Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: BatGoonMcClintock on September 21, 2017, 06:18:20 PM
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I used the downtime since the official season end to indulge my batlust and acquired me a few more new sticks. I'm up to 7 now with a T20 model being made by Red Ink Cricket. Circumstances have forced me to stop at 9 for now with the acquisition of a Hulk profile Blank Bats whenever one becomes available.
PHANTOM CRICKET - ILLUSION
Model - Phantom Illusion in the LE full/convex shape
Grade - Grade 3 Willow or what Phantom terms Performance grade
Weight - 2lb 10.8oz (without anti-scuff sheet and
Handle Length - Short Handle
Blade Length - Standard
Handle Shape - Oval bottom hand
Profile - SUPER (light concave)
Sweet Spot - Low/mid Sweet spot
I acquired this via It's Just Cricket. It's very clean for a Grade 3 but has only 6 grains. A very big profile for its weight and picks up lighter than its weight. Taps up very nicely and has been knocked in by IJC who have added an anti-scuff sheet and edge tape (IJC used this bat as a prop in a recent video on how to apply an anti-scuff sheet). I will pick up this bat from IJC tomorrow and hopefully have a net with it Saturday morning ahead of Saturday's game.
(https://preview.ibb.co/kQ5HW5/IMG_0603.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i6CxW5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iJk4dk/IMG_0604.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mFDCW5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gXHpB5/IMG_0605.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b8CNW5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hzRSyk/IMG_0606.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncD7yk)
XX CRICKET - KUMBA
Model - KUMBA
Grade - Grade 2 Willow or what XX terms COUNTY grade
Weight - 2lb 10oz fully dressed with anti-scuff sheet
Handle Length - Short Handle
Blade Length - 0.5 inch shorter blade
Handle Shape - Thin Oval which I surprisingly liked a lot, very manoeuvrable in my shadow practice
Profile - full profile with very minimal concaving
Sweet Spot - Low/mid Sweet spot
Other specs - 38mm edge, 62mm spine, 22mm toe and 14mm shoulder, rounded toe that is angled to sit nicely in the stance stop feathering
Nice touch - My initials engraved on the shoulder and free bat cover.
I had seen a few reviews of the XX bats on IJC's youtube channel. By chance, when I was browsing XX's twitter page, I found that they had a sale on the KUMBA gear including the bats. So I called David of XX cricket and worked out some specs and ordered a bat.
I must commend David for his exceptional customer service. The first bat was made and shipped to me within 3 days of making payment, David offered me a selection of clefts and kept me appraised throughout the process. It turned out that David had accidentally made me a full length bat instead of the 0.5 inch shorter blade I asked for. We had a chat and he immediately offered to make me another bat.
The second time, it took slightly longer as he got quite busy with the Lord's trade show, etc. but again, he kept me appraised of the progress and was always courteous when I enquired about anything or repeated my specs. Another selection of clefts was offered (and thanks to you guys, I selected one with heartwood). I got the finished product today after asking David to delay dispatch to a day when I would be at home and could arrange to send the original bat back with the courier.
The bat is an absolute belter. It picks up nice, has a very nice oval thin handle which I'm hoping will allow for some deft and manoeuverable batting. I had a few taps on the mallet and it feels very good all along the blade. It was made to within 0.5oz of the desired weight. Some others here have raved about the performance of David's bats and I'm hoping mine isn't an exception to this norm. Taking it in tomorrow to IJC for knocking in.
If you want a fantastic and personal customer service, I cannot recommend David and XX Cricket highly enough.
JEDI CRICKET - CUSTOM SHAPE
Model - Custom, I requested a full profile of a Viking Bat that James Dollive makes for Viking Cricket but with a gradual duck bill toe.
Grade - Lowest Grade 1 Willow in their range or what JEDI terms ULTIMATE grade
Weight - 2lb 10.4oz (without anti-scuff sheet)
Handle Length - Short Handle
Blade Length - Standard
Handle Shape - Can't say if it's round or semi-oval, may have it altered to a more oval shape sometime later.
Profile - full/convex
Sweet Spot - Low/mid Sweet spot
Nice touch - Free bat cover.
I ordered this from JEDI via The Cricket Boutique. Since I asked for a custom shape, I had to go for their Grade 1 but at a very reasonable price, much lower than my other bat purchases. I requested a good performing cleft and selected one of two offered. I can confirm that JEDI make all their bats from scratch as I was offered unhandled clefts for selection. So for those looking for a genuine UK brand to support, here's one of them. I choose the cleft with the 7 dead straight grains in the playing area with a touch of heartwood (and some blemishes) in the right hander's inside edge.
The bat was shipped within 5 days though the time frame I was given was 2 weeks. I picked up the bat and it felt really light - my two other bats that I use in matches is a BB which weights 2lb 10.1oz and a Hunts which weighs 2lb 10.7oz and this definitely felt lighter. However, I was slightly disappointed in the handle not being more oval. It feels round though James says it's semi-round.
Then I weighted the bat and I was very surprised when my scale said 2lb 10.4oz, which again was a bit of a downer because it was 1oz higher than I had asked for. Then, out of curiousity, I smacked the bat with the mallet and the mallet nearly hit me in the face on the rebound. And the bat responded all the way to the stickers. Easily, admittedly in my inexperienced view, the most responsive of the bats I've got so far. So I decided to keep the bat and resolved to modify the handle later. This bat is also on the way to IJC for knocking in tomorrow.
James Dollive does make a good bat, the pick up and the mallet response are exceptional and can therefore overlook the other small stuff. It's no wonder that Viking and IJC use him to make their bats and perhaps other brands that I don't know of as well.
Can't wait to get my Red Ink T20 which should arrive next week (shorter blade, heavier bat at 2lb 12oz). I'm being coached over the winter to overcome some problems and limitations I have with my batting and I hope to put my new purchases to good use and establish a pecking order of sorts to use next season in games.
Unhandled JEDI cleft
(https://preview.ibb.co/bE20Jk/IMG_20170830_125749.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eSw5jQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/eOwKdk/IMG_0608.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jkH34Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/f8FHW5/IMG_0617.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hoZpdk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kU90jQ/IMG_0610.jpg) (https://ibb.co/duuBr5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/eJcLjQ/IMG_0611.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dk2mPQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/b8yAjQ/IMG_0612.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cQ8nW5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cFPSW5/IMG_0613.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hXmwPQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/h29cW5/IMG_0614.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j6b2yk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mHwfjQ/IMG_0615.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kjL6PQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bYu0jQ/IMG_0616.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j89pdk)
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@BatGoonMcClintock , that Phantom Illusion looks great for a grade 3! Let us know how it pings. Great find from IJC!
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Top post @BatGoonMcClintock , can advise the phantom is a FC Sohndi bat. As i have bought one., it's not a bad bat, but the XX bat will be a dream, David presses the bats really well!
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Great selection of bats, i'd be interested in how the Jedi goes. Been thinking about them for a while. Bat well!!!!!
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Phantom Illusion - Update
Fully knocked in by IJC and then scuffed with edge tape. First bat I've had knocked in by IJC and its certainly different from the previous shops I've used, with very visible dents all over the face. I like my bats bandaged pretty good, even new ones because of an earlier bat getting toe damage the first time I used it and damaged toes/edges aren't worth it. Nicely dented, ready for use. I'm planning on using it in the nets tomorrow before the game.
(https://preview.ibb.co/epV865/IMG_0618.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bWco65)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iWDNYk/IMG_0619.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b4gWR5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/buyBR5/IMG_0620.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mSg9Dk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kgDxYk/IMG_0621.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c6y9eQ)
@BatGoonMcClintock , that Phantom Illusion looks great for a grade 3! Let us know how it pings. Great find from IJC!
@InternalTraining Agreed, my guess is it was graded down because of only 5 grains. I suppose that's the benefit of handpicking. Will be using it against a bowling machine tomorrow and will report back.
Top post @BatGoonMcClintock , can advise the phantom is a FC Sohndi bat. As i have bought one., it's not a bad bat, but the XX bat will be a dream, David presses the bats really well!
@Churchy1989 I'm not sure you're right there, these Phantoms are made in Sussex by TK. I hope you're right about the XX, I've heard great things about David's bat making skills, latest to weigh in was IJC this morning when I dropped off the bat to get knocked in.
Great selection of bats, i'd be interested in how the Jedi goes. Been thinking about them for a while. Bat well!!!!!
@play-yourself-in I think you should pull the trigger and get the JEDI. Great VFM and the one I have has all the makings of a belter. The response of the mallet is better than the XX and the Phantom. My only tip is if you like your handles oval, stress that. Mine is round, if not, I think this would go straight to being my match bat for next season. It may still do if it performs as well in the nets after knocking in.
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Yes bats dent knocking in but they shouldn't end up looking like the face of the moon if you start in the middle and work the dents out to the edges building up the force over time. Looks like they just went bananas with a big ass mallet
@DorsetDan Hmm, I've seen other bats knocked in by IJC and they all look the same. This one for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KQXjNnW5s&t=371s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KQXjNnW5s&t=371s)
If it doesn't impact performance, I'm not too fussed. Better a bat that won't crack at the toes or edges. Having said that, if I can make it smoother, I will try though my mallet is not as heavy as the one they probably used to knock it in.
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How can anyone claim a bat looking like that is fully knocked in? It's clearly had some work but it's nowhere near finished.
The idea of knocking in is to start in the middle, then indent the face evenly all over. That looks like half a job at best to me!
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@Churchy1989 I'm not sure you're right there, these Phantoms are made in Sussex by TK.
I've been to the store, After spending a few quid he told me the performance bats G3, are from FC Sohndi. The G2 and G1's are TK.
You may have a TK G3 which would be a Dem model for shape, check the Cream thin binding, and the TK Thread.
If you paid under £150 then is a FCS.
Ive also seen a lot of the Phantom bats in the league mainly around the crawley area, they all sound like there broken...a few shots that go for 4 sound nice, but otherwise they do not sound great!.
Don't expect much. There good for the value but not like a real G1 bat from BB / Red ink / H4L / XX and other brands.
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How can anyone claim a bat looking like that is fully knocked in? It's clearly had some work but it's nowhere near finished.
The idea of knocking in is to start in the middle, then indent the face evenly all over. That looks like half a job at best to me!
Completely Agree Cam, you would not net with a bat if you did that yourself!
Lignum Vitae Mallet, hit all over the bat without knowledge, maybe @tom line could advise the Knocking in process?
@BatGoonMcClintock Would advise more knocking in until there are no dents!
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Completely Agree Cam, you would not net with a bat if you did that yourself!
Lignum Vitae Mallet, hit all over the bat without knowledge, maybe @tom line could advise the Knocking in process?
Although the pictures no longer work (damn photobucket!), @Gingerbusiness did a superb thread on knocking in
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0)
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There best thing might be to start from scratch and 'Pretend' the bat is not knocked in all. I've not seen a bat knocked like that apart from this thread. So I agree with Camelot too.
Done the right thing by taping it up and you can't go wrong with old balls for knocking in a bat. Having seen the other thread recently thou-the damaged GM bat in nets, can't stress enough rock hard balls and new bats don't gel at all
They really have to be good quality balls.
Looks a nice bat that one, even with the ' bumps' :)
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Thanks fellas. All things considered, the Phantom bat has had way more knocking in than my other bats. I usually finish knocking in the middle on a bowling machine and the edges and toe had been fine. Although these were a GM and a Dukes bat which I don't think are handmade and so perhaps pressed extra hard. My first experience of poor knocking in was when my BB B1 toe cracked at the edge of the toe in the first game. Had it repaired, taped, bashed it some more and it looks good now. My Hunts bat was also not knocked in properly, seam marks, jarring, etc. in my first game, so I've knocked it in some more by hand and have been using it in the nets against a bowling machine and it pings good and feels good now. Fortunately, no edge and toe damage on the Hunts.
I will use the Phantom in a bowling machine tomorrow morning for an hour. I think the bat is knocked in properly, just the finishing is a bit poor with the craters. I have been able to smooth it a bit with a mallet. Will bash the toe in a few times tomorrow morning and perhaps for 3-5 mins a day for a week. Hopefully, the middle will sort itself out over time against the bowling machine this winter and in the indoor nets. We use balls that are provided by our coach which are old match balls, so the odds of a hard ball in there is remote. However, I will check with the lads on what balls are being used before I bat. Would much rather sacrifice my Dukes or GM 606 than these handmade beauties.
I have requested IJC to smooth the XX and JEDI bats a bit after knocking them in. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or the patience or a patient missus or the skill to knock a bat in by hand from scratch.
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I've been to the store, After spending a few quid he told me the performance bats G3, are from FC Sohndi. The G2 and G1's are TK.
You may have a TK G3 which would be a Dem model for shape, check the Cream thin binding, and the TK Thread.
If you paid under £150 then is a FCS.
Ive also seen a lot of the Phantom bats in the league mainly around the crawley area, they all sound like there broken...a few shots that go for 4 sound nice, but otherwise they do not sound great!.
Don't expect much. There good for the value but not like a real G1 bat from BB / Red ink / H4L / XX and other brands.
@Churchy1989 Have a look at these pics....I could be mistaken but certainly seems like a TK bat to me, the binding and the shoulder contour. The finish looks like a UK handmade bat for sure, given I have a BB to compare it with. If it goes well, I wouldn't be bothered where it was made but I think it's worth asking the origin of the lower grade Phantoms for future reference.
(https://preview.ibb.co/mvBMb5/IMG_0622.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bGU7G5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/nrpJOk/IMG_0623.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nyXG9Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jqQEw5/IMG_0624.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dBvsik)
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I think the bat is knocked in properly, just the finishing is a bit poor with the craters. I have been able to smooth it a bit with a mallet.
I'm sorry but a bat covered in "craters" simply cannot be knocked in properly, and the fact you're able to smooth it with the mallet confirms this!
When the bat is properly knocked in the whole surface will be compressed equally so it will have a smooth finish and you won't be denting it further with a mallet.
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looking at the binding and shoulders I would say it is a TK, hope it goes well!
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We bought three club bats from IJC in 2016 knocked in, had free edge cracks thrown in and the faces all needed re working.
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I've been to the store, After spending a few quid he told me the performance bats G3, are from FC Sohndi. The G2 and G1's are TK.
You may have a TK G3 which would be a Dem model for shape, check the Cream thin binding, and the TK Thread.
If you paid under £150 then is a FCS.
Ive also seen a lot of the Phantom bats in the league mainly around the crawley area, they all sound like there broken...a few shots that go for 4 sound nice, but otherwise they do not sound great!.
Don't expect much. There good for the value but not like a real G1 bat from BB / Red ink / H4L / XX and other brands.
More fake facts!
I'm not sure when you think you've been to the store (we're not that big so I tend to remember individual customers), and I most certainly have never told you G3's are FCS bats!! Because they're not. Occasionally there is a very small batch of trial shapes from different suppliers, which are never claimed to be made from our regular bat maker!! and are sold at a different price point to UK made bats.
I am sure I still have the transcript from when you purchased one of the trial shapes via Twitter.
@BatGoonMcClintock I can confirm your bat is UK made. I hope you enjoy using it. If you have any questions I would be more than happy to answer them. I don't frequent this forum any more for the simple reason my comments above highlight. It a shame, it used to a good forum.
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I've been to the store, After spending a few quid he told me the performance bats G3, are from FC Sohndi. The G2 and G1's are TK.
You may have a TK G3 which would be a Dem model for shape, check the Cream thin binding, and the TK Thread.
If you paid under £150 then is a FCS.
Ive also seen a lot of the Phantom bats in the league mainly around the crawley area, they all sound like there broken...a few shots that go for 4 sound nice, but otherwise they do not sound great!.
Don't expect much. There good for the value but not like a real G1 bat from BB / Red ink / H4L / XX and other brands.
Not sure about this, all my Phantom Performance bats have been TK made... I believe I have like 4. All excellent bats!
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@BatGoonMcClintock I can confirm your bat is UK made. I hope you enjoy using it. If you have any questions I would be more than happy to answer them. I don't frequent this forum any more for the simple reason my comments above highlight. It a shame, it used to a good forum.
@EaglesCC Hi Aftab, thanks for your comment, I know it is UK made, no questions about the bat and I may yet pick up another Performance bat from IJC in the future. I used the Phantom in the nets today and can attest that it has a sweet, sweet middle, more likely because it has been knocked in properly by IJC. Perhaps the finishing of the knocking in wasn't perfect but the bat will only get better, hopefully. Great bats!
Not sure about this, all my Phantom Performance bats have been TK made... I believe I have like 4. All excellent bats!
@Chad I second that, had the first net session with mine today, was only against a bowling machine but I played front foot defensive shots and back foot punches and it feels great. Very sweet middle, will try out some drives next week. Hopefully it will just get better.
We bought three club bats from IJC in 2016 knocked in, had free edge cracks thrown in and the faces all needed re working.
Can't comment on this mate but I've had only great service from IJC so far. The bat was knocked in well, perhaps the finishing wasn't the best but I've requested them to finish the knocking in on the other bats more smoothly.
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First net outing with the JEDI - sounds very sweet off the Bola and ok with the cricket ball, still needs to be played in a bit but a couple off the middle travelled, shots not off the middle came off weakish...but looks very promising.
View My Video (http://tinypic.com/r/2upybls/9)
View My Video (http://tinypic.com/r/3004b6a/9)
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@EaglesCC I bought a Phantom Dark Edition from Aftab and have played both white and red ball cricket with it. I can confirm it is one of the best bats I have had (comparing with the likes of Affinity, CA, L&W etc.) It was meant to be a net bat to build muscle (2.16 with 50mm edges) but turned out to be my match bat for the season. Definitely recommend Phantom and the service from Aftab. Just waiting for a sub 2.14 50mm Phantom to nab for winter nets !! :o