Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Hell4Leather => Topic started by: WalkingWicket37 on February 16, 2016, 04:25:37 PM
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Well I can't put it off any longer.
I was nagged about getting a thread up by a couple of people yesterday, and I've just uploaded the pictures to prove my trip happened.
I made the trip down to Kent yesterday to visit Matt at @hell4leather cricket
H4L is a brand I've only heard good things about, have seen a couple get used to devastating effect and when I finally got to have a hit with one it was love at first agricultural swipe to cow cover drive!
After the fun of accidents on the M27 and M25 I finally got to Kent after about 2 and a half hours!
I met @simonmay5 at his place and he drove me to Matt's workshop, a further half hour in the car. Upon arrival Matt greeted us and made me a bangin' cuppa (much needed after my trip, the first of many great "little things" Matt did to make me feel welcome).
I already had some softs put to one side, and had a look at Matt's bat covers too. This wasn't a particularly important part of the trip, but Matt was going out of his way to help, and no question was too stupid or any request too much effort, within minuted I felt as if I was speaking to a friend rather than a salesman.
After a bit of smalltalk about all things cricket, I was given a guided tour of the workshop, being shown the press and how Matt had set it up, then all the tools for making the bats and the machines for finishing the bats off once down (more on this later!)
I was then given free reign of all of Matt's boxes! I had a job to chose what to go for here, as I had a choice of handled clefts to nearly finished bats to chose from.
After going through all the clefts I had picked about 15 I liked. I then moved onto the boxes in the showroom of nearly ready bats. I had already decided on which profile to go for by this stage, and a few bats grabbed my attention.
I finally settled on a G2 Warbird, based on the lovely light pickup and response off the Mallet. Picking a bat based on response at Matt's is another mission in itself, I could have spent all day tapping up bats and clefts without deciding on a best performer! I was just lucky to find the feather light feeling cleft when I did or I could still be there now enjoying the selection of willow!
Having picked my bat, Matt kindly put it on his magic knocking in machine and we went back to our chat. Speaking to Matt was worth the trip on it's own. You can tell that he is truly passionate about what he does, and this is reflected in the service and end product. I have no idea how long it actually took, but in what seemed like no time at all Matt disappeared and was back again with my now knocked in bat. This is where I failed my audition to be Matt's apprentice! He let me give my own bat a polish, I thought I had done a good job but evidently not! A final proper polish from Matt the master, and some stickers applied meant the bat was finished and I was the owner of a beautiful G2 Warbird!
At this moment a delivery of 20 (meant to be 21) boxes arrived, which myself and Simon helped Matt unload. After a particularly heavy one which made the delivery driver tell me "I f**king hate cricket" Matt realised there was a box missing, this was located and we got on with moving the delivery. It was at this moment I was given a world exclusive! Myself and Simon got the first look at the new Warbird Duffle, and I was the first person to get their grubby hands on one! It's a beautiful bag and may finally be "the one" for me!
All this said and as wonderful a day as I had, I did see a darker side of the industry that not everyone will be aware of. There was a rather significant pile of what I thought were clefts for Matt to use. They were however clefts that were not able to be used due to various damages, it was really heartbreaking to see the amount of wood that was going to go to waste, but as willow is a natural resource this is unfortunately something that cannot be avoided :(
I could have written pages and pages on my trip, but have tried to give an abridged version of events to keep the thread a respectable length. I cannot sing Matt's praises enough and the quality of the good speaks for itself. Anyone thinking of paying a visit please do so, I promise you won't regret it! The only thing I regret is that I had to leave and that I was having such a great time watching Matt work and talking I didn't take more pictures. Maybe next time :-[
The showroom
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010715_zpskreowtnx.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010715_zpskreowtnx.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010720_zpse7oqic1u.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010720_zpse7oqic1u.jpg.html)
A few beauties on Matt's wall
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010727_zpsrsysrfb9.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010727_zpsrsysrfb9.jpg.html)
A few names on the door, I didn't get to add my autograph to it!
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010730_zpslo7gk92k.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010730_zpslo7gk92k.jpg.html)
A few bats in for copies, refurbs or repairs
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010721_zpsm9q3rtz4.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010721_zpsm9q3rtz4.jpg.html)
So many handled clefts (including a couple I'd put to one side)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010725_zpswjf6yzbm.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010725_zpswjf6yzbm.jpg.html)
How was I meant to pick just one?!
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010718_zpsuxsttnif.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010718_zpsuxsttnif.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010716_zpsbzycx8fp.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010716_zpsbzycx8fp.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010717_zpsh0uxsbjw.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010717_zpsh0uxsbjw.jpg.html)
And lastly, Matt putting some finishing touches to my new toy
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010728_zpsghmof0q9.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010728_zpsghmof0q9.jpg.html)
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Really was a good day out mate and the bat you got is a stunner so is the bag I have already got one put aside for me they are that good and can see them selling out very fast indeed
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I'll just take the woofey one for a walk and I'll post a thread about the bag.
I may even take some pictures of the warbird and post those with a little review ;)
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It looks a lot bigger than I expected. I must make the trip down there next year
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It's hard to put into words the experience of visiting matts place for bat lovers .
You've done a cracking job there Cam, can't wait for my return trip Tuesday
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Cracking write up, makes me feel a journey to Kent this Summer a must! :)
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That's amazing! I was wondering, can anyone go down to see Matt in order to get a stick? Definitely set on getting myself a hell 4 leather. Been so impressed!
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That's amazing! I was wondering, can anyone go down to see Matt in order to get a stick? Definitely set on getting myself a hell 4 leather. Been so impressed!
As far as I know anyone can visit, you just need to arrange it with Matt so he knows you're coming (and he'll make sure he has some tea and biscuits in! ;))
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I am sure that if you drop Matt a message, he will be happy to sort something out with you.
But be patient as he is probably pretty busy ;)
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Cam, i saw no mention of THE gloves? Hurry up with the bag pictures!
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More interested in what looks like a Border Terrier aka the best dog ever
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Thanks cam , was good to put a name to a face , glad you enjoyed it!
Matt
P.s the final box turned today up from tnt!
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Top stuff Cameron.... looks a good day out.Always nice to come back with a bat :)
Are you posting a pic of it ?
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Understand what you mean about a mate not a salesman great service as always from Matt
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Top stuff Cameron.... looks a good day out.Always nice to come back with a bat :)
Are you posting a pic of it ?
Patience my friend, I have a lot of reviews I have promised to do.
Pictures of everything to be posted in due course :)
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Excellent review Cam, sounds like you had a good day!!
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Ok..... I've always thought you are under cover for IJC anyway !!
Haha
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Ok..... I've always thought you are under cover for IJC anyway !!
Haha
I can assure you I have no link or relationship with IJC! ;)
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Ok..... I've always thought you are under cover for IJC anyway !!
Haha
Nah, no in-depth discussion of the zips in the bag review - dead giveaway ;)
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@WalkingWicket37 lucky man!
What is that CA doing next to the door?
Is "Azhar" on the signature board the Pak ODI skipper Azhar Ali?
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@WalkingWicket37 lucky man!
What is that CA doing next to the door?
Is "Azhar" on the signature board the Pak ODI skipper Azhar Ali?
The CA next to the door was in for repair, from memory the toe was damaged but don't quote me on that one.
And the Azhar on the door is Azhar Mahmood
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It looks like a cricket geeks heaven!!
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Great pics mate. Thanks for sharing.
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Great post. For sure visit to H4L workshop has to be in top things to do for my next UK trip.