Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Reviews => Topic started by: raymond.2 on March 26, 2010, 10:14:58 PM
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I have somehow ended up with 2 bats for the coming season so i thought id do a comparison, although its not really fair considering that i have only used the talisman.
Performance.
What really matters and there isnt alot in it, the fusion is more concaved, as per, and the middle does feel slightly better than the talisman. But the Talisman seems so much more forgiving that this doesnt really matter, with the difference being negligable aswell. The middle on the talisman is most noticeable for continuing higher up the bat which is surprising.
Looks/ Finish.
I quite like both sets of stickers, not that it really matters. Grains wise the fusion is better but again thats somewhat irrelevant. The Talisman has a much better finish, its faultless. The Fusion however looks a little rough in places and theres a few notches out of it, it also looks like it has a cheap asian handle which is surprising, im not sure but but somehow will probably know.
Profile/ pick up
Again not alot in it, both weigh 2.9 on the dot, the Fusion picks up slightly better, but both are very good for the weight... probably down to both having high middles. I spoke to James and he said that the the bat is a new profile hes been trying out, with weight taken from the shoulders and toe to give a larger swell, seems to of worked quite nicely, although he did say it wasnt a drastic change.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/RIMG0321.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/RIMG0322.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/RIMG0323.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/RIMG0325-1.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/RIMG0326.jpg)
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Quite disappointed having seen that Fusion.
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will agree the finish on the talismans is top notch well is on mine
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Quite disappointed having seen that Fusion.
Whys that Tom, was i right about the handle? Certainly doesnt seem as well finished as my previous one.
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Bat grip, toe shape, toe finish and squareness of the edges looks interesting. Fusion always used to use a quality Wright's handle too.
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That bat grip does look dodgy! Looks like the ones you get on cheap indian bats
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That bat grip looks like the same grip that was on my Malik, as does the shape and the grip tape. It makes you wonder if they are starting to import more than handmake?
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Its possible that they have started getting them made overseas, although James did say he has started making this new shape. Perhaps they are just handled over there but youll have to ask him.
Your right Tom the finish on the toe is a bit dodgy, looks like it will be excellent for sopping up water! Its shaped a bit weirdly aswell, the bottom of it runs flush with he face of the blade.
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Both look very nice, but the talisman especially. Just weighing up my options as to get one of these or a redback.
As you say, the finishing does look a bit suspect on the fusion but i'm sure it will play well. I take it was just a straight replacement for your old one?
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How much was the Fusion Raymond?
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Yer it was a straight swap for a fusion i had last year which broke, not sure how much it would be. Although i think all g1's are 150 quid at the moment... good value!
Gj your more than welcome to use it in nets and see what you think
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no you can get a sloitare for £100 and thats purley custom made !;)
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Doubt it would be as good though, if they are that good then every other batwaker would be out of business.
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all the solitares ive seen have been amazing im getting to next season ive been to the shop in worcester and seen waht goes on and trust me mate theyre sick
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Not english willow *
What's this meant to mean?
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solatiare bats arent english willow
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you know this for a fact?
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"Solitaire cricket bats are made from willow obtained from trees specially grown in Essex. We only use Grade 1 clefts which are cut and dried for optimum precision." A quotation from their website.
Our you saying that they are lying?
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iv been told buy someone who looked over a solatire bat so yes im saying there lying
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How could someone tell just by looking at a Solitaire bat when many of the vastly experienced batmakers on here have seen them and not noticed?
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he is a vastly experianced bat make and i value his opnion a lot
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Seriously what's with the Solitaire bashing? I think some people need to just face facts! A solitaire bat is a custom made G1 English willow bat for £100, albeit not to everyones taste but a bloody good value blade!
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find this incredibly hard to believe - who is this vastly experienced batmaker who told you?
You can get kashmir willow that looks identical to english willow - you cant always spot the difference, but even so - i dont think this is the case.
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ihave had a solitaire for all be it 2 weeks it is grade 1 by wrights standards it was not to my taste but a good bat for somebody and i suspect some people do not like the fact it cheaper than almost every other bat on the market.
i not saying it was the best piece of wood in the world but not the worst either not a bad bat for somebody on a tight budget
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I find it hard to believe too.
From what I have seen, Solitaire always seem to use nice willow.....
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only thing i have found odd about solitaire is every bat looks the exact same but i have been told of a few 2lb 9oz bat going out so it can not be the case.
but for 100 sheets you can not grumble of the look of them
back on topic surprised with the finish of the fusion looks very poor
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The Talisman looks as well finished as they all seem to!! And like the profile of them!!
The Fusion doesn't look too good in comparison!
Out of the two (from the nice pics posted) I would go for the Talisman.
I am sure that the Fusion bats looked a lot better quality a couple of years ago!! :(
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The Talisman looks as well finished as they all seem to!! And like the profile of them!!
The Fusion doesn't look too good in comparison!
Out of the two (from the nice pics posted) I would go for the Talisman.
I am sure that the Fusion bats looked a lot better quality a couple of years ago!! :(
Yer Fusions did always seem to look superb, this bats only a straw poll however. Im not bothered as i am grateful that they replaced my bat, but if i had paid full price for it i would be slightly aggrieved.
Agree with you on the talisman profile, just seems right... nice amount of concaving but not too much.
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Yer it was a straight swap for a fusion i had last year which broke, not sure how much it would be. Although i think all g1's are 150 quid at the moment... good value!
Gj your more than welcome to use it in nets and see what you think
Thats very kind of you, so I may have a quick go.
What grade is it as it looks very nice?
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Was considering a new fusion, butt after seeing this i think not!
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I think someone should edit this topic the thoughts of Slander and Libel springs to mind and someone could get into trouble saying things like that about about Solitaire. I am sure we are all alowed to think what we like and say what we like but talk like that about English Willow or not could snow ball and damage the chaps business!!! Just a thought but i am sure solitaire would be very offended if he read this!! I know i would if someone was making unsubstantited claims about the standard of my work etc.
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I think it would be an idea to invite Roger Weston, founder and podshaver for Solitaire, to either join the plethora of excellent batmakers on CBF or at least ask him to do an interview. It would give him a chance to strengthen his brand's position and put these silly rumours to bed.
Is there any chance that either one of these can be arranged?
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I dont know ask him, stop masquerading around my topic.
As for the grade i dont know, youll have to ask mike... it only says storm and some have perfect storm so im guessing its g2. Isnt the prettiest willow, but it feels good.
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Was a Pro's bat, made for this season so will play I think!!!!!!!!!!! but as a stock bat can only be a Storm, custom's are labelled as a Perfect Storm. Should play as well as any bat seen on here and a bargain too.
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Was indeed a bargain, it goes very well... forgiving and flys off the middle... seems much much better than the fusion after giving each a fair go.
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Glad to hear that......
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Indeed, equally as impressive is the balance which i think is key to a bat feeling right, havent had a bat that felt this nice in the hands in a while.
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Would consider selling the fusion if anyone fancies one, been briefly used and is unscathed
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Just out of interest how much for??
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A reasonable amount as its basically new, make me an offer!
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how much was it new? Need a new lid?
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It was a replacement for my limited edition bat that broke and they cost 275, an no thanks.
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oh okay well dont have that kind of money mate!
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Not really interested in the Fusion as the profile doesn't look as well suited for me!
Would take the Talisman off your hands though fella! ;)
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Cetainly not as it feels superb at the moment, its a keeper. Have you tried you ultra talisman yet?