice of cleft, or a mass produced GN,GM, Kook etc etc for the same price or sometimes more. looking at some of those clefts available they butterfly mark is only minor and the grains look superb. Each to their own.
Another thing included in the price I feel is the honesty, customer service and hard work which Paul puts into his bats and this forum. He has shed a lot of light on plenty of questions in the past and done his bit in educating a lot of us.
If you want to pay £175 for what I have no doubts will be a superb bat, then do it. bloody hell some of you on here pay ridiculous prices for bats, purely based on brand name, and without the custom aspect that Paul offers.
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I think this butterfly debate is maybe getting a bit out of hand in some respects. There is obviously grading over all clefts, so why should butterfly be different? You could argue that a butterfly cleft is a butterfly cleft, but that is the same as saying that a cleft is a cleft is a cleft (you might be right, but the vast range of prices tells you otherwise). Doubtless, as has been suggested, some butterfly clefts will have more, straighter grains, the stain may be more pleasing and in a better place on the cleft, the cleft itself may be lighter giving a potential bigger bat for the weight. Now, any cleft that has ALL of these characteristics will probably be a bit of a rare beast, so scarcity value would demand a higher price. It's the same as if a perfect, unblemished, ruler straight 20 grain full sized cleft weighing just 3lb was to be graded. You would expect to pay more.
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So in spite of the discussion, it all comes back to the point that you can only really grade the cleft on looks, even a butterfly cleft. And the rest is up to the batmaker's skill to get the best out of what he has and to select the most appropriate clefts to wield his magic drawknife over.
And the amount of time spent on "wielding the magic drawknife" is quite a bit more than many of our imaginations!
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Fair dinkum.....you blokes in the UK are spoiled for choice. For the amount you pay, for custom kit, I find it hard to believe that some of you get upset over an extra 30-40GBP. I can get a hand made stick from a bloke like Paul Aldred sent to Oz for half the price of a big name bat from one of the retailers here in Sydney....and it's twice as good.
I might add that, sadly, descent customer service is not a given. I have had contact with several bespoke bat makers and found emails not responded to or a lackadaisical, disinterested response provided.
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I agree that good customer service is a rare thing now a days tbh. most places have set things they HAVE to say, but that isn't good service as 99% don't mean what they are saying.
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Chris Adams, commenting on a well received Shark bat, in the AOC gear test: "Butterflies in the grain make for a better piece of wood."
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Chris Adams, commenting on a well received Shark bat, in the AOC gear test: "Butterflies is the grain make for a better piece of wood."
That couldn't be further than what he was saying there! He was talking about clean blades! LOL!
The Shark was a good bat but I have to admit... I thought it was a HitsHard - Great finishing but lower grade willow.
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That couldn't be further than what he was saying there! He was talking about clean blades! LOL!
The Shark was a good bat but I have to admit... I thought it was a HitsHard - Great finishing but lower grade willow.
Are you sure? Did I read it wrong? Just picked it up quickly in WH Smith...
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Are you sure? Did I read it wrong? Just picked it up quickly in WH Smith...
I think some of the quotes were 'adjusted' for the purposes of media and advertising...
Though not necessarily by AOC. Adams might have said it in an interview but he was banging on to most people about how he likes a good, clean blade.
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Grizzly is very much a clean blade man good pick up 2-7/2-8
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Grizzly is very much a clean blade man good pick up 2-7/2-8
Laver and Wood Signature was his favourite in the test.
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Here's 4 lovely butterfly bats. 3 in our new selected butterfly grade 1 bats and one standard that is a real custom made in a very traditional style at 2-8. The others are velocity 2-7 gold sovereign 2-9 and silver sovereign 2-9. These are all being shipped out this week.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fc33b8337d715b660be5dfde3b70c505_zps6204b4a6.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/926926011def19124e4ca336cfbc9954_zpsfc9c4765.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/af8dd01d109d86a84c38a27413421222_zps16456a67.jpg)
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I have to say, I disagreed about the whole G1 Butterfly thing and pricing them higher, but I felt that a price increase overall for all Butterflies wouldn't actually be a bad thing. (£135 to £150 posted) I'm guessing Butterflies have massively outsold the other 4 grades, Paul?
That being said, after seeing those 3 G1 Butterfly bats, if they're all as good as that, then I guess a price increase can be justified. Think of what people do with G1 willow, they grade some as G1+, why can't you do the same with Butterfly, and make it a Butterfly+ cleft? Are you telling me they paid more for a G1+ cleft from the willow merchants, who may not have such a grade? Same with a low density cleft, haven't they paid the exact same price for that cleft as what the merchants charge for a G1/2 etc? I still disagree with increasing the price above the G3 range, but then again, ideally, you wouldn't want your lower grades to outsell your higher grades by too high a margin, so if they do, then just mark up the price and people will consider the other grades. I would certainly pay a little more to have a Butterfly looking like one of the 3 on the right (Maybe a £15-25 increase would tempt me more) when compared to the ones on the left. Most people buy Butterfly because it is a budget bat, and generally perform as well, if not better than other grades, so just pay a little extra for a better looking one if you're one for looks too. Also helps that some professionals used to swear by Butterfly stains.
To other folk who seem to think Paul is wrong for raising up the prices, maybe it's time to remember that not every batmaker that you order from will let you pick out a cleft, and make it from start to finish? Time is money to many folk here, and if he has to spend that extra time picking the extra special clefts, taking pictures of them and dealing with you, wouldn't that mean he would be entitled to charge you a little extra? In the end, you're parting with your money, he's just trying to convince you to, and whether you're convinced or not, entirely up to you. We are very lucky to have someone like Aldred sponsoring this forum, if we were to take him out, the Cricket Manufacturer/Brand section would be much quieter and boring.
Top work as always, really a fan of your work. Thanks again for the pictures, and please keep sharing them! :)
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I think when your talking about charging more for willow density it's a hole different ball game because those low density crown clefts would be put away for pro's...let's be honest the pros at Aldreds will be wanting his players stuff not a grade 1 butterfly
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I have to say, I disagreed about the whole G1 Butterfly thing and pricing them higher, but I felt that a price increase overall for all Butterflies wouldn't actually be a bad thing. (£135 to £150 posted) I'm guessing Butterflies have massively outsold the other 4 grades, Paul?
That being said, after seeing those 3 G1 Butterfly bats, if they're all as good as that, then I guess a price increase can be justified. Think of what people do with G1 willow, they grade some as G1+, why can't you do the same with Butterfly, and make it a Butterfly+ cleft? Are you telling me they paid more for a G1+ cleft from the willow merchants, who may not have such a grade? Same with a low density cleft, haven't they paid the exact same price for that cleft as what the merchants charge for a G1/2 etc? I still disagree with increasing the price above the G3 range, but then again, ideally, you wouldn't want your lower grades to outsell your higher grades by too high a margin, so if they do, then just mark up the price and people will consider the other grades. I would certainly pay a little more to have a Butterfly looking like one of the 3 on the right (Maybe a £15-25 increase would tempt me more) when compared to the ones on the left. Most people buy Butterfly because it is a budget bat, and generally perform as well, if not better than other grades, so just pay a little extra for a better looking one if you're one for looks too. Also helps that some professionals used to swear by Butterfly stains.
To other folk who seem to think Paul is wrong for raising up the prices, maybe it's time to remember that not every batmaker that you order from will let you pick out a cleft, and make it from start to finish? Time is money to many folk here, and if he has to spend that extra time picking the extra special clefts, taking pictures of them and dealing with you, wouldn't that mean he would be entitled to charge you a little extra? In the end, you're parting with your money, he's just trying to convince you to, and whether you're convinced or not, entirely up to you. We are very lucky to have someone like Aldred sponsoring this forum, if we were to take him out, the Cricket Manufacturer/Brand section would be much quieter and boring.
Top work as always, really a fan of your work. Thanks again for the pictures, and please keep sharing them! :)
Just a small comment here.. the market is rapidly changing and the willow suppliers have also adjusted accordingly.. There is indeed different pricing for G1 + willow.
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I think when your talking about charging more for willow density it's a hole different ball game because those low density crown clefts would be put away for pro's...let's be honest the pros at Aldreds will be wanting his players stuff not a grade 1 butterfly
What about a low density Butterfly? Wouldn't it be fine to charge a little extra for that? Or is Butterfly just Butterfly? Or a better looking G1, wouldn't it be fine to charge a little more for that? Isn't it an ongoing thing for people to be searching for the biggest bat for the weight? Same way some people pay more for looks, and others pay more for a lower density cleft. I'm pretty sure not every pro uses low density bats. Pros at Aldred probably do go for Players, but like Paul said in the other video, where he was praised for being very honest and clear about grading and performance, can't a Butterfly perform the same, if not better? Lots of ifs and buts, but low density and big size doesn't always equate to performance. (Seen big 3lb planks) Looks and density are what you can grade by, and Paul is grading by looks here. In terms of performance, you can't really rely on initial response to determine whether the bat will play in amazingly, but a bat that responds well at the beginning is always a bonus. Seems like the demand for a good looking Butterfly has been high, and prices rise when things are in high demand.
Just a small comment here.. the market is rapidly changing and the willow suppliers have also adjusted accordingly.. There is indeed different pricing for G1 + willow.
I stand corrected on that statement, cheers for the heads up! Seeing as they seem to keep dropping the standards for a G1 cleft, I guess it was bound to happen. :-[
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you can get grade 4,3,2,1 in these low density clefts. If someone offers you a 5 grain bat woth knots in it and it is low denisty you will still want to pay less than £100.
Unfortunately pricing is done on grade which is done on looks
having seen 3 of those butterfly bats that Mr Aldred has posted I think they are comparable to some £170 bats from the big boys as they arent stained with the butterfly in the main playing area. If you look at the face and the grains ont he 2nd from the left it doesnt look too bad at all and with a bigger sticker you wouldnt know its a butterfly and it can be sold as a grade 2 which is £225 at least from some companies.
Now onto the next point, is it the butterfly stain that is supposed to play well or is it a cleft with the stain in that plays well. I dont know the answer to that, maybe someone will be able to help. If it is the stain itself then not having it in the main playing area defeats the object of the butterfly stain.
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I believe that the strain is supposed to be slightly harder, so will take longer to play in and go like a rocket when done. Having said that, I'd defer to the batmaker for his view!
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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Butterfly stains are quite hard, take longer to play in and create weight making the bat heavier but the ball will eventually rebound of the stain the same as a bat without the stain if it is pressed correctly.
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Ok hope this answers a few questions. Just got in after a long day out coaching so tried to put these photos so they are a bit clearer and put them on a dark background with good lighting to try and show the grains up on the photo.
The first photo is of 2 of what I am calling a butterfly 1 that are made up ready to go out and the middle one is of a pure grade 1 cleft. Now try and look through the staining, on one bat it is easier to do as it is minimal the other has a little more in it. Try and compare the grains on them to the one in the middle that is a pure grade 1 cleft in its raw state. Hopefully you will see that the grains are very very similar minimum 7 straight and true both are very light clefts and response superb.
The second picture is of some raw butterfly clefts that we are classing as standard butterfly clefts. Whilst they have lovely straight grains they have below 7 in fact by the time they are cut to correct width one will have 5 on and have quite a few little pin marks and blemishes in them unlike the other two. Many of these are still light in weight but are not special clefts.
As far as the stain is concerned yes if the stain is smack in the middle of the bat it will take a touch longer to open up but it will still fly off the face and possibly last longer too
Staining and weight, yes people say the more colour the more weight in the bat, strangely enough in this batch we have picked out they are pretty light. In fact I sent a bat out the other day that was full of colour and it weighed 3lb 3 in its raw state with the handle in, normally in any range average out at 3lb 7 or 8 in our top grades in that particular stage of our process. In fact I was talking to Trevor ward ex Kent and Leicester today who I have been coaching with and he was delighted in seeing butterfly bats being brought back in and said he used to love finding a lovely grained butterfly that pinged.
My view is over the years the grade ones have been converted to almost extinction and grains and clean faces are at a premium. If we don't look after the butterfly clefts as manufacturers the same will happen as popularity builds so my view is to try and manage the quality of these just as everyone does with the other grading. We are lucky in that the majority of what we have selected are very light in weight and we have some stunners. This won't always be the case as we know its a natural product. Once again we are only wanting to put the best out to our customers and that is exactly what we are offering, I know we can't please everyone and cannot cater for all but we certainly are giving people a great option of quality at very good prices.
I understand where customers are coming from, I totally begrudge buying training gear trainers etc as I used to get them for free but when I do I always go for what I feel is the best for me Adidas they may cost more but I know that what I am buying is quality and it suits me. That's what we are trying to do with our equipment but we entered into this cricket world at a middle market price and give you offers on those so we try and look after people as much as we can along with honest and straight advice, often advising people to go for the cheaper option as I think it is more applicable to them.
So hope that explains things a little more
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e2498b1da46466ac0e407428943be4b4_zpse60c4f99.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/3003b4cdd742853cc1a099dc4e1a6d4c_zps7d475c90.jpg)
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Forget the butterfly for a minute what is this G1+ people talk about? As far as I know there is no such grade of willow a light density cleft is not graded any different from a standard G1 its just an ideal cleft.
On the other note you do need your lower grades to outsell your G1 clefts as the ratio of clefts in G1 is determined by the amount of clefts you buy, certainly from Wrights. You can't just buy G1 clefts as to get these you have to buy a mixed range. Well that's my understanding at least anyway. There just isn't the amount of G1 willow at present to allow just a purchase of G1.
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I'm not having a dig here soulman, I own a Salix which has been the best bat I've ever used, but if there's no such thing as grade 1+ and density doesn't play a part in it why do Salix have 3 ranges quoted as grade 1?
Personally I don't think looks play a part in it either as my Salix is a performance and is a stunning bit of willow with thin straight grains...top value for £200 from Asad!!
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Don't think I mentioned a grade 1+ did I?
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I'm not having a dig here soulman, I own a Salix which has been the best bat I've ever used, but if there's no such thing as grade 1+ and density doesn't play a part in it why do Salix have 3 ranges quoted as grade 1?
Personally I don't think looks play a part in it either as my Salix is a performance and is a stunning bit of willow with thin straight grains...top value for £200 from Asad!!
That's a valid point but we don't advertise G1+ just different price points for what is still a grade 1 bat. Finite is the G1 light density clefts but we don't say its G1+ its just the best in the G1 range and in limited numbers.
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Don't think I mentioned a grade 1+ did I?
Not at all Paul it was just me asking a question, maybe there is a G1+ available from Wrights but I've just never heard of it is all. In no way was it a dig at all mate just it seems to have been a hot topic over last few days and it was more a query as to is there actually a defined grade of G1+ available or is it just an internal grading used by some bat companies?
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Forget the butterfly for a minute what is this G1+ people talk about? As far as I know there is no such grade of willow a light density cleft is not graded any different from a standard G1 its just an ideal cleft.
On the other note you do need your lower grades to outsell your G1 clefts as the ratio of clefts in G1 is determined by the amount of clefts you buy, certainly from Wrights. You can't just buy G1 clefts as to get these you have to buy a mixed range. Well that's my understanding at least anyway. There just isn't the amount of G1 willow at present to allow just a purchase of G1.
No such thing as a performance cleft either but that doesn't stop brand that promote such things etc. If brands only graded as wrights do, you'd only have 4 options. They don't as they know they can make a fast buck by selling things as 'pro', grade 1+, 'performance' etc etc
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No such thing as a performance cleft either but that doesn't stop brand that promote such things etc. If brands only graded as wrights do, you'd only have 4 options. They don't as they know they can make a fast buck by selling things as 'pro', grade 1+, 'performance' etc etc
That's what I thought mate, I personally don't have a problem with a company grading as they want. At the end of the days that's how business works as most people run a business to make a profit. I was generally just trying to understand if there was actually an official g1+.
It makes sense that if there is something limited in a set range I.e light density clefts you charge a premium for it due to its exclusivity.
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Right I see what you meant. There are more grades than that from wrights grade 1-4 then handmade men's and boys then down through the vellum ranges. The players grades come from the grade 1s as within them you get a very low percentage of what they call specials. These are very clean straight grained clefts of which companies put different versions of a players grade out from them. If you select by hand you can sometimes get a few more than normal.
I then regrade when I finally receive the clefts so more tend to be downgraded than upgraded. You take the rough with the smooth. You will get some grade 1 clefts that will end up with marks in them or some fault that will downgrade it. You don't get many come up from 2 to 1 as wrights grading doesn't tend to give you that benefit as they are very rigorous with it. Sometimes you get 3s better than 2s.
Make sense?
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Right I see what you meant. There are more grades than that from wrights grade 1-4 then handmade men's and boys then down through the vellum ranges. The players grades come from the grade 1s as within them you get a very low percentage of what they call specials. These are very clean straight grained clefts of which companies put different versions of a players grade out from them. If you select by hand you can sometimes get a few more than normal.
I then regrade when I finally receive the clefts so more tend to be downgraded than upgraded. You take the rough with the smooth. You will get some grade 1 clefts that will end up with marks in them or some fault that will downgrade it. You don't get many come up from 2 to 1 as wrights grading doesn't tend to give you that benefit as they are very rigorous with it. Sometimes you get 3s better than 2s.
Make sense?
Perfect thanks mate. I have seen and been with Andrew when we regrade the clefts and like you say once you plain them do end up grading more down to 2's and on odd occasions are able to grade up but like I said not often.
Once again thanks for being so open and honest Paul and sorry if I didn't word it very well.
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That's what I thought mate, I personally don't have a problem with a company grading as they want. At the end of the days that's how business works as most people run a business to make a profit. I was generally just trying to understand if there was actually an official g1+.
It makes sense that if there is something limited in a set range I.e light density clefts you charge a premium for it due to its exclusivity.
Agreed bud. Wouldn't mind a few of these 'specials' though :)
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The specials we get become our players. You don't get many but then not many people in reality have the money to spend on them. For example this one was a beauty and very light too.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/5fea3d7fc489f59b6be00003d2e31c64_zpsf6dc9f50.jpg)
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The specials we get become our players. You don't get many but then not many people in reality have the money to spend on them. For example this one was a beauty and very light too.
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/5fea3d7fc489f59b6be00003d2e31c64_zpsf6dc9f50.jpg[/url])
Wow
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That looks a lovely bat Paul
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The specials we get become our players. You don't get many but then not many people in reality have the money to spend on them. For example this one was a beauty and very light too.
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/5fea3d7fc489f59b6be00003d2e31c64_zpsf6dc9f50.jpg[/url])
Oh my word! Look at that bat!
:) :) :)
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They are beautiful pieces of willow and a snip with the custom bat discount.
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How much are we talking?
Not sure I want to know!ha
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£295 internet price custom bat discount 15% so £250.75
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£295 internet price custom bat discount 15% so £250.75
Cheap as chips.
Same price as a many firms lower grades.
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Cheap as chips.
Same price as a many firms lower grades.
As cheap as poker chips maybe... ;)
Still a great price for a players bat :D
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Very fair price, for the amount of work that's been put into creating that lovely bat
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Stunning looking bat.
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This is its profile at 2lb 10
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e78e6790f6b8624c2141665082c91910_zps00f01a65.jpg)
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Well after a long couple of weeks away coaching starting to catch up with bats. Here are a few that are going out this week
Including a long blade supreme
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg1_zps65e85382.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg2_zpscd724995.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg3_zps299f2996.jpg)
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Paul you never seem to disappoint! Another set of quality sticks to some lucky customers!
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Just wanted to say that the Gold Sovereign Butterfly I got a few weeks ago is truly amazing! I reserved judgement after my first couple of nets, however having used it in a couple of matches I'm slightly in awe of its performance, to use an overworked cliche here it's an absolute gun. For a stodgy opening bat with a reputation for not hitting it off the square it's a revelation to have discovered a weight of shot from nowhere, even on deathly slow pitches. It has got a few people down here quite curious about what I'm using...
Thanks Paul :)
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Just wanted to say that the Gold Sovereign Butterfly I got a few weeks ago is truly amazing! I reserved judgement after my first couple of nets, however having used it in a couple of matches I'm slightly in awe of its performance, to use an overworked cliche here it's an absolute gun. For a stodgy opening bat with a reputation for not hitting it off the square it's a revelation to have discovered a weight of shot from nowhere, even on deathly slow pitches. It has got a few people down here quite curious about what I'm using...
Thanks Paul :)
Glad it's given you some extra muscle felix ;)
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Finally got to use one of your bats for a hit. The handle shape is brilliant.
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Finally got to use one of your bats for a hit. The handle shape is brilliant.
Who's was that
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ProCricketer1982's Supreme.
Nice bat, but a bit large for my weedy arms to wield for too long.
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hi guys been a busy few weeks here. heres some lovely bats off out 2 to Guernsey 1 locally. the supremes the left one is a couple of years old and the other is not an exact copy but a copy of its feel and pick up but in a butterfly 1 cleft and its an absolute beauty and I have a feeling its better to the original and the gold sovereign is a butterfly 1 that is off to a local guy and it is a very nice bat indeed.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg1_zps5b2ffa5c.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/imagejpg1_zps5b2ffa5c.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg2_zpsa8cf8c5a.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/imagejpg2_zpsa8cf8c5a.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/imagejpg3_zps77d7f331.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/imagejpg3_zps77d7f331.jpg.html)
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Liking those butterfly's more and more.
After watching you shape my supreme, I have a new found respect for the bats you create. Many thanks
Think I've managed to upset most of Oxfordshire knocking it in tho!
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Hope you both getting on well together :D
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Some of those butterfly clefts look like they've been in a tanning booth!
Something of the Dickinson about them.
Look great.
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have to put them through label whightning next :D
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have to put them through label whightning next :D
I can hear the bats already chatting among each other (which they all do when the lights are out, you've seen Toy Story, it's all true you know)....'I have not had my labels whitened!'.....How very Richard Hammond.
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Hi Paul
Will the cleaned up bat need any re-knocking in or will it be good to go?
Can't wait to receive my parcel!
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Will be good to go
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Not been on for a few days been very busy feel like I'm running round in circles at the moment. Here's a lovely harrow standard butterfly in the silver sovereign range going out to a local lad
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/109cbd7160beb5c3a4dfbc5574f46717_zps6a43a075.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e709440487d18592ae35eced26ad6914_zpsc5666e25.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/04c8126365c13d4fc3a959dd6e5cccef_zps7c15ebaa.jpg)
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Ordered one of these for my Bro for his Birthday, as he's just taken up cricket again after a 4-5 year gap, haven't seen the bat myself but his message this morning say only
Yep, for a meaty bat it had an awesome pick up, just need to find some time to knock it in now!
will try and grap some picturesd for a review unless Paul has taken some already.
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Two lovely butterfly bats off out. 1 gold sovereign butterfly1 off to a local player and a velocity butterfly super short handle. Both lovely pieces of wood always love a super short handle for some reason
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/1868d50f175d9d1155e57355426d64d1_zps15adce39.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b766bd6fdb9ec357b4bbda4e77a0e5ea_zpsec7981c7.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d7a97a7f3096f3452a29e6495e58f0c5_zps8291b767.jpg)
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Not being over tall I've always had a sneaking fancy for a super short handle - does it affect the pick up at all Paul?
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I think it improves it
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how about a long blade super short handle bat? would that make the bat full size? I am guessing supershort handles are preferred by shorter players.
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According to James Laver, having a Super Short Handle aids in bat speed. I was thinking of getting one, since I'm only 5'8, but I don't see any reason to change, unless you grip your handle fairly low or it really hampers your shot selection. I've actually found that I hold the handle a bit higher than I thought I did!
Bats are looking lovely as always. :) How have the G1 Butterfly bats sold compared to the regular ones so far?
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Very popular thanks chad particularly to people who visit as they see the true beauty of them in the flesh and get to feel just how good the response is.
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Here's some lovely butterfly1 clefts waiting to be shaped for some lucky individuals
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fd97e730bd01093e862460b36efeee1a_zps80cf6340.jpg)
Cleft on the left has sold subject to payment
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Yeah, they do look good in the flesh
Especially those G1 butterfly's
Paul, ,just wondering if you could get a butterfly down to 2.8 finished,to my bats shape with the shorter handle?
Or are we not talking much difference?
Once I can get hold of my lad, I will let you know when he wants one
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It's not a butterfly I know but while I'm in here here's a lovely harrow grade 3 going out to a very good local cricketer I used to go to school with his dad as it happens he was my house captain that's when life was in black and white
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d2e09c473b3653dc0426cb9da8c17eda_zpsecb2841a.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/7c5f02c2455a6faffa5ec775c2fe8225_zps3c476b33.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/abb503f5d7931f30961eb4b075d7ecec_zps4cdd812f.jpg)
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Yeah, they do look good in the flesh
Especially those G1 butterfly's
Paul, ,just wondering if you could get a butterfly down to 2.8 finished,to my bats shape with the shorter handle?
Or are we not talking much difference?
Once I can get hold of my lad, I will let you know when he wants one
Not really going to make that much difference. Has he picked your bat up?
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Yeah, ,that's why he wants one
He wants 2.8 tho, , ,thought I was fussy!
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Our gold and silvers start at 2-9
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Two lovely butterfly bats off out. 1 gold sovereign butterfly1 off to a local player and a velocity butterfly super short handle. Both lovely pieces of wood always love a super short handle for some reason
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/1868d50f175d9d1155e57355426d64d1_zps15adce39.jpg[/url])
Hi Paul
Yet more beauties!
What's the difference (other than colour) between the black and white grips? Are they both part of your standard offering?
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Actually the white ones in the pic are new ones we normally just do spirals but the company I use didn't have any made up so he advised me to have these similar to salix ones so I'm told. They are good quality just not as thick as the spiral.
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Nice looking butterfly willow
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Just cleaned these up today not even pressed yet and they look sensational and I am certain they will make stunning butterfly1 obviously will see when pressed but to be honest the look and feel of them now doesn't seem to suggest otherwise
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/2b5ffe85df2bed595e7bd83104de3614_zps1244ce3a.jpg)
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I believe that is my 'grainy heartwood belter' 1 in from the right.
Ordered a standard butterfly from paul as well.
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No it's not horseman yours is already handled and waiting in the line up to be made. That is one that is very very similar and we have some more as well looking through the pile not quite so many grains but real beautiful grains.
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Damn paul, couldve bagged me a set of suntanned twins !!
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A lovely gold sovereign butterfly1 off out to Boston lincs a real gem
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/c2c95450d41a4ad965cab51b349f244a_zps79206db0.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/cd667482f74f5caf2e36d383430fb8cb_zps8cc72657.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b66070f697cb05aa4cde2fe9305c1463_zps16ff515a.jpg)
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Oh man I'm looking forward to my one!
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Paul, looks stunning! :D
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Hi Paul
Parcel arrived safely on Wednesday morning.
Impressed by what I would consider improved packaging.
Delighted by refurb and new bat. New one has thicker edges but spine possibly not quite as high. However feels exactly the same in weight pick up and feel, which is what I asked for.
A couple of questions:
You haven't taped the edges on either of them this time. Any particular reason? If not I will probably do so to both.
The original had my initials stamped on the shoulder. Have you stopped doing this or was mine just a one off? The new one has some sort of code stamped on the back - 1466. Does this mean anything?
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Hi Paul
Parcel arrived safely on Wednesday morning.
Impressed by what I would consider improved packaging.
Delighted by refurb and new bat. New one has thicker edges but spine possibly not quite as high. However feels exactly the same in weight pick up and feel, which is what I asked for.
A couple of questions:
You haven't taped the edges on either of them this time. Any particular reason? If not I will probably do so to both.
The original had my initials stamped on the shoulder. Have you stopped doing this or was mine just a one off? The new one has some sort of code stamped on the back - 1466. Does this mean anything?
We don't put the edge tape on now haven't for a couple of years I suppose since I found this anti scuff sheet we haven't needed to its really good quality stuff and looks nicer without I reckon. The number is a log for me to keep track of what's going out when and helps me with my ongoing tracking of customers as we grow as a business. As you may well be aware we are happily getting more and more popular and widespread throughout the country and worldwide now but I only intend to keep the business as it is and only have myself making the bats and dealing with the customers, this is incredibly time consuming but it allows me to keep the hands on customer service that I have been and continue to be renowned for alongside my bats. I suppose hopefully it will get to a stage where I can only take so many orders in a year so as to keep the quality high but I would rather do that than compromise our standards
Hope that answers some questions
Paul
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Thanks for the response Paul. I'll probably just tape up the edges myself.
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Change of background today. A beautiful gold sovereign butterfly1 off to one of the local clubs South African overseas. Normally a 2-8 to 2-9 man but as usual anyone who comes to have one made ends up deciding that its feeling perfect at 3oz heavier than they would normally buy as the pick up is so good. It is a lovely bat this I have to say. We have about 7 more orders in line for the butterfly1s this week along with some top end grades too.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b5a9a2f33ebec1027edd9bb503ca7b3f_zps8d7524a4.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8207a4237e85abdf80c2dd502df662f7_zps71edf3be.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b2f2bea1f13e59a547c737f8f3ba42a5_zps56252e76.jpg)
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Two lovely supreme butterfly bats off out a butterfly1 and standard both 2-11 and feel very nice indeed
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/7f7433eeee067ad42dcc08774909d9e8_zps2070c08c.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8cf501cd9529b2d31f1627e35f9bff5f_zpsd2637c32.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/1139434fb77300ee020a4deb3be40753_zps827dc046.jpg)
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The one on the left could pass for a G1+!
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The one on the left could pass for a G1+!
What he said!
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Honesty prevents ;)
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I'm looking forward to getting hold of mine, I haven't been so excited about a bat before!
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Well we keep finding these for our butterfly1 bats truly fantastic piece of willow just been pressed and handled will make a big 2-9 standard sh bat in any range.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b101915ee6f40032d2a8f38c943219cb_zps39136e14.jpg)
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looks pretty grainy that one
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wow I counted 28-29 grains on that :o
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A lovely butterfly1 velocity long blade 2-10 off out to London. Lucky man this one its a lovely pick up and great feel
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6c9f84e7ac21adc5806f08bcf8ac5760_zps6517ba8c.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d182801c582e2ec140a741362b124d08_zpse61ba914.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fa1350ee233e72e2a68fc86df2bacfe6_zps1e8c5e5a.jpg)
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Well we keep finding these for our butterfly1 bats truly fantastic piece of willow just been pressed and handled will make a big 2-9 standard sh bat in any range.
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b101915ee6f40032d2a8f38c943219cb_zps39136e14.jpg[/url])
Is this my one Paul?
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Nope tango it's not yours has been shaped up and waiting to be sanded etc
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Nope tango it's not yours has been shaped up and waiting to be sanded etc
Haha ok, I'll try to stop pestering you now! :D
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Here's two more lovely bats going out 1 standard butterfly velocity 2-9 and a beautiful gold sovereign butterfly1 extra bow in the blade it's actually come out at 2-9 1/2 but feels very much like a 2-7/2-8 and is a belter.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d35f62c391b885c946db3240e8eed3e8_zps930c8542.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/7b86778f5cdfadc59bdb66c52f2747f6_zps68fc3d31.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4608d3c2428f23bbffe4af00c8d982ea_zps1ef5fd1c.jpg)
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Looks great as always Paul, can't wait to get my hands on her!
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There's a lot of really nice tight looking grains in the Sov, I count 24. :D
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There's a lot of really nice tight looking grains in the Sov, I count 24. :D
I keep having to give up trying to count them on here, will have to wait until I see them in person!
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I keep having to give up trying to count them on here, will have to wait until I see them in person!
Ahh, miscounting, double vision, ogling at close ups........... you're in lust ;)
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A nice butterfly1 silver sovereign off out 2-10 squarer toe than normal
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6e8108394de83fd4f2755abd884cf0ad_zps37b2361f.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/ef1f1cd70f20142b1f69835a0f58bd88_zps80861551.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/40f459a19bd6fa9bd462172f2edaebbc_zpsc8b470f1.jpg)
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A truly incredible butterfly1 that I have shaped up today for a lovely chap and his daughter who came down for from Sheffield today. Gold sovereign profile it's 2-10 as it is but picks up like 2-8 is rather large I have to say
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/22f4aaddea29fce7852e62a6e006e37a_zps067a3671.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d9b089cea45e2486c9840930d1d66067_zpsb9e6c697.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/19a7aad79e44209de997df01137cb52c_zpse24295b0.jpg)
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these butterfly bats that you are producing look very very good. I see now why you classed these as G1 based on the grains on some of these.
I like that shape, how high is the spine on it?
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3" spine height (77mm) and 1 5/8" edges. It started out weighing 3lb 7oz
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That sure is a lovely shape!
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That's huge!!!!
Stunning
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That's huge!!!!
Stunning
I agree, bowlers will tremble :o
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I had a great morning over at Pauls as I went through the options of my new bat. I hope I wasn't a fussy customer as I had no set pre conditions, I just wanted a great bat and was prepared to use Pauls experience to guide me.The cleft above was picked out with three or four more although once I saw this one it was no contest. I looked at the different models that Paul produces and assumed that I would prefer the velocity but although I didn't actually pick up a gold sovereign Pauls description sold it.
It was pleasure watching a craftsman at work, it looked effortless as we watched a chunk of wood evolved into a sweeping shape. Ive always batted with bricks so wanted something a little like the legend, all aesthetics but bigger. This will fit the bill and if it looks good in its current state then it will be truly beautiful when finished.
Would recommend the effort coming over to Pauls to have a bat made. Superb value and a great experience.
will update when the bats arrived and when Ive used it in anger
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Glad you enjoyed
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Here's a nice standard butterfly in a velocity profile for a young player at a local club. 2-7 full size blade super short handle.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6d73802f00323013c323dac33c220d17_zps0c6b041a.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/cd71be73820c78101b3ceb430d69d7f8_zpse49e6386.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/3bcccfb5dde842e931e382ec44f78367_zpsdecc6757.jpg)
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Ok so here's something very special coming out the workshop today especially for jamferg. A beautiful butterfly1 gold sovereign possibly one of the best looking and feeling pieces of willow I have had the pleasure to work into a bat and a pleasure making it for him as he just let me get on with making this to the best possible pick up and feel that I was able to. It feels maginificent would absolutely love to keep it for myself I have to say
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fdfd84aa49bcbb3ccecb8f2857fe2caf_zps8bb999e4.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b224224383374d62745431e59ea85f9b_zps8588529c.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/3e2b7e94cad81352afb76787271d8cb0_zps307b3ce5.jpg)
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A little close up of the grains
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/af89021b5c3f5685badd4e7e996e988d_zps874b44af.jpg)
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Hoooooooooooooooooooo - I gone all Goose-Pimply - more than the grains, I like the profile, it's a nice shape. what weight is this if I have missed it?
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Well he came in looking at 2-9 but just wanted to get the best feel of bat really so we shaped it up and it was 2-9 naked and so has finished at 2-11 but picks up like 2-8. It makes it very easy when I have a customer who trusts my judgement on pick up as it is something that is crucial and was something we always looked for when I was playing.
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That bat is just stunning :O unbelievable work and cleft
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Here's a very similar one that I am making up at the moment as a selection of 3 for an old mate of mine to pick from but this is in a grade 1 and the grains whilst not being as many as the butterfly which I hasten to add are rare are truly beautiful
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/355f033db8d7a7db40ef8430713f97c2_zpse2074bdf.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6555e1c062d9bc370bf96da2098f504c_zps604f7441.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/584dbdba862366cfd2cc60fc24c53247_zps2bd008b9.jpg)
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Well he came in looking at 2-9 but just wanted to get the best feel of bat really so we shaped it up and it was 2-9 naked and so has finished at 2-11 but picks up like 2-8. It makes it very easy when I have a customer who trusts my judgement on pick up as it is something that is crucial and was something we always looked for when I was playing.
Crivens. What a beauty. Full performance report needed!
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Jamferg stop dreaming your picking it up tomorrow :D
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Crivens. What a beauty. Full performance report needed!
I will feedback at every stage .... I can't buy decent runs this season with 50% of matches in Sheffield being rained offand the others played on puddings. . paul has guaranteed me runs with this however :-)
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Jamferg stop dreaming your picking it up tomorrow :D
I'd walk over if need be !
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A nice butterfly1 going out to a local young player gold sovereign profile 2-10 nice piece of willow.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/32df45637249d1595490d6417a14b406_zpsb7ed3a85.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8d90bcf234c16896b920eb25997217e9_zps99e4b97f.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/ef0b042cf3e0fdba3eb8e57d38913cb6_zps6886af8a.jpg)
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Well he came in looking at 2-9 but just wanted to get the best feel of bat really so we shaped it up and it was 2-9 naked and so has finished at 2-11 but picks up like 2-8. It makes it very easy when I have a customer who trusts my judgement on pick up as it is something that is crucial and was something we always looked for when I was playing.
After finally getting home after picking my bat up from Paul's ( car breaking down) I have sat and admired my new bat. It looks much, much bigger in the flesh and the finishing is the best ive seen. Again photos don't do the stickers justice either. The rebound of the mallet and an old ball is suberb and it will only get better.
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How much did that set you back Jamferg if you don't mind me asking ...
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Jamferg glad you got home ok and glad you are loving that special piece of willow
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How much did that set you back Jamferg if you don't mind me asking ...
£170 for grade 1 butterfly willow
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that's awesome value, think I know what my next purchase will be
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A nice butterfly1 going out to a local young player gold sovereign profile 2-10 nice piece of willow.
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/32df45637249d1595490d6417a14b406_zpsb7ed3a85.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8d90bcf234c16896b920eb25997217e9_zps99e4b97f.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/ef0b042cf3e0fdba3eb8e57d38913cb6_zps6886af8a.jpg[/url])
Personally think that looks like a horrible piece of willow!
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Personally think that looks like a horrible piece of willow!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder mate - besides can't knock the value
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Irony - the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really think, especially in order to be funny.
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A lovely butterfly1 gold sovereign off out locally 2-9 big bat big ping
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/520a26426af78763174d5ae8eb46d906_zpsea7c3734.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b0d32451b9774103fc7d326f352b2230_zps1d433396.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/1fbfaf819fbd9e0081448cf4aa8b209c_zps9cca69a8.jpg)
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OOOOH! That does look pretty chunky for a 2' 9".
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finally in from the workshop today its been a hot long day. two lovely butterfly1 going out one silver sovereign 2-10 and one modified velocity into a real traditional blade no concaving 2-9 both lovely feel to them
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/P1020018_zpsd74c64df.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/P1020018_zpsd74c64df.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/P1020019_zpsd81f4441.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/P1020019_zpsd81f4441.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/P1020021_zps48010128.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/P1020021_zps48010128.jpg.html)
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A lovely butterfly1 gold sovereign off to a guy at one of the clubs I coach at 2-10
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6294a0c83bee733a9be067e45e59f967_zps6cb85aae.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/07aa63bf55e366433a407cefba43136d_zps470eb265.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/fb1a61dde3f97cc5c52e27fe2046fa7e_zpsd5ff0fa7.jpg)
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That's huge.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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After finally getting home after picking my bat up from Paul's ( car breaking down) I have sat and admired my new bat. It looks much, much bigger in the flesh and the finishing is the best ive seen. Again photos don't do the stickers justice either. The rebound of the mallet and an old ball is suberb and it will only get better.
hit my first 50 with the bat today vs a touring side from essex. still getting used to the lighter weight but when I hit it then it it stayed hit!
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Well played :D
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Tow lovely butterfly1 going out a silver sovereign at 2-9 and a long handle velocity at 2-11
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/f11b6421b3af266ad0c0635d3c99572e_zps1fad9c0f.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6c96cb941f84d14763d44a08fb2380c2_zpse95ad88d.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b58be52d838fc1285946f272d7d81f0d_zpse2b1b6af.jpg)
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Hi Paul?? Is butterfly stain willow still available??? If so do you ship to U.S?
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It is and we do just drop me an email aldred173@btinternet.com
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Ok back in the swing of things now after being away from it for a couple of weeks really was away with the Taverners and then had some sad family stuff going on am afraid but such is life.
Here's a lovely buttefly1 silver going out 2-11. It's a beauty great feel to it
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/11bd4f89401be376f42c2c32a41479df_zps0122cf18.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/c248acd3933940ca9f352f42714232ec_zps9c4339ad.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b00dc93edf5830751051d33c9d7ded36_zps4a1bd9bd.jpg)
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I'd love to see how many other bat makers would sell this as Grade 1
Lovely looking bat Paul
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Ah well that's honesty for you ;) very very busy few weeks ahead forever growing just from word of mouth and very proud of the fact too. I am just trying to do every thing myself without partners or investors just want to build a reputation of being one of the best and earn a living, not interested in flooding the market at all, have had a few people asking to come in with me to do exactly that and try and compete with mass manufacturing and machine made but that's not for me I'm afraid am old fashioned in that sense and want to keep it purely traditional and under my control so we can not only give the best product made by hand but also the best customer service and relations we can give. That's how I like things to be
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That is an absolute gem! Love the shape.
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Simply amazing looking bat.. Really sorry to hear you have had some sad times to deal with but it looks like you are back to doing what you love.. and it shows through in that Bat.
After all my research you are still number 1 on my list next time i am in the market for a new bat!
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Mr Aldred
I see these bats have a flatter bottom part to the bat, is this all the rage at the moment? Bats look very imposing.
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Mr Aldred
I see these bats have a flatter bottom part to the bat, is this all the rage at the moment? Bats look very imposing.
Do you mean that the spine doesn't extend to the Base of the toe?
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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the silver sovereign has a spine that extends to the toe
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Butterfly???
My eyes must finally be going!!ha
Gotta say Paul, your bats are the standard bat makers should be looking at
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Thanks northern. It's thanks to people like yourself that are helping keep the traditional handmade skill alive, without folks like yourself we would lose these skills for mass manufacturing and machines which would be unthinkable but I am afraid in this day and age people are wanting really wanting to flood the market it seems which is a shame when you think how many bat makers there were around making them by hand but I do think people are now appreciating the process of handmade more rather thank the soulless market of mass imports and mass manufacturing I think people are wanting something that has has time care and love put into it when they are spending good money and not just paying for a product that has gone through a faceless process
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Thanks northern. It's thanks to people like yourself that are helping keep the traditional handmade skill alive, without folks like yourself we would lose these skills for mass manufacturing and machines which would be unthinkable but I am afraid in this day and age people are wanting really wanting to flood the market it seems which is a shame when you think how many bat makers there were around making them by hand but I do think people are now appreciating the process of handmade more rather thank the soulless market of mass imports and mass manufacturing I think people are wanting something that has has time care and love put into it when they are spending good money and not just paying for a product that has gone through a faceless process
Paul Aldred: makes fine bats and writes very long sentences. ;)
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Those bats certainly look amazing. I emailed you about getting one sent to Australia, I hope to hear from you soon. I think once I use mine this season you may have a few orders coming from Aus.
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Paul Aldred: makes fine bats and writes very long sentences. ;)
Punctuation goes out the window when I'm on here am afraid :)
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If ever I've had a bad day, I look at this thread.
Value for money I don't think these bats can be beat.
Then I get more upset about the fact that I don't have one.
Great stuff by Aldred.
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We'll sometimes when I press and handle clefts up I wish I was playing again but then I have to think how lucky I am to be able to turn these into beautifully performing bats all by hand just like this country was renowned for over many many years. These are the butterfly1 as I just posted in the top end thread
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/b0293e9079d5499bb0424168387d8dc7_zpsddfeb19c.jpg)
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A lovely silver sovereign standard butterfly off out to America this week, 2-9 feels very nice indeed great value. Our butterfly range has gone like a bomb out there since I introduced it and we are getting ready to order more
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/004b6cede548a058fc24f1cfaf4bfedd_zps610a2058.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/846c5ba071e23e0c20d85ffe210a191e_zps4c63951b.jpg)
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Assuming Its mine...... can't wait to get my hands on it.
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A lovely butterfly1 pre made here an absolutely beautiful piece of willow 2-12 feels 2-10 its a massive bat and grains to die for in the silver some shape £170 shipped in uk.
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4307bf6066ba1368551c1b0aea47a55c_zpsee0430a0.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/48a889d037b77dd39a4a146d77d49e9d_zps22f84c7a.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/af9fa3232a1c60e8e27dcddc3e4406b7_zps8a6d4f8c.jpg)
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Two beauties off out a silver sovereign butterfly1 2-9 and a magnificent supreme butterfly1 2-8 great great sticks
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4ca298499001d476b9b9d3b1c9777cc1_zps3395ee16.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/377a090be14768524fa1272a9a98437b_zpsd5fec3ec.jpg)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/13108db281a7599f4e1e1b163cb3d4d6_zpsc50dc667.jpg)
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The one on the left looks like a cracker
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Is that pre made still up for grabs?
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Is that pre made still up for grabs?
Which pre made do you mean turn of pace?
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Do these go as well as top grade bats or is the performance hugely different ?
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The butterfly1 clefts most certainly do. The standard ones to very well as everything is pressed to suit that particular cleft so we get the best we can out of it. I feel there is more variation into how long the standards take to open up. Like I've said before we are a small company and have to get the very best out of every cleft we make up top end or lower end
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And how much is a butterfly 1 cleft ?
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And how much is a butterfly 1 cleft ?
£170 shipped in the uk plumb
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Paul, I've pm'd you about that butterfly1.
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As the lucky recipient of the multigrainer supreme pictured above I must say I am staggered by the quality of this bat. It is absolutely huge for 2.8 , it has that lovely sound when bouncing a ball on the face and also the pickup is fantastic. If I had ordered a players grade and this turned up I would have been more than happy never mind a butterfly grade :-).
This will definitely be my match bat next season Thanks Paul .
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I've got to say, that Supreme looks amazing. How can that be a butterfly??? There isn't a bat maker out there that can get anywhere near Aldred for value for money. I can't wait for my Silver Sovereign butterfly1 to arrive, it looks like a cannon.
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My silver sovereign butterfly1 arrived yesterday, and it looks even better in the flesh than in the pictures. It's a huge bat (2.12) but very well balanced, picks up beautifully and the finishing, as with all Aldred bats is first class and the response off the mallet is terrific. Another superb bat at a great price from Paul.
Paul, I'd love to see some end of season deals on pads and gloves. Also do you still sell the kit bags?
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My silver sovereign butterfly1 arrived yesterday, and it looks even better in the flesh than in the pictures. It's a huge bat (2.12) but very well balanced, picks up beautifully and the finishing, as with all Aldred bats is first class and the response off the mallet is terrific. Another superb bat at a great price from Paul.
Paul, I'd love to see some end of season deals on pads and gloves. Also do you still sell the kit bags?
I asked about a week ago about the kit bags he said he had none in at the moment.
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How do these butterfly's perform in comparison to a grade 1?
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Mate, I've had three butterflys from Paul and they all play superbly well and better than many grade 1 bats used by my team mates. It just affects the cosmetic appearance of the bat it doesn't affect the performance at all. As far as I'm concerned they represent unbelievable value for a club cricketer. To give you an idea, I did a comparison with my previous bat which was a standard butterfly Velocity shape, with other bats used by teammates (GN, GM's etc ) the only bat we felt just pipped the butterfly(and there wasn't much in it) was a Millichamp and Hall custom. The difference being that the M&H cost £400 and the Aldred £125. You won't go wrong with an Aldred butterfly, you'll be getting a bat that plays far better than its price tag suggests it would.
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Think I might have to invest seems like fantastic value
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Hey turn Of pace.....
I Have a butterfly from aldred this season, haven't used it in nets or in match yet, still at knocking it in.... feel really good about the bat and the balance. After How long do you think the bat opens up ???? as i have been using lavers most of the time, laver do the knocking for you when you buy so, have no idea about time the aldred's take to open up????
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I borrowed my brothers Aldred Butterfly when I sneaked a game in while I was over visiting, and it was a beauty, saw me to 34* in no time at all.
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Shortpitch. My experience with Aldred bats are that they are pressed very well and so don't require too much knocking in. I give it an hour around the toe and edges a gentle net session then for me it's good to go. Obviously each cleft will be different so you just have to trust your own judgement. I'm not one for hours of knocking in, if it feels right just use it. At these prices, if the bat lasts a season or 1200-1400 runs then that's good enough for me.
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Shortpitch. My experience with Aldred bats are that they are pressed very well and so don't require too much knocking in. I give it an hour around the toe and edges a gentle net session then for me it's good to go. Obviously each cleft will be different so you just have to trust your own judgement. I'm not one for hours of knocking in, if it feels right just use it. At these prices, if the bat lasts a season or 1200-1400 runs then that's good enough for me.
I agree with this. I did mine for about 2 hours. I could have stopped once I'd finished the edges and the toe. I even bought a heavier mallet and still couldn't make a dent in the face.
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Thanks Tango and Turn of Pace for advice.... Regular Season is over for us here. Have couple of T20's left probably might start using the bat in there. Will update how it did.
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heres a lovely butterfly 1 silver sovereign off to London 2-12 immaculate pick up
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1099_zps02eef9e5.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1099_zps02eef9e5.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1100_zpsf69ebc6f.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1100_zpsf69ebc6f.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1101_zpsb224500d.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1101_zpsb224500d.jpg.html)
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heres a supreme butterfly1 off out to USA with a ridiculously high swell on it some 11'' from the toe weighs 2-13 super short handle. I had reservations on making it like that but strangely it actually works. huge middle
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1477_zps189355bb.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1477_zps189355bb.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1479_zps8801da6e.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1479_zps8801da6e.jpg.html)
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Bet that picks up like a toothpick!
Lovely looking sticks as always Mr Aldred.
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Yes it does pick up more like 210-11. Just about to start on some grade twos now for some people who have spotted my christmas offer. Will post some pics. The classic bat is a grade 2 it's a beauty as well
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what sort of weight will that classic be Paul? Looks a belter.
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It's a heavy one that one is will come in at 3lb but just like the originals it picks up beautifully. It was a heavier cleft to start with.
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Ooh, back in the day I'd have been all over that like a cheap suit. Too heavy for me now :(
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What a beautiful looking bat! Fit for a discerning cricketer with impeccable taste...I suspect it is meant for an opening batsman...wild lot they are, mad-bad and dangerous to know. :D
heres a supreme butterfly1 off out to USA with a ridiculously high swell on it some 11'' from the toe weighs 2-13 super short handle. I had reservations on making it like that but strangely it actually works. huge middle
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1477_zps189355bb.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1477_zps189355bb.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1479_zps8801da6e.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1479_zps8801da6e.jpg.html[/url])
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heres a supreme butterfly1 off out to USA with a ridiculously high swell on it some 11'' from the toe weighs 2-13 super short handle. I had reservations on making it like that but strangely it actually works. huge middle
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/IMG_1478_zps1c49c687.jpg.html[/url])
For me, this is probably my favourite of all the profiles you've churned out. :) Get one SSH in 2.10-2.11, then we're talking!
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We make to order so if you would like one just drop me an email
Paul
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heres a fantastic velocity butterfly1 off over to Ireland. the spec requested was velocity butterfly1 2-9 undressed. the perfect order I reckon as this feels a great bat lots of wood in it for the profile picks up like a feather and feels ggggrrrrreeeeeaaaaaatttttt as tony the tiger would say. lucky guy getting this
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/8bf7fd985a38962c3beff9709c8700bd_zpsf52c504d.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/8bf7fd985a38962c3beff9709c8700bd_zpsf52c504d.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e30adef5cae58460c5edb8c1614f2762_zps0087d9cf.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/e30adef5cae58460c5edb8c1614f2762_zps0087d9cf.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/778f55e04ee3c4ab68a4b34f46cb4478_zps142b7cc5.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/778f55e04ee3c4ab68a4b34f46cb4478_zps142b7cc5.jpg.html)
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I don't see any butterfly on that Paul!! under the stickers?
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A very feint one down towards the toe, it's hard to see its just shows as a darker piece of willow. It's a nice piece of wood, great grains
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A very feint one down towards the toe, it's hard to see its just shows as a darker piece of willow. It's a nice piece of wood, great grains
ah i see what you mean...nice looking bat indeed. All your bats look very big, would you ever consider sharing spine height on these..just so we get an idea of size
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Spine height around 65mm edge at the biggest point on this one is 40mm and the shoulders are 20mm so quite a lot of wood in it
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Your not seriously telling me I could get one of these for the £125 somebody mentioned?
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No the butterfly1 is £170 shipped mainland UK standard butterfly is £135
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That's pretty damn good I know what my wife is buying me for Christmas now. We play on pretty low slow wickets i open and usually use a 2.9 front foot player mainly which one of your bats would you recommend.
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Kippers if you have followed me over the last few years you will have read my thoughts on profiles. A bat in the hand is about personal confidence, how it makes you feel with a piece of willow in your hand. I played professional cricket in an age with the old fashioned style of bats on quick county and international pace tracks with the traditional parallel edge bats that people now would say we're suited to low bounce wickets. I watched great players score double hundreds and hit the ball just as far as players do now with what would be deemed minuscule bats compared to what people accept as the norm now days, and they didn't have to bring the boundaries in to create sixes like they do now, poor bowlers. The bats were pressed properly and balanced properly full stop.
All my bats are made to order specific to the individual. I take great pride in the quality of the pressing in every grade of willow we sell and also how the bats feel. I want people to get bats every bit as good as we used to get as professionals with a service of yesteryear not many pros get bats actually made for them now.
Whichever profile you like and feel is the nicest in your eyes and is going to make you feel happy and confident is the one to go for and then we make it from there for you.
Hope that helps a little, just ask any of our customers on here I am sure they will give you non biased views and I am always happy to speak to you to help give you advice from not only a bat making side but also a coach and professional cricketer point of view, I'm always here to help with no sales or marketing speak, just cricket language.
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Those butterfly 1,s are a steal at that price
They look too nice to use!
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Thanks for that bit of common sense. I don't really know too much about bats. I spent years down the order and only batted when we needed to bat out for a draw. 20 overs for 8 runs, when they brought there openers back on to knock over the tail. I think somebody must of noticed i had about 15 not out's out of 20 innings and asked me to open up and just try and see off the new bowlers. Now I'm stuck opening which i really enjoy. Made my first 50 last knock of this year of 15 overs so I have decided to take batting and bats more seriously. Not to bad for an opening bowler aged 52 lol
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Great story. You cant go wrong with paul, if you have time arrange a visit (a personal objective of mine) . If not paul posts lots of pictures of clefts and rough weights to help make an educated decision.
I own bats from pauls supreme range in grade 1 through to butterfly and the shape and finishing are superb. My next is to be a good sovereign.
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Just cleaning a few more butterfly1 clefts up feel very light too as well as looking beautiful
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/a22ae1e9534f12b00dfb5570737b3daa_zpsee1e3d9a.jpg)
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well a very lucky lad is about to get this very special junior bat. it is a supreme butterfly1, size 6 blade size 5 overall so short handle so it can be replaced as he grows to save on expense of a new bat 37mm edges 60mm spine and weighs in at 2lb 5oz and feels just superb. no more losing shape whilst trying to smash a ball off the square with the usual ill performing junior bats, this will allow him to get every bit of value he can out of his shots
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d963c9d50c2b3183fa57a91013e31d40_zps9a9da0ed.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/d963c9d50c2b3183fa57a91013e31d40_zps9a9da0ed.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e50f15fcee444035895c447a9c146e27_zpsb6f5d523.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/e50f15fcee444035895c447a9c146e27_zpsb6f5d523.jpg.html)(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/70b7d63a214731ae0ccf48c4c52d6e42_zps5f67252d.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/70b7d63a214731ae0ccf48c4c52d6e42_zps5f67252d.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/cd36b80fc6edfd1733c875615c590767_zps78751cd1.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/cd36b80fc6edfd1733c875615c590767_zps78751cd1.jpg.html)
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Look at these babies wating to be shaped into a new life and just look at their weights in this form. You can take about a pound out of them
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/47776c77509a3fb4d1cd93d323c77b3f_zps105c6f24.jpg)
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Paul, you're not helping my bat addiction any, but just so i can show how tough my willpower is (or indeed what value my good lady could get for her hard earned cash, should she decide upon a hitherto unexpected early xmas present), can you remind me how much it would be to shape one of these (e.g. no 2 or no.4) into a new butterfly 1 spectre weighing in 2.7 dressed please. By the way, are the clefts a couple of posts above gone? Regards Rpt Customer
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The two at either end will soon be snapped up.
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For 2-7 dressed you want the lightest. They all ping so irrelevant on performance just what looks right for you. No they are not gone just done them this morning. First come first serve. £170 totally hand made shipped mainland uk.
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Paul I just PM'd you if that's ok. Are knots at the edge prone to cracking around them, on the assumption they are harder than the other wood and therefore a strike across a knot and some adjacent 'softer' wood will cause a fault at the interface between the two densities or is that something which can be accounted for in the pressing process, please?
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1'st one of the left looks like it'll make a beautiful stick.
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They all will every one of them feels beautiful
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They all will every one of them feels beautiful
Agree Paul surely they all will but my eyes couldn't move on from the 1'st one :) If I had money atm that would have been mine.
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a lovely butterfly1 spectre off to Australia a very light bat at 2-7 feels like a wand
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/2014-11-26114045_zps31a037ad.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/2014-11-26114045_zps31a037ad.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/2014-11-26114156_zps8aa3965a.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/2014-11-26114156_zps8aa3965a.jpg.html)
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That is a cracker of a bat.
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How much would be for butterfly1 shipped to Finland?
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well a very lucky lad is about to get this very special junior bat. it is a supreme butterfly1, size 6 blade size 5 overall so short handle so it can be replaced as he grows to save on expense of a new bat 37mm edges 60mm spine and weighs in at 2lb 5oz and feels just superb. no more losing shape whilst trying to smash a ball off the square with the usual ill performing junior bats, this will allow him to get every bit of value he can out of his shots
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d963c9d50c2b3183fa57a91013e31d40_zps9a9da0ed.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/d963c9d50c2b3183fa57a91013e31d40_zps9a9da0ed.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/e50f15fcee444035895c447a9c146e27_zpsb6f5d523.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/e50f15fcee444035895c447a9c146e27_zpsb6f5d523.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/70b7d63a214731ae0ccf48c4c52d6e42_zps5f67252d.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/70b7d63a214731ae0ccf48c4c52d6e42_zps5f67252d.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/cd36b80fc6edfd1733c875615c590767_zps78751cd1.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/cd36b80fc6edfd1733c875615c590767_zps78751cd1.jpg.html[/url])
Isn't 2lb 5oz very heavy for a size 5 junior bat? That weight pulls most small mens bats up.
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How much would be for butterfly1 shipped to Finland?
Your looking at about £26.
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Isn't 2lb 5oz very heavy for a size 5 junior bat? That weight pulls most small mens bats up.
Pulls most men's bats up? Average weight of a men's bats are 2-9. This was actually made as a size 6 blade with a shorter handle to enable them to replace the handle as he grows not the whole bat. Weight wise it's spot on. The general weight range for a size 5 is 2-2 to 2-4 weight range for a size 6 is 2-3 to 2-5 plus the fact that it's made with a great pick up that's where you have a great bespoke hand made bat. Does that make sense?
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Your looking at about £26.
£26 shipped :o I'll take 4 at that price!! ;) :D
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£26 shipped :o I'll take 4 at that price!! ;) :D
Good try :( £26 shipping plus the bat to clarify don't want anyone to think I'm too generous
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Pulls most men's bats up? Average weight of a men's bats are 2-9. This was actually made as a size 6 blade with a shorter handle to enable them to replace the handle as he grows not the whole bat. Weight wise it's spot on. The general weight range for a size 5 is 2-2 to 2-4 weight range for a size 6 is 2-3 to 2-5 plus the fact that it's made with a great pick up that's where you have a great bespoke hand made bat. Does that make sense?
Small mens, it's a size after harrow here. Can't agree about the weights, anything over 2lb in a 5 here is heavy, different conditions and strengths I know but those weights must hinder young players? If he is a low to mid gripper would adding handle length achieve anything?
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Small mens, it's a size after harrow here. Can't agree about the weights, anything over 2lb in a 5 here is heavy, different conditions and strengths I know but those weights must hinder young players? If he is a low to mid gripper would adding handle length achieve anything?
2lb5oz heavy here? for who?
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Juniors!
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That's a rather general statement. How old? How tall? How strong? It's not as cut and dried as that. It's a custom made bat to suit the customer so I'd say the size and weight would suit.
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You have read Skips post incorrectly anyway mate! It doesn't say 2lb 5oz heavy. It says anything over 2lb in a size 5 is classed as heavy!!
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Well that I did... Apologies....
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No problems matey.
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Ok a few things to look at which may answer a few of the quibbles you are having.
1 its actually a size 6 blade with a short handle to make it size 5 length, so could the lad be built for a heavier bat but isn't very tall as in an adult wanting a heavier bat but is only 5'5'' that's one question to think about in an order which is why I talk at length with our customers about it.
2 these are made bespoke to customers requests and with some input from myself
3 its not just about weight its about feel. I make a lot of jnr bats for ex playing colleague's lads and lasses and have never had one say its heavy in whatever size weight range they have had as they know its down to pick up and feel. they know this from their own experience but we all know that the limits are less with jnr players due to strength.
4 you can go and buy any piece of old floor board out of a shop with a handle in it and the poor kid will be flogging his guts out trying to hit the thing off the square losing shape in all his shots. the skill in making these bats as perfect miniatures is to leave enough willow in them at the appropriate weight and feel that allows them to get full value in their shots whilst being able to hold shape throughout the stroke.
5 if after the young player has had a couple of hits and it does feel a touch heavy for him then we have the option of sending it in to remove a couple of ounces at just the cost of postage. we can always remove weight
6 I cant stick willow back on it to add the weight back
7 our success rate at making these bats for top young cricketers is easily 95% and the rest have all just been modified to suit and everyone is happy
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Yeah I understand what your saying but I think you're missing my point, 2lb 5oz for a 10-12yo is quite heavy in Australia, obviously I am generalising a little because there will always be exceptions depending on the child. That's pretty much all I was saying, certainly not suggesting you were doing anything incorrectly. Not sure what brands you consider floorboards? Junior bats have improved out of sight in the last few years, GN and GM particularly have been very good.
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All manufacturers produce good quality junior bats if your willing to pay for them. I guess the floor board comment refers to the numerous junior bats found in large discount sports shops (one chain of shop in particular springs to mind), made from Kashmir willow with the willow covered in a coating/face so you can't see the horrors that lay beneath!
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All manufacturers produce good quality junior bats if your willing to pay for them. I guess the floor board comment refers to the numerous junior bats found in large discount sports shops (one chain of shop in particular springs to mind), made from Kashmir willow with the willow covered in a coating/face so you can't see the horrors that lay beneath!
Bang on there are more absolute garbage ones out there than good ones. There are loads in the uk. Price wise, I reckon we are on the mark for a top quality bat for top young players. We don't really advertise for junior bats because we will never compete with the big companies as most youngsters want the brand that their mates or hero is using regardless but we literally make them bespoke to each customer just as we do with our adult bats.
I can't even get hold of junior size clefts from the supplier at the moment as the Asian market has taken them all. I was told a month ago that an order of 10,000 junior clefts had just gone over to the Asian market.
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Bang on there are more absolute garbage ones out there than good ones. There are loads in the uk. Price wise, I reckon we are on the mark for a top quality bat for top young players. We don't really advertise for junior bats because we will never compete with the big companies as most youngsters want the brand that their mates or hero is using regardless but we literally make them bespoke to each customer just as we do with our adult bats.
I can't even get hold of junior size clefts from the supplier at the moment as the Asian market has taken them all. I was told a month ago that an order of 10,000 junior clefts had just gone over to the Asian market.
Whats the difference between the jnr cleft and snr one? purely size or are they lighter etc
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Size. There are a whole range of different clefts. This is a letter that we as suppliers got regarding 2015 orders. I have enclosed this so you may get some understanding to what we as makers have to deal with. Junior clefts will be made from willow that has to have faults cut out and so won't make an adult size cleft or have bits missing out of them.
Dear Customer,
Firstly I apologise again for the lack of supplies in top and some middle grades this year but there is very little I can do about tree quality plus the fact we have had major floods and a lot of storm damage where we have lost many of our good trees for the next few years. I can assure you it is affecting us as regards turnover, profits and customer satisfaction just as much as yourselves, you can be sure you are all getting treated fairly.
It is that time of year again when we release the prices for 2015 so you can sort out the pricing and details you need for you brochures and customers in 2015.
We have had increased different grades by different rates to reflect the demand, supply and availability so there is not a general % rise over every grade. I appreciate some of you would rather have that but with us producing so many Vellum Mens these days and demand for these not being that good we wanted to put these up far less than other grades, which we have done, we have put the Grade 1 and 1B up by the highest percentage for the opposite reason. We are still getting far too many lower grades although from September 2014 deliveries onwards you will see more upper grades as the timber quality has improved the last two months, I hope it continues but I have my doubts.
Costs continue to escalate in the UK and we are having to start a pension for all our employees in 2015 and many of our suppliers are having too as well for their employees so this puts prices up by 1.5% immediately, without any other general raw material and cost increases, this is set to increase over the coming years I am afraid. As usual the government does not worry how business is going to fund this new system, they just bring it in as a law.
The tree price continues to rise sharper than it should which is due to competitors of ours having not planted enough of their own trees in previous years, the trees that most of our competitors plant are of poor quality and would not even make our grade 2 tree in the planting season. They are bidding for ours trees that we have nurtured and developed by simply offering more money. In a lot of cases money is all the grower is worried about. They forget about the service and quality of the replanting scheme we give that far outweighs anything anyone else can do. So we are having to pay more for trees which is as always passed on to the final consumer.
Production has not been what we expected this year, due to both the very wet weather in the winter but also due to the hurricane force wind that went through areas of England in October 2013, you may have seen the photos on our Facebook page. We have lost literally thousands of trees and are still clearing them up now and burning on site anything that is obviously wind damaged. Even if we are unable to spot it you should to be prepared for some coming through the production but it will be nothing like the number in 1987 when we did not know what to look for. I have rejected some 600 sawn blades so far and we have a heap of trees in the yard that are just being used for products other than clefts, so I can assure you we are taking the matter most seriously. Incidentally our competitors are not being as careful and are processing storm damaged trees, it is not just us who were affected. We have also been felling this month in flood hit areas from last winter and the ground is still very wet believe it or not.
I have started taking orders for 2015 but currently all we are prepared to offer is the same number and grades that you ordered in 2014, but if you have cancelled any deliveries or reduced your numbers the final reduced quantity delivered will be put down as your order and not the order at the start of the year. A number of customers cancelled deliveries at the last minute this year and when we have planned cash flow forecasts etc. it does cause us some problems. We then sell these spare clefts as extras to other customers who will want them again next year.
I will still need to agree any order by email please or in a meeting and if anyone does want to reduce their numbers it will not be a problem. I was going to reduce everyone’s orders for Grade 1, 1B, 2, 2B, 3, 4 and SS and HMM as we have produced so many less so far this year but I am hoping the ratios will improve in most of these grades so feel it is fairer to leave the numbers as 2014 unless you have reduced as above. However we did have some stock of Grade 1, 2 and 3 at the start of 2014 from 2013 and this will not be the case this year so there could be more monthly reductions again in those grades. I will do monthly updates as I have done this year and offer replacements when I can if we do not have the numbers of grades ordered, by being able to do this you can see we are still producing a good number just not in the right grades.
There are 15 different types of cleft available across the board. Wrights try and do the right thing and keep trying to replenish the willow trees but not everyone will be as thoughtful towards the future of willow supplies and just think about the immediate financial rewards and not the longevity. We deal with only 4 grades of willow and that's the top grades. Every one of our junior bats are made from adult clefts. That's why the butterfly1 clefts are so popular as you get great willow at affordable prices.
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A very interesting read Paul.
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very interesting, it's good to see stuff like this. I know it can be said it's not in the brands interest to release details but I think it's to a brands credit to be open and honest rather than all secretive as most are.
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well I just want people to see how good Jeremy at wrights is towards the industry. after all we are dealing with a natural product and he is limited to what grows and when its ready along with the weather conditions over the lifespan of a tree. what of course makes things more expensive all down the line is minimum wages I guess because even if they have an unskilled worker just sweeping up wherever it may be they have to be paid minimum wage regardless. but at least he is consciences about the future of the willow industry. I know Jeremy at wrights has always been very good to me and advised me very well when I started up and still does so if I need to ask him anything so I trust him. I don't know whether hes the cheapest supplier or not as ive never looked elsewhere but he has always done right by me so loyalty says I stay with him and hopefully for many years to come
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I don't really see a reason to be secretive. there are always going to be certain things that aren't disclosed but in terms of the manufacturing process and whats behind it and what problems we have, why not it perhaps gives the public a realisation of the problems that small businesses go through to try and attain the quality they do whilst not having multiple investors to give them the financial clout
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So a player's grade cleft is graded as players at Wrights or by individual bat makers?
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That's pretty obvious if you read the letter. Maybe you knew the answer before even asking...
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Yes you get grade 1 and 1b out of those you get a few absolute stunners which you create a players grade with. These are getting rarer but also doing that covers the manufacturer a little for the amount that he may lose during manufacture as you come across a few that have damage through the cleft that you don't find till you are perhaps half way through shaping. This is a big hit for a manufacturer when you get these. The quality of the grade ones will be dropping too again through demand. Because everything is more accessible the world over the suppliers are not just concentrating on the uk market as the Asian market is far more lucrative. I think it will change though as a lot of industry is coming back here as wage increases and import duties make it less cost effective overseas and you get the added bonus of having access to a face you can visit in your own country if anything is wrong which makes for good customer service as opposed to just sling the bat in the bin and give you another.
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That's pretty obvious if you read the letter. Maybe you knew the answer before even asking...
I assumed that may be the case. Thanks for explaining Paul, Good to see honesty still prevailing in the industry. There is plenty of players grade available in the market though, some not even stunning. Does make me wonder if some retailers/manufactures are exploiting the freedom they have over their own grading system.
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If they keep raising prices I can see them killing the market. most of the 'normal' cricketers I know already refuse to spend 200 or more on a bat.. nwo if they are being told that to have anything that even looks liek they've been told is a nice bat they'll have to pay 250/300/500+ in some cases.. it's just another little reason why the game is failing to keep people.. it's just to darn expensive.
not saying you are paul, general statement.
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If they keep raising prices I can see them killing the market. most of the 'normal' cricketers I know already refuse to spend 200 or more on a bat.. nwo if they are being told that to have anything that even looks liek they've been told is a nice bat they'll have to pay 250/300/500+ in some cases.. it's just another little reason why the game is failing to keep people.. it's just to darn expensive.
not saying you are paul, general statement.
Well it's a tough one isn't it. I am desperately trying to keep my prices where they are as I think that is more than enough to pay for a bat anyway. But it is difficult as you need to make a living out of it and everything is just going up in price. Have a new design of labels done in this country and they are £1000 easy to start with clefts go up grips increase in price etc it's hard to make a living if you are trying to do everyone right. I am trying to support uk industry which is difficult as it means whatever you do your profit margins are lower as the prices do tend to be more, but the quality is superb. It depends what you want to do. My idea is that I don't want to be dependable on too many people so I can keep this business going long term and the quality high because I'm not answerable to anyone else either materials wise or financially.
If you look at clothing in the cricket world the emphasis has been for years now in this sweat wicking material whatever it is. I know what it is it's cheap nylon that stinks after you've worn it a few times washed or not and looks shabby very quickly. The fact is it's cheap and therefore people make huge profits on it. What happened to cotton, quality material natural and stayed in great shape for years I've still got shirts from my first year on the staff at derby and still in fine fettle. Granted you couldn't afford to produce the old flannel trousers anymore, they were better quality material than most suits these days. Why don't we use it? Because it's deemed too expensive, it's not really its just more expensive than nylon therefore profit margin down but they could be done to contend with the rest of the nylon shirts on the market, surridge for example if you took a lesser profit margin.
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I'm afraid it's down to what people will pay
Like you said, the overheads in this country are still too much to produce what the consumer is willing to pay
The majority of uk manufacturing these days is specialised, aerospace for instance
Run of the mill,(no pun intended) manufacturing has gone
It's still cheaper to import goods from China or Turkey for instance, even for comparable quality and tolerances
Our company is based in Lancashire, but we sell predominantly in London and the south of England
Why? Purely down to what people are prepared to pay
I honestly don't know how you can produce the bats you sell, for £200 ish
The workmanship and quality is as good as it gets ,
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Well I think it's a fair price to be honest. I charge for the materials overheads etc, and then what I consider a desent hourly wage for craftsmanship. I can't see much honesty in charging £400 for something when it's not costing that to produce by myself. I suppose a lot of those who just produce a label have to charge more because they should in reality be paying more for a quality product to be made for them and not just going for the cheapest they can get to make maximum profit. The other bonus I have is that I am happy working from a small workshop at home instead of renting big flash industrial units with massive overheads. When I started in the building trade when I was a young lad some of the best local craftsmen you would find worked out of their sheds and garages to make a good living. Image isn't everything in my mind quality of product is. I rather make a steady living than be run off my feet dropping the standard of my product trying to keep up with demand to try and be a multi millionaire. I love what I do and intend to keep it that way.
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I fully agree with the above statement and that goes for not just Paul but a lot of the smaller UK bat makers including John @ red ink and RK as well.
Although correct me of I'm wrong but butterfly is the one exception isn't it as it's graded as G4 or lower so I would imagine the merchants are happy to sell at very low price which allows the maker to produce a good performing product but also make a better profit from this particular grade.
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Well I wouldn't bet against some of the big companies putting the lowest quality of clefts that cost about a tenner that look like players grade etc on the shop shelves and pricing them up at £400. When you deal with thousands of clefts at a time you will find plenty that look good.
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Yes,,,and that's the crux of it really
How many punters are gonna be bamboozled with shiny stickers and fork out for poor quality bats, grossly overpriced
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any pics of butterfly 1 clefts sir.
really appreciate your love and passion towards bat making rather than money making.
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any pics of butterfly 1 clefts sir.
really appreciate your love and passion towards bat making rather than money making.
Have a look back through this thread and you'll see plenty of pictures of butterfly1 clefts. Paul's honest and refreshing approach to bat making is something that people have bought into in a big way and helped to create him a loyal following. It also helps that he makes a cracking bat. :)
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Have a look back through this thread and you'll see plenty of pictures of butterfly1 clefts. Paul's honest and refreshing approach to bat making is something that people have bought into in a big way and helped to create him a loyal following. It also helps that he makes a cracking bat. :)
Many thanks for your kind words. Well I like to build up good working relationships with people. The more we go on fortunately the more kind comments and compliments we are getting and hopefully we will keep that for ever more. It's been an interesting ride I must say firstly the years of basically doing my own apprenticeship and then trying to make things consistent and now making more and more bats and learning about the different markets out there and avenues whilst trying to keep the integrity of the business as to maintaining the ethics that we set out to do I the first place. It is fascinating if not hard work, but it wouldn't be worth it if you didn't have to put the effort in and it all makes it worth while when you get someone walk out the workshop with a big smile on their face.
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any pics of butterfly 1 clefts sir.
really appreciate your love and passion towards bat making rather than money making.
Have a look through the forum at what we do and then if your interested in buying one just drop me an email on aldred173@btinternet.com. I'm sure you understand I can be spending 2 or 3 hours a day sending pics these days to people who end up appearing just wanting to see pics. So take a look we have plenty of quality butterfly1 bats in at the moment not many standards at the moment as we've sold out of those just about. Whatever your after we can sort it out for you.
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heres a lovely butterfly one spectre 2-9 beautiful pick up and feels goooooodddddd . once again sorry the pics are misty the workshop is cold today and camera keeps misting up not got time to mess around with it
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/0d6be832caa30879fb8ce48425a37471_zps470bf501.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/0d6be832caa30879fb8ce48425a37471_zps470bf501.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/451556000217532dbc0aedd2a03b7a24_zpsdf037ea1.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/451556000217532dbc0aedd2a03b7a24_zpsdf037ea1.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/c17635daa5e7b99cb2f235196f03bf68_zps64c391ce.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/c17635daa5e7b99cb2f235196f03bf68_zps64c391ce.jpg.html)
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a lovely butterfly one off to a local lad plays with the England disability side and one of our Derbyshire prem teams. a lovely gold sovereign 2-10 very nice indeed
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/c32e41d08b7c198344a13d8c00c4247a_zpsb5978972.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/c32e41d08b7c198344a13d8c00c4247a_zpsb5978972.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/d75d50beaf3ab0db38c4aeb9126ee5d1_zps4744be86.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/d75d50beaf3ab0db38c4aeb9126ee5d1_zps4744be86.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/886d1df50603a45b8cf817726868e625_zps3ea4da94.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/886d1df50603a45b8cf817726868e625_zps3ea4da94.jpg.html)
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those last 2 bats are great. Super straight grains through the toe and the butterfly marks in the right places to not even be of an issue (not that they are) in normal play. i do understand why a clean bat with no markings fetches top dollar but i alway prefer a bat with a bit of character in the wood. Makes its feel more real.
nice work as always.
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It wouldn't surprise me if due to the ongoing shortages of top end willow if the butterfly willow doesn't come more and more to the fore as its quality is second to none, it just has a stain. Remember where you heard it first ;)
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I saw an old catalogue entry on here the other day saying a butterfly stain was the sign of the finest cricket bat willow.
It's funny how trends with bats seem to go in circles. Possibly not in this exact order:
Butterfly stains
Full profiles
Big edged light weight bats (read concaved)
Offset edges
Blemish free grainy willow
Retro stickers
Back to full profiles
Now return of the butterfly stain?
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I've always said its all trends the key is pressing handles and the skill of balancing and shaping correctly
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If you look at clothing in the cricket world the emphasis has been for years now in this sweat wicking material whatever it is. I know what it is it's cheap nylon that stinks after you've worn it a few times washed or not and looks shabby very quickly. The fact is it's cheap and therefore people make huge profits on it. What happened to cotton, quality material natural and stayed in great shape for years I've still got shirts from my first year on the staff at derby and still in fine fettle. Granted you couldn't afford to produce the old flannel trousers anymore, they were better quality material than most suits these days. Why don't we use it? Because it's deemed too expensive, it's not really its just more expensive than nylon therefore profit margin down but they could be done to contend with the rest of the nylon shirts on the market, surridge for example if you took a lesser profit margin.
I disagree that old cricket clothing was better. It probably looked better, lasted longer, and was made of finer quality material. But was it really more suiitable for sporting activity? Today's clothing is lighter and, occasional static issues aside, far more comfortable to wear.
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all you adults out there will be forgiven for falling in love with this bat but hands off this is a beautiful size 6 2lb 3 butterfly one off down Northamptonshire. its a gold sovereign shape with silver stickers and black grip as that's what the lad requested. its an absolute beauty
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/89ca2b2f380b5e2b68e06b05285a71d0_zps0489e93e.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/89ca2b2f380b5e2b68e06b05285a71d0_zps0489e93e.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/f7c290da64ea2ee63a95bab8bbad7250_zpsb76646fa.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/f7c290da64ea2ee63a95bab8bbad7250_zpsb76646fa.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/4386966b753fe4e8b0fd50691e3892d6_zps7a290411.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/4386966b753fe4e8b0fd50691e3892d6_zps7a290411.jpg.html)
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A less honest bloke could easily put a wider sticker on there and sell it as G1!
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A less honest bloke could easily put a wider sticker on there and sell it as G1!
That's for sure. That bat is immaculate.
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just answering a question that was messaged me. bit of a quick video but hopefully answers the question
http://youtu.be/539Z131fZg4 (http://youtu.be/539Z131fZg4)
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heres a beauty off to a local lad. spectre butterfly one 2-8. it is a real belter I have to say. I love this shape and I had a few emails and facebook contacts telling me over the weekend that one or two companies have taken this shape up now. well what can I say firstly I somehow got the trend of butterfly bats coming to the fore again on here then the james bond syndicate decide to name their film spectre 2 days after I got my bat out :D and people are now using this shape, I can only take it as a compliment I reckon. little me a trend setter who'd have thought it not me that's for sure :o
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/41cdd62a2f32af792e02b7f5727ff233_zps2a867e52.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/41cdd62a2f32af792e02b7f5727ff233_zps2a867e52.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/6adb3f4b179ef42cf883664eda18a24c_zps511fd37b.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/6adb3f4b179ef42cf883664eda18a24c_zps511fd37b.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t472/Aldredcricket/2cffa2bc95948e1532b56890273f3ae4_zps08589bd4.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Aldredcricket/media/2cffa2bc95948e1532b56890273f3ae4_zps08589bd4.jpg.html)
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Paul, have you got any really light butterfly clefts in at the moment?
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Paul, have you got any really light butterfly clefts in at the moment?
if you drop me an email on aldred173@btinternet.com and I can help you. What sort of finished weight are you looking at.
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(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae233/shentsphotos/Aldreds/IMGP4753_zpssxfar2gz.jpg) (http://s975.photobucket.com/user/shentsphotos/media/Aldreds/IMGP4753_zpssxfar2gz.jpg.html)
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae233/shentsphotos/Aldreds/IMGP4754_zpspavswbez.jpg) (http://s975.photobucket.com/user/shentsphotos/media/Aldreds/IMGP4754_zpspavswbez.jpg.html)
here is the butterfly twin to my players grade :-)
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Paul, what sort of availability do you have on butterfly clefts at the moment? After seeing it all over the place I'm infatuated with that spectre profile
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Muffin
I have loads of butterfly at the moment. I have just taken delivery of a whole new stock of willow including a lot of magnificent grade 1 willow
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Paul do you have anymore really grainy butterfly clefts like this one?:
(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_13031_zpsd4cb427f.jpg) (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/tanwatfa/media/IMG_13031_zpsd4cb427f.jpg.html)
I am absolutely loving mine at the minute and I'm interested in a back up.
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Tango, is your current bat a butterfly 1? Do you have a link to any pics of it on here? Very tempted by one.
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If that's just standard butterfly grade then its an absolute steal at just £135!!
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Yeah I have more pictures here:
I contacted Paul a couple of weeks back regarding a new bat. I had a few options on the table in my price range and I have to admit since I joined here I have had my beady eye on one of his creations, so I didn't take too much convincing!
I was waiting for my Newbery to sell to free up some funds before I jumped in and I was eying up a grade 2 Gold Sovereign, but then Paul posted a few clefts in his butterfly section and the grainy one second from the right caught my eye:
([url]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_12641_zps9a83bdd4.jpg[/url])
So over the next few emails which, despite being busy Paul answered everything quickly and patiently, we hammered out the details of what I wanted. I ordered and paid and continued to pester, the post payment customer service from Paul was still very kind and professional, I could tell he was very busy but he still took time to answer my menial emails.
So after about a 10 day turn around my grainy butterfly turned up at the office today. I would like to take some nicer pictures to do it some more justice but it will have to wait til I get home:
([url]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_13041_zpsd7775d8f.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_13031_zpsd4cb427f.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_13051_zpsd00b4669.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee458/tanwatfa/IMG_13061_zps50610658.jpg[/url])
Today is going to be a long day, I can not wait to get it home and start knocking it in and tapping balls up on it.
I would totally recommend Paul to a friend even before I have checked out the performance of the bat, he is very helpful and the bats he makes represent some great value for money. If this bat performs anything near to how it looks then I am sure it won't be the last of my dealings with Mr Aldred!
Cheers Paul.
Unfortunately I managed to tear a ligament in my knee before I'd knocked it in last season so I didn't use it at all other than a game on tour that I insisted on batting in on one leg (stupid idea, didn't end well for me) but I used it properly for the first time on the weekend and got 70 with it. It does perform as good as it looks!
edit: More pictures here: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=30621.msg482296#msg482296 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=30621.msg482296#msg482296)
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Also I have an apology to make to Paul. I asked him about a refurb and told him I'd be sending it in to be looking nice and shiny again after a winter of netting, but I was having far too much fun with it to be parted for a couple of weeks. I'll send it in at the end of the season Paul!
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Muffin
I have loads of butterfly at the moment. I have just taken delivery of a whole new stock of willow including a lot of magnificent grade 1 willow
damn, was hoping you would say you didn't have much available haha.
shall I email you to discuss further? would be great to pick up a beauty whilst you've got a selection!
George
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Just emailed you paul
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Hi guys newbie here. Read these comments and im very keen on a butterfly as my bat is on its last legs and i can work on opening up the willow in the nets whilst my current bat stills hangs in there.
One thing i have always done with my bat is apply anti scuff after oiling. Just wondered everyones opinion on anti scuff in general?
Also would you recommend knocking in new bats before or after oil application, and then again before or after anti scuff application. Iimagine its best to open the willow up in knocking in stage without anti scuff on so it will be easier to do. Especially for a butterfly willow bat?
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Always oil with Raw Linseed first when dry commence knocking in with the oldest softest ball you have after around two hours the bat fibres will have started to harden and knit together continue knocking in using a mallet.
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Hi guys newbie here. Read these comments and im very keen on a butterfly as my bat is on its last legs and i can work on opening up the willow in the nets whilst my current bat stills hangs in there.
One thing i have always done with my bat is apply anti scuff after oiling. Just wondered everyones opinion on anti scuff in general? Anti scuffs are a must have on all bats in my opinion
Also would you recommend knocking in new bats before or after oil application,oil the bat with 2 or 3 coats of oil, then knock the bat in and then again before or after anti scuff application.I personally do most of the knocking in before I apply a scuff sheet. I'd suggest you at least round the edges of the bat before applying a scuff sheet. And I like to knock the whole area covered by the scuff a after application, as I feel this helps it stick better Iimagine its best to open the willow up in knocking in stage without anti scuff on so it will be easier to do. Especially for a butterfly willow bat?
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hi paul,
was wondering if you've got any more butterfly1's in stock & how much would it cost to have it shipped outside the u.k.
thank you!!
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hi paul,
was wondering if you've got any more butterfly1's in stock & how much would it cost to have it shipped outside the u.k.
thank you!!
Drop him an email @suraj1108 , aldred173@btinternet.com. pauls a top bloke he'll sort you out.
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cheers mate!!
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Hello,
I am considering a butterfly bat for next season. May I ask what are the performance differences and your prices. I tried PMing you but for some reason I couldn't get past the questions "Australia's Vice Captains" despite answering correctly! So feel free to PM me :)
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I've had a gold sovereign butterfly for 2 seasons (I think Paul would probably class it a butterfly 1 these days), and it's possibly the best performing bat I've ever had in over 30 years.
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I've had a gold sovereign butterfly for 2 seasons (I think Paul would probably class it a butterfly 1 these days), and it's possibly the best performing bat I've ever had in over 30 years.
Thanks for the feedback. For me I am after a bat for performance. Looks are irrelevant. I liked an earlier comment. "An ugly bird is usually good in bed".
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I've used a silver sov butterfly 1 this season and it's also been seriously good! All the power I need to beat or clear the field, and lovely feeling in the hands.
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My supreme butterfly is excellent. The grade would appear to have no effect on a bats performance.
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Hello,
I am considering a butterfly bat for next season. May I ask what are the performance differences and your prices. I tried PMing you but for some reason I couldn't get past the questions "Australia's Vice Captains" despite answering correctly! So feel free to PM me :)
If you can drop me an email on aldred173@btinternet.com I will help you out from there. I don't come on here that much now days as it's far easier the way I work now but just drop I occasionally to check if anyone is asking anything in particular
Thanks
Paul
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If you can drop me an email on aldred173@btinternet.com I will help you out from there. I don't come on here that much now days as it's far easier the way I work now but just drop I occasionally to check if anyone is asking anything in particular
Thanks
Paul
Thanks :)
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Always nice to see @Aldred Cricket Bats on the forum. The original origin of the SPECTRE and for anyone who loves bats and an insight into making them some great videos. Well worth a watch with some of the topics at the minute.
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Always nice to see @Aldred Cricket Bats on the forum. The original origin of the SPECTRE and for anyone who loves bats and an insight into making them some great videos. Well worth a watch with some of the topics at the minute.
thanks horseman I will be putting some more out in the new year have been away since holidays doing some work away from making bats all cricket related but not been too active last couple of weeks thanks to a lovely chest infection. some lovely stuff coming so keep your eyes out
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Nice to see you drop into the forum @Aldred Cricket Bats
New developments are always exciting!
Definitely, insights/opinions/new stuff from a quality batmaker is always good to read!
Incidentally @Aldred Cricket Bats , my sovereign needs a bit of TLC - how much is a refurb from you?
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Definitely, insights/opinions/new stuff from a quality batmaker is always good to read!
Incidentally @Aldred Cricket Bats , my sovereign needs a bit of TLC - how much is a refurb from you?
well it depends on whats needed to be honest if there are any major repairs etc but generally £35 including p&p mainland uk
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well it depends on whats needed to be honest if there are any major repairs etc but generally £35 including p&p mainland uk
Sounds ideal, I'll be in touch at some stage over the winter then, cheers!