Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: smilley792 on January 24, 2014, 12:47:23 PM
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So, here they are. My last two purchases of the off season bat wise.
A hammer koning le and a red ink custom x1 le
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114450_zps47cf2bf6.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114450_zps47cf2bf6.jpg.html)
Both grade one, and both available for less than 200 quid. So how do they weigh up against each other and against other g1 bats of higher prices.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114500_zps1a495516.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114500_zps1a495516.jpg.html)
Koning le( grade 1, Indian made)
First things first the disappointment as it came out the box.
You'd think they'd fit a grip that covered the entire handle! This is well short. Not to matter as it's been binned for my normal 2 grip set up, chevron base, octopus top grip.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_112929_zps90b82e5c.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_112929_zps90b82e5c.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_113314_zps7518dd66.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_113314_zps7518dd66.jpg.html)
Weight, it's 2.14.7 with 2 grips. A tad light for me but usable. Was the heaviest koning available, and apart from a black, was one of the heaviest hammers available. And I've always wanted a hammer in my collection so went for it(Jason stated it as 2.13 when it left the US of A with 1 grip).
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114359_zpsabde4246.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114359_zpsabde4246.jpg.html)
The bat. Picks up okay for a low middled bat, has a lovely high spine. Can tell it's handmade, and on a budget though as both edges don't quite match each other in size and shape, but it's not far off.
It feels a little soft, but the ping is lovely in the middle, and feels great, but goes dead quickly near to the sticker.
Stickers aren't very well applied, main one off to the left a little, back ones bubbling, small le on the edge is already falling off.
Toe guard is a strange soft rubber, but glad it has one,
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114751_zps4a724390.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114751_zps4a724390.jpg.html)
Personally I believe it is worth the 175 I paid for it. And would like to thank paul at ijc for bringing it in to the country and knocking it in for me.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114530_zpsacd0f019.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114530_zpsacd0f019.jpg.html)
Red ink custom x1 le(grade 1 English made)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114619_zps9e54d31c.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114619_zps9e54d31c.jpg.html)
This is my second red ink. Unfortunately my first had an issue with the handle offering no anti vibration at all, and had some huge dead spots. Which was a shame as the sharp and pick up we're perfect. John offered a replacement, and this is it.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114639_zps32df006e.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114639_zps32df006e.jpg.html)
I asked for 2.13 with 1 grip, unfortunately it came at 2.12 6 with one grip, and 2.14 3 with 2, so it's a tad lighter than the original.
I asked for a very low middled traditional profiled bat, with a high spine. But as I wanted weight, I wanted the extra weight in the toe and edges low down, as opposed to hidden in the shoulders.
The new bat has a higher spine, and has the middle higher than the original. This makes it pick up even lighter than it should. Which for me used to using a heavy bat, is too light.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114414_zps4ff744b0.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114414_zps4ff744b0.jpg.html)
On to the bat itself.
It is a lovely piece of wood, 7grains, nice and straight, mainly clean, but with a mark just below the stickers. Pressing feels good. And the ping is excellent.
The middle is very extended, and is still nice and pingy into the 1st 2 inch of the stickers.
The finish is excellent, very high standard. Very smooth.
John fitted an anti scuff, and due to me adding a toe guard and knocking the original in. He did both before sending (excellent customer service, cheers).
The toe guard is a thick grey one, with grippy dimples, I am impressed with the used materials.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114802_zpsdd91d812.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114802_zpsdd91d812.jpg.html)
Personall I believe this bat is worth more than the £180 I paid for it. It is. Very very good value for money.
In terms of quality and finishing, and value, the red ink beats this hammer hands down. Although that says more for the red ink quality, as opposed to the hammers lack off.
How do they compare to others I have in my collection?
My b3s are my best bats in all ways, and it's would be hard for these too to be better IMO, but they do get close. For much less money(b3 3stripe £325)
The red ink is on par with my gm six6 original in terms of finishing, looks and pingy ness.(gm original £300)
The hammer, is below other more expensive grade 1s I have in my collection. But not in a way that means it isn't worth the buy, it's certainly a bargain for someone wanting a grade 1 bat, with a high end sticker for half the normal price.
They just need to not rush the grip application, and sticker applying IMO.
Also big thanks to jake at vitas, for sendin me a truckload of kook bat covers for my bats
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/20140124_114903_zps4bd2ea57.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/20140124_114903_zps4bd2ea57.jpg.html)
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Thanks for the review mate, nice to hear some positive comments along side some of the more well known makers. Moved the middle a touch as I felt it matched the pick up of the last one better. Only slightly higher but guess it pics up a little too well for yor weight requirements. Hopefully you will get used to it and enjoy using it once your back to full fitness
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I think that Hammer should be applauded for pricing their Indian made bats this way.
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No worries John, I am only saying what I see. And it's a very well made bat. I too hope I'm well soon.
The hammers price is a breathe of fresh air for those who believe he is over priced. And the le is the top koning, there is two grades below even cheaper.
Both the above are well worthy he cash, and both are well performing bats for less than 200 quid. So people looking for performance in that rice bracket should really consider these tow bats.
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No worries John, I am only saying what I see. And it's a very well made bat. I too hope I'm well soon.
The hammers price is a breathe of fresh air for those who believe he is over priced. And the le is the top koning, there is two grades below even cheaper.
Both the above are well worthy he cash, and both are well performing bats for less than 200 quid. So people looking for performance in that rice bracket should really consider these tow bats.
If you don't mind, I'd like to add a few pics of my Red Ink X1 LE when I get home? I also paid £180 and couldn't be happier!
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If you don't mind, I'd like to add a few pics of my Red Ink X1 LE when I get home? I also paid £180 and couldn't be happier!
No worries
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having said all that, it looks like a nice bat and has nice grains.
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Get yer balls out John - there's bound to be some incoming!!!!
Oh! Swift edit there m'boy!
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:)
sometimes in life its best to just keep quiet and just bite your tongue!!
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That's what Bob would do.
One love man!
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Issues with the bat me or hammer again Garrett? You can pm me if you wish?
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As my wife would say ....
No maaaan, every ting irie
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Well let's jolly well share a can of Ting and unwrap the rotis.
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This is my offering from John. I haven't done a review yet but for £180, you simply cannot get better for the price.
Great guy to deal with too!
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/27/bci4.jpg)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/826/t0bp.jpg)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/36/agsi.jpg)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/853/ewqi.jpg)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/132/vglr.jpg)
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And back on topic
Lovely looking stick, nice grains. I prefer the black stickers myself, think the white are a tad classy for me.
Is that built to your spec or one of his shapes?
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And back on topic
Lovely looking stick, nice grains. I prefer the black stickers myself, think the white are a tad classy for me.
Is that built to your spec or one of his shapes?
Built to spec. Amplus shape - Mirrors my M&H and I chose the cleft etc.
Pickup, grains, shape... All spot on. I had bats made for me by Tim Keeley as a kid when I was sponsored @ Newbery. John's service is just as good. Proof of the pudding is in the tasting though. I will keep you all posted!
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All very nice bats at good prices. If you find that a bat is a little light, try a GM Ripple grip, wieghed mine in at 2 1/4 oz.
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All very nice bats at good prices. If you find that a bat is a little light, try a GM Ripple grip, wieghed mine in at 2 1/4 oz.
Grips can range massively. A chevron is around 1oz and a octopus or snake grip can weigh over 2-2.5oz. Can make a huge difference in the total weight of a bat.
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Chris, to be completely honest, the grip wasn't that bad before we started to knock it in. We've noticed that some grips roll down a bit during knocking-in, and this was one. If you watch my video reviews of this Koning bat (shot before we knocked it in and soon to be up on YouTube), you'll see what I'm talking about...
Thanks for the review, though, and glad you like the bat!
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Love the look of the Koning a great shape and a bargain at the price you can not grumble i bet these bats are going to be big sellers. They look great
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I tend to run the same bat grip combo on all my bats. Except my two gms, that run gm ripple grips, as
well, they are a tad special.
Paul@ijc, if you see on my pic, it is ridiculously small compared to other grips when off the bat.I can only presume Jason fitted it, and instead of banging down the overhang/stretch. He just cut it off. Which is quite amateurish,
Cut a grip to length off the bat, when rested, not when it's just been stretched and not had chance to settle.
As said though, I bought about 30grips of shamrock, so am okay. That can go on a juniors at my club when I refurb,