Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Hell4Leather => Topic started by: tanrichguy on August 05, 2014, 06:56:02 PM
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Howdy folks.
Growing up in Canada and now living in the US I was aware of cricket but was just bitten by the bug recently. I decided that I need to play this game.
That said, I went in search of a bat. Ended up contacting Paul at IJC and I am so glad that I did. He was excellent to deal with. Very courteous, offered me advice, and delivered on his promises. He has made a customer for life.
I selected the H4L Hellfire for a number of reasons a few being it's handmade by a small, family business that has a very good reputation and the hellfire seems to be a good all a round bat.
Anyway, this example is a grade 2 weighing 2.10. It has 7 grains that are fairly straight and several small blemishes on the face. I'm no expert by any means but I've been bouncing a ball on it and it seems quite responsive to me.
For a first bat I think it is very impressive. Some of you may not but I was not about to spend north of £300 to find out if cricket is for me.
Please let me know what you think.
I have found a club to play with and my first practice is this Friday. Sufficed to say I am very excited!
Cheers!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/ydypapuz.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/a8eja6yh.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/yqepehy5.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/evu6equp.jpg)
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Good luck with the bat and your Club.. a lot of us on here are big fans of H4L gear and Paul is a legend... wish i'd had one as my first bat.. probably would have saved me a lot of money over the years but then that's half the fun.... :D
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Not a bad first stick at all mate, but there's an unwritten rule on here you must own multiple bats! You'll soon get bitten by that bug too ;)
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Thanks praguetaz! I also picked up the H4L split finger gloves. They are amazing!
Here is a closer view of the face (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/y8ezemyj.jpg)
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Good stuff fella! Once you've been bitten by the cricket bug, there's no cure!
Congrats on taking the time to source a highly rated boutique bat manufacturer, too.
That allows you official entry into the Cricket Kit Badger Club. There's no escaping that, either!
Above all, have fun, and I hope you bond with your new blade and form a very profitable partnership. :D
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Thanks praguetaz! I also picked up the H4L split finger gloves. They are amazing!
Here is a closer view of the face ([url]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/y8ezemyj.jpg[/url])
I have the H4L NV gloves too... top quality!
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Give it a really good knocking in. Matt's bat's need a good slapping before they give it up.
You'll never go back!
Good luck and well done. Supporting two young entrepreneurs, IJC and H4L.....
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Glad to hear the bat is serving you well !
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Give it a really good knocking in. Matt's bat's need a good slapping before they give it up.
You'll never go back!
Good luck and well done. Supporting two young entrepreneurs, IJC and H4L.....
I had Paul knock it in and apply a scuff sheet for me before he sent it on so it should be ready to hit the nets. If I could find a facility that had nets that is...
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Paul knows how to knock a bat in. Good choice.
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Great looking bat, I have an H4L Hattori in my collection. Need to add more side pictures of the profile :)
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Glad to hear the bat is serving you well !
Thank you! I have to commend you on a quality piece of gear. The bat and gloves are stunning to me.
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Great looking bat, I have an H4L Hattori in my collection. Need to add more side pictures of the profile :)
Ask and you shall receive! I haven't measured it up yet so not sure of the dimensions...(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/8ygamy5y.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/a4u9evam.jpg)
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While I have everyone's attention...
I have been doing quite a bit of research in terms of watching instructional videos and reading articles and such. Would anyone like to offer their opinion on a video, or book, that would be beneficial for the first time player? I am looking for advice on batting: grip, stance, different shots, etc.
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Some of its a bit long winded but the book bob woolmer art and science of cricket is pretty good.
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While I have everyone's attention...
I have been doing quite a bit of research in terms of watching instructional videos and reading articles and such. Would anyone like to offer their opinion on a video, or book, that would be beneficial for the first time player? I am looking for advice on batting: grip, stance, different shots, etc.
There's a Mark ramprekash masterclass video thread in the forum somewhere, would be as good a place as any to start
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Said video topic here
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=31279.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=31279.0)
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Thanks Cameron. I will definitely check it out. I can certainly use all the help I can get!
Cheers!
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Buzz has done a batting master class as well. Hopefully he will read the thread and link you in.
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Did Paul add the toeguard?
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Buzz has done a batting master class as well. Hopefully he will read the thread and link you in.
link here as requested... this is targeted at players who have been playing for a while really, but if it helps, enjoy...
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=22148.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=22148.0)
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I've heard these H4L bats go like trains, I'm glad you've bitten the bullet and joined a club. I'm sure you will enjoy cricket and everything it's has to offer. Even though cricket is my third sport it is probably the most enjoyable and with a good bunch of lads can be made very enjoyable. Good luck in practice on Friday, would appreciate if you let me know how the bat goes.
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Did Paul add the toeguard?
Yes indeed
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Thanks for the post, Aaron! So pleased you like the bat! :)
Funnily enough, I have decided to get the very same bat (HellFire Grade 2) for myself to see if it will help me find some batting form again, which has been AWOL for far too long! I've gone for the Long Blade option for the first time, so like you, it will be a new experience, but also like you I trust H4L as much, if not more, than any other brand, so surely my average will increase, right?! ;)
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Good choice Paul!!
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Good for you Paul! I hope the new bat brings you instant success. I am thinking if I ever decide to get another bat it should be a long blade. Then again, how much longer is it really?
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Oh and Paul, pictures or it didn't happen, as they say ;-)
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Update: so I survived my first cricket practice. The club has a very nicely maintained ground albeit with an artificial surface track (more on that in a moment). Some portable nets were set up and we had batting practice. A few thoughts:
-cricket batting is hard
-I cannot hit a cover drive if my life depended on it
-I am totally out of shape
After batting practice was some fielding practice which was much better and then a quick practice "match". During the match, I managed two catches! One was a line drive that I didn't know much about, if I'm honest but it stuck in my hands so it looked impressive. The other was a looping flyball that I managed not to drop.
In my time at the crease I faced 16 balls and scored 6 runs. Two singles and a nice sweep for 4. I was bowled when I tried to advance down the wicket and hit the dreaded drive. The track is not natural grass so it was very fast and quite bouncy. It's going to take some getting used to for sure.
Anyway, the Hellfire performed brilliantly. When I did manage to hit the ball near the middle it made a most beautiful sound and went like stink. I'm sure that I will be able to better communicate the attributes of the bat once I gain more experience.
The main takeaway from today is that I love this game!
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Hardwicket pitches are a good place for you to start and it's easier to leave a ball and be confident it will bounce above stump height.
Start with the basics. Solid defence is the basic platform all the attacking shots come from. I started that way and learned fast to leave the shots alone I had no shot to play safety. Time at the crease is best way improve your confidence.
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Good for you Paul! I hope the new bat brings you instant success. I am thinking if I ever decide to get another bat it should be a long blade. Then again, how much longer is it really?
Approximately one inch, Aaron, but one of the bat makers on here could give you a more specific figure, if needed. What I like about the long blade concept over the long handle, is that the handle length is the same as the short handle bats, but the overall length is the same as a long handle. I have used a long handle before but didn't get on with the handle as I kept fidgeting with my grip as it's too long and I never really knew where I should be holding it! Short handle bats have a much snugger fit, but I've found that because I am tall (6'5") the ball has an annoying tendency to creep under the bat and I struggle to dig out yorkers, so hopefully the long blade should reduce the risk of this. That's the plan, anyway!
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1/2 " longer 34 " in total
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Yes, I think I would like the added length. As you know Paul, I am 6'4" so I have the same problem you do.
In an unrelated matter, I discovered this the day after my first cricket experience. I did not notice it when it happened but I sure did feel it the day after! The ball caught me just behind the wing on my batting pads. Ouch!(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/e5a8unu8.jpg)
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The joys of cricket.
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Beautiful first bat!!!! Hopefully it performs well :)
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Yes, I think I would like the added length. As you know Paul, I am 6'4" so I have the same problem you do.
In an unrelated matter, I discovered this the day after my first cricket experience. I did not notice it when it happened but I sure did feel it the day after! The ball caught me just behind the wing on my batting pads. Ouch!([url]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/e5a8unu8.jpg[/url])
That's a good one!
Wait until it gets a few days old and it'll go done really nice colours haha