Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: mattw on February 10, 2011, 02:18:55 PM
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I've got a decent amount of money to spend on a new bat after selling my Warsop and I was originally going to go for a Hawk bat, but I just can't help thinking that their bats are very expensive.
I'm looking for a bat around 2'9, large sweetspot, light pick up with a middish middle. Not really fussed on the cosmetics of the bat and just want performance from it. I would prefer to stay local (worcs area) if I were to go for a custom brand just purely for the fact of supporting local businesses. I've got a Solitaire, but I think I'm only going to use that for T20, so I'm looking for something lighter that I can use when I've got a bit of time at the crease.
I picked up a few bats when a week or so ago at a shop in London and really liked the GN Oblivion and GM Luna as they were huge and picked up beautifully, however the only 'big branded' bat I've owned was a cheap Kook Kahuna and that has served me quite well considering how much it was etc.. and I don't know whether I could afford to spend £200+ on an 'off the shelf' companies bat just incase it were to break and then have to deal with their customer service as I've heard GN can be a pain in the ass with their customer service.
I was wondering what you guys could suggest I could look at and whether you think it's worth spending the money in a Hawk bat over a GN/GM? Any help would be appreciated, Cheers.
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I'll be honest mate, I have no experience from Hawk but have heard good reviews. All I can do is suggest you give Matt @ H4L a call and see what he can do for you. My review is below, it's a belter in all honesty. There will be others that can back me up on this...
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=9523.0
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Yup, at the moment H4l offer the best deal.
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got a pratically new blueroom for sale at mo mate?
only used for 5 net sessions.
2.10 10 straing grains
lovely bat ive got two bluerooms and only really need one.
slight sholder damage but nothing that will effect performance
after 140 posted. these are now 200 new
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The h4l bats look nice, but if i'm paying that amount of money I would want everything to be right and the stickers just look too childish for me, I prefer a more traditional design. Also I would prefer to have a feel of the bats they make and as they aren't local to me there's no chance I can get my hands on one of them...
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I would say they are far from 'childish' but each to their own. Personally I'm not arsed about what the bat looks like...stickers/wood imperfections, as long as it does the job. He does make some incredible bats though, but agree about taking a risk paying for something that you can't pick up and cop a feel
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I have played with some of the big brand bats including kooks, GM, GN and some of the asian brands. However, my SAF is by far the best bat I have played with. May be worth considering
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Yeah I've always liked the looked of SAF's, but it's the same thing again - I don't know anyone from around my area who has one and I would like to have a 'feel' before I buy. I've got my first nets tomorrow evening so hopefully some people will have some new gear i can try out.
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I know you cant try before you buy but consider a UK made G1 Lekka with new xtrax grip for £160 posted.
Regards
Kevin
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It depends on your budget. H4L every time on value for money, love mine! If your going for the more subtle stickers go Newbery! Don't get many bad review of them on here, and I'm sure you could find somewhere to try before you buy as such
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Yeah I've heard the H4L bats are lovely, but same thing - I would really like to try one before really as I priced it up on their website to what I would be looking for and it came to about £235 and for a bit extra I can go to Hawk and try their bats etc before I buy.
Well I haven't tried many Newberys to be fair and the ones I picked up the other day weren't that impressive but I guess that's just because they're the old stock from last season. I've emailed a couple of shops around my area today to see if they've got all of the new 2011 gear in and I'm awaiting replies at the moment.
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Depends on budget mate and by local what you mean as you have hunts blueroom hawk not far but depends what type of bat your after as well as mid middle either a custom or maybe just go to a shop and see what you like the tt has a mid to low middle with nice light pick up
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Well I've probably got about £250tops to spend on a bat. Hawk is the nearest to me, then Solitaire and DF. Don't think I would go for a Hunts or a Blueroom to be honest.
I think the best thing I can do is wait for a bit until a few shops have got all of their 2011 stock in and go and have a feel of a few bats and then decide.
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Why ruling out blueroom and hunts mate just to ask?
I think your right best to go to a few shops as can find a gem in the lower ranges if you look hard enough gm would be my choice but that's me
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No real reasoning behind ruling out blueroom/hunts, it's just they're not 'that' local compared to having Hawk basically on my door step and also Solitaire/DF only about 20mins away, so I would prefer to spend my money there.
Just had a look where Blueroom are situated and they're right by Rushden and Diamonds ground, but we(kidderminster harriers) are playing rushden on the 25th of april which I think is a bank holiday so i doubt it'll be open then?
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Might be but it's all up to you I travelled up from Wales to rob and was worth the trip but by the way your sounding I would go with hawk or a big name brand mate just go to a shop and see what you like Luna looks a top bat
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking, I had set my mind on getting a Hawk until I picked up a few bats when I was down London. As I've already bought some pads and gloves off of them this season I may get a discount on a bat as well, you never know haha.
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Can't hurt to ask and I have heard nothing but good things about them played against a guy who had one and was a beaut of bat considering one myself
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If you have the cash and are prepared to part with it I'd just got with Hawk, they might not be the absolute best value wise but their no doubt they make cracking bats and you'll be able to go in there and have a feel (ohh err) and make sure you're getting something that you like the feel of and performs.
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Yeah I think I probably will, however I have heard that they might not press there own bats anymore? When I go in there I may ask them about it, but I doubt they'll tell me the truth if they didn't?