Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Bellingham & Smith UK => Topic started by: Manormanic on March 06, 2015, 05:08:25 PM
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Delivered about a week ago now, just have not got around to taking some photographs!
Ordered from Vitas Cricket early in the year - good, efficient service as you would expect. The order was for OSM GP274 pads and gloves and two long bladed bats - a GP274 at 2lb 14 and an Impi at 2lb 12. This is what turned up....
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20001_zpscsazh6qf.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20001_zpscsazh6qf.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20002_zps6d0comtt.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20002_zps6d0comtt.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20003_zpsmoqbo3tw.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20003_zpsmoqbo3tw.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20004_zpsfksjcwyj.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20004_zpsfksjcwyj.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20005_zps9czxjgsc.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20005_zps9czxjgsc.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20006_zpsfjgdxsek.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20006_zpsfjgdxsek.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20007_zpsynlkkzxy.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20007_zpsynlkkzxy.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20008_zpsaa59k3tq.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20008_zpsaa59k3tq.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20009_zpshuzzdxzv.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20009_zpshuzzdxzv.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20010_zpskmndrhia.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20010_zpskmndrhia.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20011_zpsnez7i066.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20011_zpsnez7i066.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20012_zpsh4pciqlb.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20012_zpsh4pciqlb.jpg.html)
(http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20013_zpsqewsxhm4.jpg) (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20013_zpsqewsxhm4.jpg.html)
So, the softs first - these I have to say are the classiest looking softs that I've owned. After about six seasons of more or less plain white gear, I like the bits of tan, which give it a very cool retro look. The construction is decent quality and the weight is about what I'd like - not super lightweight by any means, but not feeling heavy or cumbersome. The only observation I'd make is that, for Oversized gear, the gloves are not THAT roomy, though they should relax a bit with a few nets.
Now to the bats. Aside from liking to have more than one match bat, I was really curious to see how the South African made G1 would compare with a Tim Kelley original, albeit one advertised as "performance grade".
Out of the box, the GP274 really grabs attention - its a very big piece of wood, especially given it comes in almost half an ounce UNDER the weight specified, and the stickers are absolutely brilliant, much more impressive in the flesh than they looked in photos beforehand. The shape is...well, its basically a Kudos2 guys...and the wood is actually top notch - two tiny blemishes that make no difference whatsoever and a lot of nice grains. The pick up is nice and the response off the mallet is very good - definitely has that characteristic hard Keeley ping - with a middle that is more or less everything not covered by sticker.
Weird thing is though, I reckon the Impi is going to be the better bat. This one came in a fraction under 2lb 13 but picks up like its not even there - which is weird as all hell because it very definitely is - considering that its a very full profile at the back and has 40mm edges I would have expected it to be a lot weightier. Not complaining on that point by the way! I wondered if it was perhaps a very light pressing but the mallet barely dents the face and the response is good to great already, though there is not quite as much middle as on the GP274.
Overall, for under £600, I'm seriously impressed...
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Good looking gear all of it mate. GP 274 range is fantastic, wish we had some more bats to satisfy current demand!
One of my favourite parcels to box up of recent times, chock full of quality gear.
Hope all is well mate.
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Literally in love with those softs - I'm tempted to get some for myself to be honest
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That is some classy Kit, Bats look stunning, been seriously tempted by Impi...someday :)
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Softs look fantastic, and the impi looks larticularly good.
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Some stunning kit there! About the gloves - what're they like in terms of finger flexibility? And can you feel the seam between the grey and the white leather on the palm when you've got a bat in hand?
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One of my favourite parcels to box up of recent times, chock full of quality gear.
I can assure you that I enjoyed opening it rather more! :)
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That is some classy Kit, Bats look stunning, been seriously tempted by Impi...someday :)
I'd say go for it - with what some manufacturers charge for a top G1 bat these days (ie anything up to £550) £210 is a steal and the profile is one of the most impressive I've seen.
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Some stunning kit there! About the gloves - what're they like in terms of finger flexibility? And can you feel the seam between the grey and the white leather on the palm when you've got a bat in hand?
Fingers are fine - they flex easily without leaving gaps in the protection. You can't feel the seam on the gloves - though I do notice that the grey suede effect leather will probably wear on the quicker end.
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I'd say go for it - with what some manufacturers charge for a top G1 bat these days (ie anything up to £550) £210 is a steal and the profile is one of the most impressive I've seen.
Good to know mate, that price puts B&S in the same price range as one of my fav bat makers so definitely worth a try and Jake's service has been great. Something for mid-to-late summer depending on another commitment I guess.
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I saw these bats when I was at vitas a couple of weeks ago. They look great, really top quality finishes and the stickers look superb. Hope they go well for you
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The softs look amazing. Very classy. Both bat look great too.
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Having seen a lot of this kit in the flesh, its seriously good value for money! The softs look better everytime I see them, If I only had a never ending wallet
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That impi looks amazing, the GP274 is a great value bat! Mine is fantastic
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Aready a lock on the best looking kit of 2015 imo, stunning.
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Those pads look fantastic - I love the brown retro contrast.
Lovely looking pieces of willow, too.
Out of interest, why did you order the bats with 2 oz difference in the weight?
Enjoy,
David
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Out of interest, why did you order the bats with 2 oz difference in the weight?
We have two home grounds - one is the fastest hardest lump of rock in London the other...isn't...
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Great looking softs, what is the fit like on those pads? I'm really struggling to justify a 2nd set of pads in under a year but you never know...
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Great looking softs, what is the fit like on those pads? I'm really struggling to justify a 2nd set of pads in under a year but you never know...
Fit? Seems pretty good to me.
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Fit? Seems pretty good to me.
Sorry my gaff, RIRO; granted they fit you well but how tall are you, what would you say is your build and what size pads did you buy please? (if none of that is too impertinent to ask)
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6'3, well built. OSM pads, size etc fine.
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thanks!
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Delivered about a week ago now, just have not got around to taking some photographs!
Ordered from Vitas Cricket early in the year - good, efficient service as you would expect. The order was for OSM GP274 pads and gloves and two long bladed bats - a GP274 at 2lb 14 and an Impi at 2lb 12. This is what turned up....
([url]http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m588/Manormanic/BampS%20001_zpscsazh6qf.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/Manormanic/media/BampS%20001_zpscsazh6qf.jpg.html[/url])
Weird thing is though, I reckon the Impi is going to be the better bat. This one came in a fraction under 2lb 13 but picks up like its not even there - which is weird as all hell because it very definitely is - considering that its a very full profile at the back and has 40mm edges I would have expected it to be a lot weightier. Not complaining on that point by the way! I wondered if it was perhaps a very light pressing but the mallet barely dents the face and the response is good to great already, though there is not quite as much middle as on the GP274.
Overall, for under £600, I'm seriously impressed...
I think I have just purchased the Impi off of you via eBay! Very weird coincidence to come across this thread after purchasing!
Cannot wait to get it out there, if that is infact the case!
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I think I have just purchased the Impi off of you via eBay! Very weird coincidence to come across this thread after purchasing!
Cannot wait to get it out there, if that is infact the case!
@joewhiting Haha, yes, you did.
Which ended up the better is debateable. I'm keeping the GP274 as I have scored stack loads of runs with it, whereas the Impi, whilst equally good off the face has never brought me that much success. We're a suspicious lot on here. Anyway, I hope it scores you a lot of runs!