Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => blankbats.co.uk => Topic started by: Six Sixes Cricket on January 27, 2014, 01:25:53 PM
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This bat was on offer just before Xmas, It is a bat made from butterfly willow, which seems to be all the hype at the moment. It was shipped to me within 2 days of paying. Boxed and bubble wrapped up nicely. First impressions were of a big bat, felt its weight which is around 2-11, picks up nicely. It also has a Nice thickish oval handle. Now onto looks, finish is different to what I've had before. The finish feels almost like a white chalky wax. Nothing wrong with that tho. It has 7 ruler straight grains, front of the face has a strip of heartwood, and could probably pass as grade 1 for some people, No blemishes either. The back of the bat is a different story, here is the "butterfly" and personally I think it's ugly. Some will like it as it gives "character" to the bat.
Onto the shape, well first thoughts is that it looks like a newbery tour. The back of the bat is almost round. Edges are around 38mm, spine height is approx 60mm. Minimal stickers, which are actually rather nice. The lack of stickers also gives you more wood for finished weight. Only concern I have with the bat is the toe. Very thin, around 16mm at the edge and 20mm in the middle. Personally I would prefer a thicker toe, for no other reason than the thought of it breaking. The profile/shape would suggest it would have a med high middle, it has a bow to the bat as well. Do I like the profile, yes and no. I would prefer the spine running to the toe, other than that the profile is good and meaty, with none of this flat face malarkey.
So I spent some time in the last month knocking in the edges and the toe. Using the big m&h mallet this hasn't taken long as it's brutal. The middle/coverage starts from approx 4" from the toe to approx 10" from the toe where you then start to feel it vibrate again. I will carry on hitting around this area as the profile would suggest this should be middle as well. The sound off the mallet is lovely. It's like a firecracker going off. Something I picked up on when I used a different shaped BB a few years back.
The bat will be used for the main purpose as my net bat. It will be used against ex match cricket balls at nets and I will also use it against bola bowls as well to see how it performs.
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1101_zpsxnmi3dqo.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1101_zpsxnmi3dqo.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1103_zpsn30rxb16.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1103_zpsn30rxb16.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1104_zpsvtysubrh.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1104_zpsvtysubrh.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1105_zpswdiygcxe.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1105_zpswdiygcxe.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1106_zpsrnjegoiu.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1106_zpsrnjegoiu.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1109_zpsdzqfyfpc.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1109_zpsdzqfyfpc.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1110_zpspwazzjuy.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1110_zpspwazzjuy.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1111_zpsvpcw8e0b.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1111_zpsvpcw8e0b.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1112_zpsa6ladc87.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1112_zpsa6ladc87.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1114_zpsso6q9jte.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1114_zpsso6q9jte.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/DSC_1115_zpsxsbacn4h.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/DSC_1115_zpsxsbacn4h.jpg.html)
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I recon that bat will perform better than your match bat...
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I recon that bat will perform better than your match bat...
It will be a bargain if it does!!
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Interesting, I like the bow, I like the fact they put the butter fly on the back.
I'm not keen on the white chalky look it has, maybe its the butterflies dark Nature, but it makes it look too white.
I too think the butterfly is pure ugliness.
Although blank bats sticker are great, the butterfly bat is where they maybe lack, I larger sticker being able to hide some of the ugliness.
As for there great customer service, it's good to hear, having just ordered some gear from them, I hope my delivery is just as speedy.
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I recon that bat will perform better than your match bat...
i second that, if its anything like my one in that profile it will be a weapon
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It's a funny lookin thing, but I do quite like it! Got a nice highish shape to it, with no concaving, roughly what i'd look for. Hope it goes well!
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Are BB offering Butterfly bats as part of the range?
If so, what is the price point please?
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Love the profile of this....stunner!
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That's a cracker of a bat and sounds like you got it for a great price. The profile reminds me a bit of a GT, the one before the current Cadbury which I think was an awesome profile.
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I think these bats pick up very well indeed. I would be surprised if it doesn't give those sigs a run for their money Robbo.
T
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Are BB offering Butterfly bats as part of the range?
If so, what is the price point please?
no this was a one off to be honest mate, and really to see if butterfly performs. which i have no doubt it will.
however if there is a demand for this type of bat, then maybe we can look at it again.
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I imagine the demand will depend on the price ;)
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around the £125 mark excluding postage
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Then I imagine demand would be high.
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Thanks for the reply BB.
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You'll definately get lots of interest at that price!! Would they be available in all profiles?
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Any more pics of BB butterfly or is that BBB?
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Had a hit with this ugly duckling last night. Whilst it is certainly no looker I rather liked it, seemed to go well and the pick up for weight was very impressive. Reinforced my current feeling that you can get excellent value at these lower price points if you are able to see past the aesthetics.
Cheers for the net by the way Rob, shame I couldn't pick your "slower ball"!
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It was a good net so thanks for sorting Phil.
We discussed her ugliness last night, and we were in agreement, it's better to have an ugly face than an ugly back as the back initially in your stance can be off putting.
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Is there any update on this? Are BB going to bring out a butterfly range or what?
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As indoor nets have now finished and no outdoor nets for two weeks I thought I'd better give an update.
The bat has been performing and playing very well. I have been continuing the knocking in further up the bat to extend the coverage and it seems to be working. The bat goes like a rocket against cricket balls. It takes me a dozen or so balls to get my eye in, which generally means the toe gets a good workout. This is the one area that concerned me as it's quite thin. Even though the bottom 3 inches is dead the toe has held out well. It's played well against a few Yorkers which as we all no can be the end of a bat indoors.
Here are some pics of the bat and the toe which has a few dents.
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/11D39F9D-E05B-429F-A19D-45A9B8A62714_zpsbfoxzdh0.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/11D39F9D-E05B-429F-A19D-45A9B8A62714_zpsbfoxzdh0.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/67DDF7FE-5365-4376-AED7-1585681D5439_zpsij8nfmjw.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/67DDF7FE-5365-4376-AED7-1585681D5439_zpsij8nfmjw.jpg.html)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/Photo%20upload/C6B27488-E2F8-4A4E-89E7-9F24A6463C55_zpsmg5l3s3r.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/Photo%20upload/C6B27488-E2F8-4A4E-89E7-9F24A6463C55_zpsmg5l3s3r.jpg.html)
The next likely outing will probably be during the season I will use it in a match.
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You've only hit eight balls mate. Lol
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You've only hit eight balls mate. Lol
And 50 air shots :D
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I can vouch for Rob having hit more than 8 balls and I hit at least a couple too ;)