Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: ProWannabe88 on November 14, 2010, 04:33:39 PM
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Well the day finally came! after waiting a whole 7 days and lots of moaning Myself and Simmy set off down to Northants to see some man about a bat (which turned out to be 2 bats but i'll get to that later).
picture the scene, a cold, foggy and frozen november morning, my alarm goes off at 05:45am BAT TIME :)
Simmy had agreed to accompany me on the 5 hour round trip and to be honest was more excited than i was at first.
We set off from Wakefield at 06:25 and decided that breakfast was in order. A quick visit to subway (closed) was followed by a trip to BK (closed) then a stop at woodall services (open) for a greasy sausage and egg mcmuffin meal 'no cheese please' and a card and cuddly toy for Mr Packs new baby girl Isobel. An empty motorway meant we could make good time, well anyone would doing 100mph all the way to J19. we had planned to get down to Irthlingborough for around 10-10:30 but somehow managed to arrive more than an hour early. This time was killed by initially driving past the workshop and watching swanny's video diary on youtube. you gotta love Youtube! A quick email and voice mail soon had Robert on his way and before Simmy could drop off... again he was opening the doors to BlueRoom (not the strip club).
Robert wasted no time in getting the kettle on and offering us northern folk a good brew while we discussed all things cricket. Including his history at Kookaburra, how he got into bat making and some of the amazing Pro bats he had pinned on the wall. Stuart Law and Dean Jones' Kooks were on show and it was nice to see how much they appreciated his efforts.
the shop was full of bats, all shapes large and small including a Mahooosive Blue room swell and a few very tasty poomas.
Rob then treated us to a sneak preview at some 2011 gear and believe me guys, it looked a bit special. all you Puma boys have something to look forward to in March.
after picking up about 20 different bats we discussed profiles and batting styles etc, what you may look for in a bat and how you wield your sword! this was quite a lengthy discussion and before we got too carried away we were being shown into a room full of Clefts! some were handled, some werent, some were shaped and others were practically fnished. The choice of willow and quality was endless. We did not see a bad looking piece of wood. Whilst we were moaning about the vast array of choice Rob told us about the Puma operation he had going and how he discusses the blades with makers like Tim Keeley for days on end before deciding on the willow for the bats. He takes on Pumas top ranges 5000-6000 and some very good 4000 all uk Made and pressed and stored in Batley for distribution. He also showed us how he likes to press bats differently to when they arrive and also additional pressing of the bats to pro-long life and maximise performance. this was something i was sceptical about until he actually got the machine on and showed us the difference with 2 finished blades. it was phenomenal. the sound altered a lot and so did the feel but after a few tap ups with a hard ball the bats 'PING' (sorry Buzz) had increased massively and Rob explained why he believes a customer should have a bat that performs very well for as long a time as possible, rather than a bat only having a season or two in it!
We didnt get too much time to ask all the necessary questions but he did go on to say that grading with manufacturers differs all the time. The willow itself is graded by the Company selling it and then many retailers grade their bats on looks rather than performance, he explained that many of the pumas are graded like this based on internet sales and non-personal purchases. the image the customer see's is of a perfect bat with plenty of straight grains, very little heartwood and no blemishes and this is what they expect to recieve. we all know you cant always get a bat that looks amazing and goes like a train but apparently this is how most of todays big brand companies grade their sticks.
all the time this was going on Simmy had taken a liking to a very big piece of wood he had managed to find in the cleft hut and proceeded to carry this round the workshop with him until finally Rob offered to finish it off with another little press, sand, buff and finish. so there we go I went for a Custom bat and Simmy got in their first! i must admit it was great to watch Rob doing his stuff and all the time explaining the process and telling us about his equipment. you could tell this guy really loves his job. he wouldnt let Simmy have his bat until he was absolutely spot on it was finished, all the while asking Simmy what his thoughts were.
i wish the same could be said for my bat. i am so picky it took me practically 2 hours to pick a cleft and then i still couldnt decide between 2 very nice big pieces of wood. Rob didnt mind sorting both out for me to have a look at and the choice was made on pick up rather than performance as both bats were equally brilliant.
The custom service was fantastic and showed how individual a bat can be as we both have completely different blades.
All in all it was a fantastic day out, Rob Packs service was excellent, second to none and the guy educated us all morning, what a Legend. We would reccomend this to anyone nearby or anyone willing to travel up/down to Northants. you will find it very hard to pick just the one bat as he has so much quality on show. Enjoy the pics.
Simmy went for a very puma-esque concaved profile with 'New Wave' stickers whereas i preferred a more traditional shape with smaller edges but a steep spine and large hitting area!
Performance review to be conducted during winter nets :)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0028.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0030.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0038.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0041.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0036.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0031.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0056.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0043.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0020.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0053.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0051.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0035.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0033.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0050.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0054.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0021.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0047.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/djsimmy_photos/DSC_0057.jpg)
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Look really nice guys! Especially the one with heartwood! Glad you enjoyed your day out as much as I did to hunts!
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The heartwood is mine :)
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Top choice ;) did you get to see any pro bats?
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Absolutely stunning bats, both of them! What are the weights?
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Both look amazing. very much like the stickers although i think they do look better without side stickers. contrasting profiles but both very tasty
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The weights are 2.10 each which is amazing for the size and yes we saw a shelf full of finished pro blades and pro - rejects. He had some pretty awesome bats in his little willow room :) I Disnt like the stickers but when I got there they looked fantastic in the flesh. They have like a 3d effect as well
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Loving both those bats- slightly prefer liam's but that might be due to my style of play... :) These bats look spectacular; stop making me want to part with more money guys- lol :D
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They look really good, both look big bats what are the weights?
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Haven't you and simmy got new lekkas too?! How are you going to choose which to use...
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The weights are 2.10 each which is amazing for the size and yes we saw a shelf full of finished pro blades and pro - rejects. He had some pretty awesome bats in his little willow room :) I Disnt like the stickers but when I got there they looked fantastic in the flesh. They have like a 3d effect as well
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Sounds like a good day out and good to hear Rob is doing so well and his shop sounds like a bat nerds dream!!! Cant wait to hear how well the bats perform, going on past experience i bet they are lovely once knocked and played in!!!
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I can't wait to get it in the nets. Simmys bay is huge as well.
Yes jimba but I'm considering selling the Lekka now i have this beast!!
Simmy just has to get a bat everytime I do lol.
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The new stick must be good! Although it would be a waste to have a 140 quid bat gathering dust!
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It feels very responsive. Well I'll be letting the Lekka go mate.
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Did rob talk about the knocking in of your bat? How long it may need? Forgot to ask tony cook.
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bats look nice, how much did they cost?
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Did rob talk about the knocking in of your bat? How long it may need? Forgot to ask tony cook.
sadly he didnt say how long to knock in mate..
he did say tho oil it and knock it in or put a scuff sheet on it and knock it in.
i am amazed how responsive these bats are!
outstanding i can not wait to have a net with it
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Ahh okay. Think I may get to work on it tomorrow!
Knew you were going to purchase a bat simmy! Lol
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Was there an extra charge fir the factory/shop visit or just the website prices
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no extra charge roco,
And rob did also say that we got no special treatment and every customer is delt with the same way!
he is so open and passionate about what he does!
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It goes without saying that these are the 'grade 1' clefts, right? Just checking...
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yes grade 1
but tbh every bat we looked at was lovely appearance wise! and some felt more repsonsive than others
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Did you ask him about 'ping', how he knows which cleft will be a go-er etc?
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WEll they both look stonkers! I take it you're still keeping your lekka beast though…you'll have a collection of crackers to try out before january at this rate :)
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WEll they both look stonkers! I take it you're still keeping your lekka beast though…you'll have a collection of crackers to try out before january at this rate :)
i think the lekka might have to go mate as i need some funds and the performance on the blue room is slightly better
Did you ask him about 'ping', how he knows which cleft will be a go-er etc?
We dicusses this a little bit we asked him about the wide and narrow grains if this altered performance and he said no its pure luck. some bats with 6 grains can go just as well with 1's with 20.
He said there is so much to be taken into consideration regarding everything from the way the clefts are dried and how much moister in the wood to the way they are pressed etc. i think the key to bat performance is the pressing.
Rob likes to press each bat diffrently depending on how they feel with the mallet! he pressed my bat alot more than he did liams and both had fantasic results!
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Both look very nice. Lovely profiles. Get any pics inside the workshop or was it strictly no cameras!?
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Cool- I'm sure you'll get a decent amount back on it if you put It up here, as you've barely used it...
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we both took cameras and both forgot to take photos of inside the place!! stupid eh!
im sure he wouldnt of mined us taking photos as he was a fantastic guy!
but we both forgot! to busy trying the bats unfortunatly
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Cool- I'm sure you'll get a decent amount back on it if you put It up here, as you've barely used it...
its never been used other than testing a ball on it and knocking it in and a hammer edge and edge tape!
will take 130 posted for it!
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LOl not for me (surprisingly!) as I've got a lekka :D
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very true!
i think are next trip may be the 4 hour trip to kent!! to go see matt!
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Yeah true- what about SAF too...
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Both bats look great. I hope they play as good as they look and you score tbs of runs with them. Rob Pack seem to be a brilliant batmaker and his finishing looks second to none.
If you don't mind me asking then can I ask if pro bats were really different from your bats? I mean was there anything special in those bats which is not in your bats?
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honestly no!
we picked up a few bats that have been turned down by the pro's.
i think the one i looked at and tested with the ball was one of kieswetter rejected.
it felt and performed no diffrently from are bats! nothing crazy big or light just a nomral bat with a diffrent profile!
like i said above because rob presses all his bats indervidualy he can maximise performace on each and every blade.
the one thing he did say was that he wouldnt press the pro's bats as hard as he did r's as they are only needed for half a season if that and they dont care about how long they last as long as they go like rockets.
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What puma gear did you see? Its only the calibre softs that havent been released yet.
Your bats look very nice! Not sure on the pink stickers though!
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Sounds like it was a fantastic day out. Both bats looks brilliant.
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we picked up and had a little play with the calibre bat very low middle but lovely bit of wood!
had a feel of some of the new 2011 bats they may be same as last years just with new stickers!
new stickers look really nice tho!
sadly 90% of the new puma gear was all boxed up and ready to be despatched.
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Ah okay, thanks Simmy, I appreciate it.
I then wonder why some people (including me) hype up professional players bats if they are same like ours. I mean if anyone from this forum plays a test match against Akhtar, Steyn etc it wouldn't they be able to play with there existing bat(s)?
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yes bats are just bats at end of the day.
some willow will just be reserved for the professional players as it will be amazing!
now because wood is a natural meterial its pure luck if u get something amazing in. then its up to the bat maker weather he wants to save the wood or just use it for the public!
usually the light clefts are used for the pro players as they can create big big bats with very little weight and that is an advantage.
but this is my only experience with a so called pro's bat and a normal one.
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my only observation from my limited experience playing 75 mph+ bowling is the ball doesn't need much bat to race away to the boundary. Maybe some of the amazing hits we see are simply a result of the pace of the ball onto the face of the bat?
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your right dude...
i find it easy to hit bowlers that are fast due to like u said the ball having much more valocity to start with!
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Could be. That's why I hate spinners and puechuckers; nothing to play with really!
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Simmy, by amazing what do you mean? Is it look wise or performance wise?
I agree with cleft part
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Thinking rationally, Uzair, it must be performance, don't you think! Looks are just a plus point...
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One of a vital area in preformance is pressing. And if one tells Rob to press our bats like professional players then I guess there wouldn't be any difference whatsoever.
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Robs pro profiled bats were all on one shelf, finished but rejected for whatever reason. They all looked very good but he did say it's pot luck what you get at different times in the year. The lighter larger clefts were made for his pro's and all looked the part but after having the chance to root round the place we easily found other clefts that would make an equally impressive profile and rob could press the bats in his own way to have it flying like the pro bats. There really wasn't any difference. The kieswetter we saw was shaped to his specific requirements but there were other bats that went better that we could have bought.
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I LIKE!!!!!!!!! Hope you guys had a top day out
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It was awesome. Just itching to get it knocked in for winter nets now
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Haha take your time fella!!! You wana do it well :)
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Oh definitely mate, i enjoy all the foreplay though haha
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Oh definitely mate, i enjoy all the foreplay though haha
Especially after a beer.... ;)
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Oh most definitely. Any excuse to get stuck in
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Congrats chaps on joining the blur room society. 2 v good looking bats and like I said previously, the stickers look better in the flesh. Hope the bats perform well for you and seems you had a cracking day out.
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word of mouth is the best advertising. Just put an order in for one. Cheers guys
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good man! you wont be dissappointed.
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nananannanana PAC CAVEEEEEEEEE PAV CAVEEEEEEEEEEEEE PAV CAVEEEEEEE
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think we are booked in for a net sunday morning so will get propa performance reviews up then
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well guys used the lekka and the blue room in the nets!
both are pressed pretty hard..
need alot of work to get them right!
blueroom seems to go alot better than the lekka of the middle!
but maybe the lekka will just be as good when its knocked in.
its strange how diffrent they feel when playing shots rather than just knocking a bull up and down on them!
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A bull?? how big are these bats???
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lmfao! i am so (No Swearing Please) and dumb bat*
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You only hit about 4 balls with the Lekka simmy lol. It didn't sound the best to be honest but it does need a lot of knocking in yet. I don't know about your blue room mate it looked like it went well and sounded lovely but mine felt awesome. No vibration whatsoever and it absolutely flew out of the meat. A little harder than what I've had before but that didn't bother me after id started to find the middle regularly. And it Didnt take long as the hitting area is pretty big for a more traditionally profiled bat
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Give the lekka's time :) trust me (and i dont even agent for them now!!)
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Lekka singular Sam; didn't liam sell his on?