Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: fortylicks on December 30, 2010, 04:37:23 PM
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Evening everyone, a mate of mine is looking for a new bat (the handle has gone on his Salix) and he's undecided about what to go for. He loves the balance/pick up of the Salix he's got, and wants something similar. I've made him aware of SAF, which is just down the road from us (Oxford) and he wants to know what SAF could offer him in service that Salix can't (He was interested in going to Maidstone for their 'fitting' service).
Any ideas which way he should go? Anyone used any of these services?
Thanks in advance.
Dave
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A rehandle would be cheaper.
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If you go down to Salix they will defo look after you. Price would be a factor though, I'm sure andy would do just as good a saf bat for a lot less
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Ive done the bespoke service thing with Salix. It was quite good although it took a while to get served as there was quite a few people when we went. So be prepared for a lengthy wait in the barn!! There is another bad point in that you dont really get a great choice of clefts and its all over quite quickly, took about 20 mins for Andrew to shape and sand mine. Its good fun watching though. If he does go for that then get Andrew to make his bat as he'll get the best out of it! You also dont get to take your bat away on the day as they keep it for finishing and labelling. Mine was a very good bat, had a season and a half of good use and now its completely dead and is (No Swearing Please) at the toe!! Went with one of their older profiles. If he goes, I'd recommend he looks for a downgraded bat with something like a butterfly mark on the face. I found one there and got it a lot cheaper too.
Cant comment on the SAF one as havent experienced that. May be more useful though as its more local and wont cost you an arm and leg on petrol to get there! I think it costs less too.
Let me know if you need any more info on the salix one though...
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My SAF is a gun, you can do the same thing with Andy down the road I believe, then? It would be worth dropping either Andy (SAF Bats) or Pete (petehosk) a PM or an e-mail, and I am sure they will sort you out.
Thing with Salix is price, as you know you are assured of quality: though the SAF's are lovely.
Hope that's of some help..
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I think it's a no brainer when you have an award winning podshaver in your locality. I can pretty much guarantee that the saf will be a gun. After sales service should also be considered it's easier to stay local in my opinion. The choice is yours though.
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Yeah, #1 in the AOC Blind Bat test...I'm sure there were a couple of Salixes in there too...
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Go SAF, at least you know the bat is made entirely in the UK and any issues/queries will be sorted out straight away!
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i am 30 mins from salix! ;-)
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Do you have biscuits in the workshop? That could tip the balance.
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i can buy a box of broken biscuits ,if that sways it!
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Arent Salix bought in from India now.
if so it makes them an expensive import
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Have sent PM to outline what we can do by way of visit - especially if you are local!!
Let us know either way 8)
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Salix are definitely made in the UK except the Rascal which is made in India from Kashmir willow
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It is just murmurs saying that Salix's are made in India. They are definitely made in Kent.
I got a Salix couple of days ago from Asad (at uzisports). Although it is has been graded as Rogue, I am still having difficulties in finding a reason why it has been label as Rogue as there is no defect which I found. The finishing and craftsmanship is seriously the best I have seen n my life so far. It goes quite well of the mallet and feels great in my hand. I paid around 170 quids and shapewise it is Pod 1 so I would say I got a Pod 1 for 170 notes.
Here is uzisports Salix Factory Seconds section;
http://uzisports.com/index.php?cPath=30_195
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Just had a look at Asads handpicked selection of Salix and they are seriously decent bats.Obviously Salix grading system is extremely high hence these apparent Rogues are classified as such and they are easily Grade 1 plus bats under Adidas or Kooks grading system.
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Do they grade these salix rogues on performance? Is this why u cannot see any flaws on the bat?
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I have a Salix rogue and it was downgraded due to pressing cracks, so the life span will be shorter but the performance remains unaffected. Often they're downgrade because of knots and blemishes in the willow. Although, I guess they're must be some that are downgraded as they happen to be pretty planks.
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I don't remember the name but someone on this forum once said that these Salix 'Rogue perform as well as regular bats.
As tommy said they are usually downgraded due to imperfection willow or dfect such as mark, cracks etc
The bigger the damage/imperfection lower grade bat it would be.
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Thank you for your comments guys, he's still undecided! Will keep you informed how he gets on.
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So I guess what's been established here is that SAF are the one to go for pricewise, and their quality is very high, with there being many examples to prove it. Though, I guess we seem to be saying that if there is a good Salix rogue with Asad, then it might be worth having a look at it, as Cover_Drive's is stunning, and they do churn out some amazing bats. It's all about what he wants in the end, and the funds he has available to him. Though a mate had a Salix a while back, and it split hugely down the back when a ball hit quite sharp in the region of a toe: forgive the pun, but I think that might have been a rogue incident! Though, another thing to consider for him is what would happen, in the unlikely event that his bat breaks...?
Hope that's somewhat helpful.
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I believe that Salix toes are a bit weak. Weak in a sense that they don't have a lot wood or meat in that area even if you opt out for a low profile bat.
I'm not sure but SAF but Salix's finishing and workmanship is just unbelieveable.
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I have an SAF and highly recommend it. The willow looks pretty nice, and Andy grades on performance. Plus, getting a custom service would be slightly easier IMO. Though your Salix looked lovely, I must admit Uzair! As I've previously said, it's all up to him in the end. Whichever way your mate goes, he will get a top quality bat, whether for £180 (SAF), or for higher (Salix Normal, roughly £250-300). Though the Salix Rogues, if they're as nice as the one we've just seen, might definitely be worth a punt!