It's worth popping down if you can! I'd still trust him to pick me out a bat when I'm not there, but nothing quite like visiting a batmaker and watching them work. He'll have a lot of pre-made stock in his showroom that you can pick from, and he makes adjustments on those if required. Just be sure to message first!

Hi all

I have been mulling over getting a new bat for next season and have been in two minds about where to purchase a bat from.

I want a custom build bat to my weight and feel.

I have seen many YouTube videos of Robert Pack especially going through his different profile bats.

I take it you guys would recommend Robert as my choice of purchase?

Also, am I better of going down to his shop or how does it work purchasing online?

Thanks mate - appreciate the response!

I have a custom bat maker just up the hill, and I will probably get him to make me up a replica.

My old Gray Nic X181 750i from around 2014 has done sterling service but is starting to fail and, after multiple repairs, is probably more glue than wood now.

As I live in the bush, I struggle to get hands-on with too many different models to see what might be suitable. Equally, descriptors in catalogues are fairly vague and uninformative.

Any general advice on what modern bats would be of a similar design to the X181 (i.e. low middle / extended spine) so that I can check ahead with various shops to see if they have models in store the next time I am in the big smoke?

It's probably Nixon if he's stopped making, but not sure he'll be the only one with how things are. It's difficult, especially with softs, willow prices, demands on bat sizes etc etc