Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: lazza32 on September 22, 2014, 11:07:34 AM
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Having bought lots of bats I was wondering which brands have exceeded your expectations. For me affinity have definitely exceeded what I was expecting and my scat has been very underwhelming.
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Hunts, fat bats, gm underwhelmed.
B3, red ink, Rk, ca, ss over delivered.
Grays as expected.
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Having bought lots of bats I was wondering which brands have exceeded your expectations. For me affinity have definitely exceeded what I was expecting and my scat has been very underwhelming.
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hi lazza,
In what ways have your expectations been over or under delivered? Is it simply performance, or price, finish?
Would be interested to hear...
Thanks
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GM exceeded. B3 & Laver definitely underwhelming.
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Alvaro that is a question only you can answer. For me I expect performance and finish in that order. My scat was decently finished but for $700 it's performance was below average.........way below average.
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GN - Under delivered/as expected. For such a 'prestige brand' I was left wanting a bit more.
Chase - Over delivered/as expected - First bat was awesome, customer service was great. 2nd (more expensive) bat wasn't finished as well but service was good.
GM - As expected/over delivered - Had a few. Had some lower grade gems, but also some 'you get what you pay for' goods from them.
Slazenger - Over delivered - Was expecting it to be awful, wasn't all that bad. Still not my favourite.
SS/TON - Over delivered - Especially soft goods! Outstanding products for the price. Bats not to everyone's taste but I'm happy with the price I paid.
Neon - Over delivered - Bought them when Neon were relatively unknown on her, just because they were pink and well priced. Excellent products and service.
Woodstock - Under delivered - Softs were okay, bat was pingy but the wrong shape for my game (and not the best finished bat I've ever had). Pre sales service was great, post sales not so. For the price I expected more.
Hammer - As expected. Was a cheap eBay buy to try a Hammer. Very pingy but wouldn't have wanted to pay full price for the bat.
CA - Over delivered. With all the talk of these not lasting my Dad's CA has done 4 seasons, great buy!
M&H - Under delivered - Premium price for a non premium finish. Disappointing.
Spartan - As expected. Pingy bats, handles too thin for and one I was given to refurb was falling apart after a season!
Kookaburra - As expected. Okay bats, softs very good. Not my first choice.
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Yeah my m&h was very pingy but there finishing is borderline taking the mickey.
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Interesting how you measure it. You don't consider customer service during pre-sale as important?
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Interesting how you measure it. You don't consider customer service during pre-sale as important?
If that was a question to me then yes I do consider it very important.
But in the case where I specifically mentioned it as the post sales was non existent I got the feeling it was only to make a sale rather than anything else. This detracted from the overall experience, hence me being underwhelmed by the service as a whole. If based solely on Pre sales I'd have been very impressed!
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I probably don't put customer service as a contender because you don't buy gn, gm,Spartan etc direct from the manufacturer but good service definitely is icing on the cake
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I probably don't put customer service as a contender because you don't buy gn, gm,Spartan etc direct from the manufacturer but good service definitely is icing on the cake
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If you buy through a retailer then customer service wasn't counted.
If I buy from the company direct I do so for the service, that being why I counted it in those cases.
This is such a subjective topic, we probably all judge it in a different way.
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For me GN & H4L delivered and are some awesome bats. Salix always deliver quality bats. And all these companies softs and service is excellent
M&H I'll give benefit of doubt to as my Amplus was excellent until it snapped and my CK22 I think will be good and whiskey finish isn't great it's just ok.
Was disappointed in an Aldred performance was awful. Also a little disappointed in my GM Original it's taking an age to get going but my 2 606 models have been excellent.
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Blackcat shadow custom made disappointing balance did not feel right.
Aldred butterfly disappointing pickup heavy.
Hawk custom made a little hard at first now excellent.
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Interesting topic.
For me Hell 4 Leather are the only brand that have genuinely "overdelivered" though Newbery and AERO have a good argument were it not for my exceedingly high expectations going in.
Grays, Black Cat, SS, Warsop are about where I'd expect them to be.
M&H slightly underdelivered - lovely stuff, but not as good as the price point promises.
Kookaburra massively underdelivered on quality, though did well on the customer service front. That said, my Bubble is slowly changing my mind.
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Brands that have over delivered for me are H4L, BB, GM & RPC
Underdelivered list is long but to name a few GN, L&W, SCat, Kookaburra of last few years, Mongoose and on and on
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Interesting to see a few players saying Scat and L&W under delivered. A few years ago never heard a ad word about either.
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I think this one is tricky. If I was to list those I've had it would look like this:
Gray Nicolls: My custom Dynadrive is a beast and that is a massive over delivery.
Alfred: Paul was great to deal with, the bat is decent enough, but I chose the wrong shape. I think this was a delivered to expectations.
B3: So far, delivered to expectations in terms of what I received and how it's made, plus service. Needs to be tested.
Hunts County: Was always a fan, and again, I think the bat I have delivers to expectations.
Instinct: Sadly no longer with us, but the bat I was provided with is superb. Over delivered.
Laver: I don't think any of my Lavers have under delivered, but then I've always got them at a price point I was happy with. To expectations I'd say.
Heritage Cricket: Bat was much heavier than expected and ended up in the team kitbag. Under delivered for me, though the service was good and he did offer to take some weight off, so brought it back to what I'd expect of a good bat maker.
H4L: Got what it said on the tin. Delivered to expectations.
SAF: Massively underdelivered, then fixed it.
I've only listed those who have made me custom bats as I can't see how you can class an off the shelf brand as over or under delivering.
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GN - paid 150 for a ignite carbo, was a cracking bat.
Kook kahuna 600 and 1000, 600 was good but the 1000 was awesome.
H4l - devil hellfire... Only lasted about 4 weeks as it split on me :( went like a train though and was huge for 2.8
RPC - gun.. Simple as
Blueroom is actually a gun but not the cannon the RPC is.
Had a g1 aldred good sovereign and that went like stink, however was way to bottom heavy for me
Mainly tbh all the bats have been good, probably not 200 quids worth really for a bat but as we all know, things are over priced now.
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GM Apex 606 - Actually split the edge during knocking in the wood was so bad!!!
GN Powerbow 5 star...not brilliant but good enough
GN Ignite 4 Star , fantastic bat, used it for 3 seasons in a row, middle has gone now though!
Kookaburra Recoil 450 - Not the pingiest bat ive used but certainly the most comfortable to use!
Had a Woodworm Torch back in the day which was good until the handle became unglued and all power just died!
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Ah the good old woodworms!
If they didn't come with a free split, they'd have the handle pop out!
If neither of those things happened you'd have surface crack galore.
Didn't dtop me buying a 2nd one! ;)
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GM - Overdelivered. I purchased an Argon OLE from PDS, which was lovely, a little blemishy on the outside edge, but was all sapwood and had 7 straight and even grains. However, there were these strange cracks on the outside edge, so I emailed GM about it. (Had emailed about a cracked bat first, which I didn't expect anything from) Steve from Unicorn told me to send it back to GM themselves, and the day after they received the bat, I received a letter, telling me that it would be replaced. (Friday) So Monday comes along, and I receive the new Argon, which is a little grainier, has a hard bar, and felt a little harder. However, after some knocking and tapping up, safe to say I was very pleased, and happy with how quickly GM sorted it out. I thought they would tell me to go through the retailer, but was nice of them to replace the bat so quickly. Had 3 Argons pass through my hands, all of which are/were exceptional bats. Sad to see it dropped from this years range, as I am not a big fan of the Octane! (Still the Aura should be good!)
GN/Lords - Underdelivered. Sent a bat for a rehandle under warranty near the end of June, and received it back... At the beginning of September! This was partly due to GN taking their sweet ass time, but also the staff at Lords seemed completely incompotent, they must have taken 2 weeks or so to deliver the bat back!
Laver - Overdelivered. Laver made me a Reserve around April of 2013 I think, which was incredible. I was initially not too impressed from the photos, but when I received it, I was in love with the bat. Safe to say they overdelivered too by letting me send the bat to them for a free refurb/repair, thanks to some delamination problems, and I also ordered a copy of the bat. The copied bat itself I feel actually exceeds the original, which is an overdeliver in my books! (Not actually used the copy yet, but in terms of pick up and responsiveness, seems to be better)
H4L - As expected. Great bats, but as expected. The current H4L bat I've got is currently being knocked in, and I feel that may sway my opinion slightly! :)
Red Ink - Underdelivered/overdelivered. Asked for a custom made G1 bat. I said I cared a lot about it being a decent size for the weight, and didn't really care too much about the looks. Ended up getting a pretty ugly looking bat, (Would have graded it a G3/4) and it responded pretty well, but wasn't exceptional. (John had gotten the cleft as a G1 from his supplier) Couldn't get on with it, so shifted it on. I did purchase a middling bat too, which John overdelivered on. I think I paid £45 posted for one back then, and the finishing on that was top notch. He also shapes a cracking oval handle. Partly my fault that the bat was underdelivered, as I went for a slightly lower weight, but also because I didn't pick my cleft, and I think because it didn't look in any way aesthetically pleasing, I wasn't so impressed.
Salix - Underdelivered. Purchased my one from Paul at IJC, and to be honest, it was pretty bottom heavy. (Pod Players) Lovely bat, my brother took it out my kitbag, but with all the talk about how Kember balances bats to perfection and makes them pick up exceptionally, safe to say I was pretty disappointed! I did get a HH Super G1 which picked up really nicely however. (Not entirely sure it was made my AJK though)
Newbery - Underdelivered/As expected. Hard to gauge this one, the Tour I bought, it felt odd in the hands. It was a cracking bit of willow however, and I feel that it was thanks to my fear of damaging it (Had sought after it for a while) I couldn't wield it properly. Had such a large playing area, and looked stunning!
Vantage - Overdelivered. My first custom bat experience, and had set the benchmark for the customer service I expect from Custom bat suppliers. It was back when Mattw ran it, and I had requested for 2 big copies of the Series 1 and 3 profiles with no concaving. First bat I received was actually a concaved Series 3, which was a little disappointing, as it was so nice! (This was my fault, as I had originally asked for a Shadow profile, so the batmaker had already started concaving the bat when he received the altered request) The bats I received in the end were beauties, but ended up going slightly lighter as I got unfitter. (They were 2.13)
Plenty more I'm sure, but this will do. :D
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Never had a custom made bat.
All the bats I have used have been decent, best by a long long way was the MH.
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Interesting to see a few players saying Scat and L&W under delivered. A few years ago never heard a ad word about either.
Thats what happens when your brand gets more exposure. Law of averages means that not every bat will be a gun. I've had about 8 Lavers and 2 of them were average. The other 6 were out of this world.
B3 are the flavour of the month/year and Id be very surprised if they continue on their god like following at the moment.
I bought a H4L for the first time and was underwhelmed. Nice bat but for the price and Grade1 tag...
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Overdeliver - Puma UK range bats (Puma Karbon 6000, Puma Calibre 6000). Just the perfect weight and pick up!. Great bats!
Underdeliver- GN Strauss Powerbow Le - a good bat but can't get along with the weight and pickup. just a bit heavy for me even though it weighs 2.88 (same as the calibre, but the calibre picks up and feels much better)
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What do people expect from a bat that makes them underwhelmed?
It's can't be performance as that is very hard to judge without going out and using it so it must only be looks, correct weight and shape and most importantly customer service?
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What do people expect from a bat that makes them underwhelmed?
It's can't be performance as that is very hard to judge without going out and using it so it must only be looks, correct weight and shape and most importantly customer service?
Yeah to performance? The thread is about underwhelming not just having seen it, but as a whole having used the bat
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What do people expect from a bat that makes them underwhelmed?
It's can't be performance as that is very hard to judge without going out and using it so it must only be looks, correct weight and shape and most importantly customer service?
Performance is the only reason anyone wants a Bat?
Are you really gonna say, "well this is a plank that is absolutely dead and vibrates my arms/hands every time I hit the ball, but it's got nice grains, great pick up, and is the correct weight, so I'll give it ten out of ten and say it is my favourite bat ever"
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My apologies, I didn't quite read this thread right!
I suppose after using it you are well placed to say it's a plank!
How many people on here have used 1 bat exclusively for a full season or 2 to say they are underwhelmed by it?
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Tbh. Not many. Probably my current n3. And a few gray nics have done a season or more.
But then I'm not a professional. I play twice a week(off which I pay to play) and rarely get to net in the summer.
When I play cricket I want to performe. Which means if I bat is not doing what it's should after 5 games. It gets replaced with another. Or back to the previous model.
Life is too short to play with a dud bat imo.
But them you sell them.on and someone more patient gets a bat cheap and hopefully a gun when it eventually "opens up"
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I think most players only require 1or 2 innings or nets to know if they are underwhelmed with there new bats feel and pickup etc i knew after using my Aldred Butterfly once it was heavy for its weight and the Blackcat Shadows balance felt odd in the hands.
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100% agree you can tell a bat is too heavy within a few goes of it but performance I'm a bit of a skeptic.
Performance is everything I agree, but you may be out of form and use the bat as the reason and unfairly dismiss it and the brand as a result.
I've seen people use a bat for half a season, discard it as a plank, pull out my specially shaped mallet, bash it 2 or 3 times and then show them the big dents it has in it.
A bat needs properly knocking in ...... Buy a bat in the sale at this time of year, knock it in gradually on a weekly basis over the winter, pull it out in winter nets, by the time the season starts it will be great. You will also get used to it.
Can never understand people swapping or buying bats during the season to use unless their bat breaks and becomes unusable.
You will see many top pros using bats that look like they are falling apart, changing a bat mid season is going to mess you up as no two bats are EVER the same and the handles always feel different.
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How many people on here have used 1 bat exclusively for a full season or 2 to say they are underwhelmed by it?
My woodstock last year! After a season of use I concluded it was a very nice bat but the Wong shape for me.
Sold it to a teammate who loves it and I've gone for something with a higher middle this year, everyone's happy ;)
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I've used my current bat for 3 seasons now...
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I've used my current bat for 3 seasons now...
As you've kept it that long I guess you're not underwhelmed by it though?? :)
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Sorry Garrett but there is crystal clear difference between my best bat and my worst. My best bat is not massive but bloody hell it goes like a rocket. My worst bat is a scat and yes in a couple of years it may be good but I'm on the wrong side of 40 and refuse to wait a couple of seasons especially when I've paid a kings ransom.
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Sorry Garrett but there is crystal clear difference between my best bat and my worst. My best bat is not massive but bloody hell it goes like a rocket. My worst bat is a scat and yes in a couple of years it may be good but I'm on the wrong side of 40 and refuse to wait a couple of seasons especially when I've paid a kings ransom.
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I'll give you £30 posted for the Scat then as you've basically said its a plank?? ;)
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I'm keeping it as they won't be made anymore.
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Coincidentally my local is selling the distinction and it is probably the closest shape to a scat on the market.
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lazza32
Is the scat knocked in properly?
Give the bat to a none cricketer, give him a mallet and tell him to smack it as hard as he can.
If you are worried by doing this process it's not knocked in properly.
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Laver,Aldred,affinity, overwhelmed
Salix(snapped in half!),,gray nicks(plank),m&hx2 crap pick up and balance but good ping(why did I buy em?)
Jedi, somewhere in between,,had 4xbats. Ok for what they cost
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100% agree you can tell a bat is too heavy within a few goes of it but performance I'm a bit of a skeptic.
Performance is everything I agree, but you may be out of form and use the bat as the reason and unfairly dismiss it and the brand as a result.
I've seen people use a bat for half a season, discard it as a plank, pull out my specially shaped mallet, bash it 2 or 3 times and then show them the big dents it has in it.
A bat needs properly knocking in ...... Buy a bat in the sale at this time of year, knock it in gradually on a weekly basis over the winter, pull it out in winter nets, by the time the season starts it will be great. You will also get used to it.
Can never understand people swapping or buying bats during the season to use unless their bat breaks and becomes unusable.
You will see many top pros using bats that look like they are falling apart, changing a bat mid season is going to mess you up as no two bats are EVER the same and the handles always feel different.
Nail on the head mate.
Maybe I'm lucky but only used one real plank in the last few years really
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The scat is knocked in properly, I followed Julians instructions to the letter. I have no doubt that in time it will open up and get better but the top grade is supposed to be good from the start according to the website.
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My apologies, I didn't quite read this thread right!
I suppose after using it you are well placed to say it's a plank!
How many people on here have used 1 bat exclusively for a full season or 2 to say they are underwhelmed by it?
Last season I had a GN Oblivion with the carbo handle. I used it the whole season, I scored over 1200 runs with it and hit 50+ sixes, including some of the biggest hits of my life. It was obviously a decent bat but I felt underwhelmed by it the whole season, the middle never really felt as good as my GN Xiphos that had broken over the winter net, even though I was never had as prolific a season using it.
I do agree that people on here seem to throw away bats too quickly, though sometimes I can understand why. Nothing like a bit of brand new willow!
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100% agree you can tell a bat is too heavy within a few goes of it but performance I'm a bit of a skeptic.
Performance is everything I agree, but you may be out of form and use the bat as the reason and unfairly dismiss it and the brand as a result.
I've seen people use a bat for half a season, discard it as a plank, pull out my specially shaped mallet, bash it 2 or 3 times and then show them the big dents it has in it.
A bat needs properly knocking in ...... Buy a bat in the sale at this time of year, knock it in gradually on a weekly basis over the winter, pull it out in winter nets, by the time the season starts it will be great. You will also get used to it.
Can never understand people swapping or buying bats during the season to use unless their bat breaks and becomes unusable.
You will see many top pros using bats that look like they are falling apart, changing a bat mid season is going to mess you up as no two bats are EVER the same and the handles always feel different.
Agree with this but from the other perspective - too light! Top bat and a great performer in the hands of others but I just can't get any value for my shots with it. I'm underwhelmed by myself not the bat!
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I agree that a bat needs to be used for a while before you can judge its true performance but here is another thing. For someone like me who has gone through a lot of bats, enough every year that I could have started a small shop, you can tell early on too if a bat if going play well for you or not. I knock all my bats and oil them, I spend hours doing this to every bat, some don't even get used for the season as I am not satisfied with the knocking so will work on them the entire off season.
Right now I have 3 bats that I know are absolutely guns, or going to be. My Blueroom LE (Has been used in almost every game for last 2 seasons), BB Butterfly (Used in 2 matches, knocked in recently) & my RPC puchased shortly before the BBB but has not been used. Compared to my Salix, which is a phenomenal bat but just does not have that same feel, friend used it and loved it, for me though not quiet the right bat.
So i think it is possible to guess on performance at the start of life of a bat, obviously some bats will be the exceptions and that's Okay.
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I really rate blueroom. It was simmys trip to the packcave that started my obsession with bats.
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