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Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: GoldenArm on February 22, 2017, 10:57:32 AM

Title: Viking cricket
Post by: GoldenArm on February 22, 2017, 10:57:32 AM
https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk (https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk)

Just seen this is the new company that IJC are stocking, anyone know anything at all about them? Seem to be so many new ones popping up all the time. Wonder who makes these? 
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Kulli on February 22, 2017, 10:58:04 AM
Branding seems quite influenced by Hammer Cricket, might just be coincidence though.

Their batmaker is listed as one James Dollive, if that means anything to anyone.

EDIT - seemingly he's the guy from JeDi cricket.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Seniorplayer on February 22, 2017, 11:04:15 AM
 Not  saying it's the same guy  but I think there a bat maker at Jedi with that name  apologies if I am wrong though.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: simonmay5 on February 22, 2017, 11:07:11 AM
Not  saying it's the same guy  but I think there a bat maker at Jedi with that name  apologies if I am wrong though.

I sure it's based in that area so would not be surprised if it was as the guy from Jedi as Paul from ijc said they was made by a established bat maker
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: FattusCattus on February 22, 2017, 11:07:49 AM
Yep - google James Dollive - he has an unfortunate namesake!!!
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: GoldenArm on February 22, 2017, 11:08:20 AM
I applaud the fact they're trying to keep their prices vaguely sensible at least. I also like the fact in their useful info section they state on looking after your bat you should try to 'avoid excessive mis-timed shots'. If only it were that simple! 😂
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: e4sby on February 22, 2017, 11:09:00 AM
I'm sure James Dollive is batmaker for Jedi
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 22, 2017, 11:15:12 AM
Bats have a TK-ish sort of look to them, which would make sense as that'e where Jedi apparently get their part mades from.

I did think they were the new Hammer stickers at first glance though... :-[
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Kulli on February 22, 2017, 11:15:42 AM
Can't say for certain it's the same guy, but JEDi have a batmaker called james Dollive.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Cow_corner on February 22, 2017, 11:25:20 AM
Thor, Odin, Jorvik after the museum in York!. All these new brands, It just doesn't make sense ......
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: RoCo Da Pixie on February 22, 2017, 11:43:31 AM
When I saw the pictures I thought they looked alright. Would be keen to see more of the profiles rather than the stock pictures on the website.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: csnew on February 22, 2017, 11:48:34 AM
Lovely that you can already just buy the stickers
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: edge on February 22, 2017, 12:05:33 PM
Judging by the toes on a couple of recent new brands and the confirmed link with Jedi on this one, the chap is turning out a fair few bats lately!
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: The Cricket Boutique on February 22, 2017, 12:26:47 PM
Hi Gents. Yes they are made by James from Jedi as stated on their website.

Viking are stocked at a couple of place like IJC (New) and in The Cricket Asylum as well as being available direct.

We were in discussions with them but we cant decide if they would fall into the non sticker brand category that we work with.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: sultanofswing on February 22, 2017, 12:56:34 PM
Guy local to me, his son played with me last year. Made locally at Jedi. He used to distribute for Hammer season before last so assuming thats where the design style has come from.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: sultanofswing on February 22, 2017, 12:58:40 PM
When I saw the pictures I thought they looked alright. Would be keen to see more of the profiles rather than the stock pictures on the website.

Couple of lads at my club have them. Profiles are much of a muchness from what I have seen no real difference funny shaped handles almost hexagonal.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: sanredrose on February 22, 2017, 04:24:59 PM
Hammer cricket has pretty much gone off the rails after possible ownership change. Last I checked on Instagram .. Hammer bats are now made by SS apparently.

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm174/saravdsrc/Insta_screen_grab_zps4iag2sng.jpg)

Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: procricket on February 22, 2017, 05:08:26 PM
Bats have a TK-ish sort of look to them, which would make sense as that'e where Jedi apparently get their part mades from.

I did think they were the new Hammer stickers at first glance though... :-[

where did you hear this James does have a press but interested where this came from
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Biggie Smalls on February 22, 2017, 05:12:58 PM
Seen Viking gloves on ebay , look nice . Although logo reminds me too much of Canberra Raiders !  :) ;)
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: The Cricket Boutique on February 22, 2017, 08:36:04 PM
where did you hear this James does have a press but interested where this came from

Yes, I have visited lots of times and there are no part mades.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 22, 2017, 11:00:06 PM
where did you hear this James does have a press but interested where this came from

Yes, I have visited lots of times and there are no part mades.

In which case my source of information was incorrect. Good thing I put apparently as I wasn't certain.
I will not reveal who told me because reasons, but thanks to both of you for correcting me.

As a side note - a different contact has just confirmed to me that Jedi do not use part mades. Apologies
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 22, 2017, 11:29:21 PM
https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk (https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk)

https://www.instagram.com/vikingcricket/ (https://www.instagram.com/vikingcricket/)

Now I'm confused...
??? :-[
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Woodyspin on February 22, 2017, 11:38:23 PM
Someone didnt do their research...or doesnt care there's a brand with the same name doing rhe same thing just in a different country
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: chrisbd on February 23, 2017, 12:45:04 AM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: jd163 on February 23, 2017, 12:47:20 AM
IJC posted videos of the range and confirmed that they are made by James in yorkshire.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: adb club cricketer on February 23, 2017, 01:26:14 AM
Hammer cricket has pretty much gone off the rails after possible ownership change. Last I checked on Instagram .. Hammer bats are now made by SS apparently.

So Jason no longer owns the hammer brand? Last time I talked to him, I wanted a UK made Hammer bat which he didn't have in stock but he was getting a bunch of indian made hammer bats. He seemed to suggest that the Indian made bats he was getting were equal or even better than the UK made bat I asked for.  For comparison, they were the same price.

Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: jd163 on February 23, 2017, 02:40:41 AM
So Jason no longer owns the hammer brand? Last time I talked to him, I wanted a UK made Hammer bat which he didn't have in stock but he was getting a bunch of indian made hammer bats. He seemed to suggest that the Indian made bats he was getting were equal or even better than the UK made bat I asked for.  For comparison, they were the same price.

News is that Jason has sold the business to New jersey based retailer ..He is still doing video reviews and they are using his email so regular cricketstoreonline customer dont leave. Jason is very good when it comes to customer service.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Woodyspin on February 23, 2017, 07:01:18 AM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told

Surely though wjen coming up with a brand name you say to yourself... "I wonder if its out there somewhere? Oh yeah in australia, we will have to think again!" Not "(No Swearing Please) the aussies! We will do it anyway"?

Just my view on it
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Neon Cricket on February 23, 2017, 07:33:25 AM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told

Lol naivety at it's best - would be extremely simple for the AUS brand to get them closed down/impeached

If it was that easy, what would be stopping someone open up a UK version of Laver & Wood?? I might just set up a Hammer Cricket UK whilst I'm at it!

"1. Does the business claiming infringement operate in the same industry as your business?  Remember that trademark's guiding principle is "do not confuse the consumer." One of the factors courts look at to determine likelihood of customer confusion is whether the two businesses are in the same industry, regardless of location."

Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: FattusCattus on February 23, 2017, 08:08:01 AM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told

I'm intrigued (and have absolutely no agenda here) - are Viking UK a proper company with multiple employees and a premises dedicated to this particular business? I always perk up when someone dismisses someone else as a 'one man band' when there are so many cricket brands popping up regularly which are disparaged as 'bedroom sticker up brands'.

What for instance separates Viking UK from the dozens of other small brands out there, often run by a single person or two guys, who buy their bats from a maker and sticker them up?

Just curious?
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Biggie Smalls on February 23, 2017, 10:38:49 AM
Seen Viking gloves on ebay , look nice . Although logo reminds me too much of Canberra Raiders !  :) ;)


I was confused too ! The gloves i saw were the aussie Viking brand . According to their instagram they were est 2014 , so were around long enough for Viking u.k to know about ( if they had looked I'm sure they would have discovered it ) ?
For me the logo's are too similar aswell , it's not lke an s.s u.k vs s.s india  where the logo's and full brand name are different  , this case sits a bit uncomfortably with me t.b.h.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: GDP1964 on February 23, 2017, 10:51:55 AM
There kit looks good it doesn't matter who they are where they are they getting great exposure on here 😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: sultanofswing on February 23, 2017, 11:45:05 AM
As far as I know one guy who owns it plus the batmaker he sources from. In his garage
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Tom on February 23, 2017, 11:59:38 AM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told
Nothing they can do because Viking Cricket UK was set-up in 2016, whereas the earlier, Australian, Viking brand was set-up in 2013.

Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on February 23, 2017, 01:42:19 PM
Just looked at the website and every range is Grade 1 willow. Opens up a cans of worms I know but no one can buy just G1 willow so it's internal grading again which means I would guess in simple terms "if we tell a punter everything is grade 1 we can sell lower grades at a mark up' he'll everyone thinks G1 plays better than G2,G3 etc"

Personally nothing new or great about them. pricing in today's terms is sensible I guess
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: iand123 on February 23, 2017, 01:54:34 PM
@Woodyspin I've spoken to the guys behind Viking in the UK, and he has in turn spoken to his lawyer. The Aussie version is apparently a one-man band, and UK Viking's lawyer has advised there's little they can do.

They are aware of the AUS based company, but little to do I'm told

Chris you might want to have a word with them about their stockists page on the website, text regarding IJC under IJC and cricket asylum - https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk/stockists/ (https://www.vikingcricket.co.uk/stockists/)
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: The Cricket Boutique on February 23, 2017, 02:49:30 PM
Just looked at the website and every range is Grade 1 willow. Opens up a cans of worms I know but no one can buy just G1 willow so it's internal grading again which means I would guess in simple terms "if we tell a punter everything is grade 1 we can sell lower grades at a mark up' he'll everyone thinks G1 plays better than G2,G3 etc"

Personally nothing new or great about them. pricing in today's terms is sensible I guess

Im not sticking up for them as we have no invested interest however only supplying G1 bats is fairly easy. When they ask for their stock from their supplier they just ask for only grade 1.

Its the same when you order a bat and ask for a specific grade, that's what you should get.

I get they have different levels of grade 1 but again this seems to be common place now and in all fairness to them they have put a description of each of the range on the site so its up to the customer if they want to pay a bit more for a bat that looks nicer or not.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: roco on February 23, 2017, 03:00:38 PM
seems to say all g1 but the levels increase with grains
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Neon Cricket on February 23, 2017, 03:07:18 PM
I'd agree with @TCB on this - for example, if I only wanted to order G1 bats I wouldn't have any issues (this is largely the case too).

I still don't agree with having 3 different grades of grade 1 though

Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on February 23, 2017, 03:24:45 PM
I'd agree with @TCB on this - for example, if I only wanted to order G1 bats I wouldn't have any issues (this is largely the case too).

I still don't agree with having 3 different grades of grade 1 though

I get what your both saying. I only know what I know from when I was at Salix which is 3 years ago now. G1 is G1 from Wrights for example and we couldn't ask Wrights for just G1. Kenner has to order x number of G2 and G3 bats to be able to order x number of G1 bats. And as far as I know that's still the case for the main willow merchants. If Viking can just get G1 clefts from Jedi and they are prepared to only sell from there cleft range to Viking than I guess you can. My point is still a G1 is just that not 3 ranges of a certain Grade. Maybe I'm wrong or out of date
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Vitas Cricket on February 23, 2017, 03:40:36 PM
I'd imagine like many of these brands who operate in small numbers, many batmakers are OK to supply them with 5 bats here, 10 bats there.

Try to order 100 G1 bats and nothing else and you'll probably struggle.
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Andythomo21 on February 23, 2017, 06:40:18 PM
I get what your both saying. I only know what I know from when I was at Salix which is 3 years ago now. G1 is G1 from Wrights for example and we couldn't ask Wrights for just G1. Kenner has to order x number of G2 and G3 bats to be able to order x number of G1 bats. And as far as I know that's still the case for the main willow merchants. If Viking can just get G1 clefts from Jedi and they are prepared to only sell from there cleft range to Viking than I guess you can. My point is still a G1 is just that not 3 ranges of a certain Grade. Maybe I'm wrong or out of date

Think you have to order a cross-section of grades from a willow merchant, but Viking obviously have an agreement to only take grade 1 from their bat maker, James (Jedi).
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Viking Cricket on February 23, 2017, 07:09:50 PM
Hi All,

We have been made aware of the confusion around Viking cricket and will try to clear a few things up.
We started planning Viking Cricket about 18 months ago although our plans had been around for much longer and we launched about 12 months ago.
We had bought a few bats from Jason at Hammer for local cricketers after they had seen my sons bat but were never going to be Distributors or anything like that.

We spoke to Jason about his future plans and without going into detail he had no issue with what we were planning, we discussed brand names etc as you would expect i cant go into more detail.
We are in the process of working with Viking Australia and have a very good relationship, we are hoping to both be under one Brand soon and again i cant say more just yet but it will be a very exciting time for both the UK and Australia.
Finally our bat maker is James Dollive who we choose to work after speaking to various people and visiting suppliers.

I understand we will have people who like what we are about and like anything in life people who don't.
We feel we have experience as ex players, an ECB Level 2 coach and parents of cricketers along with a bat maker with over 20 years experience who is well respected to offer a great products at good prices.
I am sure you will agree we have been open and honest on our website and named where our bats are made and by who, I am not sure everybody does that these days.

We have already worked with the local community to help a number of projects like the Cricket Asylum foundation, Given some bats to KECC who were burgled for the 14th time last year and a couple of other projects.

I hope that gives a little more info about us and please feel free to contact us if needed, however we wont be regulars on the forum but we thank all of you for the interest in Viking Cricket.
We have a website, telephone numbers and e-mail should anyone have any questions.
Best Wishes
Team Viking
Title: Re: Viking cricket
Post by: Yorkershire on March 03, 2017, 05:18:43 PM
Great choice to use James! Quality... not always been keen on the JEDI stickers, so nice to know I can get a bat by James with different stickers.

Who makes Bear bats, are they also made by James?