Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Hell4Leather => Topic started by: WalkingWicket37 on February 16, 2016, 10:55:53 PM

Title: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 16, 2016, 10:55:53 PM: Papa-oom-oom-oom-oom-ooma-mow-mow
Oom-oom-oom-oom-ooma-mow-mow
Ooma-mow-mow, papa-ooma-mow-mow
Papa-ooma-mow-mow, ooma-mow-mow
Well, don't you know about Warbird
Well, everybody knows that Warbirdbird is the word

If you didn't read that in your head to the tune of Surfin' Bird by the The Trashmen I feel I wasted my time with that intro!

Now down to the serious stuff. This is what left with me yesterday, having been made by Matt's own fair hands.
I think everyone has seen enough of these to know what they're all about by now.

SH size Warbird, with the blade dropped by about 18mm, with a long counterbalanced handle to make up the difference.

After finishing this beauty Matt kindly applied my preferred grip setup, of 1 and a half chevrons.
The pickup is an absolute dream considering the size and shape of the bat, and the finishing is simply top notch. I love the embossed stickers, and the Warbird blue gives the bat a certain something about it. It's stunning basically!

There is a slight concave in the back to help reduce the weight and improve the balance, but this bat seriously packs a punch and has plenty of willow in all the right places.
I do plan to apply a coat of oil, and even though it's been through Matt's machine I will probably give it a bit more knocking in by hand before I apply a scuff sheet.

The bat has 8 fairly straight even grains (my preferred number!) which run nicely through the toe, and there were a few speckles and pinknots, most of these are under the stickers but there are a couple in the hitting area. I feel that these add character to the bat rather than detract anything from it, but I've always been a fan of blemished willow (and not just because it's cheaper!)

I picked this bat on pickup/feel and the response off the mallet when I was going through the goodies in Matt's workshop. After it was knocked in and finished off I tapped up a ball and couldn't stop smiling, it's a pinger I can assure you!

The vital stats
Weight in it's current state: 2lb10.5
Edge size at peak: 36mm (need rounding so may reduce slightly)
Edge size at shoulders: 14.5mm
Edge size at toe: 20.5mm
Spine height at peak: 62mm
Thickest part of the toe: 23mm

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_215149_zps6uqdonz2.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_215058_zpshnzsihfr.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_220152_zpszgm82t0k.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_215827_zpsoio6esxc.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_215118_zps0svllkhp.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_220704_zps0zmfkh3l.jpg)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160216_220557_zpskx8h35zb.jpg)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: StillNotOut on February 16, 2016, 11:15:47 PM: That's a beaut!!!

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Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: simonmay5 on February 16, 2016, 11:49:35 PM: That is what I call a bat to me it's all about the warbirds they are really stunning bats the pick up on these are superb and for a grade two looks wise it really is lovely
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: sloggerroz on February 17, 2016, 12:00:28 AM: That does look a big bat for the weight! Very,very nice indeed.
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 17, 2016, 12:13:50 AM: Quote from: sloggerroz on February 17, 2016, 12:00:28 AM
That does look a big bat for the weight! Very,very nice indeed.

I don't know what it is, but this bat feels big! I was honestly surprised the edges were "only" 35mm.
There is something imposing about the bat, maybe it's the dropped shoulders and longer handle makes the blade look more 'concentrated'.

Whatever it is about this bat, I'll definitely have the confidence to go Hell 4 Leather at the ball with it ;)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Cow_corner on February 17, 2016, 01:29:14 AM: Hope to be collecting a G1 example mid March to take back to Shanghai. Will be joining the recent club purchase of Hellfire and Hattori.
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: CrickFreak on February 17, 2016, 01:38:25 AM: Lovely bat. Cant wait for mine to arrive. its somewhere over atlantic :(
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: sanredrose on February 17, 2016, 02:06:32 AM: @WalkingWicket37 - Nice white chevron grips. Where can i get them ? Any of our forum retailers stocking this stuff ?
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Ridenmarke on February 17, 2016, 02:30:26 AM: Looks a real beauty
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: amritpremi on February 17, 2016, 02:44:50 AM: Lovely looking bat mate, edges look bigger than 35mm, overall the bat looks big. I like the profile but somehow not comfortable (mentally) with shorter blade, ordering an NV from Vitas. I would have loved to have the same profile in normal SH dimensions.
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: sanredrose on February 17, 2016, 02:47:45 AM: Quote from: amritpremi on February 17, 2016, 02:44:50 AM
Lovely looking bat mate, edges look bigger than 35mm, overall the bat looks big. I like the profile but somehow not comfortable (mentally) with shorter blade, ordering an NV from Vitas. I would have loved to have the same profile in normal SH dimensions.

You can get a warbird with regular blade length. Just shoot an email to Jake and he would be able to arrange that from H4L.
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: InternalTraining on February 17, 2016, 03:40:37 AM: Does it have a bow?
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Northern monkey on February 17, 2016, 06:41:37 AM: Stunnnner!
There's gonna be a few lost cricket balls once that gets used in anger!
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: ppccopener on February 17, 2016, 08:12:02 AM: Very nice!
Considering the weight its a big looking bat...
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Alvaro on February 17, 2016, 09:14:04 AM: well, that's done it. all i can think of now is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184&hl=en-GB&gl=GB (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184&hl=en-GB&gl=GB)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Buzz on February 17, 2016, 09:20:40 AM: This is all I can think of now...

https://youtu.be/hN2D_VgbgEg
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: northernboy1987 on February 17, 2016, 09:24:22 AM: That looks awesome Cam, I know we all keep saying it but Matt really is churning out some stunners these days, never seen one I didn't like!
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 17, 2016, 10:38:54 AM: Quote from: InternalTraining on February 17, 2016, 03:40:37 AM
Does it have a bow?

Yes mate.
Not a huge bow but enough to help clear the infield

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160217_103417_zpsvqzc1zpr.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20160217_103417_zpsvqzc1zpr.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: ppccopener on February 17, 2016, 10:49:43 AM: that's the perfect bow on a bat. I still think flat faces don't quite look right.....
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: FattusCattus on February 17, 2016, 11:19:26 AM: Nouhha!!! rrhaar isendt aihn!
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Batbuddy99 on February 17, 2016, 04:12:07 PM: Quote from: FattusCattus on February 17, 2016, 11:19:26 AM
Nouhha!!! rrhaar isendt aihn!
???

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Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: FattusCattus on February 17, 2016, 05:10:57 PM: Get yer Romulan dictionary out Benji!!
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Batbuddy99 on February 17, 2016, 05:20:13 PM: Google translate here I come!

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Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Batbuddy99 on February 17, 2016, 05:27:50 PM: Google translate doesn't do romulan[emoji17]

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Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Chalkie on February 17, 2016, 08:36:09 PM: Sounds like a great day out Cam, kit looks quality and top of my envy list (with red ink) now that I have scratched my Aldred and B3 itch 😉
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: InternalTraining on February 18, 2016, 02:59:54 AM: Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on February 17, 2016, 10:38:54 AM
Yes mate.
Not a huge bow but enough to help clear the infield

That's great! Love the shape! So, it's a slightly shorter blade with a longer handle but overall standard SH length bat ?
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Cow_corner on February 18, 2016, 01:33:42 PM: The Warbird pro has just been joined by custom gloves and pads...
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 18, 2016, 02:07:53 PM: Quote from: InternalTraining on February 18, 2016, 02:59:54 AM
That's great! Love the shape! So, it's a slightly shorter blade with a longer handle but overall standard SH length bat ?

Correct indeed

Here is is next to a standard SH NV for a size comparison

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/IMG-20160216-WA0026_zpsjjc8l1jk.jpeg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/IMG-20160216-WA0026_zpsjjc8l1jk.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on March 06, 2016, 11:01:25 PM: I used Wilma the Warbird against the bowling machine at Dummer last weekend. This bat just feels right, and although it's hard to accurately judge against bowla balls, feels very good.

The sound isn't half bad either, here's a ping test video. It feels and sounds lovely tapping up a real ball
https://youtu.be/4FNtDNOvbDE
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: azim91 on March 07, 2016, 03:46:22 PM: does the NV ping more? also how come you've oiled the NV more?
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on March 07, 2016, 04:59:11 PM: Quote from: azim91 on March 07, 2016, 03:46:22 PM
does the NV ping more? also how come you've oiled the NV more?

The warbird was bought new, and I gave it a single light coat of oil before applying a scuff sheet, whereas the NV was was 2nd hand, and had received 2 coats of oil before the scuff sheet.

The NV was a bit more pingy, but that's probably because it is a bit heavier and was fully prepared by @Chad, while the Warbird is still being knocked in.

For more info on the NV it has its own thread http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37580.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37580.0)
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: azim91 on March 07, 2016, 06:32:04 PM: Ahh makes more sense! Keep us updated on how the warbird goes. I've also just invested in a warbird and itd be good to see the Truth in matts consistency in his bats. Could also be down to chads preparation of the bat that causes the extra ping in the NV. Would love to see the warbird get to the same level as the NV.
Title: Re: Well, everybody knows that Warbird is the word
Post by: Cow_corner on March 23, 2016, 05:30:07 AM: Warbird Pro arrived in Shanghai last Friday, following two days spent accumulating in friendlies its like a trampoline.