Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: shax12 on October 12, 2016, 11:41:55 PM
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What you guys think? Narrowed down to H4L, Affinity, Laver and Wood and Uzi pro.
Also added GN made by Stuart Kranzbuhler as someone also advised me them. Anyone used GN from Stuart?
Anyone got bats from these and what you think and would advise? Thanks
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I have owned several of each and confirm that you will not be disappointed in any of them!
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What you guys think? Narrowed down to H4L, Affinity, Laver and Wood and Uzi pro.
Anyone got bats from these and what you think and would advise? Thanks
Lavers are balanced like a dream! Their top of the line Signature is worth every penny. You can also get good deals on Reserve grades as well.
I recently got a few Uzi Pro PLUS bats which I am knocking now. They are easily one of the best pinging bats I got. They also have nice bows.
I haven't tried others (yet :D ) but you can't go wrong with the above two. :)
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I have owned several of each and confirm that you will not be disappointed in any of them!
Thanks for reply. Quite hard making mind up for which one to go for lol.
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Lavers are balanced like a dream! Their top of the line Signature is worth every penny. You can also get good deals on Reserve grades as well.
I recently got a few Uzi Pro PLUS bats which I am knocking now. They are easily one of the best pinging bats I got. They also have nice bows.
I haven't tried others (yet :D ) but you can't go wrong with the above two. :)
Thanks for info. Is their difference in performance on the laver signature and reserve willow. And how would you compare the UZI to the laver and wood signature.
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Thanks for info. Is their difference in performance on the laver signature and reserve willow. And how would you compare the UZI to the laver and wood signature.
Signature is Laver's top of the line product. I recently bought one for a friend and I was told by James that in last 17/18 years, they have made under 220 Signature bats. That tells you something about the quality of the willow that is selected for the Signature grade bat - ruler straight grains and a clean face with oodles of ping. Naturally, you are paying a premium for all these characteristics. From Laver's site, "Reserve" is their high-end Grade-1 that offers "Test" quality performance. They are excellent bats as well.
Uzi Pro PLUS bats are meant for pros and are the cream of the cream in terms of performance. What I gathered in conversations with Asad ( @Uzi Sports ) is that these bats are in extremely short supply and are reserved for first class/Test players only. I prefer heavier bats (2-12+) so it was easier for me to get a few of these. I still had to wait a bit to get mine. :D This is the review that led me to my Uzi Pro PLUS - http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39924.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39924.0) .
Full disclosure: I have not used either of them in a match or a net, yet. Once the pre-season activities pick up steam, I will definitely take all of them for a test drive.
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Signature is Laver's top of the line product. I recently bought one for a friend and I was told by James that in last 17/18 years, they have made under 220 Signature bats. That tells you something about the quality of the willow that is selected for the Signature grade bat - ruler straight grains and a clean face with oodles of ping. Naturally, you are paying a premium for all these characteristics. From Laver's site, "Reserve" is their high-end Grade-1 that offers "Test" quality performance. They are excellent bats as well.
Uzi Pro PLUS bats are meant for pros and are the cream of the cream in terms of performance. What I gathered in conversations with Asad ( @Uzi Sports ) is that these bats are in extremely short supply and are reserved for first class/Test players only. I prefer heavier bats (2-12+) so it was easier for me to get a few of these. I still had to wait a bit to get mine. :D This is the review that led me to my Uzi Pro PLUS - [url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39924.0[/url] ([url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=39924.0[/url]) .
Full disclosure: I have not used either of them in a match or a net, yet. Once the pre-season activities pick up steam, I will definitely take all of them for a test drive.
Thanks for so much info Bro. Really appreciate it.
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I have used and owned a few Sub-continent bats over the years but once I pulled the trigger on a Laver & Wood, haven't looked at any other bat since. I have two 'Private Bin' bats from Laver. Both have a very very good balance and ping. I also prefer their C-10 handle which tends to give less vibrations than a traditional cane handle. Next year or the year after, definitely gonna pull the trigger on a Signature.
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Go for H4L and get a quality bat from an excellent bat maker!
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In my book, it is like asking, "should I get a Merc, BMW or Audi?"
It is down to personal choice! I have all of the bats on your list and all are excellent!
The Affiniti I have (got it a couple of years ago) is superb but I cannot vouch for the newest ones as I have no idea where they are made currently?
But L&W have always been superb....hit my first 50 with a L&W and the Sig I have is a classy bat that is excellent in every way (pick-up, feel, response, profile, etc)
But I have also had some ridiculously good bats from the special cave that is Asad's shop! And let's not forget H4L who (in my opinion) is probably pressing some of the most insanely responsive bats at the moment, plus his clefts that are drying out and almost ready to shape are very special indeed!
In short, I reckon you will be happy whichever you decide on!
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That long blade of yours is very special pete, personally I just like H4Ls pressing so that would be my preferred choice, probably worth mentioning with Laver the possibility of weight gain and customs charges if your in the UK
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Affinity all the way! I've had loads of bat from Marcus and they are crackers!
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h4l are good bats, ive got one now and have been using h4l for the last 2 seasons, they are very responsive and very big for the weight and grade 2's are great value.
the only thing I would say is the bats I have had personally do not pick up fantastically well. I'm absolutely sure others on the forum have ones that do pick up great-as I have had a go with their bats.. So that's just a personal thing.
but it's worth looking at other brands too, if it was me and I wanted a brand new customs made one I would go to Uzi or Vitas to see what they had first. When retailers hand pick bats you need to have confidence they know any potential flaws in a bat, and these two are excellent picking bats. I have an unused hand picked bat from Vitas for next year.
but there is a lot of choice out there currently and as has been said, it will boil down to personal preference. New bats i'd def be looking to feel it myself in the hands before buying.
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I have an affinity and 2 h4l's. All of the makers you mention make fantastic bats and I think it is impossible to say one of these makers make better bats than the others. the difference between them is solely down to your personal preference with regard to pick up, balance, handle size/shape and the only way you can establish that is by trying them yourself.
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I have owned all the above and for me the Affinity was the most disappointing just didn't like it and didn't feel it lived up to the hype but that was just my view on 1bat.
Laver was a stunning bat and it did ping from the off, weight gain was an issue and from getting a bat that started at 2.8 it was over 2.10 within 2 months of being in the Uk and most say this is common with Laver bats so if you go with laver and are based in the UK you may want to order couple of ounces under normal weight which may mean you don't get the biggest bat
H4L always for me play well and are superb bats just don't find many on the lighter side but are stunning.
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I've had 3 h4l's
One I sold on as didn't suit me, 1 is an amazing bat! Great pick up and ping.
Third is a tad over my weight but I don't want to selll it as it is a cracker regardless.
I've had 3 affinitys, and soon it will become 5! Think that tells you what I think of them, great pick up, great performance. Top stickers(of that floats your boat).
I've had one laver and wood, it was a nice bat on arrival but weight gain was ridiculous and it became very unusable by me.
Luckily I have a 6ft 5 team mate who looks like a caveman. And he scored a 1000 plus runs with it last year. So can't be that bad.
I realise my post is not helpful, there all good. And I'm sure they've all produced a bad one now and again too.
Just they all are helpful companies, so will sort if any issues.
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I've had two custom bats, both from Rob Pack, and they have been BY FAR the best bats I've ever had. Nothing I've had off the shelf has come close. I paid £200 each time but received stunning willow in two great shapes, wide, forgiving middles. The man is a master of his art, I can't speak highly enough of him.
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I've had two custom bats, both from Rob Pack, and they have been BY FAR the best bats I've ever had. Nothing I've had off the shelf has come close. I paid £200 each time but received stunning willow in two great shapes, wide, forgiving middles. The man is a master of his art, I can't speak highly enough of him.
to be fair that's a
good shout.
lovely bats from Rob Pack. had one, sold it after blaming my tools when I go no runs.....regretted it ever since(there's a thread about this somewhere!) :) :)
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I've had several of each
Can't go wrong with any of them
If you can speak to matt at h4l, then do, he has some lovely clefts in at the moment, that in my very personal view, are superb.
If you knew me, I'm possibly one of the fussiest with regards to bats.
Cost is not an issue with me, but pick up/balance and performance are.
And matt has all these spot on
But, like I said, you won't really go wrong with any of those
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I've had 3 custom bats over the past few seasons, 2 H4L and a B3 and all 3 are crackers, I think you'd be incredibly unlucky to get a bad bat off any of the makers that advertise on this forum to be honest.
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For me it's h4l all the way Matt presses such a good bat and he really does go out of his way to help and his customers service is spot on .the other one who will get something special is Asad his Uzi pros are very nice bats I had a very special one that was the best prefoming bat I have ever had
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I second the H4L shout, were a pleasure to deal with!
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I was given a piece of advice I was given was to go for the bat with the best stickers... All the bat makers you name are more than capable of making stunners
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I can make something for you if you're interested in widening your brand list. Feel free to pm me to discuss if you want to
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Thanks everyone for your help and info. Someone also said I should look into getting a custom made by Stuart Kranzbuhler. Anyone had one and how would they rate it.
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I can make something for you if you're interested in widening your brand list. Feel free to pm me to discuss if you want to
Thanks for your message. Will inbox you and discuss
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I've had 8-10 Affinity's & H4L's both make fantastic bats! Both Marcus & Matt are a pleasure to deal with, can't look past them. I've never had an Uzi bat but have bought other bats from Asad and they've been superb
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I'm maybe on the wrong thread but can anyone give me an opinion on LEKKA bats??
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I'm maybe on the wrong thread but can anyone give me an opinion on LEKKA bats??
I think you're on the wrong forum to be honest, James isn't the most popular bloke on here for various reasons...
I think @sarg has had an experience with him recently
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Think its JEDI or Charlie French for me. Had a CF advance shape made in 2008 and hadn't used it for some seasons but restarted using recently and the ball just flys off, its really opened up.
James at JEDI used to work at ACE and ACE bats were immense, since he's local to me JEDI and great prices.
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If you do want to look at CF or Jedi give us a shout as we tend to be able to save you a few quid.
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I have spent my match bat off to Jake who is getting hunts to do a copy for me. G1+, ever so excited! I Hope its coming on nicely!
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What you guys think? Narrowed down to H4L, Affinity, Laver and Wood and Uzi pro.
Also added GN made by Stuart Kranzbuhler as someone also advised me them. Anyone used GN from Stuart?
Anyone got bats from these and what you think and would advise? Thanks
Buy one of each and get the first hand experience. Seems like you play cricket at some very high level.
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Did you not see my Hunts post, Jake can get one done, best grade for 225.
Hoping mine will be a amazing.
No pressure @Vitas Cricket :D
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Buy one of each and get the first hand experience. Seems like you play cricket at some very high level.
Don't worry if you want coaching lessons your more then welcome Keyboard warrior
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Did you not see my Hunts post, Jake can get one done, best grade for 225.
Hoping mine will be a amazing.
No pressure @Vitas Cricket :D
Will have a look into it. Thanks
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These are all great options. I would give Uzi sports a check- I have not owned an Uzi but played with one. Lovely grains and responded very very well.
I hear a lot of praise for H4L- they do make good bats but am not sure they are worthy of the amount of praise on here (I own 2 btw). Depends what you are comparing with. Also if your not in England H4L does seem to contain add a considerable amount of weight. My bat was supposed to be 3lb- by the time it was shipped to Canada it was 3.28. So keep that in mind. I have heard the same for Lavers as well.
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These are all great options. I would give Uzi sports a check- I have not owned an Uzi but played with one. Lovely grains and responded very very well.
I hear a lot of praise for H4L- they do make good bats but am not sure they are worthy of the amount of praise on here (I own 2 btw). Depends what you are comparing with. Also if your not in England H4L does seem to contain add a considerable amount of weight. My bat was supposed to be 3lb- by the time it was shipped to Canada it was 3.28. So keep that in mind. I have heard the same for Lavers as well.
This is no longer the case with Laver. My last few Lavers stayed at the spec weight. Also, if you talk to Laver team, they will tell you that they have changed the cleft drying process which has eliminated the weight gain.