Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 01:38:01 PM

Title: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 01:38:01 PM
After a new bat - I have around £250-£300 to spend. Preferably want a bat I can go and choose from the bat maker/company. I am based in South Wales - also want a brand I can rely on for a couple of years - fed up of changing kit every year to a different company.

Current bats - G&M Chrome LE / G&M Mana LE

Looking for a bat with a full profile, top grade willow, thick handle, nice pick up - weighing around 2lb 9oz-11oz.  Sweet spot has to be low-mid, like driving the ball on the front foot

Ideas needed, willing to travel 2 hours
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Buzz on January 23, 2018, 01:44:27 PM
Go and visit Tai at @Blank Bats he is pretty close to you. You could get an amazing bat for that budget.

Or speak to any of our sponsors.  In range would be Uzi sports, Six sixes, Ayrtek and a few others.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 01:48:19 PM
Go and visit Tai at @Blank Bats he is pretty close to you. You could get an amazing bat for that budget.

Or speak to any of our sponsors.  In range would be Uzi sports, Six sixes, Ayrtek and a few others.

Preferably want a brand, rather than a retailer. I'll take a look at Blank Bats - not to sure what there softs look like. Bit of a kit badger, all protection has to be same make as bat.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: petehosk on January 23, 2018, 01:48:36 PM
After a new bat - I have around £250-£300 to spend. Preferably want a bat I can go and choose from the bat maker/company. I am based in South Wales - also want a brand I can rely on for a couple of years - fed up of changing kit every year to a different company.

Current bats - G&M Chrome LE / G&M Mana LE

Looking for a bat with a full profile, top grade willow, thick handle, nice pick up - weighing around 2lb 9oz-11oz.  Sweet spot has to be low-mid, like driving the ball on the front foot

Ideas needed, willing to travel 2 hours

Congratultions! You certainly came to the right place!  :D
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Churchy1989 on January 23, 2018, 01:49:54 PM
Agree with buzz. Message Tai on WhatsApp which is on his website at the top. He sorted be out a a great bat with lots of ping.

His softs are also very nice.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 01:51:51 PM
Has anyone had personal experience with Blank Bats in terms of quality of bats, durability and pressing etc?

Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on January 23, 2018, 02:08:29 PM
As a retailer, we stock many brands  ;)

We're Based in Bristol so not far away depending on where in S.Wales you are.

Also another option, if you wanted to visit, chat cricket, choose a cleft and have a bat made, Then we can arrange a visit to Chase cricket, they are around 90mins from us
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Uzi Sports on January 23, 2018, 02:17:12 PM
After a new bat - I have around £250-£300 to spend. Preferably want a bat I can go and choose from the bat maker/company. I am based in South Wales - also want a brand I can rely on for a couple of years - fed up of changing kit every year to a different company.

Current bats - G&M Chrome LE / G&M Mana LE

Looking for a bat with a full profile, top grade willow, thick handle, nice pick up - weighing around 2lb 9oz-11oz.  Sweet spot has to be low-mid, like driving the ball on the front foot

Ideas needed, willing to travel 2 hours


You can visit us, we have hand picked most of the stock we carry. You will be surprised to see how much stock we carry.
we have our own brand Uzi which we we do in 3 shapes, more info on our web site. all bats are UK made.
http://uzisports.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65_77_120 (http://uzisports.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65_77_120)
We also have Keeley range as well as Salix which are made in UK.
We are open both Sat and Sunday if you want to visit. Plenty of Free parking.
Any questions Plz email or DM
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 23, 2018, 02:35:35 PM
You won't beat going with any of the forum Sponsers and some like Neon will give you a discount
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 03:48:48 PM
You won't beat going with any of the forum Sponsers and some like Neon will give you a discount

Where are neon based?
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: FattusCattus on January 23, 2018, 04:13:37 PM
@Neon Cricket  - I think he is somewhere in the west country now?  He was definitely crunching carrots last time I saw him.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: JB on January 23, 2018, 04:37:01 PM
Has anyone had personal experience with Blank Bats in terms of quality of bats, durability and pressing etc?

You'd get a lovely hulk profile with that budget
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: richthekeeper on January 23, 2018, 04:39:06 PM
Welshman here - who do you play for?

I've used Tai in the past and his BlankBats are great value. Love his softs as well, thumbs up from me. Used to run his business from his house in Roath, Cardiff, not sure if that's still the case.

Fatbats are based in Caldicot and a number of my former teammates in the local leagues use their bats. I can't vouch for their softs but I'm sure you can check them out if you pay them a visit.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: JB on January 23, 2018, 04:40:27 PM
You can visit us, we have hand picked most of the stock we carry. You will be surprised to see how much stock we carry.
we have our own brand Uzi which we we do in 3 shapes, more info on our web site. all bats are UK made.
[url]http://uzisports.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65_77_120[/url] ([url]http://uzisports.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65_77_120[/url])
We also have Keeley range as well as Salix which are made in UK.
We are open both Sat and Sunday if you want to visit. Plenty of Free parking.
Any questions Plz email or DM


Asad makes a nice cup of tea as well!!   ;)
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: The Doctor on January 23, 2018, 04:57:00 PM
After a new bat - I have around £250-£300 to spend. Preferably want a bat I can go and choose from the bat maker/company. I am based in South Wales - also want a brand I can rely on for a couple of years - fed up of changing kit every year to a different company.

Current bats - G&M Chrome LE / G&M Mana LE

Looking for a bat with a full profile, top grade willow, thick handle, nice pick up - weighing around 2lb 9oz-11oz.  Sweet spot has to be low-mid, like driving the ball on the front foot

Ideas needed, willing to travel 2 hours

We are a bit further but you could have a net and look around the factory - let me know if you are interested!

Streaky
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Neon Cricket on January 23, 2018, 05:44:02 PM
Where are neon based?

I'm Trowbridge based so not too far, however sadly if you're looking to pick from a selection of pre-made bats then I'm not the man for you at the moment! Whilst I'm planning on a small holding/shop with a stock of purely Neon bats for 2019, I'm currently only offering bats made to order which wouldn't meet your requirement.

Worth a visit to @Six Sixes Cricket though as they'll be your closest specialist, Rob's a good chap and stocks a range of brands inc a couple of forum favorites alongside the big 3! (And also tells me he has a supply of biscuits which is never a bad thing!).

Also, @FattusCattus - I think you'll find its cider apples, not carrots... ;)
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: springbok45 on January 23, 2018, 05:52:16 PM
Also, @FattusCattus - I think you'll find its cider apples, not carrots... ;)

True, a carrot is a bit exotic for Trowbar :D
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Neon Cricket on January 23, 2018, 05:54:22 PM
True, a carrot is a bit exotic for Trowbar :D

Trowvegas more like!! :D
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 05:55:42 PM
Welshman here - who do you play for?

I've used Tai in the past and his BlankBats are great value. Love his softs as well, thumbs up from me. Used to run his business from his house in Roath, Cardiff, not sure if that's still the case.

Fatbats are based in Caldicot and a number of my former teammates in the local leagues use their bats. I can't vouch for their softs but I'm sure you can check them out if you pay them a visit.

Newport mate - I’ve had previous experience with FatBats and the ones I’ve used and seen in matches are absolute planks (no offence) and they’re softs aren’t the greatest either.

I’ll have a look around the South West area as well.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 05:56:30 PM
I'm Trowbridge based so not too far, however sadly if you're looking to pick from a selection of pre-made bats then I'm not the man for you at the moment! Whilst I'm planning on a small holding/shop with a stock of purely Neon bats for 2019, I'm currently only offering bats made to order which wouldn't meet your requirement.

Worth a visit to @Six Sixes Cricket though as they'll be your closest specialist, Rob's a good chap and stocks a range of brands inc a couple of forum favorites alongside the big 3! (And also tells me he has a supply of biscuits which is never a bad thing!).

Also, @FattusCattus - I think you'll find its cider apples, not carrots... ;)

Ok - not to worry. Your softs look ridiculously good for 2018 - so would of loved to used your brand.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 05:58:02 PM
We are a bit further but you could have a net and look around the factory - let me know if you are interested!

Streaky

Don’t mind travelling a bit further - I know one of your ambassadors in Lee Herring & Cameron Herring from the local area and have played with a few of the players who use B3 and they’re brilliant performing.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Neon Cricket on January 23, 2018, 05:58:33 PM
Appreciate the kind comments @Straight Bat Shot! Maybe in future you can be a Neon FKW :)
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 07:47:43 PM
Really like the look of Willow Twin - there wood looks top class, lovely shape & decent sized handles. Also they have just released their new softs which look unbelievable.

Pricing looks really inviting especially with the likes of H4L, Chase & M&H charging well above £100 for a set of pads which look on par with Willow Twin in terms of looks, quality & performance.

Has anyone had first hand experience with Willow Twin.. good bat, good customer service, showroom etc?

Appreciate the help.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: JB on January 23, 2018, 07:52:47 PM
The @Ayrtek Cricket softs are really good. I used them all last season with no plans on changing them. I bought an extra pair of gloves for this season. The bats are lovely as well if you want the full kit
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Neon Cricket on January 23, 2018, 08:16:45 PM
Pricing looks really inviting especially with the likes of H4L, Chase & M&H charging well above £100 for a set of pads which look on par with Willow Twin in terms of looks, quality & performance.

With the greatest respect to 'Willow Twin' (haven't come across them before), but knowing the various suppliers - those softs aren't anywhere near the same quality as the H4L gears - just a heads up!
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: H4Ladam on January 23, 2018, 08:49:58 PM
With the greatest respect to 'Willow Twin' (haven't come across them before), but knowing the various suppliers - those softs aren't anywhere near the same quality as the H4L gears - just a heads up!

Thanks Adam.

As you know, just because the softs look similar (white and minimal) the quality and detail are miles apart. I haven't seen or tried 'Willow Twin', so can't comment on them. But we have seen many suppliers over the 10+ years of doing this, and the gulfs in quality are huge.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: velvetsky01 on January 23, 2018, 09:29:34 PM
Appreciate the kind comments @Straight Bat Shot! Maybe in future you can be a Neon FKW :)

Like me and @WalkingWicket37 haha
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Straight Bat Shot on January 23, 2018, 09:57:23 PM
Thanks for the replies gents - all taken on board.

Guess what I’m looking for is a brand within 2 hour drive that I can visit once a year who produce quality gear & has a work shop I can try bats in the hands - also a reasonable price.  Getting to the point where I’m blaming my gear rather than myself - so need quality equipment so I can just concentrate on my cricket skills without worrying if the kit is good, bad, indifferent.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on January 23, 2018, 09:59:09 PM
The @Ayrtek Cricket softs are really good. I used them all last season with no plans on changing them. I bought an extra pair of gloves for this season. The bats are lovely as well if you want the full kit

Thanks @JB being a South Wester there’s plenty of choice in terms of willow, brands and Softs so I guess it comes down to budget, personal preference in terms of looks and what you want in terms of grade/spec bat wise.

Any sponsor on the forum will get you kitted out in kit that will be the envy of the changing room.
Title: Re: Want a new bat
Post by: Kez on January 23, 2018, 10:01:14 PM
Guess what I’m looking for is a brand within 2 hour drive that I can visit once a year who produce quality gear & has a work shop I can try bats in the hands - also a reasonable price.  Getting to the point where I’m blaming my gear rather than myself - so need quality equipment so I can just concentrate on my cricket skills without worrying if the kit is good, bad, indifferent.

The holy grail of cricketing shops!

However as much as we on this forum love a new bat... only person to blame for lack of runs and that is the soft squidgy thing holding the bat! or of course the blind idiot 22 yards away called the umpire.