Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: hazant0803 on September 05, 2022, 10:08:44 PM
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Hey I am in the market for a new stick I am currently looking at either a World class willow chaos or a Gray nic legend gold, does anyone have one of these and can share their thoughts or any other recommendations?
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Like asking what is the best holiday in the world! Going to be a different answer for everybody.
What do you want in your new bat? A certain number of grains, ping over looks, weight, shape, cool stickers, etc? Certain custom makers do certain things really well, others have different specialties. Some brands have really good branding, others make good bats but don't look that fancy.
Plenty of guys on here who will make you a cracking stock bat or a custom option.
Big question is what's your budget?
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As @Jimbo mentioned, depends on many factors really. If you have the WCW and GN in mind I'm guessing budget isn't an issue, so go with what you'd prefer and who you'd prefer to support. At top end money, you'd expect both to be good sticks. Not that you wouldn't get that for less imo.
If its more important to work to a budget, support a smaller brand or get something custom made to your spec, then speak to any number of the brands on here and you'll get exactly that.
There are lots of great batmakers out there, so they'll always be many differing opinions when a question such as this is asked.
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My old CA8000 went like a rocket 😁 best £75 I ever spent on cricket gear.
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My old CA8000 went like a rocket 😁 best £75 I ever spent on cricket gear.
If that's the CA 8000 I sold - I wish you would stop talking about that. Dunno why I let that go - may have been the nicest CA I'd seen. :)
Hey I am in the market for a new stick I am currently looking at either a World class willow chaos or a Gray nic legend gold, does anyone have one of these and can share their thoughts or any other recommendations?
Just my 2 cents here, but the best cricket bat you can use at any given time is the one that's in your hands. Find a batmaker who makes bats exactly how you like - if volume at a light weight and with incredible looks is what you want, then yes, expect to pay the premium price tag of those bats.
WCW can make an excellent stick from what I've heard, and Stuart Kranzbuler - not many makers are as sought after as himself. As someone with a fair few bats to pick from - I literally just walk into a room with bats half the time before a match, and pick up a bat or 2, and then just went with them. The vast majority of the time, it would have been bats that I had picked out in person - the biggest difference is having a bat you trust, not a bat that you think is the best bat in the world.
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Exactly this really. Spending north of £600 doesn't mean it will outperform something at half that cost. I use the same handles in all my grades and they're all pressed and made using the same methods/processes.
However, ss @Chad mentioned you have to trust and above all else like the bat you're using. So that's then an emotive thing with shape/aesthetics, feel and even stickers being factored into the decision.
I'd expect any bat your paying for from a reputable maker or brand to perform really, certainly wouldn't send anything out myself which didn't imo feel like it would be a great bat. So its really down the other factors stated abv.
That said, I've seen top end bats from some of the big boys bought retail coming through the workshop for repair with storm damage etc, so would always recommend seeing the bat in person unless working with someone you trust.
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A wise man once said to me.... "a bat is only as good as the person holding it" 😉
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A wise man once said to me.... "a bat is only as good as the person holding it" 😉
That wise man probably never held a bat made of styrofoam. :D
Lot of things improved when I got a better (pingy) bat. I was not over-exerting myself and held my shape better. It helped me "time" my shots. Prior to my first good bat, I'd try to over-power my shots and in the process, developed some bad habits. A good (pingy) bat will at least prevent bad habits caused by over-exertion and loss of shape.
A good bat does help. It encourages a young/novice batsman, gives them confidence, and more importantly, helps them enjoy the (at times very hard) game of cricket/batting.
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Hey I am in the market for a new stick I am currently looking at either a World class willow chaos or a Gray nic legend gold, does anyone have one of these and can share their thoughts or any other recommendations?
1. Keeley are great! They do require some knocking time to get them going but depending on the pitch/grounds you play, they are generally a great bet.
2. Already mentioned but CA is my go-to brand (Keeley being a close second). They will ping. Have a retailer (or a friend :D) pick one for you. Go with older models and you can find gems at value. Then, buy 2.
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Support a forum batmaker.
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Support a forum batmaker.
Have to say, my experiences buying bats from @jonny77 (Scott Cricket), @Red Ink Cricket and @Northern monkey (Oxfordshire Cricket) were all absolutely outstanding. Top guys who will make you a top bat and the customer service is just a different planet to the big names.
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If that's the CA 8000 I sold - I wish you would stop talking about that. Dunno why I let that go - may have been the nicest CA I'd seen. :)
Yea maybe should have held onto it :) had a cracking middle..
Just my 2 cents here, but the best cricket bat you can use at any given time is the one that's in your hands. Find a batmaker who makes bats exactly how you like - if volume at a light weight and with incredible looks is what you want, then yes, expect to pay the premium price tag of those bats.
WCW can make an excellent stick from what I've heard, and Stuart Kranzbuler - not many makers are as sought after as himself. As someone with a fair few bats to pick from - I literally just walk into a room with bats half the time before a match, and pick up a bat or 2, and then just went with them. The vast majority of the time, it would have been bats that I had picked out in person - the biggest difference is having a bat you trust, not a bat that you think is the best bat in the world.
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Have to say, my experiences buying bats from @jonny77 (Scott Cricket), @Red Ink Cricket and @Northern monkey (Oxfordshire Cricket) were all absolutely outstanding. Top guys who will make you a top bat and the customer service is just a different planet to the big names.
Not sure if this post is helping promote the custom brands. If each makes a great bat (which I am sure they do), why would you need to go to another batmaker? Wouldnt you just go back to the first one always?
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Not sure if this post is helping promote the custom brands. If each makes a great bat (which I am sure they do), why would you need to go to another batmaker? Wouldnt you just go back to the first one always?
Because I like collecting and trying different brands. Aware that's not for everyone but I enjoy it, although it hasn't made me a better batsman.
To be clear, I'd happily go back to any of the batmakers I mentioned for a new stick and most likely will before too long.
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Seperately a lot of talk about WCW , anyone actually have a Roar WCW or any WCW bat they would like to review and talk about and what they like about it versus maybe other manufacturers?
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trying different brands. Aware that's not for everyone but I enjoy it, although it hasn't made me a better batsman.
To be clear, I'd happily go back to any of the batmakers I mentioned for a new stick and most likely will before too long.
THIS
TBH most brands make a decent bat and you cant really go wrong.
Pretty much this, but I prefer the smaller bespoke bat makers. More of a personal touch and I'd rather give my money to people i like... not to say the big brands aren't likeable but its easier to build a relationship when the brand is 1 or 2 individuals.
As I've said previously, the best bat is the best bat for you. Just because your favourite player uses a particular bat doesn't mean it will be right for you... but I get it...
I really want a GN Vapour 1.3 in green like Rizwan and Babar lol It's all in your head...
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Seperately a lot of talk about WCW , anyone actually have a Roar WCW or any WCW bat they would like to review and talk about and what they like about it versus maybe other manufacturers?
I've got a WCW Orca LE. Amazing bat, I'll try remember to upload some photos over the weekend. Has anyone got the softs? Was considering going FCW next season/ if they do any black friday sales.