Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Upswing on March 11, 2016, 10:45:29 AM
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Hey guys,
Due to injury, I haven't played cricket in approx 8 years. I'm finally going back into it, and a bat is a big part of the equation. If you guys can help, then I will point to the sky and say a silent thank you to you when I score my first run in almost a decade.
I don't particularly care about the brand. My only criteria are:
- Budget around £120
- Don't want a big bow, and I don't want to feel like it has weight towards the toe (I'm really really wristy, which means that a bat with the weight towards the toe makes batting tough for me)
- Power doesn't really concern me. Getting bat to ball comfortably is the only thing I'd like within those confines.
- Don't care about big edge, grade 1 etc. In fact, smaller looking bats even better.
I played with a 2.7 Gray Nicholls Predator once, which was as perfect a bat for me that I ever came across. If you can recommend anything that feels similar (again, brand not important to me at all) I would be most grateful.
Thanks!
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Pop into a retailer listed on here,it's always nice to try a bat for pick up etc
They all have hand picked stunners well within your budget and will be more than happy to help
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Definitely pop into one of the retailers on here, all will have bats in your price range.
If you could go alittle more for £135 from @Vitas Cricket, you could get a H4L Devil, which I would recommend at around your price point..
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Definitely poo into one of the retailers on here
Not sure I'd advise that, they're a helpful bunch but people have their limits! ;)
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Definitely poo into one of the retailers on here, all will have bats in your price range.
If you could go alittle more for £135 from @Vitas Cricket, you could get a H4L Devil, which I would recommend at around your price point..
All poos welcome, we have a very efficient toilet!
A devil is a good bat for sure, not sure i've ever seen one at 2'7 though, they generally start at 2'10.
Focus Performance at 2'7 for £135 with free delivery. Small profile and no bow!
(http://i.imgur.com/ZKvpBych.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LvT93kmh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wmWwDorh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nlxbe6Lh.jpg)
Kookaburra Ignite 200 at 2'5 (yes 2 lb 5 oz!) on the left, the other two are 2'6 for £105 with free delivery, full profile and very little bow.
(http://i.imgur.com/XdWCYwah.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/0uFWh3ph.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yvljl95h.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vBZX0K3h.jpg)
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Have you considered an handmade bat to your own spec I am sure one of our Sponsers Red ink cricket could make you somthing for your money.
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Thank you for your advice, Northern, Mel and Edge. I most definitely will try to get to a shop. On reflection, it makes sense.
Vitas, this looks very tempting and thanks for uploading those bats. You're based in Peterborough right? I may be visiting Peterborough within the next week or so, so will be sure to come in.
PS with custom bats, I'm guessing a 120 budget won't be nearly enough, right? Also, any good shops within the Telford/Birmingham area that can be visited?
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Have you considered an handmade bat to your own spec I am sure one of our Sponsers Red ink cricket could make you somthing for your money.
Completely missed this. Thanks! I'll give them a call and see if it is possible to do something.
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Thank you for your advice, Northern, Mel and Edge. I most definitely will try to get to a shop. On reflection, it makes sense.
Vitas, this looks very tempting and thanks for uploading those bats. You're based in Peterborough right? I may be visiting Peterborough within the next week or so, so will be sure to come in.
PS with custom bats, I'm guessing a 120 budget won't be nearly enough, right? Also, any good shops within the Telford/Birmingham area that can be visited?
Yes Peterborough, open 11-7 in the week and 9-3 on Saturdays.
For a bespoke bat there are far fewer options at that sort of price, there are some, but it is more limited. And with the greatest of respect to yourself and all batmakers both on the forum and away from it, many of whom i have a good relationship with. They may well produce a bat that is 100% bang on when it comes to matching the specs you asked for, but if you don't really know what you want/need when your are talking to the batmaker, the bat may end up all wrong for you. This sort of scenario is possibly more likely to arise because you've been out of the game for a while?
In a shop environment there will be a vast choice and there may not be a bat that is 100% right, but hopefully we can find one for you that is 99% :)
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Within your budget I'd have to recommend a 'net' bat from Blank Bats.
Made by the best and for the price I dont think theres anything else that can touch them
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Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model
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Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model
This is all true and the custom makers on here are excellent, but getting one custom made to your requirements is tricky if you're not sure what your requirements are! Jake is quite right that if you're not sure what you need, getting in a good shop and getting some bats in your hands has to be the way forward. Then the wonderful world of bespoke bats can come later.
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Thanks for your help everyone. Feel/pickup is essentially the only factor i'm interested in (barring it isn't one of those bats they used to give us in school), so I'll take the prevailing advice and go pick up some bats in a shop.
I was just being a little bit impatient, given that nets have begun and I need to show my face soon. Turning up without a bat simply won't do.
ps have also put some questions out to the custom bat makers to see what options are available.
Thanks!
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There's Uzi sports at Birmingham
Asad has some lovely bats up there
And those focus bats at vitas look crackers for the money
Both shops have a net there too
I'd hang fire with the bespoke, go an try a load at a shop first
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Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model
This works if the custom bat maker is in the same country as the client/buyer. If you are in a different country, then sending a bat back (because specs were not not) is a hassle. I have had many custom made bats sent to the US and only a handful of them met all the specs. Most of them are overpriced net bats at this point. My match bats are all off-the-shelf brands and they are performing better than custom made bats.
As long as you know the weight, location of the sweet spot, and width of the handle, you can pick a nice bat from a retailer. Prices aren't bad either. Custom made bats are over rated.
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This works if the custom bat maker is in the same country as the client/buyer. If you are in a different country, then sending a bat back (because specs were not not) is a hassle. I have had many custom made bats sent to the US and only a handful of them met all the specs. Most of them are overpriced net bats at this point. My match bats are all off-the-shelf brands and they are performing better than custom made bats.
As long as you know the weight, location of the sweet spot, and width of the handle, you can pick a nice bat from a retailer. Prices aren't bad either. Custom made bats are over rated.
Interesting post on a forum dedicated to custom bats! Personally every bat I've ordered custom has been absolutely spot on what I asked for, have forum sponsors to thank for that.
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Those Ignites look amazing for £105!
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Interesting post on a forum dedicated to custom bats! Personally every bat I've ordered custom has been absolutely spot on what I asked for, have forum sponsors to thank for that.
Yup, imagine that - a forum for custom bats discussing off-the-shelf bats. Let's issue an edict: " only discuss custom bats and all opinions must be favorable to the custom bat industry".
Regarding custom bats being "spot on", a very small percentage of my orders have been spot on. Forum sponsor or no forum sponsor. Being outside UK made matters worse. Aldred is an exception - great service and great butterfly bat.
Bats that met my specs to the tee are off-the-shelf bats: M&H Amplus, CA, and GN Warner (made by Kranzbuhler - in my book the best bat maker in the world right now). A newbie buying a bat is better off getting an off-the-shelf bat.
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I agree with @InternalTraining somewhat but not all.
I'll only name names on people that are good in someway(also remember I I've had multiple bats from most people)
Companies that have got my custom order spot on
Red ink, b3
Companies that I have bought bats from that have slight issues, but I have easily and successfully had them sorted
Redink, b3, h4l.
But I have had a whole range of issues with custom bat companies.
Cleft clearly not g1- excuse "only cleft I had, will play well" no refund/change
Bat well under weight- excuse "I make on feel not deadweight" no refund/change
Handle not right- excuse "it will help stop your bottom hand dominating" I want it to dominate! No refund/change
Kept gaining weight! No excuse as no reply so obviously no change.
But most annoying and it's happened far to many times.
Bat arrives as tiny and concaved to hell- excuse- cleft was heavy to start with got to take weight out somewhere.
Now this real boils my blood as there basically saying "as you want a heavy weight I've took this opportunity to use a cleft I would have normally struggled to get rid" I.e they have no want to meet my requirements, just happy to get rid off there crap.
Don't have much luck off the shelf, 2.14 bats are rare as rocking horse poo, then when you do find one, the middle is too low down, or the handle is oval!!
Is probably why I have To buy so many bats before I find a spot on one.
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I agree with @InternalTraining somewhat but not all.
I'll only name names on people that are good in someway(also remember I I've had multiple bats from most people)
Companies that have got my custom order spot on
Red ink, b3
Companies that I have bought bats from that have slight issues, but I have easily and successfully had them sorted
Redink, b3, h4l.
But I have had a whole range of issues with custom bat companies.
Cleft clearly not g1- excuse "only cleft I had, will play well" no refund/change
Bat well under weight- excuse "I make on feel not deadweight" no refund/change
Handle not right- excuse "it will help stop your bottom hand dominating" I want it to dominate! No refund/change
Kept gaining weight! No excuse as no reply so obviously no change.
But most annoying and it's happened far to many times.
Bat arrives as tiny and concaved to hell- excuse- cleft was heavy to start with got to take weight out somewhere.
Now this real boils my blood as there basically saying "as you want a heavy weight I've took this opportunity to use a cleft I would have normally struggled to get rid" I.e they have no want to meet my requirements, just happy to get rid off there crap.
Don't have much luck off the shelf, 2.14 bats are rare as rocking horse poo, then when you do find one, the middle is too low down, or the handle is oval!!
Is probably why I have To buy so many bats before I find a spot on one.
How is the Warner going?
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How is the Warner going?
Haven't used it yet, hoping to start once our clubs our door nets are finished(soft balls and throw downs only to start)
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Don't have much luck off the shelf, 2.14 bats are rare as rocking horse poo, then when you do find one, the middle is too low down, or the handle is oval!!
Is probably why I have To buy so many bats before I find a spot on one.
If you have had success, then I say you are very lucky. This was not the case for me and I had some very specialized bats for custom bat makers. Getting a bat 2-13 (under 2-14) spot on is no picnic either. Add a bow to it, high spine, high middle, and a thin handle and something is over looked. Another fun spec was getting one made in size-6 (with a size 3 blade) was another headache that only two bat makers got right, and they are not from UK. I went thru a lot of custom bats and found them to be mostly useless. I wouldn't have bought my Warner bat if my custom big bat was made to spec. It is also over-pressed (read: hard pressed) and after nearly a year of sporadic nets, still doesn't ping as well as the new Warner out of the box. At best, custom bats are a gamble. At least with off-the-shelf bats, you know what you are getting.
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Custom bats make great net bats. Everyone should have at least two custom net bats in their kit bag.
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Gamble? Interesting. I'd say if the batmaker's any good and you talk to them properly about what you want and whether they can deliver it then it's not a gamble at all. Seem to recall you posting being unhappy that a company that doesn't put bows in their bats didn't put one in yours...
Also interesting that you're specific about handle feel and rate both the Warner replica and Amplus as meeting your specs perfectly - one with an extremely thin handle and another known for its' massive oval? Plus one with a huge bow and another much smaller?
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Gamble? Interesting. I'd say if the batmaker's any good and you talk to them properly about what you want and whether they can deliver it then it's not a gamble at all. Seem to recall you posting being unhappy[/u] that a company that doesn't put bows in their bats didn't put one in yours...
Also interesting that you're specific about handle feel and rate both the Warner replica and Amplus as meeting your specs perfectly - one with an extremely thin handle and another known for its' massive oval? Plus one with a huge bow and another much smaller?
Unhappy would be an understatement but I got a much better bat in my Gray-Nicolls Warner.
Massive oval? Have you ever picked up an Amplus? I don't know about "massive" oval but it is nice - I like oval handles and it's not big either. Warner is a small handle and I have two grips on my Warner, better thin than thick. Regarding bow on Amplus, it's a very nice bow. It is not huge but certainly not small either. Have you hit with an Amplus? Mine is a bloody trampoline!!!! I didn't have to net with it much either, it started performing very early. Paid less for my Amplus than my last custom (big bat, which is now a lovely net bat fending off super hard SG balls).
Get an over-pressed custom bat, they are great for nets.
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Massive oval? Have you ever picked up an Amplus?
Yeah had a bat with a few, they're pretty well known for the handle (or were pre-manufacturing controversy anyway, don't know what the new ones are like). Lovely bats/handles, wish everyone did proper size handles instead of the stick-thin rubbish on most these days! Don't have a whole lot in common with a Warner other than the high middle though.
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The cbf forum can really get under people's skin.
Yet another one stuck in "broken record mode".
I'm all for sharing opinions on this forum, but when you shout the same one over and over again at every reply that doesn't agree with yours. It can get tedious. Especially when it's not even your thread.
Wouldn't be suprised if the op has left the Internet and will never play cricket again.
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To the original poster: sounds like you need something fairly "standard" (no whacky design).
Talk to Red Ink, B3 etc and talk through that 2lb 7 bat you loved. It sounds like a simple enough profile to copy. One huge advantage you will have is cleft selection.
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....... At best, custom bats are a gamble. At least with off-the-shelf bats, you know what you are getting.
Assuming that off-the-shelf bats include bats bought online from reputed brands, I think it is always a gamble buying a bat without seeing and testing it, especially if you are very fussy about what you require. The latter part of the above holds good when you personally go and pick up a bat. Then you would either be satisfied with your purchase or you would already have made a compromise.
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The cbf forum can really get under people's skin.
Yes, true to some extent.
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It seems to get more under some people's skins than others.
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The cbf forum can really get under people's skin.
Yet another one stuck in "broken record mode".
I'm all for sharing opinions on this forum, but when you shout the same one over and over again at every reply that doesn't agree with yours. It can get tedious. Especially when it's not even your thread.
Wouldn't be suprised if the op has left the Internet and will never play cricket again.
I hear what you are saying. You just have to be repetitive when people repeat the same counter arguments.
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Assuming that off-the-shelf bats include bats bought online from reputed brands, I think it is always a gamble buying a bat without seeing and testing it, especially if you are very fussy about what you require. The latter part of the above holds good when you personally go and pick up a bat. Then you would either be satisfied with your purchase or you would already have made a compromise.
Didn't I mention retailers if you are in UK? Did you read my post?
@smilley792 , why repetitive you ask? :D
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Didn't I mention retailers if you are in UK? Did you read my post?
Did I miss something? It was just a general comment and was not aimed at you or anyone else in particular.