Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: GJ on October 16, 2010, 10:14:13 AM

Title: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: GJ on October 16, 2010, 10:14:13 AM
As the title says really!
Interested to see what people will put, as I know a lot of guys on here would order their bat off the internet or over the phone, without going and picking it up...
Whether it be grains, pick-up, handle shape, density etc, etc...
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: peplow on October 16, 2010, 10:17:03 AM
performance for me, i've learnt over time looks aren't everything!! But if you can get a looker with 8-12 grains and still goes then all the better!
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Colesy on October 16, 2010, 12:05:19 PM
Mid to low middle, more than 7 grains. 2.8-2.11. Nice pick up.

That's about it for me without being too picky.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: AlRidd on October 16, 2010, 12:08:26 PM
Between 2lb 8 and 10. Mid-low middle, lots of grains, bit of heartwood, half inch longer blade than normal, thick oval handle slightly thicker at the bottom, subtle concaving and medium to large edges.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: revboy on October 16, 2010, 12:25:57 PM
Weight around 2.12, 7+ grains, thick edges, lowish middle, oval handle, must have good pick up
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: tim2000s on October 16, 2010, 12:32:22 PM
Weight around 2lb 11oz, but can work in a range from 2lb 10oz - 3lb. Mid to low middle, long blade or long handle, depends on the pick up really. Effect of bat on mallet. Not overly bothered by the cosmetic side of it or whether it has massive edges. Like heartwood, but not overly bothered. Oval handle. Most bats seem to come with some level of bow these days, but it's not something I require.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: johan95 on October 16, 2010, 12:34:04 PM
Mid to low middle, more than 7 grains. 2.8-2.11. Nice pick up.

That's about it for me without being too picky.

Exactly the same, maybe a bit of Concaving and a touch of heartwood on the outside edge.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Colesy on October 16, 2010, 12:35:24 PM
Yeah as long as a bat has those things I could use it. If I was being picky then I'd say about concaving, bow, edge size etc.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: johan95 on October 16, 2010, 12:37:16 PM
Yeah, what bat do you have atm Joe? I hear you're a GM man...
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Colesy on October 16, 2010, 12:48:08 PM
I do like my GMs but have a 2.13 Ayrtek Elite atm.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Tumo on October 16, 2010, 01:06:11 PM
Cricket bats are the one thing that I'm not overly picky on...
Somewhere between 2'9 and 2'12, lower middle although my Hunts County middle is about mid-way, don't care about grains. My GN Venom Viper has 6 grains on, my County has 16... Erm... Fairly decent pick-up? As long as it's fairly decent value for money, it's fine by me! I have both Oval and Round handled bats, concaving really means nothing to me as well. I have one bat with heartwood, one without, and it makes no difference for me!
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: rp27 on October 16, 2010, 01:08:18 PM
Mid to low middle, reasonable edges, longish middle, oval handle, 8-10 grains, 2'9-2'11
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: niceonechoppy on October 16, 2010, 01:30:33 PM
Mid to low middle, reasonable edges, longish middle, oval handle, 8-10 grains, 2'9-2'11
More or less the same as me, apart from I would go as low as 2'8 with at last 7 grains.

I'm not too picky on concaving, just on how the bat picks up and responds, this is vital for me If I am going to feel good at the crease.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Apple on October 16, 2010, 04:16:55 PM
I like looking down at my bat and just seeing wacking great big edges, a sharp spine, mid middle, oval handle, and pick up is of course extremly important, 2-8 to 2-10 in the weight for me. Not worryed about grains at all.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: roco on October 16, 2010, 04:18:43 PM
Pick up is very important to me
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Canners on October 16, 2010, 04:57:00 PM

great pickup, decent sized profile, grains not important but if being picky would go for 7-9 PERFORMANCE is everything , would rather a goer than a looker ;)
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Bez013 on October 16, 2010, 05:46:25 PM
2lb13oz to 2lb15oz in weight, mid to low middle, big profile, oval handle and feels like you could do serious damage when you pick it up...not fussed about cosmetics as long as the bat performs well.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: ianbuchanan on October 16, 2010, 06:43:12 PM
Profile and Grains! Thats about it really.... I also try and stay loyal to the same brand...
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: uknsaunders on October 16, 2010, 07:31:18 PM
How big the edges and middle are, then pickup. If it looks like a pine dresser, I walk...
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: arif786 on October 18, 2010, 12:49:39 PM
Feels good in hands, weight around 2.10+, big edges, lowish middle, good ping off bat
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on October 18, 2010, 12:58:45 PM
a handle and a blade is about as far as i get...dont see why the size of the edges should effect a purchase, until i came onto the forum edge size wasnt something i was aware of as desireable!

having tried out a fair few brands at different weight i feel 2.11-12 is my idea weight
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Buzz on October 18, 2010, 01:21:28 PM
I think this is all nonsense, what matters is 1) how many runs you score and 2) how you feel with the bat at the crease. Given that frequently when you are batting you aren't (or at least shouldn't be) thinking about what is in your hands, 2 almost becomes obsolete. Further you will never know that in a shop. :o

In fact you may find that you will score more runs with a bat that you think at first glance is the wrong weight and feel. I note that Sachin has scored his most recent 1000 test runs faster in few innings than each 1000, batch of his previous 13,000 runs, with a lighter bat that than he has used in the past.

I have found that when in a shop I like the pick up and feel of a 2lbs8/2lbs9 bat but score more runs with a 2lbs 11 or 12 bat.

Feeling at home in all you kit, being comfortable at the crease is more important.

Having a bat with massive edges is irrelevant. The number of grains is frequently irrelevant. The pick up is frequently not that relevent either as you should be thinking about watching the ball and where your runs are coming from not whether a bat has a "feather light pick up" and massive "ping" - you will find that anything else clouds your mind from scoring runs.

I would argue that at the standard people play in general on this forum, having the right grip and ensuring that it is in good condition and not sticky or dirty or with holes in will have more of an impact on how well you do. That has a massive impact as to how the bat feels while you are waiting to bat.

I have bought some lovely looking bats from a shop, with nice grains and nice pick up, but the best bats I have bought have been what I would describe as lucky buys... phoning up the firm directly and saying I need something with a low middle and about 2lbs 10 with an oval handle, what have you got...!!
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: mdl_1979 on October 18, 2010, 01:31:14 PM
You have a great point about the condition of the grip. 
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: tim2000s on October 18, 2010, 01:36:42 PM
I would argue that at the standard people play in general on this forum, having the right grip and ensuring that it is in good condition and not sticky or dirty or with holes in will have more of an impact on how well you do. That has a massive impact as to how the bat feels while you are waiting to bat.
and saying I need something with a low middle and about 2lbs 10 with an oval handle, what have you got...!!

Damn, that's where I've been going wrong.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Perkins17 on October 18, 2010, 01:37:16 PM
i will use anything that feels right in my hands ! i have a 2lb 6oz bat and a 3lb 4oz bat but they feel right and with the right grip on makes all the difference I feel 
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: uknsaunders on October 18, 2010, 01:58:47 PM
are you the hulk or something? that's a huge difference in weight. its a vaid point if a few ounces are involved.
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Cover_Drive on October 18, 2010, 02:17:30 PM
What tops my list is pickup and after that I look at the profile and balance. As long it pickups well then I am happy :).
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: Perkins17 on October 18, 2010, 03:01:38 PM
are you the hulk or something? that's a huge difference in weight. its a vaid point if a few ounces are involved.

Im not the hulk unfortunately far from it :P I'm a big lad but i just like the feell of both and about 10 other bats in between :L
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: sgcricket on October 18, 2010, 03:06:42 PM
pick up, feel and sound off mallet or ball
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: procricket on November 28, 2010, 05:54:35 PM
pick up and the outside edge as i looking down it sounds wired but if i do not feel comfortable with it i will never use it.

i think we all get used to a certain shape and style and stick normally
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: peplow on November 28, 2010, 08:49:08 PM
dave, completely agrre with outside edge an toe, the more bats i have the more i am getting used to different shapes!!
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: tugga_5 on December 07, 2010, 04:20:10 PM
Narrow straight grains with a very light pick-up and incredible ping. Not asking for much really...
Title: Re: What does everybody look for in a bat?
Post by: yvk3103 on December 07, 2010, 04:47:26 PM
comfortable handle and feel, pick-up, balance, performance followed by grains - ideally 9-10 (tighter grains when available are welcome but not a must)