Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => blankbats.co.uk => Topic started by: Jimbo on October 14, 2020, 06:22:18 PM

Title: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2020, 06:22:18 PM
First time I've really looked into what the B14 is since I've no intention of replacing my B4 until it's beyond saving and far as I can tell it's essentially a B4 with zero concaving. Has anyone had any experience with one and can confirm if that's it or if there are other more subtle differences?
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: ch1p on October 14, 2020, 08:58:07 PM
Don't speak from experience but I was under the impression the B14 was a shorter blade B1. ItsJustCricket have a review on their page here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snYBR7vS7B4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snYBR7vS7B4)

Guessing you might have seen it before though  :D
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2020, 09:02:14 PM
Don't speak from experience but I was under the impression the B14 was a shorter blade B1. ItsJustCricket have a review on their page here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snYBR7vS7B4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snYBR7vS7B4)

Guessing you might have seen it before though  :D

Yeah mate, I'd had a look! Is the B1 not usually a shorter blade/longer handle set up? I know my B4 is and assumed it was standard but that's maybe another feature they've carried across from the B4 to B14.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: ch1p on October 14, 2020, 09:23:52 PM
Might be me confusing things here and getting things the wrong way round, I apologise. It's a combo of the B1 and B4 so I think you are on the right lines, whichever way they cross  :)
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2020, 09:33:05 PM
Just looked an interesting shape on the IJC review. Love my B4 and it looks very similar, just with a very full profile as opposed to mild concaving.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: battingGod on October 31, 2020, 02:19:44 PM
Hi, After much deliberation

I have ordered B14 Pure Edition. Its 1cm shorter than B1 or B4 but the shape is blend of B1 and B4.

Very anxious to get my hand on. I will post pics and initial review in a separate thread.

Bye for now

Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Rez on January 20, 2021, 12:29:05 PM
I picked up a B14 in my recent binge so just thought I would share.

This is my first BB so for comparison purposes I've used a GM Chroma as they share a very similar middle position. The differences in blade length is obvious along with the the bow. They are almost exactly the same weight with the BB at 2.9.5 and the GM at 2.9.3 and both offer full profiles. The B14 has packed a lot more into the middle with bigger edges but also notably a lot more girth carried through into the toe. I'd say the BB feels a touch heavier than the GM.... which it is but oh my word does it ping!!! In the performance grade as a value/performance choice it has to be right up there.

A few pics... enjoy.

(https://i.postimg.cc/HLLL3wdT/20210120-114158.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hXHgt7XY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVVvKJXB/20210120-114217.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRwCPhmk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/prBNgSJ4/20210120-114247.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T5hHbCSJ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jdVk8cR/20210120-122347.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqC0gYVt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PrN2GcyD/20210120-120830.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcFWf0p8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0R9mKsb/20210120-120659.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5H0vbTFg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJ79fGD5/20210120-120451.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CdCD64P)
(https://i.postimg.cc/K8PTCr6L/20210120-120517.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dh0Dydtt)






Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Jimbo on January 20, 2021, 02:22:51 PM
Cheers @Rez that's grand, looks cracking value for the price. My B4 is still going strong despite my best efforts to snap, crack or otherwise break it. Always good value for a TK bat.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: SLD1720 on February 10, 2023, 09:56:58 AM
Has anyone got any recent experience of the B14. interested to hear how it plays and if people would recommend it.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Buzz on February 10, 2023, 10:03:53 AM
Hi welcome to the forum. I haven't heard much from Tai at Blank bats recently, but they are usually really good bats.
Have you given him a call?

What usually happens if you do that is he WhatsApps you with pictures of tempting looking willow, so take care or you could wbd up with three new bats because you couldn't decide... 😂
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: SLD1720 on February 10, 2023, 02:27:58 PM
Cheers Buzz.

I've taken the leap and gone for a B14. I wasn't sure about the concaving on the B4 and wanted a fuller profile. I was tempted by the B1 without the duckbill toe but standing at 5'8 tall I decided to go with the shorter blade of the B14 at around 2lbs 9 - 10

I'll let you know how it works out.

Am eyeing up a Keeley 074 and will be interested to see how they compare.

Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Yorkershire on February 10, 2023, 07:49:42 PM
Are BB now TK made again, heard they were no longer UK made?
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: jonny77 on February 10, 2023, 08:15:30 PM
Cheers Buzz.

I've taken the leap and gone for a B14. I wasn't sure about the concaving on the B4 and wanted a fuller profile. I was tempted by the B1 without the duckbill toe but standing at 5'8 tall I decided to go with the shorter blade of the B14 at around 2lbs 9 - 10

I'll let you know how it works out.

Am eyeing up a Keeley 074 and will be interested to see how they compare.

Out of interest, what's the reasoning behind the shorter blade at 5ft 8"?
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: NT50 on February 10, 2023, 10:13:28 PM
Are BB now TK made again, heard they were no longer UK made?

Also curious about this! Had a B4 a while back and wondering if it’ll still be the same
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: SLD1720 on February 10, 2023, 10:44:29 PM
The website says "All our bats are made from the finest cuts of prime English Willow, handcrafted in the UK and pressed to perfection by a specialist batmaker using traditional techniques." so I'm assuming so.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: SLD1720 on February 10, 2023, 11:00:29 PM
Out of interest, what's the reasoning behind the shorter blade at 5ft 8"?

I'd always gone for short handle but having watched this years ago it made me think and  I started using a super short handle / academy size. I found it suited me better.

The shorter blade is not dissimilar to the academy size essentially

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV9cLWxdiq4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV9cLWxdiq4)
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: jonny77 on February 10, 2023, 11:35:02 PM
I'd always gone for short handle but having watched this years ago it made me think and  I started using a super short handle / academy size. I found it suited me better.

The shorter blade is not dissimilar to the academy size essentially

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV9cLWxdiq4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV9cLWxdiq4)

Isn't it still a short handle size overall though?
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Yorkershire on February 11, 2023, 02:39:22 AM
Well if SLD buys a keeley as well I am sure he can confirm if they are still TK made...

Watch this space...
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Jimbo on February 11, 2023, 07:57:33 AM
Isn't it still a short handle size overall though?

Yeah the standard B14 is SBLH.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: Rez on February 11, 2023, 10:21:20 AM
Cheers Buzz.

I've taken the leap and gone for a B14. I wasn't sure about the concaving on the B4 and wanted a fuller profile. I was tempted by the B1 without the duckbill toe but standing at 5'8 tall I decided to go with the shorter blade of the B14 at around 2lbs 9 - 10

I'll let you know how it works out.

Am eyeing up a Keeley 074 and will be interested to see how they compare.

Hi, I have both and imho the B14 has a much more generous middle and pings better than the 074. They feel like very different bats.
Title: Re: B14 - has anyone got/used one?
Post by: SLD1720 on February 12, 2023, 08:38:17 PM
Hi, I have both and imho the B14 has a much more generous middle and pings better than the 074. They feel like very different bats.

Thanks Rez