Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Psi on February 12, 2020, 02:30:11 PM

Title: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 12, 2020, 02:30:11 PM
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaUEVU5bbpn3vVvb9

Sold to me as English willow, but I think it's Kashmir. What do people think?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: jayralh on February 12, 2020, 02:38:56 PM
Don't think that English willow
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Buzz on February 12, 2020, 02:53:15 PM
Could be butterfly willow.
Could be kashmir
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: KW9221 on February 12, 2020, 03:12:53 PM
Could it be European willow?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 12, 2020, 03:28:12 PM
Maybe. Its not butterfly, I think. Will test the ping tonight. Seems very light weight and well balanced
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 13, 2020, 01:51:50 PM
So, I spoke to the manufacturer (not the seller) and turns out it is English willow nurtured in Kashmir. The usual ruse...

But, is this better than, or the same as, Kashmir willow? There are some old CBF threads on this, but people are not too certain there.

One thing though, it has the softest face of any new bat I've seen, even compared to high quality soft pressed Indian bats. Has nice ping but not exceptional, and very light weight. Will try in nets and see if it breaks.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 13, 2020, 02:05:35 PM
"English Willow nurtured in Kashmir" is a slightly more upmarket way of saying "Kashmir Willow"
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: SouthpawMark on February 13, 2020, 02:28:25 PM
"English Willow nurtured in Kashmir" is a slightly more upmarket way of saying "Kashmir Willow"

What absolute nonsense (Not your post).
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: jayralh on February 13, 2020, 03:42:07 PM
So, I spoke to the manufacturer (not the seller) and turns out it is English willow nurtured in Kashmir. The usual ruse...

But, is this better than, or the same as, Kashmir willow? There are some old CBF threads on this, but people are not too certain there.

One thing though, it has the softest face of any new bat I've seen, even compared to high quality soft pressed Indian bats. Has nice ping but not exceptional, and very light weight. Will try in nets and see if it breaks.
I have fallen for Nurtured in India Trap when I was new to proper cricket. I bought CJI made bat saying same off ebay for 40 quid. To be honest it felt very light and balanced plus i had good inning with it with some powerful hits. But when it comes to timing i did not feel any value in shots so i never used it after.
As you have bought it now i say use it at least in nets. I dont see any resale value in it.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: jimmysis on February 13, 2020, 03:45:31 PM
Balsa Wood?  :D
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Komdotkom on February 14, 2020, 12:51:20 AM
I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Churchy1989 on February 14, 2020, 02:03:50 PM
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaUEVU5bbpn3vVvb9

Sold to me as English willow, but I think it's Kashmir. What do people think?

Maybe just return it for a refund?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 14, 2020, 02:15:01 PM
No it's fine. It was very cheap, it hits the ball nicely and it's very well balanced. Returning it would probably be a nightmare because it's posted from India... I've left an eBay feedback saying it was not as described to warn other buyers.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 14, 2020, 02:18:07 PM
I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.

I'd like to see some photo examples. My bat follows these traits but it's very lightweight and pings quite well (not the best ever, but...)
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: KettonJake on February 14, 2020, 03:08:39 PM
I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.

The main way to identify it is from the seller.

Reputable brands/shops don't sell Kashmir willow bats either at all or unless very clearly marked and labelled.

Buyer beware if you take a risk on an unknown seller/brand, especially if they make claims about English willow nurtured in India (EWNI) aka Kashmir willow. Or if they sell ludicrously low priced bats as English willow. To some degree or another they are all con men.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: SouthpawMark on February 17, 2020, 09:00:24 PM
1+4 English?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on February 17, 2020, 09:02:13 PM
3 is the only Kashmir one?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Komdotkom on February 17, 2020, 09:10:54 PM
Nope.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: KettonJake on February 17, 2020, 09:29:52 PM
I suspect all are English. If one was Kashmir my inclination would be 3 based on the chaotic growth pattern and the finish.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: jayralh on February 17, 2020, 09:43:29 PM
No 3 looks Kashmir willow. I have doubt for No 1 also
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Simmy on February 18, 2020, 09:01:08 AM
1+2 English
3+4 Kashmir

?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 18, 2020, 09:09:47 AM
1,3 Kashmir. 2,4 English.?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on February 18, 2020, 02:45:46 PM
1+2 english
3 serbian
4 kashmir
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Kulli on February 18, 2020, 03:00:43 PM
Can we get a shot of the grains through the toe on each, that helps for sure, but I get your point anyway.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Komdotkom on February 18, 2020, 07:35:28 PM
1&2 EW, 3&4 KW
Interestingly number 4 has the lowest density which is contrary to the old myth that KW is heavier.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: InternalTraining on February 18, 2020, 09:03:52 PM
^ What's the price difference? If KW bat goes like a train and is cheaper, why does it matter if it is KW?
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Komdotkom on February 18, 2020, 10:23:59 PM
That's my opinion too, I couldn't care less where it's grown or even if it's Salix Alba whatever. I wouldn't care if it was a rubber tree grown in Antarctica provided it was light enough, durable and pinged well.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on February 19, 2020, 12:39:33 AM
That's fine, but it's much harder to find a kW that pings really well and doesn't break after a few matches. If KW performed as well then the prices would even out and manufacturers would make their high end bats or if KW. As it is they charge a tiny fraction of the price because they know it is poorer quality wood.

I've knocked in my kw 'bargain' and given it a good hit at the nets tonight. Drove a few yorkers and got an edge on it too. No cracks so far. It hits just fine but it doesn't ping like any of my EW bats.
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Simmy on February 19, 2020, 07:18:48 AM
1&2 EW, 3&4 KW
Interestingly number 4 has the lowest density which is contrary to the old myth that KW is heavier.

What do I win 😂😂
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Komdotkom on February 19, 2020, 09:52:21 AM
A used KW middling bat, yours free if you pay postage from Australia....
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: Psi on March 07, 2020, 12:07:02 AM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333532080022 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333532080022)

What do people think about this one? Grains don't look like English willow to me but seller says it is...
Title: Re: Willow type?
Post by: drawknife23 on March 15, 2020, 02:41:43 PM
Looks very Eastern European to me