Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: wayward_hayward on October 13, 2014, 09:16:23 PM

Title: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 13, 2014, 09:16:23 PM
I have been missing the cricket feeling since the season ended so thought I would do the only necessary thing, buy a bat!

I managed to pick this up on eBay on Sunday night. It was pretty poorly listed with no mention of the brand, Norfolk Cricket Bats co. The brand was set up a few years ago by an ex Newbery employee (his name avoids me at the moment!) and they have gone from strength to strength in the past season or two. The guy I bought it off didn't play cricket but knew the company's owner (bit strange I thought) so it's brand new even though it has 2012 stickers. I believe the bat is TK made and feels excellent off the mallet, especially as it needs knocking in. Only downsides are the stickers (not my cup of tea) and the ridiculously skinny handle.

I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking as it's a good looking piece of willow, certainly grade one willow.

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173436.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173500.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173537.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173553.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173658.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141013_173712.jpg)

One thing left to say, GUESS THE WEIGHT :D
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on October 13, 2014, 09:18:16 PM
Looks a lovely bat mate and if presse my TK will perform very well, agree on the stickers mate not great but easily changed if you feel that wavy inclined

I'm going for 2.9 mate?
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on October 13, 2014, 09:27:56 PM
Another member of the off season purchase club, that's what we like to see!  :D

An extra layer of binding will sort te handle mate (if it's an issue).

As for the stickers are their new ones any better?? You could always contact them asking for a new set, the worse that can happen is they say no  :)
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: Giraffe208 on October 13, 2014, 09:29:30 PM
2lb 7.5
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 13, 2014, 09:33:20 PM
Another member of the off season purchase club, that's what we like to see!  :D

An extra layer of binding will sort te handle mate (if it's an issue).

As for the stickers are their new ones any better?? You could always contact them asking for a new set, the worse that can happen is they say no  :)

I currently have 3 chevrons and a spiral on the bottom half of the handle, feels a little over the top. I'm going to contact them tomorrow to see what can be sorted out, their 2014 and 2015 stickers look much better.

Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on October 13, 2014, 09:34:46 PM
I currently have 3 chevrons and a spiral on the bottom half of the handle, feels a little over the top. I'm going to contact them tomorrow to see what can be sorted out, their 2014 and 2915 stickers look much better.
If they've got the foresight to design 2915 stickers now I may have to buy shares in the company!  ;)
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 13, 2014, 09:36:26 PM
If they've got the foresight to design 2915 stickers now I may have to buy shares in the company!  ;)

Dammit, you spotted my 60 second error :o
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: jwebber86 on October 13, 2014, 09:43:55 PM
nice looking stick. completely agree with the stickers.

i think i spend more time on ebay now then any time of the year
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: Chad on October 13, 2014, 09:59:56 PM
If you decide the stickers, please at least change the scuff sheet! Don't know why, but I really don't like it when the scuff sheets aren't cut to the shape of the toe! :-[ Cracking looking stick, definitely a top grade in terms of looks. :) I saw this bat on eBay too, but decided that someone else should get a bargain, and that I really shouldn't pounce on every one I see!
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 13, 2014, 10:08:20 PM
The scuff sheet annoys me as well, I will probably end up sorting it out at some point. It seems a bit lazy to me.
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 15, 2014, 08:36:59 PM
Only 2 weight guess so far, I thought we enjoyed this kind of thing :D
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: alee on October 15, 2014, 08:51:13 PM
with the grips 2.8
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: kal_m on October 15, 2014, 09:00:41 PM
Looks awesome mate and an absolute bargain.
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: TopShot on October 15, 2014, 09:08:50 PM
I'll go with 2.7 naked 2.9 fully dressed
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: AverageCricketer on October 15, 2014, 09:13:04 PM
Looks very light, I would go for 2lb 6oz
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 15, 2014, 09:30:42 PM
Looks very light, I would go for 2lb 6oz

We have a winner! 2.6 with grips which went down to 2.4 with no grips.

I am looking forward to knocking it in over the winter, The middle response feels good already, just got to find a time to use it.
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: AverageCricketer on October 15, 2014, 10:53:11 PM
We have a winner! 2.6 with grips which went down to 2.4 with no grips.

I am looking forward to knocking it in over the winter, The middle response feels good already, just got to find a time to use it.

Looks like a good bat for me, except for the thin handle, which is probably keeping the weight down!
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: leeroy on October 16, 2014, 01:04:50 AM
Very nice bat for a 2.6
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: AverageCricketer on October 16, 2014, 01:21:49 AM
Just had another look at the handle, looks the same size as my harrow bat!
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 31, 2014, 03:16:15 PM
So I thought I would get in contact with David from Norfolk Cricket Bats last night about some new stickers . I went over today thinking it would only take 2 minutes, just got home after 3 hours spent taking all things cricket. In the end, David rebound my handle to double thickness, gave my bat a refurb and restickering. He gave me a tour of his workshop and we spoke about bats for hours! It's amazing the knowledge and experience that David has gathered, certainly not your Indian made bats that have been stickered up. I'm going back shortly to watch him make my next new bat, a very special creature. Easily been one of highlights of the year. :D

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141031_143630.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141031_143642.jpg)

(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141031_143656.jpg)
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on October 31, 2014, 04:19:37 PM
Ryan you lucky so and so!
Can we get a video of the bat making process (if David allows and you're willing to film it obviously)
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: Northern monkey on October 31, 2014, 04:24:45 PM
Like those stickers, they are a huge improvement
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 31, 2014, 04:40:00 PM
Ryan you lucky so and so!
Can we get a video of the bat making process (if David allows and you're willing to film it obviously)

I will see what I can do next time I'm there!
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: wayward_hayward on October 31, 2014, 04:55:46 PM
Just thought I would add a few mores details.

David does all the work himself, including picking his clefts, pressing and shaping. He prides himself on providing a custom service to all cricketers that he makes bats for, something that is missing in Norfolk especially. We talked about blades, handles, weights and pickups and all sorts that I can't remember. It was a pleasure to watch him start work on my new bat, were we discussed a variety of shapes and models before settling on a finish idea. I can't wait to see it finished and giving it a go.
Title: Re: The Completely (un)necessary October Bat Purchase
Post by: kal_m on November 01, 2014, 02:17:09 PM
Nice looking stickers and certainly much better than the initial ones IMHO!