Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Lefthook on October 12, 2010, 11:55:20 AM
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Hi everyone,
I'm in a real dilemma - I'm willing to spend approx £180 on a custom made, and can see that all three (Redback/Warsop/SAF) offer good looking (and positively reviewed) bats for that price.
In your collective experience, are there any quirks or peculiarities to any of these batmakers that give their bats a particular 'feel'? The reason I ask this is that it would seem that their quality is always touted as top-notch.
Its a real dilemma, and I'm suffering with analysis paralysis ... which one would you go for? I simply can't decide ...
Many thanks!
PS. Having not spent a penny buying a bat in the last 8 years (chronic injuries with knees mean that I've missed 5 of the last 8 seasons) I'm willing to splash out for once.
L.
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SAF!!
Go for it mate
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I would agree with Peplow and contact SAF bats on the forum as from what I have read he will talk through what kind of bat you are after and then offer advice which could help you decide the right profile for you. Plus his quirk would be offering an offset edge which would I think aid pick up if that is correct (Istand to be corrected!). I have not heard a bad review so far and his bats won the All Out Cricket Reviews for this year so independent testers thought his bats were great.
Or the other one not on your list you could consider is contacting Talisman (on the forum) as again I haven't heard a bad review of his bats. Hope that helps.
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Also aids the length of the middle to i think the offset sedge, not sure though!
saf will be your best all round package as you'll get a good chat too to find out whats best for you!
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Andy's a great guy to deal with and could talk about bats all day long, i'd recommend SAF
good luck
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plus will actually be custom made for u then rather than just a bat they have in stock
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Eaowbear, Peplow and Canners,
Thanks for your responses; timely and helpful. Until today I hadn't considered SAF as I didn't even realise they existed within my budget! Turns out, they do!
Ayrtek,
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep it in mind.
As an aside, I know that this is something to be discussed with the batmaker, but any help would be great. As I said before, I've missed many seasons through injury - the last bat I bought was when I was 16, and now I'm 24. No real cricket in 4 years (3-5 games total) so I'm lost as to what it is I want. Learned my cricket in Pakistan and consequently, became so wristy that I find it quite tricky playing here. Any idea what pitches are like in the general london/kent area with regards to middle position of bat etc?
Once again, thanks for all your help. It is very welcome.
L
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I think it also very much to do with you being fornt foot and back foot, this is a great reason for saf as well, tell him everything about your cricket and he'll know what you want :).
I went to him with my problems and my game and he told me what i needed!
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depends what level you play at, but the tracks in the south east will be dryer than most and play nearer to the wickets in pakistan ,if there is a dry spell. otherwise i would imagine it will be a bit of a shock.
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You won't go wrong with any of those three. Whereabouts are you based? If you're close to one of them you may be able to arrange to go and see them to talk things through, pick a few up etc.
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I think it also very much to do with you being fornt foot and back foot, this is a great reason for saf as well, tell him everything about your cricket and he'll know what you want :).
I went to him with my problems and my game and he told me what i needed!
Excellent! I wish I'd been able to play with regularity, so that I could tell him what sort of playing style I have now. I tend to move back to the fuller ball and move forward to the bouncer ... that's how long its been!
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You won't go wrong with any of those three. Whereabouts are you based? If you're close to one of them you may be able to arrange to go and see them to talk things through, pick a few up etc.
Am smack bang in the middle of London - moved here a few years ago and have played no cricket since. I used to play in the North East, where the cold wind whips in and fires rain at you from the side!
Oxford + Chelmsford (SAF and Warsop) aren't a million miles away, so I'll try to visit.
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Ouch! i recommend a tennis racket ;) or a shield! jokessss
Wristiness will probably want a light bat??
and maybe a mid middle thats fairly long?
you a driver/puller/cutter?
nurdler? smasher?
have any problems like bat twisting in hands etc...
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Ouch! i recommend a tennis racket ;) or a shield! jokessss
Wristiness will probably want a light bat??
and maybe a mid middle thats fairly long?
you a driver/puller/cutter?
nurdler? smasher?
have any problems like bat twisting in hands etc...
Wristy + love to cut ... except this resulted in so many caught behinds that I fancied giving up cricket. Bat I used was nearing 3lb so perhaps that excuses me for being late on the shot?
Yeah, pulls and cuts are unfortunately what I instinctively do, even though I want to drive it ... so I guess the spec would have to be for a player who moves back more than forward (on a 50/50 length) and cuts and pulls a bit too much. EXTREMELY wristy, with no cure. I guess I'd ask not to have a low middle as this would "feel" a bit heavier and perhaps not the best thing for someone who wants to cut a lot?
And no clue how wickets in the london area play (or if they are different to the north at all!)
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yeah maybe a higher middle for your play and this will improve pick up and going back, a lighter bat may be better for the wrists and cross bat hsots and they are about the dead weight more than pick up imo. Mid-mid high middle maybe with the offset so its longer
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yeah maybe a higher middle for your play and this will improve pick up and going back, a lighter bat may be better for the wrists and cross bat hsots and they are about the dead weight more than pick up imo. Mid-mid high middle maybe with the offset so its longer
I feel like I'm talking to a batmaker! I agree with what you say - thanks for forcing me to think what sort of bat I really need!
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i may be absolutely wrong mate and could be smacked into place my a more knowledgable figure on here, but thats my feelings!! hope its helpful!
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In terms of playing in London, it really does depend on level and location. I've played on pitches in Greenwich Park, Wansford Common, Raynes Park, Croydon, North Middlesex Club Ground, Ham and Reigate. The pitches all vary. The commonest way to look at it is as follows:
In the early season, they are nearly all slow and low.
This summer, they became much bouncier and came on to the bat better after the dry spell.
After the wetness towards the end of the season, we had much slower pitches again, but this time slightly bouncier.
Very varied, and the location makes all the diference.
You'll probably find that they take significantly more seam than you are used to (I can make a ball pitch leg stump and miss a fish outside off stump, and I'm only playing lower league level), but combined with terribly low bounce.
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I have a Redback and it is quality, However SAF is my next purchase, Once i can warrant purchasing another bat, Maybe sell some stock to afford it,
Andy @ SAF will make you a quality Blade,
Gary @ Redback will also do so,
Warsop heard good things but i would go with Andy or Gary for true custom experience.
And if your lucky you could get a bat made infront of your eyes.
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In terms of playing in London, it really does depend on level and location. I've played on pitches in Greenwich Park, Wansford Common, Raynes Park, Croydon, North Middlesex Club Ground, Ham and Reigate. The pitches all vary. The commonest way to look at it is as follows:
In the early season, they are nearly all slow and low.
This summer, they became much bouncier and came on to the bat better after the dry spell.
After the wetness towards the end of the season, we had much slower pitches again, but this time slightly bouncier.
Very varied, and the location makes all the diference.
You'll probably find that they take significantly more seam than you are used to (I can make a ball pitch leg stump and miss a fish outside off stump, and I'm only playing lower league level), but combined with terribly low bounce.
Great post, and thanks for the overview. Takes more seam! It was more than enough as it was up there! Hehe. I played a fairly lower league level, but don't know where I was headed to as I basically broke down at 19yo.
I actually began as an off-spin bowler, and have begun bowling again after a 4 year lay-off - I think the missed time has killed my chances of taking it any further, but hopefully the pitches grip a bit.
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The way I see it, all three are decent quality and most people would be more than happy with either of the bats! I have had 3 new Warsops which have been purchased from me by teamates, all of which are more than happy!
I still have my Redback which is a stonking bat - goes well and plays beatifully.
And have also used a couple of SAF bats in the nets, as well as seeing Andy's genius with hand making them. The SAF bats I used played soooooo well! :-))
TOUGH choice!! So what do you want from a bat?
If you want a standard shape and quality bat, then go Warsop.
If you want a standard shape which you can request slight variations then go Redback.
And if you want an award winning batmaker who would be able to customise your bat to your liking, then go SAF!
I like Warsop, but actually prefer Redback, as mine is pure quality!
But if it were me, I would go SAF as he offers that bit extra and the quality is unquestionable!! :-)
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The way I see it, all three are decent quality and most people would be more than happy with either of the bats! I have had 3 new Warsops which have been purchased from me by teamates, all of which are more than happy!
I still have my Redback which is a stonking bat - goes well and plays beatifully.
And have also used a couple of SAF bats in the nets, as well as seeing Andy's genius with hand making them. The SAF bats I used played soooooo well! :-))
TOUGH choice!! So what do you want from a bat?
If you want a standard shape and quality bat, then go Warsop.
If you want a standard shape which you can request slight variations then go Redback.
And if you want an award winning batmaker who would be able to customise your bat to your liking, then go SAF!
I like Warsop, but actually prefer Redback, as mine is pure quality!
But if it were me, I would go SAF as he offers that bit extra and the quality is unquestionable!! :-)
Ah, great to hear from someone who has experienced all of the makers in question. Thanks for the tips - I've just tracked back and found some of your reviews. Really helpful.
And just for kicks, just many bats do you own?!
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I recently had a custom bat made by Andy from SAF. The bat is superb, you can't go wrong with a SAF :)
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I recently had a custom bat made by Andy from SAF. The bat is superb, you can't go wrong with a SAF :)
Ah, did you do it over the phone or did you get to see Andy's workshop? Also, what sort of specs did you go for? And which willow, if you don't mind my asking?
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Ah, great to hear from someone who has experienced all of the makers in question. Thanks for the tips - I've just tracked back and found some of your reviews. Really helpful.
And just for kicks, just many bats do you own?!
I need to do some more detailed reviews, which will take place over the cold Winter months! ;)
Just for kicks, I think around 90 or so with several more on their way soon! :(
I believe that a few people go and watch their bats being finished for them by Andy at SAF, which is a great experience!
And as you probably already know, I was lucky enough to have Andy help me make my own bat at his workshop which was an awesome experience! And not only can he make beautiful quality bats, he also showed how good he is by correcting the mistakes I made whilst trying to make mine! ;)
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Ah, did you do it over the phone or did you get to see Andy's workshop? Also, what sort of specs did you go for? And which willow, if you don't mind my asking?
I went to see Andy in his workshop. He made the bat whilst I was there. I went for grade 1 willow, medium weight, light pick up, big edges, lowish middle with good spread and oval handle. Having a bat made is a good experience. Check my thread in the SAF section.
Hope that helps
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The way I see it, all three are decent quality and most people would be more than happy with either of the bats! I have had 3 new Warsops which have been purchased from me by teamates, all of which are more than happy!
I still have my Redback which is a stonking bat - goes well and plays beatifully.
And have also used a couple of SAF bats in the nets, as well as seeing Andy's genius with hand making them. The SAF bats I used played soooooo well! :-))
TOUGH choice!! So what do you want from a bat?
If you want a standard shape and quality bat, then go Warsop.
If you want a standard shape which you can request slight variations then go Redback.
And if you want an award winning batmaker who would be able to customise your bat to your liking, then go SAF!
I like Warsop, but actually prefer Redback, as mine is pure quality!
But if it were me, I would go SAF as he offers that bit extra and the quality is unquestionable!! :-)
Just a quick addition to this for any future readers. I make custom bats - not just 'tweak' stock shapes :)
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Gary not having used your bats seen many and seems as your the biggest emerging company around here can you make any shape desired ie
laver special profile???
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Sure, do you have one you want copying?
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i sure do bud got my laver pb here sat here and broke nearly in two
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Just a quick addition to this for any future readers. I make custom bats - not just 'tweak' stock shapes :)
I'll second that, Gary makes fully spec'd out custom bats
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Gary how much would your custom bat cost?
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Prices on the website, to be honest most people who buy want customisation of some kind. Its very,very rare someone just says 'just send any bat that weighs 2-10'
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SAF -
Given the sort of reviews your bats have received, expect to hear from me! Health permitting, I'd like to enquire about customising a bat - I'll send an email in a few weeks to see if you're not too busy, and whether you are happy to create a bat for me.
Cheers
L