Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Kookaburra => Topic started by: WalkingWicket37 on September 05, 2018, 10:06:01 PM
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Evening all
Another one of those threads where I strip down a cheap covered bat to see what's hiding. This time a kookaburra rogue 200.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180808_203844_zpsrcszxdr2.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180808_203844_zpsrcszxdr2.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180808_203850_zpsagifnooe.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180808_203850_zpsagifnooe.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180808_203851_zpsd16q4imc.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180808_203851_zpsd16q4imc.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180808_203901_zpsdojtcjyf.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180808_203901_zpsdojtcjyf.jpg.html)
As you can see it's clearly been used and not all that loved, but wasn't in bad condition for a bat that's 6 or 7 years old.
The first thing to do was remove the old tape and grain sheet. As most of the tape was already hanging off I didn't think this would be too difficult. However the adhesive used to apply the grain sheet was obviously quite strong and there was a "small amount" of residue left :-[
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_180539_zpsm1zf1fqa.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_180539_zpsm1zf1fqa.jpg.html)
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After a quick rough sand it became rather apparent the grain sheet and whatever was used to stick it down was going to be rather stubborn to remove
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_184047_zpspyjogfsh.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_184047_zpspyjogfsh.jpg.html)
As I'd spent so long sanding the face I decided I may as well strip the whole bat down. After removing all the stickera and the residue, I gave the bat a generous coat of oil all over. This was for two reasons. One was to nourish the willow as this clearly hadn't been done ever. The second was to give myself an idea of how bad the sticker imprints were
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_194034_zpswmuwdtfj.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_194034_zpswmuwdtfj.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_194038_zpss8d263nb.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_194038_zpss8d263nb.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_194045_zpsrirc420g.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_194045_zpsrirc420g.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180809_194051_zpslftneigt.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180809_194051_zpslftneigt.jpg.html)
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And as it is now.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180905_224717_zpsapz0x3sk.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180905_224717_zpsapz0x3sk.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180905_224734_zpsgov3ogfv.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180905_224734_zpsgov3ogfv.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180905_224854_zps7o4l5l8k.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180905_224854_zps7o4l5l8k.jpg.html)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/CPye061194/20180905_224651_zpsr3bhsqcr.jpg) (http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/CPye061194/media/20180905_224651_zpsr3bhsqcr.jpg.html)
While the bat has come up quite nicely, I'm not entirely pleased with the outcome. From some angles you can still see the remnants of the sticker imprint on the back towards the top of the blade. I'm sure most people won't even notice, but the fact I know it's there will bother me!
The bat currently weight a touch over 2lb8oz with 1.5 chevrons. I will definitely add a scuff sheet to this before it's ready to use, and I'm toying with the idea of trying to replace the stickers.
Overall for a covered bat the looks aren't bad. The response when tapping up a ball was somewhat planky but as these apparently cost about £20 from sports direct back in the day what can you expect. I may have a hit in a net before writing it off completely.
As this was just a bit of fun to strip the bat down I may even give it away to a teammate once the refurb is finished. It kept me entertained for a few nights stripping it down, so I've already had my enjoyment out of it :)
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Always a delight to see the surgeon at work! This bat has turned out to be a looker. Wonder y they would cover something as good looking with grain sheet though
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Top work mate, certainly appears to be a few bargains to be had under these grain sheet covered bats
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Love these threads, the Pinson ones were gold.
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I'm quite surprised at the grains, doesn't look too bad a piece of willow. I was expecting a swirly knot ridden POS.