Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:10:39 PM

Title: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:10:39 PM
Hello, been a regular guest on here for a few years... finally signed up!!

My new handmade bats will be ready to go early next year... I've uploaded my sticker designs for anyone to see, let me know what you think...

There will be 3 models in the Empire Bats range... All will come as a choice of grade 1,2 or 3...
Price to decided at a later date...

Basic idea of the specs for the different models will be something like...

Hercules
Big profile, huge edges, concave toe, concave back, mid blade sweet spot, weights from 2.8 - 2.14

Achilles
Bulge profile, big edges, concave toe, convex back, mid to low sweet spot, weights from 2.9 - 3.0.

Theseus
Standard profile, big edges, convex toe, concave back, low sweet spot, weights from 2.7 - 2.12.

All bats will have a mid blade bow.
But any bat will be able to be made to any spec...

Thanks

Joel

(http://i.imgur.com/k2rbRokl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/k2rbRok)
(http://i.imgur.com/XXL8sCKl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/XXL8sCK)
(http://i.imgur.com/jUv0AxFl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/jUv0AxF)
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: 19reading87 on December 21, 2013, 04:14:54 PM
Any reason behind using one of the same names that Vulcan cricket use?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:21:46 PM
No reason, not trying to copy anyone or anything. I like the idea of naming my bats after Ancient Greek hero's and by doing that I couldn't leave out Achilles, which I assume is the bat name you're referring to? I'm sure that is the only name they use isn't it?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on December 21, 2013, 04:28:12 PM
Joel, welcome to CBF and well done for signing up

Some friendly questions before you get pounced on :)

Are these bats going to be handmade by you or are you sourcing them to sell on?

I only ask as you will either be:-

Option A. Asked to apply for sponsorship if you wish to promote and sell the bats via the forum is buying them in as a finished product and adding you brands stickers to them.

Option B. If your making them yourself then the batmakers shed could be an option so you can still promote the products if your handmaking them and wont have to comply to such strict advertising guidelines/rules.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:30:14 PM
Also these names are not set in stone, the stickers haven't gone to print yet, and I can easily change the names. This is why I posted on here to get feedback and suggestions, any of which are more than welcome...
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:33:58 PM
Hello thanks for the welcome...

The answer is option B, I will be handmaking them myself, shaping part-mades to start with, with a view to pressing my own clefts and handling etc.
Cheers
Let me know what the best thing to do is...
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2013, 04:37:32 PM
Not a fan of square stickers, perhaps try some more unique shapes for the front and back.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:43:11 PM
They are transparent behind the emblem not white if that changes your thinking at all?
What's your favorite stickers out there at the mo?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2013, 04:48:40 PM
Slightly better I guess. My feeling has always been that a sticker has to be seen from the boundary, so needs a unique outline so it's recognisable. Square stickers also don't stick too well on the back of the bat with a spine.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on December 21, 2013, 04:51:06 PM
Will there be an option for a bat with nice small edges mate?? (Thinking original Purist shape)
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:54:41 PM
I know what you mean, I think the colours of these stickers will help them stand out, the image above is in cmyk so when printed they will be bright and glossy.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 04:56:53 PM
Yeh definitely mate... I suppose any of the bats can be made to any spec you want.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: procricket on December 21, 2013, 05:20:50 PM
Please can you explain your profile your going to use or pictures if you have them.

Good luck mate
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 05:26:59 PM
Which bat profile do you want me to explain?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: toenails97 on December 21, 2013, 06:18:25 PM
What experience do you have making bats, any photos of ones you've made?
Also any background story on where you were trained or did you learn yourself?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: tim2000s on December 21, 2013, 06:29:51 PM
What experience do you have making bats, any photos of ones you've made?
Also any background story on where you were trained or did you learn yourself?
Was going to ask the same question. Whilst it's great to see a new bat maker, can you show us what you've done?

Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: LEACHY48 on December 21, 2013, 06:34:41 PM
Hi mate, welcome to the forum, few points, I am personally not a fan of the stickers,  but then again, I dont like many brands stickers, I think they are a boring shape, with boring colours, they are too blocky for my liking, one ida could be changing white to silver, and maybe making the blue a bit deeper?, now dont get me wrong, this current design could appeal to people, (step forward Mr FattusCattus) but I much prefer classier stickers, I.E. Aldred, DS and Salix.

onto the bat profiles you have mentioned, I think that you should include a higher middled bat, as you have all bases except this one covered, maybe have one mid middle, one mid-high and one mid-low?

Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: procricket on December 21, 2013, 06:36:23 PM
Which bat profile do you want me to explain?

All of them please :D
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 06:43:22 PM
Was going to ask the same question. Whilst it's great to see a new bat maker, can you show us what you've done?

Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk

I have only ever done refurbs up til now. I bought a plane bat last season at a heavier weight and took some wood off the toe and back of the shoulders to drop some weight off it. I can post some photos soon. Very excited about starting up and making bats.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 06:50:04 PM
All of them please :D

Well hopefully, the hercules will be similar to the Charlie French Pedigree and M and H master.
Achilles like Michael Clarkes spartan bat with the bulge middle and slightly smaller toe.
the theseus will have a standard more traditional shape with no concaving on the back and a bit fuller and heavier.
hope this helps mate
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: Ams4287 on December 21, 2013, 06:54:52 PM
I have only ever done refurbs up til now. I bought a plane bat last season at a heavier weight and took some wood off the toe and back of the shoulders to drop some weight off it. I can post some photos soon. Very excited about starting up and making bats.

Hi Joel

Good luck with the venture and the batmakers shed is the place for you as Tom mentioned.

It's going to help if you make samples up of each of your concept profiles and do a full review of your method / finished product to give everyone a insight. You may want to think about loaning a bat or 2 out or at least a offer to good to turn down for the forum community to get there hands on your work for some feedback / review.

As I said good luck!
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 07:00:45 PM
Hi mate, welcome to the forum, few points, I am personally not a fan of the stickers,  but then again, I dont like many brands stickers, I think they are a boring shape, with boring colours, they are too blocky for my liking, one ida could be changing white to silver, and maybe making the blue a bit deeper?, now dont get me wrong, this current design could appeal to people, (step forward Mr FattusCattus) but I much prefer classier stickers, I.E. Aldred, DS and Salix.

onto the bat profiles you have mentioned, I think that you should include a higher middled bat, as you have all bases except this one covered, maybe have one mid middle, one mid-high and one mid-low?

Hi pal, thanks for the feedback, I agree in regards to the profiles there will be 1 of each when I get around to it. High, Mid and Low. In regards to the stickers they are a first draft and posted on here for feedback just like yours. I end up designing stickers then realising i've basically done a gn sticker or a slaz sticker and have to start again!! I will keep on tinkering with the design and post any new ones I have.
Cheers
Joel
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 07:04:04 PM
Hi Joel

Good luck with the venture and the batmakers shed is the place for you as Tom mentioned.

It's going to help if you make samples up of each of your concept profiles and do a full review of your method / finished product to give everyone a insight. You may want to think about loaning a bat or 2 out or at least a offer to good to turn down for the forum community to get there hands on your work for some feedback / review.

As I said good luck!

Hello cheers for the advice, I'll definitely look in to doing some samples for people to try out. It will be in the new year when i get started properly, I just wanted some advice and ideas on here, which has been very helpful so thanks.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: LEACHY48 on December 21, 2013, 07:10:23 PM
Hi pal, thanks for the feedback, I agree in regards to the profiles there will be 1 of each when I get around to it. High, Mid and Low. In regards to the stickers they are a first draft and posted on here for feedback just like yours. I end up designing stickers then realising i've basically done a gn sticker or a slaz sticker and have to start again!! I will keep on tinkering with the design and post any new ones I have.
Cheers
Joel


hi mate, no worries at all, ask and you shall recieve on here :) firstly, Id like to say I am really impressed with your responses to this thread as a whole. Regarding the stickers, its very tough, and I know it is, but as you say, keep on tinkering, and eventually, you will find a design that you and the majority of people are happy with.


As AMS said, offering up some bats for review would be a good idea, as people on here especially respect the views of other members, and it may just help you with publicity and sales.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 07:25:16 PM

hi mate, no worries at all, ask and you shall recieve on here :) firstly, Id like to say I am really impressed with your responses to this thread as a whole. Regarding the stickers, its very tough, and I know it is, but as you say, keep on tinkering, and eventually, you will find a design that you and the majority of people are happy with.


As AMS said, offering up some bats for review would be a good idea, as people on here especially respect the views of other members, and it may just help you with publicity and sales.

Cheers, yeh like I said I appreciate any feedback and or suggestions and yes it's very hard to design stickers the more I look at the first draft the more crap they look haha, and they keep looking more and more like the reebok stickers!!! Photoshop is open again.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: GarrettJ on December 21, 2013, 07:52:18 PM
3 models in 3 grades between 2.7 and 2.10 .... That's 12 bats in each model if you do one at every weight or 36 in total

That's a lot of bats? To make at this early stage or do you make them to order?
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 07:54:11 PM
3 models in 3 grades between 2.7 and 2.10 .... That's 12 bats in each model if you do one at every weight or 36 in total

That's a lot of bats? To make at this early stage or do you make them to order?

Will be making to order
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: GarrettJ on December 21, 2013, 08:27:19 PM
good luck with the brand.

Look forward to seeing some of your bats.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: joel0532 on December 21, 2013, 08:53:21 PM
good luck with the brand.

Look forward to seeing some of your bats.

Cheers mate. Appreciate it.
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: 19reading87 on December 21, 2013, 08:59:17 PM
No reason, not trying to copy anyone or anything. I like the idea of naming my bats after Ancient Greek hero's and by doing that I couldn't leave out Achilles, which I assume is the bat name you're referring to? I'm sure that is the only name they use isn't it?

No you're right mate they do have a few different names.

Wishing you lots of luck in your venture into the Buisness :)
Title: Re: Empire Bats coming early next year
Post by: 03jaworf on December 22, 2013, 09:29:32 AM
best of luck mate, it's tough but stick with it!