Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: WalkingWicket37 on March 15, 2016, 08:08:26 PM
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To those of you who already know about this, please don't spoil it for others!
When I got in from work today I had a lovely letter from Parcel Force today, asking for a sum of £53 to release my parcel from customs.
Noticing the warehouse was a 5 minute drive from my house, and that they were open until 7pm I made a quick call to confirm I could collect and pay today.
By 6.15pm I had a lighter wallet and a nice bat shaped box in my possession.
I took a few pictures with my phone as I opened it, and am currently uploading pictures taken with my camera.
Can you guess what it is? :)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/IMG-20160315-WA0000_zpsfuqo5ov5.jpeg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/IMG-20160315-WA0000_zpsfuqo5ov5.jpeg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/IMG-20160315-WA0006_zpsb4pb76ht.jpeg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/IMG-20160315-WA0006_zpsb4pb76ht.jpeg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20160315_182002_zpsafhprzox.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20160315_182002_zpsafhprzox.jpg.html)
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A monkey? Some jam? A fire engine? A Gilchrist Millichamp?
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Hmmmm, nah I shan't ruin the game.
Cough "ss" cough
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It's not Susan Sarandon!?
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It's not Susan Sarandon!?
Is she fake?
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Never met her
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It's a bottle of something.... Just look at the shape
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Well it took all of 1 post to get there...
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010851_zpsengtzy1e.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010851_zpsengtzy1e.jpg.html)
(I had to use the bat way to get the bat to stand up for a profile picture)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010853_zpsefdywprw.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010853_zpsefdywprw.jpg.html)
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Now that looks lovely. Come on though Cam, not like you to be so short on the details ;)
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Lovely stick. Very much enjoy the sponsor sticker on the back too.
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love the shape, its got Julian name written all over it.
Yes details please
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Very nice mate :)pleased you got one in the end
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The only way this post could be improved is if you said you were going to make your carpet into a fleece jacket and sell it to me
Amazing bat!
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Wow that thing is straight as a die, top stick you got there Cam.
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Wow that thing is straight as a die, top stick you got there Cam.
Internal training would not be pleased with this off the shelf purchase!
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I think I have kept you waiting long enough.
Now for some more pictures (with better lighting), along with a few of the finer details (and the vital statistics).
This is a Puma Classic Reserve, Adam Gilchrist Edition, made in Australia. I believe this was a top of the range bat back in its day.
Its not a huge bat by todays standards, but its a big hunk of tree! There is no concaving anywhere, yet with all the wood packed in it still somehow weighs under 2lb10. Who needs massive edges when you have the wood distributed throughout the blade, anyway!
The bat itself has 10 grains (with the end two going off the edge, leaving 8 to run through the toe). They are pretty straight and almost even, but not the ruler straight perfection some seek. There are a few specs on the face but nothing to worry about, they merely add character and give me something else to love about the bat.
There are a couple of things I really like. The rounded toe is bordering on perfection (sorry to the square toe lovers) and the spine runs right up into the handle. The handle itself is has two rubber inserts, and is a lovely pronounced oval on the bottom hand, which tapers into a thinner circle up the top. This is something I have only seen on a bat once before. It may not be common, but it feels lovely in the hands!
Considering there is a lot of wood near the toe of the bat, the pickup is very good. I think this may be down to the spine running right up to the handle, which distributes the wood throughout the whole blade very effectively.
I gave the bat a quick tap up and it responds and sounds very nice. I will try to get a video of the "ping test" at some point.
The only thing some people may not like is that there is zero bow on this bat. That does not bother me as it is a known trait of the bat maker, and I have always wanted a bat made by him. Now I have my hands on one I am over the moon, but I will admit I always imagined when I got one it would have had different stickers on.
Weight in its current state: 2lb9 & 5/8
Edge size at peak: 19.5mm
Edge size at shoulders: 10.5mm
Edge size at toe: 10.5mm
Toe at thickest point: 24mm
Peak spine height: 60mm
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010836_zps2obfpexk.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010836_zps2obfpexk.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010847_zpsxsr6whyx.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010847_zpsxsr6whyx.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010839_zps88ksp2ua.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010839_zps88ksp2ua.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010838_zpsx8iz3bd3.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010838_zpsx8iz3bd3.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010837_zpsdp4qwph4.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010837_zpsdp4qwph4.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010841_zpsxdwrfocn.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010841_zpsxdwrfocn.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010843_zpsdyjkzg1m.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010843_zpsdyjkzg1m.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010845_zpsg4gewbf0.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010845_zpsg4gewbf0.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010849_zpskvmallnl.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010849_zpskvmallnl.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/P1010848_zpsdjodveyu.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/P1010848_zpsdjodveyu.jpg.html)
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Lovely bat mate really am jealous be nice to have a look Saturday and I glad my tip worked out well for you mate
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Very nice mate :)pleased you got one in the end
Thank you for your help finding it mate, wouldn't have ended up with one had it not been for your help :)
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Any time mate just look after it now mate they are special bats that's for sure especially in that condition
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Who was making for Puma when these came out? Did Sam Miller make?
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I believe this was made/sold circa 2004/05, so it would have been one of the last ones the maker in question did for Puma.
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Who was making for Puma when these came out? Did Sam Miller make?
Looks to me very much the work of Julian millchamp to me
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The Classic with this branding was a 2005 model. Millichamp left in 2004.
Suppose he could have made a batch before he left.
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The Classic with this branding was a 2005 model. Millichamp left in 2004.
Suppose he could have made a batch before he left.
Yes the branding is a 2005 Model, but there are a few tell tale signs (the round toe, trademark spine into the handle and 2 springs. I don't think the fact it's a virtually identical shape to the Julian Millichamp made Gilchrist edition is a coincidence either)
I'm fairly confident I know who made it.
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Looks good mate - if it is a JM then a nice piece of history there, is it only for display?
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Great coverage bat that one pal in the right hands that could be a right weapon...
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Decent find Cam! Will bring the Gilly match bat on Saturday to compare.
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Internal training would not be pleased with this off the shelf purchase!
LOL
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@WalkingWicket37 , love the spine, love the shape! Great bat!
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Now this is a bat which I love.
Reminiscent of Screaming Cat in every aspect which is no brainer.
All hail to Julian Millichamp, what a legend!
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Oh love that Cam
20mm edges with an even spread of wood right across the profile
Just sheer class
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One of the original Pumas that I fell in love with, got yourself a gem there
Whats the story behind it? Ebay? Cost? If you dont mind divulging
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One of the original Pumas that I fell in love with, got yourself a gem there
Whats the story behind it? Ebay? Cost? If you dont mind divulging
I wanted a bat made by a certain Australian bat maker, and after doing some research I know he made for Puma. From the shape and a few traits he is known for, I suspected this bat was made by his fair hand (which most people seem to agree with me on)
I found this particular one on eBay Australia, and when postage on the listing was within Australia only I exchanged a few messages with the seller. He agreed to post to the UK (at my expence, naturally) and my order was placed.
I paid roughly £153 for the bat and £52 postage from memory (plus the PayPal exchange rate on the day I purchased it, I think it worked out £218). I then had a £52 bill from ParcelForce for import tax and handling.
By my maths that adds up to £260... :-[
I wish I hadn't thought about that, or added the total cost up now...
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The seller obviously did not know what he was letting go for that price :)
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Absolutely lovely bat. Good bargain (sort of) hunting.
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I wanted a bat made by a certain Australian bat maker, and after doing some research I know he made for Puma. From the shape and a few traits he is known for, I suspected this bat was made by his fair hand (which most people seem to agree with me on)
I found this particular one on eBay Australia, and when postage on the listing was within Australia only I exchanged a few messages with the seller. He agreed to post to the UK (at my expence, naturally) and my order was placed.
I paid roughly £153 for the bat and £52 postage from memory (plus the PayPal exchange rate on the day I purchased it, I think it worked out £218). I then had a £52 bill from ParcelForce for import tax and handling.
By my maths that adds up to £260... :-[
I wish I hadn't thought about that, or added the total cost up now...
Why was the customs bill so much?
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Why was the customs bill so much?
Declared value $400AU, postage $75AU
Customs charge £39, ParcelForce handling fee £13
My conclusion, importing from Australia is a rip off lol!
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Pretty much £90 shipping then
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Declared value $400AU, postage $75AU
Customs charge £39, ParcelForce handling fee £13
My conclusion, importing from Australia is a rip off lol!
It's much better heading the other way. Bat postage to Oz, in my experience, is usually 30pounds with no customs charges.