Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Hell4Leather => Topic started by: hit4six on January 20, 2022, 01:56:45 PM
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After a decent 2021 season with the bat, I realised that my old kit had seen its final innings and a whole overhaul was needed for the 2022 season.
Having worked with Matt and James down at H4L for a couple of years, I always keep an eye on their social media feeds, waiting for some of their outlet bats to become available and it so happened that within the space of 24 hours, I purchased my two match bats for the season.
With both bats being listed on the outlet section of the website as blank, I made the decision to go with the Fifty50 stickers and earlier this week, they arrived!
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0LqVHwt/20220120-130821.jpg)
Bat 1 - Butterfly
The first bat I purchased was bat 4 from the Butterfly stash that was posted.
I got in touch with Matt when I saw the collection go online and he commented that no.4 was a good fit for me.
The bat has a lovely semi oval, thick handle and comes with the word "Butterfly" engraved. The stain sits behind the stickers with 8 grains visible on the face. The bat has no concaving with a mid position middle.
Fully Dressed Weight: 2lb 10.8oz
Edge Size: 38mm
Toe Size: 26mm
I will let the pictures do the talking:
(https://i.postimg.cc/J09rfj94/20220120-130902.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J4k4bdky/20220120-130911.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MDzsXrb/20220120-131301.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3wnKKsPq/20220120-131029.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3RqYGgrC/20220120-131106.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xTMN0dgF/20220120-131204.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQzTPCRy/20220120-131151.jpg)
Bat 2 - Pro Grade
I am going to start the review of bat number 2 on this topic by claiming this may well be the best looking/feel bat I have ever owned. This thing is blooming huge!!
Following on from the Friday purchase of the Butterfly, Matt then posted another link to 2 x Pro Grade bats that he had shaped up which dwarfed the bat gauge. Due to Instagram notifying me the minute that these bats were posted, the 2lb 9oz bat that I saw was still available and without a moments hesitation, I added this to the basket.
Fully Dressed Weight: 2lb 10.4oz
Edge Size: 42mm
Spine: 68mm
(https://i.postimg.cc/kX3Dhm9N/20220120-131451.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TYV1z4Yz/20220120-131455.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPwPW2qx/20220120-131522.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pT5Xq061/20220120-131550.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NjGsWGnX/20220120-131711.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QN5d7y5F/20220120-131611.jpg)
Detailing
I thought I would also add a few other photos that I think really sets H4L apart from some of the other boutique brands in the market.
The finish on the bats are nothing less than perfect. There is absolutely no imperfections that I can spot and the shine is fantastic:
(https://i.postimg.cc/jS8xK0VF/20220120-131742.jpg)
The stickers are excellent quality and have a number of hidden elements (which I have tried to show) which really add a feel of quality:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DwQvNJ5n/20220120-131002.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nV5h9tCb/20220120-130929.jpg)
And finally, nothing beats a good quality, thick grip:
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjzy3dGx/20220120-131232.jpg)
Overall, I am so happy with my new bats for the coming season, and cannot thank Matt and James for a fantastic service!
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I bet they’re absolute cannons.
Love full profile. Every time I log on I want to own a H4L bat 😭
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Those H4L butterflies were massively tempting, even if I don't use standard SH bats any more!
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Bat 2 is definitely very special! Enjoy it,
it is worth the wait you've gone through! 👍
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Lovely bats. Well done.
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How much were they?
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How much were they?
From a quick browse of the H4L outlet, butterfly - £225 and pro grade - £500.
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That Pro grade is lovely, great specs too.
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I’m transitioning from a Harrow to a sh do H4l do one in between
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At this grade
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I’m transitioning from a Harrow to a sh do H4l do one in between
Not as standard pal but if you contact them I'm sure they could arrange something. Great guys to deal with.
Worth bearing in mind that H4L harrows do come out quite large (half inch shorter blade, half inch shorter handle and slightly narrower blade than SH, plus a decent size) and they can do up to 2lb 8oz.
You might also want to check out their clearance section as they have got some harrows in there at very reasonable prices and in decent weights for someone who's not quite ready for a SH yet.
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Looking for one with a lower middle in pro grade
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You no longer sponsored mate? Give the guys at H4L a call, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help
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Looking for one with a lower middle in pro grade
As Jonny has said, give H4L a ring. They've only ever been helpful when I've spoken to them and no doubt they can make up a bat to what you need.
If you're not old/big enough for a SH bat though, why not get something in a slightly lower grade and save your money for when you can get a bat that will last you longer?
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Looking for one with a lower middle in pro grade
Just stick with the Harrow DSC for now mate... 🙄🙄🙄
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🙄🙄
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Superb bats you got there - as expected from someone with such excellent taste. Having visited H4L, can vouch that they have a very impressive setup/process - and the quality they produce is outstanding. James and Matt certainly know how to make a bat! Hopefully the reduction in weight used leads to an increase in the amount of cricket and runs scored. :D
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As it is a rare, quiet Sunday for me, I thought I would get out in the garden and photograph another H4L that arrived with me earlier in the week.
This one was posted on the Outlet section of their website and formed part of a batch of super lightweight bats that appeared on social media.
Weight: 2lb 8.5oz fully dressed
Edge: 36mm
Enjoy the photos!
(https://i.postimg.cc/rpDWJ0MJ/20220313-141139.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/R02tbS0z/20220313-141151.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3Rpvssy0/20220313-141200.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gtxs2vxc/20220313-141227.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PJjwTSZ3/20220313-141303.jpg)
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That's some set of bats you've got for yourself this season. Temptation to get myself a H4L is growing all the time as the two bats I've had shaped elsewhere from H4L clefts are coming along very nicely.
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That's a beauty @hit4six - great buy
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yea thats a beaut that one!
I know they were the flavor of the forum a number of years ago now but H4L still do make some great sticks! I have had one or two gems from them in the past. Still dont see them enough in our league for my liking!
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Definitely want to add a H4L to my collection at some point as they are very highly rated on this forum, this one is a stunner!
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That looks like a lovely bat! I haven't got a H4L myself, but all but one of the part-mades I've used have been from there, and they are great. I don't have a huge amount of experience in it, but the pressing seems really good.
This one (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=48259.msg791901#msg791901 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=48259.msg791901#msg791901)) was a Grade 2 and is a lovely piece of wood. Can't wait to give in and get a Grade 1 part-made!
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There are some very good deals on H4L softs at the moment in the outlet section.
I have just bought new softs for the first time in 5 years. 😬😮🏏
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Shame there's not coloured pads available as I was on the hunt for a spare pair.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/62119ZcV/IMG-8177-2.avif) (https://postimg.cc/62119ZcV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/D4X5nM8F/IMG-8178.avif) (https://postimg.cc/D4X5nM8F)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfVMY6k1/IMG-8179.avif) (https://postimg.cc/hfVMY6k1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/14kJJsjz/IMG-8180.avif) (https://postimg.cc/14kJJsjz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/WtF5GhSK/IMG-8181.avif) (https://postimg.cc/WtF5GhSK)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rK2N5gD0/IMG-8182.avif) (https://postimg.cc/rK2N5gD0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HrH313HD/IMG-8183.avif) (https://postimg.cc/HrH313HD)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T5gjZ543/IMG-8185.avif) (https://postimg.cc/T5gjZ543)
Picked up these two bats in the outlet sales, white is gill shape and the black stickers is the pro shape. Both bats great out the middle, hoping with knocking in they will open up. very light for the shape and size
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I think I may have accidentally bought a bat yesterday from the outlet...
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I think I may have accidentally bought a bat yesterday from the outlet...
This is the way 🤣
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Buy a bat - I have spoken.
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And here we go... £141 from the outlet for this piece of very concaved timber
Weighs 2lbs9 fully dressed. The other bat has had a winter like mine and is 2lbs 12...
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqVX6rfr/IMG-20250110-135638983.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2qLHDBN6)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVRbVMrN/IMG-20250110-135717240.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zQWVBt7)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Px7cRdnJ/IMG-20250110-142840584.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgW31FBw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zfJ9Ldkz/IMG-20250110-142851097.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJV7pWTp)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pTr4Cp73/IMG-20250110-142856733.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7GvKYYqN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gj6591GD/IMG-20250110-142908123.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Zv4jp7BB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ry3sS43X/IMG-20250110-143648007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjLm4nmD)
A couple of things, the two bats are the same size, the sofa makes them look uneven.
I could tell from the pics in the outlet section the bat was very concaved, it isn't usually something I go for, but price and weight were deciding factors. Also it has a lovely clean face and straight grains for a butterfly so will be a good one.
Can also confirm it is pretty pingy. Which is good. Will need to hide from the boy.
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Oh... hello... 👀
https://www.h4l.co.uk/collections/h4l-rocket-factory (https://www.h4l.co.uk/collections/h4l-rocket-factory)