Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: chasb73 on September 01, 2010, 10:08:14 AM
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Looking to buy a new bat. Was hoping for some opinions!!
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Tough choice, all good! Good luck!!
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Hi there, welcome to the forum - can I suggest you have a really good surf arond the custom bats section of the forum, I think that will really help you make up your mind - you haven't mentioned Redback for example who have a very loyal following, there are also some excellent bats in the forsale/swap section too.
All three of the brands you have mentioned have produced fantastic bats - As I have a SAF bat, I would endorse that choice, but as well as seeking peoples opinions take a look at what people have posted in the past as well as the reviews too (although every bat ever seen on this forum has, erhem, "pro quality ping").
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Thanks for the info Buzz. Never heard of Redback, but will investigate. I have had a bit of a browse on here, my previous bat was an M&H Harlequin (4yrs old now and the toe has gone) so the plan is to pick up a new wand and knock it in over the winter
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Also worth contacting forum member Talisman as he always has lots of bats in stock of his own brand, Newbery etc...
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Added an extra choice in!
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Any of those brands would serve you well to be honest. Its just down to which Profile, Weight, Price and Labels you want really.....
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Well....you know your bats, as all 4 will be absolute guns!
The Harlequin are quality, the Redbacks are excellent, the Black Cats are as good as I've ever used, and the SAF are award winning bats for a damn good reason!!!
I really don't think that you could easily dismiss any of these 4 for being worse than the others!
So easy solution.....buy all 4! ;)
Seriously, it's one hell of a choice!
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I think you need to bare in mind what bat would suit your game and also what sort of tracks you play on
as ive got a m&h harlequin which is a belter of a bat, when playing on hard bouncy tracks but i find the middle is a tad high for the slow/low tracks ive played on this season....
Its a tough choice when buying a bat
buy them all lol
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Wish i had the cash to do so!!
As you say, the pitches for club cricket tend to be low, combined with my preference to play off the front foot means i think i'd have to say no to the M&H as its middle is a touch higher than i'd need
It's a tough choice!!
I think you need to bare in mind what bat would suit your game and also what sort of tracks you play on
as ive got a m&h harlequin which is a belter of a bat, when playing on hard bouncy tracks but i find the middle is a tad high for the slow/low tracks ive played on this season....
Its a tough choice when buying a bat
buy them all lol
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I'd like to try out the Black Cat if it was me. They seem to be very good qaulity bats. There isn't many around in the leagues as well so that's always a bonus. I'm sure will keep you up to date during the whole process and to round it all off, the stickers are extremely classy!
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They'll all be pretty similar I'd think. Just a case of who does a shape you like and who you like dealing with.
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I think a retro might be worth considering, now known as the distinction if you want to stay with M&H as that offers a huge low middle, i however have just ordered a SAF for the exact specs your after frontfoot driving on low decks il let you know how it goes it should be with me during the week :)
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The Redback surefire is a low middle and more traditional profile than the others! There is the Allegiance model which has a middle more like the higher middle of the Harlequin...
You already know that Harlequin bats are decent as you had yours for 4 years! And they won the AOC 2009 best bat award!
And the Black Cat Shadow is (in my opinion) the best bat you can get for £250 - mine goes like an absolute rocket!
BUT don't forget SAF!!! They won 2010 awards for their bats!
Out of all of these, I would get a SAF.....but that's only cos I already have the other bats!! ;)
But any would be good enough for a player at ANY level of cricket....as they are all quality.
Take your time and look at their profiles, what weights they offer, and look at reviews as people get theirs and see which you prefer.
Best of luck chap.
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You can't get better reviewers than petehosk...
have you seen the size of his collection
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And depending on the desired profile don't rule out brands like SS as if you look at the reviews on here they are almost universally positive, especially with regards to value for money
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You can't get better reviewers than petehosk...
have you seen the size of his collection
I am not sure - Graeme Hick gives a mean bat review and he, I think, has scored more first class hundreds than Pete ;)
His photo's aren't as good as Pete's though, although I don't want to get into the size of their respective collections...
FYI Hick chose the SAF...
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I am not sure - Graeme Hick gives a mean bat review and he, I think, has scord more first class hundreds than Pete ;)
His photo's aren't as good as Pete's though.
FYI Hick chose the SAF...
If only there was an i like button i would have definitely have pressed it then haha
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Cheers Pete
Will take all that on board!
The Redback surefire is a low middle and more traditional profile than the others! There is the Allegiance model which has a middle more like the higher middle of the Harlequin...
You already know that Harlequin bats are decent as you had yours for 4 years! And they won the AOC 2009 best bat award!
And the Black Cat Shadow is (in my opinion) the best bat you can get for £250 - mine goes like an absolute rocket!
BUT don't forget SAF!!! They won 2010 awards for their bats!
Out of all of these, I would get a SAF.....but that's only cos I already have the other bats!! ;)
But any would be good enough for a player at ANY level of cricket....as they are all quality.
Take your time and look at their profiles, what weights they offer, and look at reviews as people get theirs and see which you prefer.
Best of luck chap.
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saf gets my vote - value for money , just awsome
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Cheers Pete
Will take all that on board!
If you talk to gary he can do you a Alleigance with a lower middle, I have one with a low middle and it flies, Absolutely beautiful bat.
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Pete, How would a Talisman special from Mike stack up against these listed??
Really enjoying the options out there!!
Well....you know your bats, as all 4 will be absolute guns!
The Harlequin are quality, the Redbacks are excellent, the Black Cats are as good as I've ever used, and the SAF are award winning bats for a damn good reason!!!
I really don't think that you could easily dismiss any of these 4 for being worse than the others!
So easy solution.....buy all 4! ;)
Seriously, it's one hell of a choice!
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Pete, How would a Talisman special from Mike stack up against these listed??
Really enjoying the options out there!!
I can also answer this as i have a Perfect Storm from Mike, Its again a beautiful bat with a lovely pick up and will hit a ball far. Think he charges £180 for his top of the range, And you can discuss what he thinks could be best suited for you,
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Pete, How would a Talisman special from Mike stack up against these listed??
Really enjoying the options out there!!
Talisman provides some amzing bats.
They would stack up and compare well against any brand!
I have a few of his specials...one in my main kitbag and a couple that I will use when I feel I can do them justice...if ever!
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I had a feeling you'd say that :)
Could have made my mind up finally!
Just out of curiosity, why so many bats? Have you a photo of them all together?!
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I wouldn't suggest you to buy a Redback Surefire as I really don't like traditional style bats for now. However, I would recommend Redback Paradox. It has low middle rather than Alleigance which has high middle. So my vote will go to Paradox. It is new bat in Redback catalogue but again it is low middle bat.
I think Shadow sweetspot is inthe middle if I am correct.
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I had a feeling you'd say that :)
Could have made my mind up finally!
Just out of curiosity, why so many bats? Have you a photo of them all together?!
Nearly 100 bats in one picture would be quite hectic to get.
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Well, the thing with Talisman is that he gets some special bats. And even his 'standard' ones are quality.
How many? Unsure - did have around 100 at one point, but ended up selling a few in an attempt to keep the missus sweet!
I would say around 80 or 90 at the moment?
Haven't taken a recent photo really but have the on-going 'bat inventory' topic active on this forum. That's likely to be going for a while yet.
And will try at some point to line them all up and take some pics, but not yet! :(
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I'm sure you can't go wrong with the bats you have listed. I would recommend you get a Talisman as the one I have is a beauty and also Mike is a top bloke so you're sure to get good service.
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I am biased as i have bought Redback Surefires and none of the others.
I like more traditional shapes but all of the bats you have mentioned would be good.
M and H are high middles i think but beutiful.
I have just paid for a Redback Paradox. Can't wait to get my hands on that bad girl.
Black Cats look good, but does he make all of his bats? Anyone know? Either way they look really good as well