Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: Buzz on December 14, 2015, 12:24:50 PM
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There seems to be a nice collection of different views on scuff sheets at the moment - clear helicopter sheets have been popular for a long time - they are tough and hard wearing whilst keep the face nice an clean so you can still see the grains.
Fibreglass sheets seem to be making a bit of a comeback - the pros prefer them, I think because they are lighter and don't impact feel as much as the thicker sheets.
What are members' views on this?
Personally I will be using the fibre sheets this year* as I think the ball just feels better off the bat with them (could be entirely in my head), given the grains on my bats aren't perfect I don't mind covering them up.
(*I won't be changing the scuff sheet on my octane as that is too much of a massive hassle!)
Edit - have added a poll - I am expecting a range of views...!
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Absolute pig to get off the bat and replace fibre sheets.
I'm waiting for @Bulldog Cricket performance enhancing scuff sheets to make a comeback.
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Fibre scuff for me. Always have and always will use them.
Bats last longer, and performance isn't impacted(I've had some clear scuff that seem to deaden the bat)
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Agree with Chris the feel is much better they protect much better and in truth you can see the grains just as well with the new fibre rolls we are getting through.
Pro do like them because like buzz says there lighter and they tend to keep a bat together longer
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I was always a fan of the old Hammer-edge ones, they really worked for me.
@Buzz - does all this research mean you are planning on using a bat in anger in 2016?
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Used to swear by naked. Now I always go clear. Can't fault the hammer edge either though. I will never go fibreglass just because of the hassle replacing them.
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Naked for me quite like seeing nice grains that fibre stuff looks horrid used clear before deadens the rebound edge sheets are always worth using.
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The new 3m fibreroll doesn't take much to take off a slight warm hairdryer and bingo your away.
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Great topic Buzz. Clear for me, something about it really brings out the class of a bat
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Not sure which option to pick
I like the clear helicopter style for nice looking bats (my LE and GN500) but have nothing against fibreglass sheets. Have one on my Bubble and the Matrrixx.
Basically if its a munter I use fibreglass, If its nice to look at clear (sometimes with strategically placed fibreglass tape to hide blemishes or repairs!)
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Clear, can't say I've noticed any performance issues using it.
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Clear scuff sheet..similar to one on GM bats
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Is there such a thing as a performance enhancing sheet?
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I prefer and only go for clear anti-scuff sheet....but slightly wider than the usual anti-scuff sheets and not very thick. Will never go for the fibre glass facing, I would rather leave the face uncovered.
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As i've just bought 10 Hammer sheets from Tom this is an easy choice for me, Hammer
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I used to use hammer edge ones or clear ones with tape at the edges, but to be honest I like buying new bats and i like repairing then when they get damaged rather than waiting until the season end to pull off the A/S and see what damage it has been hiding so I've been going for naked bats recently and tbh haven't really noticed any extra damage.
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I like the look of naked but obviously a hammer edge looks alot nicer and lasts longer than ordinary scuff sheets, plus the bat lasts longer
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I like the look of naked but obviously a hammer edge looks alot nicer and lasts longer than ordinary scuff sheets, plus the bat lasts longer
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I wouldn't say it's obvious that they look nicer. I personally prefer a completely clear sheet.
We sell the best quality clear scuff sheet on a roll, I can't agree that hammer edge outperforms it.
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I'd argue that a hammer edge sheet looks worse than a helicopter sheet. They hide the grains more and you have to have edge tape applied. I prefer the looks of a nice clear sheet.
I love fibreglass sheets too as they are the lightest variety and are great on repaired/refurbished bats that aren't looking at their best any longer.
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Where does everyone get their fiber sheets from?
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Where does everyone get their fiber sheets from?
From @Vitas Cricket
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Being a grain lover, i would always go either clear or naked. Ive never felt any difference in performance, but scuffs tends to hide smaller cracks - which makes it hard to repair in time.
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Clear Helicopter (3M), can be purchase in 3m lengths for about $10 aus dollars, also used as bike frame protection
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Fibre scuff for me. Always have and always will use them.
Bats last longer, and performance isn't impacted(I've had some clear scuff that seem to deaden the bat)
It's always a dilemma as I prefer to repair damage / cracks as soon as I see them. I guess if you use a fibre sheet like @smilley792 then you will only do repairs once a year?
Honestly tempted to just stick on the fibre and let the bats just break if/when I score enough runs
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Always prefer clear sheets for the reason above. If you see a bad crack you can whip the scuff off and repair it. Fibre I imagine might protect better but could conceal a significant crack, at least until its too late.
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Im still deciding on either clear or fibre sheets but a good point was raised with fibre it will be harder for you to see cracks on the face. How long after oiling does every apply their scuff sheets?
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Unless somebody corrects me aren't fibre sheets harder to take off, like fibre tape?
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Im still deciding on either clear or fibre sheets but a good point was raised with fibre it will be harder for you to see cracks on the face. How long after oiling does every apply their scuff sheets?
I usually leave my bats 48 hours after oiling just to make sure, and usually after smelling linseed oil (which is the best smell in the world) im in no state to start being precise!
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Im still deciding on either clear or fibre sheets but a good point was raised with fibre it will be harder for you to see cracks on the face. How long after oiling does every apply their scuff sheets?
How long i leave it depends on the bat and the sheet. If it was a thirsty bat I'll apply a good quality helicopter sheet within hours.
If the oil takes a bit longer to soak in I leave it at least 24 hours before applying a helicopter sheet.
For fibreglass sheets I always leave the bat at least 48 hours, just to be on the safe side. There's nothing worse than finishing a repair/refurb then wasting a sheet by trying to apply it too soon (trust me, I've been there haha!)
Unless somebody corrects me aren't fibre sheets harder to take off, like fibre tape?
Yes and no. They dont come off as cleanly, but white spirit works wonders. Just treat the leftover strands of fibreglass like you would residue from a helicopter scuff and you'll make short work of it.
I have also found you get less willow fibres lifting when removing a fibreglass scuff than you do a helicopter (but after a bit of sanding this becomes irrelevent anyway)
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Am I the only one who will stick on a clear sheet...then have a change of heart and remove it to stick on a fibre sheet.. then have a change of heart again.. and go back and forth?
I hate the off season - too much time to waste on crap like this.
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Personally, I used to not really mind what I had on the bat as long as there was something. Then drifted towards the hammer edge after getting a Newbery GT, but after having a woodstock with their version of the hammer edge I was put off as it made the bat not have the ping. something i only realised after taking it off and keeping it plain for a while then going to a clear sheet!
Since then I've always used a clear scuff sheet as I've developed a nack for getting beautiful looking bits of wood that I want to show off :D Never used fiberglass but as the consensus is its a better alternative, I may be willing to give it a go with the next bat I get!
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I sort of make my own hammer edge
I get a clear and I put fibreglass tape along the edges
I guess I'm just awkward
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So out of interest:
Do you apply the clear scuff then the edge tape, or the edge tape then the clear scuff Benji?
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Apply the scuff, then overlap the edge tape mostly on the scuff and slightly onto the willow to make sure the scuff doesn't lift at the edges
I also use a craft knife to lightly score the bottom I the scuff off and apply tape there that matches the contouring of the bat(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/2529c3ee0df683985d3bd389250e0be1.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/25ad72047025162309f92ed5539c66b9.jpg)on this example the tape doesn't actually touch the willow, but I think it looks really nice(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/00d5dc85dcd6dd35fe80eb06daf91a2a.jpg)
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I sort of make my own hammer edge
I get a clear and I put fibreglass tape along the edges
I guess I'm just awkward
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I do exactly the same, scuff and then tape the edges. Have bought hammer edge before but the ones I got were lousy quality so returned to my usual method.
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I am beginning to think the fibre sheets are actually much easier to remove than the clear sheets.
Hair dryer before removal made it easy. Then, instead of using any spirit, I oiled the bat overnight, and any remaining fibers just slid off.
Much easier than dealing with the glue residue of clear sheets.
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Does helicopter sheets affects performance(noticable)?
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Does helicopter sheets affects performance(noticable)?
No.
I don't think any scuff sheet will noticeably effect performance. If you think about it you're applying a thin layer (<1mm) to the face, then hitting a hard ball travelling at speed.
Were you to conduct a blind test in some way, would anyone be able to tell the difference between a naked bat, one with a hammer edge, one with a fiberglass sheet or one with a helicopter sheet on?
This gives me an idea... We'll need a few willing volunteers, one bat, several types of scuff sheet and a few of those bat wraps so you cant see what has (or hasn't) been applied to the face...
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Who started the whole 'Helicopter Sheet' is best story?
http://www.venturetape.com.au/ (http://www.venturetape.com.au/) offer what is best for bat blades. (Made in USA)
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I am beginning to think the fibre sheets are actually much easier to remove than the clear sheets.
Hair dryer before removal made it easy. Then, instead of using any spirit, I oiled the bat overnight, and any remaining fibers just slid off.
Much easier than dealing with the glue residue of clear sheets.
You're using a poor quality scuff sheet if its leaving residue when removing it then.