Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => Vitas Cricket => Topic started by: Vitas Cricket on February 12, 2015, 04:58:30 PM
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Hi guys,
I am sure plenty of you are aware of the custom made bats we offer via our good friends at Hunts. We charge £185 for a G1 made to any shape and spec, a specific bat can be copied too if you desire. Some more details can be found here:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32683.msg514118 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32683.msg514118)
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32945.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32945.0)
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=29580.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=29580.0)
Ongoing, I am giving you the opportunity to visit the batmaker yourself, pick out the cleft and have the bat made in front of you AT NO EXTRA COST.
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Great offer, Jake. The price is fabulous for that quality, but to see it made by the masters, into the price, is fantastic.
We spoke on the phone earlier and hopefully we can finalise a suitable day for a trip to Hunts, tomorrow.
Yours, excitedly,
David
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Great offer, Jake. The price is fabulous for that quality, but to see it made by the mnasters, intot the price, is fantastic.
We spoke on the phone earlier and hopefully we can finalise a suitable day for a trip to Hunts, tomorrow.
Yours, excitedly,
David
Happy to help David, looking forward to booking you in tomorrow :)
Just to add guys, I am happy to accompany you to Hunts if desired, and either before or after, or both, you are welcome to come to the shop too and discuss all things cricket, perhaps have a net if there is space. We are a short drive away, takes me about 20-25 minutes but some of you may not be so hard on the accelerator!
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That is a great Offer. Wish i was local there :)
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Lovely bats, great offer but me no local.
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First visit done and dusted this morning. Just spoke with David (username leatherseat) who seems very happy with his new long blade bat, especially with the couple of nice touches Tony added, retro ink stamps from a bygone era rather than stickers etc.
Hopefully pics to follow from David :)
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Tony added, retro ink stamps from a bygone era rather than stickers etc.
If I had spare capital this is what I would be doing - the "Laser" graphics were awesome.
I hate being broke. :(
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Why did I just have to fork out money on my car, a new G1 hunts custom would've been cheaper and I'd have been happier with what I got for my money :(
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P.S @leatherseat please upload some pictures :)
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Best bat I ever owned was a Hunts, started on this forum and got rid of it as my addiction to trying new bats started. Biggest bat mistake ever! Sounds like a fantastic offer and I look forward to seeing pictures @leatherseat. If only my wife didn't have a baby due in a few weeks 😜
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(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/Cossington22/8134fcc9-ce7f-45ef-8feb-7f9483079d15.jpg)
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/Cossington22/sideprofile.jpg)
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/Cossington22/retroface.jpg)
Not sure I am going to master the technology needed to download pics.
I enjoyed my visit - it is fascinating to see such a craftsman pull a bat out of a handled cleft. I went for the retro 'branding', with just the black 'C' (reminds me of the famous on-drive that brought Boycott his hundredth hundred).
Whilst the pick up is good, it is rather heavier than I am used to -2'13'' (I was looking for 2'10''), but Tony said I could take it back, if necessary, to lose a little more weight.
Six straight grains.
Looking forward to using itand testing the middle (and maybe the edges too, occasionally).
David
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If you dont mind me asking why did you go and get a hand made bat and leave with it not to your weight specs?
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If you dont mind me asking why did you go and get a hand made bat and leave with it not to your weight specs?
I think a combination of nice pickup from the higher middle and this being his first long blade bat. At least this seemed to be the general theme of what Tony was suggesting before i left them to it anyway. Tony involves the customer in the whole process, making you pick the bat up every few minutes to check the balance etc. And he will be happy to adjust the weight if this doesn't work out as desired for the customer.
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One of our batsman is after a replica of his Kook that has delaminated.
Its around 3lb and is a long blade, is this something Hunts could do, or would this cost more?
Cheers,
Kieron
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One of our batsman is after a replica of his Kook that has delaminated.
Its around 3lb and is a long blade, is this something Hunts could do, or would this cost more?
Cheers,
Kieron
Replication is fine, especially if he is able to bring the bat along with him.
Long blade, long handle etc don't cost any more.
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Is this offer open for butterfly willow too???
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Is this offer open for butterfly willow too???
I'm sure Hunts would happily let you pay £165 for butterfly willow lol ;)
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Haha I meant going to visit them and having a butterfly bat made for £105
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Haha I meant going to visit them and having a butterfly bat made for £105
Yes, but the choice of willow will be vastly reduced. They don't have much butterfly (if any) available unless it is requested.
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@19reading87 is desperate for a bit of Butterfly at the moment to add to his collection!
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@19reading87 is desperate for a bit of Butterfly at the moment to add to his collection!
Collection??? Not much of one... I have the 2nd least amount of bats in my team with 2. Even my opening bowler and first change have 3 each!!!!! I'm feeling left out
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It seems Paul Collingwood has taken up the offer.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/31570075 (http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/31570075)
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Still time to book a visit guys. I've done a few so far with positive feedback :)
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If you dont mind me asking why did you go and get a hand made bat and leave with it not to your weight specs?
Good question - I keep wondering that myself. We tried two different clefts (ie Tony started shaping one but decided it wasn't going to get down to 2'10'') and I re-iterated several times that I wanted something around 2'10''. Tony preferred not to take too much wood off ('you can't put it back on', which makes sense). He got it to 2'9, naked weight. with string, two grips, stiockers and scuff sheet it came out at 2'13.5''. It picks up nicely with the high middle but now it is home, it feels a lot heavier than my previous bat (at 2'10''). I keep pondering whether to remove one of the grips (weight at the handle, counterbalance and all that, I know) and maybe the scuff sheet.
David
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Any clefts with around 12 grains in them? not overly fussed on my new SS bat profile atm
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Good question - I keep wondering that myself. We tried two different clefts (ie Tony started shaping one but decided it wasn't going to get down to 2'10'') and I re-iterated several times that I wanted something around 2'10''. Tony preferred not to take too much wood off ('you can't put it back on', which makes sense). He got it to 2'9, naked weight. with string, two grips, stiockers and scuff sheet it came out at 2'13.5''. It picks up nicely with the high middle but now it is home, it feels a lot heavier than my previous bat (at 2'10''). I keep pondering whether to remove one of the grips (weight at the handle, counterbalance and all that, I know) and maybe the scuff sheet.
David
whip off a grip, stickers and scuff and you might get it under 2'12.
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Any clefts with around 12 grains in them? not overly fussed on my new SS bat profile atm
Feel free to send an email or pm to arrange. :)
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Last chance this week chaps.
Until after Easter anyway...
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I'm guessing this is no longer going?
I'm after a copy of a GM Halo SRW, 2"6-2"7
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I'm guessing this is no longer going?
I'm after a copy of a GM Halo SRW, 2"6-2"7
Please send me a pm to discuss. The offer to have a bat made (including copying a bat) is still there and always will be. Visiting the bat maker yourself is now less of an option. I put a time frame on it to encourage people to get it sorted early rather than clog the already busy easter period for hunts
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As an FYI, the price on these bats is now £185.
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OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!
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No apologies for resurrecting this one.
Just idly wondering what a 'Super Selected' Caerulex via @Vitas Cricket might set one back?
And @FattusCattus how did your grainsome Caerulex go this season? Did it fulfil its early promise?
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No apologies for resurrecting this one.
Just idly wondering what a 'Super Selected' Caerulex via @Vitas Cricket might set one back?
And @FattusCattus how did your grainsome Caerulex go this season? Did it fulfil its early promise?
Caerulex showing as £220 on there website, not sure if super selected alters this at all...
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Hello Jake,
I was considering going into the Hunts County shop for a custom job as its convenient for me as I go into the industrial estate for work purposes. I read that you offer custom bats for £175 as I believe it is £200 if you go direct. Is this still the case? May I ask how I go about paying the lesser rate with Vitas Cricket and then going in when it is convenient for me and those at Hunts County. I am right in thinking that this isn't just choosing the G1 bats on display but asking them to have a model made with specific sized edges, stickers and weight etc. Excuse my ignorance on the matter, but I have never had a custom bat made before.
Thanks in advance for the response :-)
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A Super Selected (or special selected, i can never remember what Hunts actually refer to it as) is £225.
@Mel Jessop @Mattsky
@jgi751987 - yes to take advantage of the offer you must arrange the payment with us, and if you wanted to visit them to have the bat made in front of you, you have to discuss with us to arrange an appointment, it's all very informal and laid back though, as long as i told them of your name and of roughly what you wanted, you could roll up unannounced virtually whenever you liked after payment, aside from the very busy Easter period. They will make the bat in front of you, you can take it away and they will invoice us for it, a seamless experience hopefully. If you didn't want to visit us afterwards (approx 20-25 minute drive if you have a heavy right foot...) then i would email or post out your payment receipt.
I don't even need to be there unless you requested me to be, I am always happy to meet with customers and introduce them to the Hunts team, as well as show them round the facility if they guys are busy making bats or serving customers.
As with all bat makers who make by hand, working to a very specific edge size or nailed on exact weight is difficult. And unless you are buying one of their super duper high end clefts (a few of which were available in low densities this Summer for £265 from us) then something like the classic moon on a stick request of 2'7 with 45mm edges and no concaving just isn't something Hunts entertain I'm afraid. Tony often says with a wry smile; 'unless you are lucky, you can have a big bat, or you can have a light bat'
Please feel free to email me to discuss further, jake@vitascricket.co.uk
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Perfect, thanks for that. I am still weighing up my options regarding the bat (hence somehow finding myself on a cricket bat forum!) so shall keep that in mind for now. Shall await the 2016 bats and see what crops up. I shall visit Vitas for a net and hook up with some gear in the not so distant future. New bag (with a place for boots, personals, and 2 bats), boots and whites high on the list :-)
Thanks for your help. :-)
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No apologies for resurrecting this one.
Just idly wondering what a 'Super Selected' Caerulex via @Vitas Cricket might set one back?
And @FattusCattus how did your grainsome Caerulex go this season? Did it fulfil its early promise?
The bat I had was a custom shape with Caerulex stickers on it. It was superb and the service from Jake was excellent.
I have the best of worlds with this bat, in that a teammate begged me to sell it to him, which I foolishly did - but I often get to use it in the nets.
I would highly recommend them, however don't go expecting chunky great over-dried Asian efforts, just expect a good, balanced bat!!!
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I had one made for me at the beginning of the season; the middle was an absolute gun! For £175, I don't think you're going to do much better to be honest; my local place Kippax is now charging well over £250 for a bat, and that isn't custom made; arguably, they do get some massive bats out for the weight, but you're paying a lot more!
Cannot fault the service Jake gave when ordering the bat, or afterwards. Would definitely be interested in coming down for another couple, and selecting a cleft, getting it made to me etc. Would this be possible Jake? And would it be possible to have one top grade, and one poorer grade as a net bat?
Let me know what's what mate! Ta
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I had one made for me at the beginning of the season; the middle was an absolute gun! For £175, I don't think you're going to do much better to be honest; my local place Kippax is now charging well over £250 for a bat, and that isn't custom made; arguably, they do get some massive bats out for the weight, but you're paying a lot more!
Cannot fault the service Jake gave when ordering the bat, or afterwards. Would definitely be interested in coming down for another couple, and selecting a cleft, getting it made to me etc. Would this be possible Jake? And would it be possible to have one top grade, and one poorer grade as a net bat?
Let me know what's what mate! Ta
Absolutely, you are more than welcome to come down and have your bats made. Just send me an email to discuss jake@vitascricket.co.uk
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Visting Hunts tomorrow with repeat customer @OllieWalker39 to help him with another G1, will post some photos if i find time :)
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I must admit that one like Fattus had with those lovely grains but around 2'9/2'10 finished and no concaving would be tempting!
Performance is important and I don't doubt that they are quality pod shavers!! :)
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I must admit that one like Fattus had with those lovely grains but around 2'9/2'10 finished and no concaving would be tempting!
Performance is important and I don't doubt that they are quality pod shavers!! :)
These all turned into huge full profiled bats around 2'9. They are Low Density G1+ though, much rarer and more expensive, we sold 3 or 4 this Summer for £265.
(http://i.imgur.com/6SyLLPnh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ahI3wC9h.jpg)
This is one of them, or from the same batch if not specifically one of those clefts above - i think it is the cleft marked 'W'
(http://i.imgur.com/0XJBQHhh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kVB2yHFh.jpg)
We even had someone who wanted their Scat to be copied, including distinctive handle.
(http://i.imgur.com/8bg4AnGh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fc3S1OFh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8QQBPcdh.jpg)
I'm meeting Ollie tomorrow and also have 2 further bats to arrange for people who are unable to make it to Hunts, this is far from your final call, as I'll no doubt be back there next week, but if you want a bat arranging do get in touch, i know they have a lot of quality willow at the moment.
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(http://i.imgur.com/2nKdtixh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JKZ5qjKh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/g1jlVXVh.jpg)
Met @OllieWalker39 at Hunts earlier and left him and Tony to it once we had gone through a few handled, pressed clefts that have had some shaping on the back, after we picked one out it was straight down to business with the hand tools!
I'm sure he will send a few photos of the process and the finished bat later.
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This is very tempting.....
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I've now sent pics to Jake, so expect them on here soon! I'm crap with tech, so can't do it :D :D
IT's a beauty though - weighs just under 2lb 14, so pretty spot on. Middle feels good from knock ups, but needs a bit of knocking in etc! Will use it and let you all know how amazing the edges are :D
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I've now sent pics to Jake, so expect them on here soon! I'm crap with tech, so can't do it :D :D
IT's a beauty though - weighs just under 2lb 14, so pretty spot on. Middle feels good from knock ups, but needs a bit of knocking in etc! Will use it and let you all know how amazing the edges are :D
Im sure you'll love your new custom. I got a hunts custom myself and it's an absoloute belter! They really open up after a few weeks :)
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Looking forward to seeing the pics, a custom Hunts has been tempting me for some time, would love to time it so I could make the trip there also.
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Looking forward to seeing the pics, a custom Hunts has been tempting me for some time, would love to time it so I could make the trip there also.
Already had one mate; loved it but it was a bit light! Jumped from 2lb 8 to 2lb 14! It's a beauty. Will see how it plays soon hopefully.
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Haha, 2'8 is at the heavy end of my scale!
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Here are @OllieWalker39 photos from his day.
(http://i.imgur.com/zXngthyh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ksAiR9Fh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QRPP2GVh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aqeSjedh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/90TIUalh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/i6fYJlph.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PRrIyESh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eHC2npqh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6uiMzTmh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CqTHcTFh.jpg)
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Looks gorgeous! Got the same stickers as mine too
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Love those stickers!
And looks like a great experience at a really good price!
Now I just have to decide whether I would prefer to have a nice custom made Hunts and experience made to my spec, or buy that M&H Size 6 refurbed bat for the same price!
Hmmm, now what should I do!
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Love those stickers!
And looks like a great experience at a really good price!
Now I just have to decide whether I would prefer to have a nice custom made Hunts and experience made to my spec, or buy that M&H Size 6 refurbed bat for the same price!
Hmmm, now what should I do!
:)
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These are just tremendous value for money aren't they, from cleft to crease for £175. Makes other brands charging £500 plus for an unseen possible plank look ludicrous. My friend Ali had his laver copied by Tony and he couldn't be happier, I picked it up and we both thought it must be 2.10 max but when we weighed it it was 2.12. You'd never have guessed from the pick up.
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Love those stickers!
And looks like a great experience at a really good price!
Now I just have to decide whether I would prefer to have a nice custom made Hunts and experience made to my spec, or buy that M&H Size 6 refurbed bat for the same price!
Hmmm, now what should I do!
Get the M&H for sure (junior storm damaged chocolate bar for only 150 quid) absolute bargain ;)
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My next new bat, when the time comes, cant complain for that price and service. To be able to see it made in front of you, I'm presuming you can select whatever stickers you want, along with shape
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Seeing those pictures makes me even more excited for mine to get here! Jake has been great to deal with so far - can't wait to see the outcome. Just a little gutted I couldn't go and see it done for myself!
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These are just tremendous value for money aren't they, from cleft to crease for £175. Makes other brands charging £500 plus for an unseen possible plank look ludicrous. My friend Ali had his laver copied by Tony and he couldn't be happier, I picked it up and we both thought it must be 2.10 max but when we weighed it it was 2.12. You'd never have guessed from the pick up.
He's an experienced podshaver! And getting a stunning bat copied could be the best option!
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My next new bat, when the time comes, cant complain for that price and service. To be able to see it made in front of you, I'm presuming you can select whatever stickers you want, along with shape
Stickers officially have to be treated as a bonus. What you are buying is a G1 custom made bat from us, it just happens to be that Hunts are the bat maker. In reality most of the time, providing they have them, they are happy to apply your chosen sticker.
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Can they do a no guarantee policy like in the MH storm sale?. I like to live dangerously you see.
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Stickers officially have to be treated as a bonus. What you are buying is a G1 custom made bat from us, it just happens to be that Hunts are the bat maker. In reality most of the time, providing they have them, they are happy to apply your chosen sticker.
But surely Tony (or any other podshaver for that matter) wouldn't grumble that you wanted everyone to know it was made by them?
A bonus for both parties :)
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But surely Tony (or any other podshaver for that matter) wouldn't grumble that you wanted everyone to know it was made by them?
A bonus for both parties :)
The complication for any brand (its something Hunts are fairly lax about so no problem) is if for example you had Tony make some sort of super high middle bat with an off set edge and whatever else was the trend at the time, and asked for Insignia stickers. Someone might see your 'Insignia' and like it, order it blind online and get a traditional shaped bat with a duckbill.
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In fairness, Jake's pretty right on this; arguably mine is nothing like a Hunts! But, at the same time, people won't be watching me bat and go jesus, that's where I'm going wrong, I need one of them :(
Jake was great to deal with - always has been - until I turned up and the look of disgust on his face was ever present at the huge edges and 2lb 14 requirements! :P All Tony could say was Jake is a total badger!
- Serious side note; last one I had last year I left totally down to Jake to pick a cleft etc. or down to Tony, not sure who chose, but even that didn't disappoint! Was a stunner. For £175 you can't really complain!
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In fairness, Jake's pretty right on this; arguably mine is nothing like a Hunts! But, at the same time, people won't be watching me bat and go jesus, that's where I'm going wrong, I need one of them :(
Jake was great to deal with - always has been - until I turned up and the look of disgust on his face was ever present at the huge edges and 2lb 14 requirements! :P All Tony could say was Jake is a total badger!
- Serious side note; last one I had last year I left totally down to Jake to pick a cleft etc. or down to Tony, not sure who chose, but even that didn't disappoint! Was a stunner. For £175 you can't really complain!
That bloody lump you turned up with is isn't a bat, its a railway sleeper lol.
Many thanks for the review mate, and enjoy your new bat i hope it goes well for you :)
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Without sounding like a total simpleton, do you get to pick from as many lumps of timber or is there a limit based upon what you want making so Tony would then pick the most appropriate clefts to acheive that result?
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It's a weapon! Haha! My big guns make it feel light... ;)
@tommo256 - It's a bit of both! Like most places, everything is handled up etc and cut into an approximate shape. If you're looking for something not too heavy, the world is your oyster. But when you're like me wanting 2lb 14, you've got to start with a bigger bit of wood! There's a lot of sticks to pick from, have no fear of that! And even though I had to have a massive lump, I still got an absolute peach, dead straight grains, etc.
- So simply, you get to pick from all his stock! I think, if you've got some serious requirements, it's best to let him know before you go down, then he can cut a fresh cleft accordingly, if you're wanting most of the tree..!
Well worth going down for!
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Will something similar be happening this year?
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Will something similar be happening this year?
The offer to visit you mean?
This is now ongoing subject to notice and the ability to arrange an appointment (not available around Easter as they have the peak of their bookings at that time and are rammed already)
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Shame I didn't realise this was on offer. I'm lucky I live within 15 miles of hunts and Rob Pack. Didn't know at time of getting last bat either offered this sort of service. Even at £230 the price is cheap for what you are getting. Next bat I have I'll be going to Jake and Tony.
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Shame I didn't realise this was on offer. I'm lucky I live within 15 miles of hunts and Rob Pack. Didn't know at time of getting last bat either offered this sort of service. Even at £230 the price is cheap for what you are getting. Next bat I have I'll be going to Jake and Tony.
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@Kevtheplumber Rob lack isnt near to hunts county is it?
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I'm in the middle but Rob Pack is only about 30 miles from Hunts
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Shame I didn't realise this was on offer. I'm lucky I live within 15 miles of hunts and Rob Pack. Didn't know at time of getting last bat either offered this sort of service. Even at £230 the price is cheap for what you are getting. Next bat I have I'll be going to Jake and Tony.
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£230? Did I miss something?
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Isn't there two options? £175 and £230 odd?
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Isn't there two options? £175 and £230 odd?
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Says £185 in the title.
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Even better then [emoji3]
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