Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: Cover_Drive on January 21, 2011, 07:09:20 AM
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I was speaking to a Gray Nicolls contracted pro few minutes ago and he is Gray Nicolls one of the biggest signing. So I asked him which bats he used and he said they are Gray Nicolls bats but made in Australia. Can anyone tell who makes Gray Nicolls bats in Australia?
Thanks
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Stuart Kranzbuhler makes the Pro's bats & I think they have another factory out there in Aus
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Gray-Nicolls have two main bases, plus a sister company.
Gray-Nicolls UK is based in Robertsbridge and run by 3 of the 5 Gray's family. It has 4 trained makers headed up by master maker John Gasson who is due to retire this year after 50 years of service, he is to be replaced by alex Hohenkerk who has spent the last 5 years training under him.
Gray-Nicolls AU is based in Victoria and is run by 1 of the 5 Gray's Family. Mr Kranzbeular is in-charge of all manufacture.
They also have a sister company in India which is controlled and managed by both GN UK & AU and it produces bats for both distibution points.
Northern hemisphere GN pro's on the Majority will use English manufactured Bats, but it is not unknown for them to ask for bats made by Mr Kranzbeular as some prefere the alternative shape/style of his blades to wnglish ones.
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So your going to be the new master batmaker at GN UK?
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Thats the way it looks right now.
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Here's an interesting question. How many master batmakers are there who use this forum?
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So your going to be the new master batmaker at GN UK?
What have I missed?
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Different companies use different titles, the management at Gray-Nicolls have chosen to use Master Bat Maker (it's a bit pretentious if you ask me)
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Alex works for gn uk
What have I missed?
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Oh so the chap posting is the Alex who is going to be head batmaker?
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Oh so the chap posting is the Alex who is going to be head batmaker?
Seems that way, yes!
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Yes! :D
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Interesting.
Now I have 2 questions.
Can you do custom orders?
How much discount can you get for us?
Again, worth a try.
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Custom Orders - Yes but only through your local GN retailer
Discount - It's hard enough for me to get any and I make them so I'm afraid not no :P
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Oh well :)
Alex I hope you realise my questions were a bit of a joke, it is really good to have you on board. Stick around you will be a very useful addition.
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I did, there was meant to be a smiley on there but it appears to have failed! Hoping to post some pictures at some point of our new workshop and I will try to answer questions where I can!
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Cheers.
Let me start you off with an easy one:
Legend. Worth it? (insert winking smilie)
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How do you grade you bats???(Looks,Performace,JS Wright grade system???)
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That is a question which could have a very longwinded and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ;)
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I have all day mate
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Don't underestimate how boring we are or indeed how much spare time we have.
Bore away...
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We have 3 main grading points, they are as follows
Splitting/Sawing: Aesthetic Grading
Mill Work: Aesthetic Grading
Making/Pressing: Perfomance & Aesthetic Grading
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Looks alone are there any minimum requirements for it to be graded a PP , Things like a minimum of say 7 grains
Do you ever have any dealing's with Gilbert
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There are minimum aesthetic qualities required for all makes and models.
We own Gilbert Rugby and there HQ is now here in Robertsbridge
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I'm going to come out and say it now. We get people making claims to be whoever or knowing whoever who are just bored people looking for attention. I try and give people the benefit of the doubt, but others may not. I don't doubt what you say but it is possible others may question you.
Don't be offended or scared off by it, if you can produce some evidence that shows who you are you'll be fine. I look forward to your addition to an already massively knowledgeable forum.
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Sorry mate for the questions i echo what JON sheriff is saying if you are who you say you are it is a pleasure to have you here
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I'm not worried, I know who I am and happy for the doubters to ask questions. I will be as open and honest as I can be but there is a point where I have to tow the company line!
P.S
If anyone can explain how to post pics I would be greatful!
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http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=7712.0
here you go mate
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oh another question what do you do with your rogue/ 2nd's bats???
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I'm not worried, I know who I am and happy for the doubters to ask questions. I will be as open and honest as I can be but there is a point where I have to tow the company line!
P.S
If anyone can explain how to post pics I would be greatful!
Do you have an account with an online hoster, such as photobucket? If so just copy the IMG code that appears below each pic.
If not you can either sign up to one or get someone on the forum to host them for you. I will gladly do it if you email them to jonpinson at gmail dot com (alter this to the standard email address form) and I will stick them up for you :)
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2nds are sold to retailers only!
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2nds are sold to retailers only!
Which ones?
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(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/Untitled-1_1792550c.jpg)
Right hand top box, I'm the chap suprisingly with ginger hair, this, more phot's to come once I work out how to get them off my phone!
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Which ones?
The ones that ask for them!
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I think we all want to know about mr cook's bats after his performances. What can you tell us?
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Cheers.
Let me start you off with an easy one:
Legend. Worth it? (insert winking smilie)
haha Jon I have just re-read the whole thread on you ordering a Legend...
Glad we have you on board mate. And yes, can you shed any light on Cook's bats?
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Hi Alex - I think I met you with Mike Brimble at Lords last summer (although I didn't get too invoved and I realise he has been known to pop in to see you in Robertsbridge...!) Can I ask - the 5 star bats i have seen at Romida look great, but are they indian made bats or are some Indian and some made in Robertsbridge?
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maybe there not made by gray nicolls.....
Having seen one of the "GN Xiphos'" he was supposedly using at the back end of 2009 up close and personal (a friend of mine got given it), it certainly wasn't a Xiphos shape. I had a Xiphos and I haven't seen one with concaving and no mini-scoops before...
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Which ones?
The ones that ask for them!
a nice question how do the retailers sell the rogues/2nd do you have a stipulation as there carrying the GN name
It is a nice question mate and as per
Big Ginger Lad welcome to the forum
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GENTLEMEN
Let's see how this pans out before we go into assassination mode, eh?
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GENTLEMEN
Let's see how this pans out before we go into assassination mode, eh?
Hmmm. Didn't think I was assassinating??? Simply stating what I'd seen!
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Hmmm. Didn't think I was assassinating??? Simply stating what I'd seen!
Not you mate, put it down to editing.
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I have no idea how 2nd,s are sold by retailers
Cook used his own shape made by me (he has done since the last west indies tour) as well as a few original Xiphos but they mostly seemed to be net bats!
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Jon, are you still considering a Legend then?
Plus...never did get that Christmas photo you took! Would have made a blinding festive screensaver
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Cook used his own shape made by me (he has done since the last west indies tour) as well as a few original Xiphos but they mostly seemed to be net bats!
So Alex, you made Cook's rocket for the Ashes then?
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Fantastic to have you on the forum Alex. Just what is needed.
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Jon, are you still considering a Legend then?
Plus...never did get that Christmas photo you took! Would have made a blinding festive screensaver
Mate I'm so sorry, had a few 'personal issues' over the joyous festive period so it slipped my mind. I edited it so if you still want it pm me your addy again.
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Hi Alex - I think I met you with Mike Brimble at Lords last summer (although I didn't get too invoved and I realise he has been known to pop in to see you in Robertsbridge...!) Can I ask - the 5 star bats i have seen at Romida look great, but are they indian made bats or are some Indian and some made in Robertsbridge?
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Mate I'm so sorry, had a few 'personal issues' over the joyous festive period so it slipped my mind. I edited it so if you still want it pm me your addy again.
Will do mate! No need to apologise, just thought it was a blinding photo! Maybe you could knock one up for Easter as well
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Ah great to have you here, Alex!
Few questions form me;
The pro I'm talking about is your Asian signup, so I was speaking to him and he said his bats are made in Australia. However, what confuses me is that if his bats are made in AU then why do he has English stickers on them?
Secondly, if I buy Oblivion LE where will it be made? Are they made in England or what? Also is the cleft used for Oblivion LE is test style and will have big profile/shape?
Thanks a ton!
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Welcome to the forum mate good to have a leading brands view on here
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Hi, thanks for the interest so far, think this could be intetesting!
For the ashes I did make alastair's bats alongside John our head maker.
Contracted players from SA, OZ, NZ will be managed ny GN Australia so Oz branding. The rest of tje world from the uk so Englosh branding on their bats.
Some LE made in India some in UK.
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He told me that his bats are Gray Nicolls bats and are made in Australia and I was quite surprised, hence, I opened this thread.
Ah okay thanks for that if a retailer picks up bats from Gray Nicolls factory will he get a English made one or Indian made Oblivion LE? Secondly, the cleft used in LE bats will it be a test standard and oversized one or some LEs will have test standards clefts and over sized whereas some won't.
So I'm guessing all of the 3*,4* and 5* are made in India correct?
Absolutely fantastic to have you hear mate!
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Mo still get's a few from the uk, was down last summer, if he has some made in oz thry eould be shipped over to us before sending them on to him. He is managed through GN uk, so englidh labels.
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Make sense, cheers mate!
Thanks!
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Hi Alex, any news on the release of the GN E41?
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Only pics I have
([url]http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/100_1198.jpg?t=1294022910[/url])
([url]http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/JoeColes/100_1199.jpg?t=1294022910[/url])
Sorry about the quality.
Does it say e41?
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Yeah its E41 theres a article on the Gn australia site about Khawaja using it but no mention of release or anything..
Usman Khawaja will make his much anticipated Test debut against England in the 5th Ashes Test using the new revolutionary E41 cricket bat pioneered by Australian bat manufacturer GRAY-NICOLLS.
The new E41 boasts the largest ever profile ever made with edges reaching a staggering 41mm at their highest point. GRAY-NICOLLS has been able to take bat making to a new level by developing a completely new manufacturing technique to enable maximum edge and profile thickness. This new profile, with it's light pick up, will allow players to have the perfect balance between extreme power and control.
The revolutionary cricket bat conforms to the Laws of Cricket (Law 6) as set by the rule makers Marylebone Cricket Club.
Usman, a self confessed bat nerd, chose GRAY-NICOLLS at a crucial time in his career as he consolidated his high State average and worked to earn a spot in the Australian cricket side.
"I've always been fascinated by the role my bat plays in scoring runs. Having a local bat maker has allowed my bat specifications to change as my game matures".
GRAY-NICOLLS, one of Australia's great sporting brands, is the only significant bat maker left in Australia and has proudly served the cricket community with their distinctive hand-made English willow since 1876.
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any ideas on what GN has done?
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That e41 sounds like my kinda bat
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Sounds like a marketing scheme
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Usman Khawaja
It took a big offer to keep him he was leaving them just before the Ashes
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Do the UK Gray Nics have problems because I've read places that they can be pretty average, while I haven't really heard anything bad about Gray Nics Australia. I just wonder why this is.
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Do the UK Gray Nics have problems because I've read places that they can be pretty average, while I haven't really heard anything bad about Gray Nics Australia. I just wonder why this is.
Haven't heard of any inherent problems with UK GN bats. Their top range stuff looks very nice. We have one of their batmakers on this forum now, maybe he wouldbe best qualified to comment.
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My Personal Opinion...........
No problems with the quality of GN UK.
Broadly speaking I think were the lines of quality become fuzzy is purely down to the size of the buisness, like is said in many cases on this foum you can go (and I mean this in no offensive terms) to a smaller manufacturer like some of the guys here and get a high quality bat for say around £150, for the same price from GN you might not be so lucky.
It's not us as bat makers who set the prices on the lower ranges (which are all too high as far as I am concerned)
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Breathtakingly and dare I say slightly risky level of truth Alex.
Thankyou.
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A question thats sprung to mind Alex;
Which models of GN are made in England?
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Breathtakingly and dare I say slightly risky level of truth Alex.
Thankyou.
I was about to say I wonder if your boss comes on here much Alex!
Thanks for that insight, I for one think that bats are over-priced these days. By the way, have you been making many Legends recently? Have they proved to be popular?
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like I said, it's all my opinion. £400 fo a Legend is very far fetched!
Legends are very very popular! More orders then I have available wood at this moment in time!
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If you're having such high demand for them at that price then surely that suggests the price may even be to low!
Does pain me to suggest that though as i find it hard to see any justification for paying more than 180ish for any bat, but obviously other's think differently.
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If there is an impression of unparalleled quality and exclusivity, people will buy. Always the way.
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:)
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If there is an impression of unparalleled quality and exclusivity, people will buy. Always the way.
I guess so, it does seem to me that the prices of top range bats (even Ignoring ones from outside the Uk where exchange rates are a factor) sem to be rising well above the rate of inflation.
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Incredibly honest of you there Alex. Jon's hit the nail on the head, why do you think people buy L+W, M+H, Salix, Newbery, Scat etc? As well as GM L.E, GN PP etc, it's a case of "mine cost more so it's better".
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My H4L was nearly half the price of the M&H Distinction, and to be honest, it murders it when it comes to performance.
I'm still shocked about it to be honest!
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I guess so, it does seem to me that the prices of top range bats (even Ignoring ones from outside the Uk where exchange rates are a factor) sem to be rising well above the rate of inflation.
Most batmakers have followed the Laver model. Offer an extreme premium product which costs them as the manufacturer no more than normal, then sit back and let the orders roll in.
GN legend
Newbery Cenkos
The list continues. It is a fantastic business idea. If people buy...kerching. If they don't, nothing lost.
Alex, can you answer my previous question?
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We are able to make all models in the UK dependant on orders/stock requirement
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My H4L was nearly half the price of the M&H Distinction, and to be honest, it murders it when it comes to performance.
I'm still shocked about it to be honest!
It won't always be the case! In the same way that Legends are all belters, but you will find some that outclass the others from the same range and you will sometimes (although I hope not) find other bats that out perform Legends
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We are able to make all models in the UK dependant on orders/stock requirement
So can you make a XXX5 Custom?
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My H4L was nearly half the price of the M&H Distinction, and to be honest, it murders it when it comes to performance.
I'm still shocked about it to be honest!
It won't always be the case! In the same way that Legends are all belters, but you will find some that outclass the others from the same range and you will sometimes (although I hope not) find other bats that out perform Legends
I find this more interesting than looking for top end bats, I love looking for bats that have been downgraded but go like (No Swearing Please) off a shovel, found 2-3 over the years.
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So can you make a XXX5 Custom?
Sorry, should have said we can make all UK models, we can make Oz models, but don't!
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Alex,
Are all Legends made in England ?
Also in your factory is there a choice to pick England Made bats over Indian made?
Last question from Buisness perspective why do you think your bats are better than Newbery etc who look at quality over quantity?
Cheers
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Alex,
Are all Legends made in England ?
Also in your factory is there a choice to pick England Made bats over Indian made?
Last question from Buisness perspective why do you think your bats are better than Newbery etc who look at quality over quantity?
Cheers
cover who told you this about Newbery
The reason they do not produce more is there producing more for others than them self.
What you have to ask is what happens to all there other clefts not up to this so called top grade
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I have read on forum and I think when I once called Newbery the lady said they focus on quality and don't produce bats in mass numbers like GN, GM etc.
This was a while ago now..
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Alex,
Someone told me that during Aus-Eng they hheard Mike Slater saying Struass GN bat was made in Australia because GN English didn't have thick edge bats available for Strauss.
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I have read on forum and I think when I once called Newbery the lady said they focus on quality and don't produce bats in mass numbers like GN, GM etc.
This was a while ago now..
I can quite believe that, but given the number of bats they make for other companies on here...
I wonder whether you or Alex would know... Which of the companies makes the most outsourced bats, e.g. Hunts make Mongoose plus a number of others, and we know that Keeley makes for a number of other brands, even if not shouted about.
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I wonder whether you or Alex would know... Which of the companies makes the most outsourced bats, e.g. Hunts make Mongoose plus a number of others, and we know that Keeley makes for a number of other brands, even if not shouted about
I have no idea, we make for ourselves and ourselve only!
Someone told me that during Aus-Eng they hheard Mike Slater saying Struass GN bat was made in Australia because GN English didn't have thick edge bats available for Strauss.
I have commented on this before, Andy has used both australian and English over the last 5 years, I can say for certain that his blades for this tour of australia were made here in the UK
I have read on forum and I think when I once called Newbery the lady said they focus on quality and don't produce bats in mass numbers like GN, GM etc
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Thats there choice!
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tell us about the E41, what's the new manufacturing technique (or as much as you can say)?
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Hunts haven't made goose for a while now Tim
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tell us about the E41, what's the new manufacturing technique (or as much as you can say)?
It's Australian.............thats all I can say :-[
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Hunts haven't made goose for a while now Tim
Have they not? There was tons of goose stuff there when i visited
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Alex, do you have any special world cup bats for Yardy or Strauss lying about?
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Tom said SS make Mongoose bats now, I read it on this forum somewhere.
I can quite believe that, but given the number of bats they make for other companies on here...
I wonder whether you or Alex would know... Which of the companies makes the most outsourced bats, e.g. Hunts make Mongoose plus a number of others, and we know that Keeley makes for a number of other brands, even if not shouted about.
Who does Newbery make bats for ? I know many companies including one or two of forum get there bats pressed at Newbery.
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Newbery make ALOT of bats i think you'l find
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Yes i was told last week about one of the companies that is being made down there and i was quite surprised
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Do we mean made by "Newbery" or made by "Keeley"?
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Alex, do you have any special world cup bats for Yardy or Strauss lying about?
Yard's was down here yesterday morning collecting some more blades for himself and picking up a couple of extra one's for Straussey!
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Do we mean made by "Newbery" or made by "Keeley"?
We'd probably be struggling counting the amount on two hands!
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and toes haha
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Surely it cant be that many, i mean there is a finite number of cricket brands about, no?
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Its a lot mate, even if its just part mades going from there!
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Are we permitted to speculate? I for one would be interested (in a sad kind of way) as to who gets work done down at Newbery.
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i know. but i dont think its are places to discuss matters on a public forum.
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Yeh, alot of the companies who have their bats made by the person in question cannot publicly say who makes them so it's not a good idea to speculate here.
Suffice to say they make for a hell of a lot of brands.
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i know. but i dont think its are places to discuss matters on a public forum.
i will tell you half of them yes it is not a great place to speculate but hey they did just that in the wisden cricketer though...
bloody hell it funny though when somebody tells you it all in the pressing and telling you it a bad brand even though it been pressed at the same place there's has..
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Yard's was down here yesterday morning collecting some more blades for himself and picking up a couple of extra one's for Straussey!
Any that they rejected that you need to shift on the cheap?
God loves a tryer :D
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lol!
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TBG, any chance GN will get rid of those bloody awful horizontal checkered stickers? (not to mention the secondary labels on the back) GN used to and still could have arguably the best lables. I recon they currently look an awful mess.
What was that bat Booney used to use in the early 90's with the flared back sticker (similar but better than quantum) looked nice also GN Ultimate, powerspot etc.
oblivion, quantum, OZ legend, OZ players are all good (but could be better).
PS its not just GN, slaz seem to be making a right mess of everything.
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Was that Boon bat the Elite could be wrong
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I think you're right
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I think the GN label is one of the most distinctive in the market, maybe no1.
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TBG, any chance GN will get rid of those bloody awful horizontal checkered stickers? (not to mention the secondary labels on the back) GN used to and still could have arguably the best lables. I recon they currently look an awful mess.
What was that bat Booney used to use in the early 90's with the flared back sticker (similar but better than quantum) looked nice also GN Ultimate, powerspot etc.
oblivion, quantum, OZ legend, OZ players are all good (but could be better).
PS its not just GN, slaz seem to be making a right mess of everything.
That's very subjective, I really like the labels if I'm honest, more than most, such as GM, Adidas, and most of the other "bigger" brands.
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The labels are iconic with the brand such as the stumps for fearnley (still one of my favourites) although they have had some funny colour schemes within the label
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Its only the horizontal checkered ones I don't like and some of the secondary labels on the back, the base stickers on front and back are certainly iconic and market leading, that's why I asked if there was any thought to returning to that less cluttered style.