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Equipment => Bats => Reviews => Topic started by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 03:39:25 PM

Title: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 03:39:25 PM
Travelled down to pay Asad a visit yesterday, and was well worth the trip. went to pick a few bats out. Took about 4 hours to get to chippenham. And got there before Asad was around, so ventured to the pub, with some beers, dry roasted and the IPL, as i travelled abit too quickly!

Service And Selection:
Went in and was told stories and shown some exciting stuff(watch this space). then went in to about 70 bats asad had grabbed for me to choose from. after a good hour or two i managed to cut into down to 5 and then two 3. I would have gone for about 20 if i had the money. Asad gave me lots of help and advice but didn't pressure me at all into buying, as the willow on show did all the convincing i needed.

The Bats:
I went for 3, 2x 2.8 and 1x 2.9. all pick up very very well.

Bat 1:

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00615-20100329-2331.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00616-20100329-2331.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00617-20100329-2332.jpg)

Liked trhe pickup and heartwood of this, but wasnt sure of the blemishes, after assurance from Asad this wouldn't affect the bat whatsoever, i was still unsure. So Asad just gave me a mallet, then the bat spoke for itself. picks up great, and goes very well indeed. lovely shape and nice chunky edges.

Bat 2:
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00619-20100329-2333.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00620-20100329-2333.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00621-20100329-2333.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00622-20100329-2334.jpg)

This is the bat i originally went down to see. fell in love as soon as i saw it, love the heartwood. love the grains, love everything about this bat, picks up very well. and goes great of the mallet, looking forward to using this. same shape, same juicy edges.

Bat 3:

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00623-20100329-2334.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00624-20100329-2334.jpg)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00625-20100329-2334.jpg)

This bat is freaking huge, but picks up the same as the others, is a 2.8 with 38mm edges, wasn't sure about the face but when i saw how massive this bat was i knew i wanted it. have been knocking this up for use tonight, and i'm really really really chuffed!

Overall i had a great day, was great to finally meet asad, i got some fine bats, and learnt alot AND spent alot less then i thought i was going too. Cheers asad!
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/dan_griffin11/IMG00614-20100329-2331.jpg)

Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: procricket on March 30, 2010, 03:43:20 PM
that blank looks special dan and the other how many grains has that bugger got.

he better have some left when i finally get down there

good stuff
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: will5210 on March 30, 2010, 03:47:41 PM
That first Kahuna reminds me of Mikhail Gorbachev's head birthmark!
I think you chose wisely though. I saw a very similar proportioned Malik sher recently and was tempted, but funds wouldn't permit :(
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: SillyShilly on March 30, 2010, 03:49:41 PM
nice looking blades dan - look good with the stickers as well!
I like bats 1 and 2 but not sure about the profile on bat 3 - probably a marmite bat, you'll either love it or hate it.
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Colesy on March 30, 2010, 03:50:33 PM
These aren't Kahunas are they
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: will5210 on March 30, 2010, 03:51:19 PM
These aren't Kahunas are they

Middle looks low for a Kahuna
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 03:52:07 PM
no they arn't kook, better then any kook i've seen
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Conchord on March 30, 2010, 04:03:03 PM
That blank bat looks amazing, how much did you pay?
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 04:06:13 PM
nice looking blades dan - look good with the stickers as well!
I like bats 1 and 2 but not sure about the profile on bat 3 - probably a marmite bat, you'll either love it or hate it.
stickers look great ;), and i can see what your seeing, if you saw the bat in person i'm sure you would change your mind.
That blank bat looks amazing, how much did you pay?

not as much as you would think! bottom-mid range of the big brands
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Mr Cricket on March 30, 2010, 04:24:04 PM
how are the pads and gloves dan?
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 04:43:17 PM
are great! thanks alot mate!
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Mr Cricket on March 30, 2010, 05:20:21 PM
ok bud, pleasure doing business, ill give ya some feedback in a mo :D
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: GJ on March 30, 2010, 05:23:24 PM
Bats look good, not keen on the blanks profile as Dom said. But i'm sure you've got yourself a bargain there as those blemishes take nothing away from the performance.
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Uzi Sports on March 30, 2010, 05:32:26 PM
i quite like the profile on the plain bat, may be you can help me here GJ by highlighting how the profile can be improved so i'll take care of it in the next version. I want to make sure that if u have valid reason we'll use that to improve the bats profile.
I think the way pic is taken is also not helping to show the true profile

Regards

Asad
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Kulli on March 30, 2010, 05:41:30 PM
i quite like the profile on the plain bat, may be you can help me here GJ by highlighting how the profile can be improved so i'll take care of it in the next version. I want to make sure that if u have valid reason we'll use that to improve the bats profile.
I think the way pic is taken is also not helping to show the true profile

Regards

Asad

I think if anything the 'bulge' around the middle looks a bit too exagerated. if it picks up and goes well I wouldn't worry about it.
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: GJ on March 30, 2010, 05:44:08 PM
Just my opinion really. I am not really a great lover of bats with huge edges or asian style profiles for that matter. Not sure how you could improve it really. Fat lot of use I am, i know!!
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 05:44:52 PM
I think if anything the 'bulge' around the middle looks a bit too exagerated. if it picks up and goes well I wouldn't worry about it.
Surely thats where the meat should be? Where i aim the ball to hit?
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: Kulli on March 30, 2010, 05:48:52 PM
Surely thats where the meat should be? Where i aim the ball to hit?

That was my point, ideally you want as much behind there as possible, but it probably gives it a slightly unnatural look which isn;t as pleasing on the eye as a smoother shape. Purely an aesthetic thing so long as the pickup suits.
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: dan_griffin11 on March 30, 2010, 05:51:12 PM
ahh i get what you mean! Picks up very very well so i'm chuffed!
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: petehosk on March 30, 2010, 06:01:46 PM
Bat 2 looks a beauty.
But I actually quite like bat 3 - 2'8 and looks as though it would go like a train!
And I would wager a small bet that even if it is a lower to medium range bat, it would still play as well as some more expensive bats!
Title: Re: An Essex boys visit to the west country.
Post by: kenbriooo on March 30, 2010, 06:19:42 PM
Bat 2 looks a stunner, sort of bat that RP would use, but ironically not G1 due the amount of Heartwood. Get yourself knocking them in and down to nets and give us some review