Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: thebigginge on February 04, 2011, 08:51:13 PM

Title: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 04, 2011, 08:51:13 PM
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110203_155954.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110203_155803.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110119_082357.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110203_160006.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110203_160015.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on February 04, 2011, 08:54:34 PM
not too keen on the square shoulders on those 1st ones mate....is this a new T20 bat to maximise edges ??? :D

looks very nice.....has the token wood shaving any good workshop needs as well as some pansies in the window!! Beautiful

what model of bats are to be sculpted from these or is it open to suggestions/orders?
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: FattusCattus on February 04, 2011, 08:56:10 PM
Hmmm - very square-toed, are they Asian?
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Liam-SCCC on February 04, 2011, 08:57:52 PM
The david warner kaboom bats have a square toe
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Tumo on February 04, 2011, 09:06:34 PM
Not too sure about the choice of foliage and shrubbery, much prefer to see a pint or two lying around! In all seriousness, enjoying seeing the business end of how things work in the podshaving world!
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: FattusCattus on February 04, 2011, 09:16:22 PM
The david warner kaboom bats have a square toe

Liam - run with the irony!!
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: justnotcricket86 on February 04, 2011, 10:57:48 PM
Great photos mate, thanks for sharing!

Lovely foliage
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on February 04, 2011, 10:59:46 PM
Nice to see the different methods used by different companies when shaping the bats from their raw state as well

Were a lucky bunch on here to have such a wealth of brands
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Colesy on February 05, 2011, 12:30:18 AM
Far right cleft looks very nice.

Sorry for being really, really immature but those handles do look like something else....
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Paddy Knott on February 05, 2011, 07:10:24 PM
LMFAO! I know what you mean mate...
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Canners on February 05, 2011, 07:59:43 PM

I wish mine looked like that :( lol
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: jonpinson on February 05, 2011, 08:11:10 PM
It's nice to see that if the cricket business fails, you can fall back on your pink cyclamen breeding program.  :D
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 11:45:50 AM
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110209_093003.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110209_093016.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110209_093201.jpg)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/IMG_20110209_093241.jpg)

A few things I've been working on
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Watsontotty on February 12, 2011, 11:50:20 AM
looks like a nice big chunky profile, just my type of weapon for sure.
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 12, 2011, 11:50:47 AM
looks a monster what weight is that & what shape or is it new
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: jonpinson on February 12, 2011, 11:56:26 AM
Which models will they become? Liking the top one, kind of like a more flowing Solution shape.
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Colesy on February 12, 2011, 12:28:36 PM
I'd say that was an Oblivion. Very nice!
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Canners on February 12, 2011, 12:33:21 PM
Gotta be a 3lber plus I'd have thought
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 12:59:37 PM
Some ideas that I have been working on, hoping they'll be taken away by a few pro's for testing. All will finish under 2.10 with binding and grips.
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: jonpinson on February 12, 2011, 01:05:03 PM
They look great and if the size doesn't come down too much with the finishing they will be most impressive.

It's a real shame you are tied into company policy, otherwise you would have people queuing up try them.

You should set up a small side business ;)
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Canners on February 12, 2011, 01:19:03 PM
They look great and if the size doesn't come down too much with the finishing they will be most impressive.

It's a real shame you are tied into company policy, otherwise you would have people queuing up try them.

You should set up a small side business ;)

Totally agree....

I'd definitely want one
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 05:35:59 PM
We are able to make all ranges in the UK, as long as we have the right quality of willow, we do all our work by hand
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Colesy on February 12, 2011, 05:39:15 PM
Alex, what sort of quality do you make in the workshop in terms of 5 star - Limited Edition? I presume the lower models are Indian made?
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 05:44:44 PM
We have a few makers down here, but we manufacture all over the world, UK,INDIA, AUSTRALIA and S.A

We can make all gradesin the uk, it is dependant on availability of willow, stock numbers, order specifications and client requirements

We do organise tours occassionaly
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Colesy on February 12, 2011, 05:46:46 PM
Sounds like a good set-up. Since you've been on the forum my impression of GN has changed for the better :)
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 05:49:05 PM
pm me if you want, no probs


glad to hear your views are changing
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: procricket on February 12, 2011, 05:49:52 PM
Have you any old test opener pads available mate the air cusion principle ones for the mid 90 i know it a long long shot and you do not deal with the public but worth a try mate

they are the best pad ever produced in my opinion even now....

Long shot i understand
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
Afraid not, the factory and warehouse have been flooded since then and we lost alot of stock when that happened, haven't got anything older then maybe 6/7 years and that will only be very rare, and as you correctly say, we don't deal direct with the public
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Cover_Drive on February 12, 2011, 05:58:43 PM
Interesting to read your views, Alex.

I'm after Oblivion LE and Legend and Asad dropped at your factory on Thrusday and ordered these so I hope you make cracking sticks!

Do you mind if I ask how many makers do you have? I mean you'll be head so does it means you'll be making all top of the line bats such as LE, Legend etc by hands and rest will be making lower ends one ?

Was suprised to hear that all GN bats are handmade, you guys make soo many bats and it must require hell of a skills to make vast numbers by hands.

GN have always been my favorite but last year wasn't impressed with there models but this year Oblivion has got me!
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: procricket on February 12, 2011, 06:00:55 PM
I still think the test opener have been the most worn pads ever in test cricket ever test player of that generation of Gn wore Test opener i remember been taken to a sports shop aged 11 when i was bought a pair for getting into the district side 22 years ago...
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 06:07:18 PM
Hi, I saw Asad when he was there, didn't get chance to talk as I could see he was busy sorting his order with other GN staff. The Head maker has choice of whats made but can move the work amogst the other makers.

As far as making goes speed depends on what is being ordered, if we are making stock numbers we can make quicker then if we are doing individual orders.

There is a just a large amount of us all over the world to keep up with the demands of the retail buisness. Hand making is hard work, and the demands on us are steep, but we manage.
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: Cover_Drive on February 12, 2011, 06:13:57 PM
Ah okay, I hope you make those bats which I have order because I know your skills are unmatchable :D

Thanks for that info, I appreciate it

Just a last question the Oblivion LE we (public can buy) is it close to what Cook uses? I mean if Cook needed one can he use a off shelf public accessable Oblivion LE ?
Title: Re: Inside the Workshop
Post by: thebigginge on February 12, 2011, 06:16:12 PM
 :) I would hope so