Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Custom companies => B3 Cricket => Topic started by: The Doctor on September 15, 2016, 10:23:33 AM

Title: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Doctor on September 15, 2016, 10:23:33 AM
Following on from the thread here earlier - http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39274.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39274.0) and also with the GM now offering this at retail.

Always nice to see one of the big boys do something different, although not new in cricket bat terms (we have been doing this for the last year or so)- but it is obviously different for a big brand (sell at retail) this will no doubt offer something different "off the shelf" - not sure how the retailers have received this though, as I can just see a punter wanting a blade length in a particular model that isn't available. I see this as a transition period in blade length and I predict that the SSB will become standard (similar to the SH) within 5 years.

This is a design that we have done for somebody who likes the SSB

(http://i63.tinypic.com/av050h.png)
2lb12oz with d=400

The advantage
1. Thicker shoulders (without adding any weight)
2. Either reduction in weight OR bigger bat (size) for same weight

Disadvantages
1. Only one we have had is for those who choke the handle they are a little bit more stooped in their stance.

The big advantage in my view is point 2 above.

Thoughts??

Streaky


Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Neon Cricket on September 15, 2016, 11:27:42 AM
What weight does that mock up come out in for a 400 density cleft out of interest?

Personally I was always against the whole shorter blade/longer handle malarkey until I got my hands on a GM Mana earlier in the season. Being 6ft 3 I figured it'd be an issue with the reduced blade length but in reality it didn't make a blind bit of difference when it came to my stance etc - I'm all for the shorter blade combo's now!
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Alvaro on September 15, 2016, 11:31:44 AM
That is reminiscent of Joe Root's shApe
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: edge on September 15, 2016, 05:55:24 PM
Doc, have you done any short blade bats aimed at taller players? Like a 1/2" short blade with a 1" long handle to make a short blade bat that's 1/2" longer overall? If so, how did they turn out? Something I've been contemplating for a little while.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Buzz on September 15, 2016, 07:27:59 PM
As someone who is tall and holds the bat near the base of the handle, this is a disaster for me.
Separate to the original mongoose, I have tried the longer handle shorter blades but am happy with a traditional size or longer blade. 
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: GDP1964 on September 15, 2016, 07:52:26 PM
Newbery introduced the Kudos  maybe 3 Years ago and only after a year of production did anyone realise they were a shorter blade
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: tim2000s on September 16, 2016, 06:57:42 AM
It's weird. I hold the bat near the top of the handle and always thought I was better off with a mid-to-low middle on a bat due to my height and had a long blade made to this spec. It wasn't that weighty but I really struggled to find the middle with it when out in the middle. Then I got a couple of different shapes made, which had very much mid-middles. I discovered that I bat better with those, so my most extreme trial was with the XP80, which is a mid-high middle LB. And that's amazing.

Taking these things into account, I've come to the conclusion that I could use a shorter blade with a middle in the same place as the XP80 (and @thedoctor if you'd like to have a chat about that I'd be really interested in what you could come up with). It would look a bit "Frankenpaddle" but I reckon it would be a right goer.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Junior Pro on September 16, 2016, 07:43:23 AM
I would always use a SSB, even being 6ft 3. My latest B3 is an SSB and with the longer handle I feel that it is better than a full size blade due too: an improved pick up, better balance and a slightly bigger bat. The advantages certainly out way the disadvantages in my eyes, even whilst holding the bat about 2 inch above the sholder
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Doctor on September 16, 2016, 07:56:32 AM
It's weird. I hold the bat near the top of the handle and always thought I was better off with a mid-to-low middle on a bat due to my height and had a long blade made to this spec. It wasn't that weighty but I really struggled to find the middle with it when out in the middle. Then I got a couple of different shapes made, which had very much mid-middles. I discovered that I bat better with those, so my most extreme trial was with the XP80, which is a mid-high middle LB. And that's amazing.

Taking these things into account, I've come to the conclusion that I could use a shorter blade with a middle in the same place as the XP80 (and @thedoctor if you'd like to have a chat about that I'd be really interested in what you could come up with). It would look a bit "Frankenpaddle" but I reckon it would be a right goer.

Will get on it. Do you want a LH length over all - so SSB/LLH combo?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: tim2000s on September 16, 2016, 08:10:33 AM
Will get on it. Do you want a LH length over all - so SSB/LLH combo?
That's exactly right.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Buzz on September 16, 2016, 08:17:34 AM
Tim batting with that you will look like this...:
https://youtu.be/tY0Ee5EAAMk

But good luck, I hope it works out!
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Calzehbhoy on September 16, 2016, 09:13:58 AM
Will get on it. Do you want a LH length over all - so SSB/LLH combo?

Would be interesting to see this!
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: liscon12 on September 16, 2016, 10:24:56 AM
I like a lot, so how much shorter is this blade compared to a normal one?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Doctor on September 16, 2016, 10:47:57 AM
I like a lot, so how much shorter is this blade compared to a normal one?

Only 0.5 inch sorter - we can go more though.....
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Doctor on September 16, 2016, 11:45:52 AM
That's exactly right.


Gone SSSB - what do you think??

(http://i68.tinypic.com/289bhah.png)
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: springbok45 on September 16, 2016, 01:32:52 PM

2. Either reduction in weight OR bigger bat (size) for same weight

The big advantage in my view is point 2 above.

Streaky

I'm curious how much extra wood shortening the blade a couple of cm actually give you to play around with in the shape and profile?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: dcullen8 on September 16, 2016, 02:27:02 PM
Ive got a Short blade, saved me nearly an ounce from a standard shape i think, 38m edges with some concaving so i think its pretty worthwhile.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Seniorplayer on September 16, 2016, 06:39:54 PM
I'm curious how much extra wood shortening the blade a couple of cm actually give you to play around with in the shape and profile?

It's an ounce to ounce and an half
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: The Doctor on September 17, 2016, 08:11:16 AM
I'm curious how much extra wood shortening the blade a couple of cm actually give you to play around with in the shape and profile?

From our trials - it is just about an ounce.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Chalkie on September 17, 2016, 08:48:06 AM
Gone SSSB - what do you think??

([url]http://i68.tinypic.com/289bhah.png[/url])


Streaky, this looks interesting. What would the edge, spine and weight come out in a 400 cleft assuming the handle length brings it up to standard SH overall?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: tim2000s on September 19, 2016, 06:39:00 AM
Gone SSSB - what do you think??

([url]http://i68.tinypic.com/289bhah.png[/url])

Now then @The Doctor That's what I'm talking about! Can you ping me with options for getting that made up?

Cheers!
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 26, 2016, 08:05:18 PM
Gone SSSB - what do you think??

([url]http://i68.tinypic.com/289bhah.png[/url])


@The Doctor what weight would this be in a 400 density cleft, and what would the price be for a 1 stripe?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: ElPerro on September 26, 2016, 08:24:23 PM
I think this is a really interesting concept, @thedoctor do you have any ideas on how you'd measure the theoretical optimum blade length for a player?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: potzy248 on September 27, 2016, 02:58:57 AM
Picked up a couple of Dean Brownlie's (ex Black Cap) new GM's today. He had shortened blades with rounded faces and they were absolutely huge. Wouldn't have weighed more than 2.7 either. He did have the mesh scuff sheets on which look hideous, but they were very impressive. My next bat will definitely be a shortened blade. You hardly noticed the difference in length.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: InternalTraining on September 27, 2016, 03:25:24 AM
^ CA has been doing it for years and they got some stick for shortened blades. Now, many bat makers are doing it, it is not such an issue any more.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: avkrish on September 27, 2016, 04:21:03 AM
^ CA has been doing it for years and they got some stick for shortened blades. Now, many bat makers are doing it, it is not such an issue any more.

Who does it now also might have impacted the change in opinion to a certain extent on the Forum.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: tim2000s on September 27, 2016, 06:03:38 AM
I think this is a really interesting concept, @thedoctor do you have any ideas on how you'd measure the theoretical optimum blade length for a player?
Surely that's irrelevant? The important measurement would be tip of handle to toe (i.e. ability to get down on to a yorker) and optimum moment of inertia and centre of percussion position?
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Kulli on September 27, 2016, 06:04:08 AM
^ CA has been doing it for years and they got some stick for shortened blades. Now, many bat makers are doing it, it is not such an issue any more.
I think being more open about it might be the issue.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Seniorplayer on September 27, 2016, 09:00:08 AM
Although getting down on a a Yorker can be a problem the taller you are  it is relevant to know your sizes as once you know what  your specs are a batmaker can sort out the rest I find 10 3/4 inch long handle Harrow thickness 4 1/4 wide blade 21 1/2 inches long with an high sweet spot suits my height.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 27, 2016, 09:14:18 AM
Although getting down on a a Yorker can be a problem the taller you are  it is relevant as once you know what  your specs are a batmaker can sort out the rest I find 10 3/4 inch long handle Harrow thickness 4 1/4 wide blade 21 1/2 inches long with an high sweet spot suits my height.

While I admire this dedication to knowing what suits you, that would be too much of a mind game for me.
I like just grabbing a bat off a shelf and thinking "this feels alright". If i took your approach I'd find myself picking them up and thinking "this feels alright, but the blade is 0.5 inch too long and the handle needs cutting down"
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: tim2000s on September 27, 2016, 10:17:54 AM
I tend to agree @WalkingWicket37 - As long as the overall length is LB and the weight distribution works, I tend to ignore the little things of handle length and blade length. The rest is totally unnecessary in my book.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Seniorplayer on September 27, 2016, 10:19:41 AM
While I admire this dedication to knowing what suits you, that would be too much of a mind game for me.
I like just grabbing a bat off a shelf and thinking "this feels alright". If i took your approach I'd find myself picking them up and thinking "this feels alright, but the blade is 0.5 inch too long and the handle needs cutting down"

That's right cam it can be  a mind games with bats pickup and feel is the  alteritive  way  for many to having a bat made  and that's fine if they can get what they want.
Prior to retiring having worked at college  with cricket playing students  with a cricket academy Bat sizes and height of players is an interest of mine.




Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Chad on September 30, 2016, 07:20:15 PM
^ CA has been doing it for years and they got some stick for shortened blades. Now, many bat makers are doing it, it is not such an issue any more.

Agree with this partially, I was not a fan of CA for doing this because it was something different. After actually trying one, I find that a shorter blade is absolutely fine for me! (Provided it's not MMI3 short) One thing to note about CA was that the overall bat length was also shorter, so it meant that it would take a bit of adjustment, or may even be uncomfortable for people who are used to holding the bat at the top of the handle.

I think I'm even tending towards a shorter blade now, take away the wood from the nonessential areas and whack it in the middle! (Been using a H4L Warbird and had no issues)
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Vitas Cricket on September 30, 2016, 07:39:46 PM
^ CA has been doing it for years and they got some stick for shortened blades. Now, many bat makers are doing it, it is not such an issue any more.

CA usually forget to lengthen the handle to compensate though. I'm still yet to see a true SH length CA bat.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: InternalTraining on September 30, 2016, 08:41:12 PM
I think I'm even tending towards a shorter blade now, take away the wood from the nonessential areas and whack it in the middle! (Been using a H4L Warbird and had no issues)

This is how I ended up with the 6-3 configuration. Those bats are a LOT of fun to bat with, boundaries galore! Having said that, it is a very delicate balance between the weight and the balance/feel of the bat.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: InternalTraining on September 30, 2016, 08:44:51 PM
CA usually forget to lengthen the handle to compensate though. I'm still yet to see a true SH length CA bat.

I am not sure why you haven't seen the true SH length bats. I have three that are true SH length. I had one made from the factory last April without stickers or marking. It is a full length SH ( I just measured it against my Amplus (circa 2013 :D ) ).
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Jaffa on October 01, 2016, 08:53:15 AM
I am not sure why you haven't seen the true SH length bats. I have three that are true SH length. I had one made from the factory last April without stickers or marking. It is a full length SH ( I just measured it against my Amplus (circa 2013 :D ) ).

What about the width? I've heard that can be non-standard SH too.
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: Biggie Smalls on October 01, 2016, 09:10:33 AM
As someone who is tall and holds the bat near the base of the handle, this is a disaster for me.
Separate to the original mongoose, I have tried the longer handle shorter blades but am happy with a traditional size or longer blade.


This would be my exact reply if you hadn't already said it .
Title: Re: Blade Lengths
Post by: InternalTraining on October 01, 2016, 06:15:12 PM
What about the width? I've heard that can be non-standard SH too.

Look fine to me.