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Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 11:00:13 AM

Title: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 11:00:13 AM
so i have been told many different methods about knocking in a new cricket bat, when i got the bat, the very helpful lady told me to knock the bat in for 10-20 minutes at a time and then leave for 2-3 days to swell back up again, but after watching the video from its just cricket i don't know what to do, so can someone please give me some advice on what i should do to knock in the bat.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: calcurtis98 on June 15, 2015, 11:06:13 AM
This should be able to help - http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0)
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: Seniorplayer on June 15, 2015, 11:23:12 AM
so i have been told many different methods about knocking in a new cricket bat, when i got the bat, the very helpful lady told me to knock the bat in for 10-20 minutes at a time and then leave for 2-3 days to swell back up again, but after watching the video from its just cricket i don't know what to do, so can someone please give me some advice on what i should do to knock in the bat.

Not strictly correct Harry  take a look at the topic on here as advised.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 15, 2015, 11:28:59 AM
Based on your other topic, it appears you've purchased a GM.

As per the sticker on them, they are ready to play, and require no further knocking in. The person in the shop should have advised you of that.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: jamferg on June 15, 2015, 11:32:29 AM
sounds like a very unhelpful lady!
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on June 15, 2015, 12:20:06 PM
10-20 minutes at a time then leave for 2-3 days.

Let's go for 20 and 2 to "speed up" her process.

For 2 hours knocking in (what I call the "safe figure") that would take 18 days. In my opinion she was talking a load of rubbish!
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 01:11:53 PM
Based on your other topic, it appears you've purchased a GM.

As per the sticker on them, they are ready to play, and require no further knocking in. The person in the shop should have advised you of that.

i always thought ready to play was only factory pr preprepared and at least 3 hours of knocking in was needed
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 15, 2015, 01:19:57 PM
i always thought ready to play was only factory pr preprepared and at least 3 hours of knocking in was needed

'factory prepared.
knocked in. oiled. sealed.
ready to play... NOW!'

They can't be much clearer really. :)

Every other brand that applies a tag with 'pre-prepared' or 'pre-knocked in' etc still needs some preparation, but GM's do not.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: Cin88 on June 15, 2015, 01:23:31 PM
I'd just skip knocking in and go straight to the playing in with old balls stage if it is a GM.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 01:40:18 PM
'factory prepared.
knocked in. oiled. sealed.
ready to play... NOW!'

They can't be much clearer really. :)

Every other brand that applies a tag with 'pre-prepared' or 'pre-knocked in' etc still needs some preparation, but GM's do not.


not even the top grade original le, I'm just a bit wary because i payed a lot of money and looking at gingers knocking in process http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0) i thought id have to do some
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on June 15, 2015, 01:48:38 PM
If you trust the GM now then go straight to the nets against an old ball.
If you're not sure then giving it some mallet loving isn't going to hurt.

Personally I'd round the edges and give the toe some attention at least, and as I had the mallet out smacking the rest of the bat for a bit wouldn't hurt.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: ppccopener on June 15, 2015, 01:50:51 PM
yet to hear of anyone 'over knocking-in a bat' so if it makes you happy grab an old ball and spend a few hours with it. I did play with a bloke who knocked his bats in for 12 months before use. strange but true.

It's your money so do what makes you happy.

try not to drive any Yorkers thou, that's the main cause of splitting.
good luck :)
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 02:10:05 PM
If you trust the GM now then go straight to the nets against an old ball.
If you're not sure then giving it some mallet loving isn't going to hurt.

Personally I'd round the edges and give the toe some attention at least, and as I had the mallet out smacking the rest of the bat for a bit wouldn't hurt.

i think ill probably do this
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 02:31:47 PM
yet to hear of anyone 'over knocking-in a bat' so if it makes you happy grab an old ball and spend a few hours with it. I did play with a bloke who knocked his bats in for 12 months before use. strange but true.

It's your money so do what makes you happy.

try not to drive any Yorkers thou, that's the main cause of splitting.
good luck :)

thank you
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: smilley792 on June 15, 2015, 02:47:21 PM
A lot at my club are lazy so bought gms as they were ready to play. And it has proven to be so.
Even my own octane 808 has been good straight from the shop(vitas incidentally).


If you are a little worried. Do as WW37 said. Do some edges and toe work and then crack on with old balls.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 02:48:05 PM
10-20 minutes at a time then leave for 2-3 days.

Let's go for 20 and 2 to "speed up" her process.

For 2 hours knocking in (what I call the "safe figure") that would take 18 days. In my opinion she was talking a load of rubbish!

so would you advise knocking it in for 2 hours overall because of it being a gm
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 02:50:03 PM
A lot at my club are lazy so bought gms as they were ready to play. And it has proven to be so.
Even my own octane 808 has been good straight from the shop(vitas incidentally).


If you are a little worried. Do as WW37 said. Do some edges and toe work and then crack on with old balls.

ok thanks will probably do that then
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 02:51:37 PM
If you trust the GM now then go straight to the nets against an old ball.
If you're not sure then giving it some mallet loving isn't going to hurt.

Personally I'd round the edges and give the toe some attention at least, and as I had the mallet out smacking the rest of the bat for a bit wouldn't hurt.

how long would you say on the toe and edges, so far i have spent about 30 minutes on each edge, but how long would you recommend on the toe
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on June 15, 2015, 03:25:35 PM
so would you advise knocking it in for 2 hours overall because of it being a gm

I'd say 2 hours for any bat if you start hitting fairly firmly, as it's going to hit a hard leather ball I don't pansy about tapping it.

how long would you say on the toe and edges, so far i have spent about 30 minutes on each edge, but how long would you recommend on the toe

30 mins each edge, 30 mins on the toe, 30 mins going crazy on the rest of the hitting area that hasn't been covered by the other bits you've already knocked. Easy  :)
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 03:42:26 PM
I'd say 2 hours for any bat if you start hitting fairly firmly, as it's going to hit a hard leather ball I don't pansy about tapping it.

30 mins each edge, 30 mins on the toe, 30 mins going crazy on the rest of the hitting area that hasn't been covered by the other bits you've already knocked. Easy  :)

thanks, and then she's ready to go on an old ball?  :D :)
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on June 15, 2015, 04:30:00 PM
After 2 hours knocking I'd be more than happy to take a bat into the nets to face an old ball.
If any seam marks appear after that then a bit more mallet work is needed.
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 15, 2015, 04:43:57 PM
After 2 hours knocking I'd be more than happy to take a bat into the nets to face an old ball.
If any seam marks appear after that then a bit more mallet work is needed.

excellent, thanks very much for your help
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: Phoenix on June 16, 2015, 10:56:17 AM
When I bought my first GM I just slapped a bit of extratec on and hit the nets against some old, decent quality match balls. Just keep an eye on it after each shot and if you notice any damage just stop using straight away. I think you'll be fine but I understand why you'd be a bit cagey with a new OLE GM  :)
Title: Re: Knocking in a bat
Post by: harry gamble on June 16, 2015, 12:28:24 PM
When I bought my first GM I just slapped a bit of extratec on and hit the nets against some old, decent quality match balls. Just keep an eye on it after each shot and if you notice any damage just stop using straight away. I think you'll be fine but I understand why you'd be a bit cagey with a new OLE GM  :)

yeah exactly my thoughts, thanks