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Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: tauhid on May 02, 2015, 09:25:55 PM

Title: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 02, 2015, 09:25:55 PM
Hello guys, I won the auction that Black cat cricket announced n facebook for the Black cat Inca LE model. I got it for a fairly cheap price for more than 100 GBP less than that of a Shadow. I told charlie to make it to shadow shape and within the weight range of finished weight of 2 lb 11.5 oz with 2 grips.

However, as you know Charlie does not send you pics of the cleft from which you are getting your bat made from. THerefore, I requested Charlie to send me a pic once it was made which he could not do because he read my message only after he sent it to courier.

However, I receiver it yesterday and was quite disappointed to find two rather big blemishes ( or something else I don't exactly know they are called) on the right hander's inside edge (one close to the toe and one higher up the blade).

(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/tauhidislam4/IMG_22381_zps5y4urkdg.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tauhidislam4/media/IMG_22381_zps5y4urkdg.jpg.html)

(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/tauhidislam4/IMG_22401_zps0kptbgt0.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tauhidislam4/media/IMG_22401_zps0kptbgt0.jpg.html)

(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/tauhidislam4/IMG_22391_zpsl1zaukmr.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tauhidislam4/media/IMG_22391_zpsl1zaukmr.jpg.html)

What do you guys think? Does it actually qualify as a LE grade willow or just because I am situated in Canada Charlie chose this cheap one as he knew I would probably not go into the hassle of sending it back to UK?
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: smilley792 on May 02, 2015, 09:28:55 PM
Looks a cracking stick to me. And for what you paid, I'd be ecstatic.

How's the pic up and ping? You'd be gutted if you sent it back, and recieved a prettier bat,that picks up awful, and is dead.

Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 02, 2015, 09:31:55 PM
Looks a cracking stick to me. And for what you paid, I'd be ecstatic.

How's the pic up and ping? You'd be gutted if you sent it back, and recieved a prettier bat,that picks up awful, and is dead.

The Pick up is very good and ping is also very nice for a new bat. However, my expectation from an LE bat is that it also has to look like an LE. Is that not what LEs are supposed to be?
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on May 02, 2015, 09:35:46 PM
Looks a cracker of a stick to me, I'd be pleased to receive that.

Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: smilley792 on May 02, 2015, 09:38:02 PM
The Pick up is very good and ping is also very nice for a new bat. However, my expectation from an LE bat is that it also has to look like an LE. Is that not what LEs are supposed to be?

Le means limited edition. What is black cats version of a limited cleft? Is it merely based on looks, or is it, as I'd presume, also based on the density of said cleft.
The bat looks a full shaped big bat for its size(2.11 with 2 grips, is 2.9 and a half in the real world).

If based merely on looks, well It's got 7 plus grains, pretty straight and the blemishes aren't in the playing area, so would easily pass as g1 by most manufacturers.

G1 plus low density, equals le, Or g1++++ or pro grade. 
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 02, 2015, 09:57:16 PM
Le means limited edition. What is black cats version of a limited cleft? Is it merely based on looks, or is it, as I'd presume, also based on the density of said cleft.
The bat looks a full shaped big bat for its size(2.11 with 2 grips, is 2.9 and a half in the real world).

If based merely on looks, well It's got 7 plus grains, pretty straight and the blemishes aren't in the playing area, so would easily pass as g1 by most manufacturers.

G1 plus low density, equals le, Or g1++++ or pro grade.

Your comments made me happy with my stick.


Thank you for your nice words guys.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 02, 2015, 10:02:32 PM
I bought this three weeks ago and was dissapionted with the look off mine if I am honest



(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg.html)(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg.html)(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg.html)(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 02, 2015, 10:08:06 PM
It's the question what we class le willow as but would not class the shadow as le and I have now got ryan making me a new bat same profile as really like the shape just a shame about looks 
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: smilley792 on May 02, 2015, 10:11:40 PM
I'd be Dissapointed with yours si as le. Clearly blemishes in playing area and the ugly dark section.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 02, 2015, 10:16:49 PM
I'd be Dissapointed with yours si as le. Clearly blemishes in playing area and the ugly dark section.

I am very dissapionted with it for the price it not up to what I expect from a high end bat but seem can't do anything about it seems pressed very hard as well which is a real shame as I won't use it and will end up giving it to one off my team mates
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 02, 2015, 11:00:56 PM
I bought this three weeks ago and was dissapionted with the look off mine if I am honest



([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg.html[/url])


I would be extremely disappointed if I had received one that looks like this.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 02, 2015, 11:04:17 PM
I am not sure what to do really it picks up well but that's about it sick as a pig as a 300 pound bat in my eyes should not look like this
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: kal_m on May 03, 2015, 02:16:09 AM
I would be disappointed too with that mate. For 300 pounds I would expect something that looks feels and responds well.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 03, 2015, 04:02:07 AM
I am very dissapionted with it for the price it not up to what I expect from a high end bat but seem can't do anything about it seems pressed very hard as well which is a real shame as I won't use it and will end up giving it to one off my team mates

I think they are no longer made by TK. That could be an explanation of the latest black cat bats being pressed very hard. It is true for mine as well When compared to other top end 6-7 bats under my possession.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: amritpremi on May 03, 2015, 04:52:35 AM
IMO that bat does not fall in LE category, I understand @tauhid has paid 100 pounds but being an auction got lucky, in the same auction he could have paid 250. Tha auction was for a LE grade and not whatever grade depending on the amount buyer has to pay. Having said that I have seen other Blackcat bats with a varied grain structure/looks, I guess they grade their clefts according to performance than looks as earlier Blackcat bats certainly performed.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on May 03, 2015, 06:13:43 AM
Have either of you got in touch with black cat? I had two bats custom made and neither were to the spec I asked for. But I gave him the opportunity to rectify it and he did.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Manormanic on May 03, 2015, 06:41:15 AM
The Inca I quite like - its certainly not badly blemished in a way that would affect my view of its quality.  That Shadow is...minging!
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Northern monkey on May 03, 2015, 06:53:50 AM
I bought this three weeks ago and was dissapionted with the look off mine if I am honest



([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg1_zpsectozgyh.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg4_zpsncwy8xzw.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg2_zps3coovdrh.jpg.html[/url])([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image.jpg3_zpsqwt12cvz.jpg.html[/url])


You have bats purchased for £100 a lot better than that Simon
I would echo your thoughts, on being highly disappointed with paying that amount for something that not only looks a bit ropey! But also lacks any performance whatsoever .
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Whispering Death on May 03, 2015, 07:05:00 AM
Even the shadow stickers look fairly minging to me
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: iand123 on May 03, 2015, 08:24:40 AM
Did you pay £100 or did you pay £100 less than a shadow should be (which according to their website is £275 so £175)
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 03, 2015, 08:40:59 AM
Black Cat state that they have there own willow plantation and have the advantage of being able to select the finest clefts a willow tree can produce.
My understanding of willow grading is that:                                                                                                                       Limitid Edition Bats Should be made from the best seasoned grade 1 English willow selected for its grain structure and weight.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on May 03, 2015, 08:51:20 AM
The two I had

(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/da8bdcbe.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/da8bdcbe.jpg.html)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/DSC_0788.jpg) (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/DSC_0788.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 03, 2015, 09:42:36 AM
The two I had

([url]http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/da8bdcbe.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/da8bdcbe.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/d7bow/DSC_0788.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s752.photobucket.com/user/d7bow/media/DSC_0788.jpg.html[/url])


When did you get these mate are they tk ones or not
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 03, 2015, 11:33:41 AM
Did you pay £100 or did you pay £100 less than a shadow should be (which according to their website is £275 so £175)

I paid about 113 GBP less than that of a normal shadow.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: j.f.101 on May 03, 2015, 12:11:54 PM
To me the Inca looks good - by no means a perfect looking piece of willow but if it looks decent and pings well then I'd be happy! Have to say the new stickers look very dull and cheap though, particularly the shadow ones..very disappointing from what was previously one of the classiest looking brands in my opinion
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on May 03, 2015, 12:15:16 PM
When did you get these mate are they tk ones or not
Around 2-3 years ago and yes they were probably tk made
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: iand123 on May 03, 2015, 12:15:40 PM
I paid about 113 GBP less than that of a normal shadow.

£162 then?

In my opinion the look of the bat isn't great for that price. How does it perform?

Didn't Charlie used to be a member (and sponsor) on here?
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: JB on May 03, 2015, 12:20:16 PM
I got a Shadow in December when they had an offer on. It has 7 fairly even grains no blemishes and goes like stink!! Very forgiving middle, right up to the stickers. Not sure who made mine?

Pics of mine are here http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32855.msg517171#msg517171 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32855.msg517171#msg517171)

Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 03, 2015, 12:52:40 PM
£162 then?

In my opinion the look of the bat isn't great for that price. How does it perform?

Didn't Charlie used to be a member (and sponsor) on here?

Even if I had paid 50 GBP, the point is I participated in the auction for an LE grade bat. Now whether I pay 25 GBP or 600 GBP I should get an LE grade willow. I hope I made my point clear.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: smilley792 on May 03, 2015, 12:55:18 PM
I got a Shadow in December when they had an offer on. It has 7 fairly even grains no blemishes and goes like stink!! Very forgiving middle, right up to the stickers. Not sure who made mine?

Pics of mine are here [url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32855.msg517171#msg517171[/url] ([url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32855.msg517171#msg517171[/url])


Thing that stands out from your bats in context to this thread.

The gray nics omega "LE" is considerably uglier than either black cat in here.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 03, 2015, 01:06:30 PM
£162 then?

In my opinion the look of the bat isn't great for that price. How does it perform?

Didn't Charlie used to be a member (and sponsor) on here?

Yes Charlie used to be a Sponser.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 03, 2015, 01:07:27 PM
Thing that stands out from your bats in context to this thread.

The gray nics omega "LE" is considerably uglier than either black cat in here.

I would not say considerably ugly. The presence of heartwood gives it a bit of character I would say. No real big blemishes in that Omega LE.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Cover_Drive on May 04, 2015, 02:35:36 AM
These were mine;

(http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/minhasuz/photo3-11.jpg)

Both looked TK to me.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: Nmcgee on May 04, 2015, 03:29:17 AM
They both look a hell of a lot better than Simons.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: JB on May 04, 2015, 06:20:20 AM
Thing that stands out from your bats in context to this thread.

The gray nics omega "LE" is considerably uglier than either black cat in here.

It's not like it's an ugly trampoline either @smilley792. Not saying it's a plank but not the most responsive in the collection
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 04, 2015, 07:49:19 PM
I sent black cat a email waiting for a reply as mine is a over pressed plank and for 300 pounds the bat should be a lot better than it is
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: ogroupleader on May 04, 2015, 09:01:07 PM
I have owned 4 jokers and a shadow. The newer bats are definitely feel harder pressed than the earlier black cat bats. Wouldn't be surprised if they have changed bat makers.
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 04, 2015, 09:18:21 PM
I have owned 4 jokers and a shadow. The newer bats are definitely feel harder pressed than the earlier black cat bats. Wouldn't be surprised if they have changed bat makers.

Had a chat with Charlie and I agree that they changed bat makers which is a shame as they use to be guns shame new ones are a lot harder pressed I arranged for the bat to go back to Charlie to look at
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: tauhid on May 05, 2015, 02:17:34 PM
Had a chat with Charlie and I agree that they changed bat makers which is a shame as they use to be guns shame new ones are a lot harder pressed I arranged for the bat to go back to Charlie to look at

@simonmay5  Did Charlie tell you that black cat is using a new batmaker? That will confirm our suspicion. What is Charlie supposed to do with your bat? Is he going to send a new one?
Title: Re: My Black cat Inca. Is it an LE?
Post by: simonmay5 on May 05, 2015, 09:45:26 PM
@simonmay5  Did Charlie tell you that black cat is using a new batmaker? That will confirm our suspicion. What is Charlie supposed to do with your bat? Is he going to send a new one?

He didn't Amit to using a new bat maker but I can say that I am 99.9 percent sure they are not made by tk as pressing is so different I sent the bat for him to look at as he does not belive he would send out a sub standard bat I showen a fair few guys who no a lot about bats and all have said how hard it is and response is not great off the mallet so we will see what happens