Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Your Kit => Topic started by: ch1p on January 05, 2023, 03:26:39 PM

Title: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: ch1p on January 05, 2023, 03:26:39 PM
Happy new year one and all! I’ve been frantically digging out the kit ahead of winter nets getting started properly. It’s bad practice but I’d left my number one in its bat cover through the colder months so had it out today ahead of giving it a little clean up.

I know we all love a brand new shiny piece of willow on this forum but I’m also a sucker for the weathered pieces. Not that I score enough runs but when I see a well worn bat, it really does look great in my opinion. I’m a ‘mark remover’ most of the time and I scrub particularly hard at the pink ones from the T20’s we play.

So here’s mine, an okay season, I definitely left some runs out there and used my inside edge a lot by the looks of it as the outside edge still looks polished. Oh and the grip definitely needs replacing before I lose the bat into lane two in the first winter slog.

How is yours looking?

(https://i.postimg.cc/7LXjTyG7/A36-A3743-EE33-457-A-B99-F-C9-A42-BC74883.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJz2H60P)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WzDRvf4Z/B5-CE8-BB8-746-D-49-AB-A216-8-CB92-B8539-AD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RJzp1dKC)

Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on January 05, 2023, 04:35:42 PM
Bats going into its 5th season first one I ever made
Pads & gloves into 2nd season along with the bag.

(https://i.postimg.cc/sDYq7bMS/33-EA8152-12-A0-46-A8-9-A3-D-564-E799-AF62-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfG2qybP)
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on January 05, 2023, 05:05:17 PM
Mines still in my kit bag from last season with my glorious 11* again Pete Tregos team where he scored 125 and took a 5fer to keep his team up!

Just been told winter nets start on the 24th so will dust it off shortly and see how she looks.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Vulcan Cricket on January 05, 2023, 07:04:40 PM
Soon be a post how's your softs looking and part worn softs wanted 😂😂😂
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 05, 2023, 08:08:05 PM
Bats going into its 5th season first one I ever made

Wow! Those four years went quick!
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Buzz on January 05, 2023, 08:22:32 PM
Looking like it needs to be used a bit more.
(https://i.postimg.cc/28fVrVSY/IMG-20221231-111930.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzQ89y4Z)
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 05, 2023, 10:44:39 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/WKmWLGQ/0-C412-A64-1062-4086-A93-F-F57-E729-CAA84.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DK0DZzN)
(https://i.ibb.co/YyzY6QD/3-D1-FAF10-30-A3-4-C5-B-B4-A1-631-E5-BBA15-B9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MGYWbS8)
 (https://nb.imgbb.com/)

Mines needs a touch of love before nets start, especially on the back where I spilled a bottle of acetone while it was lying on the bench.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on January 05, 2023, 11:27:27 PM
Wow! Those four years went quick!

Yea sure have, time flies when your having fun I guess
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: SurreySam on January 06, 2023, 11:39:59 AM
I like to make use of all the blade, although slightly annoyed I caught a short one right on the shoulder last season. Bat is opening up really nicely now.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52610599514_c65901e1af_b.jpg)
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: velvetsky01 on January 06, 2023, 11:54:22 AM
Spot last years stick :-D 2 new ones for me this year - one neon (a nice rare fuller shape) and another new Keeley - which has the same specs as my number one from last year. However since netting with the Neon we might have a new number one....

(https://i.postimg.cc/5NzD6263/CD28BF1A-3A70-453E-B99B-EFF4BBB0D2FF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RNMgY916)
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: FvanN on January 06, 2023, 02:42:23 PM
Hopefully mine is in a box about to be delivered.  :)
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Sloggerz on January 06, 2023, 05:36:49 PM
I like to make use of all the blade, although slightly annoyed I caught a short one right on the shoulder last season. Bat is opening up really nicely now.
How long did it take to open up and what grade is this bat if you dont mind me asking?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65
535/52610599514_c65901e1af_b.jpg)
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: billyb on January 06, 2023, 09:26:07 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/WKmWLGQ/0-C412-A64-1062-4086-A93-F-F57-E729-CAA84.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DK0DZzN)
(https://i.ibb.co/YyzY6QD/3-D1-FAF10-30-A3-4-C5-B-B4-A1-631-E5-BBA15-B9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MGYWbS8)
 (https://nb.imgbb.com/)

Mines needs a touch of love before nets start, especially on the back where I spilled a bottle of acetone while it was lying on the bench.


Is that a Ben Stokes Player Edition stickered as a GN Babar Azam Vapour?
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: velvetsky01 on January 06, 2023, 10:16:58 PM
Excellent spot didn’t notice that
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 07, 2023, 01:07:08 AM

Is that a Ben Stokes Player Edition stickered as a GN Babar Azam Vapour?
It is.

For no reason other than my preference for being a FKW.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: SurreySam on January 07, 2023, 12:39:46 PM
Quote from: Sloggerz
How long did it take to open up and what grade is this bat if you don't mind me asking?

Sure, it's a grade 2 bat which I knocked it in for about an hour using an LV mallet, mainly edges and toe. Then it probably had around 8 hours net time, some machine, some net practices and about 200 runs scored in matches.  It was purchased at the same time as a G1, which pinged slightly better, however the G2 has improved beyond that and I've just started the same process now on the G1. I'm hopeful that will improve in the same manor and I'll try post a review of them soon.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Nate on January 07, 2023, 06:00:56 PM
Love this thread idea, in a world of posting new kit online its good to see the weekend warriors people are using
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Buzz on January 09, 2023, 10:37:50 AM
Can we get back to seeing pictures of used bats now we have agreed that different batmakers use their different presses in a way that works for them... And that batmakers need to market their bats so players can justify spending increasing amounts of money on wonderful willow 🤑🤑
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 09, 2023, 10:40:21 AM
Can we get back to seeing pictures of used bats now we have agreed that different batmakers use their different presses in a way that works for them... And that batmakers need to market their bats so players can justify spending increasing amounts of money on wonderful willow 🤑🤑

Maybe soin the last few posts off into a seperate thread about pressing. I’d like to learn more.
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: alba caerulea on January 09, 2023, 10:42:38 AM
Maybe soin the last few posts off into a seperate thread about pressing. I’d like to learn more.

Yes please.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: ch1p on January 09, 2023, 10:55:01 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/fLt5RDTW/50-A00-C39-C1-D1-4-FF9-B32-B-353-A72-A0-C773.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Fdv0PtLw)

Back on topic with a teammates well bruised beauty.

Thanks to those who have scratched the itch so far. @Kulli your mark collection is so consistent, have you been tidying it up or is that work with Gio coming in clutch?  :D
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 09, 2023, 11:04:10 AM
Never really remove marks since going over to white balls as they leave no dye. Must be either middling or missing them! :D
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Jimbo on January 09, 2023, 11:07:56 AM
Every bat I used last year has either been sold or had a full refurb 😂 feeling very left out now...
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 09, 2023, 11:25:20 AM
Every bat I used last year has either been sold or had a full refurb 😂 feeling very left out now...

I had a season a few years ago where I basically forgot to bat and averaged about 5, did the same that winter, and have averaged around 40 ever since!
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: Jimbo on January 09, 2023, 11:28:35 AM
I had a season a few years ago where I basically forgot to bat and averaged about 5, did the same that winter, and have averaged around 40 ever since!

Looking forward to my defining 2023 season then 😅
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: MichaelM on January 09, 2023, 12:25:58 PM
It sounds like its exactly as described then.

I will add that Ive had 8 or 9 Keeleys from new and all have been brilliant straight out of the box. Whether you believe it to be marketing guff or otherwise - their pressing is brilliant.

Not yet tried a Reaper
What weight do you use? As I've seen many heavier bats performing well from the word go.
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: alba caerulea on January 09, 2023, 12:52:12 PM
What weight do you use? As I've seen many heavier bats performing well from the word go.

2.10-2.11 generally so pretty average

Whatever weight I use, your theory wouldnt explain variations across different brands
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: More Glue Than Wood on January 09, 2023, 01:37:04 PM
here is mine - as i retired from League cricket last year it only got used about 5 times last season - so apart from from needing some oil it is pretty much ready to go for the handful of friendly MCC and Glos Gipsies' games i will play

(https://i.postimg.cc/V650px6Y/IMG-20230109-132832-685.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzfrF6Cq)
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Alvaro on January 09, 2023, 08:54:22 PM
Fair play to the bat makers who still try.
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 09, 2023, 11:32:35 PM
Fair play to the bat makers who still try.

They all seem very good at what they do.
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 10, 2023, 01:13:41 PM
Maybe soin the last few posts off into a seperate thread about pressing. I’d like to learn more.

MODS!!!
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: edge on January 10, 2023, 01:25:06 PM
MODS!!!

Go on then: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=50091.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=50091.0)
Title: Re: How�s your bat looking?
Post by: Kulli on January 10, 2023, 03:26:54 PM
Go on then: [url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=50091.0[/url] ([url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=50091.0[/url])


Thanks
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: marsbug on January 12, 2023, 02:20:23 PM
Gave my main (homemade) bat a little bit of attention over the winter. Applied a PU toe guard, cleaned up the face, put on a nice scuff sheet (I used to hate them, but have come round a bit), and some new stickers (based on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warming_stripes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warming_stripes) for the UK for those interested)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mg4xn53S/2023-refresh-warming-stripes.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: How’s your bat looking?
Post by: edge on January 17, 2023, 08:32:19 AM
Here's my favourite and spare from the last couple of seasons, both looking a little the worse for wear!

Match bat is on the right with the right grip, massive Serbian Willow cleft that I shaped myself (pretty much just sanded the cleft down). Top performer but quite brittle, hence the dowels in the toe. Gets used for league games only.
Spare/wet/net/LMS bat is the yellow grip, and is broken. Originally a very heavy Puma that I picked up cheap and reshaped a bit, the reason the back sticker is a mess is because it's cracked at the bottom of the splice. Will probably carry on using it in nets until I get a new spare sorted, a real shame as after years of net use it was performing beautifully.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5NL5wKJQ/IMG20230115120914.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/X7LqS9cD/IMG20230115120939.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjNW5HFV/IMG20230115120954.jpg)