Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Cricket Manufacturers / Brands => Hell4Leather => Topic started by: jimba101 on January 18, 2011, 11:14:04 AM
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Hi Guys
Thought i'd put a mini review of my H4L up. I ordered the bat before the Forum offer ran out on New Years Eve.
Specs I went for:
Profile similar to a GN nitro
2.10 'dressed'
Red stickers, anti-scuff and a white grip.
Here's what i received this morning:
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050482.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050481.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050477.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050475.jpg)
Specs:
Just over 2lb 10oz
34mm edges
8 evenly spaced grains, no blemishes.
I am over the moon with the bat! pick up is great, seems really responsive. After getting a Newbery SPS last week, i was slightly worried this bat might play second fiddle to it. two words - NO WAY. Its great and a steal at £150!
I'd like to thank matt, for the great service, communication and a wonderful bat! would recommend them to anyone!
James
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Looks a stunner mate, for £150 that is serious good value. Is the SPS going to be playing 2nd fiddle to this then?
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Is the SPS going to be playing 2nd fiddle to this then?
You know what, i think it may do. I obviously need to use them both and see but they are very similar in profile, weight and size. So it'll come down to which one is luckier ;)
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Always nice to have tough decisions like that to make mate ;)
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still got my CCX 900 which hasnt sold yet too! ;)
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Looks really nice! H4L turning out some nice bats at the moment - & a steal at £150 too.
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mate i have a thruxton sps and I think it will play second fiddle to my H4L. Fantastic bat! This one looks even better!!
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mate i have a thruxton sps and I think it will play second fiddle to my H4L. Fantastic bat! This one looks even better!!
Snap mine is a thruxton! nice choice of bats ;)
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you'll have to update this thread when you've had a hit with it.
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you'll have to update this thread when you've had a hit with it.
Yep, I cant wait for nets to start!!
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I've been weighing up options for a second bat for a while...think we have a winner
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I've been weighing up options for a second bat for a while...think we have a winner
I reckon if you bought one of these it would replace your first bat!
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I reckon if you bought one of these it would replace your first bat!
Hmmm. In the awkward position of having to choose between M&H S6, H4L 666 and SAF for my "primary bat".... Oh the agony!
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First bat is a Distinction mate...would be a hard task living up to that! But from what I have read and seen, it may be a close one.
Just not sure what model to go for, Matt has suggested the Hattori and I saw Jon's and liked it
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It looks a very nice bat there, I am impressed with H4L and their kit.
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First bat is a Distinction mate...would be a hard task living up to that! But from what I have read and seen, it may be a close one.
Just not sure what model to go for, Matt has suggested the Hattori and I saw Jon's and liked it
Hmmm. In the awkward position of having to choose between M&H S6, H4L 666 and SAF for my "primary bat".... Oh the agony!
Both very tough ones! only had the Newbery for 10 minutes before i sent it to mike for a clean up so i wont just to conclusions just yet
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I'd have to say that the bats are finished beautifully, and are very nice pieces of kit. Mine picks up very well, and appears to have a slightly ofset edge. Haven't used it yet as it needs knocking in, but it's a beauty.
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When you consider how much one of the big brands would charge for a similar custom service, that's if they would even do it, this offers remarkable value for money. Even at the non discounted price.
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When you consider how much one of the big brands would charge for a similar custom service, that's if they would even do it, this offers remarkable value for money. Even at the non discounted price.
I agree Jon, and it was your Hattori that I was referring to.
They have some of the best stickers in the business in my opinion, and performance to match by the sounds of it.
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I love the stamp thing on the edge too 8)
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How much would this bat have cost at the "full" price
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£175 on the site isnt it?
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Thats still pretty competitive, i live in kent, might have to pop down there one day
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£175 on the site isnt it?
It is the low end of the 'going rate' for batmakers on this site. If anyone is unsure about going for it, all I'd say is walk into your local sports shop and point out how many hand made English made G1 bats there are for £175 of less.
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i personally dont care where it is made, but, the option to customise your bat to whatever specs you like is what i like about what H4L, SAF etc offer
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Lovely Bat James! Sure you'll love it. I've been very impressed with mine, and though mine isn't a 'Monster' as such, I still got the brand branded on the edges, as I think it looks really sweet. I am sure that it will play really well for you. I'm seeing some absolutely top quality H4L's being churned out at the moment, really impressed with your work Matt, keep it up mate :D
And I totally agree with what has been said about a custom service for those prices, it's top notch!
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Jimba how long before you sell this bat looks a beauty, just seen the bats you been through.
Need a few nets now
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Jimba how long before you sell this bat looks a beauty, just seen the bats you been through.
Need a few nets now
tell me about it! sold the M&H on ebay, The hunts to you. the 2011 hunts to my step brother (because of this beauty!) and in the process of getting rid of the Kook ;)
I do!
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Wow, that bat looks amazing. Big, big profile... £150 for a bat like that, you cant go wrong!
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Just thought i'd add a little bit more now that i've actually used the bat.
Went to my first net session at a new club last night, When i said i was a batsmen they threw me straight into bat. To be honest i was very rusty as i hadnt batted since August, so definatly didnt use the bat to full effect but it was extremely good. The thing that pleased me most was the pick-up, for a big profile bat like this it picked up beautifully and felt really nice. It had the performanc to match the pick up too. I know everyone says this about there bats but it really did 'ping' too. Probably better than any bat i have had previous.
Overall i am extremely happy with the purchase. And would recommend them to anybody! It remains to be seen whether it will be my match bat yet though. Still awaiting my Newbery from mike!
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Jimba mine comes tomorrow morning mate, and will be using it in the nets on Sunday. Went for prerry much the same as you , altho got the red/black handle, 2'9ish.
Already thinking about buying another bat before the season starts, just not sure what to go with
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You will not be dissapointed trust me! Yer mines just over 2.10 and in GN Nitro Profile. Got a lord taveners grip on over the white one now to make the handle abit thicker. I think the newbery will be the spare, really wanted to try one though so had to be bought ;)
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Glad it goes well 4 you & you had a good net
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As all of us know, one bat isnt enough! so i decided to order another.....
As i was extremely pleased with my other H4L, i spoke to matt and ordered a hattori.
I was abit pickier this time round (sorry matt), he sent me lots of pictures of clefts and i chose the one i thought looked best. Also decided to go slightly lighter 2lb 8-9oz as opposed to my 2lb 10-11oz. Matt said this would mean the edges wouldnt be massive, how wrong was he! there around 33-34mm.
Anyway, the bat turned up today, exactly how i'd asked, 11 straight grains. Pick up really is brilliant, i love the feel of it. Gonna have real problems choosing between the two come the 23rd April!
Big thanks to matt again for the superb service.
Pictures will be added sometime this evening
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sounds nice jimba
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(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050957.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050956.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050954.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050953.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050951.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1050955.jpg)
What you think guys? will take some better pics in the sunshine tomorrow :D
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Stonker James. When a bat of mine is next sold on or breaks, I'm spoilt for choice as to where to go!! :)
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Can't wait to get it knocked in! I've officially banned myself from purchasing bats till the end of the season now!
I would love to try a redback though ;)
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looks bloody nice mate, massive edges and a long low middle sounds like a good combo, the willow looks nice 2 :)
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size of middle on that hting! whats the weight
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Just over 2lb 8oz with 1 grip
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Great looking bats Jimba!!!
I'm looking at gettting myself a H4L as well. You've got the two profiles that i was considering and maybe you can give me some advice on the middles,balance and pick up. I'm a top order batsman that likes to drive, cut and pull. Looking for a bat with a nice long middle with a good pick up at a finished weight of 2lb9oz. Oh, will be for South African tracks as well.
Which of these profiles would you recommend?
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The one thing I noticed about the hattori, is the pick-up, feels really really good, so if that is one of your main criterea when choosing I don't think you'd go wrong with one of them. The other bat isn't quite a standard 666 profile, I asked matt to do a copy of my gray nicolls nitro, it has a slightly higher middle than the hattori and is slightly heavier.
I'm not sure what the tracks are like in SA but guessing there a little quicker bouncier than in the UK, therefore you may want to look at something with a mid-middle like my Nitro profiled one, but if your happy with a low middle then a hattori would be perfect.
I'd also add matt has been very helpful, he'll give you advice if you need it and I'm sure if there was a different profile you liked he'd be able to sort you out!
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I'm from Cape Town and the wickets here as are not as quick and bouncy as in Jo'burg. They are slightly slower and lower.
I'm surprised that the Hattori picks up so well, would have expected it to be a bit bottom heavy looking at the profile. The mid middle would probably suit the tracks over here. Which one of your blades has the longest middle?
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its surprising the 2 bats I've felt pick up wise are the hattori and a m&h solution. You'd think the'd both be bottom heavy! Sounds like your tracks are fairly similar to over here then.
As for the middles I haven't used the hattori yet but the Nitro profile one goes well all over, I've used it in about 7 net sessions now so its played in and I have had time to get used to it. Just looking at the profiles I would say they both look like they have long middles, the hattori more so though I suspect...
If you want the low middle go a hattori, if not I'd consider something like my other one, or whatever else matt has to offer!
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Would certainly go for Hattori if i were playing in the UK. I've pro'd in the UK before and i've always used bats with very low middles which worked nicley. Wickets in Cape Town are certainly appreciatively quicker by comparison.
Has anybody used their 2011 range of gloves and pads? thinking about getting some of them to go with the bat.
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Cys, I would go for a custom made mate, perhaps discuss your specs with Matt and see what works, profile wise I think the 666 or Excel would suit you more as you like to Cut and Pull, so a low middle isn't all that useful.
As for the pads and gloves, I think everyone on here is very impressed with them. Hopefully I will be getting some in the next week or so, and can inform you of my thoughts! :)
Hope that helps mate :)
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Hi Johan, thanks for your advice.
I have spoken to the guys at H4L and discussed my specs and i think they'l probably make up a couple of bats and send me the pics so i can see which one i prefer. Not being able to see the bat and personally test pick up and performance i'd always appreciate any input from the guys on the forum who have had some experience with H4L bats. I also think that the 666 profile with some subtle concaving might suit my game and the tracks over here best.
Please keep me updated on the softs and what you think of them! ;)
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I will do that mate, hopefully I will pay tonight :) - I have a 666 which I have just sold, but it was a very nice bat. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about H4L bats so I am sure you will get a belter, are you going L.E. or 5* in terms of Clefts?
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What softs did you order and in which colour?
I'm probably gonna go for an L.E. Cleft. If i'm going to go to the expense to have it imported i might as well do it properly!
L.E. cleft will hopefully also be able to give me a bat with biggish edges and little concaving that goes like an absolute train! :D
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L.E. cleft will hopefully also be able to give me a bat with biggish edges and little concaving that goes like an absolute train! :D
nice choice, matt had some lovely LE clefts with quite alot of grains and some heartwood on the outside edge for a RHB
Both of my 5* have huge adges and the one i've used goes brilliantly so i shouldnt worry about that ;)
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Sounds great! Only problem in that case is that i'm a Leftie :D
Such a pity that courier costs as so ridiculously expensive to SA. Would have loved to be able to come over and pick out some blades and softs myself.
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Sounds great! Only problem in that case is that i'm a Leftie :D
Such a pity that courier costs as so ridiculously expensive to SA. Would have loved to be able to come over and pick out some blades and softs myself.
lol i only saw 2 LE clefts. im sure he'll have a couple more!
what are they, like £25-30?
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Probably about 25-30 just for the bat. If i'm going to bring in pads and gloves it could go up as high as 90! They are charging volumetric weight if that is the correct term. Bit of a rip off by these courier companies! >:(
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Anybody on the forum coming to Cape Town soon for holiday or pre-season cricket tours?
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hi crys i have a h4l excel monster and tbh it is fantastic the middle is really big and it goes very well.
ive got a big bat at 2.12 but it picks up very well.
best bat ive had
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Hi Simmy, it's great to hear so many good things about H4L bats. Loving the fact that they seem to perform so well and pick up nicely as well. They really look like a classy outfit that produce quality products while still staying up to date with current trends in modern day cricket.
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tbh it was the branding that sold it for me and there ablity to make such big bats!
i asked for
2.12
8 grains
low middle
40mm edges
and thats 100% what i got its an absolute belter
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tbh it was the branding that sold it for me and there ablity to make such big bats!
i asked for
2.12
8 grains
low middle
40mm edges
and thats 100% what i got its an absolute belter
The branding is very cool. And the two I have at home, although never used in anger seem to be very good off the mallet.
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Hi Tim2000s, with a brand called hell4leather and names like 666 and hattori i think that these bats were made to "unleash the fury" upon all bowlers! ;)
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Simmy, it's very comforting to know that they try and stick to the customers specs as closely as possible. Makes the whole buying experience so much better.
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took a few weeks to finalse everything matt showed me a bat that was nice but i wanted a little bit more concaving so i told him this and it was done :D
arived at my door and i was like WOW. everything for the stickers to the profile n the finish was good.
the bat is so forgiving as well when u miss time a shot even off the edge of the face etc it still goes. i have seen bats where the middle has been out of this world but the rest of the blade a bit average this just has a very good middle but a very big middle.
cys i have some pics in this section some where of my bat take a look
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http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=9980.0
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Thanks Simmy! Great looking blade mate! I can see what you mean about having a nice long middle. I also love the feel of a more forgiving bat, makes a big difference when you first come in and get couple in the middle. Probably perfect for some slow and low bouncing wickets. loving the arty pics bud ;)
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This is the 666 monster that I have - LHLB:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=7409.msg164069#msg164069
And this is the 5* Excel, with 2009 stickers:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=9254.msg145571#msg145571
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Some more great looking bats! does it ever stop? :)
The more i see of the 666 shape the more i like it. A little different from the bats i have at the moment who all have a fairly low sweet spot.
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Would like to post some pics of some bats that i currently have to give you an idea of the shapes. Where should i post these and how do i go about doing it? Sorry, bit of an idiot when it comes to this stuff! :-[
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Right, been a boring day off, decided to 'pimp' my bat out. Found a matching yellow grip and Hammer Edge to stick on it. Couple more pics in better light.....
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1060018.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1060017.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1060020.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/P1060016.jpg)
Would like to post some pics of some bats that i currently have to give you an idea of the shapes. Where should i post these and how do i go about doing it? Sorry, bit of an idiot when it comes to this stuff! :-[
upload your pictures to a site like photobucket, then copy the IMG code into the post
there is a thread somewhere on it i'll dig it out
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Would like to post some pics of some bats that i currently have to give you an idea of the shapes. Where should i post these and how do i go about doing it? Sorry, bit of an idiot when it comes to this stuff! :-[
try this
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=7712.0
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Thanks Jimba, will give it a try.
Hopefully this works.
Bat 1 - 2'10, 9 grains with 44mm edges is a SF Laminate with D&P stickers.
Bat 2 - 2'8 , 10 grains with 33mm edges is a Black Widow. my current match bat and is 1 of 10 players clefts made last year.
Bat 3 - 2'10, 8 grains with 35mm edges is a CA stickered up as a Kooka. Used by Moeen Ali while playing in Bangladesh.
Bat 4 - 2'10/5, 8 grains with 35mm edges and no concaving. It's an Ihsan 950.
These are the pics.... i hope!
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x341/Cys111/Mybatsfront.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x341/Cys111/Mybatsprofiles-1.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x341/Cys111/Mybatsfront2.jpg)
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Interesting that you say the kookaburra was moeen Ali's and he used it in Bangladesh, how do you know this. Also very surprised a pros bat has such a big butterfly stain in it...
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I am looking at ablack widow, they look the muts. and where did ya get SF lam?
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Interesting that you say the kookaburra was moeen Ali's and he used it in Bangladesh, how do you know this. Also very surprised a pros bat has such a big butterfly stain in it...
He played some club cricket in Cape Town during our domestic season, this was one of the bats he used. As for the butterfly stain, it doesn't seem to negatively effect the performance at all. I also mentioned that this was not a Kooka but a stickered up CA which he probably just picked up for its performance. Hope this makes things clearer.
I am looking at ablack widow, they look the muts. and where did ya get SF lam?
Yup, Dave van der Walt is the batmaker for Black Widow. He's used to be with D&P but broke away a couple of years ago to start his own company. He has made me an absolute stonker and i have yet to hear a bad thing about any of his custom made bats. You can contact him and he will sort you out. I got the SF lam from D&P, another South African company. The owner got a couple on his last visit to India and i managed to bag an absolute beauty!
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Yeah I guess them ones are from same batch which my pros is, he picked his up from d+p absolute train
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Who's your Pro?
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He played some club cricket in Cape Town during our domestic season, this was one of the bats he used. As for the butterfly stain, it doesn't seem to negatively effect the performance at all. I also mentioned that this was not a Kooka but a stickered up CA which he probably just picked up for its performance. Hope this makes things clearer.
Yup, Dave van der Walt is the batmaker for Black Widow. He's used to be with D&P but broke away a couple of years ago to start his own company. He has made me an absolute stonker and i have yet to hear a bad thing about any of his custom made bats. You can contact him and he will sort you out. I got the SF lam from D&P, another South African company. The owner got a couple on his last visit to India and i managed to bag an absolute beauty!
Cheers for clearing that up mate which would again show the fact that not all pros use grade 1 willow on looks and like butterfly stains....
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No probs mate. at the end of the day it's all about the pick-up and performance. Many 1st Class players don't get to pick their own bats and have to take whatever their sponsor gives them. i suppose we are in the fortunate position to try and sample bats from all manufacturers.
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Andy Northcote
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Very true mate. Hoe does it go tho? Well?
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Good player! I played with his brother Nick at Van der Stel cricket Club. Is he going to play any International stuff for Italy at all?
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Very true mate. Hoe does it go tho? Well?
It goes like a train! The pick up is very good though and it feels more like a 2'8 that 2'10.
the Ihsan probably picks up the best of the lot and has no concaving at all. might be an even better performing bat that the kooka (CA ). would love to get my hands on a H4L though!
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Yeah he is mate, he is going to some 20/20 thing, he went to hong kong for world cups qualifiers.
He is averaging 120 so far this year
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Hi Guys
Been a little inactive on here the past few weeks but thought i'd post some pictures of my refurbed H4L
This is the bat i used for the whole of last season, probably scored about 750 runs with it, i must add it is as good as any other bat i have used so why get a new one for next season when i can just get it cleaned up!
Matt's refurb service is extremely good. As i've said this bat had a fair amount of use and there were a number of dents and marks which have all been removed, infact it looked that good that i got in trouble with the GF for ordering a new bat :D
Looking forward to scoring some more runs with it next year now!
Here's a couple of pics (not the best i'm afraid!)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/H4L1.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/H4L2.jpg)
(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq21/jimba101/H4L3.jpg)
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Looks a great job he's done