Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: efcon24 on December 27, 2014, 02:36:18 AM
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Hi guys,
I'm only new to the forum so forgive me if I am posting this is the wrong place. I have a few questions for you all.
1) Have any of you ordered bats through online stockists before? Is it reliable or would you steer clear in future.
2) When I was having a look at online stockists I was very intrigued by Mrf and Sf. Have any of you had experience of either of these brands?
3) I've currently been caught in two minds between either the Ton Legacy or Newbery sps Tomahawk, once again have any of you had experience of these bats?
Sorry about all the questions guys!
Regards,
Eoghan.
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Welcome to the forum Eoghan
1) I've used online stockist a few times and never had an issue. They'd get a recommendation from me without hesitation.
2) I have not personally owned either, or even seen an MRF in the flesh. Of the two I'd be more inclined to go for the SF as the ones I've seen have all been very nice bats.
3) I refurbished a Newbery Tomahawk for a teammate last season. I wasn't overly impressed by the bat, it picked up nicely and felt reasonably responsive, but just didn't feel right in my hands (but bats are a very personal thing so you may love them!)
As for the TON Legacy, I don't own that particular model, but I do have an SS (or 5) in my collection. They're very nice bats if you can look past the OTT stickers and rather heavy concaving on some models. They're a very typical indian shape so there's a lot of wood low down, but they pick up nicely in my opinion.
Hope this helps :)
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Welcome Eoghan,
Wish i could answer your questions but alas i have no experience of what you are looking at. plenty of people seem to be buying through OLS and have or have owned SS/SF so i am sure you will get plenty of info either here or searching the forum.
I have always fancied owning an SS jumbo from the early 90's but apart from that and maybe if a genuine one came up really cheap i would struggle to prefer them over some of the brands that you can find on the forum. i am sure they are great bats but if i was buying blind and spending a decent sum of money then i can't help thinking i would want to be able to talk to the person i was buying from to get across what it is i was looking for.
Of course if you have been somewhere where they have the models you are after and have had a good swing with them then getting from OLS good be a good way of getting a bargain. (assuming you don't get taxed on the import)
Good luck with the deciding..... you could just get both!
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Welcome Eoghan
Cannot comment on the brands you have mentioned but I have brought bats on line but no longer do so having been on each occasion disappointed and ended up selling them on.
For me the best way to buy a bat is prior to purchase pick it up how does the handle feel what's the pick up and balance like can I hold it with my top hand only in my normal stance how does the swing weight feel how does a ball tap up across and down the face etc.just a few things to consider as there's plenty of what to look for bat buying advice on here.
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Hi there,
I've ordered two bats, plus two sets of pads and gloves from onlinestockist. Never had a problem with them - and in fact my favorite match bat - an SS Gladiator came from onlinestockist.
I have an SF Triumph and think its a great bat - as good as any I've used. Mates have MRF's - and swear by them - so I think you'd be happy with either - just get the profile that suits.
I haven't used the Ton or Newbery bats you have listed - but I've come to the conclusion that if you find a profile that suits you - it can come from any bat manufacturer and you'll be happy.
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Thanks for all the advice guys! I am currently leaning between the mrf and Sf bats as I delved deeper into the too and was very impressed with some of the reviews I've seen and especially as they offer great value for money!
That's another what's the story with shipping cost or import tax off online stockists ?
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You may get a 20% import tax when the parcel arrives in this country, but I've been lucky enough to not have this happen to me (and I've had a fair few deliveries from India).
As Buzz (I think it was him anyway) said, budget for the extra charge and if you don't have to pay it then it's ab added bonus :)
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I had a few bats, gloves and pads delivered last week through OLS and no tax! They spot check boxes so you may be unlucky but hopefully not!
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I'm still haunted by that SF VA900 that Matt from H4L was selling on here recently.. their profiles don't vary that much so I'd have a punt on one of those if given the choice between SF and a Newbery Tomahawk...
Don't have any experience of MRF but an SS TON is a popular choice on this forum too...
Online stockist seems to be completely reliable and great value for Indian bats...
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the thing about this forum is it gives you direct acess to a number of custom batmakers and high quality retailers.
I personally would take the option of going for one of their products as you will be well looked after and helped through the sale process. you will also not worry about import tax or customs drilling the handle.
I don't get the fascination with ols personally, you are trusting too much to luck for me.
if it is a question of price, remember cheap doesn't equal better.
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Hi Buzz,
well yes price definitely has something to do with it as from what ive heard you can get good quality for quite a cheap price.
As for bat makers on this forum who would you recommend?
From what ive seem B3 seem to make great bats, but then again I want to get the best quality I can while spendimg the least amount of money (hence the the attraction of ols)
Also has anyone heard of or had bats from ols drilled in customs?
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I've personally never used OLS but have been very tempted. Most reports I've read on here have been positive. You seem keen to give them a go due to the relatively low prices so maybe your best bet is to order a reasonably cheap bat in a style you like? This is the only way your going to be able to evaluate the service yourself as everyone else's experiences of OLS will be different.
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what is your budget and do you have the money ready to spend?
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Thanks Andy that's a great shout!
And Buzz it would be around 250 pounds for the bat, I've been having a look at b3 and blankbats which seem good.
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Thanks Andy that's a great shout!
And Buzz it would be around 250 pounds for the bat, I've been having a look at b3 and blankbats which seem good.
Where are you based mate?
For your budget any of the sponsors Would make you a top notch bat - if your located within a drive go and see one if them to talk about what you want and get it made up for you. I've had to bb's and cannot speak highly enough, although I've never had a b3 bat I've been to the factory a few times and it's a impressive setup. I'm using a Aldred at the moment which again is very well made. But if you'd rather go and waft 10s of pre made different brands then the retailers are all really good and helpfull. As I said you'd struggle to get a bad bat off the forum!
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Hi Ams
Im based in Dublin Ireland unfortunately so can't pop into any factories but ive been having a good look into b3 and hell4leather.
Thanks to your advice lads im pretty keen on getting a b3. As im sure of you pay extra youll get extra so ill drop them an email!
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Hi Ams
Im based in Dublin Ireland unfortunately so can't pop into any factories but ive been having a good look into b3 and hell4leather.
Thanks to your advice lads im pretty keen on getting a b3. As im sure of you pay extra youll get extra so ill drop them an email!
Good luck and keep us all posted mate. Setup a Skype call with b3 which may help
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Cheers mate I will post pics of what ever I end up with! Does the skype call cost extra?
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No mate, have a read on there website - guess it depends if your after a stock profile or something bespoke (drawn up on cad). Drop them a email or send a pm to the forum member procricket B3 (Dave) and I'm sure he'd be happy to advise.
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I have a Red Ink custom and I can confirm that the bat is a stunner, huge really well made and great communication. I have also just had some bats delivered from Online Stockist and their quality is great! It really depends what you want, if you want to decide on a truly custom bat, handle/shape etc then go for the forum! But if you want to spend less than 100 of lizzies pounds then go for OLS and you will PROBABLY get better value than a UK based seller. I stress this is a maybe as always with cricket their are exceptions that prove the rule just my opinion!
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Although, by all accounts, OLS offer a very good service and some good product too, and their prices are often lower than retailers such as ourselves, Uzi and Vitas, you will always have to pay shipping and possibly import duties as well with them, as others have mentioned. With us there is no import duty to Ireland, and we offer free delivery to there too if your order is over £100. A bat at OLS would therefore have to be a lot cheaper to compete with us on price. List prices only tell you so much...
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Hi mate just had a look at red inks bat they seem great value is it a pyro or LE?
Might send them an email. What bat did you get off OLS if you dont mind me asking? Well I will continue researchimg, ive mostly had shelf bought bats so I am keen to get a custom.
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Hi Paul good point, shops like yourselves are very reliable so i will have a look on your site now!
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Cheers mate I will post pics of what ever I end up with! Does the skype call cost extra?
No skype costs nothing mate would be glad to help we can make anything in any weight.
From top grade to bottom.
Many others also offer decent thing what you will get of me though is honest opinion plain and simple.
And if you don't want to talk to me you can talk to the doctor !!!!
If you want information on our bats or any others I love talking cricket and bats
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Take Dave up on his offer of a chat!
Just from email exchanges with him I've learned a lot. If Dave doesn't know something about bats it probably isn't worth knowing! :)
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@efcon24 have a look at the Bellingham and Smith section. Thre three star Assegai bats are £100 and are really good value for money.
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No skype costs nothing mate would be glad to help we can make anything in any weight.
From top grade to bottom.
Many others also offer decent thing what you will get of me though is honest opinion plain and simple.
And if you don't want to talk to me you can talk to the doctor !!!!
If you want information on our bats or any others I love talking cricket and bats
Hi thanks mate I sent an email to B3 earlier, What grade is your stripe 2 bats and how much does a refurb cost with b3 stickers put on the bat?
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Hi lads cheers for the comments in that case Dave I'd be happy to take you up on your offer of a chat!
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2 stripe mate is grade two mate good quality willow no doubting we have a few clefts in in differenet weights so we can make anything mate.
As you can with grade 3 1 stripe wood too which is good as well and I have one an plays very well.
I will track the email Down mate and make sure it a swift responce pal
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As for others look at Ryan kelsall and Red Ink and handmade decent sticks and good prices too. I guess there all sorts from re branded to re sticker company all with good bats.
Its a good forum full of great bats and larks so many hell4leather to sareen from vks to bas from uzi. So many
I'm quite experienced in bats as others are you will get no crap sales just honest truth.
I know how good our bats are from all grades
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Can recommend both b3 and red ink having bought one of each relatively recently, very happy with both of them! two lovely bats at implausibly good prices.
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Hi mate, you are an incredibly honest man! I'm very keen on your gear, you wouldn't have any pictures of a 2 stripe I could have a look at on this or via email? I'd love a 3 stripe but not sure if my budget will allow it unfortunately :(
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Not on me but I will get some sent.
Well we have a advantage we have lots of clefts to choose from.
There some pictures on here in the mean time of our two stripe.
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Cheers mate thanks a million I will have a look I was looking at your YouTube channel there!!
I look forward to your email!
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Also what is the story with the density of the b3 bats I see everyone talking about could anyone explain this to me please?
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Well if you want a light bat but big bat we can cater for it
We give each cleft a density number and this makes a bat
For example if you wanted a bespoke and say your design was 2-9 at 400 cleff density
With 400 being the average if we made it out of 370 it would be 2-6 as for evey 10 in density equates to a ounce either minus or extra
It about matching the cleft to your bat exactly
We can create almost any shape at any weight if it possible we can do it.
But a few have asked for tendulkar profile which is 3-2 normally so if you want it at 2-6 it would need a 280 which is impossible.
Our clefts really range from 350 (crown) to 450 but we do not grade on density you can get I we have them light 1 stripes as I have helped before.
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http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32955.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32955.0) Here a coyle of light 1 and 2 stripes
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Not to derail the topic here but Dave (@procricket B3) can u please give the specs of Steve smith's bat. Looks like a nice profile with high spine
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Hi cheers mate, will discuss the bat tomorrow via email if that's okay?
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Not to derail the topic here but Dave (@procricket B3) can u please give the specs of Steve smith's bat. Looks like a nice profile with high spine
How would B3 know?
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How would B3 know?
I think it has been hinted at that b3 make bats for new balance
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Hi mate I'm pretty sure it's Aaron Finches new balance bats that b3 make not sure about Steve Smith
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Hi mate I'm pretty sure it's Aaron Finches new balance bats that b3 make not sure about Steve Smith
Steve Smith is still using the Slazenger shape he was using last season.
I'd imagine his bat is made, in its entirety, by Tim Keeley.
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Steve Smith is still using the Slazenger shape he was using last season.
I'd imagine his bat is made, in its entirety, by Tim Keeley.
May be you are correct. I never noticed his bat till he started batting to well in this series [emoji12]
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May be you are correct. I never noticed his bat till he started batting to well in this series [emoji12]
Proof that the sponsorship is working! Tends to do that when the user scores lots of runs... I wonder how long it'll be before Spartan snap him up! :) Surely they need a fully fit Aussie to join their ranks now?
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Good shout, with Clarke's future uncertain it would fit well with their model to get the next captain on side! Do Spartan take up a lot of the Australian market or is it dominated by GN?
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Good shout, with Clarke's future uncertain it would fit well with their model to get the next captain on side! Do Spartan take up a lot of the Australian market or is it dominated by GN?
Spartan is an Australian company, Jon. As far as I can tell, they are one of the biggest brands out there, and possibly only behind Kookaburra, but perhaps some Aussies on here can confirm or deny my assumption?
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In terms of cricket Deny, they certainly give plenty away though.
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Spartan is an Australian company, Jon. As far as I can tell, they are one of the biggest brands out there, and possibly only behind Kookaburra, but perhaps some Aussies on here can confirm or deny my assumption?
From where I play, not many use Spartan gear. The junior market is where they go well over here I think. Senior market is mainly GN, Kookaburra and GM
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The GN sales rep tells me the top 3 are GN, Kook and Puma in that order.
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Seen probably 2 Spartan bats in 2 seasons and no softs where I play in Newcastle, NSW