Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: ppccopener on January 07, 2024, 05:24:38 PM
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The cost of bats seems to be on an upward trend, the old market saying what goes up must come down seemingly not applicable,and it’s been much discussed on the forum.
I am a a Salix fan, no one makes a better bat in this a country IMO but with their knife range which cuts out some of the process that they are so well known for seems a change in direction in prices.
A blip on the upward cost of bat ownership or could others follow suit to appeal to us clubbies more price conscious.
Or January is a slow month for sales and they just want some transactions going thru the door
Personally the look of the bat is not so important so I think this is a very good idea and something a bit different.
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I’m a bit lost here. Your post makes it sound like they’ve brought out a cheaper bat, but the the knife seems to be £650+
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I’m a bit lost here. Your post makes it sound like they’ve brought out a cheaper bat, but the the knife seems to be £650+
In which case I will double check I have the right information for sure. They have a new website with one range missing out on some of the process.
:)
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Yeah got way too excited here and posted duff info. Haven’t even had a drink
The upward trend of bat prices continues on
:)
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https://www.thecricketstore.uk/products/rugged-knife (https://www.thecricketstore.uk/products/rugged-knife)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1wf6k4oBjZ/?igsh=MTU1amEyaXY3N3MyYg== (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1wf6k4oBjZ/?igsh=MTU1amEyaXY3N3MyYg==)
I think it's this you're talking about maybe?
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https://www.thecricketstore.uk/products/rugged-knife (https://www.thecricketstore.uk/products/rugged-knife)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1wf6k4oBjZ/?igsh=MTU1amEyaXY3N3MyYg== (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1wf6k4oBjZ/?igsh=MTU1amEyaXY3N3MyYg==)
I think it's this you're talking about maybe?
Yes Jonny that’s it, not directly Salix I got that wrong a website selling Salix.
A slightly rough finished bat which cuts out some time and therefore costs perhaps.
I guess it depends how much time is taken out by fine sanding or polishing.
Time is money whether it’s a car mechanic or a batmaker, what I was trying to get at is by missing out part of the process could it mean any significant difference if others started it
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If this became became the practice across the industry then I’d be all for it.
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If a small brand did this, people would just say they're finishing was terrible 😆 There's been a lot of talk on here about standards of finishing, so not sure everyone would agree. It's not going to make bats infinitely cheaper either. These are all still £350.
That said, I'd love to skip steps in finishing. It's the least enjoyable part for me tbh!
Aside from this, The Cricket Store is great and worth taking a look at. I know the guy who's in set it up and he's a good bloke, with a good Idea tbf
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How would you describe the finishing in words what salix are proposing versus their usual standards
Hard to see a difference in their video ..
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Also if it’s 350 now what was it before the premium finishing ?
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Also if it’s 350 now what was it before the premium finishing ?
The Knife seems to be up to about £800 direct from Salix. Ouch.
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Guessing this wasn’t a 800 version grade but memory that started about 490 plus
So they are offering it at 350 .. saving 140 £ finishing is costing £140 or how they value it ?
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I’ve adjusted my original title to just one type of Salix product so my post is more accurate. It’s just one type of finishing the rest is unchanged as I understand it
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Guessing this wasn’t a 800 version grade but memory that started about 490 plus
So they are offering it at 350 .. saving 140 £ finishing is costing £140 or how they value it ?
This is the bit that may or may not be a blip that stops the runaway train that is willow prices and labour costs. It may not of course and just be a limited time and not catch on elsewhere.
We all like perfectly polished bats but costs are rising so fast thru no fault of any makers or retailers.
I don’t know but my opinion is belt sanding and fine Sanding by machine or possibly by hand to finish a bat would take half a day to one day.
I could be wrong thou.
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I don’t know the answer but do you mean one bat half a day ? I would have thought there are finishing for dispatch or ready to be sold to retailers at least 3-7 bats a day
1000 clefts is near enough 3 a day …
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I don’t know the answer but do you mean one bat half a day ? I would have thought there are finishing for dispatch or ready to be sold to retailers at least 3-7 bats a day
1000 clefts is near enough 3 a day …
You may be right it depends how much machine work is the final part and the size of the operation I guess.
I’ve seen bats belt sanded but the actual final polishing it goes thru may be a bit out of date to presume that’s done by hand.
Again….I don’t know but you would think a larger operation it is all done by machine….the smaller batmakers in the UK perhaps there still is fine sanding by hand
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Makes a lot of sense this - polishing a bat to a fine finish has no impact at all on performance and takes a fair bit of time and equipment (=money).
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Makes a lot of sense this - polishing a bat to a fine finish has no impact at all on performance and takes a fair bit of time and equipment (=money).
This is my opinion as a humble consumer. By the time I've knocked the bat in, stuck a protective face on there and had a net then the Instagram-worthy shine is gone anyway. If that saves the maker some hassle and me a hundred quid then I am all the way in on that deal.
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Good marketing on expensive bats to start with.
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High quality finishing has never been important to me - I am sure somewhere in the subconscious thought process, there is a reluctance to throwing a perfectly crafted object at a hard cricket ball - given how battered a bat quickly becomes. I do wonder though what direction Salix are heading to as a brand.
Their USP has always been entirely hand crafted bats finished to an exceptional level and they have priced accordingly. Once you start chucking out Indian part-mades and offering discounts for rough finished products, the brand starts looking expensive and an appallingly build website is hardly likely to attract new custom
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High quality finishing has never been important to me - I am sure somewhere in the subconscious thought process, there is a reluctance to throwing a perfectly crafted object at a hard cricket ball - given how battered a bat quickly becomes. I do wonder though what direction Salix are heading to as a brand.
Their USP has always been entirely hand crafted bats finished to an exceptional level and they have priced accordingly. Once you start chucking out Indian part-mades and offering discounts for rough finished products, the brand starts looking expensive and an appallingly build website is hardly likely to attract new custom
Hi, thank you for your thoughts. I am James, the Founder of The Cricket Store. I just wanted to follow up as I saw you mentioned the build of the website was below your expectations. It would be great to understand how we can improve it?
We’ve partnered with Salix like many other bat makers to offer a retail experience which better serves them and you the customer. If there are things we can be doing better please let me know. Happy to share my number directly if easier & thank you once again!
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Hi, thank you for your thoughts. I am James, the Founder of The Cricket Store. I just wanted to follow up as I saw you mentioned the build of the website was below your expectations. It would be great to understand how we can improve it?
We’ve partnered with Salix like many other bat makers to offer a retail experience which better serves them and you the customer. If there are things we can be doing better please let me know. Happy to share my number directly if easier & thank you once again!
I could be wrong here, but I think he was referencing the salix website more than yours.
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Ah, thank you for the clarification Leachy! If you do see any points that we can improve please let me know!
We are delighted to partner with Salix and offer new innovative bats to you
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Hi, thank you for your thoughts. I am James, the Founder of The Cricket Store. I just wanted to follow up as I saw you mentioned the build of the website was below your expectations. It would be great to understand how we can improve it?
We’ve partnered with Salix like many other bat makers to offer a retail experience which better serves them and you the customer. If there are things we can be doing better please let me know. Happy to share my number directly if easier & thank you once again!
Hi James, there's no option for overseas shipping with exemption from VAT. I can refer few websites that removes VAT once address is added for shipping. Could you update your system, if possible?
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Hi James, there's no option for overseas shipping with exemption from VAT. I can refer few websites that removes VAT once address is added for shipping. Could you update your system, if possible?
I think they'd need to be VAT registered to do so, so if they aren't, it'll be slightly more complicated than tweaking a few settings on a website 😅
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Right, so there was some sunshine here today, and figured I'd probably try shed some light on the differences...
Salix Rugged Knife G1:
(https://i.postimg.cc/N0Jxh1cS/20240207_150638.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HzzLQjS) (https://i.postimg.cc/638fBy63/20240207_150631.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2bfZwjZR) (https://i.postimg.cc/7Y3MPv4g/20240207_150251.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsv2LBsJ) (https://i.postimg.cc/tgThzYx5/20240207_150241.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nXyjFVTj)
Salix Knife Finite:
(https://i.postimg.cc/v895XRcp/20240207_145601.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzVdFPGJ) (https://i.postimg.cc/SxV68WJR/20240207_145603.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZWBvzvPz) (https://i.postimg.cc/hjmQCxP9/20240207_145655.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ph2drmjT) (https://i.postimg.cc/QCr9vtHv/20240207_145713.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hzptdK80)
Salix Amp G2:
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwqGKhy7/20240207_150321.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sv0GL4hJ) (https://i.postimg.cc/02R0qkTk/20240207_150328.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V5gCq8sp) (https://i.postimg.cc/yN4HmStq/20240207_150314.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zfFxr9Z)
ACID Nitric Bomb Pro:
(https://i.postimg.cc/j2N6Jm7Y/20240207_150350.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FkrkMPpT) (https://i.postimg.cc/66GfS21b/20240207_150415.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HjdM8xmb) (https://i.postimg.cc/j5BQ2tCh/20240207_150417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZtVm031) (https://i.postimg.cc/d1JcXcJ4/20240207_150407.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gwt7X5XZ)
Hopefully this highlights the difference, at least visually a bit better. The Salix and ACID standard finish seems to suggest that they'll have a very similar, if not identical finishing process. The thing to note about the Salix finish is that it's not necessarily the gloss mirror sheen that makes it the best on the market, but the way the shapes generally blend and the smoothness of the lines/swoops. The Rugged does not seem to sacrifice this aspect.
Now, onto a side to side comparison with a Knife Finite:
(https://i.postimg.cc/rp3Q0SPW/20240207_142657.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QBgpvWsx) (https://i.postimg.cc/Ghx77T4w/20240207_142743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZC0x0RPV) (https://i.postimg.cc/Lsnx8yN2/20240207_142710.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kVPQjv0p)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLV0gVj9/20240207_142719.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mMbcgBZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/JzTTmw3p/20240207_142723.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSXQdMMG)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQ07BBQB/20240207_142758.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3wk6JN1) (https://i.postimg.cc/g0XKWx20/20240207_142812.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2qYWd8vp) (https://i.postimg.cc/Cx64XGYt/20240207_142835.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5XLvFFXq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pTjkDpwS/20240207_142918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLqx3QQ5) (https://i.postimg.cc/qqdwQp0v/20240207_142921.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DJB1wk89)
(https://i.postimg.cc/prYZ63XY/20240207_143022.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KjD6WSb)
At this point, you might say - But Chad, they're just going to sell you G2 bats upgraded to G1 and use less work to justify the charging of a G2 price, etc etc etc. Well, lucky for you guys, this is a rather pricey experiment, so let's have a look and see...
G3 ACID:
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cPHxtF2/20240207_211014.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/62gnvVfc)
G2 Salix:
(https://i.postimg.cc/SsGdZwKL/20240207_211032.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYnj5QLh)
G1/Marque Salix/Acid:
(https://i.postimg.cc/sfwK5dqs/20240207_210400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6T4dNSBm) (https://i.postimg.cc/MHPDwVVv/20240207_210409.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QzvqHPV) (https://i.postimg.cc/15dHY0yd/20240207_210926.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56wLXCY5) (https://i.postimg.cc/zXv7j2YW/20240207_210426.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WhR0pn3b)
Players Salix (Pre-Finite era)/Finite Salix/Pro ACID:
(https://i.postimg.cc/63BLGYh8/20240207_211211.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8Fnr2d9G) (https://i.postimg.cc/FKyVR20t/20240207_211143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBpyggMz) (https://i.postimg.cc/qq58S0HK/20240207_211229.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QKc9K2tN) (https://i.postimg.cc/wMvXwMZH/20240207_211318.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YhQ04fk) (https://i.postimg.cc/1tM00wWJ/20240207_211202.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Hcc7dc1y)
I guess looking at this, Salix do seem to be fairly consistent in their grading - perhaps you could argue that the ACID Pro has that strange blemish/knot in the inside edge, or that you expect a Finite to have more than 7 grains, the G2 looks a bit more like a G1 etc, but I do think that the grading has some sort of consistency across this relatively small sample. In the end, grading is at the discretion of the maker, and I don't think Kember will have been in business this long if he was known to grade unfairly. The particular Rugged does look in the same league with the other G1s in my view.
If I had to sum up the differences, I guess the standard Salix finish gives off more of a flashy gleam, a very much prestigious product, whereas the Rugged Salix finish gives off more of a warm nostalgic glow, and the smell of linseed does evoke some fond memories. The area which both excel are in the quality of the workmanship, and the general quality control of ensuring the bats perform. Salix have never really been about HUGE large volume bats, but have always stood out with their classy look and satisfied customer base.
Is it worth it? I really couldn't say - I have no idea how long these additional processes take etc with regards to their final sanding/finishing process steps. Personally, tonnes of fine sanding and polishing will really have no effect on the function of the bat, which is to feel right in the hands, withstand the striking of some hard leather and score some runs.
PS. Apologies, I probably should have posted this on a new thread!
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Nice one Chad
Putting Neon aside and looking at it personally, I'd absolutely go for a rugged over the 'fully finished' model if it was me - within a few weeks of use the bats will look virtually the same anyway so why not save a few quid in the process. The pressing is the important bit and that's not changing after all!
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Nice one Chad
Putting Neon aside and looking at it personally, I'd absolutely go for a rugged over the 'fully finished' model if it was me - within a few weeks of use the bats will look virtually the same anyway so why not save a few quid in the process. The pressing is the important bit and that's not changing after all!
Having purchased one myself too - I agree with this and was my rationale for buying one
For me It’s an excellent idea - and gives consumers the choice.
If you want the all bells and whistles you can - it’s just going to cost you. But in essence your saving a lot of money on just the finishing - the pressing , handle and skill of the bat maker is still Salix and surely that’s what your paying for really when you buy a Salix.
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Look lovely bats those Chad. Top write up as always! The lengths and expense you go to for the forum is always impressive! 😆
For me, I still can't figure out how missing out a few stages of finishing equates to saving over £200 in labour costs and therefore the reduction in overall cost of the bat by this amount, which ultimately has the same raw materials etc. But I don't know the ins and outs of the processes they use, so can't really say.
As you say tho, gives the consumer choice and a maybe more affordable way into the brand. Which is no doubt the idea behind it as some may feel their other range is out of reach in terms of cost.
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Right then, who’s doing me a grade one, 2.8 with 40mm edges, 67mm spine, 30mm toe but leave the finishing so it’s only £100 😊
Excellent research Chad. Which one are you potentially taking out in the summer?
And I must say as much as the Acid range really doesn’t do it for me, salix know how to do their more “classical stickers” don’t they. Stunning. Or maybe it’s just the photography.
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Good photos @Chad its an interesting slight change in bat pricing which whether it’s the storms in India a few years ago to brexit to inflation or anything else that has doubled willow and associated costs in the last few years.
With bat grading varying depending on who you speak to my own view is this will catch on elsewhere and we may end up with
Grade 1. Finished/polished/fine sanded and looking great to the eye.
Grade 2/3/4. Unfinished final polishing/fine sanded.
Of course, some bat makers may not want to do that and that’s fine, if I spent a day making a bat I would want it to look great.
But this type of thing does give an option to us consumers, and the bats being graded on performance is a very grey area indeed.
If a bat is made and pressed properly to chances of it being dead and very very small indeed I would say.
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Good photos @Chad its an interesting slight change in bat pricing which whether it’s the storms in India a few years ago to brexit to inflation or anything else that has doubled willow and associated costs in the last few years.
With bat grading varying depending on who you speak to my own view is this will catch on elsewhere and we may end up with
Grade 1. Finished/polished/fine sanded and looking great to the eye.
Grade 2/3/4. Unfinished final polishing/fine sanded.
Of course, some bat makers may not want to do that and that’s fine, if I spent a day making a bat I would want it to look great.
But this type of thing does give an option to us consumers, and the bats being graded on performance is a very grey area indeed.
If a bat is made and pressed properly to chances of it being dead and very very small indeed I would say.
Are you saying that batmakers will grade on finishing? Or that they'll maybe just finish G1s to a finer finish? Some of bats from the main brands I saw on a visit to a local retailer recently were not all exactly finished to a high shine anyway.
I'd be happy not finishing to a polished shine, but my point was it wouldn't reduce costs by that much. Can't speak for everyone, but achieving a good finish isn't hugely time consuming in the grand scheme of things and labour/materials/power/machinery to achieve it doesn't come to £200 in each bat, for me at least.
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Are you saying that batmakers will grade on finishing? Or that they'll maybe just finish G1s to a finer finish? Some of bats from the main brands I saw on a visit to a local retailer recently were not all exactly finished to a high shine anyway.
I'd be happy not finishing to a polished shine, but my point was it wouldn't reduce costs by that much. Can't speak for everyone, but achieving a good finish isn't hugely time consuming in the grand scheme of things and labour/materials/power/machinery to achieve it doesn't come to £200 in each bat, for me at least.
I don’t think a lot of us know exactly how much of the process would be cut out. We can guess and it probably varies from company to company.
What I’m saying is should this catch on with others, and we don’t know if it will or it’s a one off then it might be an option to put a dent in ever growing costs for bat buyers.
Of course there are already options on lower grades available, we know that.
Do I think it is possible a bat finished to a fantastic standard may be grade 1, a rough finish bat at a lower grade…yes it might be possible.
This whole thread is designed to see if are any options that might and I say again might be possible in the future.
I am not saying people who do this for a living should all change their practises, but it may be adopted going forward.
If there are no ideas prices may not stop going up.
Personally an unfinished bat which is cheaper than than a glossy one appeals to me. A few nets and they all look the same.
I will emphasise thou we don’t know the exact finishing process.
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I don’t think it will make any change to other bat makers as Johnny has said
Other maker big or small the finish varies so much
Salix are known for beaming finish …
Most others apart from one well known Indian supplier aren’t that great
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Right, so there was some sunshine here today, and figured I'd probably try shed some light on the differences...
Hopefully this highlights the difference, at least visually a bit better. The Salix and ACID standard finish seems to suggest that they'll have a very similar, if not identical finishing process. The thing to note about the Salix finish is that it's not necessarily the gloss mirror sheen that makes it the best on the market, but the way the shapes generally blend and the smoothness of the lines/swoops. The Rugged does not seem to sacrifice this aspect.
Now, onto a side to side comparison with a Knife Finite:
At this point, you might say - But Chad, they're just going to sell you G2 bats upgraded to G1 and use less work to justify the charging of a G2 price, etc etc etc. Well, lucky for you guys, this is a rather pricey experiment, so let's have a look and see...
I guess looking at this, Salix do seem to be fairly consistent in their grading - perhaps you could argue that the ACID Pro has that strange blemish/knot in the inside edge, or that you expect a Finite to have more than 7 grains, the G2 looks a bit more like a G1 etc, but I do think that the grading has some sort of consistency across this relatively small sample. In the end, grading is at the discretion of the maker, and I don't think Kember will have been in business this long if he was known to grade unfairly. The particular Rugged does look in the same league with the other G1s in my view.
If I had to sum up the differences, I guess the standard Salix finish gives off more of a flashy gleam, a very much prestigious product, whereas the Rugged Salix finish gives off more of a warm nostalgic glow, and the smell of linseed does evoke some fond memories. The area which both excel are in the quality of the workmanship, and the general quality control of ensuring the bats perform. Salix have never really been about HUGE large volume bats, but have always stood out with their classy look and satisfied customer base.
Is it worth it? I really couldn't say - I have no idea how long these additional processes take etc with regards to their final sanding/finishing process steps. Personally, tonnes of fine sanding and polishing will really have no effect on the function of the bat, which is to feel right in the hands, withstand the striking of some hard leather and score some runs.
PS. Apologies, I probably should have posted this on a new thread!
Great bats, beautifully written post,
Guess you'll never say which bat you're planning on to use this summer.
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None of them is my thoughts lovely looking bats though
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I think they'd need to be VAT registered to do so, so if they aren't, it'll be slightly more complicated than tweaking a few settings on a website 😅
Thank you Chad, haha yes it'll take a bit more implementation on our back end but we're working on it. Unfortunately at present, we don't offer international shipping thus the reason we don't do this at present but we are working on this and should have international shipping ready by end of March.