Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: jjohns on January 06, 2016, 11:44:04 PM

Title: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: jjohns on January 06, 2016, 11:44:04 PM
Hi there, and sorry for my first post to be one of these ones, but the reason I found this site is because I'm making a big effort to get back into cricket and as such am looking to get new equipment.

I haven't played cricket proper for around 5 years now. My current bat is a Newbery B52 I got around 2009, its a real monster, 3lb+. At the time I thought how cool to have this huge bat and its got a great middle and I scored some decent runs with it, but now and even looking back its far to heavy for me. I could pretty much only score with drives, playing the bat straight, anything else I was far to sluggish with it.

So now I'm looking to get a new lighter bat. I don't really want to spend more than £200 I play really low standard, I don't need anything to special. As far as my batting style I definitely favour getting forward and driving but then part of that was down to using such a heavy bat that lifting it was an ordeal lol. The one I was looking at was Shark bat, Great White 4 Fin. I don't know this brand at all and all previous bats have been the big name ones like Newbery, Gray Nicholls, Slazenger etc. So I've never gone for smaller name bat but at £150 it seems great value for what I'm looking for.

Basically wondering if anyone can comment on Shark or even reccomend any other sort of budget bats that are good for low tier village cricket level. Any help is much appreciated!

Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: rickjames on January 06, 2016, 11:45:31 PM
Speak to any of the sponsors on here; Vitas, IJC, VKS etc. Bought stuff from the first two and will all be more than happy to help you out.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: northernboy1987 on January 06, 2016, 11:48:33 PM
If you know the kind of shape you like the B3 or Red Ink could custom make something in that price range.

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Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: mcgill123 on January 06, 2016, 11:57:02 PM
You've defiantly come to the right place jjohns, take your time, use the search function, if you can't find the right stick here then you won't find one.
Custom made by one of the forum sponsors or pre made from one of the retailers will be the most common replies to your post.
Just prepare for the bank account taking a beating.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: dcullen8 on January 06, 2016, 11:57:25 PM
Currently have that exact shark bat, performs pretty well, certainly flys out the middle and attracts some attention with the chrome stickers.

As for shark themselves they covered the cost of my refurb as the toe snapped after only a few games which was good of them, kept in touch throughout and even shaved an oz or so off the bat for me as it was posted a little heavy for me. Wouldnt hesitate to use them again

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Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: jjohns on January 07, 2016, 12:06:26 AM
You've defiantly come to the right place jjohns, take your time, use the search function, if you can't find the right stick here then you won't find one.
Custom made by one of the forum sponsors or pre made from one of the retailers will be the most common replies to your post.
Just prepare for the bank account taking a beating.

Oh yeah, I've already spent most the day browsing pages worth of threads to see pictures of bats, some real beauties around here.

Currently have that exact shark bat, performs pretty well, certainly flys out the middle and attracts some attention with the chrome stickers.

As for shark themselves they covered the cost of my refurb as the toe snapped after only a few games which was good of them, kept in touch throughout and even shaved an oz or so off the bat for me as it was posted a little heavy for me. Wouldnt hesitate to use them again

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That sounds promising, how flash are those chrome stickers? Don't want to create to much of a splash as I walk to the middle haha.

Also this seems to go against every instinct I have, but I'm not currently in a position to visit any stores etc, so basically ordering online, do any of you guys buy bats without picking them up first?
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: dcullen8 on January 07, 2016, 12:08:15 AM
The stickers are 3D chrome, so theyre certainly not understated(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160107/bbe3417a6c2ca6bdf6d501383d92ca6b.jpg)

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Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: jjohns on January 07, 2016, 12:13:57 AM
Looks great for the price. Really tempted.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: dcullen8 on January 07, 2016, 12:17:42 AM
Its a nice bat, now resigned to wet weather cricket mind you! My only other input would be to have a looks through the b3 thread, ive just ordered with them after seeing so many good reviews. Plenty of people have chosen the entry level bats (£150 too) and they are reported to be performing very well.

Good luck with your search, plenty of knowledgeable guys on here wont steer you too far wrong

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Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: edge on January 07, 2016, 12:26:49 AM
Would highly recommend an Aldred butterfly in that kind of price range (£145 iirc), played all season with mine last year and it was absolutely top notch.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: ItsJustCricket on January 07, 2016, 01:23:21 AM
Hi @jjohns!

Welcome to the forum - it's a real treasure trove of knowledge!

We have a number of options around this price point which I think would be suitable. We regularly ship all over the world, and in my time here (maybe 3 years now?) I must have posted hundreds of bats, and I think I've seen 2 returned because people don't like them! The point being, if we engage in a dialogue and have a conversation about the sort of bat you want, 99.99% of the time our customers are incredibly happy with the bat they have got, even without feeling it in the flesh.

Also, unlike some other sponsors and shops, we list the actual weight of our bats. Not just pickup, or light, medium and heavy. This means you know exactly what you are getting for your money, not some subjective thing designed to shift heavier bats!

The best thing to do would be to email us at sales@ItsJustCricket.co.uk, with a rough idea of what you are looking for, and a rough weight, and we will be able to select something perfect for you!

Enjoy the forum!

Chris
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: vishwas on January 07, 2016, 02:30:06 AM
You can definitely try Vitas or IJC. If you want custom route then B3 or Red Ink can build something nice for you within your price point.

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Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: Centurion on January 07, 2016, 06:54:00 AM
Ask Vitas for custom grade one hunts couny bats for under £200. Got one myself, cracking stick!
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: TeamFTE on January 07, 2016, 07:17:08 AM
Definitely speak to forum sponsors, you can't go wrong.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: FattusCattus on January 07, 2016, 09:05:55 AM
@jjohns - whereabouts are you based?
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 07, 2016, 09:58:45 AM
It's a good idea to go to a shop and pick up a few bats hold the bat handle wearing batting gloves with  your top hand  only when you find one your comfortable with   Waive it around you could then make a note of the specs and ask one of the  Sponsers on here  to make you a  handmade bat to suit your budget  should you choose to do  so I would  recommend a Red ink.
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: brokenbat on January 07, 2016, 10:14:38 AM
Once you buy your bat...log off and never return to the forum..otherwise you will find yourself in some financial trouble ;)
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: TeamFTE on January 07, 2016, 10:40:42 AM
Once you buy your bat...log off and never return to the forum..otherwise you will find yourself in some financial trouble ;)

So true, can't buy a new bat without new glove's  ???
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: jjohns on January 07, 2016, 10:53:27 AM
@jjohns - whereabouts are you based?

I'm based in Surrey
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: Buzz on January 07, 2016, 11:14:59 AM
I'm based in Surrey
Which club are you looking to join? There are a number of Surrey based players on here.

I suggest you try and go to a net with your new club (or one of the forum nets we organise) and pick up a few bats to see what kind of shape/weight/handle/shiny stickers you like.

Realistically this will be the best approach if you haven't played for a while before committing to spending £200
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: FattusCattus on January 07, 2016, 11:39:25 AM
Yep, I agree - always willing to let a new chum try out one of my sticks, and as we all know Surrey is the home of cricket!
Title: Re: Advice and guidance on buying a new bat.
Post by: Percy on January 07, 2016, 01:13:33 PM
Which club are you looking to join? There are a number of Surrey based players on here.

I suggest you try and go to a net with your new club (or one of the forum nets we organise) and pick up a few bats to see ........what shiny stickers you like.

As that's the most important thing - if it looks good it has to be good! Interestingly, I bought a B3 the other day and the stickers look far better in reality than on the website so its worth seeing things in the flesh if you can.