Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Str8bat on March 06, 2010, 03:30:28 PM
-
Yesterday I took delivery of what I think is the best bat I have ever held in my hands, let alone owned! This might well be a highly premature statement given that I've only just struck the bat with a mallet but having owned so many exquisite bats in the past, I think this Screaming Cat Professional will be special. Everything about it is superb - big shape for its dead weight, pick-up and most importantly the rebound. Not to mention the finish which is not such a big deal for me but I have never seen a better finished bat.
Even the experience of buying this stick was great. Julian is such a knowledgeable yet humble man. I contacted him way back in December and we had several discussions about the specs. The starting point from my side was - best possible rebound with as large a sweetspot as possible and a gentle, uniform bow. The topic of willow cosmetics (# of grains, heartwood etc) never came up because its not important for me and also because Julian's views on this topic are fairly well documented. Given his grading system it is fairly easy if performance is your only criteria.
Typically, I am very opinionated and also very clear about the shape I want but it was refreshing to debate the pros and cons of different options and settle for a shape we both felt good about. It is a slight variant on his stock models but one that he has already used in the past for other players. That entire process was unhurried and lasted a very enjoyable full month. What I didn't know was that the actual making of the bat in Feb would coincide (to the day, I think) with his 30 years of pod shaving. And so he promised that this bat will be a very special one. I didn't give this much importance because I believe that a master like him puts his very best into every bat he makes.
But, boy was I chuffed to open the package yesterday. It is indeed an amazing bat. Big profile for a 2lb9/10 (including one grip) and beautiful balance resulting in a really light pick-up. And most importantly the mallet just flies off ...not just off the middle but a fairly well spread area. I still need to knock it in so it should get even better! Even the knocking-in process is made easy as he makes a few dents with his mallet which serve as a gauge for the right amount of knocking-in required to get the best performance. So, all I need to do is just even out the pre-existing dents. Simple, but effective as I am generally not a big fan of knocking in and invariable start playing in with under-prepared bats.
One final detail that was a nice surprise was a subtle signature on the back of the bat and the engraving of my initials on the shoulder. Does no good to its utility as a bat but I am a sucker for these little gestures.
Will also post a proper review when I have used this bat more. Apols for this long post but just wanted to share my enthusiasm at seeing this super bat!
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQOz7cQpuI/AAAAAAAAACw/92LJ3GRjwTI/s912/P1000048.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO0Sq6IyI/AAAAAAAAAC0/X12GByEOTak/s800/P1000052.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO4OJPaiI/AAAAAAAAADY/tydfb4FZdrg/s800/P1000064.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO0vwRWQI/AAAAAAAAAC4/vJT5XMd0P_o/s800/P1000055.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO1MP0cRI/AAAAAAAAAC8/whi29aqQ0v8/s912/P1000056.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO3azilaI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ZTG-q3EXIVw/s800/P1000062.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQO2xlNOSI/AAAAAAAAADM/izxvR-X8J1E/s800/P1000060.jpg)
-
good post mate sounds a cracker
-
Good post, Look forward to seeing pics!
-
Get those pics sorted chap - looking forward to this! :D
-
Re the pics, my much beloved fiancee has taken the DSLR to a skiing trip and if I take those pics with my blackberry, I will be slaughtered by this discerning public!! The only other alternative is my old film camera but it has probably rusted by now... Will get this sorted in the next few days
-
Good post I await with bated breath for the pics. Good idea having the knocking in 'dents' as a guide!
I love knocking a bat in but always wonder if i do too little or too much . . .
-
Str8bat you have got everyone twitching now, looking forward to the pics !
-
I love knocking a bat in but always wonder if i do too little or too much . . .
Me too, Dan. I worry mostly about too much. That's why I err on the side of knocking in too little and let nature take its course. I am not too bothered by the seam marks. But I do take care in netting with old balls before match play.
I am getting nervous with all this expectation about the pics now. Maybe I will need a pro photographer... I am waiting with bated breath to take this gun out to the pitch. I hate winters...
-
Eagerly anticipating the pics
-
samee :D
-
What a cracking post, and possibly a cracking topic, im eagerly awaiting the pics first though!
-
I have now added the pics at
http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066 (http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066)
Tried to load them on this page but its not working for some reason. Hopefully its not too much of a hassle for those folks who asked for the pics.
The 2 best aspects of this bat (rebound and pick-up) cannot be captured on a camera but for what its worth the pics are there now.
-
I will put all the pics on for you from your page, will take couple of mins
-
Looks very nice!
-
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000064/web.jpg?ver=12682244670001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000063/web.jpg?ver=12682244590001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000062/web.jpg?ver=12682244910001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000048/web.jpg?ver=12682244390001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000060/web.jpg?ver=12682244980001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000055/web.jpg?ver=12682244330001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000056/web.jpg?ver=12682244840001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000057/web.jpg?ver=12682244450001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000052/web.jpg?ver=12682244520001)
(http://gallery.me.com/nitinc/100066/P1000058/web.jpg?ver=12682244800001)
-
Thanks Buzz. Just sent them to you
-
There you go, Looks a beauty!! Love the shape
-
Thanks Liam. You are a star!!
-
No problem, just right clicked on the pictures then Copy Image Url, (thats on google chrome, may be something different on a different brower), and pasted it between the Img tags
-
What a beautiful looking bat - think you have got a great bat there and love the profile!
-
love the profile, the finishing looks 2nd to none, lot of wood on it also.. love it!! good luck with it!!
-
Wow that looks like a real dazzler!! Hope it goes as well as it looks!!
-
Liam - thanks for the tip.
-
Thanks for the positive feedback!
I must admit I was a tad suspicious of Julian's claim all along the process of him making a really special one because I thought he must be saying that to everyone. And also because even his average is superb so I wasn't too hung up about that claim. But it has exceeded my expectation significantly. Most of all the attention to detail and making every customer feel special.
By comparison its a very different experience with James Laver. He is also a great guy and really gives you a lot of choice including the willow (i didn't even dare ask Julian for pics of clefts to choose from!) and is very patient. But the whole experience is more transactional. That being said he might also be busier than Julian especially with the current series Vs Aus. Ofcourse I am talking in relative terms. I would still take the experience of getting a bat made by James over everyone... bar one.
-
Bat is a beauty! Dont think ive seen a bad one yet.
Profile is just about right for me too. Would love to try one but £300 for the top bat is just too much. Bloody exchange rate! Maybe one day...
Let us know how it goes in nets.
-
One iv got seems to have a hell of a lot of wood behind the middle for a 2.8 bat...cant wait to see how it goes at nets tonight although its only a premium not a professional...hope it still goes well :)
-
Lovely bat, kinda justifies the price...
-
At a certain level I think it does justify the price if one puts a value to different components that are add on to pure bat performance (e.g. the experience, quality assurance, finish). But up until this year I had never bought a bat over £175 and thought nothing justifies the price over that level when you can get cracking SS, BAS, MB etc that ping like crazy (much) below that price. I still do think that but have long wanted a Scat and Laver. So decided this was the year to try them.
The Laver is almost ready and the pics James sent look pretty nice.
-
Good answer lol, look forward to seeing the L&W
-
scat and laver well I'm not sure it gets any better than that bud.
-
A stunner, Ive heard that Julian has not been able to make many bats recently, if any, because of ill health is this true? If so when is he back?
-
Not sure if its ill health but Julian does seem to be making a lot fewer bats. He did say that the physical demands of this job are getting tougher and tougher for him. That was partially also the reason why the whole process took this long but I didn't mind to be honest.
Fewer bats but he really puts the effort in each bat with the same attention to detail rather than hurrying through. Just talking to him you can sense the pride he takes in making world class bats.
I think he is currently traveling to the UK to buy willow for the next season, so might not be online for a few days.
-
Can i ask what sort of profile you asked for? Looks like a series 1 but could be a hybrid.
-
str8bat
what a good lucking bat and good luck with the laver but you will not need any luck with that as previously stated you can not go wrong with these 2 master bat makers
-
GJ - Its a slight variation on Series 1. Essentially a gentle bow and a slightly lower middle. I wanted an even lower middle but Julian advised against it as it would have affected pick-up for the same amount of wood. And I didn't want concaving to lighten the bat. He did reassure me that he would still make a sweet pinging lower end. And that is indeed the case!
-
Pro - thanks for the feedback! I am very eagerly waiting for the Laver. Mostly to see if it can better the Scat. Would be very tough though.
-
str8bat if you fall out of love with either give me a call
-
Too soon mate! I think I will be very loyal to the Scat.
-
Looks like a lovely bat mate! My Scat isn't signed by him though :(
-
The Scat is knocked in and coming along very well. But I feel that its stay at the top of the charts would be short lived. Competition just got stiffer...a lot stiffer.
-
given my SCat about 45 mins knocking in so far but needs a bit more yet i feel before being used!
-
Probably does. I am usually loathe to knocking in but gave this one a good whack for over an hour given that it kept getting better. But this is my max limit. From here on it'll be throw downs...
-
Tom - on a different note, need to discuss a helmet with you. PM or email, what do you prefer?
-
lol know the feelin my shoulder was starting to give up on me after 20 mins with a mallet! gives me something to do in between throwin the ball for the dog tho for an hour or so at lunch time....drop me a PM mate and will be happy to help