Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Keeley Cricket => Topic started by: SOULMAN1012 on March 24, 2024, 10:05:25 PM
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So this is in the workshop having been gifted to a player whom I sponsor who played for England in the recent over 40’s World Cup
In SA.
This is Darren Stevens match bat from the 2022 season when I believe he was let go from Kent but scored a bucket load of runs at the end of that season. Overall the bats in great condition with the exception of a rather large leading edge piece of damage.
Specs
2lb 10.2oz
1 inch shorter blade
Fills the gauge with 38mm edge and totally convex profile
Same very thin TK handle
Performance wise as you would expect this is superb. Now iv had a few retail Keeleys which have all been good but this is far better. Possibly as it’s fully used and opened up, possibly it’s just a top piece of willow genuine Pro grade (if you buy into that ) with all sapwood and 10+ grains or maybe they are pressed differently like the GM PE bats are certainly pressed differently to the retail offerings.
Anyway thought the forum would like to see them and as a life long kent fan and Kent raised and lived there for over 25yrs it’s a little bit special to get to work on it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vBZzD066/IMG-9723.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kVL8pFsn)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XNZP8vpB/EAA2-D48-A-0-D30-4967-ACE1-D47622600-F9-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xq2gjnG9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Px02cmPp/IMG-9724.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpzWvvbT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qvrZ4XQ2/IMG-9734.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fBNNzFL)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SQwvtpMT/IMG-9735.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s14mvqK7)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fb2H74sv/IMG-9736.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4Ffksh4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hjY9vcBH/IMG-9737.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7GgCQvbV)
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What a beauty.
Shorter blade. Does it have a longer handle? I am intrigued by the different configurations following @thebigginge Xmas Q&A.
Thank you for posting, @SOULMAN1012
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Not sure I can actually see the damage!
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Not sure I can actually see the damage!
I could say that’s how good my work is but in reality it’s on the other edge from the profile shot lol
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What a beauty.
Shorter blade. Does it have a longer handle? I am intrigued by the different configurations following @thebigginge Xmas Q&A.
Thank you for posting, @SOULMAN1012
Yes 1inch longer handle SH overall
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Looks amazing. Thank you for responding, @SOULMAN1012
Touch of the Glenn Maxwell about the blade. Fat (mid/ low?) middle and drop off to the toe.
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That's a nice shape.
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Going to use it @SOULMAN1012 ?
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Thanks for sharing mate. Looks a lovely shape. I have heard of a lot more people going for the shorter blades… starting off with a quarter of an inch and slowly moving down to an inch shorter. Method in the madness perhaps.
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Going to use it @SOULMAN1012 ?
Possibly one day but happy with my WW grade 3
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Thanks for sharing mate. Looks a lovely shape. I have heard of a lot more people going for the shorter blades… starting off with a quarter of an inch and slowly moving down to an inch shorter. Method in the madness perhaps.
Pretty common place now that all brands have at least 1 shorter blade option. Personally been using them for years and wouldn’t ever go back to a standard L555 blade length
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Fascinating. Do you always go for the longer handle to get it to a SH length?
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That is a real beauty thanks for sharing. As a fellow Man of Kent I would be trembling with excitement to have that bat in my hands.
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Fascinating. Do you always go for the longer handle to get it to a SH length?
This is a very common set-up nowadays.
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What's the perceived/real benefit?
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What's the perceived/real benefit?
Improves pick-up.
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Perceived benefits are some say better pickup, more bat speed and allows more wood in the blade. Real benefits, nothing proven! 😆 As with most things in the cricket world, there isn't just scientific testing to back up the theory I don't think.
I use a 540mm blade but just because it felt right when I made it up. So, not sure that's down to the set up of it, as all bats I've used have felt right over the years and they were all std sh.
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You can certainly get bigger bats at more desired weight ranges other than that personal preference really I think
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Would be interesting to see just how much it makes a difference in reality, but difficult to quantify I suppose?
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Very nice bats the short blades I have found do pick up better in my opinion.
Love the look of this bat I have a Rizwan actual made bat not one of the replica sold and a James Taylor both incredible bats I bet this is just as good.
People ask about pro bats myths and stuff
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Very nice bats the short blades I have found do pick up better in my opinion.
Love the look of this bat I have a Rizwan actual made bat not one of the replica sold and a James Taylor both incredible bats I bet this is just as good.
People ask about pro bats myths and stuff
Is the Taylor a SSH?
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It was originally I got it when I worked for b3the mullinator is based off one of his bats bar the handle
The Taylor some I have let use off this forum is a beast.
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Very nice bats the short blades I have found do pick up better in my opinion.
Love the look of this bat I have a Rizwan actual made bat not one of the replica sold and a James Taylor both incredible bats I bet this is just as good.
People ask about pro bats myths and stuff
have you got pictures of the Rizwan bat and how does it differ from the replica GN sell?
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Very nice bats the short blades I have found do pick up better in my opinion.
Love the look of this bat I have a Rizwan actual made bat not one of the replica sold and a James Taylor both incredible bats I bet this is just as good.
People ask about pro bats myths and stuff
Having seen the Rizwan in person the bat is a beast! If only it was my weight...
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have you got pictures of the Rizwan bat and how does it differ from the replica GN sell?
I don’t know if they’re different in truth to the replica maybe mine a couple of years old my comment was a bit flippant but I know the Rizwan I have is made by a great and pings like a galloping Trojan horse if a little heavier than I usually use.
Sorry to spam your topic Chris
This Keeley looks a gem of a bat a real gem
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Gah, I hate this place.
I now need to find a cheap experiment short-blade bat to see what the fuss is all about!
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It's quite possible that you may have used one without realising.
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I know why you say that, but I haven't. I've just checked all my bats! :D
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Gah, I hate this place.
I now need to find a cheap experiment short-blade bat to see what the fuss is all about!
cannot recommend the new kooks stealth high enough, will get some picks up but the g3 is as good a bat as i have bought
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Gah, I hate this place.
I now need to find a cheap experiment short-blade bat to see what the fuss is all about!
There's a Chase Vortex that somebody might be selling at the moment, 15/20mm shorter blade/longer handle setup... 😅
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Great share Chris. Loved the read
And so I understand the forum clearly…
Bat blades can be better shorter but absolutely never narrower!!! ;)
I also use shorter blade longer handle combo (WCWs & Kook lites) and I totally love them.
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They can be narrower, but just be open about it.
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They can be narrower, but just be open about it.
Agree. Don't mind it if people are open about it. Same as storm damage, if you're open about it to then all good. Just don't sell bats which have storm damage without telling someone they have storm damage.
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Agree. Don't mind it if people are open about it. Same as storm damage, if you're open about it to then all good. Just don't sell bats which have storm damage without telling someone they have storm damage.
Why would anyone willingly use a narrower bat though?
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Why would anyone willingly use a narrower bat though?
Some people maybe happy to in order to get slightly bigger edges. Most wouldn't know though, hence why I think people should be open about it. At least then people have the choice.