Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => blankbats.co.uk => Topic started by: jamesisapayne on January 05, 2018, 10:06:48 PM
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I've always loved the idea of using a nice, big short blade/long handle bat like Black Cat joker or similar during a game and after seeing the IJC review on Youtube for the Blank Bats B20 I got in touch with Tai about getting hold of one - I've owned both a Newbery Uzi and a TT over the years and actually find the longer handle short blade setup really easy to play with.
I spoke on the phone with him about bats for quite a while - he seems a really passionate, knowledgable guy and after discussing what sort of specs I'm looking for like handle shape, pickup, weight range etc and him sending me a couple of images this little beauty arrived in the post a couple of days later.
When I took it out of the box I was gobsmacked and not just how big this thing is, but how beautiful it is - the finishing is stunning and the quality of the timber is top class.
It's got 15 straight grains that go straight through the bat with half of the heartwood on the inside edge for me.
Weighing 2.12 on the nose including scuff and double thickness chevron, the pickup really is superb - I know a lot of people do like to use the whole 'it picks up much lighter than it's weight' line but it's definitely true with this bat - Both of the Newbery short blade bats I've had before have picked up brilliantly too.
The handle is a reassuringly full oval, none of this skinny round nonsense - it's a proper handle without a hint of a GN Demi-God's medical tape in sight.
The pictures don't do it justice - the thing is a massive piece of wood with 45mm edges, 25mm toe and 18mm shoulders - the concaving is minimal and just like the Newbery Blitz this spine isn't very big at all - 58-59mm but the playing area is simply huge and the ping is first class - have just started knocking in with a mallet and I'm seriously excited about using this bat this season, the confidence just looking down at this thing when tapping up is awesome.
After a couple of seasons of not really doing myself justice and getting out playing some half hearted shots I'm hoping this bat is going to give me the boost to get out there and just play my shots properly - it's not a nudging/nurdling bat, it's a see-ball hit-ball bat and I think that's just what I need.
Anyone looking for a t20 bat or simply a big bat to smash the ball around - you won't go wrong with one of these, and Tai's a top guy to deal with. Always nice to deal with people who have passion for bats as much as us ;)
Pics below as legally required by forum law!
(https://preview.ibb.co/goqKGb/IMG_20180105_204255.jpg) (https://ibb.co/e7Xo9w)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dc6tbb/IMG_20180105_204304.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mrvVNG)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dT2uhG/IMG_20180105_204410.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bXHS2G)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cNSibb/IMG_20180105_204420.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ieoBUw)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mLxANG/IMG_20180105_204437.jpg) (https://ibb.co/knNc2G)
(https://preview.ibb.co/c6so9w/IMG_20180105_204518.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jYPeGb)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gsU1Uw/IMG_20180105_204527.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iBNMUw)
(https://preview.ibb.co/djgn2G/IMG_20180105_204534.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i8kEhG)
(https://preview.ibb.co/buQEhG/IMG_20180105_204548.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nhZ72G)
(https://preview.ibb.co/ey8Obb/IMG_20180105_204617.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jEVrUw)
(https://preview.ibb.co/h7LEhG/IMG_20180105_204714.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j35fNG)
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Beast.
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I like the sloping shoulders and traditional toe. How much shorter is the blade than a more traditional bat? Only T20 or a league bat too?
I will be watching your league performances this year. No pressure.
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Thanks James, it's only 2 inches shorter to the bottom of the shoulders but because they slope it looks a lot more.
I'll be using it for everything.
I will be watching your league performances this year. No pressure.
Blimey, under the microscope now!!
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Great review and what a fantastic looking stick - please can you update the thread in the future once you've got going with it
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Blimey, under the microscope now!!
You will be playing my former club. It will be interesting to see how it pans out. You were hitting it well enough at the Wurzels' nets.
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Beast.
Not sure if you're talking about me or the bat there @Buzz :)
You will be playing my former club. It will be interesting to see how it pans out. You were hitting it well enough at the Wurzels' nets.
Ah yes the semi pro's of Trull ;)
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Semi pros is stretching it but 1/2 a team of WEPL players is fair. Nice guys, a lovely batting track and small ground. The league's worst tea is guaranteed.
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Semi pros is stretching it but 1/2 a team of WEPL players is fair. Nice guys, a lovely batting track and small ground. The league's worst tea is guaranteed.
I've played there before mate it's a cracking ground - I was at the other end when @t2ylo decided to hole out on 198 ;)
Worst teas award definitely goes to Bagborough a few years ago when we had a multipack of crisps to share and some limp cheese sandwiches.
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Beautiful stick. I am using mine in nets & loving it. Cannot go wrong with a BB bat.
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I've played there before mate it's a cracking ground - I was at the other end when @t2ylo decided to hole out on 198 ;)
If only you had told me how many I was on... still not forgiven u ;-)
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Great review and what a fantastic looking stick - please can you update the thread in the future once you've got going with it
Definitely @Ams4287 - nets start at the end of the month I think so cannot wait to start using it. Will post an update for you .
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Beauty!!
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What Tushar said.
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I lurve these, lurve the shoulders and the shape - reminds me a little bit of a Joker.
It's sexy
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I lurve these, lurve the shoulders and the shape - reminds me a little bit of a Joker.
Part of the reason I went for it @FattusCattus - Always had a secret hankering for a joker but they're rare as hens teeth used and silly money new.
Sexy indeed - may have a net booked for Sunday so will have to get it knocked in for a little dabble :)
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I absolutely love the look of this and definitely want one! Is this a top of the range grade? Need to work out how many other bats to sell. I’ve just bought a Bb thigh pad off eBay be rude not to get a matching bat. Had a bulldog t20 bat that I loved but it only lasted a few weeks but my goodness the ball went off it.
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Can't recommend one enough @pablomarmite - not only are they great fun they're also serious bats. The pickup is brilliant, the ping is seriously good and makes a lovely mellow thump. The ball just melts out of the middle which is pretty much all over as you'd expect with the amount of mass the bat has.
Mine has been graded down to a players grade because of the heartwood but with 15 straight grains running straight through the bat and a lovely pickup it could easily qualify as a higher grade.
I promise you won't be sorry for getting one!
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How much are these @jamesisapayne - do they come in different grades, or is it one price fits all?
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I’ve just picked up one on eBay. Think it is grade 3 but 8 grains taps up unbelievably. There were two grips on it and comes in at 2lb 11.5oz. Edge at biggest point 46mm. I keep walking around house swinging it with my gloves on.
I got it for £110 including postage practically unused. I’m in love with my thigh pad too. I’ve never been a FKW but so tempted to get another bat bag gloves and pads. I’m such a quality player I might get sponsorship like lol!
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How much are these @jamesisapayne - do they come in different grades, or is it one price fits all?
Just over £200 for the players grade Fattus - Absolute stonker of a bat.
You can see the prices on the Blank Bats website at https://www.blankbats.co.uk/shop/bats/b20-bat/ (https://www.blankbats.co.uk/shop/bats/b20-bat/)
I'd give Tai a call though if you're after something specific, I'm sure he can sort you out with whatever you're after specs wise.
I’ve just picked up one on eBay. Think it is grade 3 but 8 grains taps up unbelievably. There were two grips on it and comes in at 2lb 11.5oz. Edge at biggest point 46mm. I keep walking around house swinging it with my gloves on.
I got it for £110 including postage practically unused. I’m in love with my thigh pad too. I’ve never been a FKW but so tempted to get another bat bag gloves and pads. I’m such a quality player I might get sponsorship like lol!
Ha ha I know what you mean - I went for one of the new BB duffles too as I like the kit so much. Something about the minimal branding that I just love.
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@jamesisapayne Your bat is players grade! Wow it looks class. I always regret not buying the blank bats morrant style pads when they had them. I would be worried that I wouldn’t get on with the 3 strap pads now but I love the look of them.
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Wow!! That looks class in with the black minimal stickers and the black grip! Looks like the bat means business! :D
I guess its the sloping shoulders which are making the blade look a lot smaller than it actually is. It would have been great if you could have posted a pic of the bat alongside a regular one as comparison.
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(https://s13.postimg.org/85pfwvj83/38_EE97_D2-_D8_B9-4_EA4-_BDE3-_C04370074274.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/85pfwvj83/)
(https://s13.postimg.org/an1740l37/E7_E27_B06-34_A5-4_B06-866_F-_AEA801_CEC474.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/an1740l37/)
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Thanks @pablomarmite - as I said in my initial post the sloped shoulders make the handle look longer than it is. It's only about 1.5" really.
Handle shape and blade length still encourage you to play proper shots.
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(https://s13.postimg.org/85pfwvj83/38_EE97_D2-_D8_B9-4_EA4-_BDE3-_C04370074274.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/85pfwvj83/)
(https://s13.postimg.org/an1740l37/E7_E27_B06-34_A5-4_B06-866_F-_AEA801_CEC474.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/an1740l37/)
oooh - I'm feeling that. Good snaffle 2nd hand that!
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Thanks for sharing! The B20 could definitely be used both in T20 and 45 overs format!
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I will be using in longer format cricket. Anyone who knows me will know I’m not a slogger of any description so will be playing proper front foot defensives with it!
Yes FattusCattus I’m pleased with the purchase hardly any use in my opinion. Nets start next week can’t wait!
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Just wondering...how are you getting on with the bat? Have you used it a 45-50 over game? Would be great if you can share your feedback.
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Who makes this B20? Keeley?
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I played in a vets game on Sunday (as a batsman - hahahahaha!!). I only scored a quick 20 in a rather fruitless chase, but oh my GOD! These things are f***ing weapons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hit a cover-drive for a one-bounce 4, a couple of moos and an off-drive right out of the middle and they all went like bullets. I can confirm that the outside edge can also get some distance too :)
I may be in love!