Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: norman1979 on April 28, 2017, 08:58:21 PM

Title: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: norman1979 on April 28, 2017, 08:58:21 PM
I have a couple of bats at the moment SS Ton LE, Kookabura Recoil 750, GN Nemesis

In nets today, I used three bats from a team member and the balls were flying off the bat. Literally gun bats. He had 1 x BAS bat, one CA Baber Sher and one unbranded bat which was apparently a CA bat.

None of my bats fly like that and I asked him how gets him to be like that. He simply says he buys 2nd hand bats and gives them to everybody to use in Nets so that they open up :o

What am I missing here? Has anybody done this before? Maybe I'm missing a trick here. The BAS had 6 grains so not exactly a top grade bat but it absolutely went like anything I have ever used before.

If anybody has a gun bat going let me know. I'm gonna dump my SS for this season I think :(
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: KW9221 on April 28, 2017, 09:10:17 PM
Have you tried knocking them in? They take time to open up but once they do, you will realise it was worth it.
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on April 28, 2017, 09:11:30 PM
Half the issue on the forum is that people reject/sell/retire a bat before it's even half knocked in/opened up.

Like any girlfriend they all need to warm up a little before reaching their peek output 😁

Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: norman1979 on April 28, 2017, 09:26:28 PM
Both my SS and Nemis have been professionally knocked in

Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on April 28, 2017, 10:07:42 PM
Aaaaaaaaargh!!!!

Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on April 28, 2017, 10:14:04 PM
What does professionally knocked in mean? Unless it's been used in a net for 6-7 hours against actual cricket balls then I don't deem it properly knocked in as no machine can replicate this.

"Factory prepared" is one thing, knocking a bat in with a mallet by hand is another but even then it still needs further work in the nets against old balls, or bowling machine balls before working its way upto to being used in a game IMO.

We live in a world of wanting thing instantaneously which even when the best efforts have been made to fasttrack them sometimes you just need to bide your time and give it a chance.
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Biggie Smalls on April 29, 2017, 03:26:52 AM
A mate of mine swears by his method of applying two scuff sheets to a new bat after knocking in . He then goes hard at bowling machine practice until he feels the bat is openjng up . Then he takes off the outer scuff sheet and he ready to use it in a match . Sounds like it has merit , but I've not tried it ....yet .
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: wilkie113 on April 29, 2017, 05:31:00 AM
I always use a new bat for fielding drills or let the guy doing the fielding drills use it, do that and coupled with netting mine have al opened up wonderfully
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Australian fast bowler on April 29, 2017, 06:22:29 AM
A mate of mine swears by his method of applying two scuff sheets to a new bat after knocking in . He then goes hard at bowling machine practice until he feels the bat is openjng up . Then he takes off the outer scuff sheet and he ready to use it in a match . Sounds like it has merit , but I've not tried it ....yet .

Wouldnt the bowling machine use that early on void any warranty? the 2nd scuff sheet is kinda pointless in my opinion
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 29, 2017, 08:30:47 AM
I have a couple of bats at the moment SS Ton LE, Kookabura Recoil 750, GN Nemesis

In nets today, I used three bats from a team member and the balls were flying off the bat. Literally gun bats. He had 1 x BAS bat, one CA Baber Sher and one unbranded bat which was apparently a CA bat.

None of my bats fly like that and I asked him how gets him to be like that. He simply says he buys 2nd hand bats and gives them to everybody to use in Nets so that they open up :o

What am I missing here? Has anybody done this before? Maybe I'm missing a trick here. The BAS had 6 grains so not exactly a top grade bat but it absolutely went like anything I have ever used before.

If anybody has a gun bat going let me know. I'm gonna dump my SS for this season I think :(
they are second hand and  if they have been used  my guess is they have opened up prior to him buying them
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 29, 2017, 08:36:44 AM
Wouldnt the bowling machine use that early on void any warranty? the 2nd scuff sheet is kinda pointless in my opinion

Two scuffs might be good for  preventing wear and tear of the blade but i think It makes  a bat feel dead.
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Biggie Smalls on April 29, 2017, 09:21:11 AM
Not sure re warranties and bowling machine use , but i reckon using machine balls vs old leather balls would be comparable for the playing in phase . Re 2nd scuff making a bat feel dead , kinda doesn't matter when it would be taken off as soon as the playing in phase is completed ....  he just has has the 2nd one on during playing in phase as a bit of 'insurance'  , and to play the bat in a bit more gently , and so that when the bat is ready to be used in its first match it still looks newish . I think the idea has merit . I plan on trying eventually.
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Boondougal on April 29, 2017, 09:57:50 AM
interestingly when watching some of the Julien Millchamp videos on You tube he talked about a bat with a Scuff sheet not needing as much knocking in - he seemed to relate it too the fact that oiling a bat makes it softer...
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 29, 2017, 11:39:49 AM
interestingly when watching some of the Julien Millchamp videos on You tube he talked about a bat with a Scuff sheet not needing as much knocking in - he seemed to relate it too the fact that oiling a bat makes it softer...

Yes it sofens the fibres and to much oil clogs them up.
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on April 29, 2017, 08:45:17 PM
Yes it sofens the fibres and to much oil clogs them up.

Considering the amount of oil Julian Millichamp recommend you to use I don't think that's anything to worry about really!
4 generous coats smeared round with your fingers  :D
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Batoff on April 30, 2017, 03:23:00 PM
Never lend your bat out...
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on April 30, 2017, 05:40:54 PM
Agreed my brother broke mine last time in nets beyond repair through the toe.

Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 30, 2017, 05:44:32 PM
Considering the amount of oil Julian Millichamp recommend you to use I don't think that's anything to worry about really!
4 generous coats smeared round with your fingers  :D

Your right Cam it takes a lot of oil to ruin a bat
Once saw a guy soak his bat in bath of oil made me cringe
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Gurujames on April 30, 2017, 07:21:35 PM
Your right Cam it takes a lot of oil to ruin a bat
Once saw a guy soak his bat in bath of oil made me cringe
Wasn't WG grace famous for soaking his bats in linseed oil for months on end?
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: InternalTraining on May 01, 2017, 11:45:40 AM
There is a lot of conflicting information about oiling a bat. What is the correct way of oiling a bat before knocking and storage?
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Gurujames on May 01, 2017, 11:59:44 AM
In my experience of oiling timber the oil essentially sits on the surface of the timber and penetrates very little into the material itself.  I personally believe that over-oiling is a bit of a myth and it just makes attaching a scuff sheet harder.
I am open to being proven wrong though
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 01, 2017, 08:21:20 PM
There is a lot of conflicting information about oiling a bat. What is the correct way of oiling a bat before knocking and storage?

Take a look at Gingerbusiness knocking in process on here
Title: Re: Opening up a bat... an idea
Post by: brokenbat on May 01, 2017, 09:28:17 PM
Wasn't WG grace famous for soaking his bats in linseed oil for months on end?

Those bats were EXTREMELY hard pressed apparently. Built to last forever.