Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: TheFlipper on September 03, 2021, 11:28:36 AM
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any thoughts guys?
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FS Sondhi where all the new balance bats are made?
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He'll be getting some ridiculously good bats from FC Sondhi currently. Has been known to get different bats from other manufacturers in the past, I think ones like GM (When he was sponsored by GM), Kippax, Keeley and I think SS from memory.
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Thought he had them made at Kippax, and that’s why his GM deal ended? I doubt NB care who makes them as long as they’ve got the stickers on.
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Hawk?
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Thought he had them made at Kippax, and that’s why his GM deal ended? I doubt NB care who makes them as long as they’ve got the stickers on.
I would have thought it had more to do with money than that. Current ones are Sondhi from what I've been told, seems to have the same handle problems that Smith has
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I would have thought it had more to do with money than that. Current ones are Sondhi from what I've been told, seems to have the same handle problems that Smith has
Interesting- I thought FCS makes really good, oval handles?
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no sneaky b3's in there? i thought that a lot of GM and ex GM players got them there.
whoever is making them, they look great.
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Obviously New Balance, the stickers are the giveaway ;)
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I expect Joe Root could score runs with bats made with any of the manufacturers mentioned in this thread. Even B3. ;)
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Interesting- I thought FCS makes really good, oval handles?
Ya surprising, I always felt FCS bat handles are best among Indian brands.
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I repaired 2 for him before the OT test started/got cancelled , I can't say if they were made for him, but what I can say is that they were Keeley made, poorly rehandled (again by Keeley) and very average size and quality.
I've repaired a few for Rooty over the years when working at the test matches with the GN Roadshow and his Indian made LH/SB bats were far better than these (although they were always far too heavy)
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I repaired 2 for him before the OT test started/got cancelled , I can't say if they were made for him, but what I can say is that they were Keeley made, poorly rehandled (again by Keeley) and very average size and quality.
I've repaired a few for Rooty over the years when working at the test matches with the GN Roadshow and his Indian made LH/SB bats were far better than these (although they were always far too heavy)
Interesting! When you say they were far too heavy, do you mean set against what he wanted/usually used, or vs what you would have made for him if he had asked for something that suits him in your opinion?
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Bat pick-up is a personal thing. You can't say someone else's bat is too heavy, can you? Especially not when they're the number 1 ranked batsman in the world?
Sounds like someone doesn't rate Keeley!
Average size? You yourself have told me size doesn't matter (in relation to cricket bats), BG.
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Totally agree pick up is personal....what I can say is that the bats he brought to me on that occasion were nearly 2.13 in weight and he asked for them to be under 2.9
Interesting! When you say they were far too heavy, do you mean set against what he wanted/usually used, or vs what you would have made for him if he had asked for something that suits him in your opinion?
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Regarding the size - in a cricket market where I am swamped with requests for "Pro size/shape" bats, these bats them selves were no more than average sized retail bats, my point being that the no.1 batter in the world was more than happy with a product that wasn't what the public expect it to be.
Bat pick-up is a personal thing. You can't say someone else's bat is too heavy, can you? Especially not when they're the number 1 ranked batsman in the world?
And correct....size doesn't matter...performance is key. And sadly I've seen too many amazing performing bats sent back, normally by members of the public, when they don't fill the maximum guage allowances
Sounds like someone doesn't rate Keeley!
Average size? You yourself have told me size doesn't matter (in relation to cricket bats), BG.
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Regarding the size - in a cricket market where I am swamped with requests for "Pro size/shape" bats, these bats them selves were no more than average sized retail bats, my point being that the no.1 batter in the world was more than happy with a product that wasn't what the public expect it to be.
Next you will be telling us that it is the fact that Joe Root is quite good that he can hit all those runs and nothing to do with him having a massive ultra low density urber pingy with loads of grains pro bat...
I just won't believe you.
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Next you will be telling us that it is the fact that Joe Root is quite good that he can hit all those runs and nothing to do with him having a massive ultra low density urber pingy with loads of grains pro bat...
I just won't believe you.
This is fake news. Clearly I am just one ridiculous bat away from national representation and I take offence at anyone who suggests otherwise.
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Totally agree pick up is personal....what I can say is that the bats he brought to me on that occasion were nearly 2.13 in weight and he asked for them to be under 2.9
Slightly different note, @thebigginge did Root know that the bats were heavier than he'd asked for?
I've heard a few makers suggest that some of the pros will say they want a 2'9, come into the workshop to pick up a bat, take hold of a 2'11 or something and decide they love the feel and take that away despite the weight difference.
Interesting if it's the case and since hearing that I've tried to be a bit less picky about weights myself.
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Regarding the size - in a cricket market where I am swamped with requests for "Pro size/shape" bats, these bats them selves were no more than average sized retail bats, my point being that the no.1 batter in the world was more than happy with a product that wasn't what the public expect it to be.
I am in total agreement with you. Hope that wasn't misunderstood. We have spoken briefly about this very subject at a couple of Test matches. But you probably speak to a lot of people briefly at Test matches, so I doubt you remember me.
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Slightly different note, @thebigginge did Root know that the bats were heavier than he'd asked for?
I've heard a few makers suggest that some of the pros will say they want a 2'9, come into the workshop to pick up a bat, take hold of a 2'11 or something and decide they love the feel and take that away despite the weight difference.
Interesting if it's the case and since hearing that I've tried to be a bit less picky about weights myself.
Lots of pros will tell you it's all about the feel and not the dead weight.
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Lots of pros will tell you it's all about the feel and not the dead weight.
remember hearing on the radio Geoff Boycott talking about bat weights and pick ups all being dependant on what your backlift is
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Lots of pros will tell you it's all about the feel and not the dead weight.
Paul Aldred would love this comment 🤣
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Paul Aldred would love this comment 🤣
But it's true. See also the Graham Gooch quote about buying a bat over the internet being ridiculous I posted on another thread.
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Lots of pros will tell you it's all about the feel and not the dead weight.
But they pickup the bats in the range of their weight preferences.
Exception are when they want to have one or two lighter or heavier bats.
I can't imagine one, going to a cricket
store and picking out 5 oz lighter or heavier bats and buying just for it's pickup, unless one is looking specifically for much lighter or heavier bat.
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Paul Aldred would love this comment 🤣
He would also love someone getting a bat that was 2.13 when they asked for something under 2.9!
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But it's true. See also the Graham Gooch quote about buying a bat over the internet being ridiculous I posted on another thread.
Not really ridiculous if you're working with a batmaker who will give you want you want. Or being open to a bat if it's 0.5oz or an oz or 2 heavier, but which is balanced well enough so feels good in the hands. In my experience most batters severely overthink it and will reject a bat unless its at their exact scale weight, regardless of how it feels. Most cases it wouldn't alter how the play, or make them more or less successful at all, but its a mental thing which they can't get over.
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Not really ridiculous if you're working with a batmaker who will give you want you want. Or being open to a bat if it's 0.5oz or an oz or 2 heavier, but which is balanced well enough so feels good in the hands. In my experience most batters severely overthink it and will reject a bat unless its at their exact scale weight, regardless of how it feels. Most cases it wouldn't alter how the play, or make them more or less successful at all, but its a mental thing which they can't get over.
100% correct - i just wish i could get my head to believe this :D :D :D
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Pick up and dead/scale weight is subject to so many things. All the little extras such as toe guard, scuff sheet etc all add to the overall weight. Given the variety of grips available as well, It’s not always possible to compare like for like. I’d always suggest aiming for your approx weight of bat with 1 grip. Toe guard, scuffs etc are minimal and shouldn’t add too much weight to make it noticeable.
For me, you have an expected weight range that you work to. This gives you an overall starting point and then you factor in feel/ pick up.
Both weight and pick up are important, it just depends on which is the dominate for you as an individual. I would only recommend working an oz or so either side of your desired weight as any more and it’s likely to throw out your timing or make it harder as your innings progresses
I’m not one to believe in the 2lb 13 but picks up 2lb 9 rubbish. Maybe it does pick up at that weight, but it’s scale weight is still 2lb 13 and unless you are comfortable batting long periods with that extra weight, you will notice it.
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Agree John @Red Ink Cricket and wasn't suggesting to go from 2lbs 8oz to 2lbs 13oz for example. As i said, i think an Oz or so is nothing really when taking everything into account. My main point was some 2lbs 9oz bats will pick up like dogs, some 2lbs 10oz + bats will pick up beautifully and most people could use them but won't as they're not their exact weight requirement. Personally i don't subscribe to the theory that going slightly heavier or lighter will be the main issue if people aren't scoring runs, timing the ball or struggling with certain shots. I think the extra oz is then sitting somewhere between the ears! 😆 To bat for 50 overs with an extra oz in a bat wouldn't fatigue anyone really I wouldn't have thought. But obviously the more you add the more likely that becomes.
Everyone seems fixated with big bats at light weights. So narrowing, xlite grips, super skinny handles, thin shoulders/splice area are more and more common to get to that, but imo this is detrimental to the bat overall in feel, performance and longevity.
But I think many players now would rather have a big bat with skinny handle etc which picks up like a dog as long as its 2lbs 8oz, over a smaller one or one at the same size but 2lbs 10oz with a thicker handle which picks up much better. They'd then probably have to add an extra grip to thicken the handle and make it 2lbs 10oz anyway! 😂
That said, I'd always give a customer the weight they request. I might on occasion inform them as I'm shaping it that i think its where it needs to be and confirm they're happy with an extra oz, but if not l'll take it to specified weight obviously.
At the end of the day they're using it and I want them to be 100% happy with what i provide, regardless of my viewpoint.
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I’m not one to believe in the 2lb 13 but picks up 2lb 9 rubbish. Maybe it does pick up at that weight, but it’s scale weight is still 2lb 13 and unless you are comfortable batting long periods with that extra weight, you will notice it.
Well said. Most people go to a store / bat maker well rested and fresh. Heavy bats will feel ok, but after 50 overs of fielding, or in a long innings, it can be a totally different story. That’s why it’s important to have an idea of what weight you usually use, and not deviate from it.
Also feel that we should go a few ounces lighter than the pros, as they are much stronger and fitter. If Ben Stokes is using 2lb 9oz, I should be using 2lb 5!!
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Also feel that we should go a few ounces lighter than the pros, as they are much stronger and fitter. If Ben Stokes is using 2lb 9oz, I should be using 2lb 5!!
Can see why you'd argue that but a couple factors come into it IMO.
Firstly, we're not facing anything like the pace they are. There's a Hales clip from a while back where he said he went down from absolute monster bats to 2'10 ish because he started facing real pace and he had to get into position to play the short ball. Vast majority of clubbies will never face anyone genuinely fast.
Secondly, we're not playing with the quality of cricket balls or on the quality of outfields they are. There are some lovely club grounds but at most I've played on you need a bit of meat to get the ball away, you can't just elegantly time it all along the ground and make many runs. Equally, Stokes can probably hit a 6 with a 2'6 bat due to the sheer power he has. I need a bit of assistance to clear the infield and the best way I've found to do that is a bat with a bit of heft to it.
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Next you will be telling us that it is the fact that Joe Root is quite good that he can hit all those runs and nothing to do with him having a massive ultra low density urber pingy with loads of grains pro bat...
I just won't believe you.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
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Slightly different note, @thebigginge did Root know that the bats were heavier than he'd asked for?
I've heard a few makers suggest that some of the pros will say they want a 2'9, come into the workshop to pick up a bat, take hold of a 2'11 or something and decide they love the feel and take that away despite the weight difference.
Interesting if it's the case and since hearing that I've tried to be a bit less picky about weights myself.
It can happen....but its pretty rare, and its not normally such a huge variance from there actual match weight
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Well said. Most people go to a store / bat maker well rested and fresh. Heavy bats will feel ok, but after 50 overs of fielding, or in a long innings, it can be a totally different story. That’s why it’s important to have an idea of what weight you usually use, and not deviate from it.
Also feel that we should go a few ounces lighter than the pros, as they are much stronger and fitter. If Ben Stokes is using 2lb 9oz, I should be using 2lb 5!!
From what I've been told, Stokes' bats end up nearer 3lb due to the number of grips he likes to whack on
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Regarding the size - in a cricket market where I am swamped with requests for "Pro size/shape" bats, these bats them selves were no more than average sized retail bats, my point being that the no.1 batter in the world was more than happy with a product that wasn't what the public expect it to be.
Had some Oblivion Stealths from you boys which were modest sized, to say the least, one of them with a 56mm spine and 38mm edges and at 2.10-2.11. When tapping up, the ceiling was in danger - on par with some of the top bats I've seen/had. There is something very appealing about a high volume bat at low weight, especially when buying off pictures. But it is all wood in the end, some pieces will just end up that bit special, regardless of density. Either that, or you sprinkled some magic dust on the bat. ;)
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:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Had some Oblivion Stealths from you boys which were modest sized, to say the least, one of them with a 56mm spine and 38mm edges and at 2.10-2.11. When tapping up, the ceiling was in danger - on par with some of the top bats I've seen/had. There is something very appealing about a high volume bat at low weight, especially when buying off pictures. But it is all wood in the end, some pieces will just end up that bit special, regardless of density. Either that, or you sprinkled some magic dust on the bat. ;)
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I'm not bragging, but I can hit the ceiling with almost any bat. ;)
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Imagine the Big Ginge was the new Keeley...