Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: NT50 on July 07, 2018, 12:05:43 AM

Title: Harrow B3
Post by: NT50 on July 07, 2018, 12:05:43 AM
Hello Lads,

After waving a teammates bat around and having a few balls with it at nets, i was amazed to discover that it was a Harrow. Had nothing been said, i would never have twigged. His reasoning being that at 5'5 he doesn't need a full sized bat, and with small hands the handle suits him. He also reckoned that the slightly smaller size more meat was in the right area of the bat. As someone who's 5'7 with youth-sized hands, it got me thinking that i may as well try a harrow as my next bat, considering they're often half the price of a mens bat.

I've decided to go with a B3, and was after some advice on what to go for. I haven't been getting on with my current bat as i feel the middle is a bit too high and keep dribbling it to the fielders (the idiot on the end of the bat is also to blame!) So like everyone on here, i've decided it's time to add a second bat to my collection

So ideally i'm looking for something with a slightly lower than average middle, so what kind of pre-set shapes in harrow size should i be looking for on the B3 website? the TKC bat, or something else?

Cheers lads!
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: InternalTraining on July 07, 2018, 12:59:19 AM
Bat sizes, as we know and as they are sold, are wrong! SH is too big for most people. Your observation is accurate. The issue with Harrow or Size-6 bats is that they are too light for adults to use. When I started looking for a heavy (2-10/2-11) size-6 or even a Harrow bat, I couldn't find it. I had to move to size SH bats. I am 5'6'' and I love my size-6 bats but they are just too light for me, I need minimum 2-10.

Check out MG2 cricket in NZ, Marty makes fantastic small bats! He is not cheap but well worth the money.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 07, 2018, 08:21:26 AM
Hello Lads,

After waving a teammates bat around and having a few balls with it at nets, i was amazed to discover that it was a Harrow. Had nothing been said, i would never have twigged. His reasoning being that at 5'5 he doesn't need a full sized bat, and with small hands the handle suits him. He also reckoned that the slightly smaller size more meat was in the right area of the bat. As someone who's 5'7 with youth-sized hands, it got me thinking that i may as well try a harrow as my next bat, considering they're often half the price of a mens bat.

I've decided to go with a B3, and was after some advice on what to go for. I haven't been getting on with my current bat as i feel the middle is a bit too high and keep dribbling it to the fielders (the idiot on the end of the bat is also to blame!) So like everyone on here, i've decided it's time to add a second bat to my collection

So ideally i'm looking for something with a slightly lower than average middle, so what kind of pre-set shapes in harrow size should i be looking for on the B3 website? the TKC bat, or something else?

Cheers lads!
Agree on sizes at 5ft 7 you can successfully use an Harrow and  score runs with it  have a think about the weight  as well as the shape and middle position you need as off the shelf top weights are usually 2lb 4 ounces
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Tassie tiger on July 07, 2018, 10:02:30 AM
IJC have a couple of Harrow Vikings in atm, 2.6 and 2.7
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: edge on July 09, 2018, 06:31:18 AM
SH is too big for most people.
Nonsense.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 09, 2018, 08:29:55 AM
Nonsense.
Not nonsense if your under 5ft 8 or 9 also
It depends on your height and strength coaches batmakers used to say s/h bats were to small for guys over 6ft 2 inches but how many long blades or  long handles do  we  now see

Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: edge on July 09, 2018, 08:32:54 AM
Not nonsense if your under 5ft 8 or 9 also
It depends on your height and strength coaches batmakers used to say s/h bats were to small for guys over 6ft 2 inches but how many long blades or  long handles do  we  now see
Agree completely, most people aren't under 5'8"!
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: jayralh on July 09, 2018, 08:53:10 AM
I am 5.8 and started using harrow from newbery in nets and last two matches. Beside me knowing in my head that i am holding harrow bat i did not notice  any difference that bothered me. For me it was more difficult to prepare my mind to accept a harrow size than my body.

edges are small compared to SH but i am happy with it.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: InternalTraining on July 09, 2018, 12:19:54 PM
Nonsense.

Unfortunately, because of this kind of attitude, cricket equipment has stayed in the dark ages.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 09, 2018, 12:32:53 PM
I am 5.8 and started using harrow from newbery in nets and last two matches. Beside me knowing in my head that i am holding harrow bat i did not notice  any difference that bothered me. For me it was more difficult to prepare my mind to accept a harrow size than my body.

edges are small compared to SH but i am happy with it.

And there's the problem like most things cricket it's in our heads.
Two weeks ago Played against a 15 year old with a size 6 bat he scored 62
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: edge on July 09, 2018, 12:36:27 PM
I'm unusually tall. SH bats are a bit small for me. Does this mean SH size cricket bats are the wrong size? No, it means SH cricket bats are about the right size.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on July 09, 2018, 12:41:36 PM
And there's the problem like most things cricket it's in our heads.
Two weeks ago Played against a 15 year old with a size 6 bat he scored 62

I don't think age is relevant to bat size, rather height. 
If he was 6'1  then fair play, but if he was 5'2 then that's the correct size for him!
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 09, 2018, 12:58:03 PM
I don't think age is relevant to bat size, rather height. 
If he was 6'1  then fair play, but if he was 5'2 then that's the correct size for him!

Agree that's the point at his height about 5ft 3 the bat size worked for him.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on July 09, 2018, 01:06:23 PM
I'm unusually tall. SH bats are a bit small for me. Does this mean SH size cricket bats are the wrong size? No, it means SH cricket bats are about the right size.

As a rough guide:

(https://www.cricketsupplies.com/cricket/OZCWS9batsguide.gif)

The average height of an adult male in America, England & Australia is 5'10, which means that a SH bat is actually ideally suited for the average bloke. Who'd have thought it....
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: LDifa on July 09, 2018, 01:18:41 PM
Have a look at the Gas Cross profile, or even a Harrow length Trott would be awesome.

Or keeping it cheaper - a DB3 would probably suffice.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: thedevil on July 09, 2018, 02:00:47 PM
John Newbery used to swear by Smaller Gents using a Harrow length or slightly shorter blade. Myself being 5’6/5’7 on a good day ;) I’ve always used at least the 1/2 inch shorter blade but with a standard handle which suits me fine. One I’m currently using is an inch shorter which is more size 6 Warner but feels lovely and everyone loves it

Obviously in need of a Full width blade though as need every mm
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: CricketXI on July 09, 2018, 04:44:39 PM
As per me your assumption stands good for all cricket equipments.

And with softs and helmets we kinda look for the best fit for our comfort,
Example:
If you are short and will use youth size pads that will help you run bit faster as this will reduce down the weight and odd clumsiness of top hat getting stuck into the thigh pads

But with bats we are unable to make a good and firm decision due to various reasons/issues.
Example:
1.With  bats its really hard to get a harrow sized bat with adult's weight. but i guess short blade and long handle bats can serve the purpose.
2. And some self  reluctance of using a small sized bats.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 09, 2018, 05:30:18 PM
For me it's S/H wide harrow handle and 22 inch blade with a 2lb 6 ounce pick up  feel
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: jayralh on July 10, 2018, 02:26:58 PM
Here's my SH and Harrow.
(http://i68.tinypic.com/15bl0w.jpg)
(http://i66.tinypic.com/53pzqh.jpg)
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: InternalTraining on July 10, 2018, 03:10:09 PM
Newbery or rather TK are pretty smart about bat sizing. CA figured out long time ago and they make the correct size bats for adults.

If you are going to pay money, make sure that your bat(s) conform to your physicality rather than you conforming your game to the bat. If you are going to a custom bat maker, make sure you try out smaller bats and get the right size.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: edge on July 10, 2018, 03:28:09 PM
CA figured out long time ago and they make the correct size bats for adults. 13-year old children, then label them as adult size.
;)
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on July 10, 2018, 03:54:48 PM
CA figured out long time ago and they make the correct size bats for adults.

The average height for an adult male i  Pakistan is just under 5'7
CA are a Pakistani brand. They don't make "the correct size bats for adults" as such, rather they produce bats that are the correct size for average punter in their target audience.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Seniorplayer on July 10, 2018, 04:40:28 PM
Newbery or rather TK are pretty smart about bat sizing. CA figured out long time ago and they make the correct size bats for adults.

If you are going to pay money, make sure that your bat(s) conform to your physicality rather than you conforming your game to the bat. If you are going to a custom bat maker, make sure you try out smaller bats and get the right size.
Yep To bat correctly  get  a bat that suits your stature.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Mfarank on July 10, 2018, 05:29:28 PM
;)
Ummmmm...
(https://s33.postimg.cc/3rwzg1rqn/20180710_212802.jpg)
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Mfarank on July 10, 2018, 05:34:37 PM
(https://s33.postimg.cc/yams0s3zz/20180710_213236.jpg)

Id say about half a centimeter on the handle. Not more
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: KettonJake on July 10, 2018, 05:54:24 PM
Yes, but Newbery made the handle longer to make the bat the correct length, CA don't. CA are essentially selling harrows as full sized bats at full sized prices.

I've been accused of being on some sort of vendetta against CA in the past, i'm simply reflecting what i see through the shop every week. I cannot disagree with performance, they definitely go well and they often look lovely in terms of grains. The number of repairs i do on them, combined with shoddy workmanship i'm asked to correct by the owners of brand new CA's tells me overall they are unlikely to last as long as they perhaps could, or should.

Todays example, a Plus 15000 dropped off this morning for knocking in after the owner used it a few times and quickly realised the 'fully knocked' sticker was nonsense. Its actually got pretty much the correct blade length but the length of the handle means its a bit smaller than SH size. It weighs almost 2'9, the sticker says 2'7, far from the worst i've seen which was a 2'14 bat saying 2'8.

Here are the crunch points:

The blade is 102/103mm wide. I have harrows from some brands in stock that are 105mm wide.
The handle has been poorly fitted with a bit lump of filler wedged between the splice and the bat to bodge what would have been a massive gap.

([url]http://i.imgur.com/Q3u36psh.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i.imgur.com/JPtQQReh.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i.imgur.com/xl8Ncj6h.jpg[/url])
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: Mfarank on July 10, 2018, 06:16:35 PM
Theyr very very inconsistent is basically what the bottomline is.
Title: Re: Harrow B3
Post by: NT50 on July 15, 2018, 09:26:31 PM
Anyway lads, i'm still no closer to narrowing down which shape harrow to go for from B3!

Something with a lower middle for front foot play would be a good start, and something that wasn't too heavy as well. As the B3 website only has Light, Medium and Heavy i'm not really sure what weights these translate to