Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: FattusCattus on March 27, 2017, 07:47:50 PM

Title: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: FattusCattus on March 27, 2017, 07:47:50 PM
I'm interested in what we've used that's cheap and a bit tasty.

I'm sure there will be individual sticks that have exceeded expectations, but I'm interested in whether certain models or makers re-occur, or whether there is a pattern?

For instance, I have had 2 x 4* GN Vortex bats and both have been pingers. Also, an SS Master 5000 was a bit groovy.

By lower grade, I'm, thinking £125 and under (much under if possible), G2/3/4. You know, the plain chicks at the end of a party - Fugly, well-oiled and goers  :D

*** Actually, an honorable mention needs to be for the Malik Sher. I;m not sure that yoy can still get them for £125, but fantastic bats for the money - I wish you could still get them! ***
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: tom line on March 27, 2017, 07:54:28 PM
My Kook Bubble from sportsdirect, acquired from Hosk, it was an £11 stick. Sanded the bleach out of it turning it from an anaemic white to a lovely butterfly blade of 8 straight grains and a lovely stain in the middle of the face.
Northern used it in the last forum net I believe and liked it, and the ball seems to fly. I understand between a few of the southern net lads, they've had 5 or so of these that have all been butterfly's and gone well.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Woodyspin on March 27, 2017, 08:10:23 PM
Not as cheap as what Tom mentioned, but without bias, my Dunamis flies... a little over budget mind.

Are you looking for new or ebay bargain? In recent purchases i've noticed alot of my timing is due to profile shape i've decided to go for. Which goes against what i originally thought would suit me...that being a mid/low profile. Now changed to Mid profile on a long blade.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Alvaro on March 27, 2017, 08:41:19 PM
Red ink X3 custom from John
SS Heritage from the Dark Side (OLS)
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Maverick06 on March 27, 2017, 08:53:00 PM
SS Premium from OLS, BAS Commander
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Blazer on March 27, 2017, 09:01:28 PM
CA unbranded one for 30 new from ebay, with iron stains and wonky grains. Chopped the handle short and sanded it to a duckbill profile and it was good to bat with.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: StandUpKeeps on March 27, 2017, 09:04:23 PM
Took a punt on a couple of plain MSR bats a few years back as net bats, paid £50 for one and got the other for nothing but both truly flew and ended up using one as a match bat! Lasted a good season before breaking though!
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Northern monkey on March 27, 2017, 09:40:41 PM
My Kook Bubble from sportsdirect, acquired from Hosk, it was an £11 stick. Sanded the bleach out of it turning it from an anaemic white to a lovely butterfly blade of 8 straight grains and a lovely stain in the middle of the face.
Northern used it in the last forum net I believe and liked it, and the ball seems to fly. I understand between a few of the southern net lads, they've had 5 or so of these that have all been butterfly's and gone well.

Certainly worth a lot more than 11 quid
I would have been happy with the performance at any price point

I've seen some lovely grade two hell for leathers, but my biggest bargain was also my best match bat, which was my old Ace grade two.
Ace only did the two grades in those days
I think I paid 110 for it, and it lasted a good few seasons, I was gutted to find they had closed,when I went back for another
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Biggie Smalls on March 27, 2017, 09:44:51 PM
2 guys at my club have low grade c.a' ( one a plus 5000 , one a plus 8000 ) . Not all that ugly for lower grade mind . They both went well when i tried them. Very pingy , just not quite as nice looking or as big for the weight as my 15000s or big bangs .
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on March 27, 2017, 10:00:45 PM
I curreny have 3 sub £125 bats

GN Ultimate from Vitas, uk made and stunning high chance I'll
Start the season with it.

2x NB bats both DC580 and TC560 one from
lords shop and one from Mr Cricket both stunners in looks and ping
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Righthand on March 28, 2017, 01:52:55 PM
MB Sher -  incredible ping
SS Heritage - great allround bat for its price
SG Siera 250 - fantastic full shape and great middle
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: mvclayton on March 28, 2017, 03:29:32 PM
I got my first 50 with a CA somo that cost £40 new, I used to think they were unbelievable value for money!

Best bat I have ever had was a GM Icon 606 F2 £99, I wish GM would bring it back as a profile. To me it just had everything.

I currently have a GM Kaha 606 that has been very promising in a few nets. £112.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Gurujames on March 28, 2017, 03:50:00 PM
I value your opinion. I think you've had more bats than most people
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: SwingAndMiss on March 28, 2017, 05:00:12 PM
GN Xiphos 4 star, paid £100 for it, was an absolute rocket
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: jd163 on March 28, 2017, 05:55:18 PM
The best so far was a AS V3 for 50 gbp. Scored couple of half centuries & our Team opener made a century.

CA 5000 are also great value for the money. 65 gbp will get you a very good looking bat which pings pretty much same as top level CA15K.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: springbok45 on March 28, 2017, 06:45:02 PM
Of my current collection, my £70 ebay RK custom is fantastic the ball just flies, my £100 eBay Hell 4 Leather Tempo G1 sounds and feels great of the mallet.
The best ever would be my old Slazenger V500 amourweb that cost me a princely £32 from Tony Pryce sports in Yeovil, an absolute cannon the ball just disappeared from the gentlest caress.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: LateBloomer on March 28, 2017, 06:50:30 PM
Blank bats net bat from a year or 2 back was the best bat i have had within that budget. Performance was as good as anything Ive had
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: JB on March 28, 2017, 07:01:39 PM
@smilley792 's B3 1 stripe Mullinator, absolute cannon
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Manormanic on March 28, 2017, 07:11:46 PM
I'm interested in what we've used that's cheap and a bit tasty.

I'm sure there will be individual sticks that have exceeded expectations, but I'm interested in whether certain models or makers re-occur, or whether there is a pattern?

For instance, I have had 2 x 4* GN Vortex bats and both have been pingers. Also, an SS Master 5000 was a bit groovy.

By lower grade, I'm, thinking £125 and under (much under if possible), G2/3/4. You know, the plain chicks at the end of a party - Fugly, well-oiled and goers  :D

*** Actually, an honorable mention needs to be for the Malik Sher. I;m not sure that yoy can still get them for £125, but fantastic bats for the money - I wish you could still get them! ***

Its going back a bit, but I bought one of teh first generation Powerbows, think it was 4* or 5*, for £130 - only five grains, wobblier than @uknsaunders seamers but wow, it flew.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Turn Of Pace on March 28, 2017, 07:25:27 PM
I got an Aldred Velocity butterfly for £115 when he first started doing them a few years back. It's not the best bat I've ever used...but it ain't far off. Stunning value for money.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Byo on March 28, 2017, 08:36:44 PM
A few years ago but the best I've had is a GM Hero 808, still going strong and is my back up bat.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: csnew on March 28, 2017, 11:26:39 PM
Got scammed on eBay (before I joined this forum) with a stickered up hammer bat.
Paid £70 and 2500 runs  later it's still going - coming to its last legs.

Wish I knew who the real bat maker was!
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Kulli on March 29, 2017, 05:25:04 AM
Got scammed on eBay (before I joined this forum) with a stickered up hammer bat.
Paid £70 and 2500 runs  later it's still going - coming to its last legs.

Wish I knew who the real bat maker was!

I'm sure someone one here can tell you if you really want to know.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: csnew on March 29, 2017, 09:29:30 AM
I'm sure someone one here can tell you if you really want to know.

Thanks - will post a few shots once I get home
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Boondougal on March 29, 2017, 09:43:17 AM
Another shout for my red ink x3... again not the best performer I have but a great stick that certainly pings.... people in the nets are always saying how nice it sounds.

Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Kulli on March 29, 2017, 09:59:43 AM
CA 5000's all the way.

Bought one that was a reasonable looker (Low Grade 1 good grade 2ish barring some slight specks) on eBay for a song a few years ago, been my match bat ever since. Got a real looker from @Uzi Sports  via @simonmay5 over the winter that will be my match bat this summer.

Both look decent and go better, which is not too shabby for 120

Bat 1
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/kullibino/IMG_64411_zpsrcyrxzzp.jpg)

Bat 2

(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/Simonalfie5/image_zpsvydjvamh.jpeg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Simonalfie5/media/image_zpsvydjvamh.jpeg.html)

Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: alexhilly1492 on March 29, 2017, 10:34:37 AM
Had a Slazenger sxi classic the entry level one but it absolutely flew went like a train until it snapped after a season! Still not had a bat I enjoyed as much as that one!
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: LcWoodward on March 29, 2017, 10:37:48 AM
I curreny have 3 sub £125 bats

GN Ultimate from Vitas, uk made and stunning high chance I'll
Start the season with it.

2x NB bats both DC580 and TC560 one from
lords shop and one from Mr Cricket both stunners in looks and ping

I Had a DC580 last year and it went cost me under 100. Ended up selling it to one of the lads from the club when I decided to buy a new bat for 50.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: tim2000s on March 29, 2017, 11:35:00 AM
My Long Blade Hunts County Turbo Revolution Butterfly. It's been marvellous, was custom made, and cost £100 through Vitas. Proper bargain.
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: ex-flamingo on March 30, 2017, 06:30:55 AM
Probably a blank bat i brought for about 20 NZD (11.29 pounds) from some dodgy sports shop in melbourne
Put some MRF stickers and a new grip on it, never even knocked it in, and its still being used every day in our school nets 2 years later (even tho its too small lol)
Still has great ping and no cracks
Also my kahuna was about 80 pounds, this still goes well
Both have about 9 grains across the face with some imperfections ie heartwods, some unstraight grains etc, what grade willow would they be?
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: t2ylo on March 30, 2017, 06:44:37 AM
Hunts County Mettle - I had a few of these through the years and each went like a train.
Funny marks on the front loads from knocking in I think, thick edge tape but lovely weight and shape and really lasted...
Damn I want another now
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: Chmaiden on March 31, 2017, 04:51:38 PM
i have an RNS Larsons that is supposed to be a grade 3 from 10 years ago....not only a thing of beauty, but still has a great middle
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: langer17 on March 31, 2017, 05:08:47 PM
My Ton Superior edition is very good for a G3
Title: Re: What's the best performing low-grade stick you've come across?
Post by: sanredrose on April 01, 2017, 05:59:09 PM
SS butterfly willow is my choice. Extremely good performer in all weather conditions!