I know I'm not the Dcotor but look at Joe Root brother Billy on twitter see his picture of his latest bat!!!
Who's the fussiest person you've made a bat for? With the service that we offer (making/ designing a bat to the n'th degree), we have a lot of people that have specifications for their bat. We dont view this as fussy, this is more the norm for B3, and one of the reasons why we started - to give cricketers exactly what they want.
What's the strangest request you've had? Backward set handle
As every bat maker seems to have a dog, who at B3 has what breed? Russ and Blathers have dogs - Russ has Valderarmer and I am not sure what Blathers dog is. Gav has 2 cats and a goldfish.
In your opinion which is better value, one crown willow bat or four butterfly bats? If value is what you are looking for then oviously 4 bats are better than 1!
Question: Do low density clefts have the same rebound as regular/high density clefts of the same weight (if that is an appropriate comparison)?
Who is your most annoying customer? You
know i cant answer that question Chris ;-)
How many bats have you made since opening? 4,000
How many different files are there for bespoke bats? All bats are bespoke really as even a series bat is still very customisable. As for fully bespoke CAD files 800 - 1000
Why are you so poor at cricket for a bat maker? The fact that I dont play, I think is an advantage as I am not influenced by what has gone before. You can't fault me for trying!!
The 1271 is one of the most powerful bats you produce you said previously why is that exactly and what are the dimensions of the shape?
B3 website says
"• If for whatever reason a B3 product doesn’t meet your expectations then we will sort it out!"
When I reached you guys for help in this manner I was told
"The ping guarantee is only for B3 bats only. Bats supplied to other brands are graded on looks alone like the rest of the cricket trade.
Wood is a natural product and some bats will play better than others. "
What is the reason behind this difference in b3 bats and plain bats provided by b3?
The process is exactly the same - we buy a cleft from supplier > we make a bat
What B3 then do is ping test it, if it does nt play like a 3 Stripe, we will down grade it to a 2 Stripe regardless of whether it is the best looking cleft in the world. This is due to the Natural variation (variation in stiffness) in willow clefts (wood is after all a natural product).
What you do, and how you deal with this is your own business
Do B3 bats come knocked in? Yes, this is an extra £20. I would state that even though we have knocked the bat in, it is not "ready to play" as it will still require at least 5 sessions in the nets (prefferably facing a bowling machine) to play the bat in, before it faces a new ball
One choice, a cnc made GM or a handmade GN? Dont GN have a machine?
What's the B3 biscuit of choice? Chocolate HobNobs
1. What were the feedbacks from pros regarding butterfly bats in general and your views ? Any performance difference ? They dont mind as long as it goes
2. In a butterfly cleft , do the stains weigh more then rest or cross section weight is same if you have ever tried out ? The butterfly stain is actually caused by a disease entering the tree, and then the tree effectively shuts the cells around the disease to prevent it spreading, this increases the local density, which is why the stain is naturally harder and also why butterfly clefts are generally more dense than non butterfly
3. Grains running straight through toe ... Your views on it A great indication that a bat will play well - as this is a good indication that the bat will be structurally more stiff
What do you think are the prerequisites to a good handle? personal preference - shape / flexibility / size ......
T
1 - What is the biggest advantage of a Machine made bat for you as a company and for customers Consistancy - repeatabilty, the ability to make a shape to any specification
2 - What is the biggest disadvantage of a Machine made bat for you as a company and for customers The preconseption that no handwork goes into the bat, we have 2 master craftsmen that work in the factory and 2 budding apprentices
3 - What is the best shape you have ever made depends on how you classify best, most forgiving shape (great for the club cricketer) the 1271. We have got some great shapes that we are making for some pro's at the moment that might make it into the standard range
4 - What is the lightest bat you have ever made Mens bat at 2'4
5 - Best looking cleft/bat passed through your doors - any of our crowns - literally the best 0.5% of the willow that passes through our doors
6 - Most daft request you have ever received, could be any cricket gear related not just bats. not daft, but bizarre - backward set handle
7 - Would B3 ever consider experimenting in methods of reducing weight of a bat but keeping it big in size and not compromising the moisture content we are always looking in how we can make improvements - Never Stand Still is my moto
8 - Who is the most knowledgeable pro when it comes to willow selection All leave it in the hands of B3
My question
What is bat mapping and what does it allow customers to do which is unique to B3?? bat mapping is a unique technology that B3 have developed that allows us to replicate the features of your favourite bat
What is the best shape you have created??so many to choose from, what I think is a great shape, somebody else might not. This is what B3 can offer you all, we can design, and make a bat that is ideal for you (not me) - I think the DW1 and DW2 are up there[/b]
I always wanted to ask this ... How do you make sure a cleft is optimally pressed ? I read somewhere each cleft is different from others so when pressing , what criterias you check before they are passed onto next stage ...?You are right we press each blade differently, we have a set procedure to follow however. We test with a mallet, not just for ping but also for indentation
Doc,
Good evening, two things:
- first, what advantage does the forward set handle offer? enhances the bow of the bat.
- second, and most important, massive hats off for taking the time to come on-line to answer so many questions. A true commendation for the B3 total service! Not a problem, although my wife thinks I am a weido!!
Have a lovely weekend,
Will
Not gonna lie, this is the best topic in a while!
Big thanks go out to the doc
What are your thoughts on a offset edge profile? lowers the middle slightly without drastically effecting the pick up
Would there be much difference in pick-up/performance if the offset was reversed from higher placed spine/lower edges to the spine extending past the edges 'a la' Gray-Nicolls Powerbow Generation X? less effective as above (more design over performance)
Apart from a decent cuppa, what is the drink of choice at B3? Ocassional pint of the black stuff or glass of red
There are two trains of thoughts that divide the boffins;
1. Density has no effect, as it is simply a matter of mass vs swing speed that effect Coefficient Of Restitution COR (Ball Rebound)
2. As well as the above the cross sectional area also effects COR, the lower the density the bigger the cross sestional area, the stiffer response to ball impact, equalling less more energy being transfered into the ball on impact the better the COR
Ok . So, it is momentum vs cross-sectional area/volume debate. Based on your experience,what is your opinion on low density clefts and their contribution to COR ?
that both mass and cross sectional area effect COR
plus, who can measure the effect on confidence when going out to the middle with a bat designed to suit how you play.....
that both mass and cross sectional area effect COR
plus, who can measure the effect on confidence when going out to the middle with a bat designed to suit how you play.....
How do you press the bow into the cleft? What made you choose this option over the gm ' cut into the cleft' options which was used in your previous role?
We find that it gives a better performing bat, however it does take longer
Are shapes developed from scratch or are they a combination of the best parts/ ideas of other bats currently in production? Do you feel there is anything in terms of shapes that can be done that hasn't already?
Some big name brands bleach their lower grade clefts to improve looks. Are there any side effects to bleaching that are detrimental to the bat (durability and/or performance)?Non whatsoever, the only downside is that it can bleech the grains aswell as the stains, so you get a very white looking bat with no apparent grains
How is the density of each cleft calculated and within that how is the moisture content of the cleft factored into the calculation? I.e. Will a drier cleft be lower on your density scale automatically or is moisture content controlled for?
It's quite simple
Density = mass/volume
Cleft it's most likely grams/cm3.
So you take the dimension of a cleft and work out it's volume, most are cut to the same size by the merchant .... Basic gcse maths...... Work out the volume of the rectangular part v=WxHxD. The triangular prism part is
V=1/4h﹣a4+2(ab)2+2(ac)2﹣b4+2(bc)2﹣c4
Add these two together to get the volume.
Then weigh it in grams.
Then divide the two numbers to get a figure.
Can i have a free bat? (you did say ask anything) :)good approach - I may take a slightly different one.
good approach - I may take a slightly different one.Ooh, maybe take it one step further.
Dear Dr Streaky, Please would you send me a free bat, I would be most grateful
Many thanks in advance
(!!)
Smokey
Please tell Easby that your sister is married he keeps asking!!!
Does the fact you(and many others)do the bulk of your sales online (where people can't feel te bat and just order a deadweight) have any effect on the weight of handles used?
If your lower graded bats, if one pinged like crazy, would it be upgraded to a 2 stripe or 3 stripe ?
No we would n't - in all honesty we would either let the customer know they've got a gun, or if it was in the showroom we would save it for a pro
What would happen to grade 3 willow that had absolutely no ping ? Would it get discarded ?
We dont get 'em - if you press it right even the very worst willow should play OK
It's quite simple
Density = mass/volume
Cleft it's most likely grams/cm3.
So you take the dimension of a cleft and work out it's volume, most are cut to the same size by the merchant .... Basic gcse maths...... Work out the volume of the rectangular part v=WxHxD. The triangular prism part is
V=1/4h﹣a4+2(ab)2+2(ac)2﹣b4+2(bc)2﹣c4
Add these two together to get the volume.
Then weigh it in grams.
Then divide the two numbers to get a figure.
How do you recommend knocking in a b3 bat? I'm using a m&h Mallett which I've found to be brutal on other bats but I don't seem to be doing anything other than taking the wax off the bat.
Knock in with a mallet - spend all your time on the edges (from the edge to 1.5inches in) and the toe region
Is there a reason why not only B3 but many other bat company's do not supply bat covers with new bats? And how much is one posted please.
We believe that our bats are quite responably priced in the first place - although this is something that we could look at in the future as we are always looking for ways to improve and provide a better service
If I was to buy a "1271 trott" bat, would this no. be written on the handle?
No - that number is a unique reference number so there will onlyh ever be 1271 - which i think will one day turn up in an auction as the infamous 1271 bat :-)
I have one more (specific to b3) do 1 stripes typically ping less than 2 stripes which ping less than 3 stripes.
Like most makers, you must get wastage from clefts that fail for one reason or another during the making process.
What is the most common cause of failure?
At what part of the making process do most failures occur?
As innovators of the industry over the past few seasons what do you see as the next innovation in bats, or equipment?
Dear Streaky, I saw a gm bat used by Graeme Smith and it was massive. What was the biggest bat you have seen?
Can i have a free bat? (you did say ask anything) :)
What do you feel you still have to learn about making bats and the cricket industry?
You never need to stop learning, developing, moving forward, as if you do you will effectively be going backwards. Never stand still is my moto.
A lot of my previous experience was making bats for retail - it is refreshing to make & sell to the end user as you get to meet, talk, joke with the consumer. I'll be honest though I'm not much a salesman.
What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the cricket industry?
Dont......
Who has been the most hands on pro that you've worked with to design a bat for? There's been a few, there is a lad in the 2nds who is pretty demanding!
What are your targets for B3 in the medium and long term?
Keep growing and expanding, we will hopefully be setting up a coaching academy, a few new products in the pipeline and hopefully something that will revolutionise the retail market (hopefully launching in the new year)
If it were possible, how might you look at licensing technology from other companies into B3 products to enhance them, e.g. handle designs, etc.?
If we thought it would improve our product we would certainly take a close look at it
High Spine V Thick Edges, which is better?
Spine, everyday
Are big edges just a fad?
Very much so
What is the optimal edge thickness on a bat in your opinion?
32 - 35 mm
good approach - I may take a slightly different one.
Dear Dr Streaky, Please would you send me a free bat, I would be most grateful
Many thanks in advance
(!!)
Dear Buzz, good try - manners will get you everywhere. See my previous post on the free bat
What is the optimal edge thickness on a bat in your opinion?
32 - 35 mm
If the bat is sending too much vibrations up the handle,where do think the problem lies . Is it (a)Handle (b)Pressing (c)Cleft . Will any remedial measures like, changing the handle, help with the problem ??
If you could employ anyone to help promote B3 internationally, who would it be?
As in Players? Dont think we'd ever go big boys, as ultimately you the customer would end up paying more for the bats. I think 2 players in each county / state in the major cricketing nations would do us well and not cost the earth.
If money was no object, what piece of technology would you buy to make your bats even better?
I have a few ideas up our sleeves that I believe will take B3 to the next level - what are they, you'll have to wait and see......
Is your sister as amazing as Easby seems to think?
Please no more sister comments, she is a top bird however!
The birthday streaky what can we expect in terms of deals and things ???
There will be deals on the day - massive discounts on some premades and a stock discount on the rest of the premades and also on any orders taken on the day.
Will their be steak for the BBQ ??
There will be a BBQ cooking the finest burgers and bangers
It's quite simple
Density = mass/volume
Cleft it's most likely grams/cm3.
So you take the dimension of a cleft and work out it's volume, most are cut to the same size by the merchant .... Basic gcse maths...... Work out the volume of the rectangular part v=WxHxD. The triangular prism part is
V=1/4h﹣a4+2(ab)2+2(ac)2﹣b4+2(bc)2﹣c4
Add these two together to get the volume.
Then weigh it in grams.
Then divide the two numbers to get a figure.
Thanks, but i still dont understand how the moisture content of the cleft is factored into the calculation and controlled for? Lets say for example we have two clefts of equal volume, one has a moisture content of 8%, the other of 14%, given the above calculation then the 8% cleft will come out as 'less dense', but in reality is it not just lighter because it has a lower moisture content?Somehow I don't think B3 would ignore the moisture content.
In short what is the difference between density and moisture content? As we all know manufacturers can just dry their clefts out to create bigger bats, but realistically this just makes them brittle and susceptible to living a short life...
Thanks, but i still dont understand how the moisture content of the cleft is factored into the calculation and controlled for? Lets say for example we have two clefts of equal volume, one has a moisture content of 8%, the other of 14%, given the above calculation then the 8% cleft will come out as 'less dense', but in reality is it not just lighter because it has a lower moisture content?
In short what is the difference between density and moisture content? As we all know manufacturers can just dry their clefts out to create bigger bats, but realistically this just makes them brittle and susceptible to living a short life...
Somehow I don't think B3 would ignore the moisture content.
I'm prepared to bet they have a humidity controlled room that all the bats go into so they are all at the same moisture content before the density is calculated.